Congratulations to three Hamilton Huskies Alumnus from our 2004 age group on being selected by the National Hockey League.
Florian Xhekaj, LW, Hamilton (OHL) was taken in the 4th Rd 101st overall by Montreal Canadiens and immediately followed by Patrick Thomas, C, Hamilton (OHL) who was taken by the Washington Capitals 104th overall. Continuing the string Matthew Mayich, D, Ottawa was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 6th Rd 170th overall.
Congratulations and best of luck to these young men as they continue with their hockey dreams.
Montreal Canadiens draft Florian Xhekaj No. 101 in 2023 NHL Draft
The Montreal Canadiens have selected Hamilton Bulldogs forward Florian Xhekaj with the No 101 pick of the fourth round in the 2023 NHL Draft. Xhekaj is the younger brother of Habs defenseman Arber Xhekaj who made a name for himself this past season as a physically imposing player.
Xhekaj spent this past season in the OHL with Hamilton, he notched 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points in 68 games and added 76 pims which included 7 fighting majors. He picked up 1 goal and 2 assists in six games during the OHL playoffs.
During the 2021-22 season, he played Jr. B with Pelham Panthers registering 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points and 62 pims. He was named to the GOJHL Rookie All Star Team and named to the GOJHL Top Prospects Game Roster. He went undrafted in the OHL before signing in Hamilton.
Xhekaj will return to major junior with the Bulldogs however this time the Bulldogs will be playing their 2023-24 home games out of Brantford.
Capitals select Hamilton Bulldogs leading scorer Patrick Thomas in fourth round of 2023 NHL Draft
The Washington Capitals selected forwards with their first 3 picks in this years draft.
Thomas was passed up in the 2022 Draft and saw increased ice time in Hamilton this past year, using it to secure a spot on the board this time around.
Thomas is a defensively responsible center that led the Bulldogs in scoring last season with 17 goals and 39 assists for 56 points in 66 games. He's seen as a future penalty killing type of forward that will turn 19 this summer. Due to his advanced age compared to other prospects in his class, Thomas will be eligible to turn pro a year earlier than most of his peers. The Caps are betting on increased ice time unlocking his true potential.
Thomas finished the 2022-23 season on one of the best lines in the OHL in the latter part of the season.
67's Defenceman Matthew Mayich Selected 170th Overall by St. Louis Blues
Mayich, 18, set new career high's in all statistical categories during the 2022-23 season.
Mayich scored 5 goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 64 games with a +22 rating establishing himself as a key piece on the 67's back end. Mayich added 4 assists in 11 playoff games as well. Mayich was selected in the fourth round, 74th overall by Ottawa in the 2020 OHL Priority selection. He debuted in the 2021-22 season posting 3 goals and 8 assists.