OHL: November

OHL: Saginaw Spirit, 5 Year Plan (posted 11.30.06)

by David Burstyn

Getting respect in the OHL is earned! This year, more than ever the Saginaw Spirit have been very deserving of such and are one of the most feared teams in the league. Coached by the formidable Bob Mancini, the Spirit have taken their game to a whole new level this season. The seeds were planted back in 2003 when the scouting staff selected Pat McNeill, Tom Pyatt and Patrick Asselin with their first three picks. These players showed character and patience in sticking it out with a team that finished out of the playoffs for their first two seasons. Other pieces of the puzzle have been added along the way through a series of trades, that have all benefited the Spirit and a slew of healthy draft picks that have stepped in and bought into the system. The Spirit came one step closer to realizing their Memorial Cup dream when they selected Jan Mursak and Thomas Zaborsky with their import picks, two players that have paid immediate dividends.

Zack Torquato (2007), C, Saginaw

Second line player adds scoring punch to an already potent line up .. played along side McDonough and Haskins as the line is a nice blend of speed and offensive skill .. a good skater, not dynamic in his presentation however his first step is good .. agile and coordinated he has good vision that can create but it is still undetermined if he can do it at the NHL level .. more of a play maker, he showcases outstanding patience and waits for defenders and/or goalies to drop before sliding a nice pass or an easy tap into the net .. getting a little bit bigger, he still has quite a bit of filling out to do but looks to have a good frame in which to add some muscle .. needs to be more intense at times he looked tentative in his physical approach to the game .. additional strength will bring a whole new level of confidence to his game .. sees some PP time but is still not at the point of leading this team offensively, he is however an effective contributor who will be relied upon throughout the season.

Tom Craig (2007), LW, Saginaw

The tall, lanky American born 2nd round selection of last season is coming along slowly .. he has good size and like many players of his age group he still needs additional strength and conditioning .. long stride that he could still clean up a little bit in terms of smoothness .. limited ice but he works hard for his minutes and gives the Spirit some size up front .. absorbs hits nicely as he always sacrifices himself to advance the puck .. lost in the shuffle of a talented roster, he should be ready to assume a more offensive role next season while still being developed this year in his defensive play.

Ryan McDonough (2007), LW, Saginaw

On a team full of plus players, he has the worst rating on the team, -5 .. that is disparaging considering the Spirit have scored the most goals in the league .. has good offensive skills however fails to assert himself and does not exhibit the intensity and commitment to be a difference maker in hockey games .. rarely attacks the corners and his approach to the physical game is non-existent .. speedy, quick player he handles the puck well and showcases a solid display of offensive tools as his shot is a good weapon .. at times his hockey sense troubles me as his plays are not well thought out nor are they calculated .. will need to continue to work on playing both sides of the ice and throwing his weight around as more will be expected of the second line winger come playoff time.

Jack Combs (2007), C, Saginaw

A high energy player who is committed to team success .. he plays with such intensity, his efforts do not go unnoticed by the coaching staff as they have utmost confidence in him in all stages of the game .. defensively he is very determined as he comes back readily to support the defenders, playing deep in the defensive zone .. a good skater, not the smoothest but his pace and speed are well established in the first few strides and once he gets moving he runs into people until inertia slows him down .. was rewarded with his hard work as he played with some better/highly skilled line mates and did not look out of place as he has a mature offensive game .. his shot has some zip on it and he scores the majority if not all his points with hard work and willingness to get dirty .. a tough player to play against, he is a spark plug that ignites the team with his passionate play and hard hitting style.

Jan Mursak (Det), RW, Saginaw

It is hard to believe the impact he has made in his North American debut .. Detroit's 4th rounder may become a fan favourite in Michigan for a long time .. his speed is uncanny as he reaches top flight in two strides .. his speed is such a weapon, he pulls players out of position and shakes off defenders with ease opening up passing lanes for others .. outstanding vision, and skill set, he can saucer a pass over two sticks perfectly on the blade of a team mate .. has NHL calibre skills and he makes others better .. his hands are very quick and his agility and athleticism play a large role in him being such a superstar .. simply put he could be the most dynamic player in the OHL and the Spirit success is due in large part to his contribution.

Tom Pyatt (NYR), C, Saginaw

Emerging as a scoring threat as he has always been depended on for his quality two-way play .. is on pace to shatter his offensive highs as playing with Mursak has developed his finishing skills .. fast and able to keep up with Mursak has enabled him to bury his chances as he has good stick preparation .. a hard worker who leads by example .. his work along the boards and strong balance on his skates allows him to win many corner battles .. he is determined and never gives up on a play .. defensively he is a key contributor to shutting down team's top offensive units, as he establishes good position and is always on his man limiting his movement and options .. his consistent and elevated play will be relied upon heavily especially for the playoffs .. expect to see Pyatt play in his second consecutive WJC.

Patrick McNeill (Wsh), D, Saginaw

Former 1st overall pick and captain anchors this mature team as he has taken his game to another level .. his game really developed last year as his stats and play proved he was one of the top five defenders in the league however this year his game has furthered matured and with added experience is showing that he can lead this team .. strong and able to establish time and space for himself with his deceptive quickness .. size is average but with the new NHL he should be able to adjust fine .. an effective special team's player .. his positioning in the defensive zone allows him for a quick break the other direction .. his shot is not over powering but it is deadly accurate and gets through .. he has learned to be more confident in the offensive zone as he takes additional steps in the zone thus forcing forwards back and opening up more room to the side to distribute the puck .. defensively he makes small subtle plays that go unnoticed but usually result in him winning critical puck battles just before the boards .. he has proved to be worthy of the 25 plus minutes he plays a game and will be a key contributor in a long playoff run .. expect him to compete for a roster spot on this year's WJC Canadian squad.

Matt Corrente (NJ), D, Saginaw

NHL first rounder has struggled to find his game .. swift skating rear guard has registered no goals and looks to be behind the play offensively .. he produced at a modest clip last year statistically but has failed to build on the offensive side of his game, not playing the PP as was the case last season .. seems to lack the mental capacity, as he often takes bad penalties that hurt his team at poor times .. needs to elevate his game to another level and start to think about the team as opposed to evening the score on a particular shift as his anger gets the best of him.

