Generals grab goalie in first round

OSHAWA – The Oshawa Generals grabbed the first and only goalie of the first round with the 16th overall pick in Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League draft.

Kevin Bailie is the new man between the pipes.

A 6-foot-3, 195-pounder from Belleville, Bailie had a 1.81 goals-against average and three shutouts in 43 games for the Quinte Red Devils minor midget team this season.

He’s described by OHL Central Scouting as “a traditional butterfly style goaltender who possesses size and a high level of technical proficiency.”

Generals GM Brad Selwood hopes he’s filled a need for years to come.

“Goaltending is the most important position on any team, and we’ve solidified the position by taking Kevin,” Selwood says on the team’s website. “We feel very fortunate he was still there when we picked.

“He’s a big kid, he was a leader in the dressing room and a wonderful student. You can never get enough goaltending and we feel we have a great young goalie for the next few years.”

The Generals will likely lose Michal Neuvirth to the American Hockey League next season, leaving Daryl Borden as the No. 1. Borden did an admirable job filling in for an injured Neuvirth in the playoffs.

The Sudbury Wolves used the first overall pick to take centre John McFarland of the Jr. Canadiens, the first of five players to go from that team in the first round.

The first Durham Region player selected was Brock Beukeboom of Uxbridge, who went 18th overall to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He’s the son of former Greyhound and NHLer Jeff Beukeboom.

A complete listing of the players selected in the draft is available at the league’s website, www.ontariohockeyleague.com.