Blackhawks prospect DeBrincat earns OHL's most outstanding award
From the moment Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat hit the ice as a member of the OHL's Erie Otters, the diminutive forward became an out-and-out goal-scoring machine.
As a 17-year-old in 2014-15, the Farmington Hills, Michigan product racked up 51 goals.
The next season - the same number: 51 goals.
And then this season, the second-round pick of the Hawks really blew up and scored 65 times in 63 games. On Friday, the league awarded DeBrincat the Red Tilson Trophy, given to the league's most outstanding player.
He became the third Otters player in four years to be named MOP, joining Connor McDavid (2015) and Connor Brown (2014).
"It's obviously a huge honor, seeing the guys that have won it before me," DeBrincat said. "With that said, I couldn't have done it without the coaching staff, my teammates, my linemates. Dave Brown, the GM.
"All those guys have supported me through everything. A lot of credit (goes) to them for this award."
DeBrincat, who was voted No. 1 on 85 percent of the ballots, became the first Hawks prospect to win the award since Stan Mikita in 1959. Eight others who went on to play for the Hawks have also won, including Glenn Hall, Pit Martin, Doug Gilmour and Brian Campbell. Of the seven future Hawks forwards to win, four went on to amass at least 220 goals in the NHL.
DeBrincat, who will turn 20 on Dec. 18, figures to join a large group of young forwards who will fight for a roster spot and significant ice time next season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him start in the AHL, although he's yet to receive word from the Hawks on their plans for him.
"I need to have a big summer and get stronger and be able to play that pro game," DeBrincat said.
The Hawks drafted DeBrincat 39th overall last June and immediately there were critics wondering if his 5-foot-8 frame can hold up in the NHL. General manager Stan Bowman and vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley aren't worried, though.
"He's not the least bit timid, he's not small," Kelley said in March. "Growing up he's always played with older kids. So he's always been able to compensate. … His core strength is very, very good."
DeBrincat, of course, has heard the criticism for years and simply uses it as motivation to get that much better.
"I've always believed in myself, probably more than other people believed in me," he said. "That kind of brought me to where I am today. If I had doubted myself just like everyone else I probably wouldn't be in this position."
In 191 games over three seasons, DeBrincat racked up 167 goals and 165 assists, becoming the Otters' all-time leading scorer and the leading American goal-scorer in OHL history. He tied a league record this season with a 19-game goal-scoring streak and ended the campaign on a 27-game point streak.
The Otters have reached the OHL championship and hold a 1-0 series lead over Mississauga in their best-of-seven series. Game 2 is Sunday in Erie.
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In good company
Alex DeBrincat became the first Blackhawks prospect to be named the OHL's Most Outstanding Player since Stan Mikita in 1959. These forwards also won the award and later joined the Hawks.
Player, year NHL career stats
Doug Gilmour, 1983 1,474 games; 450 goals
Andre Lacroix, 1965, '66 325 games; 79 goals
Pit Martin, 1962 1,101 games; 324 goals
Stan Mikita, 1959 1,394 games; 541 goals
Hank Ciesla, 1955 269 games; 26 goals
Ed Sandford, 1947 502 games; 106 goals
Tod Sloan, 1946 745 games; 220 goals