The Soo Greyhounds announced a player signing today, getting Matthew Virgilio to commit and sign a standard OHL player agreement. No big deal, one might think, given the fact that Virgilio was a fourth-round pick in this year’s OHL draft.
But it’s not that simple. Virgilio, at the time, was committed to the University of Michigan and had signed a tender in the USHL to play for the Tri-City Storm. Had that commitment not been in place, he easily would have gone in the first round of the OHL draft, quite near the top as one of the best defensemen in his age group.
The 16-year-old is considered a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft and will now get to show off his skills in the Soo for the next several years. General manager Kyle Raftis explained:
Matthew is a very polished defenseman who has the ability to move pucks efficiently, control play in all three zones, and also bring a physical edge and intensity to his game on the defensive side of the puck. The way he plays the game shows a high-level of maturity and poise that are rare traits to find with a player at his age.
The Greyhounds now list him at 6’0 183-lbs in their release, despite him only turning 16 a few months ago. For prospect watchers and draft gurus, he’ll be one to watch.