By Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Sports
Emmet Pierce has reached a deal with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, agreeing to the league’s Standard Player Agreement.
The 16-year-old Napanee native was selected by London in the fourth round of this year’s OHL Priority Draft earlier this year, following a 22-goal, 35-assist season with the Triple-A Quinte Red Devils. Along with a scoring touch, the right winger has a tall, sturdy frame, listed at 6’6 and 192 pounds.
The deal was made official Wednesday and Pierce says he’s already had a chat with Knights GM Rob Simpson as they laid out their plans for his rookie season.
“I’m actually going to be playing Junior B this year and just going to be up and down with the (Knights) whenever they need me,” said Pierce.
He’ll likely open the season with the Strathroy Rockets of the GOJHL.
The Knights are coming off yet another strong season, having gone 46-15-3-4, reaching the league’s semifinals; the year before that they were Memorial Cup champions.
“It’s such a great and reputable organization,” Pierce said of the Knights. “They’ve accomplished many great things and took many great players to the NHL, and that’s where I’m trying to get.”
Superstars such as Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, Max Domi, Rick Nash and John Taveras are just some of the names that donned a Knights jersey in recent years before reaching the NHL.
Pierce said he was hoping he could absorb as much information and advice as he could from the coaching staff during last week’s skate in the Knights’ training camp. Though many of their top prospects were in NHL camp at the time, he’ll attempt to learn what he can when he does get the call to the OHL.
“They’ve already been in my shoes,” Pierce said of the opportunity to chat with veterans. “They’ve taken steps to get where they are now and I’m just going to try and learn from them.”
As it stands, the Knights currently list 15 players on their roster that have been drafted by NHL clubs. Though it makes for a deep roster, it could also bode well for Pierce as space may become available should those parent clubs make a call-up.
Along with the opportunity to hone his skills at an elite level, the OHL Standard Player Agreement will give Pierce access to the league’s education fund as well a monthly allowance for standard living expenses.