For home games during the 2017-18 season, the Carleton Place Canadians will be profiling one player from the team. This time, the profile is on Peyton Francis.
Quick Bio
Birthdate: Apr. 12, 1999
Hometown: Oakville, Ont.
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs
Shoots: L
Position: F
Francis is in his second season in the Canadians organization after honing his skills playing for the Burlington Eagles midget AAA team.
He spent part of the season with Carleton Place, but mostly played for the Ottawa West Golden Knights of CCHL2 where had to adapt to junior hockey.
“I feel it prepared me really well, I had to play against older players,” Francis said. “It was fast-paced hockey, good coaching and I think it prepared me to be a two-way player up at [the Jr. A] level.”
Francis played in nine games with the Canadians last season – totalling a goal and two assists in those games – and he said those games were more fun to play in because they allowed him the opportunity to use his speed.
“It’s just a faster-paced game in Jr. A and I love to play with speed,” he added. “I love the faster pace, I love when there’s faster guys playing with you and against you. It’s tougher competition and a better challenge.”
In game, Francis said he likes to use his speed – which he identified as his biggest strength – and added the time in Ottawa West allowed him to develop the defensive side to his game.
“Coming in to Jr. B out here in Ottawa, I was pretty offensive, didn’t play a lot of defence but I really worked on it, (coach Jason) Clarke was on me all last year and I think I’m a good two-way player now with a lot of speed to contribute.”
Last season, Francis tallied 46 points – 18 goals, 28 assists – in 45 games with the Golden Knights and he performance there earned him an NCAA scholarship offer to play at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where former Canadians Jordan Larson, Andrew Dodson and Connor Merkley are already playing and where Ryland Mosley of the CCHL2 Carleton Place team is also committed.
“Honestly, it was pretty surprising at the time,” Francis said. “I thought it’d be more when I was playing Jr. A full-time that schools were start talking to me and start looking at me. They’re giving me a great opportunity and it’s a great school, I’m really excited to get down there.”
As the end of the regular season is nearing, Francis has 16 goals and 16 assists in 46 games played.
