Area player drafted by L.A. Kings

For the second straight year a local area hockey player has been drafted in the NHL entry draft.

On day two of the draft the Los Angeles Kings selected Sundridge's Josh Kidd in the 7th round, 184th overall at the annual event taking place this year in Columbus, Ohio.

The 6'4", 220 pound defenceman played last season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League where he registered 9 goals and 18 assists along with 96 penalty minutes in 64 games last season.

Last summer North Bay's Matt Marquardt was chosen in the 7th round, 194th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the NHL entry draft held in Vancouver.

No luck for former Skyhawk

The day wasn't as exciting for former North Bay Skyhawks forward Yves Bastien. The speedy forward with the Peterborough Petes who trains in the summer at North Bay's Eurocamp hockey school, was a member of Canada's Under 17 and Under 18 teams the past two years but still was overlooked by all the NHL clubs.

One source told BayToday.ca that Bastien's vision in one of his eye's is not good enough to meet the NHL's standard thus leaving him ineligible to be drafted.

Familiar face at Hockeyville game?

Local hockey fans may see a familiar face at the Hockeyville pre-season hockey game between the Atlanta Thrashers and New York Islanders on September 17th.

Former Centennial forward Chris Thorburn was traded from Pittsburgh to the Atlanta Thrashers for a draft pick.

Northern Exposure

It wasn't a great NHL draft for players out of Northern Ontario. Here are the lucky few who saw or heard their names called at the NHL Entry Draft in Columbus:

Mark Katic - Sarnia Sting, Defenceman, Timmins, ON - Round 3, 64th overall to NY Islanders
Alain Goulet - Aurora Tigers, Forward, Kapuskasing, ON - Round 6, 159th overall to Boston Bruins
Zack Torquato - Erie Otters, Forward, Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Round 6, 178th overall to Detroit Red Wings

Photo of Josh Kidd courtesy the Erie Otters