D Aaron Ekblad - Barrie Colts, OHL (2014 Draft)
 

"Ekblad is first 15 year old since John Tavares to be granted exceptional status. Now eligible for OHL draft in May."

-Per Bob McKenzie


I'm personally a bit surprised they allowed it, but at 6'3 200lbs, this kid certainly has star potential. Can't wait to see him play.

He is the best defenceman playing minor midget right now, regardless of his 96 birth date. Not shocking, I thought it would come.

6'3 already rofl

Congrats, Barrie should be happy with him for the next 3+ years.

Good lord the kid is massive. Can't wait to see what he can do.

Sick. Is he 2014 draft eligible?

2015. Late 96 I belive.

Feb 7th, 1996, he is a 2014.

I remember everyone before when they were debating him getting exceptional he was 2015 but doesn't really matter.

Either way long time from now.

**** man how is a 15 year old 6'3 200?

Hunter Smith of Windsor is a 95 birth year who is 6'6' 200.

Ive seen one 15 year old in his draft year at 6'8" 200. Its amazing.

Man what the hell are they feeding kids these days. Geez.

Just turned 15 a month ago too.

Basically, we feed them what we feed to our cattle. Hormones and growth supplements.

As if thats not good enough, we feed both our people and our livestock genetically modified plant material (corn/wheat/etc).

And to make sure that those products makes it on a 3,000 mile trip and look good while doing it, we sprinkle on some chemical preservatives and taste/coloring additives.

Yum.

This kid needs to settle the hell down with the growing

Does the kid live around the Fukushima nuclear plant? I have this theory....

The next Zdeno Chara? I mean, he's still growing. WTF.

how does he compare to players like Nurse and subban?

There is no comparison. He is one of only three players to get exceptional OHL status with the others being Spezza and Tavares. Enough said.

I'm pretty sure even Bob Mac said this morning he is 2015

If I recall, Spezza didn't get exceptional status. He was allowed to play for his hometown team as a 15 year old, just like Rico Fata with the Soo back in the 1990's. Tavares, as far as I know, is the only other player who received exceptional status.

He did not on Twitter.

Sports Centre?

If someone who is born in 93, before September is eligible for the 2011 Draft, then by extension, a 96 born before September would then be eligible for the draft three years later.

Therefore, he is a 2014.

His birthdate is Feb 7th, 1996.

Your right. He was drafted a year after playing a year with the Battalion. The rule at the time was that players could play with their hometown OHL teams if they where deemed good enough by the team.
Spezza moved from Mississauga to Brampton to play the year with the Battalion, who was a strong team at the time.

Its a common mistake reported in the papers.

Ok it wasn't Bob. I know I saw it on twitter this morning.

Its an error. Only way he would be 2015 eligible is if he was born after Sept. 15th, 1996.