Ryan Daniels (Ott), G, Saginaw

No other goalie has seen as many minutes with the exception of Mason from the London Knights .. boasts a strong glove hand .. reacts well and makes saves out of instinct and positioning as he is cool and calm in the crease .. a butterfly goalie who can also play a stand up style .. healthy skater makes saves with strong lateral movement .. square to the shooter, was not overly tested but came up with the necessary saves .. he tends to over anticipate at times and needs to let the play come to him .. a steady presence between the pipes and should see the bulk of the action this season.

Tyler Haskins (F.A.), C, Saginaw

Over age player comes over in an off season trade and has added instant leadership .. an average skater he does have good puck handling skills and patience with the puck .. he is skilled enough to play with faster players as his vision and passing accuracy help to create many scoring chances .. an offensive catalyst on the PP as he is able to control the play at the point .. protects the puck well .. strong in the slot and has good finish in close .. brings many intangibles to a talented roster.

Nick Crawford (2008), D, Saginaw

It is a true compliment to this young man that he can play defence for a team so deep in that position .. first round selection has not looked out of place and earns his minutes with a safe, cautious approach to the game .. slowly developing his skills and is showing confidence in handling the puck but still needs considerable seasoning in his puck handling ability .. does not hesitate and throws his body against the opposition to rid the puck out of the zone .. tries to maintain solid position and his intelligence is his best strength .. scored his first goal on a nice wrist shot however his game is more defensive as he will not be relied upon as a key offensive contributor .. smooth skater, who is still filling into his growing body, but he is fluid and shows good acceleration .. should benefit greatly by playing for an experienced team and should be able to apply those lessons later in his OHL career.

OHL: The Rangers Back on Course (posted 11.29.06)

by David Burstyn

The Kitchener Rangers have always been slow starters. This year however they had every reason to be as for long stretches of time they were without the services of three of their top defenders in Matt Pepe, Yannick Weber and Dan Kelly. The offence has been led by off season acquisition Matt Halischuk who was close to a goal a game in the team's first 20 contests and the emergence of John Murray in net has helped the Rangers stay in most games. The Rangers are an impressive 8-2 in their last ten games since all injured defenseman have returned to the line up.

Yannick Weber (2007), D, Kitchener

A solid addition to the backend as he is a valuable contributor to the team .. was deeply missed when he sustained a shoulder injury which kept his out of the line up for three weeks .. swift skater with short strides but is very mobile .. additional strength should help to make his stride more powerful .. shows complimentary offensive skills as his puck handling and poise with the puck make him a fixture on the PP .. does not hurry or pinch unnecessarily for an offensive play, as he is smart enough to know when to back off, showcasing his maturity and patience .. slightly shorter than advertised (5'10) but he does not take any guff and readily administers body checks while maintaining proper positioning, has innate ability to line up guys perfectly and really get the most into his checks is a key asset to his game .. has developed nicely and is one of if not the most consistent performers on the back end .. he should get drafted as he has the skills to be competitive at higher levels.

Dan Kelly (2007), D, Kitchener

Yet another rookie on the backend for the Rangers, Kelly provides the team with instant stability and a calming presence on the back end .. not an overly gifted skater he is positionally sound and is a thick sturdy player who is tough to beat one-on-one .. plays a low risk game, his skill lies in his ability to break up plays and keep things contained in his own zone .. his puck skills are rather limited and he is a better player when he distributes the puck .. coming along slowly, Coach DeBoer used him sparingly on the PP to help in his development and he did not look completely out of place .. he gets in trouble when he tries to over handle the puck otherwise he has been a strong addition to this Rangers hockey club.

Nick Spaling (2007), LW, Kitchener

Has blossomed into a defensive forward who is capable of playing on the top two lines if need be .. provides a good understanding of the game and his best ability is his smarts and hockey sense .. has ok offensive instincts and is still developing them .. has a good snap shot and even though his passes lack the accuracy required, his skills in that department are improving with every game, should be able to put it together later in his junior career .. maintains a wide stance when skating so he can shift and change directions with ease .. a decent skater who is strong on his skates as he willingly goes into the corners and fights for loose pucks .. competitive desire and strong work ethic will make him more attractive come NHL draft time.

Matt Halischuk (2007), RW, Kitchener

No player has benefited more from a change in environment than Halischuk .. since being acquired from St. Mikes for Michael Pelech he has been everything offensively for the Rangers including a game in which he recorded four goals at the J.C.C and a six game winning streak in which he notched a goal and an assist in every game .. deceptive skater, who actually accelerates when he has the puck on his blade, has a unique skating style but it does not prohibit him from creating as he jumps on loose pucks .. plays solid down low and helps to create chances in front and shows a willingness to compete in front and go to the paint to score goals .. boasts a wide array of shots .. defensively he has been steady and is certainly not one dimensional .. thriving on the larger ice surface as he is able to showcase his passing skills and maturing stick handling abilities which has become much better with additional time and space .. making plenty of headlines and he is sure to warrant several NHL training camp offers.

John Murray (2007), G, Kitchener

Had a hard look by the LA Kings before joining the Rangers and earned Goalie-of-the-Week honours in November, and has been very impressive in his debut OHL season .. registered a shutout against the Knights at the J.C.C, a feat that has not been accomplished in quite some time .. calm and poised in his net .. makes saves in sometimes unorthodox fashion as he is on his stomach or his side but manages to keep the puck out .. butterfly style he remains square to the shooter .. very focused and shows an ability to follow plays and the puck through traffic .. made a sensational save on Kane in dying seconds of a close hockey game to preserve the shutout .. thick and mobile his side to side movement is ok .. his stick handling could use some work .. is the Rangers number one goalie but he does lose the occasional start to Mark Packwood.

Justin Azevedo (2007), C, Kitchener

Tied with Halischuk currently for team point's leader .. a slick, fast and mobile centre he creates with his passing skills and anticipation in the offensive zone .. offensive skills are maturing and he is slowly becoming a difference maker in close hockey games .. hard worker who sees time on both the PP and the PK, very quick feet allow him to sneak up on slow footed defenders and pick pocket them .. plays the half boards on the PP where he can survey the entire zone and make accurate passes .. has a good shot but what makes him most effective is his ability to handle the puck effortlessly at top speed, skating past many defenders and creating his own chances .. should like his fellow team mate Halischuk warrant NHL training camp invites.

