The Soo Greyhounds have had quite a lot of success over the last four years and doing so without very many second-round picks, they have had to adapt. With adaption comes the unbelievable scouting staff that has the ability to stiff a golden gem out of a pile of hot steaming…well, you get the point.
Today, I’d like to take a look at some of the Soo Greyhounds prospects who are currently turning heads in other leagues.
Jordan D’Intino
The 6’1″, 185- pound 16-year-old centerman is currently playing for the Strathroy Rockets of the GOJHL. Jordan played for the London Junior Knights (Minor Midget AAA) last season where he only played 14 games after suffering an injury that set him back at the start of the year. He played a total of 44 games with the London Junior Knights where he recorded 64 points.
Currently, Jordan has played 11 games with the Rockets and has 12 points (7 goals, five assists). This is definitely a player to keep your eyes on and watch for a potential Soo Greyhounds signing in the near future.
Tyler Savard
Tyler Savard is on an absolute TEAR right now for the Soo Thunderbirds of the NOJHL. The 6’2, 170-pound winger served a nine-game suspension for getting into what would be the second fight on the same stoppage. Nick Smith came to the defence of Savard after the left-winger made an illegal check from behind. Savard was also given a major penalty for checking from behind and as a result of the play, received two separate game misconducts. One for the check from behind and one for instigating a second fight on the same stoppage.
Since returning from that suspension, Tyler has accumulated 12 points in just seven games, making for a total of 14 points in nine games played. Tyler has his goal set to make it on this Soo Greyhounds team and has shown his dedication by staying here in the Soo and playing for the Thunderbirds rather than taking offers on the table. Just another thing to be excited about as a Soo Greyhounds fan.
Nick Malik
We all know this story by now. Is he coming? Is he not? Nick Malik is one of the best-rated goalies going into the NHL 2020 Entry Draft and he is only moving his stock up right now. The 6’2 goaltender, who was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, but nationality is Czech Republic, has been playing with HC Frydek Mistek and is playing as their number one goalie. He has some very impressive numbers.
In 10 games played, Nick has posted a goals-against average 2.24 and a save percentage of .932. Nick is going to be a very high pick in the 2020 NHL draft and Kyle Raftis made a comment on a live interview during the last Soo Greyhounds home game.
Raftis said, “With Malik, It’s a little bit of you know, there’s no issues in terms of, you know, the team, you know, getting comfortable. It’s more so just a family thing of just, sometimes a young boy being 17-years-old, being a little bit of a homebody and you know, when he decides to take that jump, then we’ll be there to support him on that side of it, so he’s definitely a high caliber young goaltender, sometimes it’s tough for a young goalie to come over to this league, but at the same time, we’re excited about him as a prospect and you know, hopefully if he kinda, we can get something moving here. That’d be great, but at the same time, we have to kinda deal with what we have here at the moment”, in an interview live with Shaw’s Jim Fitzpatrick.
Owen Parsons
Owen Parsons is currently playing with the Waterloo Wolves (Midget AAA) of the AHMPL. Owen is a 6’0, 130-pound right-winger who currently has 14 points in 10 games (four goals, 10 assists). Owen Parsons was a fifth round, 100th overall pick of the Soo Greyhounds.
This kid is another to keep your eye on all season and don’t be surprised to see a call-up or two by the end of the year if his point production continues.