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Kevin Nagel Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com OHL drafts nine Oakville players Highest pick D. J. King, however, won't join Hamilton Bulldogs in fall By Herb Garbutt Burlington Post staff Sports 29 | Friday, April 15, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" D.J. King's experience last Saturday morning was not unlike many other young talented hockey players. King watched nervously while names popped up on a computer screen as teams made their selection in the Ontario Hockey League draft. Unlike the other players who anxiously waited to see their future unfold for them, King already knew where he would be playing next season, and it wasn't going to be in the OHL. "It still gets the nerves going," he said. "I was just excited to see where I would be picked." King, the first of nine from Oakville to be taken in the draft, was eventually selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the second round, 39th overall. If that seems late for a 6-foot-2, 206-pound defenceman that OHL draft guide said, "When he is playing a simple, physical, puck-moving game, there aren't many in this age group that are better," King's wait was probably prolonged given that he had told OHL teams he would not be coming to play for them. Not yet anyway. Born in New York, where his dad Derek played 11 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Islanders, King received an invitation from the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) in January. The blueliner went for a tryout at the Plymouth, Mich.-based program and when he was offered a spot, he accepted. The OHL had been King's focus until getting the invitation and he hasn't ruled out playing in the league. "Right now I'm committed to the program for two years," he said. "After that, Hamilton is definitely an option." Even if King turns out to be a long-term investment for the Bulldogs, they'll be getting a strong, experienced defender. He helped the Mississauga Rebels win three straight Greater Toronto Hockey League championships and won the Ontario Hockey Federation bantam title. This season, he had seven goals and 29 points in 65 games for the Rebels but his best work was in the defensive zone where scouts said "he is physical and very hard to beat in his own end." Asked what he needs to improve, King says, "Everything. I want to be bigger, faster, stronger. I want to work on my skating and my hands." He said that's what appealed to him about the NTDP . He knows a few players in the program and liked the combination of on- and off-ice development. The chance to play in some international tournaments and a schedule against United States Hockey League teams were also attractive. The second Oakville player to be picked was Curtis Douglas, who was taken in the fourth round by the Bar- rie Colts. Like King, the 16-year-old boasts a healthy size advantage on many of his minor hockey rivals. At 6-foot-8 and 208 lbs., the Mississauga Senators' left winger was the tallest player in the draft. And while he said his size helps him protect the puck and knock opponents off it, it wasn't always an advantage. "Two years ago I was 5-11 and then I started growing pretty rapidly," he said. "It took some time getting used to my size, mostly with my skating. My legs are starting to co-operate now. I'm more agile, my stride has gotten longer and I'm getting used to it." Douglas comes by his size naturally. His mom's cousins are former NFL offensive lineman Tony Mandarich and CFL defensive tackle John Mandarich. Douglas, who had eight goals in 32 games with the Sens, hopes to show the Colts there is more to him than just a big body. He'll attend their rookie camp in a few weeks and is hoping to make an impression. "I just want to show off my skills and hopefully catch their eye," he said. "Barrie's D.J. King (top) was selected in such a great organization the second round of the OHL and and I'm going to try draft by the Hamilton Bulldogs. my best to play there next However, the Oakville defence- year." man is planning to join the U.S. Douglas knows there's National Team Development a lot of work ahead to do Program in Plymouth, Mich. in that. He said he'll have to the fall. get stronger and thicker | Aaron Bell ­ OHL Images to compete with 19- and 20-year-old players. He Oakville's Curtis Douglas (bot- plans to work out at Betom) was selected by the Barrie yond the Next Level over Colts in the fourth round of the the summer to get ready for OHL draft Saturday. training camp. OHL teams continued to | CHL Images show interest in Oakville players throughout the day. Joseph Rupoli was selected in the fifth round by the Oshawa Generals. The 6-foot-3, 200-lb. defenceman had 36 points in 65 games with the Toronto Red Wings. Teammate Matthew Hayami went one round later to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The right winger, who played two games with the Oakville Blades, averaged a point a game with the Wings and scored 26 goals in 62 games. Alex DiPaolo was also drafted in the sixth round, going to the Kingston Frontenacs. The left winger scored 19 goals and had 37 points in 33 games with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. The Oakville Rangers' Eric Cerantola was chosen by the Owen Sound Attack in the eighth round. The 6-foot2 right winger had 15 goals and 31 points in 34 games. Rangers' teammate Harrison Rees was picked by the Erie Otters in the 11th round. The defenceman had 10 points in 32 games for Oakville. Two of King's Mississauga Rebels teammates rounded out the Oakville contingent. Goalie Christian Purboo, who posted a 1.47 goals-against average in 38 games, was selected by the North Bay Battalion in the 11th round and defenceman Evan McIntyre went in the 15th round to the Hamilton Bulldogs. He had 25 points in 71 games.