Petes pick Raynor 27th overall
Kieran Raynor’s dreams came true Friday night when he was selected in the second round, 27th overall by the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
“My family and I were going kind of crazy and it was really an honour to be drafted by Peterborough,” the 16-year-old St.Catharines resident said. “It was pure excitement and joy just to know that I have a shot to play on an OHL team next year.”
After being selected, the Grade 10 student at Governor Simcoe received a call from the team.
“They were really surprised and overjoyed that I was still in the draft and hadn’t got picked up yet. They said that it was a no brainer that they were picking me.”
The excitement will continue tomorrow when the Niagara North U16 AAA hockey player travels to Peterborough at noon to meet the media, receive his Petes’ gear and meet members of the organization.
“I am going to have trouble sleeping tonight. It is definitely special,” said the 5-foot-10, 180-pound centre, who scored 29 goals and 52 points in 29 regular season games and five goals and 13 points in eight Ontario Minor Hockey Association games.
He appreciates everyone who helped make his momentous Friday night possible.
“I would love to thank my mom and my dad (Valerie and Arthur Raynor) the most. They drove me everywhere and I must have blew through about 20 sticks this year. I love them so much and all that they have done for me.”
He also credited his grandparents, Arthur and Karen Raynor.
“Whenever my parents couldn’t make it because I have two sisters, they drove me around too. They are at every home and they just care so much.”
And last, but certainly not least, Raynor thanked U16 North Stars coach Curtis Conrad and U15 coach Jason Glenney.
“They shaped me into the player I am and helped me get drafted. All thanks to them.”
Raynor knows the work to becoming an OHL player is just beginning.
“All you can do is work hard on and off the ice. You can’t lay back and relax. Now is when you have to really work. This is when it matters the most.”
His goals for his first OHL season are to make the team.
“It’s to be impactful in any way. That can be forechecking, back checking, D zone, just anything that will make a difference.”
Raynor was featured in the OHL draft guide with the information below
“Kieran is a skilled centre that drives the offence for his team and is a leader by how hard he plays the game. He is a great skater with excellent top-end speed, great edge control and balance that make him hard to handle. He makes plays at high speed in all three zones and plays a very unselfish game as he moves the puck efficiently. His hockey sense is very high as he plays in every situation and knows what to do in each game situation. He is fearless in his play and plays a lot bigger than he actually is, not shying away from anyone. Kieran is a fun player to watch as he makes things happen every shift.”
