Dakota Lamb Junior Review

[dlamb 1,306]

Dakota Lamb

Centre | 6' 1" | 185 lb. | Age: 19 |  |

 

Dakota Lamb is a speedy two-way centre born in Niagara, Ontario, Canada. He is the son of former Edmonton Oilers C Mark Lamb, who won a Stanley Cup in 1990. He has grown up his whole life playing mainly hockey, beginning with the Pelham Panthers. He also played baseball and ball hockey, however ice hockey was always his main passion. 

 

His whole career has taken place in southern Ontario. He dominated as a child and with his high school, which led to him being drafted by the OHL's Niagara IceDogs at age 16. He was not a high pick, however climbed up the depth chart and quickly became a swiss army knife "do it all" type of player. He can quarterback a Powerplay, deflect pucks in front of the net, kill Penalties, play a shutdown C role, or, in his most comfortable spot, be the scoring C you need to get your team a goal. With the IceDogs, he improved every season, scoring more goals and points as each season progressed. His OHL career was capped off with a J. Ross Robertson Cup (OHL Champions) followed by a Memorial Cup win. (CHL Champions)
 

 

After he had done everything you can do in the OHL, he considered his options. There was European leagues that were offering for his services; however Lamb had a conversation with his close family and friends, and he then decided that he did not want to leave North America. There was the NCAA that was offering, as well as his local USports teams, even his hometown Brock University Badgers. This offer was super enticing, however he went against all of his offers and declared for the VHLM draft. 

His agent told him that no VHLM team would be interested in him, and this is the worst career move that Lamb could've made. But Lamb loves to hear criticism like that. He took what his agent said, and got to the grind, skating, working out, becoming the best version of himself before the draft. And oh boy, did it pay off. In the 4th round, 49th overall in the S72 VHLM draft, the Miami Marauders took a shot on the kid from small town southern Ontario, and he could not have been happier. The Marauders had just taken Lamb's close friend Oh Sens, a RW from Japan, who he had met in Juniors, and now he had a chance to play on the same line as him. 

 

Lamb knew he was not going to be a high pick, but the doubters always fuel him. The more people think he can't succeed, he goes out and tries harder and harder. 

In his first VHLM game, Dakota Lamb scored his 1st goal, a moment he will never forget. He is looking forward to helping the expansion Marauders succeed and grow, and hopefully bring a championship to Miami sooner rather than later. We will see what lies ahead for this youngster's career.

(505 words)

[bigAL 2,176]

Way to show the haters that the VHLM can be a good career option too! You'll be in the big league in no time Lamby