The Erie Otters will hold a “Welcome to Erie” reception for 2013 1st-round pick Dylan Strome Thursday night at Erie Insurance Arena. Sherry Bassin, managing partner and general manager, said he has agreed to terms with Strome and 2nd-round pick Jesse Saban. Bassin said Strome should sign in time for this weekend’s rookie development camp at Mercyhurst Ice Center.
Yet Strome won’t be the only guests of honor. Apparently, new members of Kris Knoblauch‘s coaching staff will be introduced at the gathering. No word yet on who they are …
In other news, Bassin continues to rave about D Travis Dermott, a 9th-round pick in 2012, who was the the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s rookie of the year with Newmarket.
Meanwhile, veteran forwards Jake Evans (knee) and Connor Crisp (muscle pull in side) are close to 100 percent healthy, while Joel Wigle continues to recover from sore shoulders that bothered him late in the season.
Defense prospect Riley Robertson (3rd round in 2012) will attend the camp but won’t skate because he’s recovering from a shoulder injury that nagged him all season.
“He’s pretty well 100 percent healthy,” Bassin said of Robertson. “We’re just being cautious. This isn’t a time to get somebody reinjured.”

- Victor Fernandes

Hayden Hodgson had a great summer playing baseball, headlined by two no-hitters. Yet that success, and the potential that comes with being a left-handed pitcher that throws nearly 90 mph, couldn’t keep him from choosing to focus on hockey.
Hodgson made it official Wednesday, as he joined fellow 2012 high-round picks Justin Felker (second round), Kyle Pettit (second) and Riley Robertson (third) in agreeing to terms with the Erie Otters.
“You want to follow your dream and do what you want,” said Hodgson, a third-round pick. “That’s important to me, and that’s important to my family. I leaned towards the sport that I really enjoy the most – hockey. The opportunity and the options at this level really swung me over.”
* Changing his mind?: In April, Millcreek Township native Nate Miller said he would pursue a career as an OHL goaltender. Since then, the Otters have added highly touted CHL pick Oscar Dansk and newly acquired Keinan Brown to their depth in net. Now Miller isn’t as sure about a future in the OHL.
“I don’t want to play as a backup (in the OHL) and ruin my college eligibility,” said Miller, who will play for the Toledo Cherokee in the North American Tier III Hockey League this coming season. “If I were to play her, I’d want a good chance to play and not sit on the bench.”
Miller, who hopes to earn a college scholarship in the future, isn’t surprised about the Otters’ moves in goal. “I expected it to happen,” he said. “But I wanted to prepare myself anyway in case I got the opportunity.”
* Numbers game: Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, wishes he could have kept Robertson and fellow 2012 picks Darren Raddysh (fifth round), Gregory Allen (sixth) and Bryan Sienerth (13th).
But the league rule limiting teams to four under-agers (five with a goalie) prompted Bassin to cut all four prospects today. Felker, Pettit and Hodgson likely will join No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid on the roster this season.
“If players aren’t going to play for you this year, get them back to school and to their (Tier II) team,” said Bassin, who described Sienerth, a Millcreek Township, as “outstanding.”
* News and notes: Club officials sent a contract offer for Russian D Artem Kuleshov to his agent, former NHL goaltender MIke Liut, today. No word yet if an agreement was reached. … Former Otters D Paul Cianfrini participated in the afternoon practice today. He spent the 2011-12 season with Toledo (ECHL), and had re-signed with the Walleye. But he recently signed with Rapid City (CHL) after the possible NHL lockout cost him a spot in Toledo. Prospects from Chicago and Detroit would fill those spots in Toledo if a lockout occurs.

- Victor Fernandes

ANCASTER, Ontario – The Erie Otters have cut 11 players from training camp today. Nine are from the 2012 OHL draft class – Riley Robertson (3rd round, 55th overall), Darren Raddysh (5th round, 84th overall), Thomas Lattavo (6th round, 104th overall), Gregory Allen (6th round, 115th overall), Travis Dermott (9th round, 164th overall), Quentin Maksimovich (11th round, 204th overall), Millcreek Township native Bryan Sienerth (13th round, 244th overall), Nathan Kohler (14th round, 264th overall) and Jake Ireland (15th round, 300th overall). The others were Millcreek Township’s Nathan Miller (9th round, 174th overall, in 2011) and free-agent invite Francesco Tolfa.
That leaves 38 players in camp.

