OHL [Mar-06]: Courting Couture

Courting Couture (posted 3.30.06)

by David Burstyn

The 67's are led by first round selection Logan Couture who looks to be yet another promising young prospect to graduate form the 67's program. David Burstyn takes a look at some of their top prospects.

Logan Couture (2007), C, Ottawa

Has already moved his way to the top line as he combines great offensive imagination with solid two-way game .. skates well and has a nice stride but will need to work on his quickness .. he is a deceptive player who has quick hands and can often fool the opposition with tight twists and turns of the body to give the illusion that he is going one way but really the other .. he draws penalties because defenders bite on his moves and are forced to take him down .. anticipates well and is always trying to make a play to intercept a pass .. quick shot on a timely release .. he does not charge the net rather he elects to suck defender into a penalty or use him as a screen as he approaches the net .. strong on his skates who will throw the occasional hit but not physically build to with stand the abuse just yet .. has already made positive adjustments from beginning of the year and has showed that he is a quick study and that he is more than capable to compete at this high level of play.

Jamie McGinn (2006), LW, Ottawa

An average-sized player heading into the NHL draft .. is strong on his skates and cycles extremely well .. did not show intensity till the game was over and then engaged in a fight .. has developed good chemistry with Couture, making smart safe plays .. can spin off guys while he holds onto the puck enabling him to make best possible option .. displays good offensive tools especially when he was in close as he was able to get off a decent backhander in tight quarters .. displays an extra gear when puck is close to him and generates many scoring opportunities because of it .. it is not to suggest that McGinn is inconsistent, he isn't, however he does not showcase all his skills in one outing, leaving an untapped potential as a player who could develop really nicely in the future in the right organization.

Matt Lahey (2007), RW, Ottawa

A bigger, thick player who can skate well and has decent acceleration .. fails to capitalize on his scoring chances and does not show much creativity with the puck .. lack of proper positioning in the offensive zone costs him goals .. uses his shot as his primary weapon to score goals.

Arron Alphonso (2007), RW, Ottawa

Appears much bigger than he is .. a healthy skater with a long stride .. really tries to produce offensively at times at the risk of proper defensive positioning as he gets caught too deep .. decent shot power and selection.

Pat Daley (2007), RW, Ottawa

A smart player who understands where he needs to be .. he is an average skater with no break away speed and his balance could use a little work .. he makes strong plays with the puck and has been awarded more ice time by the Ottawa coaching staff in just his rookie season .. has a great wrist shot and will need to use it more often.

Derek Joslin (SJ), D, Ottawa

Has elevated his game and become the number one PP specialist .. great hard, low shot .. good mobility and effective skater .. shows patience with the puck and does not rush a play .. rushing the puck more than he did last year and is making good plays .. confidence playing with the puck has improved considerably.

Jakub Vojta (Car), D, Ottawa

A nice skater who glides effortlessly on the ice .. his decision making is poor as are his passes up the middle .. constantly pressured into coughing up the puck .. over commits to forwards and doesn't close the gap on rushing forwards .. so far he has struggled in his North American debut.

Elgin Reid (2006), D, Ottawa

A smooth skating defender who plays with a nasty streak .. excels in physical games however has difficulty with slippery, elusive players who dart in and out of the offensive zone as he tends to forget about them .. very effective in 1-on-1 situations as he angles off and rubs man out of the play .. must worry about his own defensive responsibilities because at times was caught out of position trying to do too much.

The Callahan Storm (posted 3.29.06)

by David Burstyn

The Guelph Storm certainly exceeded expectations this season. After finishing with the fifth worst record in the league last year, the Strom bounced back with a vengeance and finished with 84 points, good for sixth overall. McKeen's takes a look at some players that had their best seasons, point wise and contributed to the success of the organization.

Kelsey Wilson (2006), Guelph, LW

After managing to score only 12 goals in his first three seasons in the OHL, Wilson exploded for 38 this season and managed over a point a game .. he accomplished the feat while still posting a team high 196 PIM .. does not hesitate to drop the gloves and is a strong fighter who maintains his balance and can take a punch, fought twice in this game alone including a five minute tilt with Owen Sound tough guy Theo Peckham .. skating is average but he is always moving, shows good balance with firm turning ability .. displays good vision as his addition to the score sheet has added an element of confidence that was lacking thus making him more daring with the puck .. cycles well and thrives in down low situations as he uses his size to create turn overs or intimidate opposition .. goes hard to the net and parks his big frame within the crease and shows nice touch around the net with a pair of soft hands .. a real honest hard working player that may get drafted due to a relatively weak draft class and outstanding season.

