Sarnia Sting's Top Pick
Sarnia Sting Selects Adrian Sgro as First-Round Defenceman, Anticipating Dominance in OHL
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The Sarnia Sting selected Adrian Sgro 4th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection on Friday night, making him the first defenseman taken in the top four of the OHL draft since Matthew Schaefer went to Erie in 2023. The Sarnia Observer reported the pick was announced by Randy Craner, father of the late Sarnia scouting director Kyle Craner, who died of brain cancer in September 2025 at age 33.
General Manager Dylan Seca called Sgro a complete two-way defender and said, "It'll be up to him when he's ready to dominate." The Sting have not used a first-round pick on a defenseman in 12 years, according to The Sarnia Observer.
Who Is Adrian Sgro and Why Did Sarnia Pick Him
Sgro, a left-shooting defenseman from New Tecumseth, Ontario, stands 6-foot and weighs 185 pounds. He captained the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA team to a GTHL championship title in March 2026. He then starred at the OHL Cup, posting 1 goal and 2 assists in 4 games. OHL Central Scouting and outlets like McKeen's Hockey ranked him the top defenseman in his draft class, according to Blackburn News.
Darrell Woodley, the OHL's Director of Hockey Development, praised Sgro as a "smooth-skating defenseman" who "makes the game look very easy and effortless," per SooToday. Sgro said he models his game after NHL star Zach Werenski and describes himself as a player with "high hockey I.Q." In 33 regular-season games this past year, he posted 10 goals, 21 assists, and 31 points — with 100 penalty minutes.
The Edge Factor That Sold Sarnia's Front Office
Seca did not just praise Sgro's skill. He also pointed to a physical streak that sets him apart from other young defensemen. Seca admitted Sgro has been known to "go a little over the line at times" — but called that edge exactly what a team needs in "playoff Game 7s," according to The Sarnia Observer.
Head Coach Mathieu Turcotte focused on character as much as skill. "First and foremost, he's a great person and a great leader, which is what we're looking for," Turcotte said, per Sarnia News Today. Current Sting captain Alessandro Di Iorio — himself a former Vaughan Kings captain — was the first to text Sgro and welcome him to the team.
A Deeply Personal Pick Tied to Kyle Craner
The moment carried heavy emotion. The pick was announced on stage by Randy Craner alongside family members Joel and Mary-Ann Craner, representing the late Kyle Craner, who served as Sarnia's Director of Scouting Operations before his death at 33, according to Blackburn News. Kyle Craner had been central to the scouting process that identified Sgro as a priority target.
The Sting had launched "Craner's Cause" in Kyle's honor during the 2025-26 season, donating $10 for every goal scored toward the Bluewater Health Cancer Clinic. The campaign surpassed its $10,000 goal and raised over $15,000, per Sarnia Sting records. Sgro's selection served as a tribute to Craner's work and legacy within the organization.
What Sgro's Arrival Means for Sarnia's Rebuild
Sgro joins a young Sting defensive core that includes 18-year-olds Cameron Aucoin and James Barr. His arrival gives Sarnia a potential top-pair anchor for years ahead. Analysts at The Hockey News noted that a true No. 1 defenseman is the hardest asset to acquire on the OHL trade market, making the pick at fourth overall a strong value.
Some local critics questioned passing on high-scoring forward Kash Kwajah, who went 5th overall to Sudbury. But Seca and the Sting front office held firm. The OHL draft continues Saturday with rounds 4 through 15, according to SooToday.
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