Following NHL Draft Footsteps

By Paul Krotz/OHL
 
The 2012 NHL Entry Draft may truly be a family affair for five Ontario Hockey League players who have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their older brothers June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.

Brendan Gaunce and Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls, Mississauga’s Trevor Carrick, Brock McGinn of the Guelph Storm, and Adam Pelech of the Erie Otters are all ranked by NHL Central Scouting for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and have all had the benefit of some brotherly advice over the years from siblings that competed in the OHL before hearing their names called to the NHL stage.
 
“They definitely helped me out a lot,” McGinn told NHL.com, referring to older brothers Jamie (Ottawa 67’s 2004-08) who was selected by San Jose in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, and Tye (Ottawa/Gatineau 2007-11) who was picked by Philadelphia in the fourth round in 2010. “Each step you go up you have to work that much harder. That’s something they really pushed on me. They really helped me out by giving me those extra tips.”
 
Pelech could also be the third member of this family selected on draft day following Michael (Kitchener/Toronto/Mississauga 2005-09) picked in the sixth round by Los Angeles in 2009, and Matt (Sarnia/London/Belleville 2003-07) who was a first round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2005. It’s clear that Adam has already benefited from the advice of his brothers claiming both the Ivan Tennant and Bobby Smith Academic Awards this season.
 
“Playing in this league for four years I know how hard it is to balance school work and hockey,” former Ivan Tennant Award winner Matt Pelech said as he presented the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award to Adam.
 
Cameron Gaunce (Mississauga 2007-10), a second round selection of the Colorado Avalanche, also offered up some advice for brother Brendan who is ranked 13 by Central Scouting and could be among the first OHL players chosen next week.
 
“I think the biggest message to my brother has been to be yourself and have fun,” Gaunce said. “At times you get ahead of yourself and worry about the future because everyone is telling you to prepare to be a professional hockey player. When you are 16 and 17-years-old I think the biggest thing is to make sure you be a kid, and have fun playing the game you love.”
 
The same support has been there for Carrick who unlike these other family connections had the opportunity to play against his older brother Sam (Brampton 2008-12) who was chosen in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
 
“I don’t think [sibling rivalry] puts much pressure on me,” Carrick told NHL.com. “It’s definitely nice having a brother who’s kind of going through the same things as me.”
 
Subban, the top ranked goaltender for this year’s draft, competes alongside brother Jordan who is NHL eligible in 2013. Both have followed in the footsteps of older brother P.K (Belleville 2005-09) by playing for the Bulls.
 
“The opportunity of playing in the OHL alone is a great one,” said P.K, selected in the second round of the 2007 draft by the Montreal Canadiens. “I try to tell them (Malcolm and Jordan) not to take anything for granted and to enjoy it because it’s a great opportunity to play a high level of hockey, build relationships, and get an education. Everyone wants to play in the NHL but this is a great league for life.”