Posted By RYAN PYETTE, SUN MEDIA
Posted 13 days ago
Scott Harrington wrote a religion exam yesterday morning to finish up Grade 10 at Regiopolis- Notre Dame Secondary School.
In the afternoon, he was at London's John Labatt Centre agreeing to become a Knights disciple of the Hunter hockey bible.
"I had to get the exam moved so I would be able to be here," said the 16-year-old defenceman, who was selected 19th overall in last month's OHL draft after finishing the year with the Kingston Kimco Voyageurs.
Now light at the back end, the Knights pushed hard to ink Harrington, who was expected to be a top two or three pick but frightened away several OHL teams before the draft with his U. S. college stance.
"I didn't commit (to a university) but at that time, all the schools had been around talking to us so that was our focus," the six-foot, 200-pounder said. "Then, the OHL draft came and my parents (Pat and Cindy) and I had to look at that, too.
"I was glad it was London. The day of the draft, I was in Victoria (for the national Junior A tier II RBC Cup) so it was 6 a. m. (Pacific time) when the draft started on the computer and my parents were on a plane to B. C. and didn't find out who took me until that afternoon."
The Knights turned up the charm to convince Harrington. They organized a first-class visit and enlisted Tourism London.
"(OHL commissioner) David Branch is happy that this kid is in our league," London GM Mark Hunter said. "It doesn't matter who drafted him. He doesn't have to worry about anything. He just has to play his game. This is a great day for the organization. Our future is bright."
"It doesn't matter who drafted him" ....umm, actually, yeah it does. This kid, and others like him, are the problem with the OHL. Hope he fails in London.
I'm not trying to be a smart ass, as I've said on here before I've never played, nor been involved in organized hockey in any way. The more I learn about it, the more I'm glad neither of my children have ever shown an interest in organized sports...in fact they're off to Borden to cadet camp today...but I'm wondering after having read "Remove's" comments as to why his anger seems to be directed at this young man in particular, or is it directed at the London franchise, or is it at the OHL in general. It seemed like a nice story from the paper, but has evoked quite an emotional response.
"It doesn't matter who drafted him" ....umm, actually, yeah it does. This kid, and others like him, are the problem with the OHL. Hope he fails in London.
p.s. grade 10 religion at RND was a bird course.
don't quite understand. why all the venom towards this situation? care to explain?
Harrington told every team he was going the NCAA route and that they should not select him. He then fell to the team he wanted to play for thus hurting the other teams in the league because the best team just got the best player.
"First step to receiving help is helping yourself."
"Looking at what you are not doing is just another way of doing nothing."
can't say that i blame him. doesn't every player have a right to determine his own future? sounds like he was just using the system as it exists.
every TEAM at every level does this everyday. they feed the players @#$% and expect them to say thank you can i have some more. looks like this kid just gave them (ohl teams) some of it back saying no thank you.
The topic of OHL Draft manipulation comes up all the time. I was an OHL scout for the last two years, Ive been in war rooms, Ive seen it first hand. I sayall the power to the kids and parents.
In every draft class youre going to have kids wholl pack their gear and clothes in five minutes to play for an OHL team, no matter the location or benefits. On the flip side, youll have players and parents who want nothing to do with the OHL. In between, you have people who are open-minded and people wholl use both the NCAA and OHL as leverage for the best deal. I ask, whats the issue with that?
First, were talking about players who are 15 or 16 year olds. They have family, friends, schools, comfort etc that people want to take them away from for the sake of an even playing field. These players also have their futures at stake and face a decision they must make while most of their high school peers arent even focusing yet on an area of study. I see nothing wrong with using both sides to come out with the best education package, the best location, the best coaching and the best situation to reach their goals.
For the next few years of their lives they are going to be travelling weeknights on buses, living with strangers, possibly being traded across the province and missing significant school time to play Major Junior. Why add to those negatives by forcing a kid to play somewhere he doesnt want to be?
Most OHL scouts considered Harrington a top 5 prospect for this draft. I had him number three in my rankings behind Catenacci and Sefton. I think his quality play with the Vees during the playoffs proved he was ready to step into the OHL this season.
He's got good size and poise and lot of natural talent. What I loved about him when I watched him in minor midget was his clutch play, despite being a defenseman. He really stepped up his play at both ends late in close games.
I'm not surprised he went to London. Every tournament I attended that Kingston played in, the Knights' staff was out in full force to watch him play.
Actually Kev, if the players and their parents are just lobbying for the best deal or situation why does OHL central scouting even rank the players?
Why not just let individual teams have their own rankings and take (or offer the best deal) to the players they are interested in?
Come to think of it why have a draft at all?
Gazettesports (Login Gazettesports) Registered Members
Re: Former Vees defenceman a Knight
July 6 2009, 9:38 AM
Because, for one thing, it would mean the end of competitive teams in Subury and the Soo. Think about it-if you were a 16 year old Joe Thornton, would you ever dream of playing for the Greyhounds if you could simply pick to play for the London Knights in your own back yard?
Yes ... London scoups up choice player after choice player. Its not fair to about 20 teams who have no hope of winning. Just look at the list of choice players who went to London after telling everyone they want no part of the OHL. You can bet if this kid had been drafted by a place like the Sioux he'd have either gone the college route or sat on his butt until London had worked out a deal for him.
It isn't fair to the other cities and everyone knows it.
Funny how things turn out for these young athletes. Sometimes it is better to take the hand you are dealt then to try to manipulate the hand.
Example, the Soo Greyhounds drafted a kid named Gretzky. He didn't say, the Soo forget it, he went. Eric Lindros, I don't want to play in Quebec, I want to play where I want to. Dealt to the Flyers, for oh yeah, Peter Forsberg. Stanley Cup rings Forsberg 2, Lindros big fat zero. Sometimes you play with the cards your dealt.
