Bulls sign pair of 2012 draft selections

Press Release

BELLEVILLE, ON - Belleville Bulls Head Coach and General Manager George Burnett announced Tuesday that the team has signed 2012 third and fourth round draft selections Michael Cramarossa and Chad Heffernan to OHL contracts.

The signings come after the Bulls shortened their preseason roster down to 26 players on Sunday afternoon, with both Cramarossa and Heffernan making the cut.

Michael Cramarossa was drafted 51st overall out of the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget program. In 40 games last season alongside fellow Bulls draftee and Marlboros teammate Daniel De Sousa, Cramarossa scored 20 times and added 20 assists. Michael is the younger brother of current Bulls overaged forward Joseph Cramarossa who was acquired in a trade from the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors this past January.

Chad Heffernan was the 69th overall pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, spending last season with the Peterborough Jr. Petes Minor Midgets. A gritty forward, Heffernan scored 12 goals and 11 assists while compiling 86 penalty minutes in 30 games last season.

"We're excited about the addition of these hard working young forwards to our organization," said Burnett of the signings.

"Michael Cramarossa brings us versatility, size, skill and skating up front and has a number of qualities that make him a great addition to our depth chart. Much like his older brother, Michael has shown that he's capable of competing at the OHL level and we look forward to his development."

"With the addition of Chad Heffernan, we get a guy who has worked extremely hard this summer and has improved his skating from when we last saw him at our spring orientation camp. Chad is a competitive player who likes to battle hard in the corners and, as a result of his hard work and dedication, he's improved his skating and secured a spot on our roster to this point in the preseason."

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)