It was a moment Swift Current's Ryan McCleary will never forget, as he heard his name called during day two of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft yesterday.
The former Swift Current Legionnaire was chosen by the Pittsburgh Penguins 194th overall during the 7th round.
With the 194th pick in the 2021 #NHLDraft, the Penguins select defenseman Ryan McCleary. pic.twitter.com/oorI9Cvj7t
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 24, 2021
This past season the right-shot defenceman played primarily for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL but also logged a few games at the SJHL level with the Yorkton Terriers.
In 18 games with Portland, he recorded two goals and five assists while going +11. And with the Terriers in a trio of games, he was held off the scoresheet.
According to Elite Prospects, the six-foot-two 17-year-old becomes the 16th player born in Swift Current to be drafted into the NHL and the first since Travis Moen in 2000.