The 2021 NHL Entry Draft wrapped up Saturday and there were two players with connections to the Bay of Quinte who found themselves drafted to NHL clubs.
Ben Roger, a 6’4″, 200 pound defenceman who hails from Brighton, was taken by the Ottawa Senators in the second round, 49th overall.
Roger played 52 games for the Wellington Dukes in 2018-19 and managed 18 points before moving on to play with the OHL’s London Knights.
Roger is also a product of the Quinte Red Devils Minor Hockey Association.
Next up was Ethan Cardwell.
The native of Courtice, Ontario was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round, 121st overall.
Cardwell, who plays right wing and stands at 5’11” and 193 pounds, played two games for the Wellington Dukes in 2017-18 before playing 27 games for the Trenton Golden Hawks the following year, notching 17 points.
After his stint with the Golden Hawks, Cardwell went on to play games for the Pickering Panthers, also of the OJHL, and the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit before landing with the Barrie Colts.
Cardwell was eligible for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft after his season with the Colts was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic but went unselected.
With uncertainty surrounding the 2020-21 OHL season Cardwell took his talents to Sweden and played for Surahammars IF of the HockeyEttan league where he notched 9 goals and 18 assists for 27 points in 18 games.
To see highlights for Ben Roger, click here.
To see highlights for Ethan Cardwell, click here.
