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Three more Windsor Spitfires were selected in the final day of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Justin Shugg went to the Carolina Hurricanes, Tomas Kuhnackl was claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phillip Grubauer was selected by the Washington Capitals. All players were drafted in the 4th round.
Carolina Hurricanes select Spitfire right-winger Justin Shugg in the 4th round, 105th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
Acquired from the Oshawa Generals on January 9, 2008, right-winger Justin Shugg recently concluded his second full season with the Spitfires. Playing mostly on a line with Scott Timmins and Greg Nemisz during the 2009-2010 season, Shugg scored 39 goals and added 40 assists in 67 games. He followed that up with 5 goals and 10 assists in 18 OHL play-off contests and scored 2 goals and 5 assists in three games while helping the Spitfires win their second consecutive Memorial Cup title. He is a very solid all-around player who is opportunistic when it comes to scoring goals, possesses good hands and has above average offensive instincts.
“Justin found a way to work himself onto the first powerplay unit on a talented team like we had,” says Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner. “I think that says it all about about his game.
“Justin plays well at both ends of the ice and has tremendous hockey sense.”
Pittsburgh Penguins select future Spitfire Tomas Kuhnackl in the 4th round, 110th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
Kuhnackl was selected in the first round, 24th overall, of the CHL Import Draft and will be joinging the Spitfires this fall. The 6'2”, 195-lb. right-winger had 12 goals and 12 assists with the Landshut Cannibals in his native Germany. Kuhnackl went pointless in four games with the Ausberger Panther, a team in Germany's top hockey league. Kuhnackl's father Eric was voted the top German hockey player of the 20th century.
“We have have had a lot of good players in Windsor over the last four seasons, and Tom will be right up there with the best of them when it comes to pure skill and skating ability,” contends Spitfire general manager Warren Rychel.
Washington Capitals select Spitfire goaltender Phillip Grubauer in the 4th round, 112th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
Acquired as part of a blockbuster deal with the Belleville Bulls in January, 2010, the native of Rosenheim, Germany posted a stellar 2.37 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, with a 13-1-1 record during the regular season with the Spits. Grubauer soon became the team's go-to netminder in the OHL play-offs, and was particularly steady in Windsor's sweep of the Barrie Colts in the OHL championship series. Grubauer went 4-0 and posted a 2.14 goals against average and .930 save percentage as the Spitfires captured the 2010 Memorial Cup in Brandon.
Prior to arriving in Windsor, he helped lead Germany to the top of the B Pool at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships, promoting his native country to the A Pool in 2011.
“Phillip is a mentally tough kid and a fierce competitor,” said Spitfire general manager Warren Rychel. “He is outstanding down low and side to side.”
