67’s to pick Travis Konecny First Overall

Press Release

 Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club today announced that 16-year-old Travis Konecny of the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs will be the first overall pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, presented by State Farm®.

The announcement was made at a news conference held this afternoon at the City of Ottawa Archives where Konecny was introduced to local media.

Travis will be a featured guest on the live 2013 OHL Priority Selection Draft Show, presented by State Farm beginning at 9:00 am on Saturday April 6, 2013.  The draft show along with complete draft coverage is available at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

"It's a great opportunity and it's an honour to be picked by such an historical team,” Konecny said.  “The city of Ottawa is great, especially coming from a small town, it's nice to have a small town feel like Ottawa does. I'm excited to help the 67's in any way I can."

Born March 10, 1997, Konecny was named ALLIANCE Player of the Year scoring 53 goals and 61 assists for 114 points in 54 games for the Chiefs who captured the ALLIANCE Championship this season.  He is the second player to be chosen first overall by the 67’s following Alyn McCauley who was the first overall pick in 1993.

“Our scouting staff saw Travis and all the other possible top picks many times over the course of the season, and we unanimously agreed the he is the best player in the draft,” said 67’s Head Coach and General Manager, Chris Byrne.  “His high-end skills are obvious from the point totals that he recorded, but Travis also has an intense desire to win and a fierce work-ethic which rubs-off on his teammates and makes everybody better.  That’s the type of player you need when you’re goal is to win championships, and that’s our goal here in Ottawa.”

Konecny will also be the 2013 recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award, following 2012 recipient Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters who was recently named the 2012-13 OHL Rookie of the Year.  The "Fergie" is presented annually to the player selected first overall in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The award recognizes the dedication and contributions made by Jack Ferguson during his 25 year association with the Ontario Hockey League, first as a scout with the 67's and followed by his appointment as head of the OHL's Central Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its Director of Central Scouting.

OHL Central Scouting describes the 5’10, 165lb, forward from Bothwell, ON, as: “A very special player.  An explosive skater with the ability to reach top speed in just a few strides, and has one of the best shots at this age.  He always wants the puck on his stick during a game and usually makes something happen when he has it. Travis also hits like a tank and catches a lot of players by surprise because most players don't expect a player of his stature to hit that hard.  Travis is the type of player you win championships with, not just because of his high end skill set, but because of how hard he plays every shift he is on the ice.”

The Priority Selection will officially commence at 9:00 am on Saturday when for the sixth straight year, media and fans can watch the first three rounds live on the OHL Priority Selection Draft Show presented by State Farm at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.  Host Terry Doyle will be joined on set by Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Player Development and Special Events, as well as Matt Turek of OHL Central Scouting to provide analysis, interviews, and video footage of the next wave of OHL stars.

The webcast is in partnership with CCMC and is shown through league partner NeuLion, presented by State Farm.

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