OHL Draft: Midwest Division Review

In our third installment of the OHL draft, McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn reviews the players selected by teams in the Midwest division, including the Erie, Otters, Owen Sound Attack, Guelph Storm, London Knights and the newly crowned OHL champions and Memorial Cup hosts the Kitchener Rangers.

Erie Otters

The Otters shot themselves in the foot by winning their last game of the season to finish with the second worst record in the OHL. The win cost them the top pick John McFarland, a player who played with Ryan O'Reilly in minor hockey. Given their geographical location, one has to wonder if they were not handcuffed in terms of selecting prospects that would report, as the Otters went off the board for many of their picks.

Greg McKegg (2010), C/RW

McKegg (6-0, 185), was an offensive dynamo for his minor hockey club the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs scoring 73 goals in 64 games. He suited up for three Jr. B games with the St. Thomas Stars and scored four goals and an assist in that span. McKegg's game is speed, as he does everything at a high tempo. He has such a smooth, crisp stride and his multiple gears of acceleration always make him a threat when he has the puck. Criticized throughout the season for not passing enough, he made improvements to utilize his teammates better in the later stages of the season. McKegg has a wicked shot and can get it off in an instant. His hair trigger release within 10 feet of the goal usually results in a faceoff at centre ice. McKegg learned to compete more towards the end of the season. At times, the competition was too weak for him and he neglected to do the little things that contribute to team success. McKegg has some bad habits in his game namely keeping his head down when he crosses the line. He seems to have the sixth sense, as when to rid himself of the puck, however at the OHL level he may be in for a rude awakening. Nonetheless, the things he can do with the puck are remarkable. His hand skills and offensive reads are superb. McKegg should be able to work with the likes of Torquato and other playmaking centers like O'Reilly, as he can be shifted to the wing. McKegg is a good building block for an Otters team that needs natural finishers.

Mark Jones (2010), LW

Jones (6-5, 185), will not be making it into the league for his soft hands, rather his hard ones. Jones could be the best potential fighter available in the draft. He engaged in a few fights this season (very uncommon in minor hockey) and simply demolished the competition. Jones racked up 257 PIM's en route to a 16 goal, 21-assist campaign in 53 games played. Jones is not very adept with the puck. The quicker he gets it off his blade the better. He understood this facet of the game and usually made soft, subtle touch passes in the neutral zone to advance the puck to faster players. He has a poor startup but once he gets going, his long thick stride swallows up ice and he is hard to contain with a full head of steam. He does not touch the puck often, as his anticipation is off, however his presence alone on the ice makes defensemen know that he is there and rushes them into making mistakes. Jones is a wildcard to both make the team and off ice too. He needs to be more mature off the ice and focus on being a hockey player. If he can do that then he will be a very suitable replacement for Anthony Peluso.

Stuart Brownell (2010), D

After using two third round picks last year to take defensemen, the Otters selected Brownell as their first defenseman this season with the 117th overall selection. Brownell (6-1,165), did an admirable job this season assuming the number one role on a team, (Burlington Eagles) that were weak on the backend. He was often forced into doing too much but managed to settle down and limit his mistakes. Thrust into many game situations, Brownell learned on the job and some nights were long ones. He will need to pay closer attention to his footwork, as too often, he was beaten by smaller skilled players. Early in the season, he looked to land the big hit but too often, it would take himself out of the play if he failed to land his mark. Toward the end of the year, he employed a much simpler method of defending by taking away time and space by exploiting his size. He will never be confused for a puck-rushing defenseman, as his puck skills are choppy. A year playing with better competition and additional coaching should make him a suitable option for a depth defenseman for the Otters in two short seasons.

