July 8, 2022

43RD ALL-TIME OTTER DRAFTED INTO NHL, KYROU TAKEN TOP 50 BY DALLAS

(photo: Vincent Ethier)

Erie, Pennsylvania – The pick is in, and the Erie Otters once again are represented at the highest level – seeing a player taken in the 2022 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Defenseman Christian Kyrou, taken #50 overall (2^nd Round) by the Dallas Stars, is the highest-picked player from the Erie Otters since Jamie Drysdale was taken 6^th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft – and the 16^th Otters’ player all-time to be drafted in the top 50. Kyrou – joined by brother and NHLer Jordan and family – became the second player taken by Dallas in the 2022 Draft, and the second Otter to ever be drafted by the Stars, joining 2007 NHL Entry Draft #172 overall Luke Gazdic.

“It’s pure excitement right now. I’ve waited for this moment for a long time.” said Kyrou, “I’m just excited to hear my name called. It’s been a rollercoaster of events. I’m embracing the moment.”

The Erie Otters have seen great success developing talent for the NHL Draft in the over 25-year history of the organization on the shores of Lake Erie. Over that time, 43 Otters have heard their names called at the NHL Draft, with the selection of Kyrou representing the Otters organization having heard at least one players’ name called in 21 total drafts from 1997 to 2022. Kyrou joins teammate Connor Lockhart as currently rostered Otters drafted by an NHL club. Erie General Manager Dave Brown spoke highly of the moment for the Defenseman.

“We are thrilled to share in such an exciting moment with Christian. Being drafted by an NHL team is an honor he’s earned and worked so diligently to attain.” said Brown, “We are happy for Kyrou and his family.”

A true-to-the-definition breakout star in the 2021-22 season, Christian Kyrou set the OHL on fire as an offensive-defenseman in his first full season. The #84 overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Kyrou ranked 48^th among all North American Skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings. After not previously appearing on any of the season’s NHL Central Scouting ‘Players to Watch List’, Kyrou’s consistency and growth through the first half of the season had put him on the Scouts’ radar at the Midterm Rankings, earning him 179^th overall.

A dynamic sophomore season, Kyrou grew from an undiscussed, rotation Defenseman to a star-studded 200-foot player with game-changing ability. Finishing top three in scoring among all OHL Defenseman, top-50 in the entire league, and top-3 on the team, Kyrou’s breakout season earned him a top-50 ranking for the upcoming draft. The 18-year-old defenseman appeared in every game this season for Erie, ranking third in team-scoring (1^st among Defenseman), 3rd in the OHL for defensemen in scoring with 60 points (18G+42A). He was also named to the Canadian Hockey League ‘Team of the Week’ in early February. Otters’ Head Coach BJ Adams gave praise and credit to Kyrou on his journey.

“I’m very excited for Christian.” said Adams, “He put in a lot of hard work on-and-off the ice over the past couple of years and it paid off for him.”

Scouting report from NHL Central Scouting on Christian Kyrou
“A dynamic right-shot defender with high-end offensive instincts and ability. Strong skater with excellent mobility. Drives the play and has end-to-end puck rushing ability. Sees the ice very well and advances the puck to proper outlets. Excellent shot and release. His game has rounded into a two-way type defender with game-breaking ability. A power-play quarterback with outstanding point production from the back end. One of the most improved prospects this season from start to finish.”

The entire Erie Otters organization congratulates Christian Kyrou on his accomplishments and recognition, and look forward to his continued development on the road to his professional hockey career.

While not a member of the Erie Otters, an honorary congratulations to the team’s 2021 CHL Import Draft pick Juraj Slafkovsky, who was selected 1^st Overall by the Montreal Canadiens – the first Slovakian with the honor.

ALL-TIME ERIE OTTERS NHL DRAFT SELECTIONS

Year	Player	NHL Team	Pick (Overall)
1997	Jason Ward	Montreal Canadiens	11^th
	Patrick Dovigi	Edmonton Oilers	41^st
	Adam Nittel	San Jose Sharks	107^th
1998	Michael Rupp	New York Islanders	9^th
1999	Tim Connolly	New York Islanders	5^th
	Sean Dixon	Montreal Canadiens	167^th
2000	Nikita Alexeev	Tampa Bay Lightning	8^th
	Brad Boyes	Toronto Maple Leafs	24^th
	Michael Rupp	New Jersey Devils	76^th
2001	Carlo Colaiacovo	Toronto Maple Leafs	17^th
	Adam Munro	Chicago Blackhawks	29^th
2002	Brian Lee	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	71^st
	Scott Dobben	Ottawa Senators	113^th
2004	Josh Disher	New Jersey Devils	185^th
	Chris Campoli	New York Islanders	227^th
2005	Ryan O’Marra	New York Islanders	15^th
	Michael Blunden	Chicago Blackhawks	43^rd
2007	Nick Palmieri	New Jersey Devils	79^th
	Anthony Peluso	St. Louis Blues	160^th
	Luke Gazdic	Dallas Stars	172^nd
	Zack Torquato	Detroit Red Wings	178^th
	Josh Kidd	Los Angeles Kings	184^th
2008	Mitch Gaulton	New York Rangers	171^st
2009	Ryan O’Reilly	Colorado Avalanche	33^rd
	Jaroslav Janus	Tampa Bay Lightning	162^nd
	David Shields	St. Louis Blues	168^th
2010	Greg McKegg	Toronto Maple Leafs	62^nd
	Andrew Yogan	New York Rangers	100^th
2012	Adam Pelech	New York Islanders	65^th
	Connor Brown	Toronto Maple Leafs	156^th
2013	Connor Crisp	Montreal Canadiens	71^st
2014	Kyle Pettit	Vancouver Canucks	156^th
2015	Connor McDavid	Edmonton Oilers	1^st
	Dylan Strome	Arizona Coyotes	3^rd
	Travis Dermott	Toronto Maple Leafs	34^th
2016	Alex DeBrincat	Chicago Blackhawks	39^th
	Taylor Raddysh	Tampa Bay Lightning	58^th
	Jordan Sambrook	Detroit Red Wings	137^th
2017	Ivan Lodnia	Minnesota Wild	85^th
2020	Jamie Drysdale	Anaheim Ducks	6^th
	Chad Yetman	Chicago Blackhawks	172^nd
2021	Connor Lockhart	Vancouver Canucks	178^th
2022	Christian Kyrou	Dallas Stars	50^th

NHL DRAFT TRACKER: NHL.com

Player Eligibility: All North American players who are 18 years old by September 15 of the year of their draft, and under 20 years old by Dec. 15 of that same year are eligible. Non-North Americans begin eligibility at the same time but maintain eligibility until 21 years old.

Keep up with the Otters pick and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters’ social media. For all results of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, please head to NHL.com.

For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).

For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at shawn.bednard@ottershockey.com.

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