PITTSBURGH –  London Knights centreman and Grand Bend native Ryan Rupert was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at the Consol Energy Centre in Pittsburgh, PA.

The 5′ 9″ forward was selected by the Leafs in the sixth round of the draft, 157th overall.

Rupert, 18, spent the past season with the OHL’s Knights, recording 17 goals and 48 points in 63 games. A gritty agitator, Rupert scored the lone goal in the Knights 2-1 overtime loss to the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Memorial Cup Final.

Rupert’s twin brother and Knights linemate Matt went undrafted, but was invited to the Leafs summer prospect camp. Neither brother was ranked by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau heading into the draft.

Rupert is the son of Ron and Karen Rupert of Grand Bend.