Windsor represented in 2009 NHL entry draft
By Tanya Quaglia
Lance Writer
July 8, 2009
 Every young hockey player dreams of playing in the NHL and eventually winning the Stanley Cup. For several local hockey stars, they are one step closer to living out their childhood dreams.
The 2009 NHL draft class includes many players with ties to Windsor, including five players from the Memorial Cup winning team, the Windsor Spitfires.
The Nashville Predators drafted Ryan Ellis, an all-star defenseman for the Spitfires, in the first round, eleventh overall.
Ellis is a much-needed addition to the Predators, who missed the playoffs this past year and came last in their division.
The Predators need a defenseman who can play two-way hockey in order to keep up with their division rival powerhouses, the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.
Ellis may be small in stature when compared to the average hockey player. However, his hard work ethic and ability to play all ends of the ice, makes him stand out.
Not only can Ellis play well defensively, he can also score and set up superb plays.
He may need to bulk up a little before he is NHL-ready, but he is already a star in the making.
Playing a huge role in delivering a Memorial Cup victory for Windsor, Ellis is a hero in Windsor.
LaSalle native, Zack Kassian, a member of the Peterborough Petes, was also drafted in the first round. Kassian was drafted thirteenth overall by the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres are looking for a strong offensive presence that has been missing from their line-up since they lost many top forwards two seasons ago. Kassian, who represented Team Canada at the World Juniors, has the potential to be a strong forward who can help fill the scoring void that has been missing in Buffalo over the past two seasons.
The second day of the 2009 NHL draft saw many more Windsor Spitfires being selected by other NHL teams.
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected defenseman Jesse Blacker in the second round. Blacker, a Toronto native who grew up supporting the Leafs, joins a Toronto squad that is in desperate need of better and more well rounded defensemen.
Lane MacDermid, who was eligible for the draft last year but never selected, only had to wait until the fourth round to hear his name being called.
The 19-year-old forward was selected by the Boston Bruins. MacDermid will be a welcome addition to a powerful Bruins squad.
The sixth round of the draft saw two Windsor Spitfires selected. Scott Timmins was selected by the Florida Panthers and Eric Wellwood was taken by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Both players, like teammate MacDermid, were passed over in last year’s draft, and were not expected to be drafted this year. While the Spitfires and their fans will miss their offensive skill, their future in the NHL looks bright.
Also taken in the sixth round was Windsor native, Daniel Maggio. Maggio, who played hockey for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, was drafted by the New York Rangers.
A handful of other players with ties to the city were drafted this year. Richard Panik, who will most likely join the Spitfires next year, was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round.
Former Windsor Spitfires players Matt Hackett, Garrett Wilson, Brandon Maxwell, and Jordan Nolan were all selected in this year’s entry draft.
Hackett was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round, Wilson went to the Panthers in the fourth round, Maxwell went to the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round, and Nolan was drafted in seventh round by the Los Angeles Kings.
The city of Windsor has many ties to the NHL draft class of 2009. Whether they find success in the NHL or not, numerous local players are closer to reaching their dream of hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup over their heads.
The 2009 draft featured many local talents. All of the players selected have the potential to be great.
Will one of these players win the Stanley Cup and parade it around the city of Windsor in the future? Only time will tell.
Windsor native Ed Jovanovski was selected first overall in the 1994 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers. He was playing for the Spitfires at the time.
Tie Domi, also born in Windsor, went twenty-seventh overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 1988 draft.
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