Interview with Owen Sound's Geoffrey Schemitsch

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Geoffrey Schemitsch sat patiently as he waited for a phone call from an Ontario Hockey League team saying that they had selected him in 2008 Priority Draft. No call came. So he returned to the AAA Mississauga Reps, determined to play the best he could in hopes that he might catch some one's eye. Fast forward a year to May 2, 2009; another call-less day from an Ontario Hockey League team as the 2009 Priority Draft took place. Two years unselected, despite being one of the best midget aged defenseman in the GTA.

Somewhat dejected, but not willing to give up. he would now turn his attention to Tier II in hopes of possibly earning a scholarship from the NCAA. Already committed to playing for the Vaughn Vipers of the OJHL in 2009-10, Schemitsch got a call from Owen Sound. "As an undrafted player it was my intention to play in the OPJHL this year and work towards an NCAA scholarship," says Schemitsch. "I was offered a try-out with Owen Sound and felt it would be a good experience. Fortunately, I was offered a spot and I came to the conclusion that playing in the OHL this year would be a valuable stepping stone to playing at the highest level."

Schemitsch impressed the Attack enough with his offensive ability and game intelligence, that they didn't hesitate to sign him and bring him on board this year. Owen Sound was facing a tough situation, as captain and top offensive defenseman David Kolomatis was going to start the year in the AHL after being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. That meant they needed someone on the blueline to step up and lead the powerplay and move the puck up ice. And since no current Attack defenseman had ever scored more than 3 goals or accumulated more than 20 points in an OHL season before, they needed someone to step up. Turns out that player was the newly acquired Geoffrey Schemitsch.

Even though the Attack struggled through the opening weeks of the season, (going 4-8-1-2 in the first fifteen games), and many of the team's players suffered through bouts of inconsistency, one player remained a strong contributor night in and night out. That was Schemitsch. With 2 goals and 12 assists through the team's first 15 games, Schemitsch established himself as that reliable offensive defenseman the team needed. But it hasn't been easy. "The players [in the OHL] are faster and stronger [than midget] and it takes time but you find a way to adjust," said Schemitsch. Though he does say that an effortless transition off the ice has made things easier for him on it. "Living away from home has been a smooth adjustment, my billets and the people here are great and have made it very easy. The people [in Owen Sound[ are unbelievable and I've been fortunate to have great coaches, teammates, and billets so the move has been a seamless transition."

Interestingly enough, Schemitsch isn't the only un-drafted 1992 born OHL rookie defenseman from the Greater Toronto Area that is finding success. Niagara IceDogs defenseman Matt Petgrave has been excellent in a similar role this season, especially lately with 8 points in his last 15 games. Petgrave played for the Toronto Titans Midget AAA team last year and was a strong opponent to Schemitsch's Mississauga Reps. "I played against Matt last year a number of times.  His team actually won our league championship and he was definitely a big factor in that. He's a good player and skater, with a noticeable ability to contribute all over the ice.  I'd say there was definitely a rivalry from my club's standpoint.  His team was tough to play against and we gave them a good run a couple of times," says Schemitsch.

Although Schemitsch has cooled lately, with only 1 point in his last six games, there is bound to be NHL interest in him come June. The 6'1, Thornhill native still sits just outside the top 10 of defenseman scoring in the OHL and is currently tied for second in OHL rookie scoring (behind Saginaw's Ivan Telegin). He has great mobility on the back end, moves the puck up ice effortlessly and is seeing time in all situations for Owen Sound. All this from someone who patterns his game after Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Duncan Keith. "I'd have to say I look at a guy like Duncan Keith as a player that I really admire.  He plays a strong all around game, really poised and makes good decisions, something that I try to do myself. I try to be calm on the back end and make good plays in all three zones while looking to contribute at both ends of the ice. I just have to keep getting stronger."

What does the future hold for Schemitsch? No one can say for certain. Last year, a similar OHL rookie defenseman named Calvin de Haan crept into the OHL with little fan fare. He put up 16 points in his first 15 games and began to slowly generate buzz for the NHL Entry Draft. Of course, he ended up getting drafted 12th overall by the New York Islanders in 2009. What does Schemitsch think of the comparison? "For sure you have to get excited looking at Calvin de Haan's situation.  He is obviously a great player who's had great success. I am trying to stay calm, focused, and not get overwhelmed [by the NHL draft]."

