OHL [Feb-06]: Beleskeys Bulls

Beleskey's Bulls (posted 2.20.06)

by David Burstyn

The Belleville Bulls are a very young and strong team boasting four 1988-born players available for this year's NHL draft. Led by captain Matt Beleskey and former 1st overall OHL pick John Hughes, the young Bulls have developed nicely and a large reason why the club is challenging for strong playoff positioning in the East. We also take a look at a few other prospects available for next year's draft.

Matt Beleskey (2006), LW, Belleville

Shows no fear and attacks all areas of the ice .. very smart as to picking his opponents and conserves his energy well .. not afraid to fight and will readily came to the aid of his teammates, his courage and determination were two main reasons why he was named captain at such a young age and speaks highly for his character .. his offensive skill set is nothing spectacular .. his shot is hard and he shows no hesitation about shooting even though his accuracy is lacking .. stickhandling is average at best, while his skating is a little awkward .. does not have the greatest speed, although he is strong on his skates and does come back and help out on the backcheck .. eagerly waits for offensive opportunities but does not rush the play, rather staying with his man until it is certain that he can comfortably find a spot in the slot to fire the puck .. displays many intangibles including valuable leadership qualities .. a committed two-way player with a strong work ethic which will bolster his stock for this year's draft.

Bryan Cameron (2007), C, Belleville

First-round pick gives a hard and honest effort every shift, every night .. scored often on the PP as he is a quick, shifty player with a generous offensive skill-set .. he is a digger and not afraid to get involved to make a play .. he antagonizes the opposition with his pesky, strong forechecking style .. a strong skater with quick feet .. always looking to take advantage of breakdowns in the defensive zone .. protects the puck well in traffic and makes hard plays to the net .. knocked down several times, but got back up and was determined to make a play .. showed high intensity throughout the contest especially when his team was down .. his defensive game still needs some fine-tuning as he is slowly adjusting to the speed of the league and strength of the players .. shows all the makings of being a legitimate NHL prospect.

John Hughes (2006), C, Belleville

Small centre who is very creative with the puck and an above-average stick handler .. his shot power is weak, and he would rather make a clever play by drawing in defenders and providing his teammates with a timely pass .. gifted in-close when he finds loose pucks and has time in front of the net to exploit his accurate shot .. nice first-step acceleration with quick feet .. physically, he doesn't go near the front of the net as he is likely to get pushed around, and rarely administers a body check .. good puck-protection skills especially when he is coming out from behind the net .. really drives his skates into the ice displaying his lower-body strength .. in open-ice situations however, he gets knocked off the puck too easily due to a lack of upper-body strength .. an offensively-gifted player who may still be a victim of the 'size' factor .. will really need to work on his strength in order to have success at higher levels.

Shawn Matthias (2006), C, Belleville

An attractive prospect largely due to his size and skating strength .. unfortunately, he does not use his size to his full advantage in a physical capacity, and only rarely applies himself to win the one-on-one battles .. occasionally throws a hit, but would greatly benefit from hitting harder and more frequently .. offensively, he failed to show many tools in this contest .. skills are average at best, and at times he seemed to be behind the play and unable to keep up .. needs to increase his intensity and nastiness level ten-fold which would help show scouts that he's more than just a nice guy.

Cory Tanaka (2006), C, Belleville

Acquired in a trade earlier in the season with Plymouth .. a small speedy player with decent offensive imagination .. his skating sets him apart from other prospects as it is his strongest feature .. quick stop-and-go skater who easily breaks up plays with his agility and speed .. plays the PP as he is effective at getting the puck to the front of the net, and at working the half-boards by sheltering the puck and seeing the ice well .. his size prohibits him from penetrating the goal however .. a potential late-round pick at this point and a long-shot to make an NHL impact.

P.K. Subban (2007), D, Belleville

Sixth-round OHL pick had a sensational training camp and has continued to make huge strides in his game .. doesn't have the greatest first step, and his acceleration is average much like the rest of his skating .. however, he has great confidence with the puck and isn't afraid to take chances and learn from his mistakes .. Coach Burnett has been very patient with him and has allowed him to play his game .. often leads the offensive charge out of his zone and carries the puck deep into opposition territory .. at times, he does too much and coughs up the puck as a result .. he can make a decent first pass but tends to want to do it all by himself and in the process makes himself vulnerable to open-ice hits .. sturdy build and strong on his skates .. loads of offensive upside and should see his stock rise if he works on some skating and defensive-coverage deficiencies.

