By Aaron Bell
Daniel Catenacci has a lot of things that he wants to do in the game of hockey. On Saturday, he crossed one of them off his list when he was named the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Catenacci, the flashy centre that played for the York Simcoe Express Minor Midgets this season, said that going first overall was one of the goals that he set for himself.
“It’s exciting,” Catenacci said. “I’ve been waiting for this for a while. It’s been an amazing experience. It’s always been a dream of mine to be the first overall pick ever since I was educated about the OHL. I’ve always wanted to play in this league. I know it’s an amazing league.”
Catenacci was introduced to the media and fans in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday before the official announcement was made on Saturday morning. He said that he is looking forward to starting his OHL career in the northern Ontario city in the fall.
“It started clicking in at the press conference about how big a deal it is,” Catenacci said. “I’m just excited and honoured to be it. The fans, the organization up there is just professional. They really love you up there and treat you well. I’m in a good spot.”
Catenacci was the captain of an outstanding York Simcoe Express team that were among the top teams in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association this season. In 39 regular season games, Catenacci scored 42 goals and added 45 assists for 87 points to go along with 152 penalty minutes.
Catenacci was the consensus number one pick and Greyhounds’ General Manager Dave Torrie was thrilled to select the Newmarket native.
“I’m absolutely excited,” Torrie told The Sault Star at a media conference to announce the selection last Friday. “This has been a long process. We looked at players’ personality and character along with hockey ability. And I can say that this player fills all of those requirements. He’ll be as ready as any young man to play as the No. 1 pick overall — especially in a city with a passionate fan base and passionate media.”
Catenacci already has a familiar face in Sault Ste. Marie. He played with veteran defenceman James Livingston’s younger brother John in York Simcoe and their families spent time together over the past few seasons.
“It will be pretty cool going up there with him,” Catenacci said. It’s like the NHL up there. They treat the hockey team like gold. I’m just happy to be part of that.”
Scouting reports on Catenacci raved about his skating and his ability to make plays at top speed. He already has the speed and smarts to play in the OHL and he said that he will work hard this summer getting ready for the physical challenge of playing in the OHL next season.
“Next year will be a huge adjustment,” Catenacci said. “The guys are bigger, stronger, faster and older than me and that means you have to concentrate more and work harder in the gym and on the ice to get better and bigger. I’m going to work out as much as I can and eat well. Just work hard on the ice and hopefully I get good results.”
There is some pressure that goes along with being the first overall pick. Recently players like John McFarland with the Sudbury Wolves, Ryan O’Reilly with the Erie Otters and Steven Stamkos – now with the Tampa Bay Lightning – were the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection and they all dealt with the expectations that they would be impact players almost immediately.
Catenacci said that he is ready for those expectations and is anxious to prove that he deserved the honour.
“There is some pressure because you are following in the footsteps of some great players like Steven Stamkos, John McFarland, Ryan O’Reilly and John Tavares,” Catenacci said. “Being the first pick – there is honour with that but at the same time there is pressure and thinking about that pressure will only screw you up. I think you’ve got to worry about playing the game and that’s where you will be the most successful.”
