Barry Wright/The Independent

The Sting selected Adrian Sgro with the fourth pick in the OHL Priority Selection in Kingston.

The 16-year-old left-shot blueliner was the first defenceman taken in the proceedings Friday and the first taken in the opening round by the Sting since they made Jakob Chychrun the first overall pick in 2014.

As captain of the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA program last season, he averaged nearly a point per game and played physically with 100 penalty minutes in 33 games.

“First and foremost, he’s a great person and a great leader, which is what we’re looking for with the Sting,” said Sting Head Coach Mathieu Turcotte after the selection. “Strong character and ethics are a non-negotiable to be a member of the Sarnia Sting, and Sgro embodies these values. He’s a player we’re extremely happy to have, and can’t wait to get him in the lineup.”

His Vaughan teammate, Kane Cloutier, was the first overall pick by the Oshawa Generals. Cloutier is the son of former NHL goaltender Dan Cloutier.

With the 14th pick in the first round, London chose defenceman Ryan Beaulieu from the Jr. Knights AAA organization. His father Josh won an OHL and Memorial Cup championship with the Knights in 2005. 

The Knights also chose a second-generation NHL player in the second round with the selection of Ryker Kesler from the Detroit Little Caesars. His father Ryan has a lengthy NHL career with Vancouver and Anaheim.