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Ontario Insider: The Ontario Terriers Success Thanks To Dan Thompson And Scott Van de Valk

January 21, 2015

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By Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Director of Scouting

The Ontario Terriers are coming off a Championship victory in the Fergie Jenkins League 16u and 18u divisions last year. Coach Scott Van de Valk, who has a strong baseball resume, has ran the Junior Intercounty Baseball League, as well manage in the IBL with the Mississauga Twins.

This year he again will be the man running the show at 18u for the Terriers ball club as they look to build on their Fergie Championship from a year ago. With 11 players already signed and committed to schools across the border, Van de Valk is hoping it allows his team to focus and prepare themselves for their upcoming freshman years.

A program that has been known to produce some big time talent with the likes of RHP Cal Quantrill (Stanford), OF Toby Handley (Stony Brook), SS Cole Peragine (Stony Brook), LHP Travis Seabrooke (Baltimore Orioles 5th Rd.) as well Super Bowl Champion Tight End Luke Willson, although we believe he learned all his routes at Rice University.

Dan Thompson, who built the Terriers organization does a fine job on the recruiting side and making sure he has his players best interests at stake. As a former player who had the opportunity to play under Dan, he’s a very respectful and credible man on and off the field.

The Ontario Terriers organization has helped their players receive 120 scholarships, have 25 players selected to the Junior National Team, have won 26 championships, and have had 18 former player selected in the MLB Draft.

We sat down with Coach Van de Valk and were able to find out his expectations about his team and the upcoming season, and he was able to give us an inside look to who is up and coming with the Ontario Terriers. Here is what coach had to say:

PBR: How long have you been a part of the Terriers organization, and what team will you be coaching this year?

Van de Valk: This will be my fifth season as coach with the Ontario Terriers and I will be Head Coach of the 18u club.

PBR: Who are some of the key players and what role will they play throughout the season?

Van de Valk: The pitching staff as a whole with Robert Wilson, Sam Turcotte, and Kyle Scobel will lead the staff. Grant Okawa and Elliott Curtis combo solidify our middle infield. Jake Sims and Joe Tevlin provide a solid backstop combination. Daito Kojima and Jake Foden should provide gold glove defense in centerfield. Just a well-balanced club overall.

PBR: You have had nine senior players commit, and Elliott Curtis of the 2016 class committed already, is it important to the organization to get players signed early?

Van de Valk: No not really. Our commits speak to the pace of the market. The Terriers have always had the most reputable relationships south of the border. Our players have worked hard to attract interest and Dan Thompson is second to nobody in placing his athletes in college scenarios. They arrive and excel when they land on campus.

PBR: Anybody who is uncommitted close to signing with a school?

Van de Valk: Yes, we currently have four guys weighing offers.

PBR: Who are the upcoming prospects in the Terriers organization?

Van de Valk: Players to watch are: Wil Hotta  LHP, Joe Tevlin C, Sam Turcotte RHP, Jack Olmstead OF,  Jacob Martins INF, Austin Skelhorne RHP, Ryan Giberson RHP, Justin Wambolt C, Matt Correia RHP, and Alex Wall RHP.

PBR: Will you be traveling to Florida? If so where and when?

Van de Valk: Yes, West Palm Beach, March 11-19.

PBR: Do you know where you will be traveling in 2015 to go along with your Fergie Jenkins League schedule?

Van de Valk: Upstate New York a number of times. Summer Schedule includes Erie, PA and a 14 day tour through Nashville and Cincinnati.

PBR: What former Ontario Terriers are off at excelling at school or in the minor leagues at the moment?

Van de Valk: We have numerous guys in college as well in professional organizations.

  • Cal Quantrill- Stanford, RHP
  • Tobey Handley- Stony Brook, OF
  • Liam Wilson- NE Colorado, 3B
  • Cole Peragine- Stony Brook, SS
  • Brian Doran- Maine, OF
  • David Head- N. Kentucky, INF
  • Mattingly Romanin- Chicago State, INF
  • Travis Seabrooke- Baltimore Orioles, LHP
  • Luke Willson- Seattle Seahawks, Tight End (NFL)

PBR: What to expect from your team this season?

Van de Valk: Consistency. We are well balanced. I expect them to push themselves to new levels. Challenge each other, take risks and ask questions when necessary.

PBR: Biggest accomplishment as a coach?

Van de Valk: 2006 Junior National Championship Guelph Silvercreeks

Below we take a look at current prospects from the Ontario Terriers that have already committed to universities.

2015 Commitments
Christian Lazar LHP University of Sioux Falls
Nathan Lewko 1B University of Northwestern Ohio
Robert Wilson LHP Niagara University
Jacob Sims C Roane State College
Drew Dickerson INF MaComb College
Grant Okawa SS University of Massachusetts
Sharan Rasan CF Culver-Stockton
Konar Smith OF Gannon University
Tyler Valiquette RHP Monroe College
Tyler Riehl LHP Monroe College
Matthew Vollmer C University of St. Francis



2016 Commitments
Elliott Curtis INF Middle Tennesee State


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