20
TOTAL SPORTS QUINTE
A TALE OF TWO QUINTE BOYS A CASE STUDY FOR PARENTS
By Randy Uens Total Sports Often it is set at a year or two guaranteed with extra years added on based on service while others get a full four years covered upon signing.
Photo: Ed McPherson OJHL Images Panetta #12 of the Wellington Dukes
A life in hockey is a dream for many Canadian athletes. How you accomplish that goal is up for debate. Traditionally, Canadian players looked immediately to CHL and Major Junior Hockey as the primary route to reach their goals of playing the sport they love professionally. As hockey has evolved, players have more choices and alternative routes to achieve these goals have become more prevalent. Nothing illustrates this fact more than the stories of Daniel Panetta and Cam Supryka. Panetta and Supryka will forever be connected. Lifelong friends, teammates and neighbours, the pair were bound by a bonded past which saw them go to school together, live next door to each other, play hockey together from TimBit to Midget minor and then both to be drafted by the Peterborough Pete’s in the OHL draft. Following the draft they each took very different paths. “We have been friends forever,” says Panetta. Soupy and I started playing together in TimBit and it all ended when we were drafted together to Peterborough”. That celebration culminated with Supryka, drafted in the 3rd round and Panetta drafted in the fourth round dancing around in excitement in front of their houses after they were both selected by the Pete’s in the 2017 OHL Draft. ”We had a pretty good team in minor midget that won the bronze medal at the OMHA championships. We were ranked in the top 10 for most of the year in Ontario. Said Panetta, “ Ten guys were drafted to the OHL from our team. To get drafted to the OHL was a validation of all the work we had put in up to that point.” Supryka echoed that sentiment, “Being around the OHL with my dad, (Former Assistant coach in the OHL ) the OHL was always my goal. To get there was a dream come true.”Supryka immediately signed with Peterborough and completed a standard education package that guaranteed him four years of school should he not be signed to an NHL contract. It was at this point the lifelong friends took different paths. Panetta’s brother Jacob had committed to Colgate University in the NCAA and was enjoying a successful start to his NCAA career. Colgate coaching staff had made very strong overtures early that they would like to commit to the younger Panetta for a full scholarship to the prestigious “Small Ivy” school that plays in the ECAC. “After seeing the games and the atmosphere at my brother’s games as well as the priority my parents placed on education, I felt that this was the right path for me. These are the difficult decisions families must make often early in their young players’ careers. CHL “Schoolboy packages” vary team to team and are dependent on what round you are drafted in.
Other nuances include timelines to utilize the package, amount of the yearly dollar value and whether it is all encompassing or just books and tuition. Standard timelines are that you must use the package within 18 months of completing your tenure with the OHL Club. There is anecdotal evidence of this timeline being extended by some teams allowing players to make a go of it playing pro. If they sign an NHL contract the School Boy package is null and void or it can be activated once the player feels their opportunities to play NHL are not available at a particular point. Many players will complete their CHL tenure then move into USports, Canadian University hockey, by accessing the money accumulated in the education agreement. Although the value of the Schoolboy packages vary, it is usually based on the tuition fees of the university closest to where you live. You are not forced to attend that school, but your value of your package is often based on these metrics. “The OHL is the fastest route to pro for a player. I wanted to be a pro and focus 100% of my effort into becoming that player.” Said Supryka.
Sacrifices are made. Cameron signed with Peterborough in his rookie year and saw limited action while being farmed out to the Lindsay Muskies in the OJHL. “It was tough moving from home at first but I was anxious to get going and determined to prove myself. I learned a lot that first year about what it takes to play in the OHL.” Panetta on the other hand stayed at home. Deciding to pursue the NCAA route precluded him from joining the Pete’s. Panetta signed with the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL, which saw him, take a significant role on the team as it worked its way to a league title and a spot in the National Championship RBC Cup final. “Having that experience as a sixteen year old was so valuable. Playing with older guys and understanding what it takes, especially during a long playoff run made me want to be a pro even more.” Blessed with a strong work ethic and good speed, Panetta has seen first hand what it takes to be a pro. Andrew Shaw, his first cousin, is the personification of an underdog, in that he got to the NHL due to hard work and tenacity, something Daniel has in abundance. Supryka, a smooth skating and skilled defenceman never found a permanent role in Peterborough with its deep defence corps. Supryka was traded to the Hamilton Bulldogs, a young and talented team that was in a bit of a rebuild. “Getting a chance to play more, especially with a large group of younger players was great. Hamilton treated me great and I appreciate the opportunities that I received while playing there.” Supryka was on the radar for the 2020 NHL draft but was passed by in the annual cattle call. “It was a little disappointing but at the same time it was only my first year of eligibility for the draft. I can’t control what happens in those situations but it does inspire me to continue to work harder and get stronger to realize my goals of playing pro. Continued next page ....
