Draft Eligible 3 Stars: Final Rankings

by Dominic Tiano (@DominicTiano)

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Throughout the 25 weeks of the Ontario hockey League season, a group of independent scouts and media people voted on the OHL’s draft eligible players as the 3 stars for each week.  At the end of the season, we tabulated those votes in a scoring system and come up with the three stars of the season.

This is the fourth season of doing this now and it is by far the closest voting to date. The previous three season’s winners were: Malcolm Subban (2011-2012), Shane Prince (2010-2011) and Tyler Seguin (2009-2010).

Honorable mentions were Max Domi of the London Knights, Jason Dickinson of the Guelph Storm and Charlie Graham of the Belleville Bulls.

Here are your 2012-2013 draft eligible 3 stars:

3^rd Star-Bo Horvat-London Knights:  Horvat finished fifth in points, third in goals and first in powerplay goals among draft eligible players. He finished third on the Knights in points and tied for second in goals. He was named the week’s first star once, second star three times and third star once.

2^nd Star-Sean Monahan-Ottawa 67’s: Monahan ended the year third in points, second in assists, fourth in goals and second in powerplay goals. Like Rychel, he led his team in goals, assists and points despite missing ten games. He was named the week’s first star on 3 occasions and second star once.

1^st Star- Kerby Rychel-Windsor Spitfires: Rychel finished the season tied for points among draft eligible players, first in goals, third in assists and second in powerplay goals. He led his squad in goals, assists and points during the regular season. He was named the week’s first star on 3 occasions, second star once and third star once.

I’d like to thank all those that participated throughout the season and look forward to doing it again next season. Would also like to wish the best to all the players heading into the playoffs and for the NHL Draft in June. 

OHL Draft Eligible Players: 20-11 Final Rankings

by Dominic Tiano (@DominicTiano)

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Part three of our rankings on Ontario Hockey League players eligible for the National Hockey League draft in June continues today.  We previously focused on the top goaltenders and the skaters we ranked from 21-40.

We countdown the players and provide their statistics, where we ranked them in the last ranking and where NHL Central Scouting ranked them in their mid-term rankings. Once again, this list covers players eligible for the NHL draft for the first time. Players passed over in previous drafts are not included.

Skaters 21-40

Goalies

Here are the skaters ranked in reverse from 20 – 11

20. Hunter Garlent – Guelph Storm

Previous Rank: 16

Central Scouting:  21

Date of Birth: February 4, 1995

Height: 5’9

Weight: 164

Hometown: Thorold, Ontario

Stats:  50GP 12G 19A 31PTS

Position: Center

Garlent failed to reach his career highs in goals, assists and points but in all fairness, he was limited to 50 games because of injuries. He was averaging a point per game until he missed the entire month of November and never really returned to his early season success. The long season may have caught up to him along with the injuries.

Despite his size, Garlent is consistently one of the hardest workers on the ice. He plays much bigger than his size showing a willingness to go to the net, battle along the boards and get his nose dirty. Very accomplished in all 3 zones.

19. Ben Harpur – Guelph Storm

Previous Rank:  21

Central Scouting:  19

Date of Birth:  January 12, 1995

Height:  6’5

Weight:  208

Hometown:  Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

Stats:   67GP 3G 12A 15PTS

Position:  Defence

Harpur cracks the top 20 at just the right time. He has the tremendous size that NHL scouts love. He’s an excellent skater for his size with good mobility. He has good puck skills and above average hockey IQ. He’s had 3 career OHL fights in two seasons so he’s not really a fighter.

He’s strong defensively with some offensive ability. He’s a converted forward with his OHL career being the first two full seasons he’s played on defence.

18. Nick Moutrey – Saginaw Spirit

Previous Rank:  17

Central Scouting: 14

Date of Birth: January 24, 1995

Height:  6’3

Weight:  208

Hometown: Shelburne, ON

Stats:  65GP 16G 27A 43PTS

Position: Left Wing

Moutrey set career highs in goals, assists and points this season. More importantly, he’s been consistent from beginning to end once he got into his groove. His longest pointless streak of the season was 4 gameswhile his longest point streak was 3 games.

