The 4th Annual Greater Metro Hockey League draft took place this past Saturday in Shelburne, Ontario. The South Muskoka Shield arrived well prepared for the draft with GM Gord Carey, Assistant GM Garrett Hamel, and Head Coach Dallyn Telford all in attendance.

The Shield went into the draft with all 10 picks in hand but made only 8 picks during the day after a deal with the Oro-Medonte 77's. With just minutes before the draft GM Gord Carey agreed to a trade proposal handed to him a few days leading up to the draft by Oro GM Jeff Stack. In the trade, the South Muskoka Shield acquired defensemen Zach Loader in exchange for forward Sylvester 'Sly' Spencer and the Shield's 8th, 9th, and 10th round picks in this year's draft. Coach Telford hopes the young Loader will be a building block for the Shield defense core in the coming years. This trade was no doubt a hard one to make. Not because of the draft picks but becasue of the departure of fan favourite 'Sly' Spencer. Sly will no doubt be missed from the Shield lineup this season but we wish him all the best in Oro with the 77's.

With their 1st round pick (10th overall) the Shield selected Dan Madigan from the Nipissing Alouettes. Dan is a 6'3" 195 Ibs power forward who played on Nipissing's top line last year alongside Andre LeClair and Robin Mendelsohn. Last season Dan accumulated 40 goals, 37 assists for 77 points in 42 games. Dan will also be taking Golf Course Management at Barrie's Georgian College in the fall. The Shield staff is extremely happy to have him in our lineup this season.

In the 2nd round (23rd overall) the Shield went back to the GMHL well again, but this time a little further back, by selecting David Bartolomucci of the Guelph Jr. Storm Midget AAA program. David, a 1991 birthdate, played goal for the Tamworth Cyclones in the GMHL's second season with then teamate Dan Soderberg-Andersson. Having Dan commit to playing with the Shield a month prior, he said he knew a goalie interested in playing. This goalie turned out to be David who once stood on his head in net for the Cyclones two seasons ago. We hope David won't have to stand on his head very often this year in net for the Shield.

In the 3rd round the Shield stuck within the GMHL once again and selected 21 year-old Josh Fontana. Josh has played the past two seasons with the Deseronto Storm and has become good friends with Shield forward Dylan Sontag. Whether or not Josh is able to play for the Shield depends on the decision of Travis Saltz, the Shield's only protected 21 year-old who is still undecided about next year. The 5'11" 195 Ibs Defensemen racked up 7 goals, 16 assists for 23 points in 53 games last season.

The Shield had 2 fourth round picks since they acquired Minden's 4th round pick in exchange for the rights to Wil Irons last season. With thier first pick in the 4th round (41st overall) the Shield selected forward Doug Bolger from the Kirkland Lake Legion 87's of the Great North Midget League. Doug registered 4 goals, 4 assists for 8 points in 33 games for the weak 87's team this year but the Shield staff are willing to give him the opportunity to develop his skills at a higher level.

With their second pick in the 4th round (49th overall) the Shield selected John Marsters from the Boston Advantage AAA Major Midget team. John is a 1990 birthdate and a strong 6'1" 190 Ibs forward. Last year John had 16 goals, 27 assists for 43 points in 57 games.

In the 5th round (62nd overall) the Shield took forward Roman Payne from the Westside Warriors AAA Midget program in BC. Roman recorded 22 goals, 15 assists for 37 points in 40 games last season and is a friend of former Shield defenseman Kale Barr. Roman will be at our Rookie Camp in July.

In the 6th round (75th overall) the Shield selected forward Dalton Bowles from the Channel Island Riptide program. Dalton is also anticipated to be at the Shield Rookie Camp this July along with a few other californians.

With their last remaining pick in the 7th round (88th overall) the Shield selected Steven Klinck from the Gravenhurst Flames Midget A team. Steven is the son of Gravenhurst mayor John Klinck and is expected to be at Rookie Camp in July as well.

Overall the Shield staff were happy with their picks in the this years draft and are looking forward to the challenge of repeating as Russell Cup champions.