Bulldogs choose Christie in third round
Bedlam ensued Friday night when Gavin Christie was selected in the third round, 58th overall by the Brantford Bulldogs in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
“My family was screaming, my heart dropped and there was a lot of excitement,” the 15-year-old Beamsville resident said. “All the hard work had finally paid off.”
When the Grade 10 student at Blessed Trinity had a moment to let the news sink in, he was thrilled.
“Just the idea of being drafted, my dream had finally come true. It is a great opportunity and it was a great moment.”
After being selected, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound Niagara North Stars defenceman received a call from the Bulldogs.
“They welcomed me to the team and they told me they were happy to have me. All that good stuff.”
Christie was thankful for all those who made Friday night possible for him.
“I like to thank both my parents (Ryan and Julie Christie) for all their support and all the time and money they put in to help make this dream come true. And also my uncle, Nick Smith. He has taught me most of the things I know up until now. He has coached me for a lot of years and I am happy to have him.”
Christie will head to Brantford on Sunday on his 16th birthday to meet the team’s management and he is excited for the day.
He plans to ready for his first OHL training camp.
“I will be working hard, working out and just working my butt off in the gym, getting on the ice, power skating and doing some skill development.”
His goal for this fall is to play in the OHL.
“If not, get on a junior B team and play there.”
This past season with the North Stars, Christie had eight goals and 24 points in 31 regular season games and three goals and 10 points in Ontario Minor Hockey Association playoff games.
Christie was featured in the OHL draft guide with the following comments.
“Gavin is a player that is trending the right way and has come a long way since the beginning of the season. He comes from good bloodlines and has a very strong understanding for the game. He is an average skater that will only get better as he continues to get stronger and matures physically. He sees the ice extremely well from the back end, moves the puck efficiently up the ice and makes very good shoot/pass reads on the offensive blueline on the power play.”
