Developing David Brown Making Steps Toward OHL Goal
David Brown’s OHL Draft year was not like he planned it. The bulk of the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. As a 16-year-old rookie to Junior hockey this season however, the hometown product is making up for lost time with the Chatham Maroons.
Playing for the Maroons in the arena he grew up skating at with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones has been a special experience for the Blenheim resident.
“My overall experience here in Chatham has just been amazing. Everything from my teammates, coaching staff, fans and everyone else involved has just been fantastic,” Brown said, who watched the Maroons growing up.
“I often remember watching the Maroons play and looking up to those players, it just means a lot to me to be a part of this organization and I strive to be someone to look up to as I did at a young age.”
Brown is off to a strong start, scoring 16-points through his first 19-games. Drafted to the OHL by the Saginaw Spirit, Brown had the opportunity to skate with NHL first round picks this offseason, and experience he feels has carried over to his strong start.
“I was fortunate enough to be drafted and attend training camp with the Saginaw Spirit, there I stepped on the ice with players like Cole Perfetti and Ryan Suzuki who just by watching you could learn a lot from. After training camp I believe I took the input given to me from the staff in Saginaw and just began to go to work. Trying to improve areas of my game to help benefit me overall as a player.”
His goal is to soon be on the ice in the OHL, and through the early steps this season, he’s doing what needs to be done to take that next step.
“Saginaw has been really good at keeping in touch. I’ve been given supportive feedback as to areas of my game they like see as well as areas to improve on. After camp they talked about keeping a close eye on me and making it out to watch my games here with Chatham and that is what they have done. Having staff from Saginaw attend games and give me feedback reassures that they are paying close attention to my development and making sure I’ll have the skills and tools to make the jump next year.”
Brown’s early impact has been evident with Chatham, and with any luck, the Saginaw Spirit hope he’ll duplicate the performance in the OHL next season.