OHL: Midwest Division Draft Review

The annual OHL Draft consisting of 15 rounds and 300 players was held earlier this month. Given the small window of opportunity to win a championship in junior hockey, a good draft is critical for team success. OHL teams can dress three players from this year's draft with 1991 birth dates. In part one of this four part series, McKeen's reviews key draft picks in the Western Conference.

Erie Otters

The Otters drafted first overall and had 16 other picks, including seven in the top-five rounds. With the surplus of picks, the Otters were able to take chances on many talented players who have made school commitments.

With the first overall selection, the Otters chose Ryan O'Reilly from the Toronto Jr.Canadiens. The younger brother of Cal O'Reilly, Ryan certainly comes from good bloodlines. He made the decision to move to Toronto from the Huron Perth area for his draft year. He was the complete team! On a team that failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs, O'Reilly dominated every game he played with his excellent shot, passing skills, vision, and work ethic. O'Reilly was called up for some Tier II (Toronto Canadiens) games for the playoffs the same time his minor hockey team was competing in the postseason. He played in one of the longest Tier II games, as Game 3 of the series between the Pickering Panthers went six overtimes. He scored five points in three Tier II playoff games. Due to an abundance of centres returning next year, O'Reilly should see icetime but not feel the pressure to produce immediately.

The Otters made some interesting moves when they selected both Riley Sheahan (4th) and Brandon Maxwell (2nd).

Maxwell was viewed as the top goalie heading into the draft however, his commitment to the USNDP scared some teams away. He is a big, thick goalie who covers a lot of the net. He is easily the best stickhandler in the draft and can give some defenseman a run for their money. He is a cocky goalie who backs up his play by always making the first save. His play late in the year resulted in his team winning the Alliance championship. He posted an impressive 1.67 GAA and recorded seven shutouts. He is the type of goalie to build a franchise around.

Riley Sheahan could have easily been a first-round pick. He is the complete package, as he combines size and skill with a great skating stride. He played on an inferior team this year and even though he received offers to join other teams, he decided to stick it out, displaying his character. He had some lulls throughout the year, as losing must have taken its toll mentally. Another player who plans to attend school, he will play for the St.Catherines Jr.B team next year, while he weighs his options.

The selections of David Shields and Brett Cook are interesting, as they add size to the back end. Cook played for the North Central Midget team and was able to put points up on the board while punishing the opposition. He got better as the season wore on, as his decisions especially in the defensive zone improved. He could be in the Erie lineup as earlier as next year, as his game is very mature.

Shields is a bigger body whose coordination still has not caught up with his growth curve. He drives forwards to the outside but at times, has difficulty containing smaller players, as his footwork suffers, especially down low. His puck skills are average but he is certainly a good project worth developing.

The Otters selected many skilled, smaller players in the later rounds namely Josh Sidwell from the London Jr.Knights, Michael Cazzola from the Guelph Jr. Storm and Mississauga Rebel Mark Bennett.

Bennett has a lethal shot and really started to put it together late in the season, as he scored many clutch goals in key contests.

Sidwell seemed to get tired as the season wore on, as he simply played too much hockey for his minor hockey team and his high school hockey squad. He has great individual skills and is a very effective skater. A cross-country track star, his slight frame and inability to keep weight on concerned many scouts, as he is only 160 pounds.

Drafting Cazzola in the 14th round may have been an incredible steal, depending on how he reacts, as he was slated to go much higher. This could be a blow to his ego at camp or he could really push for a roster spot. Quick with or without the puck, he is an intelligent player capable of creating offence. He is a tad on the small side but certainly does not play like it.

Matthew Paton and Bennet MacNeil are two players that may push for roster spots in the future.

Paton really came on after Christmas, as his hard work and pugilistic approach to the game made him very endearing to scouts. He skates very well and while he does not have the best hands, he works hard down low and is not afraid to engage in the dirty areas of the ice to make a play.

MacNeil is a stalky defender who tried to do too much at times this season. If he simplifies his game, he should be able to develop into a good fifth defenseman. He is solid, hits hard, closes the gap well, and possesses good pucks skills. He will need to upgrade his first step quickness over the next two years to play in the OHL.

Owen Sound Attack

Despite trading away many of their early picks the Attack were able to fill many holes on draft day. With fourteen picks, the Attack wisely selected two goalies, a position they have had difficulty finding success.

Joey Hishon was the Attacks first-round selection. He played AA Midget hockey and even though he is undersized, he played without fear while racking up the points. His pucks skills and creativity with the puck are unrivalled by players of his age group. He played in the opening round of the Jr.B playoffs registering eight points in five games, further solidifying his place as a top-ten selection. His skating could use improvement however, coupled with his keen sense of anticipation it should not pose as a problem next year. There were concerns that Hishon had identified only two programs he would play for, (Guelph and Kitchener) so it should be interesting to see if he reports.