Ryan Callahan (NYR), Guelph, C

It can be argued that no one was more valuable to his team than Callahan, who scored over a quarter of his team's goals .. unable to come to terms with the Hartford Wolfpack, Callahan returned for one more season of junior and was immediately named captain .. a tireless worker he is always buzzing around and is a threat to score short handed .. boasts sharp offensive instincts .. a shifty player who gets his shots off fast often disguising his moves and motions .. fast feet and explosive speed enable him to make the jump from defence to offence .. plays a very gritty style of game and is willing to give or take a hit to make a play .. should have a promising AHL career with an outside chance of making the NHL as a third or fourth line checking centre as his play away from the puck is strong as are his finishing abilities.

Leigh Salters (2007), Guelph, LW

Despite his tender age of 17 he is one of the bigger forwards in the league .. he bulldozes through the opposition and has gotten considerably stronger since the start of the season .. will still need to add some power to his legs for better push off, but he has a nice stride and skating style for a bigger player .. finishes his checks and provides the fourth line with a capable winger who can put the odd puck into the net .. his offensive abilities are still quite raw and given added responsibility next season he should see his totals improve .. size and potential will be most endearing to NHL scouts.

Michael Caruso (2006), Guelph, D

While he may have fell out of favour as far as his PP time is concerned there is no denying that he can play well away from the puck as his +/- indicates .. a gifted skater who is blessed with speed and mobility, plays one-on-one's with considerable success .. offensively he tries to rush things especially a pass out of the zone and has not managed to put all of his tools together yet .. strength is a bit of an issue as he will need to put some weight on his frame .. Caruso provides his team with depth at defence as they gear for the playoffs, where he'll need a very good performance to determine whether or not he is considered a legitimate prospect for the pro's.

Mississauga Notes (posted 3.27.06)

by David Burstyn

McKeen's takes a look at some draft eligible prospects and NHL drafted players who switched teams at the trading deadline and have flourished in a new environment.

Joshua Day (2006), D, Mississauga

Has assumed a greater defensive role since his trade from the Greyhounds to the Ice Dogs, however he's still prone to making rookie mistakes .. was under utilized in Sault Ste. Marie and has impressed scouts with his cool confident approach to the game especially while handling the puck .. his skating is average .. gaining valuable experience by being used in every game-type situation .. needs to add some muscle .. he may be a late round selection that blossoms given the right atmosphere and coaching .. should get all the tutelage he needs with Greg Gilbert who is quoted as saying "if I had 20 Joshua Day's I would have one successful club".

Jordan Skellett (2008), LW, Mississauga

Has had a disappointing rookie campaign after a successful final year in midget .. has yet to register a goal despite playing over 30 games since coming back from a shoulder injury .. is getting his chances to play with top-end talent on the first powerplay unit .. skates well and has a nose for the net, however his confidence is really low and he has yet to make the transition he should to be a factor at this level .. is considered a strong piece to Mississauga's rebuilding program.

Chris Lawrence (TB), RW, Mississauga

After struggling in Sault Ste. Marie for the better parts of two and a half seasons, he has emerged as a legitimate first line scorer .. his confidence with the puck has improved considerably and he is converting on his offensive chances .. he seems hungrier and is willing to compete in the corner for loose pucks .. he has shown improvement with his play along the boards and is able to walk out of the half boards and drive to the net where his massive frame shelters the puck .. readily goes to the slot and looks to unload a shot .. he really seems to enjoy the fact that he is the go-to-guy on the team .. plays a power forward's game and is starting to show flashes of the play he exhibited in minor midget when he was drafted fourth overall in 2003 .. he is closer to home and it appears that the change of scenery has rejuvenated his game.

(posted 3.18.06)

by David Burstyn

The Kitchener Rangers have been one of the more consistent teams in the second half of the season. The Rangers started the season slowly but after a few trades and Coach DeBoer demanding more from his veterans the Rangers have managed to turn their season around considerably. Mckeen's takes a look at the many NHL drafted and soon to be NHL drafted Kitchener Rangers.

