U18 OHL Draft Selection A “Dream Come True” For Alex Park
Alex Park with the Windsor Jr. Spitfires
Chosen 14th overall by the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Park was honoured with the accomplishment he called a dream come true.
“It honestly felt like a dream come true,” said Park. “It’s always something you dream of when you start playing hockey and I grew up going to watch Spits games more than once a year. Now to be selected is an honour.”
Park scored 7 goals and 19 points in 35 games this season from the Windsor Jr. Spitfires Major Midget ‘AAA’ teams blueline.
Last season, while playing with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones, Park battled injuries, which played a major part in being passed over in the OHL draft.
“It was disappointing for sure,” Park said of not being drafted last season. “In my minor midget season I suffered a broken wrist which was a set back. But these setbacks drove me to work harder and so far the hard work has paid off.”
Despite the accomplishment of being a first round pick in the OHL U18 draft, Park knows this is just the first step in a new chapter of his hockey career.
“Getting drafted is just step one. If anything the experience (of not getting drafted in Minor Midget) taught me not to get down when things don’t work out the way you want it, just work even harder and everything will fall into place.”
Now, despite the coronavirus pandemic, Park knows it’s time to get down to work, and he’s ready to prove he belongs whenever hockey gets underway in the coming months.
“The COVID-19 virus has certainly limited any ice time available, but I think this time will separate the players who want to evolve in their game and those who will take the time off,” said Park.
“I have certainly being using the time to do at home workouts and go roller blading everyday practicing my stick handling and shot. Obviously going into camp I’m going to work really hard to crack the roster. They have a strong defence core on Windsor so it will be difficult, but Junior B will most likely be my next step if not the OHL.”