Otis Boudreaux Jr - A Good Month or What?

[Ozzy Batty 275]

Otis Boudreaux Jr, Now That is a Good Month!

 

(Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) Otis Boudreaux Jr, the young Irish kid on the Saskatoon Wild, is starting to make a name for himself. For those who do not remember, OB Jr was drafted with the 1st selection of the third round of the VHLM Season 88 Draft. This relatively unknown youngster had been on the World Junior Showcase team and had not done much to catch the attention of the VHLM General Managers. 

His career in Saskatoon had not been much to notice, with only 7 goals and 7 assists in over 20 games. But then things took a quick turn. It started off with the phone call from the VHLM Commissioner to notify him that he had been voted onto the league All-Star team. When OB Jr was asked what he did when he got off of the phone, his big grin said it all, "I called home!" 

It was not unusual to see him going into the practice arena at 430 AM every day and not leaving until 10 PM at night. The trainers tell how he asks them to leave the ice baths full, that he would empty and clean them. He also likes to have a selection of ointments and liniments to treat achy muscles. But yet he is back there the next morning, no matter the weather, no matter the outcome of the game the night before. The staff at the arena admit they have given him his own key to the facility so they dont have to come and let him in so early. 

It looks like the hard work has paid off in more ways than just getting the All-Star selection. The Wild played 12 games over the last month, and even though the team ended the stretch with only 4 victories, the young Irish Kid has started to show flashes of what he just might be capable of. He scored 10 goals, bringing him to a team leading tie with Monty Burns, both with 17 goals. He also helped the team with 6 more assists. The highlight for OB Jr had to be his first ever hat trick in a losing effort against Mexico City. The Irish Kid has found his groove...and it looks nice to us!

The sad part about a youngster that develops like that is how he will basically improve his way out of Saskatoon. The youngster is improving by leaps and bounds so it will be interesting to see if he is allowed to stay in Saskatoon for one more season of if he will be off to bigger and better things in the VHLE.

 

Word Count: 433
Claimed: Week ending 23 Apr