Michael Eade Leading Ravens

When he sits down for our interview his demeanor is calm.  As I begin to go through my list of questions he takes each one in stride and provides a sharp response.  Each answer is thought-out, weighed and well-articulated.

The “he” is Halton Ravens’ defenceman Michael Eade, and Mike interviews the way he plays hockey: first careful consideration, then intense preparation and finally crisp execution.

Michael spent last year with the Cleveland Barons in the Tier-1 Elite League before being selected by the Halton Ravens in the 9th round of the club’s first ever GMHL Draft, but it was not until just before the Ravens’ season began that he committed to Head Coach Oliver Wren.

“From day one I had identified Mike as someone that I wanted,” said Wren, who was effusive in his praise of the young defenceman.  “We are kind of lucky to have fallen into a situation where Mike was still looking for a place to play.  For a first year program to have an elite-level guy who can jump right in, run our special teams and be our general on the back end is great for us.”

The reason why Eade chose to come to Halton can be attributed to two factors: Ice-time and Coach Wren.

“I had a rough season last year,” said Eade with honesty and humility.  “I wanted to come to a team where I knew the coach and where I knew I would get the valuable minutes of ice-time to help me develop in the future.”

That development has taken place quickly as Eade has excited fans, filled the scoresheet and acted as a mentor for the young Ravens’ Blueliners.

Halton had been giving up almost six goals a game during a four game slide but have rebounded nicely, led in part by the defence. In winning four of their last five contests the Ravens have surrendered just over three goals per game. During that same span, Eade has been a major offensive weapon, tallying four goals and nice assists.

While Coach Wren needs only an instant to identify Eade and the leader of the Ravens’ defensive corps, Mike doesn’t answer so quickly.

If you press the young man on his role with the team and his ability to lead the defence (and of course I did) that is when you realize not only how humble the Ravens’ star defenceman is, but how much he understands what it will take for the team to have success as the season presses on.

Eade acknowledged his place as a leader but will not let questioning pass without giving credit to his entire unit for their skill, hard work and improved play.  

While digging into why the Ravens’ defence had displayed such steady improvement Mike singled out new Defensive Assistant Coach Scott Judson, fellow blueline veteran Alex Unsterberger and one of the up-and-coming players on the back end, Joseph Leahy:

Eade on Alex Unsterberger: “Bergy is really an exceptional hockey player.  He’s an all-around defenceman.  He can play both powerplay and penalty kill.  He is a great player, puck-mover.  Once he came he really took it upon himself to step in and help some of the younger guys out.” 

Eade on Coach Judson: “He has done a great job.  I’ve noticed a lot of our D game has been elevated.  (Judson) has given us pointers in our own zone, how to get pucks out, body positioning stuff.  That has improved my game and helped me produce more and more and I’m just building off that and I’m sure a lot of the younger guys are doing so as well.”

Eade on Joseph Leahy: “He is an incredible, skilled hockey player.  Just being on the ice with him I find that elevates my game.”

Mike did not stop there (Christian Hayes and Izaak Del Mastro were lauded as well) but you get the point.  Even as a top goal scorer, blueline leader and anchor for the Ravens during their Eade knows how important it is to focus on improving the entire roster and building consistency.

Eade pointed to just that when asked about how his team will continue to develop for the rest of the season.

“I believe the consistency of everyone from top to bottom needs to improve.  When we want it we had a team that is 15-1 (the Temiscaming Titans) and we took them to overtime, in Temiscaming.   And on any given night if we don’t come prepared we could have gotten smacked 10-1 that game."

Identifying the strengths and improvement of the club comes easily to Eade, but given his tendency to point to those around him to when asked about the team’s development his coach was a more favourable target in order to find out what it is that makes Eade a potential GMHL All-Star.

“I think that a lot of players have the shot,” said Wren, “a lot have the skating ability, especially as playing levels increase, NCAA or OHL, you see those guys they have all the tools.  But to have the offensive mindset and the creativity to open up space for your teammates, open up space for yourself is I think what separates Mike from your average puck-moving defenceman.”

The NCAA is certainly on Eade’s mind for next year as he makes plans for hockey and beyond.  The young Raven wants to pursue a degree in the legal field and hopes to make his hockey career a tool to reach that end.    

“I want to go to school,” says Eade.  “My parents have told me since a young age to get an education and let hockey get you there.  Whatever I am able to achieve whether it is, Division-III Hockey, Division-I Hockey, just playing and going to school next year would be my main goal.”

Eade is well on his way to his goal and has the second-half of the GMHL season to continue impressing fans and scouts.  His day-to-day focus, however, is likely to remain right where it is:  Leading teammates by example and helping them to build confidence in their developing skills.

“You just support your teammates.  You tell them to keep working and it’s going to happen.”

Nick Longaphy, Halton Ravens