Another potential young star is on his way to the Ontario Hockey League.
The Ontario Hockey Federation announced Thursday that 'exceptional player' status has been granted to 15-year-old blueliner Aaron Ekblad, making him eligible for the OHL Priority Selection Draft on May 7.
"The process established for the exceptional player is an extensive evaluation of the player in all aspects of life," said OHF Executive Director Phillip McKee. "Aaron should be very proud, just as the OHF is of him, for achieving the exceptional player status."
Ekblad, a 6'3, 200-pound defenceman, is the first player to receive such status since John Tavares in May of 2005. Tavares was taken first overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection Draft and played four OHL seasons recording 433 points in 247 career games.
Ekblad played for the Sun County Panthers Minor Midget AAA program recording 34 points in 30 regular season games before producing 21 points in 18 playoff games.
