An Eye on Hockey’s Future Online Hockey Prospect Journal Courtesy of The Scouting Bureau
YOUNGBLOOD October 2013
OHL Power 2014 NHL Draft Class Hot Out of RANKINGS the Gates 1. Kingston Frontenacs (6-0-0-1) McCann, Dal Colle, Bennett and company headline outstanding OHL 2. London Knights talent (5-1-0-0) 3. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (4-1-0-1) Right from the opening puck drop on the 2013-14 OHL season, NHL draft eligible skaters were ready 4. Oshawa Generals to make an impact statement. At the WFCU Centre, Michael Dal Colle lead his Oshawa Generals to a (5-2-0-0) 5. Guelph Storm 4-3 win as the big skilled winger tallied a point on every Gens goal ending the night with two goals and (4-2-0-0) a pair of assists. On the same night, hundreds of kilometers northeast of Windsor, Kingston Frontenacs 6. Sudbury Wolves were visiting the Peterborough Petes and their young talents had a similar effect on the game sheet. (3-1-2-0) Defenseman Roland McKeown registered four assists in his season debut and draft mates Sam 7. Erie Otters (3-2-1-0) Bennett (one goal, one assist) and Spencer Watson (one goal) factored in on the scorers sheet in an 8. North Bay Battalion 11-4 romp, as well. Since opening night, the buzz hasn’t subsided surrounding the OHL’s talented (5-4-0-0) group that’s eligible for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. 9. Mississauga Steelheads (4-3-0-0) Michael Dal Colle leads the group with 13 points through seven games and already has an OHL Player 10. Barrie Colts (3-2-0-1) of the Week recognition beside his name after earning honors in week one. Niagara’s Brendan Perlini 11. Kitchener Rangers has rapidly climbed the boards with an exceptional beginning to his draft year scoring five goals and 12 (3-2-0-0) points in his opening seven games. Arguably one of the more impressive showings has been Sault Ste. 12. Windsor Spitfires Maries’ Jared McCann, who has found the net seven times in a half dozen games for the Greyhounds (3-3-0-0) 13. Ottawa 67’s and tallied 11 points and a plus-8 rating. McCann posted a four-goal game against Sudbury and has (4-4-0-0) quickly been highlighted as a potential top 10 prospect. 14. Owen Sound Attack (3-3-0-1) The 2013 NHL Draft witnessed eight OHLers selected in the opening round and early signs indicate 15. Peterborough Petes that the Ontario League could easily top that with upwards of 12 players being selected in 2014. (3-3-0-1) 16. Saginaw Spirit Windsor’s Josh Ho-Sang (6GP-4G-10P) and Nikita Yazkov (6GP-1G-6P), Sarnia’s Nikolay Goldobin (3-4-1-0) (7GP-4G-6P), Guelph’s Robby Fabbri (6GP-3G-6P) and Peterborough’s duo of Nick Ritchie (7GP-5G- 17. Plymouth Whalers 7P) and Eric Cornel (7GP-4G-8P) are off to strong starts as each of them are eying a first round landing (3-5-0-0) spot. 18. Niagara Ice Dogs (2-4-1-0) 19. Belleville Bulls The most interesting battle among draft eligible skaters may be among the defenseman – notably, (1-4-1-1) Barrie’s Aaron Ekblad, Kingston’s Roland McKeown and Sarnia’s Tony DeAngelo. Currently, DeAngelo 20. Sarnia Sting sits tied for first in OHL scoring with nine points through six games but with McKeown (7GP-1G-8P) and (1-5-0-1) Ekblad (6GP-3G-7P) hot on his trail, DeAngelo will not have any time to relax. Two not-so-well-known
Team Records as of October 8th, names to watch are Sudbury’s Stefan Leblanc (6GP-2G-5P) and Niagara’s Blake Siebenaler (7GP-1G- 2013 5P) as both first year defensemen lead their respective clubs in defensemen scoring.