Evan McGrath (Det), C, Kitchener

Boasts a number of offensive tools which has help him eclipse the century mark (34-74-108) for the Rangers a feat that neither Roy or Richards managed to do with their time in Kitchener .. however with that being said many of his points have come on the PP as he is a poor -4 .. his 5 on 5 play needs work .. he refuses to work the corners and rarely throws his body or plays physically .. McGrath excels in his positioning on the PP .. he knows he will be targeted so he constantly moves until the defense forgets about him and than he manages to sneak behind them and slide in an easy tap in .. blessed with a nice shot and quick release .. he's a shifty skater who can work his way into the slot and shoot it while skating forward often catching the defenseman and goalie off guard or using the defender as a screen .. mainly a perimeter player, if he does reach the NHL he would need to be a top 6 forward with substantial PP time to be successful .. doesn't exhibit enough at this stage as far as play away from the puck and intensity to be a full time NHL'er in the near future.

Jakub Kindl (Det), D, Kitchener

More has certainly been expected from Kindl this season as far as development and offense has been concerned .. he's averaging nearly a point per game (58gp, 13-44-57), yet given the fact that he gets considerable PP time, the team and his offensive ability it has to be looked at as a disappointment .. his vision, especially in PP situations, is a definite plus as is his skating .. he still suffers in his decision making as he coughs up the puck too many times .. isn't physical enough at this level and is often out muscled in front of the net and rarely displays a willingness to take a hit to advance the puck .. his defensive game needs some work as he seemed confused on 2-1's .. he needs to work on his shot power and especially on the timing of his one-timers as he has trouble connecting at times .. his play on the backhand side exposes his lack of strength as he did not have much force behind his clearing attempts when he was forced to make a play on that side .. Kindl needs a lot of work to make it to the next level, however he'll be given every chance since Detroit management invested a first rounder in him and want to see him succeed.

Mark Fraser (NJ), D, Kitchener

Rangers' captain plays a reliable, smart game concentrating on defense first .. calm and shows poise with the puck by making quick passes out of the zone .. looked a little shaky once he was pressured, but still managed to clear the puck out of the zone .. shows very little in terms of offense .. his shot is ok and he basically tries to get it on the net .. doesn't possess very good vision and when he has the puck at the line he will basically throw it back deep into the zone, failing to connect on a pass because he does not have the vision to do so .. his skating has improved a bit since last season as his lateral movement looks better and he appears to be faster .. it does take him a second to get going so he is making adjustments quicker as to when he needs to reverse .. he still has a tendency to chase players to the outside on the PK and surrendering positioning in the process, which could be detrimental on a larger sheet of ice.

Matt Lashoff (Bos), D, Kitchener

Slick skater who really has improved his play with the puck .. is not against going coast to coast with the puck and has good playmaking skills .. needs to distribute the puck a little faster once he gets a full head of steam going .. still very raw, but skating skills are world class .. has improved on his strength as he appears to be stronger along the boards .. his PIM totals (140) are up, yet he still is not showing that sense or urgency in front of the net .. is an offensive catalyst on the powerplay .. his quick first passes are instrumental in generating good offensive opportunities .. Lashoff's brief NHL training camp coupled with his pre-season action bodes well for his chances of taking it to the next level .. Lashoff can contribute on the PP and that may be his ticket into the NHL.

Matt Auffrey (Ana), RW

Has been one of the more consistent scorers on the team .. strong on his skates and rarely gets knocked off the puck .. creative with the puck and is a slick playmaker who is effective in open ice situations but is also capable of playing a strong down low game .. a decent skater with good acceleration as witnessed by his ability to stop and then procede to blow past Scott Lehman (OHL All-Star) to the outside to create a healthy scoring chance .. generally patient with the puck, although at times just throws it towards the net with nobody in front .. needs to utilize his teammates better in certain situations as he tends to want to do it by himself at times .. his defensive zone coverage is questionable as it appears he looks lost at times and by failing to move his feet he takes himself further out of the play .. he gets discouraged and gives up in the offensive zone when he fails to convert a play .. his mental game will be tested heavily in the OHL playoffs and will determine a lot about his character and ability to take it to the next level.

Myles Applebaum (2006), C, Kitchener

Injuries have really hampered his development this season .. a permanent fixture on the PK as his skating is so slick that he can cover a lot of the ice surface with his excellent change of direction .. displays a strong work ethic and never gives up on a play .. he is strong along the boards and is not afraid to get involved physically .. he shows intensity on every shift .. played primarily on the third line and he has not had a chance to play on either PP unit so his offensive totals have suffered .. he will crash the net and try to bang away goals while paying a price to score them.

