Blake Wright was selected in the 12th round of the
2022 OHL Priority Draft by the Sudbury Wolves. He had opportunities to play
junior this past season but ultimately stuck around to finish his minor hockey
career with the U18 AAA Ajax-Pickering Raiders.
“In
my draft year my body hadn’t really matured physically yet. I knew one thing I
needed to do was get stronger,” Wright explained. “And after watching my
development last year, I didn't think I was ready to make the jump.”
The
decision is paying off as he found himself having a career year with 21 goals,
while also not shying away from a more physical game.
“Putting
his body in physical positions to gain proper body position on guys has
certainly improved from last year,” said Raiders coach Mike Battah. “All the
things that come along with being physically a year older and physically a year
stronger, those things just naturally improve.”
As
a result, Wright’s found himself enjoying opportunities he didn’t have before.
“I'm
shooting the puck a lot more,” said Wright. “I’ve always had a quick release,
over the last season my shots gotten a lot harder as I keep growing.”
An
alternate captain for the Raiders, Wright is extremely hard-working, leads by
example and has a remarkably calm demeanour, according to Battah.
In
turn, that influences the rest of the team.
“Blake’s
leadership is a big part in creating and maintaining that family-like
environment in our locker-room,” said Battah. “Blake is very laid back and that
helps us because nothing really bothers him, and it allows him to ride the wave
of the emotional roller-coaster that can occur in games some days.”
Wright
believes he gets his even-kneeled, patient demeanour from his mother who is an
elementary school teacher.
“She
has to have patience all the time, especially in the classroom. My patience is
something I've developed, being around her and seeing the way she carries
herself,” said Wright.
Wright
played most of the 2023-24 season as a top line winger, however, his OHL draft
year and the season prior he was a centre. The transition didn’t bother him
and, in fact, he preferred playing on the wing when asked.
“At
centre I was way more defensive. I noticed I found the happy medium with both
my offence and my defence when I'm on the wing compared to centre,” said
Wright.
Wright’s
favourite player to watch growing up was Sidney Crosby. Like his hockey role
model, Wright displays extraordinary sense and play-making ability. Those
attributes accompanied by his speed is what he takes pride in most.
“When
I use my skating ability, along with being able to see the ice, as well as my
hockey IQ I find that it benefits me personally but also my linemates as well,”
said Wright.
It’s
hardly a coincidence that Wright’s linemate and captain Rocco Bigioni has found
a vast increase in his own goal production this season. Going from nine goals
in 2022-23 to 26, Bigioni points to one factor for his success.
“Blake
makes plays I don’t even see as an option and suddenly, the puck is on my
stick. No one else on the ice can see it or even attempt to read it because his
play-making ability is just so advanced,” said Bigioni.
It’s
a package that Battah believes can take Wright to junior and beyond.
“I
think as he continues to physically mature, he can do anything he wants to in
hockey,” said Battah. “He’s smart enough to make any league in wants to play
in. He just has to be strong enough to get there and stay there.”
About the author: Jackson Kerbl is a student in the Sport Journalism post-grad program at Centennial College.