Spencer Lecot Out To Prove Himself
Spencer Lecot who captained the Chatham-Kent Cyclones was named to the OHL Gold Cup – Photo from Instagram
For Chatham-Kent Cyclones captain Spencer Lecot, his omission from the draft, although difficult, will now be used as motivation.
“After the draft I was a little upset, but I just said to myself that I got to keep working hard and pushing myself to get better all the time,” said Lecot, a Harrow, Ontario product. “I feel like I have always had a good work ethic and I want to continue that even though I did not get drafted. Not getting drafted also gives me the motivation to work harder then those kids that did get drafted.”
Lecot was predicted to go between round 7-10 in the 15 round OHL draft, but slipped through the cracks. The 2002 born defender, who appeared in 4 games this season for the Junior B Chatham Maroons, turning heads with his consistent, and puck moving style, was noticed by the Alliance scouts however, the ‘AAA’ league in which he played this year.
He was selected for Team Alliance, which is set to compete in the OHL Gold Cup, which opens May 3 in Kitchener. The annual event features the best prospects from across Ontario, and is used as Hockey Canada’s first step in identifying players for the National U17 team, and Program of Excellence. Lecot was one of only 30 players from the 160 selected for the tournament, to not be drafted.
“After the draft I didn’t really expect making the OHL Gold Cup team, but I’m going to make the most of this opportunity and try to be the best player I can be,” said Lecot of being selected for the OHL Gold Cup. “Obviously it’s an honour to play for Team Alliance after seeing many kids go through the OHL Gold Cup and playing high levels of hockey. My goal is to prove everyone wrong and show that I should have been drafted. It will also be great to play at this event because I will play against many players who where top picks in the draft.”
Those top players will include all eligible players from the first round of the OHL Draft, 19 in total.
For Lecot, who had 10 goals and 18 points in 30 games this season for the ‘AAA’ Minor Midget Chatham-Kent Cyclones, it’s an opportunity to continue to showcase himself to OHL teams, prove critics wrong, and take a step toward his goal of playing Junior B hockey next season.
“I’m looking to show that these teams made a mistake not taking me. I’m hoping to be one of the top defensemen on the team. I will just try to continue to prove myself the hard way, but that’s what I’m going to have to do to get to where I want to.”
It’s that mentality, and drive that made Lecot the perfect captain for his Cyclones team this season, which saw two players, goalie Brett Brochu, and defender Craig Spence drafted. And it’s his passion for the game, he’s hoping will lead him to a successful Gold Cup appearance, and an immediate jump into Junior B hockey next season.
“My goals for next season is to play the highest level I can. I will be trying out for the Maroons next season so that could be a place where I might make it. I will continue to push myself to get better throughout the summer months and hopefully land a spot on a Junior B team.”