Akira Ren is just starting his career In the SMJHL but he is already looking to emulate a former SMJHL star and future SHL star in Chicago Syndicate Defensemen Corey Kennedy @SDCore .

Last season Kennedy led all SMJHL defensemen in scoring with 44 points. Ren most likely won’t be doing that this season since he only has 5 points thus far but hopefully with some tutelage from Kennedy in Lethbridge he can evolve into the same sort of player.

Like Kennedy, Ren has been focusing strongly on his defense and skating attributes. He knows that in order to be successful in the SHL you need to be able to skate with the best and defend against the best. However unlike Kennedy, Ren doesn’t look to shoot first when he has the puck. Instead he looks to make a pass to the open man. Perhaps over time Ren will become a better shooter like Kennedy or perhaps he will continue his pass first mentality and pass the puck lots to Kennedy as the pair hold down the blueline for the Chicago Syndicate for seasons to come.