Moutrey is already close to having NHL size and he uses it effectively. He doesn’t possess blazing speed but is a very effective north and south skater. He has a very high hockey IQ and an excellent passer. He’s not afraid of the dirty areas, boards, in front of the net or going in on the forecheck. 

17. Cole Cassels – Oshawa Generals

Previous Rank: 16

Central Scouting:  16

Date of Birth: May 4, 1995

Height:  6’

Weight:  176

Hometown:  Ottawa, Ontario

Stats:   65GP 15G 28A  43PTS

Position:  Center

Playing down on the depth chart in Oshawa, Cassels actually had a very good offensive season for the Generals. Once October came around, his longest pointless streak of the season was 3 games while his longest point streak was points in 5 of 6 games.

Cassels has average skating speed but uses his slick passing abilities well to move things north. He has a good shot, forehand and backhand. He’s not the biggest player but doesn’t shy away from the physical game. He’s strong on the back check but needs to make smarter decisions with passes in his own zone. Has the IQ to be successful and if he can improve his own zone thinking and add some speed to his skating, he could very well turn out to be a pretty effective NHL’er.

16. Stephen Harper – Erie Otters

Previous Rank:  15

Central Scouting:  13

Date of Birth: March 25, 1995

Height: 6’1

Weight: 195

Hometown: Burlington, Ontario

Stats:  67GP 18G 20A 38PTS

Position: Left Wing

Probably the biggest disappointment this season based on expectations from last season. He failed to reach his goal total from last season despite playing in more games although his 20 assists were an improvement over the 11 last season.

Harper has all the tools, including size, to be successful but on many nights he loses battles he shouldn’t be losing. Maybe it’s a lack of motivation, or a lack of work ethic, but I believe the right coach and system may be able to tap into that potential.

15. Nicholas Baptiste – Sudbury Wolves

Previous Rank:  18

Central Scouting:  25

Date of Birth:  August 4, 1995

Height:  6’1”

Weight: 190

Hometown:  Ottawa, Ontario

Stats:  66GP 21G 27A 48PTS

Position: Right Wing

If Baptiste’s first half of the season was anywhere near his second half, he’d still be talked about as the number 7 ranked player he was during the pre-season rankings. Despite the slow start, he finished 9^th among draft eligible players in points and 8^th in goals. A strong playoff showing could move him up higher.

Baptiste has good size and uses it effectively. He’s a very good skater and comes with an excellent scoring touch. He uses his size and speed on the forecheck tremendously well. He can find open lanes and has a drive for the net. He also plays in any and all situations.

14. Zach Nastasiuk – Owen Sound Attack

Previous Rank: 14

Central Scouting:  11

Date of Birth: March 30, 1995

Height: 6’1

Weight: 191

Hometown: Barrie, Ontario

Stats:  62GP 20G 20A 40PTS

Position:  Right Wing

When “Nasty” puts up points, they seem to come in small bunches and will often go a few games without registering a point. But all the other things he does can’t be ignored. He opens up space for his teammates just by being on the ice. He is very strong defensively and plays in all situations.

His nickname Nasty pretty much describes his play. Tough along the boards and down low and hard to beat physically. Has some offensive ability and could become more consistent if he could improve his skating speed.

13. Jimmy Lodge – Saginaw Spirit

Previous Rank:  13

Central Scouting:  9

Date of Birth: March 5, 1995

Height:  6’2

Weight:  166

Hometown:  Downingtown, PA

Stats:  64GP 28G 39A 67PTS

Position: Left Wing

Like Baptiste, a very strong second half vaulted Lodge. He finished third in scoring with the Spirit while finishing 4^th among draft eligible players in points, 5^th in goals, 4^th in assists and 5^th in powerplay goals.

Lodge has good size but will need to fill out his frame. He is a very good skater and has a very high hockey IQ. He isn’t afraid of the dirty areas, will drive the net hard will score the dirty goals and can beat you with a shot. His playmaking abilities have improved as the season has progressed adding another dimension to his offense. At this pace, up is the only place left to go for Lodge.

