Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Apprehension during Friday’s OHL Priority Selection draft eventually gave way to pure joy for Cal Uens when the Owen Sound Attack called his name in the third round, 42nd overall.
The Napanee defenceman admitted to getting a little nervous watching the draft with his family as the picks continued to scroll along. In the end it couldn’t have unfolded any better.
“If I’m being completely honest, as the night was going on I wasn’t expecting it to be such a long night,” said Uens. “It actually turned out to be a really great night because believe it or not, Owen Sound was my number one choice. I was super excited to be able to go there, it’s a great program and I’m actually lucky enough one of my best friends, Corbin Votary, was actually drafted there last year so it’s a cherry on top.”
Uens will have the opportunity to once again prevent goals in front of his former Quinte Red Devils goaltender and fellow Napanee native.
The 16-year-old Uens had 14 goals and 51 assists while playing for the AAA Quinte Red Devils U15 squad in 2019-20. Though his U16 season was cancelled due to the pandemic, the Attack scouting staff evidently liked what they saw in his last full season.
Prior to joining the Devils, Uens developed his love for the game as a product of the Napanee Stars. He began his career as a forward but switched to the blue line midway through his U15 season.
“I was very fortunate to have lots of good coaches growing up,” said Uens. “I had my minor midget coach Tyler Longo come back and he helped coach in Napanee. Freddy Sutcliffe, Randy Holmes, they’re all really hockey minded guys and really helped keep me on the right track and help me get to the next level.”
Uens is yet to discuss his next step with the team but it appears as though he’s in the immediate future plans for the club.
“Cal should be impactful right away,” said Attack head scout/director of player development Sean Lafortune, according to the Attack team website. “He plays with high end pace that projects to be a power-play quarter back in his time with the team.”
As it stands right now, OHL players are expected to report to training camps Sept. 4 with the season scheduled to begin Oct. 7.
In their most recent season played in 2019-20, the Attack went 30-24-4-4 to finish fourth in their division before falling four games to one in the conference quarter-finals.