NEWS

Toronto Patriots defenceman & OJHL Champion Matthew Cairns (photo credit - Tim Bates/OJHL Images) was the lone OJHL player on NHL Central Scouting's Futures List in preparation for the 2016 NHL Draft.

The Mississauga, Ontario native joined the Patriots as a 16-year old rookie rearguard after a championship seasin 2013-14 with the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget 'AAA' squad that captured the prestigious OHL Cup tournament.  Cairns was also a member of Team GTHL Blue that finished as the silver medalist at the 2014 OHL Gold Cup and following the season, he was selected by the Peterborough Petes in the 3rd round, 48th overall, of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.

The 6'2" defenceman would record 10 points in 53 regular season games played to help the Patriots capture a second consecutive South Division title and then added another 4 points in 22 post-season contests as Toronto went on to capture back-to-back OJHL titles following a seven game championship series victory over Kingston.  Cairns would notch one more goal during the 2015 Dudley-Hewitt Cup, although they would not taste team success.

Also named to NHL Central Scouting's Futures List were three OJHL alumni, including:

• Travis Barron - Aurora Tigers, 2013/14
• Jonathan Ang - Whitby Fury, 2013/14
• Evan Cormier - Cobourg Cougars, 2012/13

For the full NHL Central Scouting List, please CLICK HERE.