12. Jordan Subban – Belleville Bulls

Previous rank:  12

Central Scouting:  20

Date of Birth: March 3, 1995

Height: 5’9

Weight: 177

Hometown: Rexdale, Ontario

Stats:  68GP 12G 36A 48PTS

Position: Defence

I’ve set it before: size will be his downfall but make no mistake, he has the talent. Led all draft eligible defensemen in goals, assists and points, 8^th among all draft eligible players in points, first in shootout percentage and 6^th in plus/minus.

Subban is a borderline elite skater who possesses an ability to make a great first pass or skate the puck in transition almost without effort. He has an underrated shot and is a powerplay quarterback, although his powerplay ice time has decreased since trade deadline. But we have to mention his size here as that will be what many will look at first.

11. Ryan Kujawinski – Kingston Frontenacs

Previous Rank:  8

Central Scouting:  18

Date of Birth: March 30, 1995

Height: 6’2

Weight: 205

Hometown: Iroqouis Falls, Ontario

Stats:  66GP 17G 31A 48PTS

Position: Center

Another disappointment after last season just like Harper. After his trade to Kingston last season, Kujawinski showed a lot of promise offensively. And while he surpassed last season’s totals, they were not near what was expected. He finished 10^th among draft eligible players in points and 7^th in assists

More a shooter than a playmaker, Kujawinski has good size, is a good skater with a very good release on his shot. Inconsistency is the issue with him this season. And like Harper is losing battle he should be winning. A stronger work ethic and a commitment to that work ethic would solve his consistency issues.

OHL Draft Eligible Players: 40-21 Final Rankings

by Dominic Tiano (@DominicTiano)

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This is the second installment of our draft rankings of Ontario Hockey League players eligible for the National Hockey League Draft in June 2013. Today we begin to look at the top 40 skaters beginning with those ranked in the 20-40 range. We previously looked at the top goaltenders available from the OHL.

Once again, this list is comprised of players eligible for the first time. Players passed over in previous drafts are not included. The list doesn’t go into as much detail as the top 20 has and will. You will see the players stats as well as where they were ranked in the OHL by NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings.

Our final rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft will come out at the conclusion of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.

Goalie Rankings

Skaters 21-40

40. Stephan Nosad – Peterborough Petes

Central Scouting:  40

Date of Birth: January 25, 1995

Height: 5’11

Weight: 188

Hometown: Tottenham, Ontario

Stats: 62GP 10G 19A 29PTS

Position: Right Wing

39. Anthony DiFruscia – Niagara Ice Dogs

Central Scouting:  39

Date of Birth: October 6, 1994

Height: 6’2

Weight: 214

Hometown: Ekaterinburg, Russia

Stats: 68GP 14G 16A 30PTS

Position: Left Wing

38. Tyler Bertuzzi – Guelph Storm

Central Scouting: 43

Date of Birth: February 24, 1994

Height: 6’

Weight: 171

Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario

Stats: 43GP 13G 9A 22Pts

Position:  Left Wing

37. Greg Betzold – Peterborough Petes

Central Scouting:  37

Date of Birth: March 11, 1995

Height: 6’2

Weight: 195

Hometown:  Bel Air, MD

Stats: 67GP 9G 23A 32PTS

Position: Left Wing

36. Trevor Murphy – Windsor Spitfires

Central Scouting:  Not ranked

Date of Birth: July 17, 1995

Height: 5’10

Weight: 173

Hometown:  Windsor, Ontario

Stats:  65GP 9G 19A 28PTS

Position:  Defence

35. Sergey Kuptsov – Ottawa 67’s

Central Scouting:  32

Date of Birth:  October 6, 1994

Height:  6’2

Weight:  204

Hometown:  Ekateringburg, Russia

Stats:  61GP 10G 18A 28Pts

Position:  Left Wing

34. Dominik Kubalik – Sudbury Wolves

Central Scouting:  33

Date of Birth:  August 21, 1995

Height:  6’1

Weight:  195

Hometown: Moscow, Russia

Stats:  67GP 17G 17A 34PTS

Position:  Left Wing

33. Dominik Kahun

Central Scouting:  Not ranked

Date of Birth:  July 2, 1995

Height:  5’9

Weight:  160

Hometown:  Plan, Czech Republic

Stats:  58GP 13G 27A 40PTS

Position:  Left Wing

32. Kyle Platzer – London Knights

Central Scouting:  28

Date of Birth:  March 4, 1995

Height:  5’11

Weight: 184

Hometown:  Waterloo, Ontario

Stats:  65GP 5G 17A 22PTS

Position:  Center

31. Brody Silk – Sudbury Wolves

Central Scouting:  27

Date of Birth:  November 30, 1994

Height:  6’

