Life moving quickly for newest 67’s netminder Jaeden Nelson

On Wednesday, the Ottawa 67’s announced that 2007-born goaltender, Jaeden Nelson had committed to the program, just days after he helped lead the CCHL Yzerman Division to the Eastern Canada Cup.

The Barber Poles picked Nelson in the fourth round of the most recent OHL Priority Selection, and after both rookie camp and training camp, he headed to the CCHL’s Navan Grads, where he has spent the start of the season.

Driving to the rink in the morning, Nelson could feel the energy of what the day would mean, and after finally seeing the ink dry on his contract, the rush of emotions was obvious. It was a dream come true for the Ottawa kid.

“It’s very exciting,” Nelson said. “It’s something that I have dreamt of growing up in Ottawa, so it’s really cool to make it official.”

Making the moment even more special was the presence of his mother, and the thought of his father who couldn’t be there on the day. For both parents, the moment was special, as Nelson recognized their commitment to helping him reach his goals.

“Her and my Dad have done so much for me in terms of their sacrifice,” Nelson said. “As much as this shows what I can do as a player, I couldn’t be here without them, and this really [is a credit] to their sacrifice.”

Last season, Nelson couldn’t look into the stands and see his parents all the time for the first time, after moving to Toronto for his U16 year. Back in the Ottawa area again, it’s something he doesn’t take for granted.

“I didn’t think it would mean as much as it does, especially now that I’m back playing at home,” Nelson said. “It means a lot to have them be able to watch an important part of what is hopefully a long hockey career.”

Through 14 games in Navan, Nelson has allowed just 2.61 goals per game, boasting a .917 save percentage, while winning eight of his decisions. His efforts have caught the attention of Grads’ Head Coach Marty Abrams, who has been working in junior hockey since 1994, including stints as the Head Scout of the London Knights and Kingston Frontenacs, and as the Head Coach of the Soo Greyhounds.

“There’s a real level of maturity, both on and off the ice,” Abrams said. “He plays a mature game, he doesn’t get rattled or panic, and he’s really calm in the net. He really understands the game, and I think those are the things that have allowed him to make the transition from U16 to Jr. ‘A’ really easily.”

“He has a silent confidence about him. He’s a humble guy, and we like his demeanour day in and day out. He’s hard-working, and I’m sure that he’s going to do really well.”

The Grads currently sit second in the CCHL’s Yzerman Division with 31 points, four points behind the Cornwall Colts, but with a game in hand. So far, things have gone well in silver and blue for Nelson, who has been enjoying his first year of junior hockey.

“It has been good,” he said. “We’ve got a great group of guys, and we have a solid team there, so I’m enjoying it, and I’ve gotten really comfortable in Navan. I’ve loved it there.”

His early success made him a prime candidate for Abrams at the Eastern Canada Cup, a tournament that pits some of Ontario’s best Jr. ‘A’ players against one another. Splitting time, Nelson saw action in a trio of games, before the Yzerman Division was crowned champions.

“That was a really good indication of where he’s at in terms of his development,” Abrams explained. “That tournament is a step up from where we are in regular season play – although not quite OHL quality. He did fantastic, he played outstanding.”

One practice deep into his OHL career, Nelson was given the news on Thursday he would be travelling to Oshawa with his new 67’s teammates for their Friday night clash with the Generals.

Having seen him the past handful of months, Abrams is confident the young goaltender is up for the challenge, and has the proper mindset to keep himself locked in, despite the big mix of emotions.

“I try to explain to him to just stay in the moment,” Abrams said. “You can’t get too far ahead of yourself, you don’t know what’s going to happen next week, or a month from now. If he does that, I think he’ll be fine, and that’s what he’s done here.”

What happens next, or how long this stint with the Barber Poles will last is still up in the air, but eventually, Nelson will return to the Grads to aid in their pursuit of the Fred Page Cup.

His goals are simple; continue to work and improve day over day, while giving his team a chance to win whenever he’s on the ice.

“As a team, we want to keep building,” Nelson said. “We’ve been playing well the last few weekends, we’re starting to get into good form, but there are still things to keep working on.”