Oscar Hemming did not get a normal first season in North America.
He got four months of waiting, lifting and wondering when he would be allowed to play again, and by the time the Boston College freshman left wing arrived in late December, he was stepping into one of the sport’s toughest environments without the usual runway.
The stat line at Boston College in 19 games (one goal, seven assists) only tells part of the story. The youngest player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey joined a loaded lineup in December after not playing live games since the summer, and still managed to impact shifts, complement top players and flash the power-forward package that has scouts projecting a bright future.
“For him to jump in after not playing live games since the summer and affect the game the way he did was really impressive,” Boston College coach Greg Brown said. “You could see he really understands the game. To be 17 years old and to jump into a team halfway through a season and be able to impact games and to read the players that are older and playing at a faster pace says a lot about his hockey IQ.”
Hemming has the frame (6-foot-4, 204 pounds) teams covet on the wing. What made his sample with the Eagles so encouraging, though, was how quickly his hockey sense translated. Brown said Hemming’s understanding of the game stood out almost immediately, especially given the challenge of adjusting to older, faster competition.
“For him to jump in after not playing live games since the summer and affect the game the way he did was really impressive,” Brown said. “You could see he really understands the game.”
That understanding helped Hemming settle in quickly on a line with Boston Bruins forward prospects James Hagens and Dean Letourneau.
“Playing with guys like Hagens and Letourneau just shows his hockey sense because his compete level is always there but he’s able to think the game like those skilled players and he can play a power-forward game,” NHL Central Scouting associate director Dave Gregory said. “He’s the first on the forecheck, can throw heavy hits and understands how that’s going to create opportunities.
“He’s really quick to recognize where you’ve got to move it. I think it’s all about him adjusting to the pace of play at the college hockey level and I think he was doing that at a really good rate this season. I think it’s just going to be better. He’s kind of set up to be a beast next year if he goes back to school.”
Brown said Hemming developed chemistry with Hagens right away, recognizing what he needed.
“James is a puck transporter and Oscar knew exactly how to help,” Brown said. “He read the plays in front of him really well.”
For a big wing, that’s a huge part of the appeal.
“He’s a big guy, like me, great battles, loves to take hits, loves to give hits,” said fellow countryman Oliver Suvanto (6-3, 213), who plays for Tappara in the Liiga. “He’s willing to do everything to win the game. Skillful guy, good scorer. Just a really good player and especially a great guy. I like to hang out with him.”
Few can think the game fast enough to keep pace with elite skill, but Hemming showed that at Boston College even while admitting the speed of the NCAA game was his biggest adjustment.
“Probably the game speed, just everybody being faster, everybody processing the game faster,” Hemming said. “I wouldn’t say the physicality surprised me. I think it was good, like that you can be physical. I am physical, so I like it that way.”
