Alec Belanger was the 44th overall pick in the 2018 OHL Draft, going to the Ottawa 67’s. Our scouts had Alec ranked as the #43rd ranked prospect in the OHL Draft described him as mobile, puck moving, two way defenseman with good instincts and versatile skill set. He has shown he can stand out among an elite group of his peers.
For Belanger, he played for the Barrie Jr. Colts and was able to get noticed. He knew he was going to get drafted but didn’t know where. “I woke at 3 am the night of the draft because I couldn’t sleep anymore and sat in front of my TV. I went through all the possible scenarios that could happen over and over. Then when the draft started I sat on the couch with my mom, dad, and my sister. We waited patiently for my name to be called. Then at pick 44 my phone blew up and I started panicking, I refreshed the draft day website, and saw my name pop up beside the 67’s logo. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life.”
Looking back on his OHL debut, “The day of my first game with the 67’s was exciting and definitely worth the wait. I surprisingly was not nervous because it was an opportunity I was physically and mentally ready for. I remember the solo lap I had to do at the start of warmup and it is an experience I’ll never forget.” We asked what went through his head as he pulled the jersey on for the first time, “I felt honored and lucky because I know there are so many kids my age that would love to be in my position and didn’t quite make it. For that reason I am grateful to everyone who has helped me get here.”
The Quebec native takes us through his recruiting process and how his decision to sign with the 67’s. “I had not made up my mind on OHL or NCAA until a week before the draft when I attended the OHL combine and realized it was the league I wanted to play in. What attracted me the most was being able to receive the education package while playing in one of the most prestigious junior leagues in the world.” Alec values education and intends to one day apply to law school to become a lawyer.
Commenting on the season so far, “The rest of the season has been filled with challenges, adversity, and opportunity I have done my best to meet. Playing in Junior A while my friends and teammates are up in Major Junior is hard. It’s been challenging, but I’m with one of the best organizations in the CHL, and with some of the best players and people I have ever met. For that I am grateful.”
Alec’s journey to the OHL has had its ups and downs, “Since my dad is in the military we moved twice throughout my childhood. I moved from Quebec when I was 2 years old to Alberta. In Alberta I played for the Morinville Mustangs and in the summer of my novice year I made Team Brick Alberta to play in the Brick Invitational Super Novice tournament in Edmonton.” Their second move was to Barrie, Ontario when Alec 10 years old, “When I moved to Barrie. . . I played 1 year with the York Simcoe Express AAA program and switched from center to defense.” Alec tells us about the position switch, “[It was the] toughest challenge for me in hockey. . . because I had to go from a offense only mindset to a two-way defenseman mindset.”
Alec attributes his success to his parents, stating, “The biggest influence in my hockey career has, without a doubt, been my mom and my dad. They were always there to support me and they never shied away from letting me know when I made a mistake or when I played well.”
Alec has played in 10 games, this season, with the Ottawa 67’s and has recorded 2 assists. The 67’s are at the top of the standings in the OHL and look poised for a Memorial Cup run.
Photo credit: Hickling Images
