THUNDER BAY – Christian Cicigoi and Jordan Smith hope to follow in the footsteps of the goaltenders that have gone before them.
Both net-minders on Saturday were chosen in the Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection Draft, Cicigoi in the sixth round by the North Bay Battalion and Smith in the ninth round by the Peterborough Petes.
They were two of five players with local ties taken in the draft, with Thunder Bay Minor Midget Kings teammate Owen Belisle going to the Battalion in the eighth round and forward Keighan Gerrie to the London Knights in the 12th, 10 picks after Levi Siau, who played his midget hockey in London, Ont. was snapped up by Sudbury.
Cicigoi and Smith are the latest goaltenders to catch the eye of scouts, a parade to the pros that in recent years has included the likes of Alex Auld, Carter Hutton, Matt Murray and Mackenzie Blackwood.
The 15-year-old Cicigoi, who expects next season to play for the Powassan Voodoos, the Battalion’s junior A affiliate, said it was pretty cool to hear his name called during the draft.
“I was with my family at the time. We had an idea where I was going to go, from the (OHL) combine I went to with one of my teammates. We were just very anxious and excited to see where I’d end up. Fortunately North Bay was the team to choose me and I’m very excited for the opportunity,” said Cicigoi, who had a 5-6-1 record with a 2.63 goals against average playing for the Kings in the North American Prospects League.
He’s not setting his expectations too high, given his age, at least for his first year away from home.
“I’m there to compete. If they beat me out, it’s fine. I’m just looking to have a good time. My ultimate goal is to make that team, but I’m willing to trust the process,” he said.
Smith said it was stressful waiting to hear his name called, but it was worth every second in the end.
“It’s awesome. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. It’s been a dream since I was little and that’s what I work hard for all year,” said Smith, who posted a 5-5-0 record and 3.22 goals against average with the Kings.
Belisle, who tied for the team lead with 22 points in 23 games, could have chosen to follow older brother Bradley on the U.S. college hockey route, but instead said he felt like major junior was a better fit.
“I see myself more as an OHL player. I’ve watched a lot of OHL since I was younger and I’ve been told by a lot of people I look more like an OHL player. I think doing something different from what my brother is doing is exciting for me,” said Belisle, who added he’ll have to work on his speed and quickness to win over the Battalion coaching staff and win a job as a 16-year-old.
It was Gerrie who tied Belisle atop the Kings scoring parade and who said he was busy refreshing the draft board all afternoon.
“When I saw (my name) pop up, I was happy,” said Gerrie, joining a team a year removed from a Memorial Cup championship.
“It was kind of stressful a little bit, but when it finally happened I was all happy. I was shaking.”
Gerrie said he’ll be attending the Knights camp and will take it from there.
“They’re a very good organization,” he said.
