James Livingston selected by St. Louis in third round

Soo Greyhounds forawrd James Livingston was the first player with local connections selected at the National Hockey League Entry Draft on Saturday morning.

Livingston was selected by the St. Louis Blues with the ninth pick of the third round, 70th overall.

The seven round NHL draft will conclude this afternoon.

The following is an abridged news release from the St. Louis Blues.

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The Blues selected three players in the third round, which included center, Jori Lehtera, and right wingers, James Livingston and Ian Schultz.

Lehtera was the 65th pick overall and played in 54 games for Tappara of the Finnish Elite League, collecting 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) along with 32 penalty minutes. The 6-2, 191-pounder was ranked 23rd among all European skaters in this year’s draft.

Livingston was selected 70th overall by the Blues and appeared in 68 games for Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL. The 6-1, 200-pounder collected 44 points (21 goals, 23 assists) along with 135 penalty minutes. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native was ranked 53rd among all North American skaters.

Schultz, played for Calgary of the WHL last season, notching 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) along with 128 penalty minutes in 67 games played. The 6-1, 179-pound forward was selected 87th overall, and was ranked 94th among all North American skaters.

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