Generals’ Harrison determined to carry over first year success

With two international feats in the rear view and the NHL Draft on the horizon, Brett Harrison has been able to make the most of a challenging year.

It all comes on the heels of a successful rookie season with the Oshawa Generals; success he’s determined to carry over when he’s finally able to rejoin his teammates on the ice this fall.

“I’ve been in contact with all my teammates and have been keeping up with them. I haven’t seen a bunch of them in awhile so it’s going to be really nice to see them,” said Harrison.

A versatile two-way player with an accurate shot and a competitive edge he models after Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, the Generals had a solid amount of help from Harrison and their young guns over the 2019-20 campaign.

“It was a smooth transition and can’t say any bad things about Oshawa, just a really enjoyable year,” he said.

Amid of the uncertainty of the 2020-21 OHL season earlier this year, Harrison took his talents to Finland’s junior ranks with KOOVEE U20 in Tampere where he put up nine points over seven games and appeared in one match with KOOVEE’s professional team in the Mestis League.

“I went over there with Nicholas Canade and we were living there, just the two of us, in an apartment. He was doing most of the cooking and I was doing most of the cleaning,” he said. “It’s definitely a little bit different from back home. So it was a really great experience with him and something I’ll never forget.”

The Generals forward was also one of 13 OHL players who suited up for Team Canada at the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Texas last month en route to a dominant gold medal performance.

#OHL Futures Watch ????:

In our final instalment, versatile @Oshawa_Generals forward Brett Harrison (@Bretth4488) joins @sarahjeanmaher to discuss his explosive rookie season, his #U18Worlds gold medal, the upcoming #NHLDraft and everything in between ???? pic.twitter.com/IQKr8OU4U4

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) June 1, 2021

“It was an unbelievable experience in Dallas and it was a great group of guys. It’s just a surreal feeling bringing home the gold medal. We created lifelong friendships and it’s one of the best teams I’ve ever played on.”

Still reeling in excitement, all sights are now set on the upcoming 2021 NHL Draft.

“It’s always in the back of your mind since there’s going to be no more hockey going on until the draft so it’s definitely something I’m thinking about,” he said.

Beyond that, the Dorchester, Ont. native will be looking at building off his standout first year in the League. Over his 53-game opening season, he posted 37 points and 21 goals – the most markers by a Generals 16 or 17-year-old rookie since John Tavares’ 45 in 2005-06. It’s a stat he’s reminded of often, but one he isn’t tired of hearing about.

“It’s obviously an unbelievable accomplishment for me and I’m really proud of that and just have to thank my coaching staff for giving me the opportunity they gave me last year and the teammates that were around me just helped me succeed,” he said.

Among those helpful teammates were a pair of overagers in former captain Kyle MacLean and Cole Resnick, both of whom Harrison credits with helping him transition to the OHL.

“They were just always there for me, to talk whenever, talk about hockey or talk about life so I think those two guys really helped make the transition smooth,” he continued. “Making the jump from minor midget to the OHL was definitely a big jump, the size and the speed of everyone but I just got brought in really well. The vets on the team, the captains, the assistant captains, they were so kind to me and made me feel like one of them.”

Harrison also spoke fondly of the Generals coaching staff, who played a helpful role in guiding him through his debut season and the uncertainties of the year that followed.

“The coaching staff puts together really good practice plans and they want us to get better, they’re always there for us, they’re doing video with us, and we can always stay on after practice and work with them,” he continued. “We have all the tools to make ourselves better players there with the facilities we have.”

Between now and then big day in mid-July, Harrison’s spent much of his time in the gym working on his development. Ice time has been scarce due to provincial COVID-19 regulations, so he’s been spending more time outside going for runs and keeping his conditioning up.

“I’m always working on all aspects of my game, working on getting more explosive and working on my first three steps for my skating to be faster. I also want to work on my shot accuracy and to get my shot harder so I can continue scoring goals at the next level,” he explained. “I’ve been watching the NHL playoffs. They’ve been really fun to watch and there have been some really exciting games, so just trying to watch a lot of video and see what the guys at the top level are doing so I was translate that to my game as well.”

Come puck drop on the upcoming OHL season, the plan is to pick up where he left off.

“Everyone’s there to make a good work environment and I think everyone has a lot of fun at the work and always working hard,” he said. “I had a really great time in Oshawa last year and hopefully will continue to move forward.”