It's been awhile since the Sarnia Sting
took a flyer on a player in the Ontario
Hockey League draft that not only
signed, but became a productive player
for the team. That could change in a big
way starting next season.
The Sting
announced Saturday they have come to
terms with forward Brandon Francisco of
Brantford, who the Sting selected in the
third round, 55th overall in the 2009
draft back in May.
Francisco
was at the Sarnia Sports and
Entertainment Centre, along with his
family, to ink his standard OHL
contract.
Many might
not think much of signing a third-round
pick, but Francisco could be a very
special player.
Last season
with the York Simcoe Express minor
midgets, the 16-year-old Francisco had
57 goals and 107 points in 72 games. As
a testament to the skill of Francisco,
the International Scouting Service had
him ranked 17th overall in the final OHL
draft rankings. They also rated him as
having the best hands of any draft
eligible player.
The ISS
player profile read like this.
"Brandon is
one of the most offensively dangerous
players in the draft. Elite puck skills
and speed on the rush. Is able to get
the puck and transition to full speed
instantly. His soft hands and quickness
make him very difficult to defend
against on the rush, allowing him to
beat defenders to the outside at will.
Has superb vision and natural hockey
instincts. Very good anticipation
without the puck and gets into open
spaces."
But
Francisco committed to a scholarship at
the University of Maine prior to the
draft and make it clear to all OHL teams
he may not play in the league. However
the Sting decided to draft him in the
third round and take their chances on
convincing him to play for the Sting.
It took
almost two months of meetings with Sting
head coach and general manager Dave
MacQueen, along with Francisco and his
parents, plus a couple of visits to
Sarnia to convince Brandon this was the
place he would continue his hockey
career.
"The day of
the draft I spoke to Brandon's agent and
we knew it would be a risky pick," said
MacQueen. "He said it was still 50-50.
But we decided to take a chance. We met
with the parents and were able to show
them how committed the Sting are to
education and what our organization is
all about. They visited the SSEC along
with Northern Collegiate."
MacQueen
added, "we even had Steven Stamkos visit
Brandon the day of mini-camp. I know his
mother got Steven's autograph that day.
I'm not sure if that influenced his
decision or not."
Francisco,
who stands five feet, 10 inches and 160
pounds, said he made his final decision
earlier this month.
"Sarnia is a
smaller city like my hometown and I like
that. I can't wait to get started."
Francisco
outlined some of the things that
happened to influence his decision to
join the Sting.
"It was a
tough decision to go OHL or NCAA. I
committed to Maine last year, but living
in Ontario I know the OHL is the best
development league in the world. I was
really excited when Sarnia took a chance
and drafted me. I met with the coaches
and they explained about the Sting and
how I could fit in right away. I was
impressed with the fans who came out to
mini-camp. I also met several of the
players that weekend in the dressing
room and I really liked that.
"In the end
it was the fact I really like coaches,
the education part of the OHL and it's
the best development league in the
world. I also talked with other players
in the league."
MacQueen
said there were no special incentives to
lure Francisco.
"I just
think his parents needed a lot of
information about the league that no one
had ever told them before to explained
to them. I think it began at mini-camp.
I met with the parents several times and
we covered a lot of ground."
MacQueen
said there's no pressure on Francisco.
"It's no
secret we are going to be a young team
sprinkled with some veteran leadership.
I've always maintained to let our
youngsters grow an develop. I'm not
going to put a player in a position to
fail. Come training camp players earn
their ice time. I've also said young
player need to get their feet wet early
in the season and by Christmas they can
make a significant contribution."
Recently the
Sting announced they had signed first
round draft pick Brett Ritchie.
"Right now
we have added two players that can
contribute and build a team that can
compete for a championship in the
future. We are very, very close to
signing our other third round pick Craig
Hottot (Sarnia Legionnaires) and fifth
round pick Joseph Campagna (Ohio). It
looks very positive for both of them."
When asked
to describe himself as a player,
Francisco said, "I like to be quick on
my feet and make skilled plays. I like
scoring goals and also setting up
players. I'm not overly physical, but I
want to contribute both offensively and
defensively."
Because he
was born after September 14th, (his
actual birthday is November 2nd),
Francisco is not eligible for the
National Hockey League draft until 2012.
