Most hockey players can only dream of being drafted on the same
day as their best friend. For Tate Collins, this was a reality last
spring.
The 16-year-old Huntsville, Ont. native was selected by the Owen
Sound Attack in the 14th round of the 2023 Ontario Hockey
League draft, two rounds after Ewan McChesney was chosen by the North Bay
Battalion.
Both players still remember the
celebration that followed.
“We pretty much met before school and
we’ve been friends ever since,” said Collins. “It’s been great to be on the
same journey as him while being good friends.”
Added McChesney: “We played since we were two years old and to get
drafted in the same year was such a cool experience. It sucks it wasn’t the
same team, but we went out to dinner together with my family and his family to
celebrate. I was happy to see him get drafted.”
Their paths to the OHL have been connected
from a very young age.
They attended the same daycare and started
playing with the Huntsville Otters at five years old. Five years later, they
moved to Newmarket, Ont. and began playing at the AAA level.
As much as they’re friends, Collins is
looking forward to facing McChesney, 16, at the next level.
“It’s always a good and friendly
competition, but it doesn’t change anything,” Collins said. “We will still be
close after games no matter what.”
This season, Collins has split time
between the U18 AAA Markham Waxers and the Junior A Aurora Tigers.
Collins is not the first member of his
family to go through the OHL draft process.
His brother Ty was selected by the
Guelph Storm in 2018 and seeing the process at such a young age was
invaluable for the younger Collins.
“Last season especially, he would always
be there to support me. During that big year, he gave me advice on what I
should improve on,” he said. “He's always been a great mentor.”
On the ice, Collins describes himself as a
pass-first forward with a reliable shot.
The six-foot winger is always trying to
impact both ends of the ice.
“I like to use my speed and my IQ to my
advantage, especially off the rush. I feel like I'm able to make the right play
most of the time, and my shot is very good,” Collins said. “I’m also very good
defensively. I know, my coach can rely on me on the penalty kill.”
While the main goal is to make the NHL, he
understands how amazing it would be to play professionally at any level.
As he takes the next step in his hockey
journey, Collinsencourages
future OHL prospects to maintain a one step at a time attitude, something he
learned from his brother last year.
“Just enjoy it. Don't worry about the
people that are watching. Just focus on your game,” Collins said. “Have fun,
especially in that final year. It's supposed to be the most fun year. It
definitely was for me, so just enjoy it and don't worry about what happens
after.”
About the Author: Aidan-Cowling McDonnell is a student in the Sport Journalism post-grad program at Centennial College.