OHL: Everythings Couture in Ottawa

The Ottawa 67's have traditionally drafted well and as a result, have been able to compete. With a core group of returning players including first round NHL selection Logan Couture, the 67's should be strong favorites in the East. McKeen's looks at several NHL-draft-eligible players, as well as their top three picks from last year's OHL draft.

Tyler Cuma (2008), D, Ottawa

The confidence Cuma gained at the Under 18 tournament must have carried over the Atlantic Ocean, as Cuma produced more points in his first ten games this season than he did in 30 last year .. his strengths lie in his ability to defend and make the right play under pressure, which he does exceptionally well .. he has continued to grow but unfortunately, the weight has not come on as fast and as a result, he can be beaten down low by bigger players .. his skating is fluid and flawless .. his reverse movement and ability to pivot off either foot make him very difficult to beat one-on-one .. he handles the puck well .. he always looks up ice for a quick pass but if it is not present, he does not force the issue .. his smart approach to the game has made him very endearing to coach Kilrea who does not hesitate to use him in any situation .. he makes good pinches in the offensive zone and utilizes his lateral mobility to find a pass or get into a better shooting lane .. he needs to shoot more, as forwards are playing the pass and not respecting his shot .. developing an offensive dimension to his game is important .. once Cuma puts on the weight, he should become more physical and play meaner .. he is cut from the same cloth as a young Robyn Regehr.

Julian Demers (2008), D, Ottawa

Coming into this season, the Nepean native put on 15 pounds of muscle to his already imposing 6-foot-2 frame .. agile and quick for a big man, Demers can easily rush the puck out of his zone to create an odd-man rush .. while this is a strength to his game, he needs to be constantly reminded to show more consistent efforts away from the puck .. he relishes with the puck on his blade however, other facets of his game need immediate attention when he does not have the puck .. suffers major brain cramps in the defensive zone .. holds onto the puck too long and is stripped of it .. can be drawn out of assignments .. has the size to close the gap but too often, he does not do a good enough job .. is physical but does not beat anybody up and he might want to think about dropping the gloves to add another element to his game .. swift skater and massive size make him a very interesting project.

Cody Lindsay (2008), C, Ottawa

Put into a third-line-defensive role, Lindsay has linemates that can take the puck to the net .. an opportunistic scorer, he does not go to the net with urgency rather, he hangs around the perimeter waiting for a rebound that his linemates have created with their shot and cashes in with a goal .. decent skater, he has a running on the track-type-of-style, as he squats down to get speed .. comes back and is quick to identify where the defense needs support often filling in for a missed or blotched assignment by his peers.. he attempts to control the boards but too often he is either out muscled or rushes the play, as he needs to develop more patience .. he competes and although he has a modest build, he makes up for it with heart .. a complimentary role player who will be used to shutdown the oppositions best.

Thomas Nesbitt (2008), RW, Ottawa

Hard-nosed winger has been shuffled from the top line all the way to the third line .. can play with any set of linemates, as he is a no frills .. low maintenance player that works hard down low and tries to create with his pugilistic style of play .. an awkward, upright skater, he has a short stride that does not garner much speed .. has ok puck skills but is more of a shooter than a playmaker .. he is strong up top and as a result, many of his hits separate the player from the puck .. at times, he skates away from a play before it has been whistled dead .. is not against dropping the gloves and is the type of player that would score more if his PIM's went up, as he would command much more room on the ice.

Logan Couture (SJ), C, Ottawa

Logan got a hard look at the San Jose Sharks camp and at one point, it was suggested that he might start the season in the NHL .. a thinking man's player, he processes the game brilliantly as his hockey sense could be the best in the OHL .. he is very difficult to get a read on .. when opponents think they have cut off his passing lane he manages to make a pinpoint accurate pass .. his ability to make quick short passes in traffic and open ice is his best skill .. he puts his linemates in better scoring opportunities and as a result, makes others around him better .. improved upper body strength, as he is thicker .. needs to protect himself better, as many liberties were taken toward him and he did not defend himself .. not the fastest skater, he is improving but using his limited burst of speed wisely to get to loose pucks .. he has exceptional balance and a strong lower body, as he remained on his feet despite constant prying by the Rangers' players along the boards to take his feet from under him .. this is a big year for Couture, as he is the captain of the 67's and is expected to push his team deep into the playoffs.

Jamie McGinn (SJ), LW, Ottawa

This season is a special one for McGinn as he is joined by his younger brother Tye .. entering his fourth season in the OHL, McGinn just might be the best scoring LW in the league .. he scores a majority of his goals by using his big body in close and powering his way to the net .. he likes to shoot and will usually take a shot for the goalie to play it .. he is not a playmaker although he can handle the puck ok .. he commands time and space with his thick frame .. he shields the puck exceptionally well while driving toward the goal .. an average skater, he is not going to blaze by anyone with his speed however, he has gotten quicker .. McGinn's ability to finish in close and his rapid release is very reminiscent of Jonathan Cheechoo when he played for the Belleville Bulls.

Michael Latta (2009), RW, C, Ottawa

Before the season is over the hockey world will have heard about Latta .. Latta is the type of player that you can win with .. he is a fierce competitor who has already drawn comparisons to a young Steve Downie .. goes hard to the net and scores garbage goals but also highlight reel goals as well .. he has quick hands and can make defenders look foolish if they decide to play the puck .. he turned Jensen (Kitchener) into a pretzel before going upstairs on Unice for a goal .. he is always ready to score as he sets up like a true finisher with his stick on the ice at all times .. as gifted as he is a finisher, he can also stickhandle well and make effective passes .. he made several nice plays during the contest that led to quality scoring chances and odd-man breakouts .. can spin out of the corner and make plays down low .. not lazy on the defensive side of the game although, his skating at times hinders him .. will always take an extra shot at a player and loves the physical side of the game .. could be a future captain of this team. as his work ethic and determination is contagious.

Ryan Martindale (2010), C, Ottawa

Did not see much icetime in this close scoring contest .. Martindale, a scoring sensation in midget last season for the Whitby Wildcats is slowly learning that if you cannot contribute offensively then you need to do other things to contribute to team success .. a large frame but not very physical although he tried to throw a check, which is encouraging, as it shows he wants to get better .. a solid skater, he can keep up with plays .. he has a good shot but is fighting for his position on the ice to exploit it .. his play is very similar to Bryan Bickell.

Jon Carnevale (2009), RW, Ottawa

Started the season on a high as he scored two goals in the opening game and was named first star .. a gritty, multi-purpose forward .. he has a decent scoring touch .. a north to south skater, he is not overly agile .. his skating is a deterrent but once he gets going, his speed is plausible at this level .. built rather sturdy however, he still lacks the requisite strength to play the type of game he did in midget .. he is an aggressive forechecker and as such, has been used in PK situations .. he came into camp prepared to work and earned a job when many did not think he would play .. continues to impress.