Hynes, Pilgrim selected in Q draft

It was a big day for a pair of hockey players from the Northern Peninsula with the same first name.

Brandon Hynes of Norris Point and Brandon Pilgrim of Roddickton - both of whom played for the Western Subways of the provincial major midget hockey league in the 2007-08 season - were selected June 7 in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft. The draft was held at Sydney, Nova Scotia.

As expected, Hynes was a top 10 pick, but even he was surprised when he was selected third overall by the Victoriaville Tigres. Scouts had projected that Hynes might go as high as seventh.

Pilgrim, who wore the 'C' for the Kings and led the league in scoring among defencemen, was selected in the 12th round, 210th overall by the Lewiston Maineiacs.

"I am still trying to take it all in," Hynes told the Western Star while returning to Norris Point. "It is a pretty big honour to be taken third over all. I think Dad and Mom broke out in a few tears when I got picked, but that is normal."

For the young sniper, whose hobby is shooting pucks, going high in the draft wasn't a surprise to hockey watchers, but it was to him.

"We were just sitting down and talking about the first two picks - me, my dad and my agent - and before you know it they're up there saying they are proud to select a guy from Western Newfoundland and I almost didn't believe it," he noted. "Then I realized I actually had to get up and walk up the red carpet and go on stage. It was an unbelievable feeling."

Hynes was the most valuable player of the provincial major midget league in 2007-08. The five-foot-nine, 170-lb. winger had 60 points, including a league-leading 40 goals for the Subways.

Hynes said he had several meetings with Victoriaville brass following the draft. There are plans to fly him to Quebec for a press conference later this month. The team's training camp starts in late August.

"They have some pretty high expectations, I think," said Hynes, who asked management if he would see ice-time in his rookie year.

"He said, 'We don't pick them third when they are ranked seventh to not score and not to play'," Hynes related. "He said we have got players to get the puck, but no one to put it in the net. Other than that they just said come to camp in top shape and you'll do fine."

With the major junior draft behind him, Hynes reflected on his career to this point and where it is going.

"It finally all pays off I guess," he said. "I have been working for this for the last three years at least, probably more. Knowing that it is actually happening and I don't have to worry about where I am going to play next year. Now I can just focus on being one of the top players on that team. Hopefully the next draft will be the NHL draft."

For his part, Pilgrim said he was hoping to get drafted, but since he wasn't rated by scouts - he was listed under available 16-year-olds - he wasn't sure if his name would be called.

"I'm happy to get drafted, though I don't know much about the team," he told the Pen. "I know Lewiston is the only team in the league that's in the States."

Pilgrim spoke to a team official, Roger Shannon, after the draft and was invited to attend a mini-camp for junior hockey players at Fredericton on July 2.

"I'll definitely be going," he stated. "I want to make the team, but if I don't, I might play in the Maritime Junior A league."

Prior to joining the Corner Brook-based Subways, Pilgrim played four seasons in the Straits Minor Hockey Association at St. Barbe. In recent summers, he spent the better part of the off-season on skates at St. John's, so preparing for an early summer camp won't be new.

"I'm into a training program, four days a week, so I'll be ready to go," he said.

Since the draft, Pilgrim has been receiving congratulations from friends and acquaintances in the Roddickton area who are proud of his achievement.

Five other players from the province were selected in the draft. They are as follows: Zach O'Brien, St. John's Fog Devils, selected 57th by Moncton Wildcats; Jordan Escott of St. John's, Amherst Ramblers, selected 98th by Prince Edward Island; Ryan Matheson of Gander, Central IcePak Midgets, 104th overall by Halifax Mooseheads; Andrew Smith of Corner Brook, Western Subways, 140th overall by Chicoutimi Sagueneens; and Stephen Brazil, Fog Devils, 177th overall by Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

- With files from Chris Noseworthy, Western Star