Bulldogs grab Babin early in Round 2
Surrounded by his family and grandparents Friday night, Patrick Babin took the next big step in his hockey journey.
With the 23rd pick overall and the second pick of the second round, the Brantford Bulldogs made the 16-year-old Niagara Falls resident the first Niagara player selected in the Ontario Hockey League draft.
“I was just flooded with excitement and joy. I looked over to my family and we all just erupted,” the Grade 10 student at A.N. Myer said. “We went crazy. I thanked my parents and family for all their support and we just enjoyed the moment.”
Without a doubt, the evening ranks as a high point for the Niagara North Stars captain.
“It is something I will never forget. It is probably one of the most memorable moments of my life. It is the happiest I have ever been and I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
The six-foot, 165 pound defenceman had an idea he would be drafted around that point in the draft and that Brantford might be one of the teams selecting him. He knew the Bulldogs had interest in him and his agency, Newport Sports Management Inc., has a good relationship with the team.
“My goal was to go on the first night wherever that had me but to go to Brantford and that organization, I couldn’t be any happier. I am overjoyed that they selected me.”
After being selected by the team, Babin had phone conversations with the team’s head coach, general manager and head scout.
“They were just so welcoming and they were so happy to have me. They said they were excited about what I could bring to the team and they told me that they are proud of what I did this year.”
This past season, Babin had eight goals and 36 points in 34 regular season games for the North Stars.
He is scheduled to show up in Brantford Saturday at noon to meet with the coaching staff and be introduced to the media.
“I am so excited. If there were any nerves — which there were a little — they are all kind of gone now and it is all happiness.”
He is ready to show Brantford that they made the right choice.
“My goal is to make the team, become impactful player and be someone who can make a difference in Brantford right away.”
Babin started in Niagara Falls house league hockey and began his AAA career eight years ago with the Southern Tier Admirals. He just completed his third season with the Niagara North Stars organization.