Jakub Kindl (Det), D, Kitchener

Returns for his third season with the Rangers and is the team's number one defenseman .. he is a talented player who can contribute offensively however he still seems to be lacking the consistency in his game, which has been a knock on him since his first year in the OHL .. appears to have thickened up .. skating is nice and fluid and he has shown more confidence logging the puck deep into the opposing team's end .. good shot from the point, including one timer and is the QB on the PP, often dictating the flow of the PP with his calculated decisions with the puck .. prone to some give aways when he stick handles which makes you question at times how NHL ready he is yet alone AHL ready, the development has come along however he still needs to exhibit consistent efforts of intensity and reduce his mental errors.

Steven Tarasuk (2008), C, Kitchener

After playing defence for his entire minor hockey career, he has been switched to forward, a move that was experimented with briefly last year in Tier II with Markham .. an ok skater, who is agile with offensive skills and instincts that have made the transition easy to his new position .. slowly earning his minutes as he is sometimes lost in the offensive fold .. needs to show a committed physical effort, as he does not assert himself as much as he should .. smart player, who knows where to be now he just needs to exhibit more confidence.

Nazem Kadri (2009), C, Kitchener

Slowly finding his way on the score sheet .. primarily rookies on the Rangers have to bide their time as Coach DeBoer does not like to rush them .. learning to play a better two way game and is improving defensively .. lacks the strength to contain but positions himself close to forwards, eliminating passing options .. shows good speed, as strength will be required to make him stronger on his skates as he has a tendency to get pushed around a bit .. works hard and creates with the puck, slick passer, and showed good puck protection skills in the slot with a defenseman draped all over him .. is a very slippery player as he just rolls off of people .. should be able to contribute on this level however he will have to pay his dues first.

OHL: Owen Sound Attacking Offence (posted 11.27.06)

by David Burstyn

The Owen Sound Attack is one of the stronger team's in the league. While the goal tending has been inconsistent at times, they boast a formidable defence and offensive units that can score. The recent addition of Trevor Lewis (LA) has given the team much needed speed and yet another offensive contributor. Anaheim's Bobby Ryan continues to shine and the younger players have assumed a greater role on this team as they have matured drastically in their second seasons.

Marcus Carroll (2007), C, Owen Sound

Third line centre brings an honest hard working game to the rink .. consistent efforts on every shift make him a favourite with both his team mates and the coaching staff as the second year player already wears an A and is most likely being groomed for the captaincy in a few short seasons .. quick feet and great stride makes him a fixture on the PK .. his lack of scoring ability and the team's offensive depth eliminate any PP time for him .. exhibits good core strength as his balance and strength are easily shifted on his 5'8, 185 pound stalky frame .. works hard in his puck pursuit and simply has not been rewarded on the score sheet .. a good player however it is unlikely at this point that he will be an NHL draft.

Wayne Simmonds (2007), RW, Owen Sound

Wiry, lean first year forward plays an honest game .. played last year with the Brockville Braves (CJHL) and produced at nearly a point a game in both the regular season and playoffs, notching healthy PIM to showcase his tough approach to the game .. good intensity, he competes hard and was all over the ice .. he is an energetic player, who inspires others with greater skill sets to produce as he pushes his team mates with his inspired play .. ultra long stick allows him to stick handle around the opposition .. he has an awkward skating style but his long stride is powerful and he shows good speed once he gets going making it very hard to knock the puck off of him .. once he gets a little strength on his modest 6'1 frame he could be a force in this league.

David Kolomatis (2007), D, Owen Sound

Yet another NJ born player on this roster .. he brings more of a defensive game to the OHL and is still getting used to the pace of the league .. he looked bad on several occasions as he was guilty of the 1st goal .. his overall strength needs work, as his play along the boards was limited and he could not contain rushing forwards either .. ok feet, not a terrific skater but fluid .. can close the gap and eliminate the passing lanes well on 2-1, or 2-2 break outs .. decision making still needs some work to make an impact at another level.

Scott Tregunna (2007), LW, Owen Sound

Playing with renewed confidence following the Thrashers rookie camp and an additional 15 pounds of muscle put on in the off season .. second year player is on the top line and has already surpassed his point totals from last year in a mere 20 games .. a versatile player who can be used in all situations .. good instincts as he positions himself well and is always around the puck, need to develop his finishing skills .. defensively his anticipation, long reach and smooth stride allow him to cut off many passes before they happen .. has the offensive tools to produce at this level as his confidence was starting to show in the playoffs last year which has since carried over to this season making him more creative and imaginative with the puck.

Trevor Lewis (LA), C, Owen Sound

After a much heated debate in the off season as to where he should play, the OHL or WHL, Mike Futa and the Owen Sound were victorious in landing the coveted centre .. the addition has paid immediate dividends as he currently leads the team in points .. a speedy, heads up player whose stride is NHL calibre as it is so smooth and effortless .. great one-on-one player as he is shifty and can stick handle in a phone book .. creates with his speed as he often draws wide in an effort to utilize his extra gear to get a step on a defender .. has the puck skills to carry the puck from behind his net deep into the opposing team's offensive zone, without so much as being touched .. hard worker, he plays the PK .. a fixture on the PP as he plays the point and his passing skills and vision help to create chances .. experience in the OHL and increased playing time will help him better develop into the player the Kings want.

Bobby Ryan (Ana), RW, Owen Sound

Given that both Lewis and Ryan are drafted by Western Conference team's it is not inconceivable for them to develop a healthy rivalry in the NHL in a few short seasons .. at times he has a hard time keeping up with Lewis as his skating is still just ok .. however if his skating is just ok then all other facets of his game are sensational as his smarts and patience with the puck are one of the best in the league .. still needs to add some much needed strength as he is tall but not thick .. at times was guilty of some turn overs but is such a difference maker in games that these things are often over looked however his consistency in his game must continue to develop in order to be successful next year in the AHL and/or NHL.

Theo Peckham (Edm), D, LW, Owen Sound

Coach Stothers experimented with him at LW .. failed to create but his meanness and intimidating play did open up room for him .. has developed a habit of standing at the line looking to administer a hit however he was unsuccessful in a few of his attempts and it led to odd man rushes into the offensive zone .. seemed a little disinterested in the first two periods but showed a little more intensity in the third .. limited to no offensive ability in terms of hands but does have an ok shot .. uses his size and toughness to create.

