Sproule flourishing after coming to Peterborough

Opportunity to be more creative pays off for over-age forward who is eighth in points in OHL

Emmett Sproule recently told his parents he wishes he was traded to the Peterborough Petes earlier.

The over-age left-winger is having the best season of his OHL career by far since being acquired from the Erie Otters at the start of the regular season.

In 33 games, one shy of the schedule’s midway point, he’s already set career highs in goals (15), assists (33) and points (48). He ranked eighth in OHL scoring heading into Tuesday’s home game against the Mississauga Steelheads.

Erie’s 2017 first-round draft pick, Sproule never really lived up to that billing in his first three OHL seasons, but he says he also never felt like he fit the Otters’ style of play.

He never asked to be traded and was prepared to go back, but, in hindsight, he’s happy how things turned out.

“This year seems a little different for me. I’m building confidence every single game and my linemates have been outstanding,” said Sproule, who turns 21 on March 19.

“I keep playing the game hard and I’m having fun out there. I’m not worrying too much about the points. I’m exceeding my goals for sure.”

Sproule, a Collingwood, Ont., native, said he’s benefitted from a change in coaches. His former Erie coach Chris Hartsburg was fired earlier this season.

The Petes coaches have given him greater opportunity, have allowed him to be creative offensively and have worked closely with him through video to improve his game.

“After a bad game they’ll give me positive reassurance for the next game so I don’t have to dwell on the past game,” he said.

“The coaches let your creativity come along. If you have a bad mistake they don’t dwell on it like my Erie coach would. He would kind of rip you apart and your confidence would get shut down. (Petes head coach Rob Wilson) really trusts the older guys and veterans more here and have a lot more faith in you. I think the coaching staff here has been wonderful for me.”

Video has been a valuable tool to show Sproule where he’s made mistakes, but it’s been equally valuable to show him his strengths and how to capitalize on them.

“I’m seeing my strengths come alive. My speed I haven’t seen the past couple of years. My skills have just come along. I’m happy seeing myself playing the way I am because the past four years in Erie I haven’t been able to showcase that,” he said.

Wilson said Sproule seized the opportunity the day he arrived in Peterborough and hasn’t looked back.

“Emmett got drafted very high, he was a first-rounder, so Erie saw a lot in him to draft him there,” Wilson said.

“It didn’t work out for him in Erie the way he hoped and maybe the way Erie was hoping, too. He’s come here and we’ve put him in opportunities to succeed and he’s built his confidence up.

“We’ve had a lot of communication with him and I think he’s responded to that. Sometimes a change is really important for people and different voices are important for people.”

Wilson said Sproule, who has a -7 rating, still needs to work on his defensive game, but he’s been receptive to constructive criticism.

“Emmett has come in here with a really good attitude and he’s responded well to the way we want him to play. I think we’ve given him some confidence as a coaching staff and I think he’s still got a lot more in him. I really do. Offensively, he has the ability and he’s showing what everyone thought he could do. Defensively, I think he can be better. He is a very smart guy, so I think he can get better. I won’t be letting off him.”