It has been quite a year for d-man Chase Reid (4th-ranked draft prospect among North American skaters) of Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL. In 2024-25, Reid began the season playing for the Bismarck Bobcats in the North American Hockey League (Tier II junior A in the states), as he was unable to break into the USHL (Tier I junior A). When the NCAA announced that CHL players could thereafter compete in US college hockey, he joined the Soo for the last 39 games of the season. During that stretch, he had 40 points (7G 33A) for the Greyhounds.
Fast forward to now, where he has 48 points (18G 30A) in 45 games for the Soo this season (he missed 17 games with a UBI, just recently returning to the lineup). Also this season, he competed both for Team USA (in the World Junior Championship) and against it in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. He’s had plenty of motivation along the way, being a snub for the USHL, the World Junior Summer Showcase and the US’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup team.
Because of his efforts, the days of Reid’s talents being underestimated now appear to be over. His production, his 6’2″ frame, and the fact that he is a right-shot d-man make the first d-man drafted this year in numerous draft rankings.
Quite a difference a year has made in the young man’s trajectory.