2020 Draft: O'Rourke makes mark as 'born leader,' solid defenseman

Every Thursday, NHL.com will look ahead to the 2020 NHL Draft with an in-depth profile on one of its top prospects.

Ryan O'Rourke is a born leader with an old-school mentality, qualities he exhibited even before being named the second 17-year-old captain in the history of Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League.
"Being a leader is about being a good person; it doesn't have to mean your vocal or anything like that," said O'Rourke, who turned 18 on May 16. "I try to lead on the ice, especially with my work ethic. Whether it's practice or games, there's different kinds of leadership."
The 6-foot, 178-pound defenseman, No. 27 in NHL Central Scouting's final list of North American skaters eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft, had 37 points (seven goals, 30 assists), a plus-16 rating, and 15 power-play points (four goals, 11 assists) in 54 games for Sault Ste. Marie this season.
He was named captain on Nov. 4, joining Craig Hartsburg in 1976-77 as Sault Ste. Marie's only 17-year-old captains.
"It's pretty clear if you watch him play or meet him off the ice that he's a born leader, that's for sure," Sault Ste. Marie coach John Dean said. "He knows how to play under stressful situations, how to respond under pressure, which I think is a huge characteristic of a leader.

"He has a drive and care factor that's above most people in the game, period, let alone people his age."
O'Rourke compares his style to Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith.
"He's kind of that old school, tough-type defenseman who doesn't really let guys by him in the defensive zone," O'Rourke said of Keith. "He can still put up points and maintain that grittiness.
"I'm more of a modern, old-school defenseman, not afraid to join the rush in the offensive zone but still having that gritty, defensive-zone component."
How old school? O'Rourke did not miss a game as an OHL rookie in 2018-19 despite twice sustaining a broken nose.
"The first time I broke it was with about six minutes remaining in the third period (against Saginaw on Dec. 28, 2018) and I wore a face shield for about five weeks," O'Rourke said. "Later in the year and in my second game after getting the shield off, I got cross-checked in the face and broke it again (against Kitchener on Jan. 27, 2019) so that was another five weeks with the shield."

O'Rourke said he never considered sitting out in either case.
"I could deal with the pain, but with my style of play -- I wouldn't say I'm an agitator but I play with an edge -- some guys may not like the shield," O'Rourke said. "Otherwise, it's not much different than a visor except you have the full thing. I wouldn't say I liked it, but it wasn't the worst thing."
O'Rourke logs a lot of minutes, is good under pressure and tough to play against, which bodes well for any NHL team selecting him in the 2020 draft.
"What goes unnoticed is his ability to ride the edge," Dean said. "He generally doesn't go over the top."
O'Rourke had 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 62 games on the way to being named Rookie of the Year for Sault Ste. Marie in 2018-19.
"He works hard, and everybody follows," Sault Ste. Marie forward Jaromir Pytlik said. "He's doing it the right way and we just try to follow him."
Pytlik (6-2, 200) is No. 46 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters.
O'Rourke was surprised when told he would wear the 'C' this season.
"I want to say for the first week it didn't really set in," he said. "I didn't really believe it but once we started playing games it was kind of clear that I was the guy getting yelled at more and kind of the one who was going to lead everyone into battle, which is pretty cool."
He said the added responsibility never distracted him from his daily routine.
"I think some of the guys in our room, especially Jacob LeGuerrier (defenseman selected by the Montreal Canadiens No. 126 in the 2019 draft), have been around a few years and he's been through it all," O'Rourke said. "I think having that experience also brings us all together."
Dean said it was an easy decision to name O'Rourke captain.
"He's always putting the team before his own well-being and I just think the biggest thing is his competitive edge," Dean said. "A broken nose or injury wasn't going to stop him. He wants to be on the ice with his teammates and it's contagious.
"When you play like that, your teammates will step up and play for you as well."
Photo credits: Bob Davies, Saultsports.com
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