Garden River First Nation player taken first over-all in OHL Under-18 draft
By Sam Laskaris
GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION – Lincoln Moore is doing his best to make the most of his second chance.
Like countless other teen hockey players, Moore, a member of Garden River First Nation in northern Ontario, had his entire 2020-21 season wiped out because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, Moore had zero opportunities to showcase his skills last year. Unable to prove himself to any scouts, Moore was not selected in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection draft, which featured players in their Under-16 season.
Since 2017, however, the OHL has also had an Under-18 draft. And Moore, who turns 17 on Sept. 25, did not have to wait long to hear his name called in that event.
In fact, the Michigan-based Saginaw Spirit, one of three American clubs in the OHL, made Moore the top pick over-all in the draft, held in early May.
Moore had spent the 2021-22 campaign starring with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Great North Midget League. He collected 37 points (18 goals and 19 assists) in 24 games and was chosen not only as the league’s top forward, but its MVP as well.
Prior to the draft, Moore said he had spoken to his agent, Garnet Ace from Mississauga-based Newport Sports Management, who had told him there were rumblings he would be a first-round selection.
“But to be first overall, I definitely wasn’t expecting that,” Moore said.
Moore has already had a taste of what OHL life is like. He was one of 22 players that attended the Spirit development camp held May 21-22 in Saginaw.
Moore said team officials praised his efforts at that two-day event.
“They thought I exceeded expectations,” he said.
Moore’s performance also earned him an invitation to Saginaw’s main training camp this coming August.
“I’m really excited about that,” he said. “But I still have to go to the camp and make the team.”
Moore believes he can make the jump to the OHL.
“I think I am ready,” said Moore, a 6-foot-1, 187-pound right winger. “I think I have all the tools to be a player in the OHL.”
Moore is comfortable with his current playing weight, but during the off-season, he’d like to develop more muscle.
Plus, he believes he might not be done growing yet.
“I had a two-inch growth spurt about two months ago,” he said.
Besides playing for his Greyhounds’ squad this past season, Moore also suited up for five games (including a playoff contest) for the Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds, a Junior A club which ended up winning the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League title.
Moore also was a member of the Team Ontario male team that captured the gold medal at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, which concluded May 14 in Membertou, N.S.
Moore is believed to be the first Indigenous player taken first overall in an OHL draft.
“It’s an honour, obviously,” he said. “It’s really special.”
Though he’s still a teen, Moore realizes he’s also a role model for other younger Indigenous players.
“There’s little kids looking up to me,” he said. “And I’m ready to put on a show.”