Tyler McCarthy (2010), D

McCarthy impresses with size (6-2, 175), skill and offensive ability, however he is not able to process the game. His decision-making with the puck was dreadful at times this season. He is an aggressive player, which weighs into his favor but he also tends to back off when things get too heated. He is guilty of taking inopportune penalties at the wrong moments in a game. McCarthy played out of his skill set too often. He wanted to rush the puck but has poor puck-protection skills, as he skates with it too far ahead of him making him susceptible to ample turnovers. McCarthy needs to work on many aspects of his game. If coached to keep things simple and work heavily on the defensive side of the game, he could blossom into a regular on an OPJHL team and might be capable of stepping in occasionally for the big club.

Michael Mersch (2011), LW

The Otters took a stab on Mersch (6-1, 175), a player who is widely reported to have little to no interest in playing in the OHL. The biggest drawback to Mersch's game is his skating. He lacks lower body strength and his stride suffers as a result. He can generate adequate levels of speed once he gets moving but he needs someone to get him the puck to be effective because he cannot get to it. In close, he is dangerous. He has a deft-scoring touch and can get the puck up and off his blade in a heartbeat. Mersch produced healthy offensive totals on a team (Team Illinois Under 16) that offered very little in terms of natural talent. Mersch was relied upon heavily in most offensive situations. Given his late birth date, he has plenty of time to add some much-needed weight to his lanky frame. He is an interesting prospect that the Otters will need to monitor, as he certainly has the skill set to compete at the OHL level.

Owen Sound Attack

This is a critical draft for the Attack. After losing the nucleus of their team and trading away other assets for draft picks, the Attack need at least three players from this crop to play a prominent role next season. The Attack addressed their defensive woes with healthy early selections and added some key offensive players to the fold.

Steven Shipley (2010), C

Shipley is a franchise player that the Attack will welcome with open arms. Shipley has always played above his age group and last year playing with the 91's, he was the most dominant offensive player. Shipley played along side McKegg for better parts of the season and the chemistry they had was fantastic. Shipley is capable of doing it all but he thrives more in a playmaker's role. Given his skill set and size, he has already drawn comparisons to Ron Francis in the way he approaches the game. Shipley has the size 96-2, 200), and reach to get to loose pucks and his deceptive speed is a huge plus. He moves effortlessly on the ice, as his stride and acceleration are one of the best in the draft. He is not as dynamic a skater as McKegg, however he navigates freely on the ice, often unmolested when he has the puck on his blade. Shipley stepped up his play in many important tournaments this season further solidifying his stock in the OHL draft. He had a particularly strong Whitby Silver Stick where he scored many big goals for his team. Shipley also dressed up for a handful of games for the St. Mary's Lincolns Jr. B hockey club but did not look entirely comfortable. Shipley plays a mature game and as such, he should blend in nicely with the rebuilding of the Attack. He is a very personable player with strong character and could wear a letter before his OHL career is finished.

Myles Doan (2010), C

Doan (5-11, 165), was a model of consistency this season and did everything for his club. He was an absolute steal for the Attack at 39th overall, as it was shocking he slipped that low. Doan scored 83 points in 53 league games and recorded over 100 PIM's. Those stats displayed Doan's ability to play both a finesse game and a physical one. Doan's ability to create in the offensive zone often left his players watching him and not getting into position. As a result, many opportunities were squandered; that will not be the case at the OHL level. Doan can skate and defend and should be more of a defensive specialist who could climb to the second line. Think along the same lines as a Marcus Carroll in terms of play and development.

Keevin Cutting (2011), D

Cutting (6-0, 175), spent the better part of the season rehabilitating from a leg injury that required multiple screws to repair the damage. Cutting essentially lost the better part of three months, which vastly affected his development. He possesses very good puck skills and is a smooth skater. The biggest asset to his game is his lateral agility. Stride for stride, he can keep up with any forward that was available in this draft. He appeared tentative in terms of when to push up on forwards and gave the opposition too much ice. He will need to close the gap faster. Cutting is a swift puck distributor, as he elects to pass more so than he shoots. Cutting's stock dropped because of his injury and his lack of toughness. However, he could develop into a nice offensive defenseman and given the organization's lack of quality defensemen, he may make a splash sooner than one might think.