Justin Azevedo (2006), C, Kitchener

Pint-sized forward has built on second season with strong offensive totals (58gp, 29-40-69).. he sees considerable PP time and has soft hands than can convert .. he is a tenacious player who attacks the net and goes to danger areas to score despite his small size .. he retains good balance largely due to his low centre of gravity .. has a decent shot .. still gets pushed around along the boards and in front of the net but is relentless in his pursuit for the puck.

Mike Duco (2006), C, Kitchener

Overlooked last season despite outstanding rookie campaign in which he scored 24 goals .. may not get overlooked this season as his pit-bull like approach to the game may attract an NHL General Manager .. energy type player who is always throwing his weight around in an effort to inspire teammates .. will not hesitate to drop the gloves with anyone in the league .. a good skater that remains low to the ice with quick feet.

Nick Spaling (2007), LW, Kitchener

Has been given key minutes and even had an audition on the top unit due to his ability to work the corners, do the dirty work and center it out front for players such as McGrath to bang it home .. a strong player who can hold onto the puck for an additional second to find a good play .. limited stick handling abilities and offensive prowess, but goes to the net and does all the little things that coaches like to see their star players doing .. good defensive approach as he boasts a modest +/- of +13.

Yves Bastien (2007), LW, Kitchener

Has not managed to be an offensive threat this season, but shows all the promise to be a potential 25 goal man in the near future with added ice time .. has good offensive instincts and speed to match .. very agile and shifty which gives him much needed room considering his size and weight (5'9-165) .. exhibits good puck handling skills and can come out of the zone, however he must be mindful to keep his head up as he has been rocked several times this season when crossing the centre ice zone.

Colts Push Forward (posted 3.11.06)

by David Burstyn

After a disappointing first round exit last year in the playoffs the Barrie Colts are ready to make a serious run for the Memorial Cup. After trading some youth to Mississauga for over aged defenseman David Pszenyczny it was a signal to the fans and the league that the Colts were ready to make a charge into the playoffs. The team is equipped with a tight nucleus of players and are led by captain Bryan Little, who is currently ranked 12th in Mckeen's 2006 draft list.

Bryan Little (2006), C, Barrie

Seventh player to reach over 100 points this season .. has been an absolute rock on the PP as his crafty play making and dangerous shot make him very hard to defend against .. always makes something happen with the puck, whether it be charging to the net and drawing a penalty or getting a shot on net off balance .. is always working hard to create some sort of offense .. boasts extremely quick hands, as proven by when he came off the bench, catching the defence flat footed and then easily scoring .. tremendous finishing abilities on both the forehand and backhand .. of all the players with over 100 points this season he has the highest +/- amongst them, as his play away from the puck receives top grades .. great forechecker in all three zones .. slick skating style produces outstanding jump .. easily asserts himself into a play whether it be open ice or cycling the puck .. he is very confident with the puck and has shown greater patience as he is not hurried into making a play and can literally slow things down in the offensive zone.

David Pszenyczny (FA), D, Barrie

Plays a rough and in-your-face style who can contribute on the score sheet .. very smart and able defender has really flourished in the Colt's system .. one of the team's leaders on the ice as he willingly defends his teammates engaging in fights often and clearing the crease with utmost authority .. boasts a short fuse and is generally mean and nasty to play against .. must exhibit a tad more discipline so as not to hurt his team come playoff time .. will take a hit to advance the puck .. always seems to manage to get his low point shot through and on target .. offensively he understands when to rush a play or jump into one and is fairly diligent in not sacrificing his defensive zone positioning .. he has found his scoring touch in Barrie and should help this team considerably in the playoffs.

Matthieu Methot (2006), RW, Barrie

Has developed more into a role player this season .. offensively he struggles as he is not able to convert on his scoring chances .. his tall, rangy body allows him an extended reach, which helps him rid the puck out of the zone or attempt to get a stick on an errand puck that is heading toward the net .. rarely displays a physical side and his play has not improved since the beginning of the year .. works hard on the forecheck by badgering the opposing forwards into coughing up the puck .. is fairly effective parking his big frame in front of the net in an attempt to bang away garbage goals.

Travis Fuller (2006), LW, Barrie

Displays good size and decent on-ice vision .. an aggressive player, he gets under opposing player's skin as it is not uncommon for him to stir things up after the whistle .. good speed but does not have that extra gear or explosive foot speed which is critical at the next level .. is a large reason why the Colts are so successful as he gives them a legitimate second line player who can score .. boasts good balance and is effective along the boards .. making a strong case for NHL draft consideration, although selection could be contingent on post season success.

