Bradford Drafts Nine at 2013 GMHL Entry Draft
(Bradford, ON; May 13th, 2013)
Sean Werth
The Bradford Rattlers added nine players this weekend at the 2013 GMHL Entry Draft. The following are the newest members of #RattNation:
1st - Brandon Francisco, Newmarket Hurricanes
2nd - Kyler Nixon, Newmarket Hurricanes
3rd - Ian Farrell, Newmarket Hurricanes
4th - Ryan Johnson, Newmarket Hurricanes
5th - Calvin Higley, Newmarket Hurricanes
6th - Jacob Schmidt, Oakland University
7th - Ian Teal, Flint Generals
8th - Joseph Kotlarczyk, Philadelphia Revolution
9th - Josh Willenborg, San Jose Jr Sharks
Brandon Francisco is a junior hockey veteran, spending the better part of three seasons in the OHL. The '93 born forward spent his minor hockey in the York Simcoe Express AAA system. In 2009, once eligable for the OHL Entry draft, Brandon was ranked as 17th overall by ISS. However, after accepting a NCAA DI scholarship to the University of Maine, he fell to the third round, where he was picked up by the Sarnia Sting. Brandon eventually joined the Sting in the OHL, having back-to-back 30 point seasons before moving onto the Kitchener Rangers in 2011. Franscisco spend last year with the Newmarket Hurricanes in the OJHL, scoring 66 points (29-37-66) in just 51 games.
Kyler Nixon is another OHL veteran that hails from Everett, Ontario. Kyler is a 5'9" defenceman that moves the puck extremely well. Nixon joined the Barrie Colts OHL in 2010 for his rookie season. Following a trade to the Kingston Frontenacs, Kyler had a break out season with 28 points (7-21-28). He split last season between the Frontenacs and Newmarket Hurricanes OJHL.
Ian Farrell has spent the last three seasons with the Newmarket Hurricanes OJHL. The forward has racked up 53 points (22-31-53) in 131 career games.
Ryan Johnson is a 21 year old centreman from Barrie, Ontario. He spent his minor hockey with the Toronto Red Wings AAA organization, before being drafted by the Peterborough Petes in the 2008 OHL Priority Draft. Johnson has been a junior hockey journeyman to say the least. Ryan has bounced around six different clubs in the OJHL through the past five seasons. He has amassed a career 96 points (43-53-93) in 158 career games in the OJHL and CCHL.
Calvin Higley is another player from the Newmarket Hurricanes OJHL club. The 6'0" forward has been with four different OJHL clubs over the past five seasons. Higley was selected to the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL Priority draft in the 6th round back in 2009. In 142 OJHL games, Calvin has scored 107 points (45-62-107).
Jacob Schmidt was selected out of Oakland University ACHA hockey club. The forward comes from Michigan and already brings college experience to the Rattlers squad.
Ian Teal is a '93 born forward from Sterling Heights, Miami, USA. Ian made his junior hockey debut last season in the NA3HL with the Flint Junior Generals.
Joseph Kotlarczyk is a defencemen picked from the Philadelphia Revolution Jr. B squad. With much of the Rattlers D-core graduating to higher levels of hockey next season, Joseph will be looked to fill some of the responsiblity on the back-end.
Josh Willenborg is a 6'4" forward that has already committed to the Rattlers organization for next season. Josh is another junior hockey veteran, having spent last season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks. Willenborg fills out his 6'4" frame weighing in at 195lbs.
