Ricketts, an 18-year-old defenceman who played for the Central IcePak of the provincial major midget league last season, was selected first overall by the Northeast Eagles.
A couple of out-of-province transfers completed the top three picks.
Landon Trickett, a 19-year-old rearguard from Baddeck, N.S., who was with the Valley Wildcats of the Maritime junior A circuit in 2016-17, went second overall, while forward William Hickey, a Peterborough, Ont., native who played for a junior team in Lakefield, Ont., was the third pick by the Trinity-Placentia Flyers.
There were three overage players drafted: Goalie Phil Hann, who had been with the CBR Renegades, was taken by Southern Shore Breakers; forward Tanner Whiffen, who also saw some action with the Renegades, was selected by the St. John’s Caps and Clarenville Spencer Norcott, who was in the Western States Hockey League, an American junior league, in 2016-17, was picked up by Conception Bay North Stars.
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All the picks in the regular draft
Round 1
1. Northeast, Ryan Ricketts; 2. CBN, Landon Trickett; 3. T-P, William Hickey; 4. CBR, Tyler Nickerson; 5. AVA, Jatly Jardine; 6. NE, Edward Farrell; 7. MP, Brady Normore; 8. CBR, Alex Hodder
Round 2
1. SJ, Michael Bickford; 2. CBN, Paul Russell; 3. AVA, Austin Oram; 4. T-P, Andrew Ryan; 5. NE, Joey Oldford; 6. MP, Passed; 7. SJ, Casey Hancock; 8. SS, Leroy Warfield
Round 3
1. CBR: Logan Hurley; 2. CBN, Marcus Kinden; 3. T-P, Nickolas Matchim; 4. CBR, Jared Brazil; 5. AVA, Passed; 6. MP, Passed; 7. NE, Passed; 8. SS, Noah Matchim
Note: All teams then passed, ending the draft
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Players becoming free agents: Michael Hancock, Zack Harnum, Clarke Rideout, Colton Roberts
