Seven of the 12 Michigan players were from the Little Caesars’ U15 state championship team, including goaltender J.J. Salajko whose father Jeff Salajko was let go as the goaltending coach of the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday along with head coach Jeff Blashill and assistant coach Doug Houda. The 12 local players were:
Little Caesars (7)
►5th round, Darian Anderson, RW, Flint Generals
►8th round, Austin Baker, LW, Owen Sound Attack
►8th round, J.J. Salajko, G, Kingston Frontenacs
►9th round, John McNelis, LW, Ottawa 67’s
►11th round, Liam Storch, C, Saginaw Spirit
►13th round, Evan Sofikitis, D, Windsor Spitfires
►15th round, Lucas VavVliet, LW, Sarnia Sting
Honeybaked (2)
►7th round, Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, G, Sarnia Sting
►9th round, Daniel Berehowsky, C, Hamilton Bulldogs
Compuware (2)
►11th round, Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia Sting
►12th round, Cole Bartnick, Erie Otters
Belle Tire (1)
►9th round, Payton Stowe, C, Erie Otters
The 12 players tied the fewest Michigan players taken since 2012. The most players selected were 36 in 2020, when Honeybaked’s Max Namestnikov, the brother of former Red Wing Vlad Namestnikov, was taken third overall by the Sarnia Sting.
Michigan players drafted in the OHL
►2022: 12
►2021: 15
►2020: 36
►2019: 32
►2018: 21
►2017: 17
►2016: 22
►2015: 22
►2014: 16
►2013: 20
►2012: 12
►2011: 19
►2010: 23
U.S. vs. Sweden in U18 final
Team U.S.A. used a five-goal second period and six unanswered to beat the Czechs 6-1 on Saturday afternoon in a semifinal of the world U18 hockey championships at Fanatec Arena in Landshut, Germany.
The U.S. will play Sweden on Sunday for the gold medal. Sweden edged Finland 2-1 on a power-play goal by Jonathan Lekkerimaki with 32 seconds left in the third period.
Jimmy Snuggerud led the Americans with two goals and Logan Cooley, the second-rated player for the 2022 NHL Draft, had two assists.