Two new players have been added to the London Knights' roster.
Knights General Manager Rob Simpson announced Tuesday that the team has signed Lucas Rowe and Andrew Perrott. The two were the Knights' first two picks in the 2017 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
Rowe, from Etobicoke, was taken 18th overall by the Knights following a successful season with the Mississauga Reps. He helped lead the franchise to an OHL Cup Championship in April.
Selected in the second round and 34th overall by the Knights, Perrott is a 6’0” tall, 195 lbs defenceman from Cleveland, Ohio. He spent last season playing for the Detroit HoneyBaked 16U, recording 25 points in 46 games.
At a news conference at Budweiser Gardens, the pair of 15-year-olds put on their Knights jerseys for the first time. Rowe donned number 21, while Perrott sported number 24.
"It's surreal. There is no team I'd rather sign with. I'm excited to start," said Rowe.
Perrott noted being in the arena where he will soon play in front of thousands of fans really made it hit home that his dream was becoming a reality.
"You're drafted and you're like 'that's the team that picked me.' But when you're physically here you get even more excited seeing the beautiful rink and getting to know the people in this great organization," said Perrott.
By pure coincidence, the Knights first two picks happened to be good friends. They met while playing a four-day tournament in Toronto.
"I gelled with [Perrott] immediately during that tournament," said Rowe. "Coming by yourself to a new team is always a little uncomfortable. Knowing that I have a buddy right by my side and being comfortable with him will help me be comfortable with everyone else."
Simpson said Rowe's versatility as a centre and winger and Perrott's combination of grit and skill made them must haves for the organization. When training for the 2017-2018 season gets underway in late August the focus will be on fine tuning those skills.
"It's looking at next steps. It's looking at everything you can do to help them develop. It's speaking to the families, the agents and the players themselves. Seeing what they are doing training wise and how we can help that and how we can assist with that to make sure we are putting them in the right situation to be ready for next season," said Simpson.
