(NCP
COMMUNICATIONS) - It’s been a whirlwind four months for North Central Predators
alumni Ethan Procyszyn.
“It’s been a
pretty hectic few months but an amazing experience,” said the Wasaga Beach
native.
First off, the NCP
captain wrapped up his U16 campaign by amassing just shy of two points per game
(26 goals and 26 assists in 27 games), topping the ETAHL in scoring and being
named OMHA player-of-the-year in March.
“I have to
credit the U16 Preds coaching staff for helping me in my development,” said
Procyszyn. “I spent six amazing years with the Predators and I would recommend
the program to anyone.”
The Ontario Hockey League’s Central Scouting took note of his U16 season and ranked him 19th overall among skaters for the OHL Priority Draft. The bird watchers weren’t that far off as the 6’2”, 182-pound forward heard his name called 20th in the opening round by the North Bay Battalion in April.
“I really wanted to be drafted by North Bay so pretty happy that I went there and the draft day was amazing because I got to share it with my family and friends,” said Procyszyn.
After showing the North Bay brass what he could do at their spring orientation skate in May, Procyszyn was immediately signed to a standard player contract.
To top all that off, Procyszyn was invited to attend Hockey Canada’s U17 Development Camp along with fellow Predators teammate, defenceman Nathan Schaap of Midland (taken in the fifth round, 100th overall by the Flint Firebirds in this year’s OHL draft).
A total of 100 invitees (10 goaltenders, 30 defencemen and 60 forwards) took part in the Camp, which featured on- and off-ice training, fitness testing, practices, intra-squad games and classroom sessions, from July 10-16 at Olympic Park in Calgary.
As members of Team Green in Calgary, Procyszyn and Schaap got off to solid starts helping their squad to a 4-3 overtime win in their first intra-squad with Procyszyn assisting on the OT winner and Schapp providing solid offence from the point with a goal and an assist.
Team Green also won their second start 6-4 (Schaap adding another assist), but dropped their final two starts by scored of 5-2 and 7-3.
“It was an unreal experience to play with and against some of the top players in the country and was also great to have a teammate (Schaap) there as well.” said Procyszyn.
The players will continue to be evaluated through the early portion of the 2022-23 season before 66 are named to one of three Canadian national teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White – that will compete at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, scheduled for Nov 5-12 in Langley and Delta, B.C.
Since then Procyszyn has been skating and working out three to four times a week, following a nutrition plan provided by the Battalion, working at a Go Cart Track and relaxing by doing a little fishing.
What’s next for the former North Central Predator?
“Heading to North Bay to settle in the last week of August and then camp starts on Aug. 27,” he said.
Still time for the former Predator to wet a line before putting on his game face on.