Passion, performance: hoping O'Dell is no Pouliot

Eric O'Dell was the biggest unknown commodity acquired by the Sudbury Wolves through trades this season, but he has also been the biggest surprise.

(Sudbury grabbed him, along with Dean Howard from Oshawa in the Kevin Baker deal.)

O'Dell has, quite simply, burst onto the OHL and has wowed fans with his undeniable talents and skills.

In his first four games, the 17-year-old scored two goals and five points. This included his coming out party against the Saginaw Spirit last Friday night when he scored one goal and three points.

O'Dell has served notice quickly that he's a legitimate talent. The six-foot centre has great speed, finesse, grit, determination and a highly tuned sense of creativity.

He's even decent at face off draws, winning his share, which is a big factor to consider since he's been lining up against opposing team's top players.

But, already this past weekend I have had to endure people comparing O'Dell to former Wolves forward Ben Pouliot.

For all our sake, I hope he is not another Pouliot.

I really hope O'Dell isn't going to be another immensely talented player who doesn't use his skills and good fortune to his full advantage all the time, instead of wasting it.

Pouliot was an incredible package, as I'm sure you all remember, who could score almost at will and play with a big edge and a chip on his shoulder. When he wanted to.

It wasn't an uncommon sight to go into the Wolves dressing room after a game during Pouliot's time to see him without a sweat on, even though all his teammates were slumped in their stalls from exhaustion.

Pouliot burst onto the OHL with four points in his first four games and had hockey pundits going crazy and pushing one another out of the way to say he's the next big talent in the Nickel City.

Pouliot went on to have a productive, but not prolific, career in the OHL and was taken fourth overall by Minnesota at the 2005 NHL draft. (A decision I bet they regret right now.)

He frustrated everyone with his lack of passion at times. Pouliot has yet to make the NHL on a full time basis and has had a hard time making an impact in minor pro hockey.

Enough about Pouliot.

O'Dell will certainly be under the same microscope.

Despite his slender build (170-pounds), O'Dell has also shown remarkable strength and spirit to his game. He's not easily pushed over and will engage players to make hits.

O'Dell could be the key to the quick revival of the Wolves. At this level, all it takes is for one player to blossom into a star and help guide a team into a successful phase again.

Could O'Dell be this spark that ignites a roaring fire again?

Obviously only time will tell. So far, time has shown it's all good for the Wolves organization and their loyal and rowdy fan base.

If O'Dell is up for the challenge, and I think he is because if he wasn't he wouldn't be here, the Wolves should see some improvement over the rest of the season and will be ready to fight for a playoff spot in 2009.