Caldwell out to prove a point
Owen Caldwell feels like he has something to prove this season.
The 16-year-old defenceman for the Thorold Blackhawks was surprisingly passed over in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League draft, something that didn’t particularly sit well with him.
“For a couple of months, it was on my mind but other than that it didn’t really change my game,” the Port Colborne native said. “It gave me a chip on my shoulder and gave me something to prove what they missed out on.”
Caldwell admitted draft day was discouraging.
“It was pretty hard,” the Port Colborne High School student said. “The day of the draft I didn’t really want to sit around and watch so I went golfing with my dad. We got home and checked the site and it wasn’t there so it was disappointing.”
Thorold coach Scott Barnes, too, figured Caldwell would see his name selected.
“Quite honestly, I was really surprised he didn’t go and I know he was as well,” Barnes said. “At the end of the day he’s almost better off. Now he can be a free agent and go to 20 teams and pick where he’s going to have the best opportunity.
“It’s up to him what he wants to do.”
Caldwell has more than proven his worth so far, collecting eight assists in his first 17 games while also missing some time with a concussion earlier this season.
“He’s been real good,” Barnes said. “He started out real well and came back and we missed him quite a bit when he was out. He’s had some real strong games and now it’s been a bit up and down, but it’s what you would expect out of a 16-year-old defenceman.
“We’ve played him in all situations and given him a little bit of a leash.”
Caldwell admits it has been a series of adjustments moving from minor to junior, particularly after not playing last year due to the COVID pandemic.
“The first couple of games it was pretty hard to get used to,” he said. “It’s different playing against older guys and missing last year was pretty hard but it’s been good.”
Caldwell pointed to the size and speed as the two biggest things to get used to.
“For me, it’s just being smarter with the puck and making an easier play, but also using my size. I’m not big, but lean on guys and things like that,” he said. “I think the difference between minor and junior hockey is you have to learn from them quicker and move on from them but never make the mistake again.”
Caldwell has displayed flashes of offensive flair and Barnes doesn’t want to discourage him, while at the same time keeping him aware of his main priority.
“You have to be the player that you are,” Barnes said. “Owen likes to play offensive and play in the offensive zone and get his chances. We’ve preached D zone first and that’s our job to work with him to become a really good all-around defenceman.
“He’s got some really good natural offensive skills and a good shot so you have to let your horse run too when he gets his chances.”
Caldwell appreciates how he has been utilized.
“I was pretty happy with the amount of ice I was getting and still am getting,” he said.
Caldwell picked up an assist Monday as the Blackhawks dropped a 6-3 decision to the visiting St. Catharines Falcons at Thorold Arena.
The win improves the Falcons record to 15-4-0-2 in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action. St. Catharines trails first-place Hamilton by six points. The Kilty B’s topped the Niagara Falls Canucks 4-3 in overtime at home in the other game Monday.
“Thought the boys put together a solid 60 minutes,” St. Catharines coach Tyler Bielby said. “Would still like to see us play a little tighter in the D zone. We didn’t give up too much tonight, but what we did give up, they capitalized on. Need to do a better job of picking up sticks rather than being so focused on pucks.”
The Falcons take on the Fort Erie Meteors at home Friday.
“Time to get back to work at practice this week,” Bielby said. “Fort Erie have been buzzing and are coming off a big win versus Hamilton. We will need to be ready to go.”
The Blackhawks drop to 6-14-1 and have lost five in a row and are now off until next Monday when they host Caledonia.
Hawk talk: Nathaniel Krbavac and Tanner Hunt (healthy scratch) did not dress for the Hawks.
STATS PACK
Falcons 6 Blackhawks 3
St. Catharines forward Blake Yetman with two goals.
For the St. Catharines Falcons: Yetman 2 (4, 5); Kyle Glenney (8); Jonah Boria (6); Nate Robertson (6); Mitchell Armstrong (2).
For the Thorold Blackhawks: Nicholas Rubino (5); Harrison Goan (3); Declan Fogarty (2).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Thorold on Andrew McLean (27), by St. Catharines on Noah Fortuna (35); Power plays: Thorold 0-for-3, St. Catharines 3-for-7; Penalty minutes: Thorold 14, St. Catharines 6.
Up next: The Blackhawks are off until next Monday when they host Caledonia. The Falcons are home to Fort Erie Friday.
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