Cameron Lockhart likes the Tkachuk brothers; Matthew with Florida and Brady with Ottawa.
If you watch the 6'2", 180-pound forward play hockey with the North Bay U18 AAA Trappers you will understand why.
"I wanted to be a physical presence out there even if I'm playing against guys two years older than me," said Lockhart.
"I am big, physical, hard on pucks. I am always in the corners, F 1, that kind of guy, battle and grind. That's my game."
Through 31 games, the big forward has 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points.
Vitai Yachmenev, the North Bay U18 AAA Trappers head coach and former NHLer, likes what Lockhart brings to the rink day in and day out.
"You know what you are going to get from Cam every game," said the former North Bay Centennials star.
"He always plays hard and finishes his checks. He does not skate by anything he's a good power forward who drives hard to the net."
Lockhart is one of a handful of North Bay U18 AAA Trappers who were recently selected to play for Team Northern Ontario (NOHA) for the upcoming OHL Cup showcase tournament which takes place in the spring before the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.
"He is a good-sized player who plays with passion and shows a tenacious desire to have the puck on his stick," one OHL scout stated about Lockhart.
"He can score, set up a goal, or play a heavy game when needed. He understands the details of the game and can be an impact player in a variety of situations."
Lockhart, who gained some valuable experience attending the Powassan Voodoos training camp in the summer of 2023, is hoping to finish his season strong with the U18 Trappers and trying to focus on his game and not the OHL draft.
"I don't have much control over it," he admitted.
"Obviously, every kid wants to get drafted but it is not affecting my game. I am not getting stressed out because I am not playing well and not performing in front of scouts. It is important to me but it is out of my control so I am just trying to play my game."
It's his hard work, solid play and good attitude that make him a legit prospect for the upcoming OHL draft.
