OTTAWA—Kohyn Eshkawkogan not only made the Ottawa 67’s roster, he made his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) debut with the team this past weekend, suiting up for the club’s first two games of the regular season last Friday and Sunday.
“I’m a little nervous but I’m really looking forward and excited about (making his debut) playing my first game,” stated Kohyn, 15, who is from Little Current, told The Expositor last Thursday.
“To have a young defenseman step up into a role where you know he is going to get an opportunity immediately is exciting,” stated 67’s assistant coach Paul Stoykewych in an article posted on the team’s website.
“I had a good training camp with the team,” Kohyn told The Expositor. He has not only developed his skills over the summer he also got bigger physically. “Since our rookie camp I’ve gained 13 pounds and gone from 5’ 8” tall to 5’ 10.”
“I had a little expectation in the back of my mind (that he would make the team), but I just decided to put in my best effort at all times and see what happens,” said Kohyn.
The 67’s had four pre-season games with the team keeping eight defenseman on its roster. “There are eight of us, we’re always trying to earn a spot on the team and dressing for the games,” said Kohyn.
Kohyn spent last season with the North York Rangers U18 AAA team, where he scored 65 points in 76 games. His team reached the semi-final of the OHL Cup, and he produced over a point per game in the tournament, finishing a plus five.
“Now (as Ottawa) prepare themselves for their home opener against the Niagara Ice Dogs on Friday Night (a game the 67’s lost 3-2), it’s expected that Eshkawkogan will not only make his OHL debut, but also play an important role in the 67’s success this season. Oh yeah, not to mention, he doesn’t turn 16 until November 19,” the 67’s said.
Kohyn told The Expositor after his opening game, “The first game went good but we lost 3-2. I played pretty good. I got regular shifts and was on the second power play unit.” He had around 30 family members and friends at the game.
Mr. Stoykewych told the 67’s website, “there are a lot of defensemen now that pride themselves on offence, and defensive defencemen are very few and far between now. Kohyn brings a little bit of everything. He can move the puck, he moves his feet really well when he defends, he defends well, he’s got an unbelievable stick, and he’s got really good poise.”
“At development camp a couple of months back, Eshkawkogan’s potential leapt off the page, that much was obvious. He was a smooth skater with tremendous IQ, but the package wasn’t quite OHL ready, he would admit,” the 67’s release said. “Over the summer, that slowly began to change. In the gym, he was a dedicated student, putting on 13 pounds. He participated in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Grand Prairie, Alberta, flashing this talent, scoring 13 more points, with five goals, and earning the tournament’s most valuable player award.”
“He came back from development camp to main camp this summer, he’s a little bit taller and he’s a lot stronger,” Mr. Stoykewych said. “He looks after himself off the ice, he puts in the time in the gym, and you can see it’s a direct result into his game.”
“As a staff, myself included, we have to be very cautious (with Koyhn),” said Mr. Stoykewych. “I don’t want to put him in situations that overwhelm him or put him in positions that can limit confidence and hurt his execution. I have to remind myself, even though he’s a mature young adult, he’s still 15 years old, and he still hasn’t played one regular season game in this league.”
Mr. Stoykewych added, “I hope he’s coming in with his eyes wide open, and I hope he’s excited. This is a really cool opportunity for him, because it’s pretty rare to have a 15-year-old defenseman step in and secure a role. It’s a learning opportunity, especially early, and he still has to earn it going forward. He’s done a really good job thus far, and he’s put his best foot forward.”
