OHL: Ehelechner Emerges

The Sudbury Wolves' crop of 2005 draft-eligible players is headlined by two potential first-rounder selections in Benoit Pouliot and Marc Staal. Also vying for attention is the mid-to-late round possibility Adam McQuaid. McKeen's correspondent Patrick King reviews these players as well the 2006 draft-eligible sparkplug Ryan McDonough and German overager Patrick Ehelechner.

Benoit Pouliot (2005), LW/C, Sudbury

Most improved quality has been the physical aspect of his game .. banging from the get-go, rarely passing up the opportunity to take the body .. turned the jets on to unload on a rearguard who waited for a pass by the boards .. intentionally threw his right skate out to trip up Justin Donati .. displayed good hustle after losing the puck to an opponent, rushing back to steal it back .. elite stickhandling skills in confined areas but most of his pretty exhibitions have not led to goals in recent action .. not phased by extra attention of opposing teams' checkers .. blazing speed and nice bulk to his age .. has been tried at center recently but is terrible on faceoffs .. reliable defensive player and a mainstay on the pk .. came back after a scary high stick from Nathan McIver .. at times shows stretches of uninspired hockey as he can be moody and unmotivated.

Marc Staal (2005), D, Sudbury

Mature and reliable .. fine poise and defensive awareness .. still thin for a rearguard but has added some bulk .. does not overpower with his body but can tie up a man effectively .. very effective at angling a man and pinning him up against the boards .. great, effective reach .. very aggressive at his own blueline, making forwards work hard to enter the zone .. excellent point shot, low, hard, tippable and creates rebounds .. can play in all situations .. drops the gloves .. given big minutes in key situations .. was on the ice for most of a seven-minute penalty kill .. tremendous endurance .. could be nastier.

Patrick Ehelechner (SJ), G, Sudbury

Positionally sound overage netminder; takes shots off the chest .. willing to challenge the shooter but is reluctant to come out with some traffic around him .. exceptional rebound control; deflects pucks to the corners and rarely puts one back into the slot .. needs to cover up the puck quicker when he takes one off the chest .. lively glove hand and makes saves look easy .. quick and agile .. hard to score on down low due to a well-polished butterfly .. susceptible to some high shots where guys tend to test him .. nice shoulder save on a two-on-one break where a puck carrier tested him with a slap shot short side .. communicates well with teammates .. consistency is at times an issue as he is superman in one match but is ordinary in another .. will be tutored by the splendid San Jose Sharks coaching staff before soon.

Adam McQuaid (2005), D, Sudbury

Plays a solid defense-oriented game .. very strong along the boards; pins men to boards with efficiency and jam .. neutralizes guys with a no-nonsense physical style .. often uses his stick to take away passing lanes .. loves to push guys around .. shows good lower-body strength; in the first period held his man by the boards and then tackled him to the ice .. not very fast but is very good positionally which alleviates the speed issue .. compensates for weaknesses such as when he got beat by Colin Power to the outside but dove and tripped him up.

Ryan McDonough (2006), C, Sudbury

Generously listed at 5-foot-10 .. what he does not have in height he makes up with muscle .. a little truck with some room to grow .. provides big hits along the boards .. quick feet though his speed is not deceptive .. offensive vision is not at the level one would expect from a highly touted youngster .. had a partial breakaway where he moved his feet to get around a defenseman but was twisted around and fell awkwardly to the ice .. would like to see more assertion offensively.