John Wright/The Independent

Evan Van Gorp knows a thing or two about being overlooked. He went undrafted in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection and the 2023 OHL U18 Priority Selection. He doesn’t seem to mind proving the doubters wrong.

“There’s so many mistakes in drafts, so (I) just try to keep my head up and try to prove everyone wrong.” Van Gorp said.

After being passed over, the Watford native got an invitation to the Sarnia Sting’s training camp in 2023 but ended up being one of the final cuts.

“I cut got there and I didn’t really think that I would play in the OHL,” Van Gorp said. 

Shortly after that, the London Knights came calling with an invitation to come to their training camp. Van Gorp impressed the team and was signed as a free agent. 

He worked his way onto the Knights roster full-time by the beginning of 2024, where he was coached by Oil Springs native Dale Hunter. 

“He’s an unbelievable coach,” Van Gorp said of Hunter, “He cares about every single one of his players. (He does) countless hours of video and after hours in practice, teaching me how to become more of a complete player.”

Van Gorp’s first year was memorable, winning the OHL championship before losing in the Memorial Cup final to the Saginaw Spirit. 

Van Gorp didn’t get much ice time but that didn’t stop him from growing. 

“I learned so much from all of our leaders last year: Isaiah George, Jackson Edward, Max McCue, and Kaleb Lawrence,” Van Gorp says. 

“They’re great leaders and they helped me out a lot last year, so I can’t thank them enough.” 

Van Gorp spent the following offseason getting bigger and stronger, packing on 15 pounds. That allowed him to grab a bigger role with the Knights this season, putting up 16 points in 18 games. 

That total includes a goal against the Sting in late October, which he admitted was a special one. 

“I’ve been to a lot of games in the stands, so being out on the ice is unreal. Last time we played them I did end up potting one, so it’s (an) unreal feeling.”

The second-year forward has had no shortage of memorable games. He set a new career high with five points in an 8-7 win over the Guelph Storm a couple of weeks ago. 

Van Gorp is the third leading scorer for the team behind Easton Cowan and Sam Dickinson, scoring eight this season and adding eight assists to the tally.

Regular season moments are great, but Van Gorp knows what his team’s ultimate goal is. 

“Last year we lost in the (Memorial Cup) final, so this year our goal is to go all the way and win the Memorial Cup.”