Bob Sanguinetti (NYR), D, Owen Sound

Despite the fact that he has 13 goals this season, which leads the OHL in defenseman scoring he had a very poor game against the Rangers .. perhaps he was playing with an injury however his lack of involvement was very uncharacteristic of his play .. did not take over the game like he is capable of, or for that matter like he should as he is one of the premier defenseman in the league .. got pushed around and did not compete as he failed to make simple defensive plays that led to scoring chances for the Rangers .. will have to see him again to offset this bad performance.

Joshua Bailey (2008), C, Owen Sound

Second line centre is slowly developing into an offensive force for the Attack .. he has the instincts but is still lacking the experience .. his shot needs work and he still can mature his offensive skills more .. plays a smart, skilled game whose added strength has really helped his game come along .. makes sound plays in advancing the puck up the ice as he shows offensive prowess .. not overly fast but has a long stride which is very efficient .. is producing at point a game pace however he is capable of playing much better and with time he will be a premier forward in this league.

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

Owen Sound first round selection is a smaller yet highly offensively skilled defender .. has a good shot and uses it occasionally as he is still, like most rookies getting adjusted to the pace of the league .. showed good one-on-one defending skills when he successfully contained Halischuk coming down the wing only to get beaten the next shift when he got caught flat footed and played the puck instead of the man .. still guilty of rookie mistakes but he is being put into many situations to gain valuable playing time experience .. coming along slowly as he has many older defensemen to help him with his game.

OHL: New Troops in the Bunker (posted 11.25.06)

by David Burstyn

The Battalion enter the season with many familiar faces gone and a surge of young dynamic talent waiting to assume the ranks. Gone is Wolski, Aquino and Vernace and they are replaced by youngsters Peroff, Smyth and first round selection Hodgson. The Battalion may be a team better equipped for next season but for the time being their rookies are showing considerable promise despite their lack of experience.

McKeen's was on hand for a recent contest for the Battalion and files these notes.

Matt Smyth (2007), RW, Brampton

Smyth did not see much time last season as there was so much offensive fire power that he couldn't work his way onto the top two lines .. blessed with skill and speed, Smyth came to camp with some additional weight after a summer of training and no longer gets pushed off the puck as easily as he did in his rookie season .. excellent feet and outside speed he still lacks the determination to readily drive straight to the net to make something happen .. shows good stick handling in tight places .. hockey sense and ability to think the game are questionable as he often makes plays that surrender the puck .. needs to exhibit a little more patience and hold onto the puck longer .. his offensive production has been good for the Battalion thus far however he still needs to show and improve on many facets of his game to be an NHL draft pick.

Aaron Snow (Dal), LW, Belleville

No one has suffered more with the graduations of Wolski and Aquino, his line mates last season .. a gifted skater who has an effortless glide and first step acceleration .. capable of many nice saucer passes, and can see the ice very well .. not able to penetrate the danger areas he takes shots from a distance but has a good enough wrist shot to be somewhat effective .. gets out muscled on loose pucks, as he shows some hesitation in his puck pursuit and is selective on who he decides to battle .. the loss of his line mates of last season should test his mental make up and prove to the league and the Dallas Stars that he is capable of producing on his own, do not expect to see similar numbers as he lacks the individual skills to make it happen on his own, rather he is a complimentary player who makes skilled players better.

Luke Lynes (Wsh), LW, Brampton

After a successful campaign last season, 34 goals and albeit an average playoff, Lynes managed to get himself drafted .. good hands and shot however he will never win any foot races .. seemed to be behind the play on a few break outs .. shows intelligence with the puck in the plays that he makes however it is a long shot that he can duplicate such feats at a higher level.

Ken Peroff (2008), D, Brampton

Small, quick footed Peroff is a healthy addition to the club desperately looking for an offensive minded defender .. his skating is his best asset as his mobility and lateral movement enable him to carry the puck confidently up the ice .. needs to make faster decisions with the puck .. still earning his ice time slowly but learning the OHL game and could develop into the PP point man by mid season.

Michael Lomas (2008), C, Brampton

Brampton's second rounder has surprised early with healthy offensive production .. still slender and needs to add much needed weight but is able to zip up and down the ice due to his quick feet .. good acceleration and outside speed just lacks the physicality to create more time and space for himself .. needs to keep his head up when he stick handles .. a good player who shows potential and a positive work ethic, should develop nicely.

Cody Hodgson (2008), C, Brampton

An absolute steal at 18th overall .. after initial talks of him wanting to pursue his NCAA options the Battalion managed to convince him to play in the OHL and so far the decision has been a good one .. already a first line centre who showcases outstanding scoring ability and offensive vision .. lacks explosive speed but his feel and understanding of the game in terms of anticipation and positioning are phenomenal and off set his deficiencies .. makes others better and has already been mentioned as a contender for Rookie-of-the-Year honours.

OHL: Hungry Like a Wolf (posted 11.24.06)

by David Burstyn

The Sudbury Wolves are a middle of the pack team. The loss of their top scorer last season, Beniot Pouliot leaves the team with quite an offensive load to carry. Many of the young pups are eager to fulfill that role but for the time being the dominant male appears to be Ottawa's first round selection and coach's son Nick Foligno.

McKeen's was on hand recently for a Wolves game and files these notes.

Akim Aliu (2007), RW, Sudbury

Not much of anything went well for Aliu last year who was involved in a very ugly off-ice dispute which subsequently led to his trade to the Wolves .. involved in more hot water this season as he returned for his first game (against the Battalion) after a five game suspension due to inappropriate choice of words directed towards an import player .. big kid who has developed as expected and is one of the stronger kids in this year's crop of NHL draft eligible players .. swift, skater who shows powerful thrusts and quickness .. has good balance and is strong on his skates .. more of a board player, he likes to use his size to out muscle the opposition and rarely attacks centre ice when he has the puck in his possession .. seems to be lacking puck skills and puck handling ability .. needs to be more aware of his surroundings, even though he is capable of making the occasional good play, he is more a meat and potatoes type of player .. he plays on both the PP and PK as he is a big presence in front of the goal in PP situations and on PK situations he is a good skater who rushes the opposition into coughing up the puck .. has a tendency to retaliate too often and his mental discipline is a glowing concern .. has tools and size but will have to work his way up the draft lists as already his attitude has come into question.

