OHL: Kitcheners Power Rangers

McKeen's reviews several Rangers climbing up the draft list.

Yannick Weber (2007), D, Kitchener

Weber shows all the tools to man the PP as his puck skills and ability to join the play are at a premium .. has a booming shot but his accuracy is still a concern .. moves well to position himself to shoot and it has become a weapon that coach DeBoer looks to use with more regularity .. has good puck skills and can weave in and out of areas .. has a small frame but is put together incredibly well making it almost impossible for a forward to get by him as he forces them to the outside or makes them take a low risk shot .. has improved many aspects of his game by constantly being played and earning the respect of coach DeBoer, as the number two defender behind Jakub Kindl in most offensive situations .. a mid-round pick with the potential to develop is quite possible.

Dan Kelly (2007), D, Kitchener

Kelly has been playing in more situations in recent weeks and while he is improving, his game still has many holes .. what he lacks in skill he makes up in desire as a very determined player anxious to rectify his mistakes .. an average skater but once he gets going he has good speed .. limited first step and strength prohibits him from keeping up with higher skilled and faster players .. decent offensive skills, he is not overly agile or athletic but makes use of teammates well and doesn't hold onto the puck too long .. has to shine in the playoffs to be drafted this season.

Robert Bortuzzo (2007), D, Kitchener

While it takes longer for bigger players (especially defenseman) to make their mark, the strides in which Bortuzzo has taken his game in a short period of time is a reflection of how badly he wants to become a player .. has done a good job of putting himself in better situations and is playing a much smarter game defensively .. still gets caught watching the play on occasion and needs to tie up his man in front better .. is showing a willingness to jump into the play and uses his size to go up the middle to cause a distraction for defenders, and in turn, open up room for his streaking teammates .. his play with the puck could be smoother and softer as he has a tendency to force things and as a result his first passes are hard to absorb and are usually off the mark .. does a very good job in eliminating players from the play with both his size and ability to throw a good check .. has improved due to the coaching staff in Kitchener and their sound game plan that does not allow for defensive mistakes as all forwards work together to help out the backend .. his sheer size, desire and willingness to get better will bode well for him come draft time .. expect him to be a late-round pick.

Nick Spaling (2007), C, Kitchener

Spaling has always been a late bloomer, going un-drafted in his OHL eligibility year .. four days away from being eligible for last year's NHL draft, he has once again used his time wisely and improved upon all aspects of his game this year .. playing on the top line has helped, however he has earned his ice as being a defensively conscious player who does not sacrifice defence for offensive chances .. very mature for his age .. succeeds as a scorer because of his ability to get into position .. has a strong feel for the game and is extremely effective along the boards using his body to shelter the puck and more importantly, uses his reach to keep it away .. is neither fast nor quick, but his stride will carry him past the opposition .. needs to improve on his foot speed to get to loose pucks around the net .. is not a puck-carrying threat, but he will be a mainstay on the PP for his ability to get open .. factors to be a healthy pick in the NHL draft.