By Breanna McNeill / OHL
When 19-year-old Owen Protz wrapped up his second OHL season with the Brantford Bulldogs, his trajectory was already trending upward.
The 6-foot-1 defenceman greater than tripled his offensive output from his rookie yr, posting 32 factors (5–27–32) in 67 regular-season video games and including six extra in 11 playoff appearances. His breakout efficiency earned him a late-season call-up to the AHL’s Laval Rocket – a powerful vote of confidence from the Montreal Canadiens, who chosen him within the fourth spherical of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Nonetheless, when the invite to Hockey Canada’s Nationwide Junior Workforce summer time growth camp got here when he was pike fishing on the lake, even Protz was caught off guard.
“It’s been fairly surreal,” he informed TSN’s Mark Masters from Minneapolis, the place the camp is being held. “That is my first time representing Hockey Canada, and it’s been wonderful understanding that I’m competing to symbolize my nation at an occasion I’ve liked watching since I used to be 4 years previous.”
And the prospect to compete among the many nation’s prime U20 expertise hasn’t been misplaced on him.
“Simply understanding that I might have the chance to compete with guys who will quickly be the very best on the planet is unbelievable,” he added.
Protz might not carry the identical highlight as a few of Canada’s returning veterans or excessive draft picks, however he’s hoping his blue-collar type will stand out. Recognized for his bodily presence and shutdown means, he’s leaning into his identification as a stay-at-home defenceman – the sort coaches can depend on when the stakes are excessive.
“I’m simply going to maintain being myself – a bodily and dependable defenceman, which is somebody I do know Canada needs and wishes for his or her group,” he stated. “I like to dam pictures and work the penalty kill. I simply wish to present that I’m somebody the coaches can belief to placed on the ice to eat minutes and maintain pucks out of our internet.”
Whether or not he cracks the ultimate World Junior roster stays to be seen but when there’s one factor Protz has confirmed time and time once more, it’s that he doesn’t draw back from a problem, and he is wanting to make an impression.
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