The Tampa Bay Lightning have selected Ethan Hay from the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. The 18-year-old center scored 17 goals and 28 points in 61 games in only his second OHL season, after having the 2020-21 season shut down due to the pandemic. Hay is a likely candidate to have a big jump in his next season as he plays more and gets a larger role.
Say Hay (see what we did there) to Ethan, #Bolts Nation! pic.twitter.com/KM4I4yoAbs
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 29, 2023
All accounts on Hay are that he’s a very strong defensive center who’s among the best in the OHL in faceoffs. I’m going to thank Jordan Jacklin for doing a poll of OHL coaches who considered Hay one of the best defensive forwards in the league and among the best in faceoffs.
#OHL Coaches Poll Results – Best Defensive Forward:
Western Conference:
1. Jacob Maillet, Windsor Spitfires (22)
2. Ethan Hay, Flint Firebirds (20)
T-3. Nolan Burke, Sarnia Sting (14)
T-3. Cooper Walker, Guelph Storm (14) – finished 2nd in 2021-22— Jordan Jacklin (@jordan_jacklin) April 10, 2023
#OHL Coaches Poll Results – Best on Face-Offs:
Western Conference:
1. Matyas Sapovaliv, Saginaw Spirit (22)
2. Ethan Hay, Flint Firebirds (21)
3. Sean McGurn, London Knights (17)— Jordan Jacklin (@jordan_jacklin) April 10, 2023
Mat Sheridan, a scout for a Canadian university team, speaks to Hay’s motor, tenacity, smarts and instincts offensively.
One player I think deserves more attention for the upcoming draft is Ethan Hay from the Flint Firebirds. Great motor, plays his angles well and is a tenacious penalty killer. Has solid offensive instincts as well. I think he’s really going to blossom over the next few years.
— Mat Sheridan (@mat_sheridan8) March 14, 2023
Playing in the bottom six in the OHL means very little ice time and a lot of very specialized usage. As Hay moves up the depth chart, we will see his scoring improve and some of those offensive instincts. I think there is a solid foundation for a pro player here. You got good energy and good positioning, meaning he will be liked by coaches. Not to mention his usefulness in special teams. I’m excited to see his next season as he hopefully moves up to the second line in Flint.
Hay also won the OHL’s top academic high school student award, so that’s great to see from an intelligence and responsibility standpoint.
And here are some highlights:
Ethan Hay has his 1st as a 🔥🐦 and it’s 3-0 Flint! #WeAreFlint pic.twitter.com/uf4KZNdCxW
— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) September 18, 2021
Ethan Hay gets the insurance goal for Flint Firebirds! 4-2 #fuelthefire pic.twitter.com/vJasDKGdea
— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) April 8, 2023
The @FlintFirebirds #NHLDraft eligibles connect 🤝
Ethan Hay tips in a point shot from Tristan Bertucci and Flint moves within one with the I-75 Divide Cup on the line 👀 pic.twitter.com/dGQAGS6HCb
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 2, 2023
Flash and dash on Flint Generals Night!@NYRangers prospect Brennan Othmann (@BOthmann78) with the magical saucer pass to feed @FlintFirebirds rookie Ethan Hay who nets his second shorthanded goal of the week 🎥 pic.twitter.com/QU96n0eK7N
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 27, 2022
