Stoney Creek's Reilly Webb selected by Bulldogs in OHL draft
Matthew Strome taken first overall as Bulldogs make OHL selections Saturday
When the Hamilton Bulldogs debut their Ontario Hockey League (OHL) roster next season, after the American Hockey League (AHL) leaves town, there will be a hometown hero to cheer for.
Stoney Creek's Reilly Webb, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound 16-year-old, was selected in the second round of the OHL's draft Saturday, as the 33rd pick.
"It's awesome," Reilly said of staying close to home. "Best feeling of my life going to Hamilton. Staying nice and close."
The right-handed blue liner spent last season with the AAA Toronto Titans.
The 'Dogs will inherit the Belleville Bulls after a bit of musical chairs sent Hamilton's AHL team to Newfoundland, and Belleville's OHL team to Hamilton. It's a change that puts Hamilton hockey fans a step further away from professional hockey, but in a better position to select hometown players.
Webb was one of three Hamilton players to be selected by the Bulldogs, which also included a pair of Hamilton Huskies in defenceman Brandon Scanlin and winger Issac Nurse, as well as plenty of players from the Greater Toronto Area.
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In the first round, Hamilton selected winger Matthew Strome with the eighth overall pick.
If that Strome name sounds familiar, he's got NHL in his blood — his brothers include Ryan Strome of the New York Islanders, and Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters.
In picking Strome, the Bulldogs passed on Hamilton's Hayden Davis, a blue-chip defenceman who played for the Hamilton Huskies, and was picked in the 13th round by the nearby Niagara IceDogs.
Davis's family didn't seem to care, with this video showing the reaction to the draft.
Take a look here for the full draft results.