TORONTO—Fifteen-year-old Kohyn Eshkawkogan, a member of M’Chigeeng First Nation, has been selected to play in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) 2024 Top Prospects game. The game, to be held January 17 in Toronto, will feature the top 40 GTHL under-16 AAA hockey players.
“It is a big deal for Kohyn,” stated Kevin Eshkawkogan of his son being selected to play in the game. “There will be scouts looking at the players, as well as family and friends in attendance.”
Kohyn is the youngest player on his team, the North York Rangers U16 AAA of the GTHL. Kohyn, who is a defenceman, is a plus 40 this season and has seven goals and 19 assists.
Kohyn is also eligible for the Ontario Hockey League draft in 2024.
Prior to this season, Kohyn played for the Mississauga Reps U15 AAA in the GTHL and played for Team Ontario at the 2023 NAHC. In the 2021-2022 season, he captained the Nickel City Sons U14 AAA of the NOHL and played for the U15 AAA squad. Kohyn also suited up for Draftday North America Selects when they participated in an international tournament in Czech Republic and an event in Nashville, Tennessee. He has participated in various tournaments in the Toronto Region, playing against elite teams.
Mr. Eshkawkogan said his son “is pretty dialed in and focused. He follows a player development model, carefully watching what and how much food he takes in each day, and follows a weekly skills and training performance program.”
“And he follows the medicine wheel teachings for physical, mental and spiritual wellness,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan. “He works with a sports psychologist on a regular basis. Kohyn takes a very individual, personalized approach to all of this.”
One of best parts of Kohyn’s game is “that he has the ability to control the play,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan. “I’m one of the co-managers of the team (North York Rangers), and Kohyn is the type of player that can break up a play by the opposing team and move the puck up the ice very quickly. He is very excited and pumped on the inside but very calm on the outside.”
Kohyn recently played in a Silver Stick hockey tournament. “Up until the Silver Stick tournament, not many scouts knew who he is. But a lot of (Ontario Hockey League) team scouts are now looking at him. I know at one game there was a scout who came to watch another player, and asked who No. 73 is (Kohyn’s number).”
However, it is not only hockey that Kohyn is excelling at. He is a Grade 10 student at Hill Academy in Caledon (whose alumni includes Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs). “Melissa and I have always encouraged Kohyn to get a good education.” Kohyn had a mid-term average of 87.5 percent in his classes overall. “His goal is to be named to the academic team by the end of the year (average of 90 percent).”
“Kohyn’s goal is to play in the OHL,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan. “His team went to the Rochester USHL hockey league showcase and they won. He got introduced to a number of (US) NCAA university recruiters. So, if things don’t work out with the OHL, he could potentially go to an NCAA school.”