The Erie Otters have agreed to terms with goaltending prospect Oscar Dansk, said Sherry Bassin, managing partner and general manager. Dansk, the third overall pick in the 2012 CHL Import Draft, was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the first pick of the second round in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Dansk is recovering from a minor knee injury suffered while playing for Sweden’s junior national team recently in Lake Placid, N.Y. Yet Bassin said he should leave Sweden to join the team at camp in the next few days, and he should be ready to play in the next couple of weeks.
Bassin also said he should finalize contracts with other undisclosed prospects in the couple of days.
In other news, defense prospect Riley Robertson and forward prospect Jordan Dunin have joined forward Dane Fox (broken bone in foot) on the Erie Otters’ injured list. Both suffered separated shoulders during the same summer skating session earlier, said Dave Brown, assistant manager of hockey operations. Yet unlike Fox, who isn’t expected to participate in training camp this week, Dunin and Robertson are listed as day-to-day.
Brown also confirmed that Dave Stickney has left the Otters after four seasons as head athletic trainer to take the same position with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The Otters have hired Scott McLay, who spent last year as athletic trainer with the hockey programs and other sports at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

- Victor Fernandes

CAMP ROSTER
(subject to change)
Goaltenders (5)
Oscar Dansk – 2012 CHL Import Draft (1st round), 2012 NHL Entry Draft (Columbus, 2nd round)
Daniel DeKoning – 2012 OHL Priority Selection
Jake Ireland – 2012 OHL Priority Selection
Nate Miller – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (9th round; Millcreek Township native)
Devin Williams – Veteran

Left defense (9)
Kyle Allan – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (15th round)
Greg Allen – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (6th round)
Travis Dermott – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (9th round)
Justin Felker – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (2nd round)
Kris Grant – Veteran
Artem Kuleshov – 2012 CHL Import Draft (2nd round)
Adam Pelech – Veteran
Sebastian Stangherlin – Free-agent invite
Travis Wood – Veteran

Right defense (10)
Troy Donnay – Veteran
Nathan Glass – Veteran
Nathan Kohler – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (14th round)
Liam Maaskant – Veteran
Jimmy McDowell – Veteran
Patrick Murphy – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (5th round; played 9 games with Erie in 2011-12)
Darren Raddysh – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (5th round)
Riley Robertson – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (3rd round)
Troy Saunders – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (12th round)
Francesco Tolfa – Free-agent invite

Centers (9)
Luke Cairns – Veteran
Jake Evans – Veteran
Blake Jones – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (14th round)
Justin Maiolino – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (13th round; played 2 games with Erie in 2011-12)
Connor McDavid – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (No. 1 overall)
Mac McDonnell – Veteran
Aidan Muir – Free-agent invite
Kyle Petit – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (2nd round)
Bryan Sienerth – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (13th round; Millcreek Township native)

Left wing (10)
Anthony Cortellessa – Veteran
Connor Crisp – Veteran
Jordan Dunin – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (7th round)
Mitch Eisenberg – Veteran
Nathan Feric – Free-agent invite
Dane Fox – Veteran (fractured foot; not expected to participate in camp)
Stephen Harper – Veteran
Quentin Maksimovich – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (11th round)
Lucas Venuto – Free-agent invite
Kurt Wolff – Free-agent invite

Right wing (7)
Nick Betz – Veteran
Connor Brown – Veteran, 2012 NHL Entry Draft (Toronto, 6th round)
Sean Darroch – 2011 OHL Priority Selection (8th round; played 7 games with Erie in 2011-12)
Hayden Hodgson – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (3rd round)
Thomas Lattavo – 2012 OHL Priority Selection (6th round)
Johnny McGuire – Veteran
Sondre Olden – Veteran

No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid headlines a group of 26 rookies and prospects invited to the Erie Otters’ rookie camp Friday and Saturday at Mercyhurst. Players report Friday morning before starting off-ice workouts on the soccer field at 10 a.m. They head to Mercyhurst Ice Center at 2 p.m. for a two-hour practice and a scrimmage On Saturday, they will have on-ice sessions from 9-11 a.m. and 2:45-4:45 p.m.

The players invited are as follows:
2012 draft picks
Gregory Allen
Daniel Dekoning
Travis Dermott
Justin Felker
Hayden Hodgson
Jake Ireland
Nathan Kohler
Dylan Larkin
Thomas Lattavo
Quentin Maksimovich
Connor McDavid
Kyle Pettit
Darren Raddysh
Riley Robertson
Bryan Sienerth (Millcreek Township native)

2011 draft picks
Sean Darroch
Jordan Dunin
Blake Jones
Justin Maiolino
Nate Miller (Millcreek Township native)
Patrick Murphy
Sean Power
Troy Saunders
Jordan Schneider

