Hockey player Ethan Miedema, selected by the Buffalo Sabres at the recent NHL Entry Draft in Nashville, grew up around the rinks of Cobourg. 

Not just as a player when he got his start on the ice, but also accompanying his grandfather Harry Jeschke, who is the former longtime arena manager for the Town of Cobourg. 

“He was the one who probably introduced me to hockey the most,” Miedema said, recalling joining his grandfather for Cobourg Cougars junior A games on Monday nights. “He’d pick me up and we would go and have a fun time. I’d get in with him and would sit by the glass where the Zamboni comes out. I was at the rink lots in the back area and just being at those kinds of games, I really looked up to those guys.”

Miedema was a fourth-round pick, 109th overall, during day two of the draft on June 29.

“It’s a great feeling. I said in an interview there that I didn’t really have any words and it was just such a shock that a childhood dream has came true and just being at (development) camp over the past six or seven days when I was there it was a true testament to how the NHL really is and just how well they treat us as prospects, Miedema said. 

Miedema, now with the Kingston Frontenacs, has played two Ontario Hockey League seasons after being a fourth-overall draft pick by the Windsor Spitfires in 2021. He was dealt to Kingston this past season in a trade deadline deal involving Seattle Kraken prospect Shane Wright going the other way to Windsor.

He first played minor hockey for the Cobourg Jr. Cougars before moving on to triple-A hockey in Clarington and Quinte.

Miedema was thrilled to have parents Amy and Jeremy at the NHL draft in Nashville. 

“They’re both my heroes and they’ve put in so much of their time, so much money and so much effort into me,” he said. “I get a lot of credit for this, but a lot of it should be reflected on them and what they’ve done for me.”

He also appreciates the support of his younger brothers Colby and Zach, who were also at the draft when he heard his name called.

Listen here to the full interview with Ethan Miedema: