A handful of North Bay U18 Trappers had one last chance to showcase themselves for the upcoming OHL Priority Selection.
A total of four U18 AAA Trappers were part of Team NOHA which just missed out on the playoff round at the OHL Cup which started this week in Toronto.
The high-profile event features the top 20 U16 AAA teams from Ontario and the United States. The showcase runs from March 25-28, with all games being played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto with the final taking place on March 30.
Team NOHA finished third in the Lindros Division with a respectable 2-2 record winning games over Elgin-Middlesex and Ottawa Valley, but dropping contests to Mississauga and Barrie.
Ben Brunton paced the U18 Trappers contingent netting 2 goals and adding 1 assist in four games for Team NOHA, which was comprised primarily of players within the Great North U18 League.
See related: Brunton overcomes obstacles as the OHL Draft approaches
Brunton says playing in the OHL Cup was a dream come true.
"So many skilled players, and teams," Brunton told BayToday.
"It was clean, fast and energetic hockey. I’m happy with how we performed as a group, came together with only a couple of practices as a team and came away with 2 wins.
Brunton, who also played his first junior 'A' game earlier this month with the Powassan Voodoos netting an assist, hopes his play caught some OHL scout's attention.
"While the last game was a tough one (5-0 loss to Barrie), throughout the weekend I played with pride, was good in all ends and scored a couple of nice goals.
"As a team, our goal was to make it to the quarterfinals. Even though we weren’t able to achieve that goal, as a team we were very proud of our efforts and I am so happy that I was able to be part of this amazing experience.
See related: Lockhart homes his 'Tkachuk style' of play impresses OHL scouts
Cameron Lockhart had 1 assist in four games for the NOHA.
The power forward who models his game after the Tkachuk brothers, felt the tournament was a great learning experience.
"It was an honour to play with a talented NOHA group both players and staff," Lockhart told BayToday.
"It was exciting to be able to play against the highest level of competition. I think that our team should be proud this year after facing the top teams and coming out of the tournament 2-2. Being in the tournament has been a dream of mine since U12 and was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will never forget."
See related: Trappers goalie Ruddy impressing as OHL draft approaches
U18 Trappers Goaltender Carson Ruddy, suffered one loss before being replaced by backup Sebastien Brassard in the NOHA's second contest against Mississauga.
The talented netminder sustained an injury as an opposing player collided with him in the crease.
Before that injury setback, Ruddy had made some stellar saves to keep his team in a game they eventually lost 4-1.
North Bay was also represented on the back end with Team NOHA by U18 Trappers shot-blocking specialist defenceman Aydin Beharie, who had no points in his four outings.
Team NOHA was coached by former U18 Trappers coach Doug Sanders and managed by NOHA Technical Director Jacob Brown, also from North Bay.
