Fourteen-year-old Brett Hargrave, seen here playing for the East Coast Selects last month in the Czech Republic, will be a player to watch this season for the Great North Midget League's North Bay Trappers. Photo courtesy Terry Hargrave.
Fourteen-year-old Brett Hargrave, seen here playing for the East Coast Selects last month in the Czech Republic, will be a player to watch this season for the Great North Midget League's North Bay Trappers. Photo courtesy Terry Hargrave.
Brett Hargrave knows whenever he steps on the ice, he’s going to be watched.
However, the young North Bay Trappers forward seems to pay little heed to the growing attention he’s garnering in hockey circles as he prepares for his second full year with the midget triple-A club which begins training camp August 23rd.
Last year, while most 13-year-olds would have been slotted into minor bantam, Hargrave held his own in the Great North Midget League, tallying two goals and nine assists in 34 games and adding 50 penalty minutes.
While that may spark greater expectations among others for Hargrave this season, it’s clear the goals he’s set for himself are his top priority.
“I want to score more, and get more points,” Hargrave said. “(Last year) I just tried to get used to playing there.”
The six-foot-three, 185-pound forward has not gone unnoticed in the wider hockey community. Eligible for the 2012 Ontario Hockey League draft, his name is already being mentioned among other top bantam-age prospects across Canada on scouting websites and online discussion boards.
“One of the biggest surprise revelations of spring hockey for our scouts,” the Scouting News website recently trumpeted about Hargrave, adding the label “hidden gem.” Brett’s dad, Terry, says he’s already been approached by “several” agents and scouts.
For Brett, though, that type of praise doesn’t seem to alter his outlook.
“It’s pretty cool, it’s interesting,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I just focus on working my hardest and trying my best every game.”
Hargrave turned more heads last month, playing for the East Coast Selects in an international tournament of 1996-born prospects in the Czech Republic. The team won its first six games before being eliminated by a single loss. Hargrave then notched a goal and an assist in an all-star game following the tournament which involved North American and European players chosen by team coaches.
Last week, he was named the Selects’ player of the year.
“It was really fast,” Hargrave said of the tournament. “I just realized I need to keep working hard.”
Brett comes by his hockey pedigree honestly. Terry played for the Pinehill Coffee Shop midgets in 1983 and the University of Guelph. But there’s no question in Dad’s mind who the best athlete in the family is.
“Not even close, it’s the big guy,” said Terry with a chuckle. “He’s got more hands and skill than I ever had.”
However, according to Terry, Brett’s on-ice ability isn’t even his best attribute.
“We’re more proud of the boy he is than the player he is,” he said.
Given the brighter spotlight, the opportunity for Brett to play elsewhere will almost inevitably arise. But Terry says there are no plans right now for Brett to play anywhere but North Bay.
“We’re watching everything,” said Terry. “(But) we feel we can stay at home,” he said, citing the strength of the Trappers coaching staff and importance of keeping their family of four together as long as possible.
Terry’s personal hope for Brett’s hockey future is simple.
“I hope he has enough fun to want to play the following season,” he said.
After a first-round playoff exit last season, Trappers head coach John Couch believes Hargrave can become a power forward and top point producer this year.
“The opportunity is there,” said Couch. “He’s going to make his own destiny.”
Hargrave’s mental toughness, character and outstanding work ethic will all help him as the team plans to adopt new systems along with "savy and smarts" for the upcoming season.
“I have absolutely no doubt he’ll be able to take on a leadership role,” Couch added.
The buzz surrounding Hargrave may parallel or surpass that afforded to Corbeil native Robin Boucher, who cracked the Trappers lineup as a 14-year-old in 1995-96. Boucher went on to play five seasons in the OHL, notching a career-high 48 points in Windsor in 2000-01 before finishing his junior career as a North Bay Centennial.
While Hargrave’s early jump to midget has impressed many, he knows there are areas of his game he must still improve.
“I want to get better on my quick feet,” said Hargrave, who has also been working on his stick handling skills this summer with local coach Dan Selin, who has mentored Brett over the past three years.
Hargrave will also have to balance blossoming hockey aspirations with another new challenge -- adapting to new school surroundings as he enters grade 9 at Widdifield Secondary this fall.
“Should be a lot of fun,” he said. “I want to get back with my friends.”