Chris Lugosi (2010), RW

Lugosi (6-1, 175), is a never going to be confused for a goal scorer, as that simply is not his game. Lugosi's strength, lie in his play away from the puck, as he is more of a defensive specialist capable of playing against team's other top players. If he is going to break into the league, he will more than likely be used in this capacity. Lugosi plays an irritating game. He tries to get under the opposition's skin and forces them to take penalties. He does not retaliate either, which could be viewed as both a positive and or a negative. His speed and quick change of direction should help him generate turnovers in the neutral zone for offensive breakouts the opposite direction. However, he lacks the hand skills to take advantage of his chances and has to be considered a depth player who could fulfill a limited role.

Kurtus Thompson (2010), LW

The Attack selected three players from both the York Simcoe Express and North Central Predators. Thomson played on the latter and was an integral part of the Predators success this season. He is an underrated player with a modest skill set. His size is a slight determent but he does not play like a 5-foot-9, 175-pound forward and it should not be an issue in training camp. He is relentless in his puck pursuit and competes in all three zones. Thomson has the hands to finish his chances and eagerly digs out the puck in the corners. His skating out of the gate prohibits him at times but there is no shortage to his will and determination. He struggled in the later half of the season, which resulted in his stock dropping. The Attack added a nice mixture of defensive-minded forwards at this draft and Thomson may surprise them considering the position in which they selected him.

Guelph Storm

The Storm has done a fine job of accumulating prospects and is deep at all positions. Their most pressing need was to add players with grit and ones who would be willing to pay the price to win at any cost. They addressed that need with their top two forwards selected this season. They also grabbed the biggest player in the draft, 6-foot-6, 235-pound David Searle.

Cody McNaughton (2011), RW

McNaughton (5-9, 165), plays an in-your-face-type-of game but has the hands both offensively and physically to back up his pest like play. He has many qualities similar to Stefan Legein, as he skates with purpose and has quick hands to bury his chances in close. He might not be as good a skater as Legein but McNaughton does not struggle with his first two steps. He stays low to the ice and is impossible to knock off the puck. His core strength and balance makes him extremely effective especially in front of the net where he takes abuse and keeps banging away at rebounds. He scored 66 goals as a direct result of hard work and perseverance in front. He also displayed a very physical side registering 200-plus PIM's. McNaughton gave the Jr. Canadiens some toughness. Originally from the Ottawa area, he moved into the city and the move paid huge dividends in terms of his position in the draft. McNaughton had better get ready to move again because he will be starting for the Storm next season and could see himself playing along side Taylor Beck, as the two should be wrecking balls on the ice, giving the Storm a physical dimension in their game.

David Searle (2010), D

Searle (6-6, 230), struggled this season but then again he had to deal with growth spurts and adjust accordingly with his coordination. Searle's asset clearly lies in his size and reach. Given how physically mature he is, one can only imagine how good he might be once the rest of his body has caught up. Searle improved on his puckhandling skill, which at the beginning of the year were awful. He gained more confidence in his game and started to feel more comfortable rushing up ice with it in his possession. Searle is at his best when he keeps his game simple. He was thrust into the number one position due to an injury to Braithwaite but he is not a number one defender. Searle is better served in a limited capacity where he can learn on the job. Considering how slowly the Storm groomed Chariot, their top defenseman taken last season (34th/2007), Searle should be no exception. One thing is certain, Searle will need to get meaner and play with nastiness, as players will look to take liberties at him due to his size to make a name for themselves.

J.P Labardo (2010), LW

Labardo plays a game similar to first round selection McNaughton. A puzzling pick at this spot, however to the Storm's credit and Labardo's, he did score 50 goals and record over 130 PIM's. Labardo uses his speed to drive players out wide and push them back. He has soft hands once he gets to the goal and can flip the puck with relative ease over a goalies shoulder when streaking down on his wing. Labardo played an active role on the PK and was a threat to score due to his anticipation. He reads plays exceptionally well and possesses a strong hockey IQ. Labardo's size (5-8, 165), is a knock against him but he is tough and physical. He did not back down at this level, however his willingness to compete against bigger players will come into question next year and determine how successful he will be as time and space will be swallowed up fast.

