Spirit Sign First Round Selection Justin Kea

Press Release

(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit are pleased to announce the signing of forward Justin Kea, the 13th overall pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection. Kea is the first player from Saginaw’s 2010 draft class signed by the team.

Kea native tallied 22 goals and 22 assists in 51 games with the minor midget Central Ontario Wolves this past season. The 6’4”, 194lb center hails from Woodville, Ontario, and will be wearing the number 9 for the Spirit.

“Justin (Kea) is a big, strong, skilled forward that can skate,” said Spirit Director of Scouting Jim Paliafito, “He reminds me of a Joe Thornton type.”

According to OHL Central Scouting, Kea is a forward that has all the tools to develop into a very good player at the next level. He has legitimate size, a very good touch and hands for a bigger man and he has better than average feet. When he is really moving his feet he displays a long, powerful stride that can generate some real speed and quickness. Kea has the potential to really fill out as he matures. He prefers to play more of a finesse game, jumping into holes, always looking for the open ice and circling away from the puck.

The Spirit will be introducing Kea and the other new Spirit players at a special ceremony to be held in the immediate future – stay tuned to SaginawSpirit.com for more information!

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)