OHL: East Division Draft Review

In McKeen's fourth and final instalment of the OHL draft review, correspondent David Burstyn examines the East Division, consisting of the Peterborough Petes, who held the fourth overall selection, the Ottawa 67's, Kingston Frontenacs, Oshawa Generals and the Belleville Bulls, who led the East division in points last season.

Peterborough Petes

After making it to the Memorial Cup in 2006, the Petes decided to have a fire sale and unloaded many of their star players including Steve Downie and Daniel Ryder. Their stock was at a premium and they fetched many draft picks, which the Petes scouting staff turned into many healthy selections.

The Petes must have a thing for players named Zack, as this marked the third consecutive year that their first round selection was named Zack. Zack Kassian, selected fourth overall, is a massive player who already has pro size at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. He can power his way into the offensive zone, as he garners good speed in a short amount of time. He played defence in PK and PP situations and communicated well with his teammates instructing them all the way. He is mean and nasty and will get under the opposition's skin with his type of play. He is a better playmaker as he can deliver passes with accuracy however; his finishing abilities leave little to be desired, as he only scored 21 goals this season. His size enables him to win many battles, as he is a fearless competitor along the boards. He should be able to step in and make an impact toward the latter stages of the season and if the Petes are able to surround him with a natural finisher, he could put up some healthy point totals.

The Petes second round pick to no surprise was another Zach, Zach Tatrn. He played for the Pittsburgh Predators and scored over a point-per-game. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, the biggest concern with his game was that he rarely initiated any sort of physical contact. His play would have been better served if only he threw the occasional body check to create room for himself. More of a finesse player, his wide array of moves and creativity makes him an attractive prospect. His skating is also impeccable, as he reaches full acceleration within two strides. He does not absorb hits well and is too much of a perimeter player. He will need to revamp his game to be more effective at the OHL level.

The Petes selected many promising defenseman that combine finesse, physical play and offensive scoring. Players such as Chad Lowry, Derek Holden, Sean St.Louis, Ryan Uens, Mitchell Taylor, and Adrian Robertson should all get sniffs at some point during their OHL careers.

Chad Lowry (third round), is a mean and aggressive defender who likes to punish and hurt the opposition. His puck skills are very raw but he did show flashes throughout the season of making healthy plays up the ice. His first-pass skills also need dramatic improvement, as he did not see the ice well enough. His forte will be his ability to instil fear into forwards and at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, he has the body to do just that.

Derek Holden was the first of three players chosen from the Peterborough Jr. Petes team. He is a super-slick defender but one area of concern right now would be putting on some additional weight. He is an effortless skater with a great stride and first-step quickness. He can launch a play from the back end with a perfectly timed pass or just as easily carry it up the ice himself. He is smart enough to recognize changes in the game and makes adjustments quickly. He is always reviewing his options and will never give up the puck. Has an outside chance of making the team this season.

Sean St.Louis is relied upon more for his defensive ability than anything else is. He has a strong lower body, which enabled him to make powerful thrusts in his first-step quickness. His puck skills would be considered poor at the OHL level. His role would be to provide defensive depth to the team.

Adrian Robertson played for the OHL Cup-winning Mississauga Ice Dogs. He played a good all around game and his size helped him to track down streaking forwards and at the very least, slow them up with his stick or massive frame (6-2, 190). He struggled with his foot speed and even though it did get better throughout the year, it is still not at an OHL level. He will most likely play Midget or perhaps Tier II hockey.

Ryan Uens is also a mean and tough defender. He is very hard to play against due to his imposing frame. He is rather rigid and his agility is not there. He made many poor decisions with the puck and too often, his plays at the line led to odd man rushes the other way. He needs to modify his game considerably but given his frame, the Petes may have some time for him.

The most unheralded of picks could be Mitchell Taylor, a 15th round selection. He played tremendously all season for a poor Markham team. He is a healthy skater, who is very mobile and athletic. He understands the game very well. He lacks confidence from time to time but that could be a direct result of his limited strength. He has plenty of potential and may shock many people.

