TESINK FINAL SEA DOG SELECTED

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Ryan Tesink was the final Saint John Sea Dog selected in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft, going 162nd overall to the St. Louis Blues.

With the selection, Tesink became the fifth Saint John player to be selected at the draft as he joined Jonathan Huberdeau, Nathan Beaulieu, Zack Phillips, and Tomas Jurco. The trio of Huberdeau, Beaulieu, and Phillips were all selected in last night’s opening round. Jurco was taken 35th overall today.

It was the best showing at the NHL Draft in Sea Dogs franchise history. Two players were chosen in the 2010, 2009, and 2007 drafts while in both the 2008 and 2006 drafts only one was picked.

Tesink had a solid rookie season with the Memorial Cup Champion Sea Dogs. Selected with the final pick of the 2010 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft's first round, the Saint John native recorded eight goals and 27 assists 59 games. He got off to a hot start but slowly cooled down as the year progressed.

He had a good playoff run, playing in 19 games and registering three goals and two assists. Tesink will always be remembered in Sea Dogs history for his double-overtime goal in Game Four of the President’s Cup Final in Gatineau.

In Central Scouting’s final rankings, Tesink was ranked 47th. Most draft experts had the gritty forward going a bit earlier in the draft.

Sea Dogs forward Stephen MacAulay was drafted in the sixth round – 164th overall – by the Blues last year.