When the Ontario Hockey League conducts its annual Bantam draft on Saturday via the internet, it's expected that Sault Ste. Marie will be well represented. Not only will the Sault be represented by the Greyhounds, who hold the 6th overall pick, but also by a number of local players who are expected to be selected on draft day.
The Air Canada Cup host Soo North Stars are expected to have an impact on draft day as four players could be selected at the priority selection.
Defenceman Trevor Solomon is expected to be the first local product selected. Highly touted and widely recognized as a quality prospect for the draft, Solomon has an offensive side but also provides a gritty side. Seen as one of the top prospects available for the draft, Solomon finished the season with one goal and 14 points for the North Stars in Great North Midget League play while picking up 127 penalty minutes in 33 games.
Adam Combs, a teammate of Solomon, is also a likely pick. Despite being small in stature, Combs isn't afraid to go into the corners and play bigger than his size. The crafty forward is known more for his scoring prowess than his fighting ability as Combs finished second in scoring for the North Stars with 21 goals and 35 points in 33 regular season games. Combs also picked up nine points in 11 playoff games and two points in five games in the Air Canada Cup.
Michael Sharp, a forward with the North Stars, has also shown a scoring touch with the North Stars with 33 points in 35 games. Sharp has decent size at six-feet tall but is light at 160 pounds. But at age 16, Sharp has plenty of time to fill out.
North Star netminder Michael Maulucci was passed over in last year's Ontario Hockey League draft but has made a strong case to be selected this time around. He was named the top goaltender in the GNML after posting a league best goals against average of 2.38 and the most shutouts in the league with six.
Overall, the city of Sault Ste. Marie will be well represented, as it almost always is, when the OHL draft is completed on Saturday afternoon.