Kingston Frontenacs Game Day December 13, 2019

by Marcus Boutilier
@bouthockey ohlnetwork.ca
With a young team building a foundation of
success on hard work and determination, it
isn’t a surprise to see Dawson Baker be a leader
in both those categories. While he isn’t the largest
player on the ice at times, he plays a big game and
certainly helps Kingston provide some sandpaper
to the lineup.
Baker was traded to the Frontenacs in
September of 2018 from the Sudbury Wolves for a
fifth-round selection and a conditional sixth. Should
he play an overage season, the sixth-round pick is
in 2023. Recovering from mono leading into the
season it was a fresh start for the Baltimore, Ontario
native. He scored his first goal with Kingston at
home versus the Erie Otters on October 12th, 2018.
Born on April 18th, 2000, he played his minor
hockey with the Quinte Red Devils Minor Midget
AAA program in 2015-16 playing in 34 games
scoring 17 goals and 37 points with 72 penalty
minutes. Dawson also played a game for the
Trenton Golden Hawks of the OJHL that season as
well.
The Wolves selected Baker at the 2016 OHL
Priority Selection in the 4th round, 63rd overall. In
his first OHL season, he had played in 10 games,
and while he had no points, he adjusted to the
speed and size of the OHL game adding eight
minutes in penalties during 2016-17. He again
spent time with the Golden Hawks appearing in 33
games with 10 goals and 21 points.
He also represented Canada for 5 games at the
2017 World Hockey Challenge playing for Team
Black. He was credited with 2 points playing with
names like Peterborough goalie Hunter Jones and
current Oshawa General forward Allan McShane.
Dawson became a regular in Sudbury’s line-up
the following season of 2017-18 appearing in 61
games collecting seven goals and 13 points with 54
penalty minutes. He averaged a shot a game as he
began to get comfortable in the league. He scored
his first career OHL goal and point on Oct 6, 2017,
vs Mississauga.
This season has seen the 6’0, 188 lbs winger
not only continue his physical presence in games
but also helping on the scoresheet more than in the
past. Playing in 27 games this season, he has 10
goals already surpassing his career-high of 8 set
in 2018-19 while also being on pace to have the
best point total of his OHL career. He registered
a hat trick at home versus Peterborough on Dec
6 giving him six goals in the last 5 games heading
into tonight’s game vs Barrie Colts. Never one to put
himself before the team, he says while the offence
is coming this season, he is more concerned about
winning games for home fans in Kingston.
He has 43 minutes in penalties this year including
a decision over Aiden Prueter of Mississauga on
Nov 24th in Kingston. He blocks shots routinely
and, in a game earlier in the year, was in front of
three slap shots in a matter of seconds to help
preserve a win for his team. KF
OFFICIAL GAME DAY MAGAZINE, VOLUME 47, ISSUE 14
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