Hard work pays off for Swick
Trent Swick had an inkling it might be a special season.
The 15-year-old, Grade 10 student at St. Francis joined the Southern Tier Admirals this year and quickly realized it could be a season to remember.
“This was my first year with the group and I didn’t know what to expect, but after the first practice I knew this team was special and that we all had one goal in mind, which was the OHL Cup,” Swick said.
The Admirals didn’t get to participate in the OHL Cup — they were ranked No. 1 heading into the tournament — due to the COVID-10 pandemic, but that didn’t prevent the big winger from putting together a solid campaign.
The Thorold resident finished third on the team in scoring with 26 goals and 55 points in 32 regular season games before adding 12 goals and 24 points in 13 playoff games playing on the team’s top line alongside Andrew Leblanc and Sam Alfano.
“It was an honour to play with two tremendously skilled players who are hard working,” he said. “I didn’t think I would have such a good year but I have to thank my coach (Kevin Rosebrugh) for putting us all together and just letting us play.”
Rosebrugh feels Swick has what it takes to play at the next level.
“Trent is a very mature kid who has a terrific understanding of the game,” Rosebrugh said. “He’s a complete player in all three zones of the ice and is ready to play in the OHL. He has very good hands in tight areas and has above average skating for his size. He’s strong on the forecheck using his strength and good angles.”
Swick, who has been ranked 82nd by Prospectpipeline.ca, is looking forward to Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League draft.
“I’m nervous not knowing what is happening in the future, if I can be close to my family or nine hours away,” he said. “My goal next year is to play in the OHL and have an impact as soon as I get to the team.”
Swick said his dream of playing in the OHL can be traced back about three years.
“Before that, I was obsessed with hockey and I loved it, but when I was told I could do this for a living it really changed my mindset and made me want to work really hard and be better than the people who were trying to take it away from me,” he said. “Ever since then, it’s been on my mind every day.”
Swick put the time in away from the rink to make his dream a reality, training five days a week for six weeks the last two summers at a camp in Oakville.
“If I wouldn’t have been training or doing anything over the past few years I wouldn’t be where I am now,” he said. “It’s a huge difference. After that I have a lot of confidence going on the ice and knowing that I’ve done as much, if not more, that my competition.”
He said motivation to do the extra work isn’t an issue.
“It’s the outcome, knowing what you’re going to get out it,” he said. “Knowing now that you’re going to play in the OHL one day would make me happy and have my hard work pay off.”
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/
Jacob LeBlanc profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/leblanc-brothers-sticking-together/
Andrew LeBlanc profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/the-centre-of-attention/
Tai York profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/york-hoping-to-fulfill-ohl-dream/
Sam Alfano profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/alfano-anxious-for-ohl-draft/
Nathan Duplessis profile at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/late-bloomer-chases-ohl-dream/
Niagara IceDogs draft preview at https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/icedogs-looking-for-impact-players-at-draft/
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