Cree youth tabbed as future NHL star

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It's not too often that a teenager is the toast of the town but Jonathan Cheechoo is not your average teenager.

Cheechoo, a native of Moose Factory, Ont. (pop. 1,800), is being projected as a future National Hockey League player.

His career took a step in the right direction on June 7 when he was chosen in the first round, fifth over-all, by the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft held at Maple Leaf Gardens.

"It's a great opportunity to advance my hockey career," said Cheechoo, who spent the past season with the Kitchener Dutchmen of the Mid-Western Ontario Junior "B" league. "I'm really excited."

Everybody in Moose Factory, which is located on the shores of James Bay, is excited. Especially the Cheechoo family. The northern Ontario town sent one of the largest contingents of supporters to the Gardens on draft day as the first round pick was joined by 17 family members and friends.

"The whole community has known about this weekend and all have wished him the best," said Mervin Cheechoo, after his son was selected by the Bulls. "They were all looking forward to what was going to happen today. Actually, there's quite a few people now that are waiting for phone calls."

Should he do the expected and crack the Bulls' lineup this September, the high scoring Cree forward would become the first player from Moose Factory to suit up for a club in the Major Junior "A" Ontario Hockey League, considered one of the NHL's leading feeder systems.

Though he started skating at age four and competed in Native tournaments while growing up, Cheechoo's campaign with the Dutchmen was only his third season of playing organized hockey. In 43 games with Kitchener, playing in one of the top Junior "B" leagues in the country, he collected 76 points (35 goals, 41 assists), second best on his team.

Prior to joining the Dutchmen, Cheechoo, who turns 17 on July 15, played one season with the Timmons Bantam AAA club and one year with the Kapuskasing Midget AAA side.

"I'm really surprised how quickly things have taken off," the 6'1" 185 pounder said. "It's just like riding a roller coaster."

Belleville's director of player personnel Floyd Crawford is confident Cheechoo will accomplish plenty more.

"He's an elite hockey player," said Crawford, whose son Lou has taken over the Bulls' coaching duties after serving three seasons as an assistant coach in Belleville. "Unless I'm off on my estimation, he's pro material. He's going to prove that by himself."

And the pride of Moose Factory will go through the draft process once again next year; he's eligible for the 1998 NHL entry draft. Should he have a solid rookie campaign with the Bulls, Crawford is confident he'll also be a first-rounder in the pro draft.

Crawford checked his top pick out thoroughly last winter. He saw Cheechoo play about a dozen times.

"He was the go-to guy for the Kitchener Dutchmen," said Crawford, whose other son Marc is the coach of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. "Everything evolved around Jonathan's situation inside the blueline."

Crawford was also pleased with some comments Cheechoo made at the draft. Besides being part of a respected organization, Cheechoo said he's eager to play in Belleville because there's a reserve, Tyendinaga, located less than 20 kilometers east of the city.

"[Jonathan] said 'I love to be surrounded by my brothers' and that really grabbed me," Crawford said.

Cheechoo refused to establish any personal statistical goals for the upcoming season.

"I just want to step in and contribute as much as I can," he said.

Though proud of his Aboriginal background, Cheechoo is hoping others don't make that the focus.

"I'm just trying to be one of the guys and contribute the same way they are," he said.

Mervin and Carol Cheechoo are understandably ecstatic about their eldest son's accomplishment.

"We're surprised in some ways but not a whole lot," said his mother. "[Getting to the OHL] has been a goal of his for a lon time and he's been working hard at it. He's been putting a whole-hearted effort into it."

His father echoed that thought.

"He's a very hard worker and he's very disciplined," he said. "And I think he deserves a day like today because of his hard work, commitment and dedication. And for his love of the game. He really likes playing hockey."