Fort Erie Falcons: A Hidden Draft Gem Matures...

The art of the CCHL Entry Draft is one of the harder tasks a General Manager in the CCHL must undertake annually.

The draft provides an opportunity to build a strong team for the future, or a window as to why a team potentially failed to get better. 

The key to a strong draft is to find potential hidden gems within the middle to late rounds; everyone knows the odds of a first round pick succeeding in comparison to the third round or later. 

The Fort Erie Falcons may have found one of those gems in center Carter Verhaeghe. 

Verhaeghe was selected in the third round of the 2013 CCHL Entry Draft.  After posting a pair of 82 point seasons to conclude his OHL career, he has bounced around in the AHL the past few years; until landing in Syracuse this season. 

Despite a late start to the season due to injury, Verhaeghe has found a fit within the Crunch and has posted 25 points in 25 games this year in the AHL. 

While Verhaeghe won't be a top line center in the CCHL, the 22-year-old has the potential to be a solid third line forward if he continues to develop like he has this season. 

"Carter has really taken a step in his game this season and we're excited to see what he's become.  He has a chance to play in the CCHL in the next couple of years.  We just have to be patient with him.  Not everyone develops at the same pace and that's okay," said Fort Erie GM Matt Young on Verhaeghe.

While the centerpiece of the organization down the middle is third overall pick Dylan Strome, Verhaeghe finds himself in a position to contribute down the road. 

If Verhaeghe continues his ascent to the CCHL he could become proof for other General Managers that every pick has value.

Not many gave Verhaeghe a chance coming into the season but he has played his way onto the Falcons radar as a legitimate prospect. 

Who will this year's Verhaeghe be in the 2018 CCHL Entry Draft?  Time will tell but Verheaghe could be proof of the importance of making the most of your picks. 

You never know what that pick could become five years in the future.