A native of Manitoulin Island and first round draft pick of the Ottawa 67’s last spring, Kohyn Eshkawkogan was recently named to the OHL First All-Rookie team. The 16 year-old defenseman netted four goals and 16 assists in his first year in the league, becoming the first 67’s player since Travis Konecny (2013-2014) to receive the honour.

“I got lots of ice time, so that was great – and getting to learn from the older players, that really helped me,” said Eshkawkogan, who suited up for the Manitoulin Panthers, Copper Cliff Redmen and Nickel City Sons before heading south, drafted out of the North York Rangers organization as the 21st overall selection in 2024.

A 5’11” 180 pound blue-liner, Eshkawkogan prides himself on maintaining a very high hockey IQ – as well as being fleet of foot, an absolute must on the back end unit of any OHL team.

“You’ve got to be a pretty smooth skater to avoid the checks of those big forwards coming in full speed to try and kill you,” he said with a laugh. “And you have to have your heads up at all times.”

While his offensive game was a definite forte coming in – Eshkawkogan recorded 65 points in 76 games in his U16 AAA season – the young man who earned a silver medal at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge in November also displayed a solid grasp of junior hockey play in his own end of the rink.

“I think my defensive game has been pretty good,” he said. “There’s a couple of minor things that my defensive coach wants me to clean up.”