Erie Otters defenseman Christian Kyrou picked by Dallas Stars in NHL Draft 2nd round
Defenseman Christian Kyrou on Friday joined a long list of Erie Otters — as well as his brother — in hearing his name called at the NHL Draft.
The Dallas Stars made Kyrou their second-round selection, 50th overall, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, where the two-day, seven-round draft is taking place.
More: Otters pick forward Malcolm Spence at No. 2 spot in OHL Priority Selection
Kyrou, 18, played in all 68 games for the Otters this past season, scoring 18 goals. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound native of Komoka, Ontario, was third in team scoring and first among Otters defensemen with 60 points, which also was third-best among all OHL defenders.
They grow up so fast! 🥲
Watch Kyrou hear his name and celebrate with his family before putting on his brand new sweater! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/BqlgWRr9BA— Erie Otters 🦦 (@ErieOtters) July 8, 2022
In Kyrou's first full season with Erie, he moved to 179th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings and to 48th in the final rankings.
"It's pure excitement right now. I've waited for this moment for a long time." Kyrou said. "I'm just excited to hear my name called. It's been a rollercoaster of events. I'm embracing the moment."
Welcome to #TexasHockey, Christian Kyrou!@ATT | #NHLDraft | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/dV77md04jw
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 8, 2022
"He put in a lot of hard work on and off the ice over the past couple of years and it paid off for him," coach B.J. Adams said.
Kyrou was one of 96 players including 30 defensemen who took part in the NHL Scouting Combine. The Otters noted that his pro agility times were among the best of all prospects.
"Christian has come so far, and continues to grow both as a player and person," Otters General Manager Dave Brown said. "We are thrilled and ecstatic to share in this moment with Christian and his family."
His family includes brother Jordan Kyrou, a 2016 second-round selection of the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Kyrou, a 24-year-old forward, had a breakout 2021-22 season with the Blues, scoring 27 goals and 75 points.
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This year's draft marks the 21st time since 1997 at least one Erie Otters player has been selected. Kyrou is the second Otter ever drafted by Dallas; Luke Gazdic went 172nd overall to the Stars in 2007.
No other Otters player was selected on Friday.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: NHL Draft: Dallas Stars select Erie Otters defenseman Christian Kyrou
