Rookie Reid displays rare talent
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
Chase Reid needed just one word to describe his many experiences during one month in Sault Ste. Marie.
“Unbelievable,” said the Soo Greyhounds first-year defenceman.
Not coincidentally, that would also likely be the word used by Hounds management and its fan base to describe Reid’s performance.
In short, the Chesterfield, Mich., native has been a strikingly-impressive addition to a youthful team that finds itself battling for a Western Conference playoff spot.
“I think we have an incredible young talent in our lineup. He has great instincts for the game that go along with an elite shot, high hockey intelligence and he’s a beautiful skater,” said head coach John Dean, whose club departed Wednesday for a three-game trip that begins on Thursday (7:05 p.m.) in Peterborough. “He does things with the puck in tense situations that I just marvel at. He comes by things very naturally and he’s willing to put in the work.”
A 2007 birth-year player who didn’t turn 17 until Dec. 30, Reid has gone without a point in only four of his 12 games.
The six-foot-three, 190-pounder has notched a goal and 12 assists, averaging just over a point-per-game.
Taken by the Soo in the seventh round (No. 125 overall) of the 2023 Priority Selections draft, Reid had been playing for the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League.
Having made a verbal commitment to eventually attend Michigan State University, Reid made his Hounds debut on Dec. 11 against Sudbury.
The young player is so good on his skates “he’s able to escape traffic,” Dean added. “He’s really a one-man breakout. And he’s been gifted with size, as well. Chase is a multi-faceted, multi-talented hockey player.”
While unsure about his long-term future in the OHL – “I’m taking things one step at a time and we’ll see what happens,” he said – Reid also spoke of how “for sure, I think I’ll be back here next year.”
Next season is his NHL draft year and Dean predicted he’ll be a “very, very high pick.”
On Tuesday, Reid told Independent Media he’s thoroughly enjoyed his brief time here.
He spoke of the respect he has for the staff and his new teammates.
“Being around such a great group of guys, from the coaching staff to the players, I couldn’t have asked for a better group to come into,” he said. “The guys here were so welcoming and the coaches have helped me so much. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be.”
Asked how he believes he’s played to date, Reid focused more on the areas he needs to improve in.
Defensively, he’s determined to get better.
“I feel as if I’m doing pretty well with the puck on my stick, but I definitely need to do some things better away from the puck,” he said. “I’m trying to clean up defensive-zone details and to make sure I’m not caught puck watching in the D-zone.”
Reid went on to say he needs to “clean up little details and perfect my game.”
Have his early accomplishments surprised him?
Not really, he said.
Over his first few OHL games he was trying to get a feel for the league and his new team.
“Once I started to play my game I wasn’t so nervous,” he added. “I wouldn’t say I’ve surprised myself. I knew I could do it, but it’s definitely good to see the results.”
Reid described himself as a good friend of Hounds winger Travis Hayes before arriving in the Sault.
He now describes being on the same team as Hayes as “really cool.”
Reid also got to know centre Brady Martin at training camp in 2023 and the two have since become buddies.
On a close-knit team, he says he’s tightest with Hayes, Martin and defenceman Spencer Evans.
“And playing here has definitely helped me build confidence,” Reid added.
Having long dreamed of playing in the NHL, he believes he can do it with hard work and dedication.
He also spoke of how determined he is for the Greyhounds to finish strong this season, while growing into a winner a year from now.
“I like the city and the fans here are great,” Reid continued. “You go into places in the city and people know who you are. It’s a great atmosphere – I couldn’t have asked for a better one.”
Following the Peterborough clash, the Soo is slated to visit Kingston on Friday (7 p.m.) and Ottawa on Sunday (2 p.m.).
In the midst of a frustrating slump, the Hounds take a 16-23-1-0 record into Peterborough. The Petes are 10-24-2-5 and dropped a 4-0 decision to the Soo on Jan. 3 here.
“They outplayed us for 50 minutes in that game,” said Dean.
The Greyhounds started quickly in that recent head-to-head clash.
They opened a quick 3-0 lead before turning the keys over to since-departed netminder Charlie Schenkel. But the Soo coach didn’t like what he saw from his skaters after the early lead was established.
“We’ve had a tough go here, but we think we’ve taken strides,” the coach said of recent developments. “We think we’re on the verge of breaking through. Now it’s a matter of digging in and having more swagger in our game.”
Notes:
In an injury-riddled season, Evans, who has played just once since Nov. 24 due to a pair of upper-body injuries, is slated to return on Thursday.
Winger Noel Nordh, who missed Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Guelph due to illness, is also expected back.
Martin and Hayes are competing in Wednesday’s Top (NHL) Prospects Game in Brantford and will join the team the following day in Peterborough.
On Tuesday, NHL Central Scouting released its midterm rankings heading into the 2025 Entry Draft.
Martin was rated No. 17 among North American skaters, while Hayes checked in at 117th. Jordan Charron is rated No. 138.