Weight:  185

Hometown:  Iroqouis Falls, Ontario

Stats:  55GP 12G 24A 36PTS

Position:  Center

30. Brent Pedersen – Kitchener Rangers

Central Scouting: 31

Date of Birth:  July 5, 1995

Height:  5’11

Weight:  181

Hometown:  Arthur, Ontario

Stats:  67GP 14G 16A 30PTS

Position:  Left Wing

29. Erik Bradford – Barrie Colts

Central Scouting:  30

Date of Birth:  October 19, 1994

Height: 6’3

Weight: 194

Hometown:  Orangeville, Ontario

Stats:  68GP 18G 15A 33PTS

Position: Center

28. Carter Varhaeghe – Niagara Ice Dogs

Central Scouting: 29

Date of Birth:  August 14, 1995

Height: 6’1

Weight:  180

Hometown:  Waterdown, Ontario

Stats:  67GP 18G 26A 44PTS

Position:  Center

27. Nick Betz – Erie Otters

Central Scouting:  26

Date of Birth: July 18, 1995

Height: 6’5

Weight:  210

Hometown:  Clinton Township, MI

Stats:  44GP 4G 5A 12PTS

Position:  Right Wing

26. Miles Liberati – London Knights

Central Scouting:  22

Date of Birth:  June 21, 1995

Height: 6’

Weight:  195

Hometown:  Cheswick, PA

Stats:  42GP 9G 6A 15PTS

Position:  Defence

25. Nicholas Paul – Brampton Battalion

Central Scouting:  24

Date of Birth: March 20, 1995

Height: 6’2

Weight: 205

Hometown:  Mississauga, Ontario

Stats:  66GP 12G 16A 28PTS

Position:  Left Wing

24. Josh Burnside – Mississauga Steelheads

Central Scouting:  23

Date of Birth:  February 11, 1995

Height:  5’11

Weight:  176

Hometown: Brampton, Ontario

Stats:  68GP 12G 16A 28PTS

Position: Left Wing

23. Jeff Corbett – Sudbury Wolves

Central Scouting:  17

Date of Birth: September 20, 1994

Height:  6’1

Weight:  180

Hometown: Uxbridge, Ontario

Stats:  45GP 3G 10A 13PTS

Position: Center/Left Wing

22. Remi Ellie – London Knights

Central Scouting:  15

Date of Birth:  April 16, 1995

Height:  6’1

Weight:  200

Hometown:  Green Valley, Ontario

Stats:  65GP 7G 10A 17 PTS

Position:  Left Wing

21. Sergey Tolchinsky – Soo Greyhounds

Central Scouting:  35

Date of Birth:  February 3, 1995

Height:  5’7

Weight:  160

Hometown:  Moscow, Russia

Stats:  62GP 26G 25A 51 PTS

Position:  Right Wing

There are three players making NHL Central Scouting’s list that didn’t make the cut here: Jean Dupuy of the Kingston Frontenacs, Mark Raycroft of the Brampton Battalion and Michael Webster of the Barrie Colts. Sergey Tolchinsky (ranked 21^st) was the only player to drop out of the top 20 that was on our last top 20 list.

Players just on the bubble that could move up after the playoffs: Chris Carlisle of the Oshawa Generals, and Cory Genovese of the Sudbury Wolves. 

OHL Draft Eligible Goalies: Final Rankings

by Dominic Tiano (@DominicTiano)

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With the Ontario Hockey League’s regular season coming to an end, it’s time to rank the draft eligible players for the upcoming NHL Draft with the final rankings to come at the end of the League Playoffs.

