Red-hot Petes blueliner embracing his role
Cole Fraser, tied for team lead in plus minus at +14, says he was given an opportunity
Cole Fraser has bought into what Peterborough Petes’ head coach Rob Wilson is selling and it’s reflected in his performance this season.
The 19-year-old Detroit Red Wings draft pick is tied for the team lead in plus-minus at +14, the highest rating of his career. He’s already equaled last season’s points totals, three goals and eight assists, just 28 games into the 2018-19 campaign. He’s also found that line where his physical play meets the edge without going over it.
As the Petes prepared to host the Hamilton Bulldogs on Teddy Bear Toss Night Thursday at the Memorial Centre, Fraser said he was presented with an opportunity and a role this season he’s embraced.
“The biggest thing is Rob has believed in me and he’s given me the opportunity to show my abilities,” said Fraser. “I think that’s something that has really brought my game up to the way it is now. Mainly, because I felt I haven’t really got that much of a chance to showcase the way I could play.
“Once I got that opportunity with Rob everything seemed to fall into place.”
Wilson met with Fraser prior to the season and what the coach said to him resonated.
“I was ready to buy-In from the minute we hired Rob,” said Fraser. “He has a lot of experience coaching pro hockey and I believed he was going to treat us like pro hockey players. I think that’s something a lot of junior hockey clubs and players need, is for someone to treat them like a pro so they know what it’s going to be like when they do potentially make the next step. That’s why I was so excited to get started for the season.”
“Cole is having a very strong year,” said Wilson. “He’s bought into what the coaching staff is saying and he’s doing it very well. I heard his discipline was a problem in the past but his discipline has been very good this year. He’s working hard to control it and make sure he’s on top of it. When you do play with an edge and you’re a physical player it’s difficult to control sometimes and I understand that. We talk about it often and I try to help him with that. I think he’s done a very good job.”
Another major factor, Fraser said, in his improved play is his partnership with Declan Chisholm. The two have assumed the role as the Petes’ top defensive pairing and are a combined +26 while at the same time having the responsibility of playing against other team’s top lines every night.
“I think they’re as good a pair as any in the league right now,” said Wilson. “I’d be interested to hear who thinks another pair has done a better job consistencywise.”
“The chemistry we have has really helped my game,” said Fraser. “I think the reason why we complement each other is because we are two different players. He’s obviously very offensive, leading the team in scoring, and I’m there to cover for him when he wants to jump up in the play and create some offence. I can also rely on him if I want to jump up into the play.”
The six-foot-two, 201-pound Fraser is one of the OHL’s strongest and most physical players. It allows him to match up against the league’s power forwards.
“Cole is a very strong player but he is also a very good skater so he can close people down quick,” said Wilson. “It also helps with the physicality on getting momentum with hits.”