At the beginning of the 2009-10 season, one London Knights player just wasn't himself. He was an inspiring rookie the year before, who brought energy and speed to every game despite often being stuck on the team's 3rd and 4th lines. But to much disappointment (especially scouts), Jared Knight just wasn't the same player to start the new season. Many expected the former Detroit Compuware star to explode offensively in his NHL draft season. Yet, the spark just wasn't there.
"I trained hard this summer, running, biking and lifting weights six days a week. I also was able to get on the ice three to four times a week. However, during the end of Summer, I started feeling tired all the time, I had trouble sleeping and I was waking up five to six times a night to go to the bathroom. At the start of the season, my legs were always heavy and felt like they were on fire. I lost about 20 pounds and had no energy," says Knight.
Obviously something had to have been going on. So who figured it out? It was actually overage forward and team mate Leigh Salters who made the "unofficial" diagnosis (Dr. Salters has quite the ring to it). "I remember on a bus ride from an Oshawa game, I kept going to the bathroom and my team mate Leigh Salters noticed this. Leigh is a diabetic and suggested that I test my blood with his tester. The results were high and Leigh told me to get to the doctor immediately. The next day my trainer Andy took me to the doctor where I was diagnosed (with diabetes)," says Knight.
A diagnosis such as diabetes can be tough on anyone, even more so for a young athlete who's expected to be in the prime condition of his life. If left untreated, diabetes can have extremely negative effects to energy level and the ability of the muscles to perform the actions they should be performing. The Ontario Hockey League is a tough enough league to excel in even if you're 100% healthy, so it's absolutely understandable that Jared has had his difficulties this season.
Since the diagnosis, Jared has had a lot of help in making such a large life transition. "(Obviously) Leigh Salters has been a great help. He has played several years with diabetes and he has learned to deal with it. I also now live with (billets) Scott and Gail Tooke. They have an 11 year old son named Noah who has diabetes. Noah plays hockey at a high level for his age and he has helped me too. The Tookes have been outstanding to live with and they really understand how to deal with diabetes while playing hockey," says Knight.
But it's not an adjustment that's made overnight, in a month, or even in a season. This is a feeling out process that's not the same for all individuals with the disease. Jared does admit that since he started taking insulin he can notice an improvement in his game, but that even he hasn't worked out all the kinks yet. "Since taking insulin, my game has gotten back on track and my stats have been much better. I know that it effected my play and I'm still learning how to regulate my blood. I test my blood between periods and have made adjustments with shots between the periods. This has helped but I'm definitely still learning how to properly regulate this," says Knight.
With his ailment diagnosed and treatment being received, Jared can turn his attention to the 2010 NHL Entry Draft where he's bound to be selected. It's not a matter of if, but where he'll be selected. However, NHL Central Scouting has been especially hard on the improving winger. They failed to include him in their preliminary OHL rankings for the draft, and recently had him at 123rd among North American skaters (30th among OHL skaters) on their midterm rankings. On top of this, Knight failed to earn an invite to the CHL Top Prospects Game, which annually highlights the cream of the crop of CHL players for the upcoming draft. I, among others, were surprised by this. I asked Jared flat out if he thought his diabetes had a role in that. But he was quick to deflect blame. "Diabetes has been a set back but since being treated it will no longer be an excuse. Since feeling better, I have played better and put up better numbers. I think that my ranking's will rise."
Better numbers is an understatement. In his last 28 games, Jared has 21 goals. In his first 19 games of the season, he had 7. That's about a 50% increase. In fact, Jared's been playing so well lately that he's now the goal leader for the London Knights, with 28 to Nazem Kadri's 27. You'd think leading the 5th ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League in goals would attract some attention in your direction. Not only is Knight playing better, but he's making those around him better too. Since Knight and rookie forward Michael MacDonald joined Kadri on the team's first line, the club has been playing some inspired hockey. They've got Kadri playing at the top of his game, which has in turn led to 7 wins in their last 10 games and the recapture of the Midwest Division lead from the Kitchener Rangers. Not bad for a team that looked like it might be throwing in the towel after trading such important pieces as Phil McRae and Zac Rinaldo. Knight enjoys playing the role of an underdog though. "We are the under dogs and may surprise some teams. We work hard and we've been playing better as a team. (On top of that) we have one of the best coaching and training staff in the league," says Knight. You heard him folks, don't count out the Knights!
With the goals and points coming his way now, Jared needs to take the next step and show scouts that he can be an impact player every game. "Like most players, I need to be consistent and bring it every night. I just need to keep working out to get stronger. I love lifting weights and will continue to do this. I went from 170 pounds to 197 pounds in the last two months since I have been in treatment. I feel much better. My legs are back to normal and my energy level is increasing," says Knight.
If anything, energy is what Jared is most known for. I remember being drawn to his number 97 during a home and home against the Niagara IceDogs at the end of January 2009. He was dominant all weekend, destroyed Dogs defenseman Drew Schiestel with a big hit along the boards, got in a tussle with forward Andrew Agozzino and had a goal and an assist to boot. I thought to myself, here's a guy who plays with heart and who has skill to boot. No wonder Knight lists his NHL idol as Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards.
While the moments like that from his rookie season have been less frequent this year, there's no reason to believe that in the future they can't become a common occurrence. With his diabetes increasingly under control, a great skill set and a solid attitude to boot, there's no question Jared Knight is a star on the rise.
Thanks to Jared and his father for sitting down to answer my questions. Best of luck to Jared and the Knights throughout the rest of the season and playoffs.
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Absolutely. He's definitely a wildcard.
If he can get himself to the combine, that'd be a huge step in the right direction. I'm sure a lot of clubs probably have a lot of questions surrounding his physical make up and composure in the face of his diabetes, and by being on the meat market that is the combine, scouts might have a chance to ease some of those concerns. Not to mention that Jared seems to have a strong attitude and personality which would likely win over a lot of people in the interview portion.
Finishing out the year strong will be big for him. If he can have a really strong playoff performance for London and get them to the 2nd or 3rd round, I think he'll get himself noticed as a lock for the top 100.
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NHL Central Scouting have released their complete rankings of 211 players for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
The International Scouting Services have released their Mid-Term Rankings for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
