BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Jamie Haines is the second hockey player featured in a series
about top local OHL draft prospects. Each month during the
regular season, Northern Life will run updates on how
individual players are developing.
Valley East Cobras forward Jamie Haines knows there are
countless scouts' eyes watching his every move this season.
He's a projected first-round pick for the 2007 OHL Draft, and
despite the constant attention, Haines doesn't let it bother
him. He just goes out and produces, game after game.
Last year, Haines plied his trade in the AAA bantam ranks with
the Onaping Falls Huskies, helping the team to one of their
best seasons ever.
This year, Haines has burst onto the GNML scene, playing
with the Cobras and torching opposing defences for a pile of
goals.
Through his first 21 games, Haines was second in league scoring
with 19 goals and 40 points. He doesn't mind the rough stuff,
as he racked up 76 minutes in penalties as well.
"This season, I want to help the team win a league
championship," said the L'Horizon student. "I also, obviously,
want to get drafted into the OHL. I want to try and score two
points per game and just be consistent. So far, I feel I've
been playing well. The team is doing great...we're one of the
top teams in the league and that means a lot to me."
The 2006-07 Cobras are a close-knit bunch and play hard for one
another. It's an atmosphere Haines is relishing.
"We have a really good group of guys...we know each other from
major peewee when most of us played together and won the
All-Ontario championship," said the 15-year-old. "It's the
first time we're back together since then...and we're having
fun. We're all good friends and play hard for one another.
Having everyone know each other so well helps a lot...with
morale in the dressing room."
At the Big Nickel Hockey Tournament - the first big event of
the year for players to showcase their skills to scouts -
Haines scored just two goals in four games, but feels confident
he still put on a quality show.
"I played well...it wasn't my best though," said the centre. "I
was just coming back from an injury. We didn't score as a team.
Overall, I still thought I did alright."
The thought of the actual OHL Draft doesn't weigh Haines down
one bit.
"It's on my mind, but I don't let it bother me," said the Grade
10 student. "It's hard not to think about it. It's a dream of
mine to play in the OHL. I have no preference. I just want to
be drafted and I'll play anywhere."
Haines is a complete package.
"He's a creative player," said Cobras head coach Steve
Richardson. "He's a strong forward who's powerful on the puck
and a great skater. He's a good all-around player too."
Haines' development has caught Richardson by surprise.
"It's a lot faster than I expected," said the coach. "In his
case, he's come in and been effective right from game one.
Normally, it takes guys at least 10 games...sometimes 20. He's
taken on a scoring role for us and done a good job."
Haines figures he'll be fully ready to make the jump to the
next level in the fall.
"I've learned a lot already," said Haines. "I'm playing the
same game, only better. I don't feel pressure to excel. My
first thought always is to win games. I don't focus on scoring
points...I know they will come. Winning is most important to
me. I like to contribute to wins by scoring or any other way I
can. The jump to the GNML this year has been a challenge...but
it's been good for me and I've liked it."
Catch Haines and the Cobras in action against the North Bay
Trappers Friday, Dec. 15 at 8:20 pm in the Raymond Plourde
arena in Val Caron.
