As the Ontario Hockey League draft approaches, projected first-round pick Owen Griffin has the tools teams covet, both on and off the ice.
 
The York-Simcoe Express centre led the OMHA’s Eastern AAA Hockey League with 51 goals and 94 points during the regular season. Determined to win a U16 title before his minor hockey career comes to an end, he led his team to semi-finals at the OMHA Championships.
 
In an article on the OHL website, the league’s central scouting described him as “one of the smartest and most skilled centres in this year's draft class. He makes everyone around him better and is a top end playmaker that sees the ice extremely well.”
 
“Owen has an unbelievable amount of hockey sense and sees things on the ice that you can’t even tell are there,” said Express head coach Robert Shilton. “I have been coaching a long time and he has the best hockey IQ of any player I have ever had.”
 
All of that has made for an exciting leadup the April 21 OHL draft, although Griffin is taking pains to maintain perspective. 

“I try not to think about it,” he said. “I just try to play my game and take every shift one at a time.”
 
Born and raised in Markham, Ont., Griffin was on skates before his third birthday and began playing hockey at 4 ½, quickly developing a love for the game. 
 
His father, Brad, could see that even at such a young age, his son was a natural. He also recognized two qualities that can’t be taught: competitiveness and passion.
 
“Right from the beginning, just with his skating and compete level, you would drop the puck and he’d be all over it,” said Brad. “Wherever the puck went, he would be on it.” 
 
Natural talent was only the starting point for Griffin, who leverages his natural ability with a strong work ethic. 
 
“Great players are great not only because they possess skills and abilities, but also because they have a work ethic and love for the sport that’s second to none,” said Shilton. “Owen has both of those elements.” 
 
When he’s not at practice or working with skating coach Liz Wilson, Griffin is in the gym five days a week working out to add size and strength. Every summer he attends former National Hockey League player and fitness guru Gary Roberts’ eight-week dryland training camp where current NHLers such as Steven Stamkos and Connor McDavid regularly take part.

Stamkos also happens to be a close friend of the Griffin family, Owen’s favourite player, and the reason he wears No. 91. There’s even a photo of Stamkos holding an infant Owen in the Griffin’s basement. 
 
None of it goes to his head, according to his mother, Kim.
 
“He’s a humble kid. Respectful, very loyal, and hardworking,” she said. “His coaches always say he's very coachable and praise that about him, that he's respected by his teammates, and he always wants to make his teammates around him better.” 
 
The 15-year-old deflects praise, ever mindful to credit the time and effort put forth by all those around him who have made his rise possible. His close-knit family is full of supporters who have always prioritized his love for playing the game rather than goals and assists, wins and losses. 
 
“They’ve helped me and guided me the whole way,” said Griffin. “From my dad teaching me how to skate when I was younger, to teaching me skills and taking me to the rink every day. My mom makes all my pre-game meals and helps with my nutrition.”
 
Together they await the next step in his young career.

Jamie Attard is a student in the Sport Journalism post-grad program at Centennial College. Follow him on Twitter @jtaracing