Ottawa, Ontario – While the CCHL Tier 1 is well into their season, the CCHL2 race is just starting to heat up.
Here are six ’01 or ’02 born rookies playing in the CCHL Tier 2 that could make the jump to the Tier 1 level next season.
#1: Jake Code, RW (Carleton Place Jr. B Canadians)
The Elmira, Ontario native is tied for first in the CCHl2 in goals with seven goals in seven games. The ’01 born forward was also named the CCHL2 Rookie of the Month and is expected to jump to the Carleton Place Canadians roster next season. He was recruited out of the Waterloo area, which is located in the GTA.
#2: Thomas Freel, C (Ottawa Canadians)
The ’01 born forward joined OJC at the start of the season after being the last cut at the Ottawa Jr. Senators training camp in August. Among CCHL2 rookies, he leads in assists with six and is tied for first in points with nine. Freel has good speed and is solid defensively. He is expected to make the jump to the CCHL Tier 1 level next year.
#4: Kai Nicholson, RW (Arnprior Packers)
The 2002-born forward is tied for fifth in CCHL2 rookie scoring with six points, collecting three goals and three assists in seven games. The Ottawa, Ontario, native was drafted by the Carleton Place Canadians but played 13 games for the Brockville Braves Midget AAA team last year. Nicholson is coming out of the Ottawa Sting Bantam AA program. Expect CCHL teams to keep an eye out for him as his size and shot are his biggest assets.
#4: Evan Boucher, C (Casselman Vikings)
Right now, the ’02 born forward is suiting up for the Vikings while playing with the Rockland Nationals as an affiliate. Last year, Boucher appeared in four games with the Nats – tallying one assist as a 15-year-old. This year he has already played in four games with Rockland and seven with Casselman. The Ottawa native has one goal and five assists.
#5: Alex Rossides, D (Embrun Panthers)
The 16-year-old Ottawa Jr. Senators prospect turned heads last year in Midget AAA, putting up 21 points 40 games. This season – the Cumberland, Ontario, native has fit in nicely under Darrell Campbell in Embrun, scoring a goal and two helpers in six games. Again, like Freel, Rossides is expected to jump to the next level in 2019-20. He is a smooth skating defenceman who can play in all situations and is effected when he keeps it simple.
Coaches Pick: Antonio Silenu, D (Richmond Royals)
The ’01 born defenceman attended the Soo St. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) training camp this summer. Following just one game with the Nepean Raiders, they assigned him to the CCHL2 Richmond Royals. The Nepean, Ontario, native was picked up by the Kemptville 73’s this week and has a shot of making their Jr. A roster next season. He has two goals and two assists in four games.