However, let it be noted that today NHL Central Scouting released its annual Preliminary Rankings for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Schemitsch was not among the top 25 players ranked in the Ontario Hockey League (and neither was his teammate Joey Hishon). This surprised me. All I know is I see a talented young defenseman who plays the game the exact way NHL defenseman need to in order to excel in today's NHL. In fact, when I asked him whether he'd rather win a Memorial Cup, Gold Medal, or Stanley Cup, the answer was obvious to him. "I have to go with a Stanley Cup.  Winning a championship at the highest level is what you dream about," answered Schemitsch. To me that screams of a kid that's committed to do whatever it takes to get to the NHL and if I'm making a top 25 right now; Geoffrey Schemitsch is on it.

Here is the interview.

Otten - You had an agreement to play for Vaughn of the OPJHL, but decided to try out for Owen Sound this year. Was your first choice all along to play in the OHL, but because you went undrafted in the OHL, you just wanted to have a back up plan? Or were you seriously considering the NCAA option and what programs were recruiting you? Why did you ultimately choose the OHL?

Schemitsch - As an undrafted player it was my intention to play in the OPJHL this year and work towards an NCAA scholarship. I was offered a try-out with Owen Sound and felt it would be a good experience. Fortunately, I was offered a spot and I came to the conclusion that playing in the OHL this year would be a valuable stepping stone to play at the highest level.

Otten - Playing in AAA midget last year for Mississauga, and then this year playing in the OHL, what have been the biggest adjustments? Living away from home? Size? Speed? Rigorous schedule?

Schemitsch - Definitely the biggest adjustments have seen both on and off the ice. The players are faster and stronger and it takes time but you find a way to adjust. As well, being on the ice as much as we are is another adjustment from last year. Living away from home has been a smooth adjustment, my billets and the people here are great and have made it very easy.

Otten - I think it's safe to say that with your play so far this season, you have to be generating some NHL draft buzz. Have NHL scouts been talking to you already? If so, what have they been saying?

Schemitsch - I've heard that NHL scouts have been talking about me, but I haven't talked to any scouts directly.

Otten - I don't think it's out of the question to compare you to a guy like Calvin de Haan, as an OHL rookie defenseman who?s come into the league and put up great numbers. Calvin, of course, ended up going in the first round of the NHL draft last year. Do you look at Calvin's situation and get excited because that could be you, or do you try and stay a little more calm about the prospect of being an NHL draft pick...possibly even a high one?

Schemitsch - For sure you have to get excited looking at Calvin de Haan's situation. He is obviously a great player who's had great success. I am trying to stay calm, focused, and not get overwhelmed.

Otten - Your birthplace is listed as Toronto, but you played for the Mississauga Reps. Were you born and raised in Toronto, or an area of the GTA like Mississauga or Brampton? When did you first think about hockey as a possible profession?

Schemitsch - I was born in Toronto but lived in the US for the first two years, Seattle then Boston. Ever since, I've lived just outside of Toronto in Thornhill. Like any other Canadian kid playing hockey it's always a dream to play at the professional level. However, recently I've started to seriously think about hockey as a possible profession.

Otten - Moving from the GTA to Owen Sound (cottage country) had to be a big adjustment. What's your experience in Owen Sound been like so far?

Schemitsch - The experience has been great. The people are unbelievable and I've been fortunate to have great coaches, teammates, and billets so the move has been a seamless transition.

Otten - As a GTA boy, are you a Leaf fan? Or did you grow up as a fan of another NHL team?

Schemitsch - I always have been and still am a huge Leaf fan.

Otten - Do you have a favourite NHL player, or a guy you try to model your game after?

Schemitsch - I'd have to say I look at a guy like Duncan Keith as a player that I really admire. He plays a strong all around game, really poised and makes good decisions, something that I try to do myself.

Otten - What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses as a player?

Schemitsch - As player I see myself being able to play a strong two way game. I try to be calm on the back end and make good plays in all three zones while looking to contribute at both ends of the ice. I just have to keep getting stronger.

Otten - Perhaps a question you can't answer, but another 1992 born defenseman who played GTA Midget Rep is having a solid rookie season in the OHL; Matt Petgrave of the Niagara IceDogs. From what I understand he played for the Toronto Titans. Did you guys play each other a lot; develop a rivalry? If so, what's your opinion of him as a player?

Schemitsch - I played against Matt last year a number of times. His team actually won our league championship and he was definitely a big factor in that. He's a good player and skater, with a noticeable ability to contribute all over the ice. I'd say there was definitely a rivalry from my club's standpoint. His team was tough to play against and we gave them a good run a couple of times.

Otten - Last question. You have to choose one. Memorial Cup, Stanley Cup, or International Gold Medal (for Team Canada)?

Schemitsch - I have to go with a Stanley Cup. Winning a championship at the highest level is what you dream about.

Thanks to Geoffrey and Brent Fisher of the Owen Sound Attack for the interview and best of luck to Mr. Schemitsch and the rest of the Owen Sound Attack in the remaining 2009-10 season.