With the 73rd selection in the 2012 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have taken Justin Kea, a center from Saginaw in the OHL.
Kea is a big boy, standing 6’4” 212lbs. He’s a lefthanded shot and scored 3-11-14 with 76 PIM in 65 games for Saginaw. While his scoring totals aren’t impressive, he certainly isn’t afraid to drop the gloves, tallying 9 fights last season in the OHL.
The hulking Canadian has some NHL pedigree, as he’s related to former NHLers Jeff Beukeboom (second cousin) and Tom Thornbury (uncle).
Kea marks the third big center that the Sabres have taken with their first four picks, and another player that the team brought in for their private combine before the draft. The Sabres are certainly addressing their biggest perceived need, and addressing it in a big way.