Oshawa Generals sixth overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Owen Griffin has officially scored his first career OHL goal, a long time coming for the rookie.
Owen Griffin was selected sixth overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection by the Oshawa Generals.
As a first round pick, Griffin is expected to come in and play in the OHL immediately. 59 games later, he has scored his first career major junior goal.
He couldn't seem to wipe the smile off of his face after the goal, as it was a long time coming for the rookie.
Griffin is a natural centre who was used to playing in every game situation for the York-Simcoe Express in U16 AAA. He was able to dominate with his speed and offensive creativity on a nightly basis. In the OHL, this has not come as easy to him.
He has been stuck in the Generals bottom-six, as most rookies are. But it has taken Griffin time to adapt to this role and make a need for himself in the lineup. He has begun to fill the role of a high-energy grinder on the bottom line. Griffin definitely has the speed and pace to play at this level, and he has begun to use that on the forecheck and when pressuring opponents. He's starting to get the puck deeper and win more battles by using his quickness and high energy.
This adaptation period not only happens in the OHL, but in the NHL as well. The quicker that rookies can learn that they are not going to be a go-to player at all times, the better utility players they become.
Yesterday, we got a taste of Griffin's offensive upside with his first career OHL goal. He picked the puck up with speed — as he always does — and he was able to take advantage of the odd-man break.
Don't let his numbers fool you, Owen Griffin will be a very talented player at the OHL level and he has taken some big strides this season. In his draft year next season, don't be surprised if Griffin comes out of the gates and puts up similar draft seasons to his teammates Calum Ritchie and Beckett Sennecke.