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Sports Oakville Beaver By Gary McCarthy METROLAND MEDIA GROUP SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009 25 Mississauga makes Percy a Major priority at OHL draft It would appear that Stuart Percy and the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors are headed for a very good relationship, if first impressions are any indication. Percy says he's the "happiest kid in the world" and the Majors say they're "tickled pink" to have the young defenceman, who turns 16 later this month. Percy, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound local resident, was Mississauga's first selection (15th overall) in Saturday's Ontario Hockey League priority draft. He was one of 13 players taken from the OHL Cup-winning Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. "This is a great organization and I'm going to work hard over the summer to make this team," said Percy, who got a brief tour of his new home rink, the Hershey Centre, from Majors coach and general manager Dave Cameron. "It's tough when you're picking 15th, but we had a pool of players we were looking at and he was in that pool when it was our turn to pick," Cameron said. "He fits my philosophy that you build from the net out, and getting a player like him is just an added bonus. We're tickled pink to have him." Percy had 13 goals and 44 assists in 79 games with the Marlies last season. Scouting reports on him say he contributes at both ends of the ice, looks after his defensive responsibilities and has poise and composure. "I'd say I'm a puck-moving defenceman," Percy said. "I think I'm a responsible defenceman and I make smart decisions." Three minor midget Rangers drafted Percy was the first of several local residents to be selected in Saturday's draft. Three members of the Oakville minor midget AAA Rangers had their names called, including goaltender Chris Festarini, forward Braedan Russell and defenceman Ori Abramson. Festarini went in the fifth round to the Erie Otters, Russell was picked in the ninth round by the Kitchener Rangers, and Abramson was chosen in the 15th round by the Majors. Like Percy, Festarini is thrilled about his new destination. "I would have been happy getting drafted in any round, anywhere," said the 15-year-old Oakville Trafalgar High School student. "It's great (potentially playing in Erie). I already have a lot of connections here and I can make more connections in the States." As an underager, Festarini realizes it might be difficult for him to make the leap to the OHL next season. If he doesn't, he'll likely play tier 2 junior for one of Erie's affiliate squads. Festarini, the valedictorian of his E.J. James graduating class a couple years ago, said preparation and work ethic are his strongest assets. "They're getting a guy that will prepare for anything. Whether its preparing for a practice or preparing for a game, preparation is very big for me," he said. "I think I always want to be the best and I always strive to be the best. Whether its doing homework or going to practice and giving 100 per cent, that's what I do." Festarini credited the Ron Mays Goaltending School for developing his netminding skills, and said his parents, Fred and Nancy Festarini, have also been instrumental in helping him reach the next level. He wasn't surprised to see his teammates selected, either. "I knew they would go. They were on the draft list, and both are very good players," he said of Russell and Abramson. "It's not about where you go, it's about just getting drafted. That's a great accomplishment for anyone our age." -- With files from Jon Kuiperij CHRIS HOROBIN / METROLAND MEDIA GROUP ICE PICKS: Stuart Percy (above, right, with Mississauga St. Michaels Majors coach and general manager Dave Cameron) and Chris Festarini (left) were two of the local residents selected in last weekend's Ontario Hockey League priority draft. Percy went 15th-overall to the Majors, while Festarini was selected in the fifth round by the Erie Otters. Braedan Russell and Ori Abramson, teammates of Festarini on the Oakville minor midget AAA Rangers this season, were also selected in the draft.