OHL: New Plan of Attack Centering on Hishon

New is the theme for the Owen Sound Attack this season. A new management team backed by former NHLer Dale DeGray as GM and ex-CIS coach Mark Reeds behind the bench. The complexion of the team is also new, as the many of their top producers have since left and gone pro. As a result, the Attack is one of the youngest teams in the league, boasting as many as nine-17 year olds. This season could be a struggle for them but a learning experience nonetheless. McKeen's look at several NHL draft eligible prospects, as well as a first hand look at Joey Hishon, the organization's first round selection last year, who is already centering the first line.

Michael D'Orazio (2008), D, Owen Sound

With only three returning defenseman, D'Orazio, on most nights has to do it all by himself .. has played well considering his lack of a defensive partner .. for a team that is hard pressed to score many goals, he boasts one of the lowest plus/minus totals on the team - a testament to his defensive play .. he is aggressive in the corners and takes his man out with solid body positioning .. he is strong on his skates and uses his stick effectively to pry forwards off the puck .. often recovers and makes up for missed assignments or lapses by inexperienced forwards and defenders .. he does a good job keeping forwards to the outside and minimizes scoring chances as a result .. solid skater who is not overly fast but he has good footwork, which always keeps him involved with the play .. needs to be quicker to recognize pressure down low, as he does not move his feet fast enough .. makes good offensive reads .. he is not a puck-rushing defenseman but he does create offence with his passing skills .. he hits his marks accurately .. plays well at the line, making timely pinches to sustain the pressure inside the zone .. owns a blistering slapshot but did not use it this game .. has yet to score a goal this season but his shot is very hard and creates rebounds, hence his high assist totals .. D'Orazio has become a rock for this team, his work ethic, mature skill set and willingness to sacrifice his body to block shots have made him the ultimate team guy.

Milan Doczy (2008), D, Owen Sound

First Import selection by the Attack .. a tall, yet lanky defender who has had a difficult time adjusting to the league .. mobility and overall skating are major areas of concern, as is his decision making .. he gets flustered easily and coughs up the puck when pressured .. he lacks vision and his first pass is very inconsistent .. .. he does support the defensive side of the game .. he managed to bail out his goalie and sprawled to prevent a goal .. he has a long reach, which he uses to defend however, he needs to make adjustments with his feet moving dramatically quicker and sooner .. all things considered, Doczy is adjusting to life in North America, is battling with his coordination (6-5, 200) and has been thrown into the fire due to the lack of defensive depth, so it may be too early to write him off just yet.

Paul Bezzo (2008), D, Owen Sound

Played last season for Elmira of the Mid-West Jr. B league .. a defensive defenseman who is an average skater with a long stride .. needs to process the game substantially better, as his judgment at times is suspect .. he takes unnecessary risks, which often have him drawn out of position, scrambling to get back .. his puck skills are very raw .. has had a hard time adjusting to the pace of the game and still approaches it at a Jr.B level .. partnered with D'Orazio has been a blessing, as he often supports him on the ice .. needs to refine his game and keep things simple.

Marco Franchini (2008), C, Owen Sound

The trade that sent Franchini to Owen Sound has proved to be a healthy addition .. struggling to find the ice with the Generals, the spunky Franchini is a second line winger who also sees time on the second PP unit .. has registered healthy point totals, as he has a high offensive skill set .. his hands are quick as are his feet .. his speed helps the transition game of the Attack .. sadly, due to his size, he gets pushed around too often and cannot sustain the abuse associated with planting his feet in danger zones .. he is more of an opportunistic scorer, waiting in the weeds ready to use his first- step quickness to spring on loose pucks to create odd-man rushes .. he has started to play with more sandpaper .. attempts to finish his checks in the corners .. his defensive work has improved .. he buys into team concepts and although he is not strong enough to hold back most forwards in the league, he does use his speed to stay with players and his quick stick is able to pokecheck them off it .. NHL draft aspirations may be too high at this point.

Jordan Davis (2008), LW, C, Owen Sound

Joins the Attack after a productive season of Midget hockey in Thunder Bay .. a versatile forward who can play the wing or centre but was used primarily at centre for this contest .. good faceoff skills but needs to be quicker .. a hard worker .. he is always moving his feet and trying to force turnovers with his active stick .. he has decent speed .. his first step and crossovers are slightly awkward but it does not seem to prohibit him from getting there .. he stays low to the ice to offset this deficiency, as he can cut his angles down better .. he has average puck skills and not known for his stick handling prowess, as he is more of a dump-and-chase player .. at times, he thinks too much and gets tight on his stick when he has chances .. he needs to protect the puck better as well .. he shows signs of being an effective third line contributor who may be able to work his way up the lines with the graduation of others.

Tyler Beskorowany (2008), G, Owen Sound

The Attack can credit their recent four game winning streak (Oct.26 – Nov.4) to the stellar play of Beskorowany, who started and stole three of those games .. with wins over Saginaw, Windsor and Erie the massive 6-foot-5 goalie made an average of 39 saves each contest .. 14th round selection of the 2006 OHL entry draft has made good with his poise and presence between the pipes .. very composed, as he waits for the shooter to make the first move .. ok mechanics .. he keeps his stance relatively compact, not exposing an area of his goal .. butterfly goalie that moves well laterally .. quick glove hand and stoned many shooters with it .. average stick handler, he still looks shaky when handling the puck .. despite his massive frame, he does not come out and challenge so much, relying heavily on the puck just hitting his body .. leaves five-hole exposed at times .. decent rebound control .. he will get plenty of opportunities to be viewed by NHL scouts however, he will see his share of rubber too and his statistical stats may not be pretty.

Joey Hishon (2010), C, Owen Sound

Hishon played up last year for his age group and even managed to skate with the Stratford Cullitons Jr.B club last season for their short-lived playoff run .. he led the team in playoff scoring (4-1-4-5) and was subsequently selected eighth overall by the Attack .. has already stepped-up his game, as he assumes a spot on the first line, centering the likes of NHL second round pick Wayne Simmonds and Scott Tregunna .. a smaller, yet instinctive scorer and playmaker .. he finds open ice and knows where to go to be effective in all three zones .. his anticipation skills in the offensive zone and ability to recognize defensive breakdowns simply cannot be taught .. his passing skills are uncanny .. he locates his man through a screen of players and can thread the needle through several pairs of skates .. his skating is coming along slowly .. he does not have high-end speed and often trails the play but his hockey sense more than makes up for any skating shortcomings .. a defensive specialist as well, he plays well without the puck and can skate the length of the ice twice in a shift, as he hurries back to be involved in the play .. is a player to build around, as he has the makings of a young Logan Couture/Joshua Bailey.