Aaron Ekblad given exceptional status

“John [Tavares] and I are very different people.” – Aaron Ekblad.

Although they’re separated by age, position, and year, Aaron Ekblad is the first player since Tavares to be given “exceptional player” status and will enter this year’s Ontario Hockey League priority draft, set for Saturday May 7, 2011.

The process was administered by Hockey Canada with a Special Evaluation Panel assembled to evaluate Ekblad’s hockey and academic documentation and assess his level of maturity in reaching their decision.

Originally, Ekblad was not going to enter his name into the consideration for exceptional player status, however that changed after deliberation with his family.

“It was a family decision,” he said in a conference call Thursday.  “At first we thought that playing my own age would be good but we definitely found a way to figure it out as a family.  It was always my dream to be given this opportunity.  We came together and found a way to make it possible.”

Born February 7, 1996, the 15-year-old Ekblad is a 6’03, 200 pound defenceman.  This season he played for the Sun County Panthers Minor Midget AAA program recording 34 points in 30 regular season games before producing 21 points in 18 playoff games.  Last season at 14-years-old, he was named a First-Team All-Star at the 2010 All Ontario Bantam AAA Championships after leading Sun County to an ALLIANCE Championship title.

With a player garnering this much attention at a young age, there will be much attention paid to him starting immediately, from both scouts and the media. 

Even with all of the pressure on him to perform, Ekblad said that he knows he has a learning curve ahead of him.

“My personal goal consists of finding my way on the ice,” he said.  “I don’t plan to over achieve in my first year but find my way in the league, definitely help my team out, and help my team succeed.”

Asked what the biggest challenge would be from playing minor hockey to making the jump into the OHL, Ekblad listed a few things he expects for next season.

The “physicality and playing against more mature players,” he said.  “How to sneak my way in and out of dangers zones, how to protect myself.  And definitely being away from home will be a challenge, but with technical advancements I can find my way.”

With Barrie, Peterborough, and Sault Ste. Marie holding the first three picks in this year’s draft, it is safe to say that Ekblad will be moving away from his home near Windsor to further pursue his hockey career in the OHL.

He was excited for the challenge no matter where he goes.

“I think everyone is defined by how they go through the tough times and the tough times of losing,” he said carefully.  “Everyone comes together and finds a way to win.  I think being apart of that will only help you in the future.”

Coming into the OHL with – what some would say is – a target on his back, Ekblad knows he’s going to have a busy offseason preparing for what faces him next year.

“This summer i’ll be on the ice and off the ice doing rigorous activities that will help me prepare for the physicality and what not,” he said.  “I’m definitely going to work hard and try and compete with the older players.”

Ekblad is also one of 60 skaters that will participate in the 2011 OHL Development Combine powered by Under Armour this weekend April 2-3 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, ON. 

Keep it locked to OpenIceHockey’s coverage from the development combine, as we will be conducting interviews with not only Aaron, but the other players in attendance.