Gerome Giudice (2007), C, Sudbury

Last year's 3rd round pick played the better part of his rookie season including all playoff games for the Wolves .. showing more jump and involvement to the play as he has returned for his second season with a renewed work ethic that is unrivalled by any of his team mates, in his age group .. slick stick handler he can make good moves .. always driving to the net he creates with his fearless attitude to bang away loose pucks while taking abuse in the process, .. statistically he has not been rewarded Coach Foligno has recognized his efforts with increased minutes .. a decent skater, he is not dynamic but he gets his feet moving early too keep up with the play .. defensively he is aware as his attention to detail continues to improve .. showing a more consistent effort.

Patrik Lusnak (2007), C, Sudbury

Sudbury's first selection in the Import draft .. comes to North America with a proven track record of being able to produce as he averaged over a point a game with Skalica in the Slovak Jr. League and participated in the Under 18 tournament for his country .. very dynamic however he does not show it all the time .. he can make quick plays that go unnoticed because his hands are very fast .. can break down a defence but seemed tentative throughout the game to really "go for it" .. limited involvement in tight spaces as he is still getting used to the physical demands of the OHL .. good skater, swift in his stride with good pick up .. defensively he was rather in effective, it will be the job of Coach Foligno to get him more involved .. shows flashes of brilliance but needs to bring more to the table in the North American game.

Jonathan D'Aversa (FA), D, Sudbury

Over age defenseman returns for his final year off junior eligibility as he was an original pick of the Wolves back in 2002 .. he provides stability in the back end along with a scoring touch, he leads all defenseman in team scoring .. a risk taker with or without the puck, his plays are not always healthy ones as he is a tad too inconsistent in all facets of his game .. is a PP mainstay as his shot is very hard but he must work on the timing of his one-timer .. his QB skills are good .. ok skater but not anything special .. defensively he needs to do a better job tying up the man in front, as too often he allows players too much space .. a complimentary player who needs to be seen often to get a true handle on his skill set .. he is vying for a spot on an AHL team and/or the ECHL squad, his chances may improve if he gets traded to a contender should the Wolves decide to deal him at the trade dead line.

Nick Foligno (Ott), C, Sudbury

Returns to the team ready to fill the offensive void left by former first rounder Benoit Pouliot .. decent skater who gets involved in the play but very selective as to when he wants to work and/or compete .. showed on numerous occasions his lack of intensity .. can impress and does show the vision to make healthy passing plays that lead to goals but more times than not he comes off lazy .. a bit of an enigma as he shows good hockey sense on some plays and then makes you scratch your head the next shift .. scored two goals in the game, one being an empty netter and the other a result of a poor line change that allowed him to go in all alone unmolested .. offensively his stats are not a good indication of his play, despite the fact that he leads the team in points, he also registers more PP time than any other player and takes extra time on his shifts .. defensively he is slow to mark his man and his body language suggests that others should get the puck up ice for him as he rarely puts in the type of effort required to be successful in the defensive zone .. needs to mature in his play on the ice, does not play like he is first round material and needs to pick up his game and lead by example to be a better pro and hockey player.

Devin DiDiomete (Cgy), LW, Sudbury

Certainly one of the most improved players on this team and the entire league for that fact .. hard work and dedication earned him draft honours .. tough, can skate, score and fight if need be, he is a complete package however the stone is not that bright .. he is still raw in many facets of his game but is constantly working hard to alleviate any concerns the NHL higher ups may have .. shows good hustle and works hard to get into goal scoring position including his favourite spot on the ice; the front of the goal .. gets rewarded for his hard work with timely bounces and shows a goal scorers instinct to patiently out wait the goalie and roof it up stairs .. he has decent hands and knows how to finish .. goes into danger areas and shows no apprehension when battling a player who is bigger than him .. his fearlessness opens up room for him .. while his offensive skills still need to mature he should have plenty of opportunity to do so in junior and the Flames appear to have a potential player on their hands.

Marc Staal (NYR), D, Sudbury

There are two Staal's in the NHL, and the remaining two are on the Sudbury roster .. following some off ice additions to the NY Rangers back end, Staal failed to make the club and is too young for the AHL, returning to junior gives him key playing time minutes and no doubt a chance to defend his World Junior Gold .. big, rangy rear guard is a no nonsense defender who hits to hurt .. at 6'4, 205 he already has pro size .. powerful long, healthy stride which allows him to recover as he is often up ice making to create scoring chances .. the captain showcases a strong first pass but does need to work on getting his shot harder .. made some creative rushes up the ice in an attempt to inspire his team mates and put the team on his shoulders, however at times tries to do too much on the PP in terms of puck movement and his overall positioning, effectively pinches but does make the odd lapse in judgement which will cost him at a higher level .. defensively he is a beast but does have a tendency to allow time and space to faster players and he needs to be more active in getting to them immediately, was scored against on albeit on a well placed shot by Lynes but did not make a conscious effort to prohibit the shot from getting off in the first place .. the NY Rangers have high hopes for him and he should be playing along side his other brothers very soon in the NHL.

J.K. Gill (2008), LW, Sudbury

The Wolves third round pick enjoyed a successful season with last year's GTHL champion Don Mills Flyers .. slowly making the adjustment to the league and is being brought on slowly .. has been successful in the scoring department considering his lack of minutes .. skating was a concern last year coming into the draft however it appears he worked hard in the off season to address this as it looks a little more fluid .. still not an exceptional skater by any means it has improved considerably and it does not prohibit him from actively joining the rush as he shows good hustle .. works hard in all areas of the ice and showed that he would not be intimidated by sticking up for himself early in the contest .. offensively his skills are coming along and his best asset is his work ethic and commitment to not giving up on the play .. should continue to flourish if he puts in such consistent efforts.

Justin Larson (2008), C, Sudbury

Second round pick dominated last year in the OMHA for the Peterborough minor midget team .. he is suffering this season by not being the go-to-guy for the first time in his hockey career and it will be interesting to see how he responds to that .. played sparingly throughout the contest he spent the majority of the time defending in his own zone as he failed to generate anything offensively .. hunched over skating style will need some time to develop smoothness and quickness .. while it does not appear that he will be an extremely quick skater he can make some improvements in his stride that will make the transition easier for him.

