Baggs in Batchewana
He has a lot going for him.
He has the size at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds.
He has the smarts that he uses on the ice and in the classroom.
Adam Baggs, a 1998 birth-year defenceman with the Batchewana Attack of the new Canadian International Hockey League, also has options.
Baggs was selected by the Niagara Ice Dogs in the 10th round of the 2014 Ontario Hockey League draft.
But being an academic standout who has future aspirations of being an engineer, Baggs is also thinking of pursuing the National Collegiate Athletic Association route.
“It is nice to have options,” said the well-spoken, mild-mannered youngster, who was born in Victoria, B.C. and also lived with his parents and three younger siblings in New Liskeard and Kingston before moving to Sault Ste. Marie about five years ago.
As he is serious about school, so too is the big, right-handed shooting defender serious about hockey.
After being drafted into the OHL by Niagara, Baggs was invited to try out for the Soo Eagles of the North American Hockey League, where he impressed coach-general manager Bruno Bragagnolo.
“He had a great camp with us,” said Bragagnolo. “If our four import spots weren’t spoken for, Adam would have made our team as a 16-year old.”
With opportunities and invitations to play for teams in other Ontario junior leagues, Baggs instead opted to sign with Batchewana and play for coach Denny Lambert.
“He’s a great coach and a great person,” Baggs said of Lambert, who played and coached in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds and in between, skated in more than 500 National Hockey League games as a journeyman left winger. “He’s the best coach I have ever had. He has taught me so much in such a short period of time.”
Baggs said he has no regrets in choosing Batchewana and the new CIHL over more-established leagues.
“I can’t think of a better coach to be playing for than Denny,” Baggs said evenly. “He is so passionate about the game and he really cares about his players. The knowledge that Denny has is amazing.”
Lambert likes the way Baggs plays the game, using his size and his intelligence.
“He doesn’t try to do too much and he’s a very coachable kid. He is a stay-at-home defenceman who takes care of his own end and moves the puck very well,” Lambert said of Baggs. “He’s got a very good future ahead of him.”
PHOTO: Defenceman Adam Baggs of the Batchewana Attack of the CIHL is a draft pick of the Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
This may be a kid that Coach Whitten takes a look at Randy. He is keen for the Twin Soo kid’s so he says.
Adam Baggs is every thing that RR wrote … and then some. If LSSU likes Owen Hedrick then they will like Adam as well imho.
Randy: One of your recent articles on the CIHL has been pulled. Was it because of comments?
Fanman,
No. It is in need of update with regard to number of CIHL teams.
Looking forward to your update Randy.