Other Donati Twin Emerged (posted 2.18.06)

by David Burstyn

Justin Donati (2006), C, Toronto St. Michaels

Bust-out season for the other Donati twin .. sits fifth in OHL scoring with 93 points and 41 goals, tied with Erie's Michael Blunden .. notched just 27 goals in his first two OHL campaigns combined .. emerging as the offensive juggernaut of this team, Donati has carried St. Mike's on his shoulders .. constantly gets open to unleash his shot which is very quick to get off his stick though of only decent power .. like the Sedin twins, Justin has established excellent chemistry this season with twin sibling Tyler .. their ability to break down defensive boxes with slick stickhandling and perfect cross-ice saucer passes, has resulted in career-best points for both .. Justin has really stepped up his defensive game as well this season and is trying to become less of a one-dimensional player.

Matt Halischuk (2006), RW, Toronto St. Michaels

A fine skater with great acceleration .. has been used on many lines as he plays strong without the puck and chases puckcarriers in hopes of a turnover .. has become stronger in stealing pucks and positioning himself to force defenders into making a bad pass .. his offense has gotten, better however he still generates more of his points from the perimeter in most situations .. gets outmuscled and could stand to put on some much-needed muscle.

Ryan Wilson (2006), D, Toronto St. Michaels

Despite his lack of skating abilities, he is the top point producer for the Majors defense .. boasts a booming shot and can quarterback a power play effectively at this level .. however, he takes penalties because of his slow feet and the fact that he stops moving on occasion .. still gets beaten in 1-on-1 situations against faster moving forwards .. third year has been a coming-out party as far as points are concerned having already set career bests.

Justin DiBenedetto (2006), C, Toronto St. Michaels

More has been expected from the former first-round OHL Bantam Draft selection .. unable to contribute on offense and has been relegated to third-line spot duty .. saw some time on the power play to light a fire under him, but was unsuccessful .. his decision-making is slow, and he seems overwhelmed at times .. coughs up the puck when pressured.

Caruso Not Stranded (posted 2.16.06)

by David Burstyn

Michael Caruso (2006), D, Guelph

May have earned an invite to the 'Top Prospects' game had he shown his recent form at the beginning of the season .. showing much more poise with the puck and is no longer panicking like he had early on .. a reliable defenseman who won't hold the puck long and doesn't gamble by taking unnecessary risks .. his skating is impeccable, as is his mobility .. strong recovery powers, able to catch up and fend off even the swiftest of opponents .. conversely, offense is not a strong suit .. puts up few points, though he handles the puck well enough and sees time on the PP due to his distribution abilities .. often the fourth player to touch the puck and therefore rarely gets in on the assists .. his steady play of late should bolster his draft stock as he appears to have a decent understanding of the game.

Drew Doughty (2008), D, Guelph

Highly-gifted rookie certainly has made a big name for himself in only a few short months .. a member of the Under-17 Ontario Team .. possesses a great skill-set and excels as a quarterback - can launch an attack with a crisp first pass or by beating three guys to exit the zone .. plays in all situations .. boasts a hair-trigger release on his shot, leads all defenders in goals and is tops in points among rookie blueliners .. at times can be found struggling to find proper position, however he will inevitably find his way .. making a strong early case for top-10 consideration in the 2008 NHL Draft.

Jamie Arniel (2008), C, Guelph

Starting to emerge as a effective checking-line player .. partnered with better mates now than at the beginning of the season via trades and crafty line shuffling by coach Barr .. contributing more effectively .. constantly throwing his weight around and finishing checks .. despite small size, he knows how to deliver a good hit .. his confidence level has increased considerably especially when handling the puck - doesn't dump it like he may have done at the start of the season and is taking a few extra seconds to make a decision .. strong work ethic and responsible defensively .. will need to add mass to his frame, but should blossom into an effective top-six forward as early as next season.

Leigh Salters (2007), LW, Guelph

Still finding his game with the limited minutes he sees .. makes plays happen and possesses soft hands for a player his size .. all power forwards requires more time to mature and Salters is no exception .. he throws his weight around and, for his age, can be physically intimating, which only bodes well for his success in the OHL over the next few seasons .. his skating is very smooth and his passes are usually on the mark, however he needs to shoot more .. it will be interesting to see how he adjusts with added ice time and increased offensive responsibility.

