ADT Challenge: Team OHL Still Undefeated

Since the ADT Challenge was introduced in 2003, Team OHL remains a perfect 12-0 against the Russian travelling team. Several draft-eligible players participated in this event including potential first overall pick John Tavares. The tournament is a good forum for Hockey Canada to evaluate which players will participate in the upcoming WJHC this December in Ottawa. McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn was on hand for Game 3 of the series and files notes on several draft-eligible players including Tavares, Casey Cizikas, Ryan O'Reilly, Peter Holland and Matt Duchene.

Ryan Ellis (2009), D, Windsor

Ellis has been a fixture on International teams since the Under 17's and stands an outside chance to make the WJC team .. uncompromising offensive ability, as he is second in OHL league scoring only behind fellow teammate Taylor Hall .. has the puck rushing ability Team Canada and NHL teams will covet, as he is a breakaway player with the puck .. partnered with Del Zotto for the bulk of the game, the two did a decent job of shutting down the Russians even though Ellis was held off the scoresheet (for both games) .. shoots eagerly but has also applied patience to his game in distributing the puck down low .. mature approach and on a team that featured two defensemen selected in the first round last season (Cuma, Del Zotto) he outperformed them .. without the puck, his play raises a few concerns, as he uses his stick and hand/eye coordination .. he is knock-kneed and has short legs but it does not stunt his overall speed .. Ellis continues to doubt the critics who refuse to give him credit.

Casey Cizikas (2009), C, St. Mikes

Situated on the fourth line, Cizikas understands his role in these types of International tournaments and thrives in them .. did an admirable job of defending and coming back with his surprising speed to pickpocket Russian forwards .. a complete wrecking ball down low, his efforts are like that of a good foot soldier, as he works hard in the trenches .. appears to be lacking confidence in his overall play, as he readily gave up the puck despite being in prime areas to score .. his game has become stagnant and his stock is dropping as a result.

Ryan O'Reilly (2009), LW, Erie

Playing on the left side was a slight adjustment for him but given his intelligence and willingness to accept any role, he succeeded and played as a fourth-line checker .. his speed hindered him slightly and this will continue to be the underlying factor of his play and the benchmark in which scouts will evaluate him by .. his hockey sense and passing skills are within the top five of the draft .. he is not afraid to play physical and go into corners .. he uses his athleticism to overcome any type of skating shortcomings he might have, often taking passes off his skate, or the heel of his stick and settling them down with remarkable accuracy .. should be able to sneak into the first round, as his quiet, unassuming, yet mature play will be recognized by NHL scouts.

Peter Holland (2009), RW, Guelph

Asked to play the wing to accommodate his spot on the second line alongside Couture and Duchene .. approaches the game like a bull charging a matador, as there is little purpose to his game .. needs to settle down and take a moment to think out his options .. commands time and space with his flailing limbs .. collapses down low to use his size and power game to his advantage .. wants to do it all by himself, which brings to concern either his selfishness or lack of vision .. he is a strong forward that easily pushes his way to the slot .. he is well balanced and tough to knock off his skates .. he hustles and plays with energy, which has already gotten him noticed (4th on CSS OHL list) .. his play bares a similar resemblance to Taylor Pyatt.

Matt Duchene (2009), C, Brampton

Electrifying player who managed to find himself on the top PP unit with fellow teammate Hodgson and Tavares .. the trio reeked havoc on the Russians, breaking the game open and essentially winning it for them on the PP .. can do things at high speeds, however he tends to stickhandle too long and was clipped with many open-ice hits and hip checks .. this style of play looks flashy and great but also lends itself to injuries .. needs to show more of a commitment away from the puck, as he tends to play deep down low and gets caught up ice .. he intimidates with speed, which is already NHL-calibre, however his feet move faster than his head, as he can force plays due to being a step ahead of everyone .. this should not be a factor at the NHL level as players will easily be able to keep up .. best when he works the puck down low, sheltering it and keeping it close to his body only to make a quick cross-crease pass .. long and productive playoff run will be paramount to overall draft positioning.

John Tavares (2009), C, Oshawa

Despite rampart rumours that he will be traded, Tavares continues to go about his business on the only platform he can control - the ice .. always seems to get jacked up against the Russians and in International play, as he provided Team OHL with a three-point effort .. simply put, he has a nose for the net, bangs away at loose pucks and is a natural scorer .. he scores in close, he scores from a distance, or he scores off rebounds .. he can stickhandle and work his way into scoring positions easily .. he is leading by example, as he was named captain and showed a competitive drive away from the puck, which has become more commonplace in his game .. shows a strong commitment to stay with the play and although his vision is not his best strength it is improving .. needs to keep his feet moving to be effective but has all the natural offensive ability to be a producer at the NHL level.