The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Defenceman Bouchard first of four Oakville Rangers players selected in OHL draft by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff 39 | Thursday, April 16, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com With more than 9,000 cheering on the hometown London Knights against the Connor McDavid-led Erie Otters, Evan Bouchard got a taste of what the next few years could hold in store for him. A day after being drafted by the London Knights, 17th overall in Saturday's Ontario Hockey League draft, the Oakville Rangers defenceman took in a playoff game at Budweiser Gardens. "It's very loud," he said. "It's a pretty good atmosphere and the fans are very supportive." Bouchard will soon have the opportunity to lift those fans out of their seats. The offensive defenceman scored 18 goals in 35 games with the Rangers, helping them reach the OHL Cup. Bouchard had spoken with pretty much every OHL team so he did not have a good sense of when, or where, he would go in the draft. Watching at home with family and friends Saturday morning, he was relieved to see his name pop up on the computer screen. "I was happy. London is a great organization," he said. "It would be a thrill to play for them and help them have more success." Bouchard said he'll need to add strength to his 6-foot-2 frame and play a little more physically to succeed in the OHL. He also believes he can improve his defensive game, but the OHL scouting report on him was complimentary. "Defensively he is quiet, yet effective," it said. "He plays a controlled game and is usually on the right side of the puck." In terms of reaching his ultimate goal of playing in the NHL, Bouchard will have plenty of experience to draw from. London coach Dale Hunter and general manager Basil McRae combined to play 36 years and just under 2,000 games in the NHL. London also selected another Oakville defenceman who was projected as a first-round pick. The Knights grabbed Ian Blacker in the fourth round. Blacker, a member of Team Ontario that won the gold medal at the Canada Winter Games, dropped in the draft after he committed to the University of Western Michigan. The Knights have never been shy about drafting players with college commitments and have a history of being able to lure players out of the NCAA ranks. In 2013, Anthony Stolarz and Dakota Mermis both left their college teams mid-season to join the Knights. Blacker had three goals and 15 points in 27 games for the Brampton `45s. Oakville defencemen were a popular commodity Saturday. The Saginaw Spirit selected Robert Proner in the second round, 30th overall. Proner played for the Toronto Titans, see Eleven on p.40 General $8.50 | Children & Seniors $6.50 | All seats Tues $5.00 ShowtimeS for April 17 - 23 opeNiNG thiS weeK: pAUl BlArt mAll Cop 2 FirstOntario Investment Shares. Strengthen your portfolio. FirstOntario is offering an opportunity to purchase Investment Shares that are not like other investment options. These Investment Shares are your chance to directly share in our continued success in the form of dividends paid annually. These shares are in limited supply and sell out quickly. While dividend payments are not guaranteed, we are proud to have always historically paid a dividend to our shareholders. Boychoir (pG) Fri & Sat: 8:30 PM Mon & tue: 8:30 PM thu: 8:30 PM Cinderella (G) Fri - thu: 1:20, 4:00, 6:50 Call us at 1-800-616-8878 or visit FirstOntario.com furious 7 (pG) Fri - thu: 1:00, 3:50, 6:40, 9:30 Annual Dividend Rate 4.05 % home (G) Fri: 1:10, 3:30, 6:30, 9:50 Sat: 12:20, 2:20, 4:25, 6:30, 9:50 Sun: 12:20, 2:20, 4:25, 9:50 Mon & tue: 1:10, 3:30, 6:30, 9:50 Wed: 1:10, 3:30, 9:50 thu: 1:10, 3:30, 6:30, 9:50 Minimum 5-year investment Investment shares are only available by offering statement. This is not an offering statement. Please contact the Credit Union as indicated above to receive and review an offering statement. the longest ride (pG) Fri- Wed: 1:30, 4:15, 7:10, 9: 15 thu: 1:30, 4:15, 7:10 paul Blart: mall Cop 2 (pG) Fri- thu: 12:45, 2:50, 5:00, 7:00, 9: 10 171 Speers Road, Oakville (at Kerr St.) | 905-338-6397 (MEWS) www.film.ca