High on Headrick in Erie
Kitchener Rangers didn’t give him much of a chance to develop. But the Erie Otters have. And Evan Headrick is now showing flashes of the promise that made him a first round pick (15th overall) by Kitchener at the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
A mid season acquisition by Erie from Kitchener, the 5 foot 8, 165 pound Headrick has six goals, one assist, seven points in 22 games for the Otters. Which is a big jump from what he managed with the Rangers.
A hard working forward with a 2008 birth date who hails from Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, Headrick managed just three assists in 32 games with Kitchener to begin this ’25-26 season.
Overall, Headrick skated in 51 games with Kitchener, recording three goals, four assists, seven points over parts of two seasons. He missed much of his ’24-25 OHL rookie season due to injury.
Known for his scrappy nature and willingness to play in traffic despite his size, Headrick is the younger brother of former Otters defenceman Owen Headrick, who was part of Erie’s 2017 OHL championship team that lost to the host Windsor Spitfires in that year’s Memorial Cup title tilt.
Erie general manager Dave Brown likes what he has in the younger Headrick.
“We believed in Evan throughout his draft year. He has skill, creativity and a high ceiling, and we are thrilled to have him with us as we continue to build,” relayed Brown.
Erie is currently in last place in the Western Conference of the OHL, though it remains within range of the eighth and final playoff spot, albeit with the regular season winding down.