OHL: Front-en-Center

McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn looks at couple of 2009 draft-eligible prospects from the Kingston Frontenacs in center Ethan Werek and defenseman Taylor Doherty. Last season's first round selection in the OHL Draft, Erik Gudbranson, is also featured and is starting to serve notice as a possible first round selection for 2010.

Ethan Werek (2009), C, Kingston

Werek decided to forgo his verbal commitment to Boston College and join the Frontenacs to start the season .. a cerebral center, his best attributes are his faceoff skills and hockey sense .. plays a very casual game but is always positioned accordingly, especially in the neutral zone where he intercepts passes .. an ok skater, his first-step quickness could be upgraded and he has only average speed .. once again, his hockey sense aids him to be involved in the play .. he is an excellent passer .. his stickhandling and playmaking abilities could use further refinement, as he does not possess much creativity to get around opposing defensemen .. he does have a good shot and can finish in close with his soft hands .. Werek is not afraid to go to the net but will not drive it .. he is still underdeveloped physically and gets pushed around more so in the OHL than he did last season in the OPJHL .. he is in great shape, as he can go end-to-end on multiple rushes on the same shift .. he has more of a track and field body with uncanny stamina than a hockey players' at this point .. he is already being employed on the first PK unit because of his active stick and defensive conscious .. adjusting to the pace of the league has been gradual, as there are times when he is too docile and does not react fast enough .. nonetheless, he has the IQ and skill set to be a contributor in the OHL and should be mentioned in the top 50.

Taylor Doherty (2009), D, Kingston

It has been a tumultuous season for the hulking 6-foot-7 defender .. enjoyed International success with a win at the Under 18 Ivan Hlinka tournament this past summer, as he assumed a spot in the top-four rotation, however he has been unable to build on that success at the OHL level .. has yet to record a goal in 20-plus games this season and has looked very out of sync in the offensive zone .. his play has been overshadowed by Gudbranson, as he has tried to emulate his style of play and it has had adverse effects on Doherty's game .. he is at his best when given a role and stays true to it .. he needs to simplify his game to be effective and has struggled with trying to do too much on account of Kingston's slow start and him being named an assistant captain to start the season .. his speed is nurtured in a straight line, however his mobility is good for a player of his size, but he makes too many mistakes in the defensive zone in terms of positioning and angling .. he needs to make proper adjustments with his feet and push up on guys, using his size to defend not just his stick .. he appears disinterested, is dwelling on his mistakes and carrying them to the next shift, which has crippled his confidence .. he has an uphill battle but his size and brute strength are calling cards that will inevitably get him noticed by NHL scouts.

Erik Gudbranson (2010), D, Kingston

Named to Team Ontario's Under 17 team, the 6-foot-3 and still growing defenseman is poised for greatness, as he marries size and skill in one tight package .. long thick stride, he moves well in all directions and is blessed with agility and balance .. great passer and has breakout abilities but is being coached to hold back .. nice hard shot with a wicked wind up, however he will need to shorten it and be more selective with his puck decisions at the line .. has a natural aggression but has not fully exhibited it yet at this point .. with increased strength and conditioning, he will become more confident in this regard .. look for him to become a menacing force next season .. he still needs to assert himself more physically in the defensive zone and angle off better .. he relies too much on his glide and long reach as opposed to closing down the gap and punishing the forward by driving them into the boards .. has been forced to play in every situation, as he has been thrown into the fire since opening night .. considering his youthful age and how well he has performed thus far, it is not inconceivable for him to be an early first round candidate for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.