The Yarmouth Junior A Mariners have chosen forward Ben Charles as a territorial pick ahead of the MHL Draft this Saturday.
Yarmouth Mariners are proud to select Ben Charles as our territorial pick ahead of @THEMHL draft. Welcome, Ben!#BleedBlue #MarinersArmy
— Yarmouth Mariners (@MarinersHockey) June 4, 2018
Teams are allowed to protect up to two local players ahead of the draft.
A 16 year old from Yarmouth, Charles led the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League’s South Shore Mustangs in scoring in his rookie year with 15 goals and 10 assists, and previously played for the Western Hurricanes major bantam team.
He was also selected to play for Team Nova Scotia at the Under-16 QMJHL Excellence Challenge in April.
Mariners Head Coach and General Manager Laurie Barron says they are thrilled to have Charles in the organization.
“Ben is a very skilled local player, We got a chance to see him play a lot this year with the South Shore Mustangs. We think he has a very bright hockey future.”
Charles also practiced with the Mariners during their run to the MHL final.
Barron says they are in great shape as far as draft picks go, they have the 11th overall pick.
All MHL general managers will be in attendance, meaning there will likely be some trades.
Barron says he’s open to making deals, as long as it makes sense for his hockey club.
“We’ve got a great returning core. We’ll look to restock the cupboards a little bit during the draft. If there is a deal there that we think makes us better, we’ll jump all over it.”
