Turley enlists with Troops

NORTH BAY, Ont. — Defenceman Brayden Turley, the North Bay Battalion’s third pick in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection in April, has signed a standard player’s agreement, including an education package, with the club, it was announced Wednesday.

Turley was selected in the third round, 61st overall, from the Mississauga Senators U16s, with whom he scored four goals and earned 23 assists for 27 points with 44 penalty minutes in 59 regular-season and playoff games in 2021-22. Mississauga won the OHL Cup tournament.

A six-foot, 183-pound left shot, Turley turns 16 on Aug. 8.

“It feels great to sign with such a great organization with such a bright future,” he said by phone from his home town of Milton, Ont.

“Now that I’ve signed, I’m looking forward to having a successful offseason to come prepared for camp. I can’t wait to get started with the team.”

General manager Adam Dennis said he was happy with the signing.

“Brayden is a welcome addition to our back end. To go along with a winning pedigree, he brings a nice blend of size, skill and mobility. We felt he had a strong showing at development camp here in May and we look forward to working with him.”

Turley is the third player chosen this year to sign with North Bay, after first-round pick Ethan Procyszyn, a right winger and projected centre from the North Central Predators U16s, and right winger Jacob Therrien from the Clarington Toros U16s. The Battalion, without a second-round selection, took Therrien with the first pick of the third round, 44th overall.

Meanwhile, centre Liam Arnsby and defenceman Ty Nelson of the Battalion are among 23 OHL players invited to the National Hockey League’s scouting combine this week at HarborCenter in Buffalo, N.Y.

The combine, which includes fitness and strength testing, provides prospects a chance to meet with NHL clubs in advance of the NHL Draft, scheduled July 7-8 at Montreal.