Moving on up: Local hockey player prepares to move on to bigger things next season

If things go the way he plans, Cody Drover has played his last game as an EVH Eagle.

The 16-year-old forward from Grand Falls-Windsor is slated to be drafted in this summer’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft, a huge stepping stone in furthering his hockey career.

The rankings, compiled by Central Scouting for the QMJHL, have Drover ranked as a probable mid-round selection.

Drover says to be drafted would be a big step for his future.

“It’s pretty unreal, I never thought I’d be ranked at all,” he said. “All the hard work I’ve put in over the years is finally paying off.”

Drover had a standout season this year, both with the Central AAA IcePak and with the Exploits Valley High Eagles. After posting 57 points in 26 games, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the NL Major Midget league. He was also a big part of the Eagles amazing season, in which they dominated high school hockey both province and nationwide, winning four championships.

Despite all the accolades, Drover says it is hard for players from Newfoundland to get the recognition they deserve from higher levels of hockey.

He points to the time and money required from scouts to travel to Newfoundland to watch players for a weekend. The only chance out-of-province scouts got to look at Drover was at the Monctonian tournament in Moncton, NB earlier this winter.

However, with several Newfoundland players such as Zach O’Brien, Brandon Hynes, and Travis Randell having successful season in the QMJHL this season, Drover believes scouts may be more interested in what our province has to offer.

“It gives us more of a name. They’re up there doing well, and scouts are starting to look at the talent down here and see that we have a pretty good program.”

Drover began playing hockey at the age of four with the encouragement of his dad, who is a big hockey fan. He’s been helping his son along ever since.

“He’s been pushing me all the way through to get better, go to camps and get that extra time in so I can improve.”

Terry Goulding, who has been coaching Drover from the beginning, says his attitude towards the game is what sets him apart from other players.

“He just loves to play,” said Goulding. “There’s not a game of hockey available to him that he won’t go to.”

Drover is quick to give credit to his long-time coach for much of the success he’s enjoyed over the years.

“Terry Goulding coached me the whole way up through; he’s really helped me out.  He taught me a lot about hockey.”

Despite the personal awards, championship banners, and draft talk, Drover remains a modest kid on and off the ice. He said he didn’t expect to win the Major Midget MVP award, and recognizes that he still has a lot of work to do to have success at the next level.

Despite scoring three goals in a game in front of a PEI Rocket scout last season, the scout still told Drover he needs to get bigger to perform at the next level. Since then, he’s been training with Jason Barton of FUNdamentals to work on getting stronger.

Drover remains realistic about his chances of making a QMJHL team next season. While his main goal is to make it in the league, he has the option of Junior ‘A’ to fall back on. He’s been offered a tryout spot for the Metro Marauders of the Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League next fall. If he chooses to go that route, he could follow in the footsteps of several other players from this area, including Grand Falls-Windsor native Alex Dalley, who currently plays for the Truro Bearcats.

However, no matter how the odds are stacked, Goulding believes Drover will make it difficult for anyone to overlook him.

“He won’t make it easy for any coach to drop him, that’s for sure.”

Regardless of where he ends up, Drover will be enjoying himself playing the game he loves.

“It’s a great sport. The excitement and the nerves before the game, and being able to go out and win with your friends... It’s great.”

Tyler Whiffen, goalie for the IcePak and fellow Grand Falls-Windsor native, is also slated to go in the draft, listed as a fourth round prospect. He is currently in New Brunswick attending the UNB Varsity Reds prospects camp, and could not be reached for comment.

 NL AAA Major Midget MVP Cody Drover looks out over his home ice surface at the Joe Byrne Memorial Stadium. With the QMJHL draft just around the corner, it may be the last time Drover steps on home ice for a while. Ryan Cooke photo.