By / Steve Fitzsimmons
Before the start of the OHL regular season, not many people knew the name Calvin de Haan among even the most ardent OHL fans. A third round pick of the Oshawa Generals in the 2007 OHL Draft, de Haan played for the Kemptville 73s last season, impressing as one of the top defencemen in the CJHL.
Doing well in the CJHL though is no guarantee of success in the Ontario Hockey League, but de Haan has fashioned a tremendous rookie season on the Oshawa blue line, with five goals and 46 points in 55 games. Those numbers put him third among all rookies in points and fifth among all OHL blueliners. But equally as impressive is the composure he’s shown on the ice and the steady defensive play he’s exhibited.
NHL Central Scouting has the 6-0, 170-pound Carp, Ont.-native ranked 38th among all North American prospects in their mid-season rankings for the 2009 NHL Draft. For de Haan, his ranking is exciting, but he’s trying to remain focused on maintaining his level of play.
“It’s a confidence booster. But I have to keep doing what I’ve been doing to try and maintain that spot or get up higher in the rankings.”
Oshawa Generals coach/GM Chris Dipiero has worked with his charge all season long and has a great read on the potential of de Haan, having literally seen him more than anyone else.
“Calvin is a smooth skating, smart, puck-handling defenceman who is composed in all areas of the ice. He is reliable and his calm demeanor is what makes him a good NHL prospect. His progress at the OHL level has been excellent and I am certain that it will continue on,” said Dipiero.
The style of game that de Haan plays is modeled after Anaheim Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer, who has won at every level he’s played at.
“I like to model my game after him,” said de Haan. “He’s obviously had a great career. I like to play like he does. Smart, simple, but he does a lot with the puck and makes the most of his ice time.”
Last season, de Haan may have been able to play in the OHL, but he chose to go to Kemptville, to keep his options open, with several U.S. colleges expressing interest in his services. It also allowed him to sprout up from the 5-9, 150-pound frame he played with
last year.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I wanted to explore the NCAA route and see what that was all about. I wasn’t very familiar with it. In the end I obviously chose to play with Oshawa and it’s been a good decision and I’m having a lot of fun.
Oshawa’s education package was pretty good. They pretty much matched a NCAA full ride. It’s a pretty no brainer decision. A lot of players would die to play in this league. I thought it was the best for my development.” Said de Haan.
Mark Edwards, founder of www.HockeyProspect.com, a highly regarded Ontario-based scouting service, thinks de Haan has shown consistent improvement throughout this season and is a solid NHL prospect.
“I saw him in Niagara very early in the season and I made a note to myself to go watch him again. He has improved every time I have seen him since that first viewing. He really reads the ice well and makes good decisions with the puck. I love his smarts from the back end,” said Edwards.
A Western Conference NHL Scout, who has seen de Haan play eight times this year, feels he has strong potential to develop into a solid NHL player.
“The thing that strikes me about him is how calm he is under pressure and his smart decision-making. He could be a little more physical, but he has excellent offensive upside and is a thinker. Defensively he’s solid and I like what he might turn into. We’re watching
him closely.” |