By Nicholas Carafa, @ncarafa
Photos courtesy Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Just under a dozen games into their OHL careers, GTHL grads Jakob Chychrun and Adam Mascherin are already making an impact with their new clubs – both on and off the ice.

“In FIFA last year, the team had an undefeated champ, Daniel Nikandrov,” said Chychrun, the Sarnia Sting defenseman whose video game prowess is earning quite the reputation among teammates. “ and I came in first time and beat him [Nikandrov] so I’m holding the title right now.”

The six-foot-two blueliner – a former Toronto Jr. Canadien – was chosen first-overall in last spring’s OHL Priority Selection. Behind him was Mascherin – the 2013-14 GTHL Player of the Year and former Vaughan Kings captain – whom the Kitchener Rangers nabbed at No. 2.

As top prospects for their respective clubs, Chychrun and Mascherin’s rookie campaigns are being viewed as an adjustment period. Longer road trips, faster pace hockey and a new lifestyle are just a few aspects of the game the pair have to become accustom to.

“For minor hockey, the farthest you’ll drive is like 40 minutes,” said Mascherin. “Being on a bus for two or three hours and then getting off to play a hockey game and then going back has been the biggest adjustment for me. But we’re a pretty tight team, so we have a lot of fun on the bus.”

“You have a little more freedom, it’s like you’re an adult now,” said Chychrun. “You go to school, work hard and then after school it’s all hockey. You go right to the rink, practice, get your workout in and after it’s going out and having dinner with the boys. I have 20 new best friends.”

After a minor hockey career filled with success and, in some cases, dominance, top-tier prospects like Chychrun and Mascherin often face one common challenge in the OHL: adversity.

Learning to be an effective player in the OHL as a 16-year-old is no easy task, but maturity, professionalism and raw skill has made the transition seamless for these former GTHL stars.

“[Mascherin] has a world-class shot with a world-class release,” said Rangers head coach Troy Smith. “Now it’s all about working with Adam to teach him the finer details of the game so he can create more opportunities to score while also taking care of his responsibilities defensively.”

Smith and his coaching staff moved Mascherin from his natural centre position to the left wing, the same approach they took with now-Carolina Hurricanes star Jeff Skinner. With the extra responsibilities of a centre off his shoulders, the Maple, Ont. native can focus on what he does best: create offence.

As for Chychrun, Sting head coach Trevor Letowski isn’t going to take Chychrun off the back-end anytime soon, but credits the Boca Raton, Fla. native’s adaptability as a testament to his character. In the past few years Chychrun has moved from his home in Florida to Sarnia – via Detroit and Toronto – in pursuit of his hockey dreams.

“He’s a determined kid and wants to get better,” said Letowski. “He’s eager to learn and as a coach you’re excited when your elite player have that mentality because sometimes they can go the other way. That’s definitely not the case with Jakob.”

Both players understand that success doesn’t happen overnight and whether it’s working on their cycle game, getting pucks out off the wall or defending a one-goal lead in the final minute, their ability to stay levelheaded will be instrumental in the development of their craft.

Taking each game in stride, the good with the bad, and learning from OHL veterans is what will make this chapter of their hockey careers memorable.

“Especially for high-end prospects, there’s a lot of attention on them through the media and social media. It’s our job as their coaches to keep them grounded,” said Letowski.

Keeping Chychrun and Mascherin grounded won’t be the hard part. Getting them away from NHL15 once the updated rosters come out and they’re using themselves to bury the overtime winner, well that’s another story.

Here’s to hoping the controller stays connected.