Crouse eager for BMOTP Showcase

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

By Josh Sweetland/OHL

After a standout performance in the 2014 SUBWAY Super Series followed up by his valuable role with Team Canada in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, Lawson Crouse is hoping Thursday’s BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game can be another step in the right direction. The 6’3″, 212Ib. winger from Mt. Brydges, ON, has won the attention of scouts with his strong north and south approach, relentless forechecking ability and play along the boards, but he says that isn’t all he can do.

Crouse, who has 16 goals with the Kingston Frontenacs this season, has taken the past two days to get acquainted with his Team Orr teammates ahead of Thursday’s big game that features 40 of the CHL’s top draft eligible prospects squaring off in St. Catharines. While much has been said of the big winger’s ability to control the game physically, other elements of his repertoire have made him an attractive commodity as evidenced by his fourth placed ranking among North American skaters in Tuesday’s NHL Central Scouting Midterm release. Crouse says he aims to be a multi-dimensional player.

“I think my skill is underestimated,” he said on Tuesday. “I can play a physical game and throw the body but I also have good hands and can bury the puck. I’ve been able to score some pretty nice goals this season and couldn’t believe a few of them myself.”

Fans in St. Catharines will have Crouse fresh in their minds on Thursday night after the Frontenacs forward scored twice ten minutes apart in a 4-3 overtime victory for Kingston in Niagara on Saturday night. Crouse says he’s been able to get back to the basics after pressing a little bit upon his return from World Juniors.

“I think I came back and was trying to do a little too much. I had a meeting with my coach (Paul McFarland) who told me I should just go back to focusing on the things that got me here and that’s what I’ve done.”

Crouse says he learned some valuable things during his World Junior experience, things that have helped to elevate his game.

“When you play at that level you have to execute things to a tee. You have to compete each and every shift and I think I’ve been doing that well.”

Crouse had a goal and two assists in seven World Junior games as a 17 year-old and will reunite with fellow gold medalist Connor McDavid who will wear the ‘C’ for Team Orr on Thursday.

As for Thursday, Crouse knows what’s at stake. “Each and every guy here takes pride in this game. All eyes are on us and every shift is valuable.”

Crouse and his Team Orr teammates go for a fifth straight victory in the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, a trend that dates back to 2011. The puck drops at 7:00pm ET and the game can be viewed on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more information about the event please visit www.bmotopprospects.ca.