OHL: Many Moon's Ago (posted 11.18.06)

by David Burstyn

The Mississauga IceDogs are playing with a renewed confidence. Off to one of their best starts in franchise history they are getting consistent performances from all of their players. A team with tremendous depth they look to be set for a few seasons as they have a nice combination of young players who are already making their mark.

McKeen's takes another look at some IceDogs who have shined so far this season.

Stefan Legein (2007), RW, Mississauga

Making a strong case for himself to be drafted as his offensive totals have been impressive and so has his intangibles .. a pest to play against, he is a good open ice hitter who despite his modest height/weight (5'9, 185) is very strong and able to knock many players off their feet as he always finishes his checks .. at times he tries to go too much for a hit and has to rush back to get into the play .. has good break away speed, he is able to get into the clear and his quickness allows him many scoring chances .. works hard, he draws penalties by constantly moving his feet .. offensively he shows imagination as he is not afraid to try things, very creative and backs that up with a solid wrist shot .. new rules allow a player of his stature to thrive as he is no longer restricted by the clutching and grabbing.

Luca Caputi (2007), LW, Mississauga

A big player who still appears not to have fully developed .. an average skater, ok stride but appears weak in his ankles as his movement is simply not fast enough .. barges his way to the net where his big frame causes a disturbance .. he out works players down low but really has limited offensive ability to draw from to be an effective finisher.

Drew Schiestel (2007), D, Mississauga

Slowly improving on his decision making and being a solid defensive defenseman .. shows some puck skills when he goes up the ice but that is not his game as he has a poor shot and limited offensive creativity .. defensively is where he thrives, angles off players, maintains good position and does not get beaten by flashy one-on-one players .. is not a very sexy player but a capable defender who can eat up 22 minutes .. must be aware that stronger faster players do not get behind him as was the case with Kane .. does not appear to be NHL worthy but a career in pro hockey is not completely out of the question.

Andrew Loverock (2007), G, Mississauga

After a successful minor midget career and a stand out campaign in Milton last year in which he won 38 games, Loverock will most likely play the majority of the games for the IceDogs due to an unfortunate heart condition to Lobsinger .. he is a pet project who shows some potential however he is quite raw for the time being .. he boasts a quick glove hand and shows healthy reflexes .. his down low coverage is questionable as he was beaten down low on shots he appeared to have the angle covered .. his rebound control also comes into question .. he has a tendency to flop when he is confused as to where the puck is and could be faster getting up and setting his position .. the position of the goaltender is the hardest to adapt too and he does show the promise of coming around but for the time being many facets of his game need considerable work.

Chris Lawrence (TB), RW, Mississauga

OHL career has taken on resurgence since his trade last season from the Soo to the IceDogs .. has matured nicely into a top line player who uses his size, soft hands and vision to create .. does not give up on plays and makes successful passes in traffic .. strong, top heavy forward who uses his strength along the boards very effectively, winning battles and getting the puck to the front of the net .. his shot is ok but it is more his play making ability, including his stick handling in traffic that results in scoring opportunities .. he has good mobility for a big man and while he does not appear to be moving fast, he covers a considerable amount of time within a few short strides .. should be able to make the adjustment to the AHL next season and is a promising prospect in the Tampa organization that is in shortage of bigger, skilled players.

Alex Pietrangelo (2008), D, Mississauga

The development that he has made at this level continues to improve .. with additional minutes and added responsibility he is learning quickly on the job .. shows solid composure with the puck as he makes healthy outlet passes and always makes a play with the puck .. simply put he does not get beaten as his smart approach to the game and astute positioning are far ahead of his peers .. cool, calm and poised in all areas of the ice and he is starting to show more offensive ability by taking a few extra steps into the zone and playing deeper .. has blossomed into a first round selection for next year's NHL draft.

OHL: Many Moon's Ago (posted 11.12.06)

by David Burstyn

Exceeding expectations at the draft table has been the norm of the Knights since the Hunter brothers took over the team in 2000. Their track record speaks for themselves as they have drafted such players in the first round such as Rick Nash, Corey Perry and David Bolland. This year the Knights come armed with two prospects in Sam Gagner and Pat Kane who look to follow in the foot prints of previous Knights and make their mark in the NHL.

McKeen's was on hand for a recent contest featuring the Knights and files these notes.

Sam Gagner (2007), C, London

Producing at an alarming 2.5 points per game to lead the OHL in scoring after the quarter mark of the season .. very calculated player who sees openings and sets the tempo of the game with his puck handling skills .. has garnered tremendous respect in his short time in the league as it is uncanny how much room he dictates in opposing defenders for fear of dismantling the opposition's box with an accurate pass .. his biggest asset is his ability to make others around him better .. he does not panic to make a play however at times will push the boundary with a cross ice pass on the PP, but this is a healthy aspect of his game as it shows he is willing to experiment and try new things .. slow little stutter steps when he tries to reach top flight speed, 1st step quickness will need to be addressed .. he is shifty and tough to contain in open ice situations and his ability to get the shot off in traffic or while in motion catches many goalies by surprise .. sees all PP situations and with a quality finisher like Meckler on his line and the uber talented Kane joining him on the PP it is not inconceivable for him to make a run at the scoring title and a possible nominee for the Red Tilson Trophy.

Patrick Kane (2006), RW, London

Kane no longer lines up with Gagner in even strength situations however the duo get together on the PP and this is where Kane registers the majority of his points .. second in league scoring largely to his full two minutes he logs on the PP .. this is not to suggest that he does not boast an abundance of individual skill as Kane is very dynamic .. a sneaky stick handler who works give-and-go's to perfection as he is able to dart into scoring areas unmolested .. creative passer, can draw many players to him with his wide array of stick handling skills .. accurate wrist shot coming down the wing, surprises goalies .. has an innate ability to fake a shot and then feather it gently in the slot for a perfect redirect .. has a mature offensive game and knows how to play with the puck .. defensively he is very lazy, takes wide turns to get back into the play and is on most occasions the last forward back .. he gives up on plays in traffic a tad too easy, and seems allergic to taking a hit to advance the play .. must develop an all around game to be considered a legitimate NHL player.

