On the second day of the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft, three Soo U18 Greyhounds were selected by two different major junior “A” programs with goaltender Nathan Maguire and forward Brenden Cooke were selected by the Flint Firebirds while defenseman Declan Gallivan was selected by the North Bay Battalion.
Forward Brenden Cook was selected in the eighth round with the 155th pick overall by the Firebirds. The 5’8” and 172 lbs Thessalon, Ontario forward played in 28 regular season games with scoring 19 goals and assisted on 18 goals while only accumulating only two minutes in penalties. In five postseason games with the U18 Greyhounds, Cooke sank nine goals and added six assists in five games. With Team NOHA, the Thessalon forward had two contributors in four games while dressing in two junior ‘A’ contests with the Blind River Beavers.
Brenden Cooke told Saultsports that “it’s such an honour to be drafted by such a great organization and i’m excited to start with them. I can offer energy and scoring ability and I’m also a great and loyal teamate. I’m thankful for flint to draft me.”
Sault Ste Marie, Ontario’s Nathan Maguire was selected in the fifth round by the Flint Firebirds with their 127th selection. The 5’11” and 159 lbs netminder played in 28 games for the U18 Greyhounds with a total of 780 minutes between the pipes with finishing the 2022 – 2023 regular season with an goals against average of 1.69 and only allowing 22 goals during the season. The U18 netminder also had four shutouts during the regular season with the Greyhounds. At the 2023 OHL Cup, Maguire played in two games with a total of 95 minutes and a goals against average of 3.79 and a save percentage of .917 allowing six goals.
“I am super excited to be drafted by a great organization like Flint! I really appreciate all my family, friends, coaches and teammates who have helped me along the way! I’ll bring a positive attitude and work ethic to camp and I can’t wait to meet the team,” Maguire told Saultsports.
Soo U18 Greyhound blueliner Declan Gallivan was selected in the seventh round by the North Bay Battalion with the 141st selection. The Sault Ste Marie, Ontario defenseman scored nine goals and added 16 assists in 28 regular season games while spending 16 minutes in the penalty box. In five postseason contests, the 6’0” and 182 lbs blueliner found the net once and contributed on two goals. In five junior ‘A’ appearance with the Soo Thunderbirds, Gallivan added one goal and two assists. Gallivan represented Northern Ontario in four games with one assist with Team NOHA at the 2023 OHL Cup.
