CJHL.
Stephen Baylis is welcomed as the newest member of the Carleton Place Canadians by head coach and owner Jason Clarke, left, and general manager Jeff Hawkins after being selected fourth overall in the Central Hockey League draft on May 19.
Daniel Nugent-Bowman
In the lead up to the 2010 Central Hockey League draft, it didn’t take long for the Carleton Place Canadians to feel confident in the player they would be selecting.
When team management interviewed Stephen Baylis, whom they chose with the fourth overall pick on May 19, they walked away feeling like they had a keeper.
“We saw a lot of character, a lot of good traits that we’re looking for to represent our community and organization,” head coach and owner Jason Clarke said. “He’s the type of kid that we definitely want to surround ourselves with.
“We’re more than pleased with our pick.”
It only helped that the left winger from Arnprior was an integral part of his team’s success last season.
As a member of the Ottawa Valley Titans minor midget AAA squad, Baylis scored 16 points in as many games as his team won their regular season title.
Baylis then upped the ante in the postseason, recording 13 points in 10 games as the Titans won the Ontario East Minor Hockey League championship in six games over the Ottawa Jr. 67’s.
“We see him as a power forward,” Clarke said. “I really think he’s got the capabilities to play for our team next year.”
Whether Baylis makes the Canadians next year, he will be a lot closer to the team.
His family had been planning to move into town in order to make the commute to work in Perth easier for his mother.
“He comes from a great hard-working family, there’s a lot of good roots there,” Clarke said. “Whenever we’re going to draft kids, we’re looking at their backgrounds. We’re looking for character and he’s a really good kid.”
For his part, Baylis knows he has to get stronger to make the jump to the Canadians next season.
However he was soaking in the moment at the Earl Armstrong Arena.
“It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had,” he said after being drafted. “To go in the first round is a good feeling.”
Regardless of where Baylis plays next season, Clarke has no qualms about the selection going forward.
“He’s going to be a player,” Clarke said. “He’s going to earn a scholarship out of our league. He’s going to be a big part of our organization.”