Mason Chitaroni Drafted to the London Knights

Congratulations to former Marathon Merc, Mason Chitaroni, for being drafted to the London Knights in the 2020 OHL Priority Selections Draft.

By Randy Russon, Hockey News North,  April 4, 2020

A good day has turned into a good Knight. Slick defenseman Mason Chitaroni of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Midget Hockey League has become an Ontario Hockey League draft pick.

Chitaroni, who notched six goals, 13 assists, 19 points in 38 games for the Jr. Greyhounds during the 2019-2020 Great North regular season, was picked by the London Knights in the fifth round of today’s OHL priority selections draft.

A smooth, fast-skating defender, Chitaroni is the son of Terry Chitaroni, a hard-nosed forward who played four full OHL seasons with the Sudbury Wolves from 1988 to 1992.

The younger Chitaroni’s skating ability stands out, said his Jr. Greyhounds coach, Jamie Henderson.

“Mason can flat out skate with the best 2004 birth-year players anywhere. His all around game has grown tremendously since last summer and we have no doubts it will continue to improve over time as an OHL draft pick,” Henderson noted.

Follow up by Randy Russon, Hockey News North, April 4, 2020

Mason Chitaroni said he was hoping the London Knights would draft him. And the Soo Jr. Greyhounds defenseman got his wish at today’s Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.

Chitaroni, who notched six goals, 13 assists, 19 points in 38 games for the Jr. Greyhounds during the 2019-2020 Great North Midget Hockey League regular season, was picked by London in the fifth round, 99th overall, at today’s OHL priority selections draft.

A smooth, fast-skating defender, Chitaroni is the son of Terry Chitaroni, a hard-nosed forward who played four full OHL seasons with the Sudbury Wolves from 1988 to 1992.

A blue-chip defenseman and a potential steal as a fifth-rounder, Chitaroni said he talked to personnel from the OHL Knights at length before the draft.

“It was definitely my first choice of where I wanted to go,” a happy Chitaroni told Hockey News North. “I am so excited right now. It is amazing to be drafted by such a really good organization like London.”

Chitaroni said that shortly after he learned that London had drafted him, he received a call from Knights scout Steve Warner.

“He told me that they are happy to have been able to draft me … and I am just so happy to be a part of the London Knights now,” Chitaroni gushed.

The younger Chitaroni’s skating ability stands out, said his Jr. Greyhounds coach, Jamie Henderson.

“Mason can flat out skate with the best 2004 birth-year players anywhere. His all around game has grown tremendously since last summer and we have no doubts it will continue to improve over time as an OHL draft pick of the London Knights,” Henderson noted.

By SaultSports.com, April 4, 2020

On April 4th, 5’10 and 150 lbs defenseman Mason Chitaroni was selected 99th overall with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights with their fifth round selection in the 2020 Ontario Hockey League Priority Draft.

The 16 year old blueliner had six goals and contributed on thirteen with the Great North Midget League Soo U18 Greyhounds in 39 regular season games during the 2019 – 2020 season.

“London is getting a really good player who is really motivated to take his game to the next level. He is going to an amazing program and we are really happy for him and his family,” said Chitaroni’s U18 Greyhound coach Jamie Henderson.

Chitaroni told Saultsports.com that “I am very proud to be selected by such an amazing organization, the London Knights has one of the greatest reputations and in the coming years I have a lot to do to make a hockey club like London, but I am looking to provide physicality, speed and overall hockey IQ.”