Ice Chips

The play of the Guelph Storm has been the talk of the league. They've managed to stay afloat with the so-called Western powers in the London Knights and the Kitchener Rangers. The Storm's success lies in a solid defense and strong goaltending of Ryan MacDonald, who has thrived in the starting role and boasts some of the best totals in the league. The pairing of Parent and Doughty has been superb as the two combine to shut the opposition down and also provide much needed offense from the back end. Parent is nearly impossible to beat 1-on-1 and shows tremendous promise as a future NHLer. Recognizing the need for some more punch up front, Dave Barr added winger Jason Pitton from the Greyhounds at the deadline. Pitton is a solid contributor who adds scoring to the third line, which should prove critical to the club's push for the Memorial Cup. Matt D'Agostini has showed new life recently, looking more confident in his decision making which has translated in his escalating point totals. Still has a tendency to look for the pass instead of using his bullet, however his play on the PP has been nothing short of outstanding. Rounding out the offensive unit is Ryan Callahan, who the Storm are very fortunate to even have after he failed to strike a deal with the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack. The returning captain, Callahan plays an effective game and leads by example with his strong work ethic and punishing style of play.

Jordan Staal Update (posted 2.14.06)

by David Burstyn

Jordan Staal (2006), C, Peterborough

Power forward is starting to develop into the dominant player the organization had hoped for when making him the third overall pick two seasons ago .. has filled out but could still put on some weight considering huge 6-foot-4 frame .. still has bouts of inconsistency from shift to shift but is dangerous when given time and space .. able to weave around players effortlessly as he has quick wrists, much like Rick Nash, and is a talented stickhandler who sees the ice very well .. played very hard in the third period as he made several cross-ice passes that should have been converted into goals .. his size really allows him to take over games as he drives to the net lowering his shoulder almost forcing defenseman to haul him down, while his soft hands and touch make him lethal in close .. he is able to get around players while standing still and can make something out of nothing in small quarters .. at the top of his game, he is able to beat most defenders in this league 1-on-1 .. sees all situations and is steadily improving his defensive game with additional PK minutes .. shows flashes of brilliance that make him a potential 1st overall selection.

OHL Player of the Week (posted 2.13.06)

Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Windsor Spitfires goaltender Anthony Guadagnolo is the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday February 12 after allowing just two goals in three wins.

OHL Performers of the Month (posted 2.13.06)

OHL Player of the Month - Wojtek Wolski, Brampton Battalion Wolski was the OHL's top scorer during the month of January, piling up 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 11 games.

OHL Rookie of the Month - John Tavares, Oshawa Generals Tavares was named OHL Rookie of the Month for the second straight month after scoring nine goals and 12 points in 11 games last month.

Defenceman of the Month - Andrew Marshall, Barrie Colts Marshall was the OHL's top scoring defenceman during the month of January with four goals and 14 assists for 18 points in 12 games.

Goaltender of the Month - Dan Turple, Kitchener Rangers Turple was named OHL Goaltender of the Month after posting an 8-1-1-0 record, along with a .937 save percentage and 1.79 goals against average in 10 starts last month.

de Gray Snow Lynes Of Brampton (posted 2.10.06)

by David Burstyn

Reviewing the second-half development of draft-eligible prospects on the Brampton Battalion

John deGray (2006), D, Brampton

His game has not changed much from the beginning of the season .. he refuses to get beat and is physically strong along the boards not allowing players an extra positioning or ice .. reliable in his own end and can be counted on in the last minute of a game with a one goal lead .. his skating is not overly strong but his hockey sense and ability to stand his man up are qualities almost all NHL teams covet.

Aaron Snow (2006), LW, Brampton

An excellent skater with a smooth glide .. has stepped up his game and is seeing regular duty with skilled linemates such as Aquino and Wolski .. pesky player who is always involved and gives an honest effort on all shifts .. smart positionally on PP as he is able to dig into the corners and get the puck to Wolski in front to score many goals .. a good role player who will add depth to an organization come draft day.

Luke Lynes (2006), LW, Brampton

Few players have made such an immediate impact on their team as Lynes has .. Brampton's leading scorer until Wolski came back and just continues to get the job done .. always keeps his stick on the ice and seems to be able to capitalize on all his chances around the net .. shows creativity in the offensive zone with passing skills but must be mindful to eliminate high-risk plays that result in breakouts the other way .. no-look passes and drop passes resulted in many errors and poor judgement .. his skating is choppy but he can get good enough speed for the type of game he plays.

Matt Smyth (2007), RW, Brampton

Slowly beginning to make adjustments to the pace of the league .. seeing additional special teams time .. needs to focus on his play away from the puck and develop his defensive positioning .. offensively he has tools and his skating generates much speed, he should be able to demonstrate what he can do in a more expanded role next season .. strength and conditioning will need to be a high priority in the off season.

