Matt Dias of the Soo Thunderbirds was the first of five locals selected at the 2004 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection on Saturday.
Dias (in picture) was selected in the fourth round by the Sudbury Wolves at 65th overall. Dias, a 15 year-old forward, scored 12 goals and 21 assists in 42 games this season.
Matt Caria, a forward with the Soo North Stars, was selected in the sixth round by the Toronto St. Michael's Majors.
The Majors made the selection just before the Greyhounds pick in the round. Caria scored 29 goals and added 40 assists for the Great North Midget League champions.
In a surprise selection, the Sarnia Sting nabbed goaltender Ryan Dube from Littner's Park AA Midget in the Sault Major Hockey Association in the 11th round. Dube had not been rumoured to be selected nor is he listed in the OHL's Eligible Player List in the media guide.
Dube's selection then started a frenzy of local action in the 11th round.
Two picks later, the St. Michael's Majors took defenseman Jake McClelland from the North Stars. With the next pick, the Guelph Storm took centre Nick Minardi from Littner's Park.
McClelland is a tough defensive defenseman who scored four goals and 15 points to go with 99 penalty minutes in 36 games.
PHOTO: Forward Matt Dias in action with the Soo Thunderbirds. (File photo by Jim Egan)