This season, we're highlighting a few of our Old Boys excelling in the Ontario Hockey League. Ryan Brown '25, Jaxon Cover '25, Kieren Dervin '25, Michael Dec '25, and Jack Pridham '23 are all enjoying strong seasons, each reflecting the impact of their time at St. Andrew's in shaping not only their hockey careers but also the lessons they carry with them on and off the ice.

Jack Pridham '23 – Kitchener Rangers

Jack Pridham has been one of the most productive forwards in the OHL this season, nearing the top of the league with 79 points in 58 games. Anchoring Kitchener's top-scoring line, he has consistently fueled the Rangers' offence and ranks second in the league in goals with 37.

Pridham credits SAC's coaching staff with his development. "The coaching staff at SAC had a big impact on my development. Coach Manning created a great culture where it was fun to show up to the rink every day and work. He held us accountable. Coach Abes played a crucial part in my development. He gave us the tools to prepare ourselves for the next level—mobility, strength, conditioning, and nutrition."

The lessons Pridham learned at SAC have carried through to the OHL. "We had to manage our time with school and hockey. We were all held accountable; school came first. Every good team has healthy competition as we push ourselves and each other every day." In Kitchener, he thrives. "In Kitchener, I am surrounded by a great coaching staff and great teammates. Both SAC and Kitchener support their players and want them to succeed. The fan support we get every game is second to none."

Pridham, a two-year Andrean and Sifton House member, was selected in the third round of the NHL Draft, 92nd overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks following his Grade 12 year. After graduation, he spent some time in the BCHL with the West Kelowna Warriors before joining the Rangers in 2024, where he had a strong rookie season in the OHL with 54 points (27 goals, 27 assists) in 48 games. Looking ahead, he will continue with the Rangers, aiming to develop further in pursuit of an NHL career.
On advice to younger SAC players, Pridham emphasizes patience and focus. "There is no rush. Every player is on their own timeline. You are competing against the player you look at in the mirror; do not compare yourself to others. Believe in yourself. If you continue to put in the work and have a goal, you can achieve it."

Ryan Brown '25 – London Knights

Ryan Brown has emerged as a key offensive contributor for the London Knights this season. After starting the year with the Sarnia Sting, he was traded to London in December and has seen his production surge. Across 59 games this season, Brown has 52 points (19 goals, 33 assists) to lead the Knights in scoring and help London secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Brown, a first-round OHL draft pick by the Sarnia Sting, started at SAC in Grade 5, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Aidan Brown '17, who also played in the OHL for the Barrie Colts. Reflecting on his time at SAC, Brown says, "I couldn't ask for a better place to go to prepare you for the next level… All the amazing teachers and all the amazing people at SAC really prepared me as a person."

While still a Grade 10 student at SAC, Brown had the opportunity to play with the First Hockey Team. "It was super cool getting that experience playing against older players. I think it really helped me adjust for the next year in the OHL, playing against 20 and 21-year-olds. Those games with the First Hockey Team really helped me prepare." Brown left SAC to join the Sting in 2023 after his Grade 10 year, but remains close to the school. Even in London, the lessons from SAC continue to resonate. "It's unreal. It's very, very competitive. Everybody wants to win here. They have a winning mentality. That's the standard, winning hockey games," he notes.

In October 2025, he was recognized as one of 87 OHL players on the 2025–26 NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch list for the upcoming NHL Draft.

Jaxon Cover '25 – London Knights

Jaxon Cover has steadily made his mark this season, posting 43 points in 59 games (18 goals, 25 assists) as a rookie with the Knights and ranking among the top rookie scorers in the OHL.

Cover was named OHL Rookie of the Week in October after recording four points, one goal and three assists, in two games. While his offence has stood out, he is equally proud of the progress he is making defensively, something he says First Hockey Head Coach David Manning would be proud to see. "Being newer to the game, I'm still making adjustments and working on things like my defensive play. Manning really helped me with that aspect of my game, and I am continuing to work hard at it in London with Dale Hunter," he says.

One of his season highlights came when he scored his first career hat trick at a home game in London, which meant wearing the hat trick sombrero, a tradition followed by NHL players such as Patrick Kane and Mitch Marner when they played for the Knights. "I wasn't expecting to have to wear the sombrero. I didn't even know they did that!"