Shawn Crowley (2010), D

The captain of the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs, Crowley was a dependable two-way defenseman that did not do anything exceptional. He is like vanilla ice cream, you always know what to expect with his game. Crowley (6-1, 195), was in the second tier of defenseman this season. His future with the Storm is largely dependent on where he develops next season. He has a good mixture of tools but at times, he can try to over compensate. He tends to get too aggressive in the defensive zone and makes up for a miscue by taking a bad penalty. His mental toughness will need to be worked on, as he can dwell too much on a mistake. He lacks the lateral agility to be a puck-rushing defenseman or quarterback the PP. He has a good shot but cannot work the line due his lack of athleticism. Crowley will need to find a defined role. This year, he was a huge part of his team's backend, however the responsibilities at times proved to be too taxing.

Kyle Palmieri (2009), RW

Undrafted last season, Palmieri (5-10, 180), was the only player on the US Under-17 team that was not property of an OHL team. Palmieri is a work boot with complementary skills. He meshes well with most forwards due to his accommodating game. He is a pesky forechecker who wants the puck and never gives up on the play. Palmieri is a healthy skater with modest speed within his first few strides. He goes to all areas of the ice but thrives along the glass and boards. He buys into team concepts and will play any role that is asked of him, as he has good character.

London Knights

The Knights took fliers on five of their top six picks. These players have told the league they will not report, however the Knights can be very persuasive and like the Mounties, they always seem to "Get their Man". Should the Knights convince some of these highly sought after Americans to join their program they could accelerate the rebuilding stage rather quickly.

Christian Thomas (2010), C

The Knights have had success with smaller, skilled players who play bigger than their height and weight. Thomas (5-9, 145), is no exception, as he is a skilled talent. The son of former NHLer Steve Thomas, the younger Thomas is a goal scorer who possesses his father's grit and willingness to pay the price to score the big goal. Even though Thomas is a mere 145 pounds, very rarely was he on the receiving side of hits this season, actually it was the contrary, as he dished out many big hits. At times, he took his share of abuse but always got back up and competed, as he absorbed hits very well. Thomas has natural offensive instincts. He finds ways to get into open ice and elude defenders. Thomas did a nice job of adjusting his game throughout the season. He had a tendency to over commit in the offensive zone but learned to play better two-way hockey. When faced against inferior competition, Thomas liked to rack up the points and stay in the zone until the last possible second though. Thomas is more of a goal scorer than a playmaker. He does not always see his options and plays at times with blinders on, as he gets so hungry around the goal. Thomas, if partnered with the right set of linemates could post impressive numbers next season. He is a good enough player to carry a line but not for another few years. There are grumblings that if Thomas does not add some much-needed weight next season, he may not sign with the Knights.

John Carlson (2008), D

The oldest player selected in the OHL draft, Carlson is NHL-draft eligible this season. After a successful regular season campaign, Carlson and his USHL team (Indiana Ice) found themselves being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The loss was not a reflection of his play, as he was a minute muncher - playing in all situations. Carlson has been projected as a first round NHL selection due to his size (6-2, 215), strength and ability to spearhead an offensive rush. Carlson has good offensive tools including a howitzer of a shot. Given the Knights lack of depth from the backend in a season that saw them convert Akim Aliu into a defenseman, the pick makes sense if the Knights can sign him. Carlson has committed to U-Massachusetts, however the Knights must be confident that they can sign him if they chose him so early.

Jared Knight (2010), C

Seven players in total were chosen from the Detroit Compuware under-16 program. This team surprised everybody early in the season winning the Joe Maire tournament, the first tournament to start the season for many of the high prolific midget teams. Knight (5-9, 170), was a big part of the success of the team when he played. He sustained an injury early in the season and subsequently missed the three months of action. Upon his return, there were times in the season where Knight and his fellow teammates were not challenged enough and his play faltered. He developed bad habits and did not always put fourth the attention to detail that a player of his skill set should. Nonetheless, he is an exceptional talent that is capable of taking fans out of their seats. He can slow down the game to his level and has shades of Cody Hodgson in him. He has blistering speed and can change gears in an instant. What makes his game so effective is his positioning. He is very astute to developing plays and positions himself accordingly. He has all the tools to be a successful player in the OHL, however at this point, he is leaning toward the USNDP.