The two goalies the Petes took also have considerable upside, as they selected Matthew Coutts from the London Jr. Knights in the tenth round and Matthew Ginn, from the Central Ontario Wolves in the 12th round.

Matthew Coutts split the duties with goaltender Marc Nother but when the games mattered most, Coutts usually got the nod. Coutts is the type of player that needs an excessive workload, as he can get cold and let in a few soft goals when not tested. He has good balance in his net and decent rebound control on shots taken at his pads, but not so much on upper-body shots. He plays more of a hybrid-style and works well in traffic maintaining a strong focus in his net. He has solid mechanics and gave his team a chance to win in every game he started. He played exceptional in the second round of the playoffs against the eventual Alliance champions – Cambridge, but his team could not score any goals, as he did not surrender more than two goals-a-game in the five he played.

Matthew Ginn really started to receive notice in the playoffs and especially in the OMHA's, where he stood on his head and got his team into the finals, losing eventually to Whitby. He is extremely athletic yet small. He relies more on his quick reflexes to make saves, as he does not cover a lot of the net. A long shot to make the team but he is an attractive prospect nonetheless.

The Petes took a few forwards in the later rounds that also might find a niche for themselves on this team.

Ricky Buehler, the Petes seventh round pick will almost certainly play in the OHL. A tad on the unstable side, Buehler could be a fan favourite in no time due to his craziness on the ice. He is not afraid of anyone or anything and will willingly engage in a fight even after the game. He is a complete nut bar on the ice but in a positive way, as he can rally his team with his aggressive nature. He needs to keep his emotions in check. He has a reputation for drawing poor penalties because the refs' do not take his antics lightly. A healthy selection, he will give the Petes an energy player who will do anything for team success.

Alan McPherson is a highly skilled forward with outstanding foot speed. His pucks skills are amazing, as he made many strong moves to the net throughout the season that resulted in many goals. Not the type of player that will fold in physical contests, he will fight through checks but for the time being, he is too slight to be a difference maker. He may be an impact scorer for the Petes in two seasons.

The wildcard of the draft could be Brad Gehl, another local player who was a member of the Peterborough Petes minor midget hockey system. He is a huge specimen but one concern would be his skating. He can score as his hands are velvet-soft, yet his frame is that of a tank. He is an underrated passer too, as he made many plays that went unconverted because his teammates were caught by surprise that he could make that type of play. He is more of an up-and-down player, as his mobility is average. He is incredibly strong on his skates and will challenge defenders to haul him down as he drives to the net. May be a late bloomer considering his coordination has not caught up to his size however, by his third year in the league he should be capable of scoring 30-plus goals and follow a career path similar to that of Plymouth's Tom Sestito.

Ottawa 67's

The 67's have a rich tradition on the draft table and this year's crop of players selected was no exception. For the second straight season, they drafted sixth overall.

The 67's took Michael Latta with their first round pick, a player many have compared to a young Steve Downie. Latta hates the opposition and will do anything to disrupt their flow. He wants to win at any cost. He has a great shot and works well down low where his balance and strength on his skates play into his favour. He can play a wide-open game but excels in tougher more physically demanding contests, which will help the 67's come playoff time. He tends to skate with his head down when handling the puck and the coaching staff will be well advised to monitor that aspect of his game. His skating is an area of concern, as he struggles with his footwork. Nevertheless, his will and determination are strong suits that should be able to carry him to a long and successful OHL career.

Ryan Martindale was the 67's second round pick. He is an extremely skilled player who has size and an exceptional reach. His puck handling skills are very good, as he can shelter the puck and then unleash his shot in the slot for a goal. He is a healthy skater who is very methodical when expending his energy. He played well in tournaments and in the playoffs when he knew the scouts would attend. At times, he appeared aloof in the defensive zone and his body language spoke volumes about his commitment level.

The 67's choose two RW's who play completely opposite games nevertheless, should have a chance to make the 67's at some point in their junior careers.

