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Don Cherry unhappy with Leafs picks, says Stamkos will sign if Leafs breaks bank

Sunday, 06.26.2016 / 9:05 PM / News

The Canadian Press

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Don Cherry unhappy with Leafs picks, says Stamkos will sign if Leafs breaks bank

Don Cherry has an issue with the lack of Ontario-born hockey players selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs at this weekend's NHL draft.

Cherry voiced his concerns with a post on his verified Twitter account on Sunday. Toronto drafted 11 players this year, with two from Ontario.

American Auston Matthews went first overall on Friday night. The Maple Leafs followed that up by selecting Russian forward Yegor Korshkov, Swedish defenceman Carl Grundstrom, American blue-liner J.D. Greenway and American goaltender Joseph Wall with their first four picks on Saturday.

Saginaw Spirit defenceman Keaton Middleton, from Stratford, was the first Ontario-born player chosen by the Maple Leafs. He was their seventh pick, 101st overall. London Knights blue-liner and Ottawa native Nicolas Mattinen was their 10th selection, 149th overall.

"Toronto went out and drafted in the first three rounds, a Russian, a Swede and three Americans. Mark Hunter, the draftee or whatever you want to call him, is from Ontario," said Cherry in a document posted to his account. "His expertise is one of the reasons he was hired, he knows all the kids in Ontario. He was (general manager) for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. Mark was going to be our hero, from Ontario and the 40,000 kids that play for the GTHL of Ontario were looking forward to this draft. We were looking forward to the draft so much and he drafts three Americans, a Swede and a Russian in the first three rounds but we will still cheer and support the Leafs.

"I have season seats and we will definitely cheer for the Leafs because it seems in Ontario we like to get kicked in the n-ts."

In total, Toronto drafted four Americans, three Russians, three Canadians and a Swede. Regina Pats forward Adam Brooks of Winnipeg was the other Canadian. He was selected 92nd overall.

Cherry also stated in his post that Ontario-born soon-to-be free agent Steven Stamkos will sign with the Leafs if Toronto is willing to pay for him. He added that Stamkos will exceed what's his done with the Tampa Bay Lightning in a Leafs uniform because he is from near-by Markham.

"Steven Stamkos will be a Leaf if the Leafs break the bank for him. Eleven or US$12 million (per season), say.

"And Steven will be even better in Toronto than he was in Tampa believe it or not because everyone knows Ontario boys play better in Ontario than other players because of friends and family, so says coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs Mike Babcock and so says American GM Brian Burke when he was with Toronto."

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