Power forward Ben McIntosh was chosen first overall by the Maple Ridge Burrards. For McIntosh, going first overall was a great way to cap his junior career.

"It's definitely an honour to go first, there was so much talent in this draft and so many skilled players graduating that it could have gone a number of ways," McIntosh said from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

McIntosh was part of a strong right-handed shooters group from the Coquilam Adanacs that were deemed potential No. 1 picks - including teammates Robert Church and Marty Dinsdale. Also in the top-pick conversation were left-handed sniper Logan Schuss of Delta and Brandon Goodwin of New Westminster.

For Maple Ridge, what elevated McIntosh from a pretty heady graduating class was the complete package - talent, experience, and the fit.

"I think the greatest asset that Ben brings is he's a natural creaseman, he plays a bit of a bigger role on the floor and goes to that greasy area at the net," Maple Ridge coach and general manager Daren Fridge said. "He'll create space for (Curtis) Dickson, (Tyler) Miotto and (second round pick Mike) Mallory."

Following New West's selection of Schuss, the Salmonbellies doubled-up on their first round bounty by taking Jeff Cornwall. The six-foot-three Coquitlam defender admitted that he didn't see it coming.

"Honestly, when my name was called I was a little surprised," remarked Cornwall. "Being a defensive player and being such a strong draft class I wasn't expecting to go so high. Playing with the class of '91 my whole life I had a different vision of what was going to happen, but I couldn't be more thrilled to be called third by New West."

The Burnaby Lakers couldn't have been happier that Church, an offensive powerhouse from the right side, was available at the fourth spot.

"We took the best player available," Burnaby coach Rory McDade said. "With Church we're really excited."

That set up the senior Adanacs to take Dinsdale, who won the 2012 BCJLL scoring title. While it was a perfect fit - an offensive righthander from Coquitlam - Adanacs general manager Randy Delmonico admitted that it was tough seeing all the junior A's being picked by rival organizations.

"We're very happy to have Marty Dinsdale," noted Delmonico. "The role he's playing in Calgary is defensive transition guy, and he can stay out on offence. We were very disappointed that there weren't more Coquitlam kids there (at No. 5). The three righthanders were all really great players - Dinsdale, Church and McIntosh."