Panthers winger a late bloomer
Dawson Abrahams is a study in perseverance.
The 17-year-old St. Catharines native isn’t the biggest, fastest or strongest member of the Pelham Panthers, and until midget didn’t even play at the AAA level.
But what Abrahams lacks in raw skill, he more than makes up for with a superior work ethic and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
“I’ve known my role since I came here,” said Abrahams, a graduate of Eden High School. “We have a lot of skilled players here so I just do my job, do my thing —blocking shots and winning puck battles and forechecking.”
Abrahams, in fact, has no problem throwing his body in front of shots.
“Some people are skilled and I always try and work on that kind of game, but I enjoy blocking shots,” he said. “You know, some people think I’m crazy, but I love that energy from the bench with everyone banging their sticks if you block a big shot late in the game.”
Panthers coach Chris Lukey appreciates Abrahams’ dedication and work ethic.
“He’s really emerged as one of the top defensive players,” Lukey said. “He’s one our top six (forwards). He is basically our shutdown guy, and he’s literally eating pucks on the penalty kill. He’s got to be one of the highest blocked shots (players) in the league right now.
“He’s become a shutdown guy for us big time. Dawson takes a lot of pride in his defensive game.”
Abraham’s willingness to think defence first is a coach’s dream.
“Everybody wants to score so it makes it easy for me when you need someone in the last minute, the last shift of a period where you’re trying to protect the lead. When I look down the bench, it makes it easy because I know he’ll get the job done,” Lukey said.
Lukey coached Abrahams in minor hockey and also had him for part of the 2019/20 season when he was behind the bench for the Welland Junior Canadians.
“He was playing so well as an AP (associated player) that we signed him full time,” Lukey said. “He was also part of my PowerEdge training program in the summer and you could just see the dedication, you could see the improvement, you could see how he was inspired to be a better player.
“He put in the time and effort and every year he just developed and developed and developed. He took the initiative and pride to be the best player he can be.”
Abrahams said part of his work ethic comes from the fact that, with a December birthday, he has always been one of the youngest players on his team.
“Everyone always had that advantage on me every year so I just always tried to be the hardest worker on the team,” he said. “Do whatever it takes to get that extra ice time. I proved myself because I was not always that skilled. I was just trying to be the hardest worker on the ice.”
Lukey said Abrahams’ work ethic is a great example to other players.
“Development never ends but I think a lot of kids get frustrated in minor hockey because you get to a point where it’s your draft year and if you don’t get drafted, is it junior B, junior A, or where do I go?
“It’s just a matter asking yourself what the end result is and where do you want to be. Do you want to play junior? Do you want to go to a Canadian university? Do you want a U.S. scholarship and how much time and effort you going to put towards development?”
The Panthers, 3-9-2, are home to Welland Friday at 7 p.m. and Hamilton Sunday at 2:45 p.m.
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