BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
A relative unknown in the hockey world when
the 2004-05 OHL season began, Sudbury Wolves' rookie forward
Ben Pouliot has set that world on fire with his dazzling skill
and ability to bring fans out of their seats with excitement
every time he touches the puck.
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Ben Pouliot leads the Wolves with
11 goals and 19 points through 13 games. |
In a span of 13 games, Pouliot (No. 67) has
established himself as the Wolves' leading scorer, and at the
same time, propelled himself to the top of draft lists of NHL
scouts.
His rapid climb to the top of the OHL hasn't
been easy.
Pouliot, 18, was sent home from camp last
season. The Wolves' coaching staff was concerned that he wasn't
big enough, and would get seriously injured by some of the
bigger, physical players in the league.
Pouliot developed well enough, and gained
size, in Junior 'A' with Hawkesbury to earn a late season call
up in 2003-04.
He didn't disappoint. Pouliot, who hails from
St. Isidore, scored two goals and four points in four games,
including scoring his first OHL goal in his first OHL
game.
It was a special and harrowing time for
Pouliot.
"I was here playing my first game, while my
dad was back home battling leukemia," said Pouliot. "I scored
my first goal, and my mom told him. He was proud of me. Then,
the next day he passed away. It was tough, but it was my father
who got me into hockey, and he always encouraged me to go far,
so it makes all this more special. I know he's happy for me
right now."
Pouliot has continued scoring this season. He
leads the Wolves with 11 goals and 19 points through 13 games.
He's also the currently OHL rookie leading scorer.
"Ben is a sound individual," said head coach
Mike Foligno. "He's earned a lot of respect on this team
because of his attitude and work ethic. He has worked hard and
battled some adversity for this opportunity. Ben has great
vision, shooting skills and ability to defeat defenders
one-on-one. He also has a knack for finding the openings,
moving into those openings with speed, and getting an accurate
shot off."
Pouliot has NHL scouts drool over his natural
potential.
"Ben Pouliot has gone unnoticed until the
past few weeks, but his overall package of size, quickness,
confidence and scoring ability will make him a valuable
commodity on draft day," said the Red Line Report, an
independent NHL scouting review. "He should be a mid-first
round pick at the very least if he continues to improve his
defensive awareness and overall strength."
Red Line has Pouliot pegged at 15th overall
in the world for the 2005 NHL Draft.
Pouliot is taking all the buzz in
stride.
"I didn't think I would make that big of an
impact right away," said Pouliot. "It's added pressure, but I
have to stay focused, and keep doing what I have been doing. It
would be great to be drafted in any round. Scouts are talking
about the first round now, but I can't let it bother me because
it's a
long way off."
