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OkillSports26SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011 Pair of local players selected at NHL Entry DraftBy Jon KuiperijBEAVER SPORTS EDITORtuart Percy traveled to Minnesota, while Scott Wilson trav-eled to Milton. Stuart Percy shook hands with Toronto SMaple Leafs executives, while Scott Wilsons hands were filled with shrubs and flowers. Stuart Percy knew as soon as hisname was announced, while Scott Wilson didnt find out until 45minutes after the fact.The two Oakville residents selected in last weekends NHL EntryDraft will have very different memories of the milestone occasion.But both are thrilled with the way things played out.Being picked by Leafs 'surreal' for PercyIts been a few days since Percy was selected in the first round, th25 overall, by his lifelong favourite team, but hes still pinchinghimself.Ive been just relaxing a bit more on my own, getting back tothe gym and working out, getting back to more day-to-day life,Percy said yesterday (Tuesday) before an on-ice workout. But itsdefinitely still pretty surreal. Ive been running into people on thestreet who are Leafs fans and just I was really surprised.know your face. Saying hi to them and them recognizing you is pretty You never know what cool.can happen on draftThe 18-year-old defenceman day. Some guys flip up rdentered the draft ranked 53and some guys flipamong North American skaters by down. Luckily enough, INHLs central scouting, but his ERIC MILLER / REUTERSwstrong play in the Ontario Hockey as one of the guys League playoffs and Memorial Cup who flipped up.impressed the Leafs enough to take him in Fridays first round. Stuart Percy, on beingI was really surprised. You selected in the first round by never know what can happen on the Toronto Maple Leafsdraft day, Percy said. Some guys flip up and some guys flip down. Luckily enough, I was one of theguys who flipped up.After hearing his name called, Percy turned to his father Stevein the stands and he didnt really say anything. There really, reallywasnt much to say.Percy then headed for the stage to pull on a Leafs jersey for thefirst time and pose for pictures with Torontos front office staff.Being selected by a Leafs squad that has missed the playoffs forthe past six seasons might increase Percys chances of earning an NHL roster spot in the next couple years, though Percy doesnt necessarily see it that way.I think its tough to crack the roster on any team you go to. The Leafs are looking pretty good and young on (defence), Percy said.Theyve got some good guys coming up and their core guysright now are 26, 25. I think any way its going to be tough, but youjust have to work your hardest and I think theyll give me everyopportunity to be successful as well.And if the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors product doesntmake the big club in the next year or two, hell still likely be playingclose to home. The Leafs American Hockey League affiliate, theToronto Marlies, play at Exhibition Places Ricoh Coliseum.CLAUDIO CUGLIARI / OAKVILLE BEAVERI think Ive just been the luckiest kid in the world. The HersheyCentre in Mississauga was a 20-minute drive from where I live, soCHOSEN ONES:Stuart Percy (top photo, alongside Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke) and Scott Wilson weremy friends and family could go to the games, Percy said. Now Illboth selected in last weekend's NHL Entry Draft. Percy went in the first round, 25th overall to the Leafs, while Wilson was a sev-enth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins.See Wilson, page 28