Rebuilding for next season starts this Saturday for the North Bay Battalion in the OHL Priority Draft

General Manager, Stan Butler says he’s had plenty of time to scout and talk to the families of players he has his eyes on.

“Went down to the OHL Cup, which I was never able to go because we were always heavy duty into the playoffs. Spent 2 days at the OHL combine as well. I’ve probably seen a lot more minor midget hockey this year than I have the last four years combined.”

Butler confirmed he’ll be taking a forward in the draft regardless if the best player available is a defenceman. He also noted he won’t gamble the pick on an American player with no intention of playing in the league but might in the later stages.

“We need some players who can play well who our fans will like. I’m not saying down the road in the draft we get into a certain situation there might be a kid or two we might consider taking.”

Butler says he’s spoken to the families of the players he has his eyes on and they appear to have intent on playing their juniors years with the Battalion but he says it can come back to bite you.

“You can only go with waht people tell you. If people tell you when we’re interviewing them if we get drafted by your teeam we’d be excited to come. When some people have the perrogative to change their mind, it hurt the team.”

The OHL Priority Draft goes Saturday morning at 9 a.m.