Jon Whitelaw’s name will be familiar to anyone who follows Junior A hockey.

The third-year Otter has been a team leader in total points this season and recently scored a goal in the league’s annual all-star game.

However, what many people may not know is how the soft-spoken athlete has made Huntsville his home since arriving here at age 16.

Born in Barrie, Whitelaw has been playing hockey since he was four or five. He soon moved on to rep hockey, with tournaments most weekends.

“Hockey became my life,” he says. “My dad coached me almost all the way through, either as assistant or head coach, so he got to share a lot of it with me.”

When he was 16, Whitelaw was part of a summer team with some Huntsville players and met the Otters’ coach, Tom McCarthy.

“He invited my family up to show us around the town,” Whitelaw recalls. “I wasn’t looking to move away from home at the time, but Tom sold it to me.”

That first year Whitelaw and his good friend Mac Koopmans billeted with Steve and Belinda Saunders.

“They were supportive, warm and caring,” he says. “Steve is a super fan of the team. It was great to live with a guy like that.”

Being with a friend made the transition a little smoother, but it still wasn’t easy.

“You’ve got a lot of freedom and you have to be responsible, get your schoolwork done and do well at hockey,” he explains.

That first year he was a full-time student at Huntsville High School, sometimes getting home from games at 1:30 a.m. and having to get up for school the next day.

The next season he and another friend from Barrie, Jesse McConney, lived with Tracy and Bill Muckler and their children while attending HHS part-time.

“That was a blast,” he says. “I talk to Bill almost every day, and we still go there for dinner at least once a week.”

At the end of the first year, Whitelaw’s parents bought property in Huntsville, and last summer they began building a home here, which they moved into in December.

Explaining Huntsville’s appeal, he says, “It’s so outgoing and friendly. In this town, it’s easy to be yourself. You don’t have to try to be somebody you’re not to get ahead.”

Since his arrival, Whitelaw has made his share of contributions to the community. He helps coach a bantam team, spending much of his time off with them at practices and tournaments.

“That’s another way I’ve met a lot of people. It’s fun,” he says. “Last year, they were thinking, ‘Wow, an Otter,’ but now they all know who I am so we can joke around.”

He and his teammates have also volunteered with the Timbits hockey program, and one day a week he goes into an elementary school to read and help out.

“That’s really fun. It makes you feel like a big deal,” he says. “It’s awesome to see we can make kids happy –— and also show them life’s not all about sports.”

While Whitelaw loves hockey, he also has his eye on continuing his education. He hopes to get a scholarship to an American college so he can combine these two goals.

“I’ve had opportunities to pursue OHL tryouts and things, but I’ve never had an interest in that,” Whitelaw says. “I’m driven to go the school route.”

When asked about his scholarship chances, Whitelaw replies, “This year playing on such a successful team it’s easy to get attention. Usually there are one or more scouts at our games. And I’m fortunate that I still have another year. If nothing comes up there’s always next year.”

Whitelaw is quick to say how talented his teammates are and how much he enjoys playing with them. He is also appreciative of the support shown by his parents, older sister and girlfriend Kirsten.

And when the time comes for him to leave Huntsville, he will always come back to visit his parents and friends.

“I find this place just grows on you,” Whitelaw says.

Is there someone you’d like to see profiled in this space? Please call Paula at 789-5541 or e-mail  pboon@metrolandnorthmedia.com.