Adam Hasani (2007), C/LW, London

Swiss import is used sparingly and on most nights is lost in the shuffle .. swift and smooth skater has good change of direction and good gears of acceleration .. unable to capitalize on his skating prowess as his offensive skills are under developed and he always seems to be behind the play or rushing the play without the puck .. confidence suffers with lack of ice time as he is still finding his game without the puck and learning to find a role on a Knights team that likes to roll only its top two lines.

Corey Syvret (2007), D, London

To say his development has been a disappointment would be an understatement .. more was expected of him this season but so far he has been unable to show the coaching staff much of anything to keep him on the ice .. his decision making is very questionable as are his puck skills as he often relinquishes the puck when pressured .. ok skater but is prone to taking costly and unnecessary penalties at times to keep up .. like his brother who went un-drafted in his year of eligibility he can take comfort in that however his brother showed much more offensive jam and leadership abilities, Knights management are hoping he can turn the corner.

Sergei Kostitsyn (Mtl), RW, London

Scoring sensation continues to produce and is one of the five forwards that usually jumps over the boards for the PP .. quick release and solid offensive instincts .. one-on-one he is very impressive however he tries to do too much on occasion, attempting to beat two or three guys with his stick handling skills .. while it may work at this level it is a detriment to his development as it is highly unlikely that it he will be successful at higher levels of competition .. needless to say he can slice through a defense once he gets his feet moving as he is near impossible to stop with a full head of steam .. he makes plays that develop into healthy scoring opportunities .. defensively he struggles and has become victim of some lazy habits that were not in his game last year .. needs to assert himself more when the puck is not on his stick .. should continue to flourish with PP time and offensive skills that are more mature than his counter parts.

David Meckler (LA), LW, London

Tied for the goal scoring lead on the team with 14 .. simply put he knows how to score and is a finisher in the purest form .. his release is lightning quick and the way he works to get into scoring positions is reminiscent of Brett Hull .. he plays a little hard nosed, as he battles through checks to get to the net and is good along the boards .. fast acceleration in a few strides, his skating strength makes him a fixture on both special teams .. a well rounded game and an opportunity to play in a competitive league like the OHL only bodes well for his development and chances of playing in the NHL.

Steve Mason (CBJ), G, London

League leader in wins as he has dressed for all but one game this season for the Knights .. butterfly goalie that is vast when he goes down as his 6'3 frame covers top portion of the net however needs to be aware not to go down too early and offer the short side .. makes many initial saves without surrendering a rebound .. a capable stick handler he opts to play the puck up when he can .. needs to work on his concentration in the crease especially when players are attacking down low and crowding his area, tends to fall back giving valuable ice to the opposition .. expends too much energy and movement in saves .. much of the success of the Knights will largely depend on how well he can maintain his play, surrendering over four goals may garner a win in the regular season but he will need to tighten up to be triumphant in the playoffs.

Philip McRae (2007), C/LW, London

Things have not gone according to plan for the Knights 1st round selection who registered his only point (an assist) in his 17th game .. seems to want to do too much to create, over handling the puck and/or forcing plays .. has skill and can make plays just needs to be a little more patience .. decreased ice time but does receive some albeit limited PP time in an effort to restore his confidence .. labors a little bit when he skates as his coordination has not caught up to his frame .. needs to get stronger and all this will come in time however his season so far has been a frustrating one and he wants to do more than he is capable of.

OHL: Many Moon's Ago (posted 11.6.06)

by David Burstyn

The Kingston Frontenacs have not started the season on a positive note. The team employed ex-NHL coach Bruce Cassidy to take over the reigns of the team and so far the move has been far from successful. The Fronts have been suffering from lack of goaltending and have done many things to offset this deficiency including bringing in a Western kid Kevin Opsahi (a project which lasted a week) and recently trading Luke Pither to Guelph for Jason Guy. The Fronts problems not only lie in goaltending but their defence is not the envy of the league either. The forwards are their biggest strength, with a good nucleus of returning forwards and several young ones currently on the roster, the future certainly looks positive in that regard.

McKeen's was on hand for a recent Frontenac game and files these notes.

Matthew Kang (2007), LW, Kingston

Acquired in the off season to spark some instant offence, has produced at nearly a point a game but is capable of much more .. has been relegated to third line and has had to fight for his minutes .. is best suited on top two lines where he can develop some chemistry and regain his lost confidence .. efficient skater, it has always been a strength and continues to be .. needs to make smarter plays when the puck is in his possession, made some ok moves on the half boards but really failed to generate any puck movement or play .. needs to physically assert himself and make a statement to separate himself from the other young forwards competing for precious minutes.

Andrew Wilson (2007), RW, Kingston

Has seen limited action this season as he is still recovering from a leg injury that sidelined him for the majority of last season .. was unable to properly work out in the off season and failed to put on much needed weight, as his frame is tall and lanky .. not an overly pretty skater and one can only imagine his injury has prohibited him from increased speed .. can develop moderate speed when he gets going however his first step is rather ineffective .. defensively he looks confused without the puck, as his position or lack of raises concerns .. has yet to develop his offensive ability as his injuries have off set his development considerably .. management is convinced he can get the job done once he gains some much needed size and strength and gets in better "game" shape.

Chris Stewart (Col), RW, Kingston

After putting together a fine season last year that garnered first round consideration and was subsequently drafted higher than his older brother (Anthony, Florida) despite having far less hockey playing experience .. he is a freight train who good acceleration and he shows his extra gear when in active puck pursuit .. his skating is getting stronger .. offensively he parks his wide load in front of the net where he is very hard to remove .. he does need to work a little bit harder to get the puck when he is parked in front as on too many occasions he expected others just to get him the puck .. when he is driving the wing, he can shelter the puck well and drive it into the corner where he is physically imposing and manhandles the opposition .. sees ample time on the PP .. will continue to get stronger and work on his defensive game as this season will be a good test for him to improve on his overall game.

Cory Emmerton (Det), C, Kingston

Possesses strong hockey sense and great puck handling skills .. he showed another dimension to his game as he was trying many high risk plays, which he got away with to manufacture scoring chances .. lethal on the half boards, he can step outside and make a clever pass, or disguise his actions by drawing a player to him only to turn, shielding the puck in the process giving his team mates additional time to set up where he finds them with considerable success .. offensively he does a lot to create and is one of the more offensive minded players in the league .. great wrist shot and has soft hands that can finish in close .. did throw his weight on occasion but is not the type to finish his checks with regularity .. should once again be in the upper echelon in OHL scoring .. Detroit will most likely have a spot waiting for him when the time is right.

