MISSISSAUGA - Aaron Ekblad is looking forward to competing for whichever team selects him in next month's Ontario Hockey League draft after being granted exceptional status that makes him eligible to play in the League a year ahead of schedule.
The six-foot-three, 200-pound Ekblad, who turned 15 at the end of February, was among 84 players who took part on Saturday in the first of a two-day combined OHL-Hockey Canada development camp for players eligible for this year's draft.
"I don't see myself as someone special," said the young defenceman from Belle River, Ont., who many say will be the No. 1 draft pick on May 7. "I see every walk of life as being equal. I just want to stay modest. It would be an honour to play for whoever picks me. I'm just looking forward to playing in the league and making my team better."
Ekblad raised a lot of eyebrows this past year, posting 34 points in 30 league games with the Sun City Panthers Minor Midget AAA team. He added 21 points in 18 playoff games.
"He looks pretty special," said Jeff Twohey, a former general manager of the OHL Peterborough Petes who now scouts for the Phoenix Coyotes.
"Every once in a while you see someone like him and you get that feeling in your stomach," added Twohey, one of several scouts who attended the camp. "I got it quickly today. He's a player's player and you can see he's going to be a high-end pro guy down the road."