Scott Stajcer was the fourth goalie chosen in the 2007 draft. He is a big goalie who adopts a butterfly style. He is very calm in his approach and always is in position. Has a tendency to go down like most young goalies but due to his overwhelming size (6'2, 180) his broad shoulders cover the top portion of the net. His season was marred with some controversy, as he left the Cambridge program to join the Toronto Red Wings only to be forced to leave the team due to zoning issues. With the constant change of scenery and teammates, Stajcer displayed the mental toughness leading his team into the second round of the playoffs. He should be able to challenge for a spot in camp, as management is eager to have him in the lineup.

Other players of note were Jason Heydon, a slick, smooth-skating centre who had difficulty scoring goals, albeit on a very poor team. He plays a hard-nosed game and could become a very valuable utility player, as he has many intangibles to make him useful in the lineup. His season was cut short to injury but he was invited to play for the Markham Midget team, as his team failed to make the postseason. He played admirably as his size (6'2, 185) served him well in the dirty areas of the ice.

Mike Halmo was a solid player for the Waterloo Wolves all season. The fifth round pick scored 30-plus goals and recorded over 100 PIM's. He is a hard-nosed player who does not back down and has decent finish. His role will also be that of a checker, as he lacks the true offensive imagination to be a top-six forward. He skates upright and can maintain good acceleration in the straightaway. He should make the Attack coaching staff think twice come training camp, as to whether he plays in the OHL next year.

The wild card of their draft certainly goes to 14th round selection Tyler Kuntz. An incredibly smart player, he suffered the entire year, as his supporting cast could not keep up with the way he played the game. His skating is an area of concern, as his first step needs to be addressed. He showed a great understanding of defence, as he was only a minus-4, a stat all that more impressive considering his team was nearly out scored 2-to-1 during the regular season.

Guelph Storm

The Storm have a great drafting history and their 2007 draft was no exception. Their top two picks - Holland and Beck, both scored over 50 goals for their respective clubs. They drafted well in terms of position securing many solid and legitimate prospects that may play for the Storm in the near future.

Holland was the backbone of one of the best teams in Ontario, the Brampton Battalion throughout the course of the year. He grew two inches since the beginning of the year, and may be a 6-foot-4 power forward when he stops growing. He asserts himself nicely in traffic areas and is not afraid to fight if need be. His hands are one of the best in the draft however, that should not shortchange his vision, as he is a very strong passer. Holland has a great feel for the game; he often made passes and plays that many of his linemates did not expect. Coach Dave Barr has already stated that he sees Holland becoming a top-six forward as early as next season. Holland is a total package who shows pro potential.

Taylor Beck, the Storm's second round pick is also cut from the power forward mould. His skating improved as the season wore on, a direct result of shedding over 15 pounds throughout the course of the year. He has great hands and can finish in close. He is like a bull in a china shop and would rather go through players than around them. He excels down low and with some faster, creative forwards who can put the puck on the net, he may be the receipt of many garbage goals as his frame is best suited in front.

The Storm used their third pick on big 6-foot-1, 205-pound defender Ben Chariot. He scored 22 goals using his booming pointshot and he recorded over 200 PIM's, the most of all draft-eligible kids. He is a monster who looks to hurt when he hits. He struggled to improve on his puck skills throughout the season and was often the receipt of many turnovers. When he keeps his game simple, he was much more effective as his decision-making is suspect. He probably will not be rushed into the program and the time spent next year at a higher level of competition will be essential to his development.

The Storm used two middle round picks to select two North York Ranger players, Connor Tresham and Timothy Campbell. Both players are solid additions and certainly are capable of playing in the OHL in the next two seasons. Tresham is a hard working, grinding forward who has a nose for the net. He has a fluid stride however, he could upgrade on his speed slightly, which should occur with increased lower-body strength. Tresham needs to be challenged and the coaching of Dave Barr should be a very positive influence for his career as Tresham has a tendency to lose it at times. A trait that will not be taken lightly with Barr behind the bench.

Campbell is an exceptional talent. A tad on the slight side for a defender, he plays a physical game. His first pass is on the money and the way he can control the tempo of the game sets him apart from his peers. His shot power is average however, his puck distribution skills and vision are at a premium. Strength in all areas is a major concern but with a good conditioning program in the off-season, he can overcome those concerns.

The Storm have had great success in recent years with goalies and continued that trend when they selected Francis Dupuis in the fourth round. The pick was a healthy one because the Storm is set in goal for many years and the move was more to add depth to a position you can never have enough prospects in. He is a butterfly goalie with a compact stance. He played on a horrible team, (Gloucester) and was the main reason they advanced as far as they did in the playoffs, losing eventually in the finals to Kingston.