Blake Parlett (2007), D, Barrie

While the points have not come at the rate Parlett would like, the minutes certainly have .. with his safe cautious approach to the game, the rookie rearguard is awarded with many minutes and is learning to hone his trade in his first season .. very quick on his feet with outstanding mobility .. shows tremendous poise and confidence with the puck .. doesn't panic and is poised in his own zone often circling behind the net to make a play as opposed to being pressured into coughing it up the middle .. his improvement in not turning over the puck since the beginning of the year is thanks in large part to him becoming more used to the pace of the league .. decision making will improve, but he does see the ice rather well and usually tries to rid the puck out of the zone as opposed to making a sensational first pass that may be intercepted .. he hangs back and doesn't rush the play, however he does have offensive capabilities but is being coached to hold back and play a better team game .. the playoffs should really test his overall game and mature him as an OHL defender.

Matt Caria (2006), C, St. Mikes

It has been a roller coaster year for Caria as he started off great, had a few slumps and is finishing off his first season well .. he has good size, he is not tall, but he is thick and can take a bit of abuse .. he will look to be the team's offensive leader in the future and is being groomed as such seeing his minutes increase and is playing with better line mates .. not the fastest feet, yet has good balance .. decent hands coupled with a quick release on a good shot .. can create his own offence as he bullies himself into the offensive zone .. defensively he tries to stays with his man and made several plays throughout the contest to break up plays.

Wolski Marching Battalion (posted 3.11.06)

by David Burstyn

Wojtek Wolski (Col), C, Brampton

Went about his business after not being selected to the World Junior team and scored at a feverish pace .. is everything for the organization as he is put in all game situations .. excels on the PP and registers a majority of his points on special teams - also quite effective on the PK as he has scored five shorthanded tallies this season as well .. boasts tremendous vision, makes crisp passes and receives much respect from the competition .. freely carries the puck up ice and rolls off players with his slick skating and smooth stickhandling .. however, he still needs work on his backchecking and his play without the puck 5-on-5 .. nevertheless, based on his sheer dominance at this level, he should be able to shine on the NHL stage with the proper defensive seasoning.

Luch Aquino (NYI), RW, Brampton

Arrived late in the season after a demotion from Bridgeport and returns as an overager yet has only played two seasons in the OHL .. not a flashy player by any means but is a good trigger man and buries his chances in front of the net .. benefits enormously by playing with skilled players such as Wolski and Snow .. his skating has no real top gear but he is sturdy enough on his skates to withstand some abuse in front of the crease .. possesses good anticipation skills and is able to read and break up plays which allows him many more chances to score .. gives the Battalion a bonafide finisher and is a good role player who has soft enough hands to be able to contribute on a higher level but is a few seasons away from full-time NHL duty.

Michael Vernace (SJ), D, Brampton

Late-round pick from the Sharks is producing at an alarming rate and is in top 5 in league scoring among OHL defenders .. he struggles in the defensive side of the game as he is not overly strong, lets forwards get behind him and sports a very poor +/- proving that he can score on the PP but his even strength play is much too be desired .. his offensive skills are superior to most of his counterparts in the league .. exhibits poise and is very comfortable playing with the puck .. he is a great skater who moves very well in all directions .. the NHL may be suited for players like him however many facets of his game need fine-tuning before this will happen, certainly one to keep an eye on.

Phil Oreskovic (Tor), D, Brampton

Is a mean, physical defenseman who racks up penalty minutes .. hits anything in his immediate direction .. at times his play is border line dirty .. he is the prototypical stay-at-home defenseman who protects his goalie, blocks shots and removes players from the crease .. do not expect much of him as far as offensive contributions as he simply lacks offensive polish .. he has become a better skater as he has improved his mobility .. he is able to eliminate more time and space than he has in the past and is harder to play against as a result .. his size and physical play are two strengths to his game and may warrant an audition with the Marlies come September however he will have to improve on his skating.

Scouting Downie and Ryder (posted 3.11.06)

by David Burstyn

Steve Downie (Phi), RW, Peterborough

His acquisition has made the Petes a legitimate contender for the Memorial Cup .. provides instant offense and leadership abilities that are top notch .. a smart player who has no real panic points as he calmly distributes the puck and makes sound decisions while in possession .. his skating is not overly fast but he has a smooth stride and is very strong down low banging away pucks at the side of the net or making plays around there .. works the PP with extreme efficiency as he has patience and is able to see the ice very well .. mean streak compliments his game but at times hurts as he takes bad penalties and has been suspended already by the league for his actions .. will bolster the Flyer organization rather nicely as he plays physical, can score and set up plays.

