Spirit gets commit from first round selection, Porco

SAGINAW, Mich (Courtesy Saginaw Spirit) – During a press conference held at the Saginaw Spirit offices on Tuesday, Saginaw Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill announced the commitment of 2017 first round pick in the 2017 U-17 Priority Selection Nicholas Porco to an OHL Standard Player Agreement.

“Nicholas is a big building block in this organization as we continue to build through the draft,” said Drinkill during his media session. “Having the fourth overall pick commit to us is a very exciting day for the franchise. Seeing Nicholas and his family take time to come to Saginaw to be a part of this before the OHL Gold Cup shows their commitment to the franchise, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome them.”

Porco, 16, is a 6’0, 160 lbs. left wing from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and is the reigning Player of the Year in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. During the 2016-17 season with the Vaughan Kings Minor Midget AAA program, Porco scored 42 goals and added 49 assists for 89 points in 65 games played including regular season, playoff, and tournament play.

“I am very excited right now,” said Proco “To sign with the Saginaw Spirit, a great organization, I could not be happier. I look forward to the bright future ahead for this team.”

“(Damien) Giroux and a couple players reached out to congratulate me and it just made me feel a part of the team right away. It was very comforting.”

With the bright lights of the media shining and flashing upon the 16-year-old, Porco signed his standard player agreement this afternoon in front of a packed audience in the Saginaw Spirit Store, who was set to welcome the youngster to the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Porco will join future Spirit hopefuls at their annual Prospect Camp on May 13 and 14 at the Saginaw Bay Ice Arena in Saginaw, Michigan.