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Vierling right at home with Colts, eager to return to the ice

'Being put on the first line right away helps your confidence, but you know playing with a guy like Tyson Foerster doesn't hurt, either. He's been a pleasant surprise for us,' coach Todd Miller says of Evan Vierling
2020-01-09 Colts Wolves RB 15
Barrie Colts forward Evan Vierling steps in to take a draw during OHL action on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 against the Sudbury Wolves at Sadlon Arena. Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday

 

Things had been going pretty well for Evan Vierling with the Barrie Colts and the talented centre was looking forward to continuing this fun ride he's on into the OHL playoffs.

Acquired from the Flint Firebirds at the trade deadline, Vierling has stepped into the No. 1 centre role with the Colts rather seamlessly.

With 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points since arriving in Barrie, the 2020 NHL prospect is rising up the draft rankings while playing a key role for a young Colts squad that has surprised many in the second half of the season after dealing away several veterans.

Putting all that on hold is the last thing Vierling would ever want right now, but the Aurora native understands why the OHL had to suspend play with only two weekends remaining in the regular season over the uncertainty and concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

"It definitely sucks, but your health comes first and I think they made the right decision here," said the 17-year-old, who was acquired along with a pair of second-round picks for veterans Tyler Tucker and Riley Piercey. "Hopefully they can figure this out. Hopefully there's a cure for this virus, but the next couple of weeks we'll kind of find out what's going on.

"I really hope we can play in the playoffs and hopefully win a couple of rounds."

Vierling had been sitting at home for nearly seven weeks after leaving the Firebirds in late-November and requesting a trade when the Colts picked him up. The six-foot, 167-pound forward chooses to look forward, though, and what's clear is the move has certainly worked out well for Vierling.

"Obviously, I'm playing a way bigger role here in Barrie," said Flint's second-overall pick in 2018, who had two goals and eights in 15 games before the trade. "The coaching staff and all my teammates believe in me and it makes me feel so much more comfortable that I'm able to just focus and play my game.

"It's working out really well, so far."

The Colts would certainly agree.

"What a pick-up he's been," head coach Todd Miller said. "Honestly coming in and being put on the first line right away helps your confidence, but you know playing with a guy like Tyson Foerster doesn't hurt, either. He's been a pleasant surprise for us.

"I can put him out in any situation. He's going to get better in the defensive zone, but obviously his offensive skills and ability are through the roof," the bench boss added. 

A smooth puckhandler and talented playmaker, it's perhaps no surprise that Vierling has meshed so well with a sniper like Foerster. The two had instant chemistry when Miller put them together upon Vierling's arrival.

Armed with a booming shot and one of the top prospects for this year's NHL Draft in June, Foerster leads the team with 36 goals.

The best part? Barrie's own dynamic duo is just getting started. Both will be at the heart of a young Colts offence over the next couple of seasons,

"I think I'm more of a playmaker and he has an unbelievable shot, so it's for me to kind of feed him some pucks and he's been able to score some goals," Vierling said. "It's been really good playing with him so far and hopefully for years to come."

After recording six goals and 27 points as a rookie with Flint, Vierling has certainly found his way in the league this season, finding he's much more comfortable in letting his skill lead the way. He recognizes the opportunity he's received here and wants to be a player that Miller and his teammates can count on every night.

""I take a lot of pride in that," he said of the No 1 centre role. "You have to make sure you come to every game ready to play, because when you are that No. 1 centre you're playing against other teams' first lines and top guys. You have to make sure you're being as consistent as you can or else those top guys can take advantage of that."

Do that and NHL scouts will certainly take notice. Vierling knows he's got a lot to prove this season while being watched closely by scouts and like other young prospects in their draft year, he feels the pressure.

"For sure it can get stressful at times, but it's similar to the OHL draft just on a way bigger stage," he said. "You learn to just focus and have fun playing hockey and all the other stuff kind of just falls into place.

"I think I've been doing a pretty good job at it this year and I'm focusing on playing and all the other stuff will happen and fall into place."

Playing a leading role on a young team should only help boost his draft stock. Miller believes his young forward is certainly made NHL teams take notice of his game.

"He's getting lots of meetings with NHL teams right now," Miller said. "He was a very highly rated player in minor midget and when they were looking at him in Flint they weren't sure. Now he's come over with us and he seems to be really enjoying his time with us. I think that goes a long way for a player like that.

"He's more of a soft-spoken guy that kind of leads with his play and not a 'rah-rah' guy in the room. He's more just a quiet guy and I'm going to go do my thing. His draft status is obviously moving up game-by-game if he continues to do this."

Vierling is hoping the OHL returns to the ice soon, but he knows right now what's key is he remains patient and keeps himself in shape.

First and foremost, though, is taking extra precautions with a virus that is bringing the world to a grinding halt.

"You have to make sure that you're staying healthy and washing your hands," he said. "Make sure you're not going out too much and staying away from bigger crowds and stuff like that.

"Saying that, you have to find ways to kind of stay in shape and keep going to the gym, and find some ice because you never know when you're going to get the call to come back to play in the playoffs."


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Gene Pereira

About the Author: Gene Pereira

An award-winning journalist, Gene is former sports editor of the Barrie Examiner and his byline has appeared in several newspapers. He is also the longtime colour analyst of the OHL Barrie Colts on Rogers TV
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