2 Halifax Mooseheads picked in 2nd round of 2018 NHL Draft

Halifax Mooseheads stars Jared McIsaac and Benoit-Olivier (BO) Groulx were both drafted in the second round of the NHL Draft on Saturday in Dallas.

McIsaac, an 18-year-old defenceman from Truro, N.S., was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings with the fifth pick of the second round, 36th overall. He was touted as a likely first-round pick.

In a video posted to Twitter by the Red Wings, he said it was "definitely worth the wait."

"[It's a] very surreal moment. A lot of family here with me this week and I owe it to them," said McIsaac.

McIsaac said in another video posted to Twitter by the Red Wings that his time with the Mooseheads has been very special to him.

"They treat us like pros, everything about Halifax is professional. The organization, the players, the staff, it's a pretty special place and for me to be able to play in my hometown the past couple of years — it's a dream come true."

McIsaac scored nine goals and had 38 assists in 65 games for the Mooseheads in the regular season this year.

Mooseheads forward Benoit-Olivier Groulx, 18, was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks with the 23rd pick of the second round, 54th overall.

Groulx, who grew up in Quebec, played in every game in the 2018 regular season and scored 28 goals and 27 assists. 

"When I look at Anaheim, they're first in developing young guys. It's great for me to go to an organization where they'll develop me to be an NHL player," he said in a quote posted on the Twitter account of the Ducks.

In being selected by the Red Wings, McIsaac will be in familiar company. Moosehead Filip Zadina was picked sixth overall by the Red Wings on Friday night.

Zadina scored a team-high 44 goals for Halifax this season and had 38 assists.

Another Halifax Moosehead, goalie Alex Gravel, was drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago Blackhawks with the 162nd overall pick.

Nova Scotian Luke Henman was also selected in the draft. He was picked 96th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes with the third pick of the fourth round.

Peter Diliberatore is another Nova Scotian who was picked. He was drafted 180th overall in the sixth round by the Vegas Golden Knights. Diliberatore is from Bedford, but has been playing hockey in Connecticut at a prep school.

Kevin Mandolese, a goalie for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, was selected in the sixth round by the Ottawa Senators with the 157th overall pick.

Another Screaming Eagle, Mathias Laferrière, was also picked in the sixth round. He was selected by the St. Louis Blues with the 169th overall pick.

Read more stories at CBC Nova Scotia