Four Spirit Players Named in 2023 NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List
October 25, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit have a total of four players listed on the National Hockey League (NHL) Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list presented by BioSteel released on Tuesday (Oct. 25).
The list rates draft-eligible players from North America and Europe on a three-tier scale: ‘A’ indicates a potential first round selection, ‘B’ indicates a potential second or third round selection, and ‘C’ indicates a potential fourth, fifth, or sixth round selection. It will be updated throughout the season as NHL scouting staff evaluates players.
Spirit defenseman P.J. Forgione, and forwards Luke McNamara and Joey Willis are listed as ‘C’ prospects, while defenseman Matthew Jovanovic made the list with limited viewings.
Forgione, a native of Novi, Michigan, was drafted in the sixth round, 118th overall, in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft out of the Oakland Grizzles program. In 76 career OHL games, Forgione has 27 points (7 goals – 20 assists) and 81 penalty minutes (PIMS). During his rookie season, Forgione was a finalist for the Bobby Smith Trophy for OHL Scholastic Player of the Year. He was named OHL Academic Player of the Month in the West Division in December of 2021.
McNamara, 17, was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft. In 72 career OHL games, McNamara has 24 points (8 goals – 16 assists). Last season, McNamara was one of 25 OHL Players to take part in the 2021 Capital City Challenge, a tournament featuring three Canadian Men’s U-17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Team.
Willis, 17, enters his first OHL season after Saginaw selected him in the fourth round, 79th overall, in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft. The Elmhurst, Illinois native has 12 points (5 goals – 7 assists) in his first 10 OHL games.
Jovanovic, 18, was selected by the Spirit in the second round, 31st overall, in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Injuries have sidelined Jovanovic over the last 14 months, but scouts remain high on the Toronto, Ontario who played his minor hockey for the Toronto Marlboros U16. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman is ranked with limited viewings.
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