Tyler Challenger signed his OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Eerie Otters on Tuesday.
"Signing with the Otters is a dream come true," said Challenger. "It's an honor to join such a great organization."
While I could sit around and make challenging puns (trust me they can go on for pages) lets instead get down to brass tacks.
The 16-year-old forward is 6'2" and weighs 195 pounds. The size alone would be an asset to a young player, but Challenger scored 38 goals and tallied 45 assists for a total of 83 points in 68-games played last season.
He averaged 1.2 points per game during the season, and scored four goals and three assists for a total of seven points in six games during the OHL Cup.
"Everyone knows when he's on the ice," said Darrell Woodley of OHL Central Scouting. "He drives the net hard, goes to those dirty areas that a lot of players don't go to. His game is going to project very well in the OHL."
He projects as a solid power forward with great upside. Though its his size that made scouts turn their heads, that size would be useless without skill to go with it. Challenger also possesses a strong skillset that often catches opponents by surprise.
Not only is Challenger a great offensive talent, he competes in all three zones.
"Tyler is a 200-foot player that plays the game the right way," said Devin Brown, Director of Scouting for the Erie Otters. "The coaching staff will be very happy; he'll play in all three zones. He's someone we've had our eyes on for a long time."
Challenger says that he tries to model his game after Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6bwg3QHNik[/embed]
Challenger joins an Otters roster that includes Malcolm Spence, Pano Fimis and last year's first over all pick Matthew Schaefer.
The Otters finished fifth in the Western Conference last season and secured a playoff birth.
Though they were eliminated in the first round by the Kitchener Rangers in a six game series, the Otter's roster gained valuable experience heading into the upcoming season.
Challenger will step into a roster that seems ready to make some waves.
Like all rookies, Challenger will need to earn his ice time and adjust to the faster style of play in the OHL. Fans can expect that the electric young forward will be ready for the challenge (I just couldn't resist).