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Local player heading to the Q

“We feel that he could be a top-six player since he was a point per game player as a 16-year-old.”
calebrichrapidsfeb2016
Caleb Rich about to take a face-off for the Rapids during an NOJHL game in Powassan last February. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Caleb Rich is heading to the maritimes. 

The Callander native who has been a star on the French River Rapids NOJHL team, has signed with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL on Tuesday.   

The 1999 birth year forward has scored 27 goals and 37 assists for 64 points in 68 career games with the Rapids, coached by former NHLer Moe Mantha.   

“There’s lots to like there he’s got great size, good speed and he seems to play well in traffic,” stated Mooseheads GM Cam Russell on the team website.   

“We feel that he could be a top-six player since he was a point per game player as a 16-year-old.”

Rich, who as an invitee to the OHL Barrie Colts main camp this summer,  is expected to fit well with the Mooseheads youth movement. 

Rich was never drafted in the Ontario Hockey League but Russell believes that’s not for lack of talent.

“Well you’re talking about a league that has 45 percent of the Canadian population so there’s lots of good players that we’ve seen through the years that have slipped through the cracks.”

Rich is hoping to make his QMJHL debut this weekend when the Mooseheads play a home-and-home series against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.  

Other North Bay area players have thrived playing for East Coast teams in the Q.  

That’s where Matt Marquardt went as a 18-year-old as he was signed by the Moncton Wildcats who were coached by Ted Nolan.  He played there from 2005 to 2008 and was drafted in the 7th round of the NHL Entry Draft in 2006 by the Columbus Blue Jackets.     

 


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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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