Rising NHL star Owen Power values importance of OHL Cup showcase
- Brandon Caputo
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Brandon Caputo
@BCaputo_AGM
Tim Cornett/OHL Images
Defenceman Owen Power was the first overall selection in the 2021 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and recently signed a seven-year contract extension worth $58,450,000, but the now 22-year-old Mississauga native in his third full professional hockey season in Buffalo looks back fondly on his minor hockey days with the Mississauga Reps of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, having the opportunity to compete in the prestigious OHL Cup tournament back in 2018.
“It is probably the biggest tournament of the minor hockey calendar,” Power said. “For me, it was a lot of fun. Obviously, you got all the best teams in Ontario there and I think when I was there, they had some star-studded teams so it was a lot of fun and pretty cool to see all the top guys of that age and that area come and play in a competitive tournament.”
Minor Hockey Memories
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Power spent three seasons moving up with the Mississauga Reps program from 2015-2018, captaining the team in his final minor hockey season to an appearance in the OHL Cup with 28 points in 33 games from the backend. Power and his hometown Mississauga team went on to have a strong showing in arguably the biggest prize in minor hockey, finishing sixth out of 20 teams with three wins and two losses over five contests, holding a perfect 100% penalty kill efficiency.
Power spoke of the importance of big tournaments like the OHL Cup being able to showcase the talent available on a big stage for scouts and team representatives at the next level such as the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), United States Hockey League (USHL) or at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level, as well as to see how they stack up to the best competition in their age groups.
“It's huge,” Power said. “Anytime you play in big games like that, in competitive games, it's great for those guys to be able to go play and be on a bigger stage than what it's been their whole life, so it's definitely something I think prepares them the best they can to go play at the next level.”
New Opportunities for the Next Generation
E.Bronson/Michigan Photography/mgoblue.com
Power was originally selected by the Flint Firebirds with the 22nd overall pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection but was one of the bigger names to turn down going through the Canadian Hockey League ranks, deciding to go the route of the USHL with the Chicago Steel from 2018-2020 in order to keep his NCAA eligibility, before ultimately choosing to commit to the University of Michigan for the 2020-2021 season with it being his important NHL Draft eligible year.
Power believes that the vote in which was passed by the NCAA Division I Council back in November of 2024, allowing players to keep their Division I eligibility while being able to play in any of the three CHL leagues (Western Hockey League, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League) beginning August 1, 2025, will be a great thing for the sport, player opportunities and the overall talent pool available for teams to compete as opposed to being forced to make a tough choice like Power made back in 2018.
“I think it’s very important,” Power said. “For the kids it's so good because when you're 15 or 16 and have to make a huge decision like that; for them to now be able to have options, it’s awesome for the kids and their development. I know it would have made it a lot easier when I was going through the same process.”
Power spoke about it not being a real topic of conversation within the room with his teammates at that time, despite being something they all thought about in the back of their minds with decisions needing to be made but says it may be more of an open book now with players being able to have many more options and opportunities throughout their unique paths of junior hockey development as the landscape of the sport continues to evolve.
“I don't think it's something we really talked about too much other than with your family,” Power said. “I think for me at least in the locker room the guys didn’t talk too much as mostly went the OHL route. It definitely wasn't overly talked then but this is a great step forward for the game, great for the for the kids playing now, and for the kids going through in the future it's going to be a lot of fun to see.”
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Lastly, Power spoke on the inaugural CHL-USA Prospects Challenge that took place last November 27th and 28th in London and Oshawa, Ontario with some of the best draft eligible players on display in front of a National television audience in Canada and the United States, in front of hundreds of scouts. Not to mention the event taking place at two of the best rinks and most storied franchise’s that the CHL has to offer in Canada Life Place; home of the London Knights and Tribute Communities Centre; home of the Oshawa Generals.
“I think it's awesome,” Power said. “It was their first year doing it so it was exciting to see and to be able to showcase some of the best guys in North America playing against each other at the same age. I’m sure it was a lot of fun for them and something that's really good for the kids but also just for growing the game of hockey in general.”
The 2025 OHL Cup begins March 24-28, featuring the top 20 U16 AAA teams from Ontario and the United States. All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto with the Championship Final taking place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Friday, March 28.
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