Chasen Balisy (2010), RW

Originally born in California, Balisy (5-10, 165), moved to the Toronto area three years ago looking for better competition. His role on the OHL Cup winning Jr. Canadiens was a significant one. Quite possibly the smartest player in the draft, Balisy has the uncanny sense of when to distribute the puck and when to hold onto it for a second longer. He connected with his passes with unbelievable accuracy. Balisy plays a mature game and it appeared he actually enjoyed defending as much as he did supporting an offensive rush. Balisy is not the fastest player but does a good job getting open and avoiding hits. His sixth sense on the ice to telegraph when a player has him in his sights and then move at the last second is unrivalled, as he rarely was hit this season. Scouts questioned his toughness due to this skill but he did not back down in the playoffs, as he continued to play the same game throughout the course of the season that made him successful. Balisy did not score many goals because he was too busy passing the puck. He appears to lack confidence in his shot and needs to use it more, as it is quite effective. Balisy will also need to integrate more variety into his game, as he has already developed a reputation as more of a passer and the opposition is reading him better. Having dual citizenship, Balisy has hinted that he wishes to join the USDTP. However, should he decide to join the Knights a season later, he could very easily have the same impact Sam Gagner did, as he is that talented. Much like Gagner in his draft season, Balisy slipped to the later rounds when he should have been a top 10 pick.

Adam Clendening (2011), D

Yet another player the Knights selected with dual citizenship that played in the GTHL. A native of North Tonawanda, Clendening (5-11, 170), was the defensive stalwart for the best regular season team in the GTHL, the Toronto Marlboros. The Marlboros only lost one game all year and Clendening was a big reason for that. He controls the pace of the game and handles the puck with ultimate poise. He was relied upon heavily this season and was often pitted against the opposition's best. If there is a flaw to his game, it is his lateral mobility. He is a talented skater, however he can be drawn out wide at times and struggles with his crossovers. Although this flaw was not exposed often at this level, it may become a concern against stronger competition. Clendening's penchant for creating offence was not reflected well on the score sheet. He produced a 4-goal and 22-assist campaign while playing in all 36 regular season games. However, since the Marlboros played such a puck-possession-style-of game, he was often the player who vaulted the attack but was rarely given the assist on the eventual goal. Clendening's skill is very attractive and he could be a player cut from the same mould as a Ryan Wilson.

Kitchener Rangers

The Rangers entered the draft without a second round pick for the second straight season and have not selected higher than 18th overall in the first round for three years. Rebuilding is something the Rangers do not do, as they always seem to take fliers on players and convince them to report, much as the London Knights are able to do. The Rangers have a terrific program to entice young hockey players to join their club and the success of Ranger alumni like Derek Roy or Mike Richards have become great recruiting tools.

Jeff Skinner (2010)

Represented by the Orr Hockey Group, Skinner has already been quoted as making a commitment to go the collegiate route. The Rangers took a stab at him, as he was the best player available at the 20th spot. Skinner (5-9, 180), is a top five pick in terms of talent and skill. He can break open a game and score on will. He has great hands, owns a great shot and marries those two skills with quick feet. His blinding speed pushed many defensemen back and allowed him to attack the net often. At times, Skinner was very selfish when he had the puck even though he has great vision and passing skills, he did not want to give up the puck. As a result, he was often double-teamed while still trying to beat two guys only to lose the puck. One would think Skinner would be anxious to redeem himself and skate hard back on defense but too often during the course of the season, he neglected to do so. Skinner kept getting his minutes because there was little to no repercussions by former Maple Leafs and Toronto Nationals bench boss Rick Vaive. Skinner cost his team just as many games as he won them. He pouted on the ice and was suspended numerous times for retaliating harshly when hit. Skinner could not handle when a player was designated to shadow him and often handled himself in a manner that was detrimental to the team. He was often spoken about in negative terms because of his poor on-ice decisions. He is an exceptional talent but needs to mature!

