Late bloomer Duplessis chases OHL dream

Nathan Duplessis wasn’t surprised this season when he was one of two players to make the leap to the Niagara North Stars minor midget AAA hockey team from the St. Catharines Falcons AA program.

“I saw it coming because I was an AP (affiliated player) last year and I could skate with all the guys,” the 15-year-old St Catharines resident said. “That was a great day.”

The 6-foot-1, 192 pounder would love to have a chance to take an even bigger step and see himself selected in this Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League draft.

“It has always been my lifetime goal because I have always loved the game of hockey and have always wanted to get to the highest stage,” said the Grade 10 student at Denis Morris.

He realized he had a chance to get drafted into the OHL at the end of last season.

“My coach Matt Miller approached me and told me I could actually make his team.”

In 70 games played for the Niagara North Stars this season, the big winger had 18 goals and 45 points.

“He is the picture perfect power forward and he plays like Tom Wilson (of the Washington Capitals),” Niagara North head coach Matt Miller said. “He can shoot, he can stick handle but more importantly he can skate and he can hit.”

Duplessis was also an important piece of Niagara North’s special teams.

“He plays the net front for us on the power play; the JVR (James van Riemsdyk) role of tipping pucks or jamming them in,” Miller said, adding Duplessis wasn’t afraid to block shots and is a good penalty killer.

Like his coach, Duplessis likes the Tom Wilson comparison.

“I am physical, hard working, I can score, I have good speed and a great shot,” he said. “I can win battles in the corners and board battles.”

He feels he made strides in a number of areas this season.

“My hands are better and I am more confident with my play.”

He knows there is still work to be done.

“I have to get faster, get a harder shot and be more physical.”

Duplessis played in the Thorold minor hockey system from tyke to the major peewee level and won an Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship at the peewee level.

He then spent two seasons with the St. Catharines Falcons AA program at the minor and major bantam level before joining the Niagara North AAA team this past season.

Like every hockey player in North America, Duplessis saw his on-ice hockey activities come to a grinding halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s pretty boring but I am usually just shooting pucks, working out and going for runs, all that kind of stuff.

He has spoken to a couple of OHL teams leading up to the draft and on Saturday he will be watching the proceedings on YouTube.

“I’m excited but I am nervous because I don’t know what to expect.”

For more on the draft, see links below:

Wyatt Gibson profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/better-late-than-never/

Keaton Zavitz profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/captain-zavitz-hopes-for-ohl-shot/

Ethan Whitcomb profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/clutch-player-eyes-ohl-draft/

Connor Thomson-Dick profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/commitment-to-hockey-pays-off/

Derek Smythe profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/smythe-content-to-stay-home/

Trent Swick profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/hard-work-pays-off-for-swick/

Jacob LeBlanc profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/leblanc-brothers-sticking-together/