Fox and McGuire invited to rookie camps

Despite not being selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, two Erie Otters forwards will be participating in prospect camps of rival teams.

Otters forward Dane Fox will participate in New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp in Greenburgh, N.Y. from Monday, June 25 to Friday, June 29. His teammate, Johnny McGuire, will be on Long Island where he will partake in New York Islanders Prospect Camp in Syosset, N.Y. this week.

Hailing from Thamesville, Ontario, Fox appeared in 62 games with the Otters and Knights this season, as he scored 23 goals and dished out 31 assists for 54 points. In 139 OHL games, Fox has collected 35 goals and 48 assists.

Acquired by the Otters from the London Knights in January, Fox also appeared in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Former Otters forward Andrew Yogan, who signed by the Rangers in March, will also skate in the camp.

McGuire is known as one of the top enforcers in junior hockey and is a fan favorite in Erie. In 48 games last season, McGuire amassed 163 penalty minutes, which was fourth in the league. He handily won most of his fights and established a reputation as a solid forechecker in the OHL.

Born on August 28, 1993 in Peterborough, Ont., McGuire was a 12th round pick by the Otters in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection out of the Central Ontario Wolves program.

Two Otters were selected in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, as Adam Pelech was drafted in the third round by the Islanders and Connor Brown was selected in the sixth round by the Toronto Maple Leafs. There have now been 35 Otters drafted since 1996.

Up next for the Otters is the 2012 CHL Import Draft on Wednesday, which begins at 9:00 a.m. The Otters hold the third overall pick in the selection process, which is done via the internet and conference call with all 60 CHL teams.