Credit: Dan Stickling
Many sports leagues around the world have cancelled the rest of their season or put them on pause for now. The drafts in many of those leagues will still soon be taking place. This Saturday April 4th, 2020 the Ontario Hockey League draft will take place. For many young hockey stars this will be a huge day.
There is a lot of local talent around London that will be recognized in the OHL draft this Saturday. Quite possibly the top prospect out of them all that has been highly scouted after is incredible season this year is Hunter Haight. The young 15-year-old hockey star is from Strathroy, Ontario, and was born on April 4th, 2004. With the draft taking place on April 4th it will be quite a nice birthday present for Hunter.
Hunter had the best year of his career this past season even though it was cut short. In 34 games the Forward recorded 32 goals, 26 assists for a total of 58 points. He averaged an amazing 1.71 points per game. They had already won the Alliance League Championship with the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs which was one of their goals. The team was hoping to play for an OHL Cup this year and bring home an OHL Cup Championship that was cut short due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Hunter explains how he felt when he heard the news of the season coming to an early end.
“It was very unfortunate and disappointing with the cancellation of the OHL Cup however the overall safety of people around the world due to the Coronavirus outbreak is much bigger than any sport.”
For a young hockey player trying to make an impact to get drafted into another level of their sport they never want to be sidelined for any reason. Obviously, this is something that has never happened before. Hunter Haight had a great year to this point but him like any other athlete wishes they had more games and the team could have accomplished all their goals.
“I love to play, of course I wish there were more games to be played, as every game is a way to showcase your skills and abilities. I feel I had a very consistent year and showcased my abilities well. I wish there were more games so we could continue on towards accomplishing our goals.” He says.
Haight has been scouted as one of the top prospects coming into the OHL draft this Saturday. He explains what that means to him. “It’s always great to be recognized for the hard work that you have put in over the years. I’m proud of what I have accomplished and excited for what lies ahead.”
With being a local hockey player and having an OHL team here in London you would probably hope to eventually play for them one day. The London Knights have the 19th, 22nd, and 25th selections in this year’s draft. For Hunter Haight he will probably be picked by another team by then. XFM asked him what it would be like to play for the Knights at some point in his career.
“I grew up watching the London Knights. They are a great organization with a proven program. They have great management and coaching with an atmosphere every player would want to play in. The future is unpredictable, and I have no control over the draft. I will be very excited to get drafted and the potential to play in the OHL for whom ever has the confidence in me as a player and person.”
Haight would gladly play for any OHL organization that is willing to have him.
“Throughout this process I’ve learned that the OHL is full of many great teams and organizations that want to win. Teams that are passionate about development and wanting to bring out the best in every player. I would be honored to have the opportunity to play for any organization that is willing to invest in me to make me the best person and player I can be.”
With the what is likely one of the biggest days of the young hockey stars life coming this Saturday he tells us what he wants teams to know about himself. “I would want teams to know that I am a mature kid who understands the game and that I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to be a champion.”
This Saturday will hopefully be the beginning of a long hockey career for Hunter Haight between the OHL and hopefully down the road the NHL. The young hockey player has all the skills you need to be successful in this sport. Hunter awaits to find out in the draft which team takes him it shouldn’t be too long of a wait as he is scouted to go in the top 10 which would be one of the best birthday gifts for any young hockey star. The OHL draft begins at 9 a.m. this Saturday, April 4th.
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