OHL: Cizikas a Major Player

McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn looks at a handful of 2009 draft-eligible prospects from the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors eager to make an impact this season including Casey Cizikas, Jordan Mayer, Brett Flemming and Corey Bureau.

Casey Cizikas (2009), C, Mississauga

Cizikas returned from a mild injury to assume the first-line centring duties .. wears a letter on his chest this season .. hard-working and skilled, Cizikas does not thrive in any one area of the ice, however his all-around game has NHL scouts noticing him .. plays a very mature game, as he has both presence in the offensive and defensive zone .. he supports the backcheck and comes down as low as his net to make a defensive play .. it is his attention to detail that makes him successful, as he turns good defence into good offense .. does not have breakout speed but is smart enough to utilize his wingers and cut to the open ice .. he understands that he cannot do it all by himself nor does he try .. he maintains consistent efforts in the offensive zone, cutting to the net, and going to the slot .. has suffered already this season without a legitimate playmaker like he had with Daugvins who could get him the puck in the slot with ease .. will need to work harder to score his goals this season .. an absolute terror down low, as he could be one of the strongest draft-eligible prospects this season .. the manner in which he out-muscles players in tight spaces is unreal .. Cizikas is a leader with incomparable intangibles and an NHL team will be drafting a winner come June.

Jordan Mayer (2009), C, Mississauga

Second-line centre plays a very cerebral game .. he has exceptional passing and play-reading skills, however he does not exert the type of intensity and effort associated with being a complete player .. he plays when he wants to and his inconsistency, or lack thereof is already evident at this stage of the game .. he is uninvolved in the defensive side of things, as he does not want to get his nose dirty .. more of a breakout player who likes to catapult the rush .. he positions himself cleverly in the neutral zone to maximize his keen offensive instincts .. good feet, and explodes into holes with bursts of quickness, he will drive to the net but stops half way .. he has a good shot but it does not carry the weight to be effective and considering his passive nature, he rarely gets in close enough to bury his chances .. plays a game very similar to John Hughes, and unless he changes certain components of his game, he will share the same fate.

Brett Flemming (2009), RW, Mississauga

Converted to forward in an attempt to get more offence, as the Majors are averaging less than three goals a game .. struggled in his debut up front, as he did not retain his position and found himself skating all over the ice .. more a finesse player who relies on his footwork and puckhandling skills to be successful, he tried to assert himself physically, which did not play up to the strengths in his game .. he has nice touch-pass skills, however he did not exercise his shot .. generally did not appear adjusted to the move, which should take some time.

Corey Bureau (2009), RW, Mississauga

Was bounced around the entire contest but did see ample icetime on the first line .. has natural finishing ability, great puckhandling and puck-moving skills .. appeared a step behind in most developing offensive rushes, as he has only an average stride that does not lend much credit to speed .. he throws away his fair share of pucks, as he thinks too much and does not take an extra second to slow the play down .. he is a tad errand in his decision-making .. his shot lacks power .. on a team not overly blessed with RW's he could make a quantum leap and receive a bulk of the minutes should he adapt to the pace of the game .. was highly pursued by many NCAA schools before making the decision to join former minor team/linemate Jordan Mayer and play in the OHL.