There is no exact science to this. It’s a personal opinion based on expectations, accomplishments throughout the regular season, potential, development curve and consistency, among other things.

We begin today by looking at the top goalies and that will be followed by the top 40 skaters – counting down from 40 to 21 and then 20 to number 1. As in previous years, this includes players eligible for the NHL Draft for the first time. Players passed over in previous drafts are not included.

That said, there is one major change in the goalie rankings:

5. Jordan DeKort – Windsor Spitfires

Previous Rank:  5

Central Scouting:  3

Date of Birth: August 8, 1995

Height: 6’4

Weight: 192

Hometown: Markham, Ontario

Stats:   25GP- 3-11-3:  4.34 GAA:  .883SV%

A tough situation for DeKort playing in Windsor where just two other teams allowed more goals than the Spitfires did. His partner and number one goaltender Jaroslav Pavelka didn’t fare much better so stats are a little misleading here.

His size is his greatest asset and something that NHL scouts seem to be looking for in a goaltender these days. He’s extremely mobile for a goalie his size. He plays a strong butterfly style where he keeps straight and taking up as much of the net as possible.

4. Alex Fotinos – Barrie Colts

Previous Rank:  4

Central Scouting:  6

Date of Birth: January 2, 1995

Height: 6’

Weight: 171

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Stats:  19GP-9-8-1:  3.26GAA;  .897 SV%

Starts were few and far between for Fotinos and the stats not particularly impressive playing on a top notch team like Barrie. Consider that starter Mathias Neiderberger posted a 2.34 goals against average and .933 save percentage and the difference is more than I’d like to see especially when you see how small the difference is between a Charlie Graham versus the starter in Belleville, Malcolm Subban.

That said, Fotinos is a project that comes with some potential. He is calm and cool in his crease. He challenges shooters extremely well, remains square to the shooter, has good rebound control and is positionally sound which allows him to make those second and third saves.

3. Michael Giugovaz – Peterborough Petes

Previous Rank:  3

Central Scouting: 2

Date of Birth: May 8. 1995

Height: 6’

Weight: 172

Hometown: Brampton, Ontario

Stats:  32GP-0-17-3:  3.81 GAA:  .896 SV%

It was a trying season for Giugovaz in Peterborough. No General Manager, an interim coach and stars traded, he had taken over the starting role from Andrew D’Agostini and kept the Petes in games they should never have been competitive in. They sat 16 points out of a playoff spot at Christmas and D’Agostini took over again and they managed to battle to within a point on the last day of the season with Giugovaz doing his share in spot duty.

Giugovaz tracks the puck and the play extremely well, challenges shooters and is positionally strong, especially in close, and is excellent at making second and third saves. He’s not a typical butterfly style goaltender, but one who will battle to do whatever it takes to get in front of a shot. He’s not unorthodox, but somewhere in between.

2. Spencer Martin – Mississauga Steelheads

Previous Rank:  1

Central Scouting:  1

Date of Birth: June 8, 1995

Height: 6’2

Weight: 192

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario

Stats:  46GP-17-21-4:  3.02GAA; .906 SV%

Martin’s second half of the season wasn’t as strong as his first half and towards the end of the season even lost some starts to his backup, but when it was all said and done, when the Steelheads needed a victory in the last game of the season just for a chance at a playoff spot, Martin was there.

Martin is positionally strong, aggressive, good athleticism, tracks pucks well with very good anticipation and plays a very strong butterfly. He has good size and he uses it well to close down options for shooters. If there is one area of his game that needs improving its rebound control an area that can be coached. 

It must be said that this drop has nothing to do with what Martin has done or hasn’t done. It’s just that another goaltender has met, and exceeded, the expectations that came with him at the beginning of the season.

1. Charlie Graham – Belleville Bulls

Previous Rank:  2

Central Scouting:  4

Date of Birth: June 30, 1995

Height: 6’

Weight: 173

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Stats:  25GP-15-5-1:  2.58 GAA; .922 SV%

Perhaps no single player’s stock benefited more by having a teammate at the World Junior Championships than Graham. He came into the season ranked number three on this list and with the lack of starts dropped down to number 5. And when Malcolm Subban left for the WJC, a Graham led Bulls team didn’t miss a beat all while on his way to having the best goals against average and save percentage among draft eligible goaltenders.

