Declan Mc Cotter was getting ready for work on Saturday and enjoying lunch with his mom, brother, and grandpa while the Ontario Hockey League draft was happening.
Then it happened.
The Flint Firebirds, a team Mc Cotter hadn’t met with before the draft, chose the Huron-Perth Lakers’ forward in the fourth round, 77th overall. Mc Cotter’s dad heard the news and came to join them in the kitchen to take pictures as everyone embraced.
“We were soaking it all in,” said the 15-year-old from St. Marys. “I wanted to be with my family because they’ve supported me through everything, and being with them when it happened was truly special.”
“I’m still kind of in shock. It’s wild that after seven years (with the Lakers), it finally happened.”
The timing couldn’t have been better for Mc Cotter, who had a talent for being at the right place at the right time with the Lakers during 2025-26. He led his triple-A team with 28 goals and 60 points across 30 regular season games and contributed two goals along with ten points in eight playoff games. He also scored a goal in four OHL Cup matches.
“I changed my mindset,” he explained. “I became more of a team-first player and gave my all every shift to help win games because that’s what mattered most, which led to my success.”
Mc Cotter was the first among eight U16 Lakers selected in this draft.
“It just shows how strong our team was this year,” he said. “We worked hard all year long, and every player drafted earned their spot.”
One of those players was Ethan Bridges, a winger who has played alongside Mc Cotter for three seasons now. Bridges, from Stratford, got picked by North Bay in the sixth round at 117th overall. He was present at Kingston’s K-Rock Centre when his name was called by the Battalion.
“It felt unreal,” he shared. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for years now; it was fantastic.”
Bridges talked on the phone with North Bay prior to the draft. They chatted about interests off-the-ice as well as his performance where he scored 16 goals and totaled 46 points over 30 regular season games. He also added three goals and six points during eight playoff matchups along with an assist in four OHL Cup games.
Bridges’ skills have developed significantly over these past two seasons as he focused on improving weaknesses both on and off ice leading up to this draft.
“Consistency is probably what I’ve worked hardest on during summer training,” he noted.
Bridges has already begun preparing for next season (2026-27). He signed on with Stratford Warriors and might find himself playing again alongside Mc Cotter since he committed to joining that Greater Ontario Hockey League club too.
“Jumping from U16 to junior level is quite a big step,” Bridges mentioned. “The game speeds up; it’s stronger players, so I need to keep up.”
“I can’t wait to join them and start contributing toward their goals.”
Sully Kipfer from Milverton had a longer wait before learning Sarnia drafted him in round fifteen after Jason Brooks – a scout for Sting and head coach of U16 Lakers – called him personally with good news.
“That call from Jason telling me they’re selecting me with their last pick felt really cool,” Kipfer recalled. “We established great rapport (with Sarnia) throughout the year; knowing Jason meant there was solid chance Sarnia would choose me.”
Kipfer scored three goals plus fifteen points across twenty-eight regular season games last season while adding three assists during twelve playoff/OHL Cup appearances; he improved defensively throughout that campaign too.
Eager yet uncertain whether his performance would be enough as selections dwindled down Saturday made him anxious at times.
“I started feeling nervous,” Kipfer admitted. “But I kept hope alive knowing many talented players go undrafted sometimes; it’s about what you do post-draft anyway.”
If not picked up by Junior B club next season, Kipfer will play for Waterloo’s U18 triple-A team instead having already suited up briefly (two games) previously for Listowel Cyclones during past year (2025-26).
“It’s tough getting these chances but I’m lucky enough having opportunities coming up this summer,” he remarked confidently about main camps ahead!
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