Three more prospects have been added to the Sarnia Sting organization through the 2024 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Under-18 Priority Selection.
With the second overall pick, General Manager Dylan Seca added rearguard Jonathan Kapageridis. The six-foot-tall prospect from Maple, Ontario was with the Ontario Junior Hockey League's (OJHL) Cobourg Cougars.
He had playoff success with the Cougars, tallying four goals and 10 assists in 17 Jr. A playoff games.
“Kapageridis is a player who had a great season with both Don Mills U18 and the Cobourg Cougars, he also was a teammate of current Sting forward Carter Kostuch as a member of the 2022-23 Vaughan Kings," said Seca in a statement. "He is a skilled defender who moves well, reads the ice and someone we believe is ready to make the jump.”
With the 24th pick, the Sting added 6’2 goaltender Mark Besedin from the Ottawa Myers Automotive U18 AAA. The goalie from Russia played most of his youth hockey in St. Louis before moving to Ottawa.
“Our Ottawa area scouts were very intrigued by [Besedin] this season and see significant upside in his game," said Seca. "He is a late blooming, big kid that the puck seems to find. We are excited to bring [Besedin] to Sarnia”.
Finally with the 43rd overall pick, Jr. Sting forward Roen Douglas from Petrolia was selected to round out the draft.
The local organization said the "home-grown" player had a great year with the Lambton Jr. Sting U18 AAA.
Douglas racked up 16 goals and 34 assists in 35 regular season games, along with five goals and five assists in the 10-game Jr. Sting playoff run.
“[Douglas] was a leader on his Jr. Sting team this season who put up great numbers with his skill at the centre position," said Seca. "We are always excited when local talent joins the organization and look forward to working with [Douglas]."
The final draft of the off-season will be the 2024 CHL Import Draft, scheduled to take place on July 3 at 11 a.m. The Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior League hold the first overall pick while the Sting will select sixth and 72nd overall.