Kohyn Eshkawkogan reflects on adjustment to OHL, cultural sharing
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A skilled defenceman and a proud member of M'Chigeeng First Nation, Eshkawkogan not only proved to be a stellar student of the junior game, but also took on the role of teacher by introducing his coaches and teammates to his Anishinabek culture and history.
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Eshkawkogan was named recently as a member of the OHL First All-Rookie Team, as chosen by general managers across the 20-team league.
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'It was an honour,' said the 16-year-old rearguard, reached earlier this week at his residence in Vaughan.
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'It was good recognition, but I've still got lots of work to do to get to the end goal I want to, which playing in the NHL.'
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He's certainly off to a strong start. A standout for the Manitoulin Panthers and the Nickel City Sons minor hockey organizations before making the move south to suit up for the Mississauga Reps and the North York Rangers AAA rep squads, the son of Kevin Eshkawkogan and Melissa Biedermann was Ottawa's first-round pick, 21st overall, in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection — the first player from Manitoulin to hear his name called in the opening round of the long-running draft.
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One of the youngest players in his draft class with a mid-November birth date, the right-shooting 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was undaunted by the step up in competition. He suited up for 52 games in 2024-25, recording four goals and 16 assists.
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'I would say one of the steps I took was the speed of my game, getting faster with the league, and also understanding where guys are going to be and reading the play to make plays,' Eshkawkogan told The Sudbury Star.
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'It took me about two weeks to feel comfortable, to get used to the speed of the game and after that, I felt that I was able to play there.'
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He credited the Ottawa staff, led by decorated veteran Dave Cameron, and his older teammates for helping him adjust to the pace and physicality of major-junior play.
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'The coaching staff and the group valued me as a player and as a person,' Eshkawkogan added. 'Once they're comfortable with you and they trust you, you should have no problem.'
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Among several highlights were his naming to the Canada Red roster for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November, during which he recorded two assists in four games to help secure a silver medal, as well as his recognition as the OHL's East Division Scholastic Player of the Month for December. A two-week road trip around Christmastime allowed for some additional bonding time with teammates.
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