In the 11th round with the 207th selection overall in the draft, Devon Jones-McDonald was selected by the Oshawa Generals while defenseman Candon O’Neill was picked in the 12th round with the 236th selection overall by the Saginaw Spirit along with defenseman Rylan Fellinger of the Soo U18 Greyhounds was selected 255th overall in the 13th round of the in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Draft.
The 6’0” and 177 lbs forward Jones-McDonald played in 28 regular season games with scoring 14 goals and adding 13 assists and tallying 20 minutes in penalties for the Soo U18 Greyhounds. The Sault Ste Marie, Ontario native played in five playoffs games with finding the back of the net twice and contributed on two more in the GNU18HL postseason. With Team NOHA representing Northern Ontario at the 2023 OHL Cup, Jones-McDonald scored two goals and added one assist in four games.
Jone-McDonald told Saultsports that “as to be expected I’m very excited about becoming an Oshawa General! I believe that they’re a very prestigious organization and I can’t wait to be apart of it. As far as what I can offer them I’ve had a successful season with the U18 Soo Jr Greyhounds and have had the opportunity to play in the OHL Cup, I’m continuing to work hard everyday to improve my game and I plan to do the same with Oshawa.”
Blueliner Candon O’Neill played in 28 regular season contests for the Soo U18 Greyhounds with finishing the regular season with three goals and contributing on 24 more goals for the Sault Ste Marie, Ontario native. The 5’11” and 180 lbs defenseman also represented Northern Ontario with Team NOHA at the 2023 OHL Cup with scoring one as well as playing in five junior ‘A’ regular season games with his hometown Soo Thunderbird during the 2022 – 2023 season. In five postseason games with the U18 Greyhounds, O’Neill scored one goal and added six assists in five games in the GNU18HL playoffs.
“I am extremely honoured to be selected by the Saginaw Spirit. I plan to work hard during the off-season and be at my best come training camp. I will bring my competitive spirit, strong hockey IQ, agility, passion and speed to the Spirit roster. I look forward to meeting the players, coaches and management in the near future,” added O’Neill.
Defenseman Rylan Fellinger was selected 255th overall in the 13th round by the Flint Firebirds. The 6’2” and 170 lbs Sault Ste Marie, Ontario native patrolled the blueline in 25 regular season contests where the blueliner scored twice and notched 12 contributors and accumulated 16 minutes in penalties with the U18 Greyhounds. In five postseason games with the Greyhounds, Fellinger added six assists to his 2022 – 2023 total and Rylan also represented Northern Ontario at the 2023 OHL Cup in four games along with one regular season game with the Soo Thunderbirds.
“I am very excited and honoured to be selected by the Flint Firebirds. I’ve worked really hard and look forward to meeting and working with the team. I plan to continue my hockey journey by bringing my competitiveness, strong work ethic and hockey skills. I want to thank my family, coaches and teammates for all that they have done to get me here today,” added Fellinger.
