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Windsor Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler may have emerged with a pair of first-round caliber players after Friday’s opening three rounds of the Ontario Hockey League Draft.
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The Spitfires had to wait until the 22nd pick in the first round before selecting defenseman Anthony Cristoforo from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens minor midgets. In the second round, Windsor grabbed dynamic forward Liam Greentree from the Markham Majors minor minors. Each player player had earned a top 15 rating from various scouting services.
“Every pick you get you think you’ve got your guy, but one million per cent,” Bowler said of the two top picks. “Cristoforo played on arguably the best team in his age group and, in our opinion, he is the best defenseman. To see Greentree sitting at 34 was a surprise, but I can’t wait to see both of them here.”
Cristoforo and Greentree are both planning to attend Saturday’s playoff game at the WFCU Centre.
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“I probably won’t get any sleep tonight because I’m excited to get to Windsor,” Cristoforo said of the selection. “I’m very excited. I don’t even know what to say. I’m super excited and I wish camp was tomorrow.”
The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Cristoforo is noted for his well-rounded game.
“In my option, he should have gone higher,” Greentree said of his new teammate. “I’ve played against him the last three years. I think he’s really good and I’m excited to play with him.”
A right-shot defenseman, Cristoforo had 15 goals and 78 points in 56 games for the Jr. Canadiens, but Bowler said he’s a guy you also want out killing a five-on-three penalty.
“He oozes leadership and I can’t wait to seem him in a Spits uniform,” Bowler said.
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He will grow in time, but Cristoforo’s compete level already leads to him winning most one-on-one battles.
“I’m a guy that can play in all situations,” Cristoforo said. “I can play up a goal, down a goal, power play or penalty kill. I can bring offence, but not at the expense of defence. I think I play with a lot of heart. If you’re 5-7 or 6-2, I’m to play you as hard as I can.”
Scouts raved about the high-end skill of the 6-foot-2, 193-pound Greentree, who had 13 goals and 25 points in 23 games playing on the right side for Markham.
“Just hard to play against with great compete level and good hockey sense,” Bowler said of Greentree.
A power winger, Greentree said there was no disappointment in sliding to the Spitfires in the second round.
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“It’s an unreal moment,” the 16-year-old Greentree said. “I’ve never felt like this before. The last seven-eight years of hockey, summer hockey and training all for this.
“It was a little surprising (to slip), but love. You know what, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is getting drafted and it seems like a great spot.”
Cristoforo agreed with Greentree. While going in the first round was a goal, landing in the right spot is just as important.
“I wanted to go in the first first round, but the situation’s better than the pick,” Cristoforo said. “I wanted first (round), but a good situation was something I wanted more and I think it did (work out for me).”
Bowler rolled the dice in the third round by taking American center AJ Spellacy, who played for the Cleveland Barons 15’s.
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“He was one of the last cuts at the (United States Development Program) and he’s also excellent at football,” Bowler said of the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Spellacy. “He’s deciding if hockey is his path of him moving forward, but he’s a big, strong center that can move and could be the steal of the draft.”
Spellacy, who plays free safety and wide receiver in football, has not crossed Windsor off his list.
“Windsor was the team I wanted to go to,” said the 16-year-old Spellacy, who also plans to attend Saturday’s playoff game. “It’s pretty surreal.
“I’ve been leaning towards the OHL and thinking about it for a while. I’ll be there (Saturday), see what it’s like and go from there.”
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