Hard work, tenacity key to Van Gorp’s rise

Undrafted (twice) in an OHL Priority Selection, Evan Van Gorp has burst onto the scene this year as a valuable offensive contributor to the first-place London Knights.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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Evan Van Gorp has surpassed his offensive totals from last year — and we’re not even at the midway point of the 2024-25 OHL season.

In other words, it’s been a solid campaign so far for the Watford, Ont., native, who was an undrafted free agent signee by the Knights in 2023. In 27 games this year, the forward has nine goals and 17 points.

And he'll get a good opportunity to add to those numbers over the next couple of weeks with a handful of teammates expected to be away from the Knights while competing for Canada at the World Junior Championship.

“Wherever you are in the lineup, you just have to play your game,” Van Gorp recently told Gameday London. “I think my game is speed and hard work — and just letting the skill take over.”

He’s also producing when it matters most, as eight of his nine goals have come in the third period.

“I like to win, but I really hate losing, so when it comes down to it, I think I rise up in big moments,” Van Gorp said. "I have a lot of confidence in myself in those situations.”

Knights Assistant Coach Rick Steadman says that whether it’s at practice or in a game, you can tell that Van Gorp is a true competitor.

“The biggest thing is he just has that intensity and hounds the puck,” Steadman said. “He constantly goes after the puck, he always wants it back, and he just puts himself in good positions to get it. He has no fear out there. He gets himself in some dangerous spots as a small guy, and he wins those battles.”

Van Gorp has made the most of his opportunities this year, scoring nine goals on 39 shots this season, good for a shooting percentage of 23 per cent. He’s been a feel-good story for the Knights, and he’s fast becoming a fan favorite for his hard work and timely scoring.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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Prior to joining the Knights, Van Gorp played the 2022-23 season with the U18 Elgin-Middlesex Canucks, where he tallied 40 points in 35 games.

“I wasn’t quite ready for Junior B, so getting that chance to play a big role in U18s was huge,” the Knights forward said. “It really helped my game and my confidence level.”

Despite the strong season, Van Gorp went undrafted in the U18 Priority Selection — the second time he was passed over in an OHL draft.

“I just tried not to get too discouraged and worry about what other guys were doing,” he said. “I just focused on playing my game and working hard.”

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

Van Gorp’s tenacity is a big reason why he made such a big impression as a free agent invite to camp last year, where he scored the game winning goal in the annual Green and Gold Game.

Steadman recalls it well. And he says Van Gorp played himself into a roster spot at that camp.

“He just popped out for us,” the coach said. “He’s one of those guys when you’re watching the game and you stop and say, ‘Who is that guy?’”

Growing up on a farm near Watford, Ont., Van Gorp credits his upbringing and family influence for his work ethic.

“I see my dad work hard every day. He gets up really early and does a lot to keep the farm going and support his family. I think I learned a lot from him growing up.”

Van Gorp says he was able to learn a lot through his first season in the OHL, where he played in 44 regular season games. He dressed in every playoff contest, as well as all four games at the Memorial Cup, and he acted as a sponge to soak in everything he could. He’s continued to do the same this year.

“I’ve just been trying to come to the rink every day with a positive mindset and trying to get better every day,” he said.

“I’ve been learning a lot from all the older guys. They’ve been great to rely on. They give you some advice and lead you in the right direction.”

With the possibility of four forwards being away at the World Juniors, Van Gorp will be one of several players counted on to keep the ship on track until the stars rejoin the team in early January.

Judging by his performance to this point, the second-year Knights forward seems up to the task.