Daniel Ryder (Cgy), C, Peterborough

A complete workhorse with nice offensive imagination .. a crafty player who appears out of nowhere due to his sensational speed, quick feet and small frame that makes him elusive and able to sneak behind defenders .. has good one-on-one abilities as he is always trying to fool the defender with a series of shifty moves, head fakes and shoulder dips .. always moving his feet as he relies on solid positioning to score his goals .. become one of the 'go-to' players on a team riddled with NHL prospects as Coach Todd fancies his strong work ethic to generate offensive chances.

Clutterbuck, Tavares Gen's Gems (posted 3.3.06)

by David Burstyn

The Oshawa Generals are a team built for the future. They have stockpiled many young players and are led by 1990-born sensation John Tavares. McKeen's takes a look at some of the players NHL scouts will be looking at for this year's draft and beyond.

Cal Clutterbuck (2006), RW, Oshawa

Has been everything this organization needed when they traded the Donati twins for him .. an honest hard working, intense, does not quit till the game is over type of player .. wears an "A" .. is a leader by example .. he fought a player 6 inches taller than him and lost rather easily in the fight but showed his teammates that he had the courage to take pride in his team .. showing much more imagination with the puck in PP situations .. almost always tries to generate offense by following up on his initial shots .. gets the puck off his stick faster in the cycle game which leaves many defensemen confused as he moves to find better position .. continues to impress NHL scouts with his determined style of play coupled with a gifted offensive package .. should be a mid second-rounder and may sneak into the first round, although his stock may have improved had his team been able to make the playoffs ..

James DeLory (2006), D, Oshawa

At one point he had so much promise but with the trades of several older defenseman and more minutes being allotted to him, the responsibilities became a tad over whelming for him .. his skating is suspect as he gets beaten more times than he should .. had a good game in the offensive department notching a goal and a couple of assists however he does not have the best offensive tools .. he continues to struggle in his decision making and when to pinch and when not to .. his size may have him rated slightly higher on some NHL lists but his all around game does not bode well for him to be considered in the top 4 rounds ..

Dale Mitchell (2007), RW, Oshawa

He is built like a tank .. he is a small player but is literally impossible to knock off his feet .. he has a tremendous low centre of gravity and great lower body strength .. he is able to get down low on the ice and try and beat defenders wide or just flat out challenge them by attacking them directly .. he does everything that a good player should on the defensive side and boasts a positive +/- on a team that is hard pressed to score goals and has many scored against them .. he blocks shots, knocks down guys and wins all important foot races with his blazing speed .. he has become a valuable cog in the Generals organization and his confidence has grown so much since the beginning of the year .. while the knock may be his size he does everything a player would if they were 6'4 .. has the makings of becoming a very dominate OHL player and will definitely be on NHL lists next year ..

Brett MacLean (2007), RW, Oshawa

A change of environment is just what he needed .. is averaging more than a point a game since joining the Generals 30 games ago .. he is extremely agile considering his size and can make many nice moves in close to gain even more room .. his skating is average and he does need to address his lateral and especially his reverse movement .. he is inconsistent and is prone to bad shifts .. he has good goal scoring ability and can produce at this level of competition and should help the Generals for a few more seasons .. much will depend on his production next year to see where he will be slotted as far as the NHL draft is concerned .. his mental toughness is cause for concern and given that his team is expected to make the playoffs next season with him being a big part of the team's success it will be interesting to see how he performs in those situations ..

John Tavares (2009), C, Oshawa

Has been as good as advertised .. leads his team in goals as a rookie which is simply unheard of .. his shot in close is NHL calibre as he just does not miss and it is on and off his stick so fast .. his confidence level has increased since coming back from the Under 17's (he lead the tournament in scoring) to the point where he feels he has more to prove .. displays patience and poise with the puck that is uncommon for a player his age .. supporting his players better with sound positioning giving them options .. attacking the net more as he readily parks himself in front and tries to bang away rebounds, something he was tentative to do at the beginning of the year .. he has tried diligently to improve on his defence and has by being thrust into many PK situations .. Tavares is the Real Deal and will be a dominate force in the OHL for a few more seasons until some team is lucky enough to make him a full time NHL'er ..