2010 draft picks
Brent Hambly
Eric Kimmerly

Future Otters
The Erie Otters’ picks in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection:
Round (No.) Pos. Name (Ht., Wt.) 2011-12 club 2011-12 statistics
1. (1) C Connor McDavid (5-10, 155) Toronto Marlboros 33 goals, 72 points (33 games)
2. (27) C Kyle Pettit (6-2, 170) London Knights-Gold 18 goals, 40 points (41 games)
2. (35) D Justin Felker (6-3, 170) Southern Tier Admirals 4 goals, 32 points (54 games
3. (44) RW Hayden Hodgson (6-1, 185) Sun County Panthers 29 goals, 54 points, 82 PIM (42 games)
3. (55) D Riley Robertson (6-4, 180) Grey-Bruce Highlanders 12 points, 24 PIM (34 games)
5. (84) D Darren Raddysh (5-11, 165) Toronto Marlboros 10 goals, 32 points
6. (104) RW Thomas Lattavo (6-1, 190) Toronto Young Nationals 9 goals, 15 points (19 games)
6. (115) D Gregory Allen (6-0, 180) Toronto Marlboros 17 points, 14 PIM
8. (144) G Daniel Dekoning (6-1, 140) Huron-Perth Lakers 14-5-3 record, 1.95 GAA .925 save pct.
9. (164) D Travis Dermott (5-7, 155) York Simcoe Express 8 points, 12 PIM (17 games)
10. (184) C Dylan Larkin (6-0, 150) Detroit Belle Tire U16s 13 goals, 20 points (20 games)
11. (204) C Quentin Maksimovich (6-3, 170) Toronto Jr. Canadiens 4 goals, 18 points (33 games)
13. (244) C Bryan Sienerth* (5-10, 160) Pittsburgh Hornets U16s 13 goals, 29 points (33 games)
14. (264) D Nathan Kohler (6-0, 175) Brantford 99ers 25 points, 32 PIM (38 games)
15. (300) G Jake Ireland (N/A) Don Mills Flyers N/A
* Millcreek Township native and Cathedral Prep sophomore; joins Millcreek Township’s Nate Miller (ninth round, 2011) and Erie’s Chris Brotka (seventh round, 1997) as the only players with local ties picked by the Otters.

Cream of the crop
First-round picks in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection:
No. Club Pos. Name (Ht., Wt.) 2011-12 club 2011-12 statistics
1. Erie C Connor McDavid (5-10, 155) Toronto Marlboros 33 goals, 72 points (33 games)
2. Kingston D Roland McKeown (6-1, 180) Toronto Marlboros 10 goals, 35 points
3. Peterborough C Eric Cornel (6-2, 165) Upper Canada Cyclones 18 goals, 32 points (26 games)
4. Sault Ste. Marie C Jared McCann (6-0, 175) London Knights-Gold 42 goals, 79 points (40 games)
5. Windsor C Joshua Ho Sang (5-11, 160) Toronto Marlboros 31 goals, 79 points
6. Guelph C Robert Fabbri (5-10, 150) Mississauga Rebels 57 goals, 105 points (60 games)
7. Oshawa C Michael Dal Colle (6-2, 170) Vaughan Kings 44 goals, 78 points (42 games)
8. Owen Sound D Jacob Middleton (6-2, 185) Huron-Perth Lakers 8 goals, 31 points (33 games)
9. Kingston* LW Samuel Bennett (5-11, 160) Toronto Marlboros 30 goals, 58 points
10. Belleville C Niki Petti (5-11, 175) Southern Tier Admirals 27 goals, 64 points (43 games)
11. Mississauga LW Damien Bourne (6-4, 185) Mississauga Rebels 79 points, 89 PIM (62 games)
12. Saginaw LW Jeremiah Addison (5-11, 160) Toronto Marlboros 28 goals, 46 points
13. Sarnia RW Brett Hargrave (6-4, 195) Mississauga Rebels 28 goals, 54 points (58 games)
14. Sudbury D Conor Cummins (6-3, 196) Whitby Wildcats 5 goals, 14 points (25 games)
15. Brampton LW Blake Clarke (6-2, 197) St. Louis Midgets 1 goal, 4 points (14 games)
16. Barrie LW Brendan Perlini (6-0, 165) Detroit Belle Tire U16s 20 goals, 43 points (28 games)
17. Kitchener RW Matt Schmalz (6-4, 190) Southern Tier Admirals 35 goals, 76 points (61 games)
18. Ottawa C Dante Salituro (5-9, 170) Don Mills Flyers 47 goals, 91 points (30 games)
19. Plymouth LW Zach Bratina (6-1, 165) Central Ontario Wolves 22 goals, 43 points (30 games)
20. Niagara# D Aaron Haydon (6-3, 190) Detroit Belle Tire U16s 11 points, 83 PIM (37 games)
21. Niagara C Brook Hiddink (5-11, 190) Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 29 goals, 55 points (42 games)
22. London G Liam Herbst (6-3, 180) Mississauga Rebels N/A
* 2011 first-round pick Max Domi declined to report; Frontenacs received a compensatory pick one spot behind their 2011 draft pick (No. for trading Domi’s rights to London this past August
# 2011 first-round pick Adam Bateman declined to report; IceDogs received a compensatory pick o