2005A Draft Night Marks League's Sixth Anniversary

It was an unfamiliar setting for a familiar event as the Lion's Head Tavern in North End Halifax played host to the twelfth ADC FHL draft night. And for the first time in recent memory, all players were up for grabs as captains agreed to waive the "protection" rule.

Previously, captains were permitted to protect two returning players from their previous season's roster, up to a maximum of three consecutive seasons.

First-time captain John Johnstone got the proceedings underway for his newly adopted team, the Keane Chill. He quickly snapped up scoring champ Tony Joyce as well as Joyce's championship teammate from last season, Chad Randall. Johnstone will look to share goaltending duties between himself, and part-timer Dave Burfitt. The 2005A season will also mark the first time in five seasons that Michael Griffiths will not be a member of the Keane Chill.

Second pick belonged to Richard Wanamaker and his ADC Lynx. The captain ensured his team will have a familiar flavour, as five 2004B Lynx will be returning to this season's squad. The Lynx managed to wrest super-sophomore Roger Keating from the Lite-Sabres by choosing him in the first round. Returning as the Lynx' primary goaltender will be Martin Kane, in his third consecutive season in this position.

Gian Scalet had the enviable position of being the returning champion and having the third overall selection in the draft. And Scalet made good use of his position, securing Rob Tyrrell as his first overall selection. Tyrrell previously played for the Slayers in the 2002B season, when he finished 3rd in the league in the season. From the 2004B championship squad, Scalet managed to retain four players other than himself: Mike Burffit, Amy Scott, Rene Aucoin and Jason Roland.

The Keane Fire were in unfamiliar territory, picking in the second half on the draft order based on last season's third-place finish. Captain Harvey Snelgrove acquired two long-time Hacker snipers, Jeff Shute and Donnie Bailey. Returning to the Fire for his fifth consecutive season, and 13th season in the league is the grizzled veteran Kenzie Royal. Royal is one game behind Kevin Haddad for the all-time games played record.

Returning to captain the Lite-Sabres after his first missed season was Chris McMaster. McMaster had fired his 2004B scout team after his first-round draft pick from last season, Jason Fitzgerald, was unable to crack the starting line-up. McMaster ensured his team would not have a chemistry problem, picking several ex-Sabres. Five players on the 2005A squad have previously won the league championship with the Sabres. It will mark the sixth straight season that Spiro Bokolas will be playing for the Sabres and the eighth season that Chad Griffin will suit up for the team.

Last pick overall belonged to the LAN Hackers, captained by Terry Davison. Davison was finally unable to retain Bailey and Shute due to the new non-retention rule. In their place, he managed to pick up Scott Mulcahy and promising rookie Ryan Milligan. But perhaps the biggest shocker from the Hacker camp came when Davison announced that he would be playing forward for the 2005A season. For his entire career, Davison has proven to be one of the toughest defenders in the league, so it will be interesting to see how his transition goes, and how long it lasts.