NEWS

St. Michael's Buzzers star forward and NHL Draft prospect Matt Buckles (photo credit - Mike Ivall/OJHL Images) was recently featured in the Ontario February edition of Hockey Now.

Below is the article written by Daniel Nugent-Bowman, which can also be viewed on the Hockey Now website by CLICKING HERE.

Rich Ricci can list off several attributes that currently make Matt Buckles an excellent hockey player.

The St. Michael’s Buzzers head coach, general manager and director of hockey operations note Buckles’ pro-level shot, high-end speed, natural goal-scoring ability and physical strength as reasons why the centre currently ranks fifth in Ontario Junior Hockey League scoring.

Then, Ricci thinks about what the 17-year-old will be like when he adds to his 6-2, 210-pound frame.

“He may be close to being a man, now, but he’s still a boy,” said Ricci. “You project him out three or four years when he’s got man-strength and he’s at 220 pounds, he’s going to be a pretty scary guy on the ice coming down on defencemen.”

It’s that projection that has Buckles rated 55th among all skaters by ISS Hockey and 134th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2013 NHL Draft.

Buckles joins Buzzers teammate Troy Josephs as the only OJHL skaters ranked by NHL Central Scouting.

That combination of size and skill was also the impetus for Ricci to acquire Buckles from the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, last May.

A ‘LINDROS’ TYPE

Having spent most of the last 13 years with the Buzzers in some capacity, Ricci believes the organization has leaned towards a roster of smaller, quicker players.

Because the Buzzers call the tiny St. Michael’s College School Arena home, Ricci felt his team needed an ideological change.

He coveted Buckles, sending 1994-born forward Nathan Feric to the Patriots.

“The last real big guy we had was (Eric) Lindros,” said Ricci of the hulking former NHL star, who played for the Buzzers in 1988/89. “I’m not saying Matt is Lindros. But somewhere down the line, he may play a similar game to what Lindros did.”

“I was looking for a power forward, a guy that could take his game to the next level and be dominant scoring-wise,” he added. “Having a guy with his skill set allows a coach a lot more options with some different offensive schemes and special teams play.

“He’s obviously filled that want fairly well.”

Buckles netted 15 goals and 36 points with 76 penalty minutes as an OJHL rookie, last season.

However, while playing for the South Division’s top team in 2012/13, he’s already eclipsed those totals with 38 goals, 68 points and 101 penalty minutes.

Buckles also suited up for the Canada East squad at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge in November in his draft year.

“It was interesting going through a trade for the first time ever,” said Buckles, a Toronto-native. “It worked out for me. I’m really happy here.

“I know it’s a big year with the NHL Draft. But I don’t really focus on getting drafted. It’s more about playing my game, working hard, helping contribute to my team.”

THE COLLEGE ROUTE

Although Buckles has now dressed for two teams in two years, he’s playing in the league he always wanted to be in.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Buckles preferred to play Junior A to remain eligible for an NCAA scholarship.

Buckles was also much slighter when he left the Minor Midget AAA Don Mills Flyers, standing 5-11 and weighing in at 175 pounds.

But he’s since grown on and off the ice to the point where he’s committed to play at Cornell University next season and study economics.

“This route has allowed me to develop a lot,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll only be able to continue my development.

“I want to play in the NHL. Any hockey player does. Whether that’s next year or a couple years down the road, I don’t think I’m in that big of a rush.”

That patient mindset has served Buckles well and will only continue to do so in the future.

Ricci said the draft-eligible pivot needs to improve his skating, most notably his speed and quickness. Ricci added that Buckles’s play away from the puck could use some work, like many teenagers.

But Buckles has taken the right approach. When he makes those adjustments on the ice, and develops “man strength” off the ice, he’ll be even better in the long road.

“He could certainly be a dominant force at the OHL level,” said Ricci. “But the college level is a good one for him because there are still aspects of his game that he needs to sharpen and needs to master.

“He definitely has the skill set and the toolbox to play in the NHL.”