OHL Cup not just another Showcase
By Paul Krotz/OHL
Mention the name Sean Monahan around a group of scouts at the OHL Cup and the stories you hear will paint a picture of a player who took advantage of an opportunity – rising to the occasion.
“He took his team to the championship on his back that year and scored a lot of big goals,” recalls Director of OHL Central Scouting Darrell Woodley. “He opened a lot of eyes with his performance.”
Monahan’s Mississauga Rebels are the only wildcard entry to ever win the OHL Cup. He led the way with 13 points in seven games and was rewarded as the 16th overall pick by the Ottawa 67’s at the 2010 OHL Priority Selection and is turning into a top prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Players like Monahan make it easy to see why scouts like Woodley fill the Hershey Centre stands each year at the OHL Cup unlike any tournament the minor hockey season has to offer.
“These kids prepare all year for this tournament and you get to see them at their best and against the best. You always want to see kids in the big games and this is an elite tournament that provides a great measuring stick for OHL clubs.”
The final impression a player can make with a memorable performance in this event could very easily catch the eye of an OHL General Manager and help a player move up in the draft.
“This is one of the few times you will see all the OHL GM’s together with their scouting staffs which gives them an opportunity to really talk about players they are interested in with one last chance to go out and watch them over the course of two or three games.”
Performing well before scouts is only part of the special opportunity players have this week as the OHL Cup brings an end to not only the season but in some cases a minor hockey career.
“Even after almost 20 years I still remember the guys I played minor hockey with,” added Woodley. It’s a special bond you share with your teammates, and a lot of these players have grown up playing together for eight or nine years and this is like a going out party. I hope they take advantage of it.”
