Gilby on the Attack

It was a morning unlike any other for Nick Gilby Saturday.

The 15-year-old St. Catharines resident was eagerly following the OHL draft when he saw that he had been selected in the ninth round, 169th overall by the Owen Sound Attack.

“I was just sitting there with my family and I saw my name pop up on the screen and it was the best feeling of my life,” the Grade 10 student at Sir Winston Churchill said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity.”

It was a big moment in his life.

“I was filled with excitement. I can’t wait to get started,” the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Niagara North Stars forward said.

After getting drafted, he was contacted by Owen Sound general manager Dale DeGray.

“He was telling me that they were surprised that I was still available and they liked my game. He said ‘Congratulations and a warm welcome.’ ”

Gilby was projected to go earlier in the draft but he knows the important thing is to get drafted because it gives him the opportunity to attend an Owen Sound camp and show in person what he can do.

“Obviously my goal is to make the team and I am going to work as hard as I can to make that possible,” he said. “I am going to train every day, get better every day and every day give my best effort.”

Gilby started in the Kiwanis house league when he was six and played house league for two years before being chosen for a Kiwanis select squad. He spent one year playing with the St. Catharines Falcons before joining the North Stars AAA association. He has been with the North Stars for eight seasons.

This past season, he had 12 goals and 31 points in 33 regular season games, six goals and 12 points in eight playoff games and a goal and two assists in four OHL Cup games. He also suited up for two games with the St. Catharines Falcons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.