The season remains young but from a scout’s perspective the Ontario Hockey League appears to be a hot bed for teams looking to add top-notch NHL prospects to their organization. BR
Games to Watch Oct 10 – London @ Sarnia “402/Goldobin Series” Oct 11 – Sudbury @ Kingston Top Eastern Conference Matchup Oct 13 – Guelph @ Kingston Potential OHL Final? Oct 18 – Oshawa @ London Laughton vs. Horvat Oct 25 – Erie @ London Offensive Overload Oct 29 – Kingston @ Ottawa Former Teammates Konecny & Crouse Meet Again Online Hockey Prospect Journal An Eye -on Hockey’s Future Courtesy of The Scouting Bureau
October 2013 YOUNGBLOOD
2014 NHL Draft OHL Boosted by Return of NHL OCTOBER Rankings: OHL Players Draftees Horvat, Domi and Laughton add needed punch 1st Aaron Ekblad, RD (Barrie, OHL) 2nd Sam Bennett, LC (Kingston, OHL) he London Knights’ season goals were clear heading into the 2013-14 season – to win T 3rd Jared McCann, LC (Sault Ste Marie, OHL) the CHL Memorial Cup. Through training camp and the opening weeks of action the 4th Roland McKeown, RD (Kingston, OHL) Knights were unclear which players would be returned from the NHL. Without playing a 5th Michael Dal Colle, LW (Oshawa, OHL) regular season game, Max Domi and Bo Horvat were re-assigned to London by the 6th Nick Ritchie, LW (Peterborough, OHL) Phoenix Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks satisfying Knights’ fans everywhere. Domi 7th Brendan Perlini, LW (Niagara, OHL) and Horvat provide London with a formidable one-two scoring punch and add to the th 8 Alex Nedeljkovic, G (Plymouth, OHL) organization’s tremendous forward depth. 9th Spencer Watson, LW (Kingston, OHL)
10th Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (Windsor, OHL) The Hunter brothers continue to wait for the final word on whether they will receive first 11th Nikolay Goldobin, LW (Sarnia, OHL) round defensemen, Olli Maatta and Nikita Zadorov, back from the Pittsburgh Penguins 12th Tony DeAngelo, RD (Sarnia, OHL) and Buffalo Sabres, respectively. On Tuesday, October 8th, Maatta registered his first 13th Blake Clarke, LW (North Bay, OHL) two career NHL points and earned praise from Penguins coach Dan Blysma leaving his 15th Aaron Haydon, RD (Niagara, OHL) future uncertain. Zadorov is currently sidelined with a hand injury that will cause him to 16th Ryan MacInnis, LC (Kitchener, OHL) miss most of October and it’s expected that he should be returned to London once his 17th Matt Mistele, LW (Plymouth, OHL) hand heals using his time on the sidelines in Buffalo as a learning experience. 18th Jacob Middleton, LD (Ottawa, OHL) 19th Robby Fabbri, LC (Guelph, OHL) As a backup plan, the Knights took some proactive measures and traded for defensemen 20th Alex Peters, LD (Plymouth, OHL) Alex Basso (from Sarnia) and Buffalo Sabres prospect Brady Austin (from Belleville) to 21st Darby Llewellyn, RW (Kitchener, OHL) nd strengthen their blueline. From top to bottom, London’s roster is packed full of quality 22 Dmitrii Sergeev, LD (Kitchener, OHL) rd OHL players that feature both seasoned veterans (Horvat, Domi, Anderson, Tierney, 23 Brandon Robinson, LW (North Bay, OHL) Basso, Austin, and so on) as well as some new talented fresh faces (Mitch Marner, 24th Brendan Lemieux, LW (Barrie, OHL) Christian Dvorak and Michael McCarron). 25th Jaden Lindo, RW (Owen Sound, OHL) 26th Christian Dvorak, LW (London, OHL) th In the Eastern Conference, Oshawa was pleasantly surprised to receive word that Scott 27 Kevin LeBanc, LW (Barrie, OHL) th Laughton would be returning from the Philadelphia Flyers last week. Laughton 28 Nikita Yazkov, RW (Windsor, OHL) 29th Blake Siebenaler, RD (Niagara, OHL) immediately made his presence felt recording nine points in his first three games to earn 30th Alex Lintuniemi, LD (Ottawa, OHL) OHL Player of the Week honors. Entering the season, Oshawa was expected to be one of the teams battling for the lower playoff seeds but shocked many when newly acquired forward Josh Sterk and Michael Dal Colle decided to carry this team to win after win. The ultimate direction the Generals’ decide to go will be decided by management. The current roster is strong enough to contend for a home playoff seed but Oshawa may feel that they need to cash in on Scott Laughton and Daniel Altshuller, both players who would net great trade returns to fast track a mini-rebuild.
