A Woodstock-born OHL defenceman is catching the attention of NHL scouts. 17-year-old Mark Raycroft of the Brampton Batallion is listed as the #24 ranked skater in the OHL in last update from Central Scouting. Raycroft is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound stay-at-home defenceman who you might not notice much on the ice, which is a good thing. "My coaches, they say keep it calm out there, keep it simple and you'll get recognized if you do the little things right and not try to do too much." He has just 6-assist on the season, but is noted for being a quiet defender who moves the puck well out of his own end. It's his first year in the OHL, after playing for the Jr. B St. Thomas Stars last season. Raycroft played his minor hockey in Woodstock up until the age of 12, when he went to play AAA in Brantford. He says he owes his success to his roots back here in Woodstock Minor Hockey. "Woodstock definitely was that first stepping stone...all that power skating when I was 5 or 6, yeah, it was great." He hopes he'll have a few supporters back here at home. "I know Woodstock's kind of a London Knights kinda territory, but if they can cheer for Brampton, that'll be great (laughs). Hopefully we'll see them out at some of the games."
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