Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Maple Leafs beam up Scott in NHL Draft

Jun 24, 2017 | 10:25 AM

Prince Albert Raiders goaltender Ian Scott donned a red maple leaf on his sweater for a number of occasions representing Team Canada — now he can proudly wear a blue one.

Scot was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round, 110th overall, in the NHL Entry Draft Saturday in Chicago.

“It’s pretty exciting. I mean, it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Scott said. “They’re an Original Six team, they’ve been around forever. They’re a big name in hockey and it’s just unreal.

“They were a team I talked to quite a bit,” Scott added. “They definitely showed their interest in having me a part of their organization. They told me that when I talked to them after. It’s really exciting that they trust me and they want to take me into their organization.”

Scott was the 11th goaltender pick in the draft, and the second out of the WHL. The Edmonton Oilers selected Stuart Skinner of the Lethbridge Hurricanes 78th overall in the third round.

Heading into, Scott realized he could have gone just about anywhere as a goaltender. Ending up as a fourth-round draft choice worked just fine for him.

“I don’t think I really cared about where I went, it’s just about getting that opportunity,” Scott said. “Now all the hard work begins.”

In the last draft Scott was involved in, the Raiders picked him ninth overall in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, the highest a goaltender went in the Dub draft since the Tri-City Americans chose Carey Price seventh overall in 2002.

The 2014 WHL Bantam Draft was the last Scott was involved with. The Raiders picked him ninth overall, the highest a goaltender went in the Dub draft since the Tri-City Americans chose Carey Price seventh overall in 2002.

Scott played 50 games for the Raiders this season, posting 3.69 goals against average and .895 save percentage.

The only Raider drafted last year was Vojtech Budik, going in the fifth round, 130th overall to the Buffalo Sabres.

 

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW