OHL Draft: The First Round Is Calling For Declan Waddick
When the OHL Draft begins June 4, Declan Waddick won’t have to wait long to get the call he’s been waiting years for.
Widely considered one of the top prospects for the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Waddick is excited to learn which team he’ll call home for the next stage of his hockey career.
“It would be a huge honour to be drafted early. I’ve been dreaming about this day for a long time, it’s an accomplishment that I would be very proud of,” he said.
With the uncertainty of this year, Waddick moved to Waterloo to study and train at Victus Hockey Academy, while also playing with the Waterloo Wolves. Despite those moves, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed what most prospects, including Waddick had envisioned as a chance to finish out their minor hockey journey.
“This season was nothing like I thought it was going to be,” said Waddick. “I was really hoping for some sort of season so that I could play for Waterloo and show how hard I’ve been working over the past year to improve my game. I really think our team had a strong chance at doing well in OHL Cup this year.”
Despite how the year unfolded, the future for Declan Waddick, a Chatham-Kent Cyclones and Sun County Panthers alumni, is extremely bright.
Many see him as a top 5 pick in the draft, and he is a first round lock. When his name gets called, Waddick is ready to make up for lost time and show the OHL what he can do.
“I can promise any OHL team that selects me that I will give it 110% on and off the ice. I am ready for the challenge. I’m a smart and explosive player with a strong work ethic. I will help their team and do everything it takes to win.”
With so much hype surrounding Waddick, it would be easy for a player his age to look too far into the future, but Waddick is taking things day-by-day, working to improve, and prepare for the challenges of the OHL.
“It’s great to hear and I appreciate the feedback and support. But I try and stay humble. I need to focus on my game, and how I can always get better, faster, stronger. I’m taking things one day at a time.”
The 2021 OHL Draft will take place virtually on June 4 and June 5.