NHL Draft: OHL Prospects Review Part 3

In part three of our five-part series, McKeen's reviews several OHL players that were all selected in the third round at the NHL Entry Draft including: Mark Katic, Yannick Weber, Dale Mitchell, Robert Bortuzzo, Nick Palmieri and Byron Cameron.

Mark Katic (NYI), D, - 62nd Overall

The first pick of the third round could turn out to be quite a steal for the Islanders. Although slightly underdeveloped, he performed well at the draft combine displaying his strength, especially on the bench press. Katic is a rare specimen in that his skating is flawless. He always manages to have an escape plan as his mobility and lateral movement are certainly NHL-calibre. Offensively he has the tools to quarterback a PP and his first pass out of the zone is blinding. His development along with a handful of others on the Sarnia Sting was a large reason the team managed to turn their fortunes around this season and entered the postseason for the first time in two years. The big knock on Katic would be his lack of size. At times, he gets overwhelmed with big players and has a hard time containing them. He should be a player who will finish his junior career and improve on his game with the added experience. The direction of the game and the constant upholding of the rules will be conducive for Katic to have any type of future success in the NHL.

Yannick Weber (Mtl), D, - 73rd Overall

It must have been a shock to Montreal when Weber was still available when it came time for them to select. The Montreal Canadiens wasted little time grabbing another OHL defender with their third pick. Given the Canadiens obvious needs on defence (they chose five defenseman in this year's draft) it had to be viewed as a no-brainer. Weber, with the possible exception of Steve Downie, was the Kitchener Rangers' best player in the postseason. Logging in excess of 30 minutes a game, the thickly built, Swiss-born defender shutdown the opposition and registered healthy offensive totals in the process. Weber surprised many with his feats of strength at the draft combine and coupled with his overall offensive game, he should have a healthy future with the Canadiens organization. Weber will be looked upon greatly this season as somewhat of a leader, as he will look to guide the Rangers to another Memorial Cup victory.

Dale Mitchell (Tor), RW, - 74th Overall

After acquiring a goalie for the second straight season on draft day, John Ferguson Jr. found himself without a first and a second round pick. It has become increasingly difficult for the Leafs to build when they constantly trade high picks to make minimal upgrades. Nevertheless, the drafting of Mississauga-born Mitchell is a healthy one. The Leafs have had some success in recent years drafting out of the OHL. Currently, four players on the Leafs roster that they have been directly responsible for have been drafted from that league. Mitchell gives them a quality energy-line player whose speed and contagious work ethic have the potential to make him a fan favourite. His tank-like frame and low centre of gravity makes him very difficult to knock down or separate him from the puck. The Leafs' scouting staff has plenty of eyes watching the OHL players and this must have been a consensus pick amongst the top brass. Mitchell should be given every opportunity to wear the blue and white, as he embodies the right character and offensive skill set to be a serviceable role player.

Robert Bortuzzo (Pit), D, - 78th Overall

The best word to describe Bortuzzo would be raw however, you would be quick to follow that up with extremely talented. He will never be confused for a Brian Leetch however, the strides in which he took his game are very promising. He played rather tentative and sparingly to start the season but by the second round of the playoffs he was seeing a regular shift and becoming an impact player. Effectively using his size and making faster plays with the puck were two major areas of improvement that largely stemmed from the confidence he earned by playing in different situations. His ability to angle off players and eliminate them from the play will be his calling card into the NHL, as his offensive skills are simply not up to par. He should benefit greatly this season and the extra space he will create with his mammoth 6-foot-4 frame should give him more room to stickhandle and work on his puck skills. Bortuzzo is another component on a strong and returning backend that will be instrumental in order for the Rangers to secure success in both the regular and postseason.

Nick Palmieri (NJ), RW, - 79th Overall

The Devils have always had a proven track record when it comes to uncovering prospects in later rounds and Palmieri just might be the player that makes them look good, yet again. The Clinton, NY native is an incredibly strong and offensive-minded player whose best asset is his ability to charge the net and hold his position in front. Palmieri has considerable upside! He is very difficult to contain once he gets moving and he has soft enough hands in front to bury his chances. Playing on a woeful Erie Otters team this season, Palmieri struggled to stay in the lineup, as he missed 12 games due to injury. His presence was sorely missed. For a team that could not stop goals (they surrendered the most in the league) Palmieri was a lone bright spot, as he was second in team goal scoring, trailing only Zack Torquato. Palmieri should improve on his point totals provided he can stay healthy. The returning core group of players bodes well for overall team success. The Otters still have many areas in need of improvement but expect Palmieri to put this team on his shoulders and lead by example.

Bryan Cameron (LA), C, - 82nd Overall

The third Belleville Bull chosen in the draft, Cameron was also the fourth player chosen from the fabled Toronto Marlies' minor midget team to be drafted. On an offensively gifted team, Cameron more than held his own scoring 33 goals and finishing fifth in team scoring. While his scoring has never come into question, it is his alarming plus/minus totals that jump out at you, especially considering the success the Bulls had this season. His inability to play consistent from shift-to-shift is troublesome. He shows intensity and a willingness to compete on one shift and looks invisible the next. His blinding speed and overall strength allow him to drive to the net and remain there. What set him apart are his smarts and although his goals exceeded his assist totals, he is a very clever player that will use the boards or even the opposition's skate to make a pass. A thinking player, if Cameron can ever find a way to keep the jets constantly fired up, he would make one heck of a hockey player cut from the same mould as a Steve Sullivan.