OHL: Hishons Heroes

McKeen's Chief Correspondent David Burstyn looks at the Owen Sound Attack - a team that should have many NHL scouts flocking to see them next year with the likes of Joey Hishon and Steven Shipley being draft eligible. Garrett Wilson, Myles Doan and Keevin Cutting are also featured.

Garrett Wilson (2009), LW, Owen Sound

A 15-game suspension altered the play of Wilson .. a tenacious and aggressive forward, the suspension seemed to trigger an apprehension to his game, which has ultimately affected his brash style of play that he showcased at the beginning of the season .. Wilson is most effective when he uses his size and healthy aggression, driving to the net and being a handful down low .. too often, he tends to over compensate and tries to do too much down low, leaving him in a poor position to defend when the play shifts up ice .. taking poor skating angles and is not on the right side of the puck in defensive situations .. skating still needs to clean up but he is equipped with solid balance to absorb hits and make plays down low .. he has not struggled offensively with 32 points in 50 games but more was expected from him coming into the season .. the playoffs should determine where he falls into the draft grid, as he has the potential given his size and strength to be a third or fourth round selection.

Joey Hishon (2010), C, Owen Sound

One of the most improved players in the entire OHL, Hishon's numbers have been staggering when one takes into account his rotating linemates this season .. with 80 points and 36 goals in 64 contests, Hishon is in the top 10 in league scoring .. patience and a vast array of stickhandling skills is what sets him apart .. he can make a series of moves in tight quarters, pulling the puck in his feet before undressing both a defenseman and goalie in the same flick of a blade .. he has a frail-looking build but compensates for his lack of size with quickness and hand skills .. does not possess blazing speed but he can get the edge on a defender with a quick initial burst and he is also very shifty .. he is such an excellent passer and has sharp instincts around the goal .. he slows down plays and the puck is literally on a string when in his possession .. he is also defensively conscious and has learned to come back with more regularity, as he leads by example with the 'A' on his sweater .. the idea to play him with a big rangy forward like Wilson was so that Wilson could convert on the chances he manufactures .. does not seek confrontation, as he shies away from the rough stuff but this is not too suggest he is cowardly .. Hishon has been asked to do many things for this organization and is still very young .. he plays in all situations and will be a big part of their playoff drive .. adding some weight in the off-season will help his cause next year come draft day.

Steven Shipley (2010), C, Owen Sound

Shipley's confidence grew after a gold medal performance at the Under 17's where he played an integral part in Team Ontario's win .. a smooth, silky skater with great acceleration .. he has good sense of timing and exhibits patience in his game .. he is constantly thinking and plays a committed two-way game always putting in the extra effort .. ironically, his plus/minus totals do not reflect that but make no mistake about it his game away from the puck is very mature .. vision and terrific hockey instincts help him in the offensive zone .. he is tall but still filling out .. given more size and confidence with his physical stature, hopefully he understands to use it to his advantage .. at this point he is very easily knocked off the puck and pushed around on the half boards .. decent faceoff technique, he still needs to improve on this aspect of his game .. all the pieces are in place and a rookie season of 36 points on the strength of 16 goals is a good starting point to build on for next season.

Myles Doan (2009), C, Owen Sound

Doan is a victim of the numbers game, as he rarely sees the ice .. averages less than six minutes a game, as he is situated on the fourth line .. is effective along the boards, as he willingly throws his weight around and is fearless away from the puck .. a decent skater with a healthy stride, average speed but excellent balance .. works hard, competes and is learning the ropes by observing rather than contributing .. has the potential to be another Marcus Carroll-type player but his hands may not be as good.

Keevin Cutting (2011), D, Owen Sound

Played a supporting role on Team Ontario's Under 17 gold medal win .. not much has changed in terms of development for Cutting from the beginning of the year, however he has learned to mentally adjust after making mistakes .. still playing alongside D'Orazio as the tandem sadly have struggled with one another going a woeful minus-32 among the two of them .. Cutting has the ingredients to be an offensive-minded defenseman but his defensive shortcomings are alarming .. his decision-making and recovery skills are not good .. to his defence, he does not push or force plays he is just the victim of bad luck, as he does not get bounces or has shots blocked that create odd man chances the other way .. he lacks size and an additional gear of speed to appropriately defend .. this year is a learning curve and given his late birth date he can still learn on the job next year before his play is scrutinized by NHL scouts.