Great Lakes To Hold Prospects Game
16-year-old Ross Krieger of the Dresden Kings is a player likely to be involved in the upcoming Great Lakes Junior C prospects game – Photo by David DeHoey/ CKSN.ca
The game, in which the Great Lakes prospects will take on 16- and 17-year-old players from the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League (SOJHL). The Great Lakes Junior C prospects game will take place November 27, 2014, at the new Atlas Tube Centre, the home of the Lakeshore Canadiens.
“It has been a number of years since one has been held and we felt it an important event to show case our leagues talent of 16 and 17 year olds,” said OHA Great Lakes Junior C convenor Jeff Beatty of the importance of holding a prospects game for the league.
The Great Lakes Junior C loop has become a prime feeder league for higher level teams, with many 16-year-old players from recent seasons moving on to the GOJHL, OHL, and other Junior loops.
Last season, the Great Lakes saw several of their 16-year-old prospects climb into other leagues, including Lakeshore Canadiens’ Kody Gagnon, who jumped from the GLJCHL to play for the Barrie Colts this season. Dresden Kings prospect Dede Cato signed with the OJHL’s (Junior A) Toronto Patriots, before choosing to return home to play for the Junior B Chatham Maroons. Two other 1997 players, Mike Zottl and Drew Marlatt are playing with the GOJHL’s Lambton Shores Predators after playing for Wallaceburg and Blenheim respectively, while Amherstburg product Kyler Carter is playing with the LaSalle Vipers, and Mooretown’s Sam McCormack is playing for the Sarnia Legionnaires.
From two seasons ago, prospects continue to climb, with success stories like Mark Manchurek, who went from the Belle River Canadiens, to the LaSalle Vipers, and this season, is playing for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. Other recent development examples include Blenheim‘s Brady Campbell, who is now playing NCAA division I hockey with the Maine Blackbears.
Continue to follow CKSN for updates on the Great Lakes Junior C prospects game including rosters.