Flora fills the net
Jaden Flora has always been able to put the puck in the net.
The 16-year-old forward for the Niagara North Stars was second on the club in scoring this season with 29 goals and 50 points in 37 games, a trend he began as a young player.
“Growing up, I put the puck in the net a lot,” Flora said. “Growing up, the coaches called me a natural sniper and it kind of just stuck with me throughout the years.
“I just felt I had a good shot when I was young and kept working on it. I have a rink in my backyard so I’m shooting pucks every day, working on picking different corners and strengthening my shot.”
Flora’s offensive skill has him highly anticipating the 2023 Ontario Hockey League draft which begins Friday at 7 p.m. with rounds 1-3 and continues at 9 a.m. Saturday with rounds 4-15.
“I’ve been very excited about it for a while now,” Flora said. “Since I was young this was a dream of mine so to finally get to this point, it’s very exciting for me and my family. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I always wanted to play in OHL, it’s the best junior league out there.”
Flora plans to follow the draft all weekend.
“I just try to stay calm and focused on what may happen,” he said. “If I don’t get drafted, what’s the next step? I feel I’ve done everything I could. Whatever happens, happens. There is nothing I can do right now but wait to see what happens.”
Flora’s strong season couldn’t have come at a better time in his draft year, but the St. Francis student said the team always came first.
“I didn’t even think about it at all,” he said. “I just put the team success first. Each night you go in to win. As a team we set goals early in the year and that was our focus. Team over individual success so each night I was just focused on the win and moving forward as a team.
“I tried to stay positive which was the No. 1 focus for me. Going into each game I wasn’t too focused on goals, goals, goals or points, points, points.”
Flora said concentrating on the fundamentals also helped.
“I was focused on doing the little things right and when we got into the offensive zone, that’s when you make the most of you chances,” he said. “I created chances, I had chances handed to me and I just put them in the net. First your start with the D-zone and you make your way up and you just do all the little things right and the chances will come to you.”
Stars coach Nate Mitton had high praise for Flora.
“He’s a natural goal scorer who has an elite shot, a high character kid on and off the ice, scores the big goals when the team really needs it,” Mitton said. “Class valedictorian, very bright kid.”
Flora got a brief taste of junior hockey this season playing a game for the Fort Erie Meteors where he scored a goal versus Welland.
“It was an unreal experience playing with guys who are 20 or 21 and all older than me, just to see what the competition is like at the next level and see how I pan out with them,” he said. “It was great. A confidence booster for sure. Just being in the lockeroom with those guys and all the preparation that goes into those games. It was unreal and something I’m going to remember for a long time.”
Flora is also a top-notch student.
“Growing up school has been huge for me,” he said. “It’s important for me to keep balance. It’s like hockey, you want to win, want to see the W on the board. I choose to treat tests and assignments as a game. If I get a good mark, I win. If I lose, I don’t put enough effort in.
“I always try to put enough effort in at school or in hockey. My compete level in hockey translates to school and keeps me determined and focused.”
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