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Sherry Bassin couldnt believe his eyes.The veteran owner-general manager of the Erie Otters was in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., last year along with the teams chief scout to watch one of the teams prospects when a little water bug named Alex DeBrincat stole his attention.We watched the game trying to concentrate on our prospect and Alexs team won 8-2 and he had three goals and two assists, Bassin said. He was outstanding. He sees the ice and he doesnt know that hes five-foot-seven. He could have had another five points in the game.DeBrincat, now a 16 year-old rookie with the Otters, leads all Ontario Hockey League freshman in scoring with 43 points (24 goals, 19 assists) in 30 games. He is plus-31 and ranks eighth among the leagues top scorers. The next highest rookie scorer is Petrus Palmu of the Owen Sound Attack who ranks 75th with 10 goals and 20 points in 28 games.As Bassin pointed out, DeBrincat is tiny by most hockey standards at 5-7 and 160 pounds. The Farmington Hills, Mich., native played last season for Lake Forest Acadamy, a prep school in Chicago, scoring 54 goals and 111 points in 50 gamesHe had committed to the University of Massachusetts for a full-ride scholarship. After being approached by the Otters, DeBrincat changed his mind and opted to go the junior hockey route.DeBrincat admitted he was disappointed he had not been drafted into the OHL, but was thrilled that a team suddenly had interest in him.I thought about it for a while and decided it was the best opportunity for me, DeBrincat said. Growing up I was pushed toward college hockey and I really liked UMass so I decided to commit there. Honestly I didnt know how serious Erie was so I put it on the backburner, but when I realized they really wanted me it was really exciting.If the rest of the OHL had no interest in DeBrincat because of his size, Bassin was only too happy to sign the free agent.We thought he was going to be a really good player, but let me tell you, this guy can skate, he can shoot, Bassin said. There are guys who are six-foot-three and six-foot-four and he goes after them like hes six-foot-three or six-foot-four. He plays like hes 200 pounds.DeBrincat is blessed to be playing on a team that also has rising stars Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome. Although McDavid is injured now, when he is healthy he and Strome command a lot of attention from the opposition. That leaves open ice for DeBrincat.DeBrincat said his goal is to play in the NHL and he believes the OHL is the best route for that to happen.The OHL sends more top guys to the NHL, DeBrincat said.The NHL used to be a big mans league, but when obstruction started to be called with more frequency following the 2004-05 lockout, the opportunity for smaller players increased.Martin St. Louis, the poster child for small players at five-foot-eight and 180 pounds, has won two NHL scoring titles and was the NHLs most valuable player in 2004. DeBrincat said St. Louis is a role model for him.You look at the career Marty St. Louis has had and you know height isnt everything, DeBrincat said. You can still make it being that small.Other significant smallish NHLers include Buffalos Nathan Gerbe (5-5, 173 pounds) and Brian Gionta (5-7, 174 pounds) and his brother, Stephen Gionta (5-7, 185 pounds) of the New Jersey Devils.Calgary Flames rookie Johnny Gaudreau is 5-8 and 150 pounds and won the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in the NCAA last year.DeBrincat said he has been teased by opponents because of his size, but he doesnt let it get to him.I hear things like, Youre two-feet tall a lot, DeBrincat said. I just dont let it get to me. I cant let myself get pushed around so I stick up for myself. I dont let the size factor get to me when I am playing.DeBrincat knows he is a work in progress, but hopes NHL scouts can look past his stature.I feel like I have great vision and I can score if the opportunity is given to me, DeBrincat said. I think I need to work on my passing. I have been told I am fast, but Im not too sure about that one.Bassin only has one worry about DeBrincat.With McDavid out we have been kind of overplaying him because hes such a key guy, Bassin said. Who would have ever expected a rookie would come in and make the kind of impact he is making? Jim Konstanty Jersey . Not only that, when Julian de Guzman first stepped on the pitch for Deportivo de la Coruna he became the very first Canadian to play in Spains top tier. Mike Schmidt Jersey . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/1597n-tim-mccarver-jersey-phillies.html . Now the Minnesota Vikings have set their sights on soccer. Pete Rose Jersey . The Toronto Argonauts signed the veteran linebacker to a three-year deal Tuesday, hours after the start of CFL free agency. Greg Luzinski Jersey . Canada Day is here and with it comes Free Agent Frenzy as the NHLs 30 teams storm out of the gate for signing season.JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Edoardo Molinari was in a four-way tie for the first-round lead at the European Tours Joburg Open with his 7-under-par 64 on Thursday. The Italian, chasing a British Open place as well as his first title in four years, was joined by Scottish pair Alastair Forsyth and Craig Lee and South African Justin Walters. A 2010 Ryder Cup winner, Molinari opened with three straight birdies at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington and collected eight in all on the par-71 West Course. "The front nine was probably as good as Ive played in a long time," he said. Lee had maybe the most impressive start with his 7-under 65 on the tougher par-72 East Course, with eight birdies and just one bogey on No. 17. "Its really hard to figure out where you are in the field with two golf courses, and with the East being slightly tougher I feel like Im in a good position," Lee said. Forsyth and Walters both carded 64s on the West, with Forsyth not dropping a shot all day. They led by one shot. Players play one round on the East and West courses before finishing on the East over the weekend. The tournament is also a qualifying event for the British Open in July and offers places to the three highest-placed finishers in the top 10 not already exempt.dddddddddddd None of the top 10 on Thursday have qualified for the Open. Johannesburg defending champion Richard Sterne opened with a 5-under 67 on the East, but couldnt fully capitalize on an eagle three on his first hole, as he sat in a tie for 13th. Sterne has qualified for the British Open, as has former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who managed a 69 on the East. Molinari has battled through fitness problems since his 2010 Ryder Cup debut and hasnt won since that year, but looked solid with five birdies and a single dropped shot on his opening nine. He made another three birdies coming in. Chasing the leading pack are eight players on 6 under, including South Africas Hennie Otto, who tied for second in the season-opening South African Open in November. South Koreas Jin Jeong, who won his maiden tour title at the Perth International last year, is also in contention after a 65. The Joburg Open is the sixth tournament out of 10 on the early European Tour schedule to be played in South Africa. There will be a seventh next weekend with the Africa Open. ' ' '