Find the biggest hockey nerd rated in the first round that isn't spectacular in any particular way beyond being an amazing kid and that's Chayka's guy.
Ryan O’Rourke won rookie of the year playing with Barrett Hayton in Sault Ste. Marie.
Gets bonus points for Corey Pronman using a Chayka-ism in describing his play in The Athletic, "He’s not a player who is going to wow you, but O’Rourke is very smart, mobile and tough to play against. The offensive upside is my biggest question heading into the NHL, but
he checks off
all the other
boxes.”
He’s also a May birthday so he didn’t turn 17 until after the season was over.
His head coach is basically teetering on “premium person” territory here, “Part of the reason for his success is his maturity. He’s not your average 16-year-old,” said Hounds head coach John Dean.
“That approach to the game brings a smile to the face of Dean, who likes how his rookie defenceman “can be coached hard and challenged. I can get right in his grill and he responds very well to it.”
The Hounds bench boss also spoke of how manning the blue-line as a first-year player is the most difficult test for OHL skaters.
But O’Rourke is driven.
“He wants to be really good,” Dean said.”
Chayka’s pants are getting tighter...
“He blocks shots, he’s physical, he has a good shot, he sticks up for his teammates and he has a creative flair,” Dean noted. “He’s surpassed my expectations.”
Oh boy. Hopefully Chayka can resist the temptation of trading up to fifth overall for the kid.