Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the team has selected goaltender Mark Visentin with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The Coyotes acquired the 27th overall pick and the 57th overall pick (2nd round) from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 22nd overall pick and the 113th overall pick (4th round).

Visentin, 17, appeared in 55 games for the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season, posting a record of 24-26-0-5 with a 2.99 goals against average (GAA) and a .911 save percentage (SV%). He ranked 5th in the OHL in saves (1637), T-10th in SV% and 11th in GAA. He also appeared in all five of Niagara’s playoff contests this season and was a member of Team Orr at the 2010 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Top Prospects Game.

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Visentin is one of four goaltenders who have been named to Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp, which will take place in August. He will be the only OHL goaltender at the Development Camp.

In 2008-09, Visentin appeared in 23 games with Niagara as an OHL rookie, going 5-11-2-1. He was a member of gold medal winning Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2009.

NHL Central Scouting Report:
Mark has got good size, moves very well, has got great quickness… he's very determined… great butterfly, great net coverage. His push-offs are very strong and very quick. He's square to the puck, his glove hand is good. His confidence level is real high. Very technically sound, as well.