Lastly, the Peterborough Petes couldn’t have expected to have Clark Seymour (Pittsburgh Penguins) return for a fifth OHL campaign but they graciously welcome him. Seymour will provide the Petes with a veteran leader who can show the young group of promising talents the ropes of OHL hockey. As the season unfolds, teams could come calling for Seymour’s services who will undoubtedly add some grit and scoring punch to a contender. BR Follow @BoHorvat, @max_domi & @Laughts21 on Twitter Oshawa Generals Scott Laughton returns from the Philadelphia Flyers to rifle off nine points in three games, earning OHL Player of the Week honours. (Photo: Aaron Bell/OHL Images)
An Eye on Hockey’s Future Online Hockey Prospect Journal Courtesy of The Scouting Bureau
YOUNGBLOOD October 2013
OHL Player MOVEMENT Trades and player assignments from around the league…
September 13 Sudbury Wolves trade Zach McFadden to Guelph Storm for 2015 8th round selection
Mississauga Steelheads acquire Bryson Ciafrone from North Bay Battalion rd for BELV 2014 3 round selection
September 17 Sudbury Wolves trade goaltender Taylor Dupuis to the Sarnia Sting for MISS 2015 6th round selection
September 18 Oshawa Generals acquire Josh Sterk from the Kitchener Rangers for a conditional 2014 4th round (OTT) and WSR 2015 6th round selection Remi Elie finds a new home in Belleville after Knights deal him for defenseman Brady Austin London Knights claimed Owen Stewart on waivers from Kitchener (Photo: OHL Images)
September 19 Guelph Storm acquire goaltender Justin Nichols from Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for 2015 3rd round (PLY)
Guelph Storm trade goaltender Jason DaSilva to the Belleville Bulls for a 2016 7th round selection
Sarnia Sting trade overage defenseman Alex Basso to the London Knights for 2014 3rd round (BAR), 2014 3rd round (KGN) and 2015 2nd round (BAR) selections
October 1 Windsor Spitfires acquire defenseman Eric Diodati from the Mississauga Steelheads for 2016 6th round selection
October 8 Kingston Frontenacs trade Jean Dupuy to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for 2014 5th round (NIA) and conditional 2016 15th round selections
Saginaw Spirit acquire defenseman Daniel Desousa from Belleville Bulls giving up 2014 4th round (PBO) and 2016 7th round selections
October 9 London Knights trade Dallas Stars forward prospect Remi Elie to Belleville Bulls receiving Buffalo Sabres defensive prospect Brady Austin in return
On the TSB Agenda The Scouting Bureau will be travelling to London, ON on Thanksgiving weekend to take in the London Jr Knights Green and White Invitational Tournament featuring minor midget players eligible for the 2014 OHL Priority Selection Draft. An Eye on Hockey’s Future Online Hockey Prospect Journal Courtesy of The Scouting Bureau
YOUNGBLOOD October 2013
Around the OHL: Player Updates Familiar names from around the OHL have made headlines for various reasons
Andrei Burakovsky (Erie Otters) made his OHL debut against Plymouth on September 21st going pointless but since, the Washington Capitals 2013 1st round selection has posted points in all three games since ending with a five point night versus the North Bay Battalion.
Mathew Campagna (Sudbury Wolves) – One goal and 14 points after six games played, Mathew Campagna is off to a blazing start and is exactly what the Wolves need from their veteran forward.
Blake Clarke (North Bay Battalion) – Coming into his draft season, Blake Clarke was expected to dominate for the Battalion after scoring 51 points in his rookie campaign. Clarke has two points through eight games.
Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads) – Day has picked up a trio of assists in his first seven OHL games but owns a team worst minus-7 rating.
Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers) – Up for the Cy Young award, Radek Faksa has broken the twine six times (six goals) in four games but is still looking for his first assist.
Travis Konecny (Ottawa 67’s) – The 2013 1st overall selection has performed very well through the early stages of his OHL career, scoring three times and registering eight points in as many games to lead the 67’s in scoring.
Mitch Marner (London Knights) – Knights undersized forward Mitch Marner has been outstanding for the Knights in his first campaign. Marner sits tied for first in team scoring with nine points through six games.
Connor McDavid (Erie Otters) – Considering it’s “Connor McDavid”, the young phenom is off to a slow start recording a pair of goals and seven points in a half-dozen games.
Kerby Rychel (Windsor Spitfires) – Upon returning from Columbus Blue Jackets camp, Rychel looks to be a much more confident player showing better puck skills and patience in playmaking. The first rounder has six goals and 12 points in six games, well on his way to a third straight 40+ goal season.
Josh Sterk (Oshawa Generals) – Sterk looked great at the Rangers camp and once he was traded to Oshawa he exploded and currently sits tied for first in league scoring with 14 points.
Carter Verhaeghe (Niagara IceDogs) – After the Maple Leafs drafted Verhaeghe last summer, it was quoted that they felt he was capable of having a 100+ OHL season. Verhaeghe’s 11 points in 7 games puts him on pace for 106 points.
About The Scouting Bureau The Scouting Bureau is a hockey blog operated by Brendan Ross, a scout and prospect junkie known around the social media world as @RossyYoungblood
Ross is the Manager and Associate Editor of Dobber Prospects, a one-stop website for hockey prospect information with a focus on fantasy hockey. In addition, Brendan has made contributions to websites that have included The Hockey Writers, The Hockey Guys, OHL Writers, Sarnia Sting, among others. His coverage of the Ontario Hockey League is consistent and thorough but he spends a ton of energy following the annual NHL Entry Draft developing complimentary guides and profiles for the general hockey public. Ross has appeared on Sportsnet’s FAN 590 as guest speaking on both the World Junior Championships and NHL Draft class.
Thanks for following the Ontario Hockey League and good luck to all players as they continue writing their own hockey career stories.