NEWS

Sixty-four OJHL graduates have been named to opening day 23-man NHL rosters in preparation for the 2013-14 NHL season that is set to kick-off today.

Included in the list are newcomers Will Acton, Christopher Breen, Jared Coreau, Luke Gazdic and Lucas Lessio (pictured in 2009-10 as a member of the St. Michael's Buzzers - photo credit: Craig Campbell/HHOF), who will all make their NHL debuts with their respective clubs.

Will Acton spent three full seasons as a member of the Stouffville Spirit, including one game as an AP in 2003-04, before playing four years at Lake Superior State University.  Acton helped lead the Spirit to their first OJHL Championship Series appearance in 2005-06, ultimately falling to the St. Michael's Buzzers in six games and the following season, he would represent Team Canada East at the first-ever World Junior 'A' Challenge that was held in Yorkton and Humboldt, Saskatchewan, taking home a silver medal.  After spending the past two seasons with the Toronto Marlies, Acton joins head coach Dallas Eakins in Edmonton with the Oilers.

Defenceman Christopher Breen spent one season in the OJHL split between the Mississauga Chargers and the OHL's Saginaw Spirit.  The native of Uxbridge, Ontario would notch seven points in 33 regular season games played before making the full-time jump to the OHL the following year.  Breen starts the year on injured reserve with the Calgary Flames after spending the previous three seasons in Abbotsford.

Netminder Jared Coreau was a member of the Peterborough Stars during the 2008-09 season and would go on to star with the Northern Michigan University Wildcats.  After signing with the Detroit Red Wings at the tail-end of last season and a successful training camp, Coreau was recently recalled from Grand Rapids of the AHL due to injuries with the NHL club.

Luke Gazdic is a Toronto, Ontario native who played one season, 2005-06, as a member of the Wexford Raiders (also played one game as an AP with North York the previous year).  Gazdic notched 33 points in 47 games played as a 16-year old before jumping to the Erie Otters of the OHL.  He joins the up-and-coming Edmonton Oilers after spending the previous four seasons with the Texas Stars in the AHL.

Former St. Michael's Buzzers star Lucas Lessio played one season, 2009-10 with the OJHL club, before finishing his junior career with the OHL's Oshawa Generals last season.  The then 16-year old finished second on the Buzzers in scoring with 30 goals and 72 points in 41 regular season games played, while also participating in both the 2009 World Junior 'A' Challenge as a member of Team Canada East and the 2009 CJHL Prospects Games as a member of Team East.  Following the season, Lessio was named the CCHL West Division Rookie-of-the-Year.  He joins the Phoenix Coyotes after being the club's 2nd round pick, 56th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Congratulations to all our graduates in the NHL and best of luck in 2013-14!