Adversity made 67’s Brady Stonehouse who he is, and it’s paying off.
Brady Stonehouse has fought tooth and nail for everything he’s ever gotten.
Listed at five-foot-10 and 194 pounds, Stonehouse doesn’t have elite size, and with the get-after-it agitator style of game he brings to the table, teams at the next level have shied away. Twice, he was passed over in the NHL Draft, including this past offseason, when Stonehouse was coming off a 37-goal campaign.
That’s nothing new, he’s used to it by now.
In September, Stonehouse aimed to make use of a camp invite extended to him by the Edmonton Oilers. He made his mark, but left Alberta without a contract, coming back to Ottawa ready to prove all of his doubters wrong once again.
“That’s just how my parents built me,” Stonehouse said. “Nothing was ever given in our house, you have to work for it. You have to come in day in, and day out, and work your tail off, and good things will happen for you.”
By all accounts, he stuck out at Oilers’ camp, and it took some time, but on Thursday afternoon, it was announced that Stonehouse had signed an entry-level contract, and proven himself.
“It’s surreal,” Stonehouse said. “It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NHL, and by signing that contract, I’m one step closer.”
At the rink, 67’s Head Coach Dave Cameron has always told any of his players passed over in the draft that there are numerous ways to make the NHL, and there’s everything to work for.
That became a source of inspiration for Stonehouse, who always believed in his own abilities.
“He always says that getting drafted is just a jersey and a temporary number,” Stonehouse said. “He’s a good support for me, but I knew I had to keep working. You look at Logan Morrison last year, he was overlooked, and signed a contract.”
Inside the walls of TD Place, people knew Stonehouse was capable of reaching his dreams, but that belief was nothing compared to what was felt at home.
Signing the contract brought a wave of emotions for Stonehouse, who immediately thought of his family, and all they have done for him. They have supported his dreams from the time he learned to skate, and allowed him to live in Ottawa over the summer each of the past couple of years.
They spent countless thousands of dollars between away tournaments, food, gas, and who knows what other expenses along the way. This achievement is a family affair, Stonehouse says.
“My family has made a lot of sacrifices for me,” he said, listing each one off. “I can’t thank them enough. They are the ones who have got me to where I am.”
His dad was proud, his mother a puddle of emotions, and his brother excited. The family dynamic was on full display, including the good-natured ribbing between Stonehouse and his sister Abby, who committed to Penn State.
“The first thing my sister asked me was if she could have my car, so I’m still waiting for a ‘congrats’ from her,” Stonehouse said, in the trademarked way he and his sister tease one another.
Stonehouse will remain with the Barber Poles for the 2023-24 season.