Jonathan Carnevale (fourth round selection) improved dramatically toward the end of the season. He played with urgency during the playoffs and never gave up on a play. Strong on his skates and despite his lack of first-step quickness, once he gets going he is virtually impossible to stop. He runs over guys and plays with sandpaper. He registers many of his points by being in the right place at the right time. He should be able to develop into a solid-role player capable of third to second line duty at some point during his OHL playing days.

Cam McLean (sixth round) plays a very quiet unassuming game but does many little things right. Very hard to notice, McLean is the type of player that could play with your star player or be buried on a fourth line. It will be up to coach Kilrea to find a role for him but with his smarts, fluid skating style and strong positional skills, he should find a roster spot on the 67's.

The wildcard for the 67's could be Dustin Walsh, a 12th round selection that has already grown three inches since being drafted. He towered over players at the Under-17 evaluation camps in Guelph however, he looked slightly awkward as he was unsure what to do with his sudden growth spurt. A gifted finisher and passer, he has all the tools to be a successful scorer at the OHL level. He has deceptive speed to match his equally quick hands, as he can stickhandle in the rain without getting the puck wet. Walsh has tremendous upside and may surprise many teams who passed him up.

Kingston Frontenacs

Kingston may have missed the boat when they neglected to draft local sensation Jordan Mayer, opting for Ethan Werek a player who has all but committed to Boston University. Should Werek not report it could be a considerable setback for the organization, as the Frontenacs are not well equipped to be without a first round selection.

Ethan Werek is an outstanding two-way hockey player with considerable offensive upside. He skates well and competes hard. His play staggered slightly during the regular season and fell out of favour with many scouts however, when the chips were on the table, Werek still had a hand to play, as his playoff performance was sublime. He is easily the best faceoff man amongst his age group, as he has a flawless technique. His keen anticipation and smarts on the ice make him so valuable, as he has the ability to make others around him better. He has ok instincts around the net but too often, his shots hit the goalies pads, as he needs to take an extra second to evaluate his shooting options. His game is very complete however, he will need to work on some things to be more of an offensive contributor.

The Frontenacs took two big defenseman with their selections of Taylor Doherty and Jake Logan.

Taylor Doherty was viewed as a first round selection at the beginning of the season but his lack of consistency and decision-making affected his draft stock. He still has an abundance of upside, as his size (6-6, 205), makes him the tallest in the draft. He lacks vision and mobility and appeared able to turn only one way and too many times, he could not make a healthy pass out of the zone. He handles the puck like a grenade at times. He employs an active stick and does an adequate job defending using his size to his advantage. Will most likely make the team but may find himself sitting out more games than he plays.

The wildcard of the draft could be Jake Logan, a Kingston kid that is a multi-sport athlete, as he was also an outstanding running back for his high school football team. A very complete defender, he really improved from the beginning of the season and full credit has to go to coach Mike Fiset for getting the most out of him. His ability to adapt and listen to the coaching staff was viewed as a positive. He prefers to flatten a player rather than angle them off and at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds; he certainly is strong enough to do it. His puck skills are ok but he has difficulty with his passing accuracy. He is a good building block for an organization and should be able to assume a spot on one of the top-two defence pairings in Kingston.

Oshawa Generals

The Generals have a strong nucleus of players. This draft had to be viewed as adding pieces to the puzzle, as most of their positions have decent depth. The Generals however, made a few surprising moves at the table including drafting virtual unknown Calvin DeHann in the third round.

The selection of Justin Shugg may have been slightly premature however, the Generals like his goal-scoring ability. He has an unreal set of hands, as he can move the puck in ways that would make a magician scratch his head. Shugg skates well and has a hair-trigger release. His complete lack of physical involvement will be a glaring concern at the OHL level. A first round selection, he should make the team and if he manages to play on the same line as John Tavares, it could be a very explosive combination. However, anyone who plays with Tavares is bound to produce, so Shugg will need to play with some more jam, especially away from the puck.

