For
16-year-old forward Owen Meli of the U18 AAA Burlington Eagles, the season is a
showcase to prove that he can make the jump to play in the Ontario Hockey
League.
The
OHL is no guarantee for the forward after being selected in the ninth round by
the Owen Sound Attack, so developing as both a person and as a player is
paramount for the forward.
After
playing on the York-Simcoe Express U16 team, Meli made the jump to play with
players older than him. The transition has prepared him for the hardships of
the next level, but the excitement of being selected is not lost on him.
“I
burst into tears, to be honest,” said the Millgrove, Ont. native. “It was just
a world of emotions in a few seconds that just hit me when I saw my name come
up.”
This
season, the young forward has scored 20 goals and 46 points, good for fourth
and second on his team respectively.
The
Eagles give Meli a chance to test out the waters of what it is like to play
against older players, more mature players, something that will be asked of him
at the next level.
“Just
playing against the older guys, it’s just different,” he said. “U18, it’s a
step to get ready to playing the older, older guys.”
Meli
hoped to be picked earlier on in the draft, but he is more than prepared for
what is to come. As an under-ager, he has relied on his physical attributes to
fit in seamlessly with his new team.
While
his skill helps separate him from the pack, his stature on the ice doesn’t go
unnoticed. Standing at six feet tall, the forward relies on his frame to set
his team up for success.
“My
presence on the ice … I can pass the puck when I need to and I can also take
the puck when I need to,” Meli said before practice. “I have a good shot, and
I’m a playmaker too.
“If
I have a have a guy open backdoor, I’m always going to take the guy backdoor.”
While
he certainly has the physical tools to play at the next level, the mental side
of the game is equally as important. Qualities such as being focused and
displaying leadership on and off the ice will help players ease into any new
role.
The
combination of skill and mental capabilities can help separate players from one
another, something that Meli tries to take away from John Tavares’ game. His
coaching staff are big believers in this as well.
“We
heard a lot about his skill level … and as we have worked with him throughout
the year, we’ve tried to implement the IQ stuff,” said Eagles head coach Mark
Corbett. “He’s evolved a lot and maturity wise he has come a long way.”
Meli
hopes to make the Attack in the coming years, but that does not take away from
his hobbies off the ice. While devoted to hockey, he also shares a passion for
horse racing.
He
lives on a 70-acre farm and spends most of the summer caring for and watching
his horses at the track.
“I’ve
been blessed to live on it every single day of my life,” he said. “We run thoroughbreds at Woodbine Racetrack …
I go there twice, maybe three times during the week.”
His
horses help take his mind off hockey, but he never loses sight of his goal.
Owen Sound has produced NHL talent, leaving Meli ready for the challenge that
lies ahead of him.
“I know they have had a bunch of guys that have moved
on to the next level,” said the forward. “Wherever that may lead me, it’s just
the start.”
About the author: Evan Davidson is a student in the Sport Journalism post-grad program at Centennial College.