The passionate fan base in London is a thrill for Cover, who first experienced large crowds at the MacPherson Tournament. "The MacPherson gave me a taste of what it's like to play in front of a large crowd, and now we get that every night in London. It's a lot of fun to play at home."

For Cover, SAC's influence extended well beyond hockey. "At SAC, you get a lot of opportunities to become well-rounded. You're exposed to many different activities and perspectives, which really helps when you step up to the OHL and beyond," he reflects. On the friendships he built at school, he adds, "I went to SAC since Grade 8, and after living there with your classmates and being in that environment, you become really close with everyone."

A five-year Andrean and member of Sifton House, Cover has a unique hockey journey. He did not start playing ice hockey until age 14, growing up in the Cayman Islands, where he excelled in roller hockey. Drafted in the fourth round of the OHL draft, he made his debut with the Knights in January 2025 at age 16, appearing in three games before joining full-time after graduation. He has quickly become a key contributor in his first full OHL season, and in January, he was ranked the 45th-best North American skater for the 2026 NHL Draft by Central Scouting.
 
Michael Dec '25 – Erie Otters

Michael Dec has been one of the bright spots for the Erie Otters this season, ranking among the team's scoring leaders with over 63 points through 59 games (26 goals, 37 assists). He began the year with the Owen Sound Attack, playing 16 games before being traded to Erie, where he has continued his strong play. A versatile offensive threat, Dec can both score and set up teammates, and he ranks among the top 20 scoring leaders in the OHL this season, maintaining above a point-per-game pace. He has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Cornell University starting in the 2027–28 season.

Reflecting on SAC's impact, Dec says, "There were many coaches and mentors at SAC who had a big impact on my development. Someone who did a lot for me personally and our team was Coach Manning. He wasn't a coach that just cared about winning, he wanted the best for his players. Another coach that did so much for all the players was Leland De Langley '11. A lot of what I'm doing right now is credit to Leland and Coach Manning."

The competitive environment at SAC also prepared him for the pace of the OHL. "The biggest factor in my success this OHL season is definitely how prepared SAC hockey had me going into this year. SAC gives you confidence, and that's the best thing you can have as a hockey player. Coming into year one in this league isn't easy, but the confidence I had leaving SAC led right into this season."

Dec also credits SAC with teaching life skills. "Something I have taken away from SAC, dealing with the athletics and academics, is time management. With the busy schedule at SAC, it made the transition to junior hockey a lot easier, because I'm able to take care of the little things so I'm stress-free when I need to be at my best."

A two-year Andrean and Sifton House member, Dec gained extensive experience at SAC, playing hockey across North America and Europe, including trips with the First Hockey team to Germany and Prague, while balancing academics and co-curriculars. He was an eighth-round pick in the 2023 OHL draft, and in his Grade 12 year, he appeared in eight OHL games with the Owen Sound Attack, scoring nine points (4 goals, 5 assists). After graduation, he joined the Attack full-time.
 
Kieren Dervin '25 – Kingston Frontenacs

Kieren Dervin has continued his development this season with the Kingston Frontenacs, building on the experience he gained late last year when he joined the club for a playoff run. That early exposure to the OHL environment helped ease the transition into his first full season at the junior level.

Dervin has posted 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 45 games this season, ranking tied for first on the Frontenacs in scoring. Reflecting on his progress, he says, "I think the biggest factor in my success this season was having a chance to play with the Frontenacs last year, while still a student at St. Andrew's, to finish off the season and go on a playoff run with Kingston. It made the transition this year that much easier, already being familiar with the environment."
 
Reflecting on the coaches who shaped his game at SAC, Dervin says, "Personally, I think our skills coach, Leland de Langley '11, really helped me develop as a player throughout my time at SAC. Being able to skate with him one-on-one during a spare class, and working on whatever we felt like needed work on, is something I felt was very beneficial to me, and I don't think a lot of other schools have that."

The boarding experience also played a key role in preparing him for life in the OHL and beyond. "Living away from home at St. Andrew's prior to playing in the OHL has definitely made that transition easier."

Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round, 65th overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft, Dervin attended the Canucks' training camp last summer following his selection. Next up for Kieren is NCAA Division I hockey at Penn State University, where he will play for the 2026-27 hockey season. "I think it's going to be a great experience; it's the next step in my hockey career, and I'm really looking forward to it. Obviously going to be playing against some older guys, so hopefully put some weight on in the summer to get ready for that."