David Corrente, the brother of Matt Corrente, was the first pick of the second round. A good all-around defender, his selection may have been early, as he does not marry his defensive skills with an offensive game. He skates well, has good mobility and is positionally sound however, he rarely if ever carried the puck up the ice and his offensive totals, considering how many minutes he received were poor. He did show a healthy mean streak to his game and as a result, earned many trips to the penalty box. At 5-foot-9, he is a long shot to have an impact in his first year in the league, especially playing defence.

The wildcard of the draft may be Andy Andreoff. He played for an average Ajax-Pickering team and was their top scorer. Undersized, he has the potential to fill out. Not an overly aggressive player but he does battle down low for puck possession. His strong change of direction and fluid skating style allows him to get to many loose pucks and make healthy plays in front. He has a good set of tools to draw from and is prone to making smart decisions away from the puck, which may be his calling card in two seasons.

Belleville Bulls

The Bulls have done an extraordinary job drafting in recent years, which has led to team success. The last few drafts have produced many quality players, as an average of at least three players since the 2004 draft has suited for the Bulls this season.

The Bulls managed to select Tyler Randell, a player that possibly should not have been available when it came time for them to select at 15th overall. A big, physically mature winger who plays the role of a power forward Randell is an exceptional skater who boasts strong puck skills and can make moves at top speeds. His skating helps him play better defence, as he can change direction at will and his transition game is strong as a result. He needs to adopt more urgency and consistency to his game. Once he develops a 'take no prisoners' approach to his game, he will be a much better player.

Bjorn Krupp is the son of former NHL Stanley Cup winning defenseman Uwe Krupp. The younger Krupp developed rapidly throughout the season, as he made vast improvements in all facets of his game. Most notably, the way he controlled the pace of the game from the back end. His decision-making improved drastically and his rushes up the ice usually resulted in a healthy scoring chance. In the past, little would be generated, as he would actually trap his teammates deep, resulting in odd-man breaks the other way. He still needs to settle down from time to time and make a good first pass out of the zone. His acceleration and speed are very attractive.

Andy Bathgate is the grandson of former Toronto Maple Leaf great Andy Bathgate. A highly agile and athletic winger, Bathgate skates as if he is dancing on the ice, as he is a flawless skater. His speed, acceleration, first step and reverse movement make him such an attractive player. Even though he played on a strong team and saw substantial PP time, he did not score with the regularity one would expect. His hands are simply not there and he will most likely be a good checking-line forward, as he understands the game and can keep up. He is still very thin and rather fragile, so bulking-up has to be a main priority in the off-season.

The wildcards in the draft for the Bulls were both members of the Whitby Wildcats. Brett Mackie and Taylor Pernerowski were the heart and soul of the Wildcats. The team did not perform as well with these two players out of the lineup, as the intangibles they brought in a leadership role could not be measured on the scoresheet.

It is rather ironic that Brett Mackie was drafted by the Bulls because despite his size, he is a complete bull-of-a-player. He is the type of player that you will win with, as he is relentless and does whatever is necessary. Very coachable, he often played through injuries to be a part of the lineup. His commitment to play through pain was noticed by his teammates and had a very positive effect on them. He often played with Shalla and Martindale and did all the dirty work for them and making them look good. He willingly went into the corners, took hits to advance the play and set the tone of the game with well-placed body checks. A peppy skater, he has a short stride but generates ample speed and that should not hold him back. He has an outside chance to play this season but should be a Bull in two years.

Taylor Pernerowski's only downfall was his size. At 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds, he is not the ideal defenseman but stats sometimes can be misleading, as he was a complete tank-of-a-player. He changed the complexion of the game with strong hits and even better offensive plays. He was rarely beaten to the outside and he did such a good job eliminating players from the rush that his positioning neutralized many breakouts. He never was caught, as he always had an escape plan even when he was double-teamed and pressured by bigger players. He has a slightly awkward way of skating but it did not hinder his overall speed. If Pernerowski was 6-feet or taller, he would have been a first round selection. Belleville may have themselves a player, as his brothers both played hockey before him and grew substantially two years after their draft year.