Prospect Report: Bobby Hughes (posted 2.8.06)

by David Burstyn

Bobby Hughes (2006), C, Kingston

Like teammate Chris Stewart, Hughes benefits by his late birth date and an added year of OHL play .. he has great wheels and actually moves faster when he has the puck on his stick .. a mainstay on the PK as he is a smart player who breaks up plays .. he has made strides in his overall game since last season especially in the defensive side of his game .. constantly tried to penetrate the side of Parent but was unsuccessful throughout the contest however it is a testament of his competitive nature and ability to test himself against the best to improve his game .. he is a thick player who actually appears to be bigger than his stats suggest and throws his weight around when possible .. he will be selected in the second round as his skill set and ability to play both ends of the ice make him an attractive prospect.

Prospect Report: Luke Pither (posted 2.8.06)

by David Burstyn

Luke Pither (2007), C, Kingston

Starting to blossom in second half of the season even though the statistics do not prove it .. shows elite stick handling ability as he is a magician with the puck .. was able on many occasions to reach back and recover puck and slide it to his fore hand even though it appeared that he either over skated it or that the puck was too far behind him .. powerful skater with a healthy knee bend and really pushes off his back foot to create speed .. is playing a strong two game as he is often the first forward back in the zone .. will need to bulk up considerably in the off season however he has shown improvement since the beginning of the campaign as he is not afraid to make a play at the risk of getting hit .. tries to see what he can get away with but most of the times he lands on his behind .. will certainly be a star in the league once he gets stronger.

Prospect Report: Matthew Reis (posted 2.8.06)

by David Burstyn

Matthew Reis (2007), LW, Kingston

A competitive player who never gives up .. lacks offensive polish but is a tough customer who will make plays with his physical style of play and ability to deliver an effective, well-timed body check .. a decent skater who can reach top speed within a few strides however his top end speed is not overly fast .. not overly confident handling the puck in the neutral zone, elects to pass and allow a team mate to log the puck up ice however he excels in a more down low game where his balance and strength can be better utilized .. a role player who will be able to provide the Fronts with at least a few more years of quality service.

CHL Player of the Week (posted 2.7.06)

Toronto - The Canadian Hockey League announced today that London Knights forward Rob Schremp is the CHL Player of the Week.

OHL Player of the Week (posted 2.6.06)

Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Rob Schremp of the London Knights is the OHL Player of the Week after scoring five goals and five assists for 10 points in three games last week.

Prospect Report: Cory Emmerton [Emmerton Emerging Darkhorse] (posted 2.6.06)

by David Burstyn

Cory Emmerton (2006), C, Kingston

A relentless skater who is swift and effortless in his strides .. his defensive awareness gets him huge points on his all around game .. played in many 3-5 situations and was diving and blocking shots .. showed tremendous confidence handling the puck in the defensive zone, as he remained calm and rid the puck with ease .. leads by example and has been named Assistant captain for his efforts on the ice .. is an offensive catalyst as he often intitates the first pass that leads to a goal .. great accurate shot, but a gifted play maker and passer as he sees the ice better than most give him credit for .. he leads the Frontenacs in points and assists on the team .. is very quiet on the ice as he is not flashy and on some shifts you do not even notice him and then he registers an assist .. it will be very interesting to see how he develops and he could be a dark horse of a pick and really shine at the NHL.

Prospect Report: Chris Stewart (posted 2.2.06)

by David Burstyn

Chris Stewart (2006), RW, Kingston

Has elevated his game to super star status .. shows the same dominance his brother exhibited at this level however shows a greater commitment on every shift to play diligent two way game .. man handled opposition as his size and strength allows him to bully through the zone and win corner battles .. swift skater with soft hands and exceptional stick handling ability .. made a sensational inside out move to take a shot which was converted into a goal by Bolt on the rebound .. was constantly hounded and must be mindful not to take bad penalties as he is more valuable on the ice than off it .. his stock has soared in recent weeks as he shows all the makings of being a solid pro hockey player .. late birth year helped his draft stock as well as he has had more exposure to the competition ..

Prospect Report: Ben Shutron (posted 2.2.06)

by David Burstyn

Ben Shutron (2006), D, Kingston

An offensive minded defenseman first and foremost .. has limited size and rarely uses it to his advantage .. is knocked off the puck as he lacks the strength and conditioning, mainly upper body strength .. at times he has shown panic points and will not necessarily cough up the puck when pressured but will throw it away allowing for another team to set up .. may get away with it at the OHL level however at higher levels he may get burned by a quicker transition game and better players .. he takes penalties at times because he gets beaten off the puck along the boards and does not want his man to get away from him so he holds, high sticks or trips .. his main strengths lie in his superior vision, a skill that can not be taught .. he readily joins the rush and can be so dangerous sneaking in on the point .. he has a good shot that he tries to fire off as often as he can .. with a relatively weaker talent pool in this year's NHL entry draft amongst OHL defenseman it is possible for him to sneak into the 1st round however early 2nd round is probably more realistic.