By Mike Beasley /
The Central Junior A Hockey League’s Smiths Falls Bears Junior A hockey team continues to be a pipeline to the NHL for professional prospects.
A couple of years ago, the franchise had three players selected by NHL clubs.
At the 2008 NHL Draft, Bears defencemen Mike Bergin (Dallas Stars), Mike Borowiecki (Ottawa Senators) and F Nicholas Tremblay (Boston Bruins) had their names called.
This year, there’s a chance that another Bears player, D Dustin Darou, will get the call from the NHL.
Darou is listed as a “B Player to Watch” after skating with the Bears for the past three seasons.
“It’s pretty special to have that kind of recognition but I still have to play my best every game and get better,” Darou said.
The Perth, Ont.-native turned 18-years-old last October. This year, Darou picked up 32 points and 103 penalty minutes—so you know he likes to play a physical game.
In his first year in the CJHL, Darou was part of a Bears team that had seven players attain NCAA scholarships, something which the hard-nosed 6-1, 208-pound blueliner is looking to finalize.
“That year was quite an experience; it was my rookie season plus I had the chance to play with some very good players. I wouldn’t be the player that I am today without them.
They showed me what it takes to be considered a quality player, potential NCAA recruit and how well you have to play and behave to earn a scholarship. There’s a lot of hard work on- and off-the-ice and in the classroom.”
Darou has been on a couple of visits to NCAA campuses this season and has discussed some opportunities but has not committed to any school.
The rugged rear-guard has been a CJHL All-Star on a couple of occasions already and skated for Team Canada East at the 2009 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Summerside, P.E.I., last November.
He loved the challenge of playing against his peers in both scenarios and enjoyed the excitement that surrounds those types of games and events.
“It’s always a good test when you’re competing against the best players in your league, other leagues or other countries. It’s only natural to see how you compare to them and determine if you are better.”
If you ask Bill Bowker (Smiths Falls Bear GM and head coach) what he thinks of Darou the first words out of his mouth are, “talented and very strong.”
Bowker was at the helm of Smiths Falls when the “Super Seven” graduated to the NCAA two years ago.
He sees the same potential in Darou as an NCAA player and a pro.
“Dustin is one of the best defencemen in our league,” Bowker said without any hesitation.
“He is probably the best passer in the CJHL and can read and react better than anybody else.
Dustin is so strong that on some nights, he is a man playing among boys.”
The possibility exists that Darou will be back in Smith Falls next year patrolling the Bears blueline.
With the regular season coming to an end and the Bears out of the playoffs for the first time in his Junior career, there will be time for Darou to contemplate upon what may lay ahead in regards to his hockey career.
Will he skate in the CJHL again or will the NCAA come calling?
Who knows, he may even be playing professional hockey somewhere next season. |