A local goalie has been handed a huge boost in his pursuit of a professional career after being drafted by the Ottawa 67’s in the May 7 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) priority draft.
Karsten Pankhurst, a goaltender who trained with the Carleton Ravens last year, was selected by the 67’s in the 15th and final round, in his last year of eligibility.
“I’m really excited to be handed such a great opportunity in Ottawa,” Pankhurst said in a phone interview from his summer cabin in the Muskokas.
“I was told to come to camp and fight for a spot. I was told I’d be given a chance so I’m going to go for it.”
Initially, Pankhurst had been a part of the Plymouth Whalers program in the OHL, which caused some problems when he started attending Carleton last year.
“It was hard to drive there every weekend and not necessarily start.”
Pankhurst said getting picked by the 67’s is a great opportunity and hoped the proximity to his new club would benefit his university education.
Another deciding factor was the presence of Ravens and 67’s goalie coach Tom Dempsey.
“I enjoyed working with [Dempsey] and that really helped my decision,” Pankhurst said.
“Sometimes, we may lose a goalie, and we wanted someone good enough to come in and play,” said 67’s general manager Brian Kilrea.
Kilrea acknowledged that Pankhurst faces a fight for a starting spot but suggests he would be able to stake his claim for a goaltending job if starting goalie Petr Mrazek gets called up for the IIHF World U20 Championship in December.
Kilrea admitted it was risky drafting a 19-year-old goalie but said he has faith in Pankhurst’s skill.
“We knew he was a good goalie and we needed capable goalies.”
Pankhurst tried out for the Ravens men’s hockey team last summer but didn’t make the cut.
“We saw potential but he wouldn’t have been in our line up. He wanted to develop so he trained with us,” said Ravens head coach Marty Johnston.
Pankhurst played for the Ottawa West Golden Knights Junior ‘B’ team last year, while attending training sessions with the Ravens.
Johnston, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League graduate, also acknowledged that Pankhurst would face a fight for the starting spot for the 67’s but felt the netminder had some invaluable assets to put on display.
“He definitely has the right attitude and commitment to succeed,” he said.
