Sean Day to Apply for "Exceptional Status" for OHL Draft; Request Granted

[Peetie27]

Jeff Marek

Update on 14 year old phenom Sean Day — Expect him to apply for 'exceptional status' for the OHL draft. That application is due by Feb 15...

...because he plays in a U.S system (Compuware) he had to first appeal to get approval to apply. That approval was granted. This process is...

...Under the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada, not the OHL for those who are curious.

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For those who aren't familiar with Sean Day, he's already 6-2, 195 and scouts have said that they day he enters the OHL, he'll be the best skater in the league. There really hasn't been a kid like this who was this big/good at his age...ever. He's 2016 draft eligible and is a lock to be an NHL player on some level, if he wishes to be one. His physical gifts are incomparable.

[Rome 2.0]

Marek has been talking him through the roof, right next to Connor McDavid out of Canada, for weeks now.

I'm curious though, what exactly does "exceptional status" do? Does the OHL have a minimum age requirement that he can get around, despite his age?

And seriously... 6'2, 195lbs at fourteen? What a freak!

[Peetie27]

Usually OHLers are 16-20, you can apply for exceptional status if you're just dominant at an early age. John Tavares did this, as well. But the appeal is done through Hockey Canada and they are usually very strict with it.

The thing is, both of Day's parent's are Canadian living in Detroit, and Sean is adamant about playing for the Canadian national team, so this is clearly a case of "you scratch my back, i'll scratch yours." They let him in the PHL, he plays for Team Canada in the U16's, U18's, U20's, and the next 4 Olympics, basically.

[NosLliWhsoj]

Hopefully he keeps developing his skills. It's easy to be the biggest 14 year old. I was < 5'/80 lbs at that age.

[Morphinity]

6'2" 195 and fast at 14? Holy fuck.

Hope the Rangers tank in 2016.

[Rhommy]

I'm pretty sure I was 6'2 195 at 14. I was about as athletic as a gravy boat, though.

[Dunny]

He better play for Canada. I didn't even know people lived in Detroit anymore.

[Puck Head]

The OHL exceptional rule came out due to the fact the USHL will allow 15 year olds to play in it.
Tavares and others had thought about heading that direction rather then playing Canadian Bantam.

[Mikey37]

I saw this kid play 2 years ago when the Nationals were at the IH. He was the talk of the building at 12 years old.

[Cash or Czech?]

@TSNBobMcKenzie

Hearing Sean Day, CDN who plays for Compuware minor midgets, has been granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada and is OHL draft eligible.

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He was born in 1998. Damn I feel old.