Huard hoping to impress

Second year forward Nick Huard is putting up big numbers in his sophmore year. Photo by Chris Dawson.

It was a long summer for North Bay Trappers forward Nick Huard. Last spring Huard was expecting to be chosen in the 2007 OHL Midget Draft.

But that didn’t happen, however instead of focusing on the disappointment the gritty centre used it as motivation.

“Being on Central Scouting’s draft list last year in May and not getting selected last year it really influenced me to work harder in the summer and perform well every time I’m on the ice,” said Huard.

After being one of the last cuts at Skyhawks camp, Huard thundered out of the gate with the Trappers. At the Christmas break he had 21 goals and 21 assists good for 42 points in 24 games with the Trappers this season.

Despite the OHL snub last year, other teams are certainly watching him this year.

The Huard family says teams like the Cambridge Winter Hawks, Chatham Maroons, Elmira Sugar Kings and the Pembroke Lumber Kings are interested in evaluating Nick again and just recently the General Manager of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL contacted Huard who could be signed as a free agent with the Quebec League team if he goes undrafted again in the OHL Draft. A move to the Quebec League would be something that appeals to Huard whose good friend and former teammate Joel Senecal plays with the Val’Dor Foreurs.

Trappers head coach Robin Boucher realizes this is a huge year for Huard and he’s rewarded him by having him centre either the first or second line.

"Obviously he wants to impress scouts and impress people and he's doing a great job of it,” said Boucher.

“He's an extremely hard worker, he's got a lot of good leadership qualities and he just brings it every night.”

Boucher adds that maturity comes along with his leadership.

“That's one of his leadership qualities is that he's extremely mature because when things are going rough in the dressing room he's one of the guys who steps up and kind of settles the other guys down,” said Boucher.

The Widdifield Senior Secondary student hopes to finish strong with the Trappers and take those offensive skills and leadership qualities to junior hockey next season.