3 Stars For Week Ending January 15, 2012

Here are your 3 stars for the week ending January 15, 2012 as voted on by our panel.

1st Star - Eric Locke - Saginaw Spirit : Locke came into the season highly touted and struggled out of the gate with the Barrie Colts but seems to be finding his groove with Saginaw since his trade there. He began the week with a goal in a 5-4 win over the Soo Greyhounds. He followed that up with another goal in a 5-4 loss to the London Knights. He closed out the week with a 2 assist effort, both on the powerplay, in a 4-2 win over Mississauga.

2nd Star - Jake Dotchin - Owen Sound Attack : Dotchin is a defenseman who doesn't get much of the limelight. however, he's been playing steady in a limited role for Owen Sound and thanks to some injuries, got the chance for some more ice time, including on the first powerplay unit. He played in two games, both against Erie. In the first matchup he registered two assists including on the game winner which came on the powerplay. In the rematch he registered another assist, which was also on the powerplay.

3rd Star - Warren Steele - Kingston Frontenacs : Steele doesn't get much credit playing on an inexperienced Frontenacs squad but he has been one of the steadiest Fronts from day one. He had a goal and an assist in an upset win in London, a 4-1 victory. He was held off the score sheet in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Sarnia Sting but was a force defensively. The Fronts then lost 5-2 against the Kitchener Rangers in which he picked up another assist and was once again a force defensively finishing with a plus 1.

As always, you can find previous weeks stars and a list of voters by clicking the 3 stars tab at the top of the page.

Eric Locke Traded

The Barrie Colts are proud to announce today that they have completed a trade with the Saginaw Spirit. 

The Colts obtain forward Anthony Camara and re-acquire defenceman Ryan O’Connor. 

In exchange the Colts send Saginaw forward Eric Locke, goalie Clint Windsor, and three draft picks.

Full Story here

Eric Locke

Eric Locke - Barrie Colts

5'9" - 170 lbs
D.O.B. November 21, 1993

Eric Locke started the 2010-2011 season as a member of the Windsor Spitfires where he scored 14 goals in just 26 games to start the season. He was named the Spitfires player of the week on Oct 18th. Before a trade sent him to the Colts, Locke had played in 38 games for the Spits notching 19 goals and 14 assists.

Locke played in 27 games for a somewhat rebuilding Colts team where he scored 7 goals and added 14 assists to finish the season with 26 goals and 28 assists. He finished the season eighth in rookie scoring. Locke was named the OHL Rookie of the Month for November.

At the end of the season, Locke was selected to play for Team Canada at the IIHF U18 World Championships where he scored twice and added an assist as Canada finished fourth in the tournament.

Locke was selected in the 13th round of the 2009 OHL Priority Draft. In 2010 he led his Mississauga Reps Major Midget AAA to the Telus Cup Championship with 8 points in 7 games en route to being named the tournaments MVP.

Size will be the only going concern for Locke going forward. He is a pure goal scorer with outstanding playmaking skills and a work ethic that is second to none. He plays bigger than his 5'9" frame and not afraid to head to the net and take his punishment. He's a good skater with good speed, possesses a good shot that he gets away quickly. He plays in all situations. He has a high hockey IQ with an uncanny knack of finding open areas where teammates can find him.