Hounds trade for draft pick

Dave Torrie didn't wait until draft day to make his first mark on the Soo Greyhounds.

On Friday, the new Greyhound general manager acquired a third round draft pick for today's Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft from the Kitchener Rangers in exchange for a third round choice in 2004.

With the move, the Hounds own the sixth overall selection in the first round, two second round picks, one third, a pair of fourths and a fifth round selection.

*** NO SURPRISE: The Saginaw Spirit took away the element of surprise for today's first overall pick at the OHL draft. The Spirit announced on Friday that they would select defenseman Patrick McNeill with their first overall pick. McNeill is said to be a well-rounded player who played with the Junior B Strathroy Rockets last season.

*** MORE DEALS: In other draft selection swaps around the OHL, Windsor traded an 8th round pick in 2004 to Peterborough for this year's 13th, 14th and 15th picks. Plymouth traded their second and third round picks to Kingston for a third and a 2004 second round pick. Earlier, Brampton made two moves sending a second round pick to Peterborough for a second in 2004 and their first round import selection to Owen Sound for a sixth round pick in 2005.

*** BIG SCHREMP: Mississauga forward Rob Schremp won the OHL rookie of the year award on Friday. The first overall pick at last year's draft, Schremp scored 26 goals and added 48 assists for 74 points this year.