Described as a skilled winger who consistently generates prime offensive chances for his team by Scout.ca, Caleb Dawson is hoping to turn heads in anticipation of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.
The winger has five goals and six assists, good for 11 points in 16 games with the North Bay U16 Trappers, proving, as Scout.ca says, to generate prime offensive chances.
“I think my best asset is I have good hands and being able to score, like on breakaways, and seeing the ice too,” explains Dawson.
Being an offensive player isn’t all he brings to the table, however.
“I think I play a pretty good two-way game out there. I kill penalties and I have an active stick all the time and take away lanes. I think I see the ice well too, trying to find my open teammates,” said Dawson who models his game after Washington Capitals star NIcklas Backstrom.
“I think over the years I've been getting better at playing away from the puck, just knowing what they're going to do,” he said about the defensive side of the game. “It's frustrating obviously, letting a goal in and if it's your responsibility. It's even more frustrating if you left your guy in the slot or if they score on the power play.”
In hockey, bloodlines can oftentimes be seen as important. Looking back at the father-son teams, or even three generations worth of players who have played in the NHL and it’s easy to see that some families just have the “it” factor. When it comes to Caleb, the history is certainly there as he practically grew up on frozen water. His grandfather was a junior hockey scout, and his father is the general manager of the Powassan Voodoos, Chris Dawson, who recently celebrated his 300th win as a G.M. in the NOJHL.
“It was good having hockey around me all the time and having my dad and my grandpa giving me advice on the game and overall making me a better player,” he explained.
With many in the hockey world on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dawson says he has been hard at work honing his skills with off-ice sessions.
“During the pandemic, I just tried to stay active...not sitting around, and trying to work out often during the pandemic and during the summer,” Dawson said.
“I want to mention that Logan Baker and Rob Graham really helped me during the summer and made me stronger overall, and a better player.”
Part of his off-ice work included helping Graham train goalies on synthetic ice, an exercise that has helped Dawson as well.
“When I was with Rob (Graham) for the past few months, I've learned some tips on like where to score and where the goalies are weaker and I'm trying to use that to help me as a player.”
While in his draft year, and with the OHL Priority Selection right around the corner, Dawson believes he has the skill set to help a team should they select him.
“I think I pass to my teammates well; I communicate with them; I communicate with my defense when I have the puck behind the net and let them know if I'm open or not. I'd like to tell scouts about my two-way game and how I play a good defensive game too.”
See his scouting video profile below:
