The Guelph Minor Hockey Association wishes to congratulate all of our players that were drafted in this year’s OHL Priority Selection and U18 Priority Selection.
We reached out to the players to see what they had to say about their experience with the GMHA and what being drafted means to them. Read more below to see what each of them had to say.
OHL 2021 Priority Selection
3rd Round: Zack Lewis (Peterborough Petes)
4th Round: Jakob MacRae (Guelph Storm)
8th Round: Ben Modenhauer (Guelph Storm)
9th Round: Taylor Bothwell (Peterborough Petes)
13th Round: Maximus Macerollo (Peterborough Petes)
13th Round: Carter Lawson (Saginaw Spirit)
OHL 2021 U18 Priority Selection
1st Round: Brock Reinhart (Sarnia Sting)
2nd Round: Ethan Lewis (Guelph Storm)
OHL 2021 Priority Selection
Zack Lewis
Selected 3rd Round by the Peterborough Petes
The Guelph Minor Hockey Association has helped me develop as a player ever since I was seven. They provided lots of ice time and skill development, along with top notch coaches during my entire experience; especially Tim Priamo who helped throughout a tough year of going through a pandemic. Tim got us on the ice as a team as much as possible. I am very honoured to be drafted by such a high class organization such as the Peterborough Petes. I have felt very included so far and have received texts messages and calls from almost all of the players and coaching staff. Along with a visit from GM Mike Oke to hand me my jersey and hat. I am exited to play at a higher level of hockey and be a role model for the kids in the city of Peterborough, and can’t wait to get things started.
Jakob MacRae
Selected 4th Round by the Guelph Storm
It was always a goal and a dream to be drafted to the OHL. My U16 year was an important season to achieve that goal. I knew I needed to be in the best place possible that would provide the greatest development and opportunities for my draft year. Upon much research I decided to make the move to Guelph. It is a great hockey town and the GMHA is a top notch organization. I was fortunate to have Tim Priamo as head coach and Matt Clarke as assistant coach. Tim took what turned out to be a difficult year with the pandemic and made the absolute best of the situation. His knowledge and experience was key in my development and he set the team up with scouting whenever possible. It's thanks to the GMHA for selecting the best knowledgeable and experienced coaches and providing development opportunities to players that are key factors in players development and success at all levels. I'm honored and excited to have been drafted by the Guelph Storm, it's a dream come true.
Ben Moldenhauer
Selected 8th Round by the Guelph Storm
It’s truly an honour to be selected by The Guelph Storm. Growing up in Guelph it’s always been my dream to play for them. I’m super excited to go to training camp and meet all the players and coaching staff. I have been a part of GMHA since tyke. It’s a great organization and I’d like to thank all my teammates and coaches that have pushed me to this point. Especially Tim Priamo for his guidance and training.
Taylor Bothwell
Selected 9th Round by the Peterborough Petes
I am extremely excited and proud to be selected by the Peterborough Petes in the OHL draft. I have been looking forward to this moment since I was 4 and watching the Guelph Storm play; it has been a dream of mine. I have had nothing but good experiences with the GMHA. Great coaches and life long friends that have helped me get to this point in my hockey career. Especially thanks to Tim Priamo, his guidance moulded all of the 6 players that were selected in the OHL draft. He taught us how to be professionals on and off the ice and I can’t thank him enough.
Max Macerollo
Selected 13th Round by the Peterborough Petes
I am excited to test my skill against the best players my age and older, to show what I’m capable of and to continue to improve and attain new skills and make further connections within this community. GMHA provided me the chance to be introduced to great coaches and amazing teammates. It prepared me to be flexible and dynamic to adjust and play with many players and different teams. For the future I look forward to new opportunities to learn from the OHL coaching staff that will take me to the next level, and look forward to meeting and connecting with new teammates.
Carter Lawson
Selected 13th Round by the Saginaw Spirit
I played hockey for the Erin Hillsburgh Devils BB team and tried out for Guelph AAA in minor Peewee. I have played for the Gryphons for 4 years now. I have had some great coaching and have always been proud to say I play for Guelph. For my bantam year, my coach Tim Priamo suggested I try out as a defenceman as I had always played forward for most of my hockey years. I am very grateful for his insight as I feel I am a much better fit in the backend. Tim was very helpful during this transition and I will forever be appreciative of having him as a coach. I am very excited to be drafted by the Saginaw Spirit and look forward to the camp experience. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
From the U16 Coaches:
"All of our draft eligible players showed tremendous commitment and resilience during a unique and challenging season. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the players and families over the past two seasons. We look forward to watching all of these young men continue on their journey and reaching their potential, under more normal circumstances in the years to come. Congratulations to Max, Taylor, Carter, Jake, Zack, and Ben on their respective selections."
OHL 2021 U18 Priority Selection
Brock Reinhart
Selected 1st Round by the Sarnia Sting
What I’m most excited about being an OHL draft pick is getting to showcase my skills at the next level in Sarnia, and what it means to my family. All the time they spent taking me to practices or games over the years to see how happy it made them, it is definitely a day I won’t forget. Playing in the GMHA the past 2 seasons was great for my development and I loved every moment at the rink. Playing in the OMHA championships was quite the experience and is something I’ll never forget. I’d just like to thank my teammates and coaches for helping me get here.
Ethan Lewis
Selected 2nd Round by the Guelph Storm
It’s Ethan Lewis and it is such a surreal and amazing feeling getting drafted by my hometown OHL team, the Guelph Storm. I’m very excited to go to camp and get a taste of what the next level is and excel in the game. GMHA has been a great organization for myself as it allowed me to be where I am today. From the amazing teammates I have had, to the coaches that all gave me a shot, GMHA had a great program that I enjoyed. Can’t wait to see what’s ahead! Thank you!
From the U18 Coaches:
“Brock is a very polite and respectful young man. Right-hand defenceman, intelligent, and competitive. Over the past year he has grown and been working to get stronger. He hits hard, plays hard, skates really well, has a great shot, and good puck skills. Just a real steady and reliable defenceman."
"Ethan had some bad luck when he broke his ankle in his Minor Midget year. Brent and the entire coaching staff on the Midget team knew he could help us out when we called him up and he did just that every time. Ethan has a ton of speed and a great shot. He knows where to be on the ice and works hard for the puck."