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LOCAL PLAYERS SERVED OHL
DRAFT NOTICE
Daniel Sisca, Jimmy Ball and Joel Kitchen were three members of the Waxers that were taken by Ontario Hockey League clubs. Sisca, a 15-year-old centre who amassed 22 goals and 37 assists with the Waxers this past season, was the 35th overall selection by the Owen Sound Platers in the second round on Saturday. Waxers' General Manager Larry Herrington was happy the Platers gave high consideration to Sisca. Herrington felt Sisca would definitely have been a first round pick if he was taller than his five-foot-nine stature. "I'm excited for Sisca to be taken so high. It demonstrates the regard for his talent in view of the OHL's reluctance to take smaller players." "Some teams considered him small and some considered his talent and heart first and physical stature second." "No doubt his physical stature isn't a measure of his hockey skills." In Sunday's inaugural OHL Bantam Draft, the North Bay Centennials took Ball in the first round with the 19th overall pick. A six-foot defenceman, the 15-year-old Ball had five goals and 15 assists in 50 games. While disappointed and surprised that Ball did not get taken in Saturday's draft, Herrington felt that in the long run, things will work out for the first-year defenceman. "Jimmy Ball not being taken in the first round on Saturday is a travesty. He deserved to go (in Saturday's draft). He was a force for us," said Herrington. "But things happen for a reason." If there's any consolation, Herrington expects to have Ball back patrolling the blueline for the Waxers in the upcoming campaign. In returning to the Waxers, Herrington hinted that Ball might consider looking at the U.S. college route for a possible scholarship once he leaves the tier two Junior A club. "We've had a lot of interest from different U.S. schools on Ball." Herrington was also surprised that Kitchen was not selected on Saturday. "I don't know what some of the teams look for. But he has great talent and blazing speed," Herrington said of Kitchen's skills. "But our hockey club just got a lot better," Herrington said in anticipation of the pair's return to the Waxers.
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