Some may attribute his success to the style the Bulls played but one must remember that most of his success came prior to trade deadline when the Bulls were the lowest scoring team in the OHL. When you watch Graham it’s like watching a mirror image of Subban in that he has the trust of his teammates and they are more than comfortable with him in net. He has great athleticism, challenges his shooters and anticipates and follows plays exceptionally well.

To Day or not Sean Day

by Brandon Sudeyko (@intheoradio)

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Now that it is unofficially official. The debate is now on. There hasn’t been a good versus talk around a draft since Taylor versus Tyler. It is Sean versus Travis and the Ottawa 67s are on the clock. You could throw Dylan Strome into that mix as well, but I do not think he is being considered as the rumour mill has already landed him not with the 67s.

Sean Day / Detroit CompuwareAll last week the rumour mill around the OHL cup is that Day would not receive exceptional player status and that the 67s would select Travis Konecny from the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs with the first overall selection. This may not be the case anymore now that Ottawa can ensure at least a 3-year player in their lineup.  The biggest difference between the two players could be their position. Sean Day is a defenceman with the Detroit Compuware U16 team where he had 3 goals and 11 points in 25 games and also a +47 on the season. Travis Konecny is a centre with Elgin Middlesex who scored 31 goals and 66 points in 27 games, including 7 goals and 18 points in 11 playoff games en route to an Alliance Championship.

Through all the stats, there is only one question, why wouldn’t the Ottawa 67’s take Sean Day?

Looking at next year’s roster for Ottawa, Sean Callaghan is their most experienced defenceman, and a 94-birth year. Four 95 birth year defenceman (Desautels, Vlajkov, Davis and Guy) and a pair of 96 born blueliners (Duchesne and Middleton). If Day were to be selected by the 67’s he would fit right on the top pairing next season. For those who have had the benefit of watching him play, you know he would be an improvement to the D corps effective immediately. Day has incredible skill and his size, already looking like an OHL veteran. For a team that allowed a league leading 323 goals against, the D help is needed and would be welcomed.

Travis Konecny / Elgin Middlesex ChiefsThe other option for Ottawa is Konecny. He would revitalize the Ottawa offence that fans have grown accustomed to over the last few seasons. The way Travis can control the puck in the offensive zone, slow down the play to open up a seem, his quick snap shot and quick hands will add so much to the 67’s offence, even as a rookie. Konecny may end up playing alongside Monahan (providing he returns to the OHL) on the PP but in his rookie season, he would be centering the second line. Konecny would centre Dante Salituro and move him to his natural position of wing to create a youthful duo similar to the Prince-Toffoli combination that was dominant during their time with Ottawa. Ryan Van Stralen, Joseph Blandisi, Mark Petaccio and Daniel Walsh will be back next year to add to the potential offence of the 67’s. With Konecny, the team’s offence is improved and it gives the team the off season to gather some veteran talent on the blueline so the pressure is removed from their young defenceman.

Either choice for the 67’s will be good and help the push back to the playoffs and being a competitor in the eastern division.

But it still doesn’t answer the question of why GM Chris Byrne would not select Sean Day first overall. If Day is not selected you can assure yourself that you will not see him in the OHL next season. He will play in the US and you could see USAHockey fast track a possible citizenship so Day could join the NTDP and progress through their system.  The US Citizenship may not happen, but do not expect Day in the OHL next season if he is not first overall.

There is another rumour however and one that may solidify the Ottawa 67’s blue line next season and for the next 3 seasons. By selecting first overall, the 67’s also select 20^th overall. Heres’ a crazy idea, draft Sean Day with the first pick, and his teammate and sometimes defensive partner Nick Boka with pick #20. Boka is committed to Michigan State but is rumoured to be keeping his OHL options open. It could be a long shot, or maybe the right move to bring in a pair of blueliners. If this is the game plan for Ottawa, well played Mr Byrne… well played.