London Nationals forward and Knights prospect Jack Samek now in top three in GOHL scoring

Jack Samek scored the game-winning goal with 44 seconds left in the third period to lift the London Nationals to a 4-3 win over Komoka on Oct. 28 at Western Fair Sports Centre.

The goal was Samek’s team-leading 15th of the season. Combined with an assist earlier in the game, it gives the London Knights prospect 27 points, tied for second in GOHL scoring.

That alone is a great start. Look at who surrounds Samek on the scoring list, though, and something else makes him stand out.

The rest of the top five is made up of 19-year-old Reid Gammage and three 20-year-olds: Ryan Hodkinson, Blake Elzinga and Matteo Gauthier.

Hodkinson, who plays for the St. Marys Lincolns, has been otherworldly, averaging 2.57 points per game.

Still, there is a little bit of a unicorn status in the player right behind him.

Samek is 16 years old. Born in 2010.

The Knights picked him in the third round of the OHL Priority Selection just last June.
The next first-year player anywhere close to Samek is Andrew Baker of the Chatham Maroons, who sits 20th overall. The next 16-year-old is Shayne Keefe of the Listowel Cyclones, in 27th.

Baker and Keefe are both having strong seasons, which shows just how far ahead of the pack Samek is.

“Our team’s goal was just to create bonds with each other on and off the ice,” Samek says. “I have to give credit to all of the players on the roster who look for me on the ice. They know I’m new [to the league], and they have made me feel welcome from the start.”

Samek grew up as a teammate of Kosta Housseas, who signed an OHL scholarship and development agreement with the Knights this week and will make his OHL debut in North Bay.

“He can put the puck in the back of the net, and he can play on the defensive side as well,” Housseas says. “You put the puck into an area and he will skate into it and make a play. He’s a good teammate to have.”

Right now, Samek is a key piece for the Nationals.

The win over the Kings moves London to 6-8-0-1, with five of their six wins coming on home ice.

Next up is a massive road test on Friday, Oct. 30 in St. Catharines against the Falcons, who lead the Eastern Conference.
London then hosts the St. Thomas Stars on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Western Fair Sports Centre.

The Stars remain the stingiest team in the GOHL, giving up just 26 goals in 12 games, and sit fourth in the Western Conference.