Barrie Colts stalwart defenceman Mathew Hill was selected late in Saturday's NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks.
An 18-year-old Oakville native, Hill was taken in the sixth round (186th overall) by the Ducks, who surprised many by failing to make the playoffs this past season after being depleted by injuries.
Hill is listed at six-foot-four and 197 pounds.
In two seasons with the Colts, Hill has three goals and 13 assists in 95 OHL games. This past season, with an increased role on the team, he scored twice and added 11 helpers in 65 games. He also had 46 penalty minutes.
Hill has also been a plus player in two seasons for a combined plus-15.
The left-handed defenceman played minor hockey with the 'AAA' Toronto Jr. Canadians and Toronto Marlboros.
Hill was drafted by the Colts in the fourth round (61st overall) of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.
In Anaheim, fifteen different defencemen suited up for the Ducks this past season, including former Colt Jake Dotchin.
Earlier this week, the Ducks bought out the contract of former Hart Trophy recipient Corey Perry, who is approaching 1,000 games in the NHL, all with Anaheim. The former London Knight had two years left on his eight-year contract at $8.625 million per season.
Perry had injured his knee in a pre-season game and returned to the Anaheim lineup in February. The one-time 50-goal scorer and Rocket Richard Trophy winner had just 10 points in 31 games this past season and was a minus-16.
The Ducks also had 11 players over the age of 30 in their lineup last season, including 38-year-old goaltender Ryan Miller, who was recently signed to a one-year extension. Miller will back up No. 1 goalie John Gibson with the Ducks next season.
The Ducks had a pair of picks in the first round of the NHL Draft. On Friday night, they selected forward Trevor Vegras ninth overall and then took winger Brayden Tracey with the 29th pick. They also added Jackson Lacombe in the second round with the 39th-overall pick.
Some of Anaheim's other top prospects from previous drafts include Max Jones, Sam Steel, Troy Terry, Maxime Comtois and Isaac Lundestrom.