Alex Aleardi (2010), C

Aleardi was an offensive machine for the Detroit Compuware under-16 team. He was extremely effective with the puck in his possession and attacked the net with unbridled enthusiasm. Despite his size (5-9, 140), and the constant abuse he took when driving down low, to his credit, Aleardi stayed with all his plays until he heard the whistle. Aleardi has a good slapshot and uses it often, perhaps too much. He needs to identify better shooting lanes and be more patient with the puck. Aleardi also has speed to burn and can go inside/out on many flatfooted defenders. He has a defensive conscious and pays attention to detail in all three zones. Aleardi did not finish the season on a strong note. His team seemed to implode once the majority of his teammates were offered scholarships. Aleardi's play, like many of his teammates took a nosedive and he did not do the things that made him endearing at the beginning of the season toward the end. Nonetheless, Aleadri plays a game very similar to current Kitchener Ranger Justin Azevedo.

Branden Morris (2010), D

The Rangers once again returned to the Whitby hockey program and snagged a good depth defenseman much like they did last season when they selected Anton Zupancic, 98th overall. Morris (6-2, 165), the last pick of the fourth round was the number one defenseman on the David Branch-coached Whitby Wildcats. He got better as the season progressed and improved his draft stock by keeping things very simple and developing his mature-offensive game. His pass accuracy and puck skills saw vast improvement. Morris teased you at times with his skill but did not fully make the most of his offensive game, often electing to hang back. Whether that was coaching, Morris' game tailed off because of it. The Wildcats were decimated by injuries throughout the season and Morris often played the better parts of half the game for the majority of their games. Morris has the potential to play in the league and will more than likely retain a spot either with the Dutchmen or with an OPJHL team in his area. He has good size in which he uses to defend but his footwork and overall athleticism will need to be upgraded.

Michael Morrison (2011), G

After selecting a goalie with the last pick in the fifth round, Christopher McDougall, a player largely responsible for Sudbury's Telus Cup win, the Rangers closed out the sixth round by selecting another goalie in Michael Morrison. The Rangers did a good job of grabbing two goalies whose stock mysteriously slipped on draft day. Morrison (5-10, 155), is a very good technical goalie who limits his movement and is unflappable in his crease. Morrison lacks size and as a result, does not cover a lot of the net, however he has very good reflexes and is always in a position to make a save. His rebound control is also another strong aspect to his game, as his pillow-like pads swallow up rebounds. The one area that Morrison needs work on is his stickhandling. This flaw was exposed in the third round of the playoffs against the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs, as they constantly threw it in his corner knowing that he would make a mistake with it. Morrison's play was solid all season and he was often the Hamilton Reps best player on the ice. Given the lack of depth at the goaltending position and Matt Smith more than likely designated as the back-up to Josh Unice next season, it may leave a roster spot open with the Kitchener Dutchmen Jr. B for him to grab.

Andrew Crescenzi (2010), C

Crescenzi (6-4, 190), could have been the biggest enigma of the draft this season, as some nights he played like a young Luca Caputi and some nights you wonder if he played at all. He is a big gangly centre that could control a game but too often faded into the background, content to just coast. Given his size and skill set, he could have done much more to help his draft stock. He did not always engage and barely used his size to be a difference maker. His footwork was also a concern, as he labored to get going. He has a thick stride but does not generate much speed and many times, he was chasing a play rather than initiating it. He used his stick to help him skate and he had a very unorthodox skating style as a result. Crescenzi will struggle to find a roster spot at the OPJHL level given availability and his peers occupying those spots. Should Crescenzi play midget next season it may be a blessing in disguise for him, as he would see ample ice to work on his overall game.