The wildcard of the draft could be 6-foot-1, 190-pound winger Brendan Merritt. He did not play with intensity and too many times he appeared content to give up on plays and not exhibit the type of courage you would expect for a player his stature. He did show flashes and on some nights and was the best player on the ice, but all too often he struggled with consistency in all aspects of his game. A fluid skater who displayed imagination with some of the goals he scored this season. He played very poorly in his own zone and defence will definitely be something he spends more time on next season.

Kitchener Rangers

The problem when you experience regular season success as often as the Rangers is that you always draft in the later rounds and are not always guaranteed a top-flight player. The Rangers did not have a selection in both the second and third round, due to trades made throughout the year. They did mange to select some talented American-born players however, their school commitments have yet to be determined.

The Rangers grabbed Cam Fowler with the 18th overall selection. Undoubtedly, the best defenseman available in this year's draft, he has made a verbal commitment to Notre Dame. The slick-skating defender controlled every game he played in. His effortless skating allows him to join the rush on every breakout. There were times during contests that he would take the puck end-to-end and score at will. His decision-making is at another level. Defensively, he was too carefree, a trait most likely associated by not being challenged enough. Fowler may have some hard decisions to make, as Kitchener was just awarded the Memorial Cup and the prospect of playing in it may be too hard to pass up.

The Rangers second selection in the fourth round of Jeremy Morin gives them a responsible two-way player with a healthy scoring touch. He has outstanding patience and moves at a very fast tempo. He is a true finisher in every sense of the word, as his one-on-one moves allow him many scoring and shooting lanes. Should he play for the Rangers next season he would have to be considered the steal of the draft.

With their next two selections, the Rangers grabbed defenseman. Todd Martin played both forward and defence but was better suited on the back end where he could handle and touch the puck more to aid in breakouts and odd-man rushes. His skating is ok, but he lacks explosiveness. His play through the season was a tad inconsistent. He has modest size but still needs to be more assertive in his own zone. With the surplus of defenders on the back end, he may be hard pressed to see any icetime this season.

Anton Zupancic is a towering defender whose size is his best asset. He is caught flat footed too often and his agility is not up to par at an OHL level yet. He intimidates with his aggressive nature. His puck skills are quite raw but when given time he is able to survey his options well. Is a project that has some upside.

The wildcard of the Rangers draft could be 13th round selection Mike Conderman. The Rochester native was the captain of his team. He has a strong work ethic, led by example and scored many clutch goals for his team throughout the year. He is a gifted playmaker whose skating enables him to get to many loose pucks. He can finish plays just as easily as setting them up.

London Knights

With a strong nucleus of returning players, the Knights used this draft to fill some holes for positions they will be weak in after this season. They selected a goalie in the first round, a franchise first, and five of their picks were left wingers, a position they will need immediate scoring help in after next season.

The first goalie selected in the 2007 draft was Toronto Marlboro goalie Michael Zador. The last pick of the first round the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Zador, is an extremely agile and athletic goalie. He is a money goalie who plays his best in big games. His play in the OHL final was indicative of how he can elevate his game in clutch situations. He moves well side-to-side, as his mobility serves him well. His concentration in traffic is also another positive aspect of his game. However, his ability to out-weight shooters and make them commit is his best asset.

Two of the left-wingers drafted have a chance to play at the JLC, but the most complete player may be Thunder Bay forward Michael McDonald. McDonald fell out of favour because he sustained a broken leg during the middle of the season. This limited his action however, when he returned for the OHL Cup, he was as dominant as he was at the beginning of the year. He willingly goes into traffic and forces defenders back with his blazing speed and nifty playmaking ability. He plays all 200 feet of the ice and wears the captaincy. His release results in many goals, as he gets his wristshot off in traffic. He could develop into another Robbie Drummond, a checking third-line player.

Daniel Erlich was one of the smallest draft-eligible kids, standing at a mere 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds. His puck skills are sensational. He scored many highlight-reel goals, as he was able to weave in and out of traffic areas and get his shot off. He has a very short skating stride but is able to generate good speed once he gets going. He is very shifty and plays a similar game to that of Patrick Kane, with his ability to trick opponents with shoulder and head fakes. He is aggressive despite his diminutive stature. While his offensive numbers where not cause for alarm, his defensive play resulted in being benched for periods at a time during the season. He has made a verbal commitment to North Eastern College.

The wildcard of the draft for the Knights could be Brent Andriash. He is a big, mobile defender with a long efficient stride. He settled down as the season wore on and kept his game simple. He needs to be more disciplined in his approach, as he was guilty of taking inopportune penalties. His puck skills and ability to join the rush were encouraged by the coaching staff, as he did a responsible job of getting back when he was caught up ice. His decision making with the puck as well as his shot release needs to be improved upon.