Kaelen Rudyk is a coach’s dream and an opponent’s nightmare.
The 16-year-old defenceman for the Niagara North Stars puts his 6-foot-3 frame to good use in his own zone while being a good teammate who doesn’t mind leaving the offensive accolades to others.
“I think my strengths are definitely on the defensive side of the puck,” the Grade 10 student at Greater Fort Erie Secondary School said. “I’m a big D-zone guy. I like to throw the body around. I’m a big guy, so I have a big stick, and I like to use it to my advantage.
“Getting goals is obviously fun, but shutting down goals is even better. If you keep the puck out of your net, nine times out of 10, you’re going to win the game.”
Rudyk had a solid season for the North Stars, collecting two goals and 11 points in 29 regular season games before adding five goals and eight points in six playoff contests.
“Kaelen is a big, physical defender who showed steady improvement throughout the season,” North Stars coach Jay Glenney said. “As his confidence grew, so did his role and overall impact on the team. He proved especially effective when positioned net-front on the power play, using his size to create presence and opportunities. His skating ability also allows him to join the rush effectively, adding an offensive dimension to his game while maintaining his defensive reliability.”
Rudyk was satisfied with his progress in his draft year.
“I think I played very well,” he said. “It’s a team game, and we definitely had the guys to go far, and we did go far. So it was a great year. It was probably my best year.”
Rudyk, who also plays lacrosse with the Pelham Raiders and Orange Crush in Buffalo, is trying to keep the Ontario Hockey League draft, which will be held June 12-13 in Kingston, in perspective.
“I try not to think too much about it. If I get drafted, it’s great, but if I don’t, I’m just going to try to make my way to the next level, however I can. It’s going to be cool to see if I can and just work hard if I don’t.”
Rudyk has had contact with four OHL clubs.
“It’s been great; it’s been surreal,” he said. “It’s been a dream for me since I was a little kid, so it’s obviously a little nerve-wracking talking to teams, but it’s been a fun experience for sure. They want to know like what kind of person you are on and off the ice, what kind of teammate you are, if you’re coachable, all that kind of stuff.”
Rudyk is a native of Tampa Bay who moved to Fort Erie when he was five years old.
“My mom lived in Fort Erie and my dad lived in Port when they were younger. We have family around here and friends around here, so that’s why we moved back,” he said.
Rudyk was on skates in Florida and began organized hockey when he moved to Canada, reaching the AAA level in his U14 season.
He is committed to a lacrosse tournament the weekend of the draft.
“If I get drafted and I’m on the floor, I’m going to tell my dad to yell at me,” he chuckled.
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