Josh Brittain (2008), LW, Kingston

First round selection gives the Fronts size, presence and a skilled player on the left side .. still making the adjustments to be successful at this level, ice minutes have been earned not given .. defensively he is ok, he comes back and his big frame does manage to get in the way .. his massive frame helps him to create offence chances, was instrumental in a goal as he bullied himself in the zone, by constantly moving his feet eventually making a touch pass that was part luck, part skill to a streaking Wallingford .. ok speed but once he gets stronger he should be very hard to defend .. will be a big part of the Frontenacs future.

Nathan Moon (2008), C, Kingston

His quick development led to Luke Pither, last year's first round selection to be expendable .. shows healthy puck skills as his persistence leads to goals and scoring chances .. while he is not partial to corner battles, he will make some plays around the net .. gets out muscled as he is not physically fit to withstand the abuse of the OHL however he can take a hit as he has good balance .. defensively he is still widening his skills .. once he gets used to the pace of the league and gets some better line mates he should be a scoring threat in the league and an eventual go-to-guy for the Fronts.

New Chapter in Generals History (posted 11.2.06)

by David Burstyn

The Oshawa Generals organization has been grooming hockey players for decades. Stanley Cup winners including Dave Andreychuk, Jason Arnott and the legendary Bobby Orr plied their craft in a Generals uniform and performed their artistry on the ice surface of the Civic Centre. The arena, which was constructed in 1964 provided the Oshawa community with over 40 years of hockey and entertainment memories and finally closed their doors this past Sunday and eagerly welcome the brand new state-of-the-art facility, General Motors Place. The Generals are a gifted young team led by super phenom John Tavares and a healthy cast of supporting players. His outstanding play, early in his OHL career coupled with the new arena has renewed the optimism and excitement of a hockey driven community that has not seen their beloved "Gennies" make the playoffs for the past two seasons.

McKeen's was on hand for a very special evening, the closing of the Civic Centre and files these notes on several young developing prospects and NHL draft eligible players.

Dale Mitchell (2007), RW, Oshawa

A multi faceted forward who sees the ice in all situations .. made such a healthy impression last year with his blazing speed and tank like frame .. tremendous first step quickness, he can generate top flight speed in a few strides and blazes down the wing, eagerly looking to get his shot off .. players literally bounce off of him when they attempt to hit him .. he is quick to adapt to his surrounding as his transition play is an asset .. fearlessly goes to the net .. a tenacious fore checker, he works hard to pressure the opposition into mistakes and nearly capitalized on a miscue between the defender and the goalie resulting in a goal .. players play harder when they are on the ice as he inspires with his unbelievable strong work ethic .. Mitchell can do everything at top speed and is a capable scorer, his future in the NHL remains unclear however there is little to no doubt that he will be drafted as his skill set and the requirements of the new NHL are a perfect fit.

Brett MacLean (2007), LW, Oshawa

Blessed with super talented line mates the ex Erie Otter is playing for the Generals #1 line along side such stallions as Tavares and Clutterbuck .. offensively he is on pace to enjoy his best OHL campaign to date .. his line mates and increased minutes on the PP contribute to that however that is not to suggest that he is without skill .. in order to play with such players, you must prove you belong and more importantly can keep up and he has .. skating has improved and looks a bit tidier .. coordination has improved and he no longer looks awkward (as may have been the case in the past) in terms of his agility and size .. made some nifty play making moves in tight spaces as his long reach enabled him to get around players, a trait that is one of his best strengths, good hands for a player of his size .. showed a willingness to go to the net, and scored and created chances with his hand/eye coordination and paying the price to score dirty goals .. when given time and space he makes good offensive plays as he shows some imagination with the puck .. steadily improving his game he should be a candidate for mid level NHL draft consideration come summer.

Brett Parnham (2007), C, Oshawa

To say more has been expected from former first round selection (Sudbury, 2005, 13th) would be an understatement .. so far he has failed to live up to his potential .. impresses with good speed on occasion but lumbers and appears lackadaisical at times as well .. shows ok back checking skills but does not follow that up with consistent efforts .. has a good shot when he is in motion but has limited offensive moxie and small frame, which is generously listed at 5'10 prohibits him from making an impact in the danger zones .. will need to make adjustments to his play and contribute more offensively to be more than just an OHL player.

James DeLory (SJ), D, Oshawa

Hard to believe a team with such a healthy track record of selecting defenders choose DeLory as early as they did .. appears to be carrying some weight as he has not made any improvements on his speed .. his puck handling skills are average at best, as he did very little to create .. slow feet and poor gapping ability allow faster forwards to take advantage of the time and space he fails to close off .. he hits as he has become accustomed to in this league but once again his full frontal assaults take him out of the play .. is a pillar on a back end that has not yet developed some of its better defensive prospects.

Cal Clutterbuck (Min), RW, Oshawa

The heart and soul of this Generals team and assistant captain could end up being quite the steal at 72nd overall in last year's draft .. very mobile and highly skilled skater, he powers through the ice with great core strength and matches that with brute physical force when he cleanly lays open ice hits, had well over 10 hits many resulting in players landing to the ice .. sets the tempo with his aggressive, fearless, in-your-face play and receives much respect from the league as a result, often given additional ice in which to manoeuvre .. defensively he has a conscience as he is the first to come back and understands what it takes to be successful in all three zones .. he goes to the net, crashes and bangs his way through traffic, being the first one to lay his stick on an errand puck in front .. made many successful plays behind the net and showed the vision of a gifted play maker in spotting streaking forwards with accurate pin point passes .. Clutterbuck was named the hardest working General in the game and it is that type of effort that will be needed to play in the NHL.

Michael DelZotto (2008), D, Oshawa

The 2nd overall pick gives the Generals a solid defender who to build around .. an impressive package of offensive flair and defensive awareness .. still learning his position on the job but showed remarkable improvements even in between periods .. always in front of the forward and net not allowing anybody to get by him .. showed slight effectiveness in eliminating players from the play as his under developed strength did an admirable job in forcing some average sized players to the outside .. his skating is fluid, and smooth .. did not carry the puck up the ice for prolonged periods of time, however he did exhibit good first pass ability .. showed on rare occasion his ability to jump into the play and was rewarded with a sensational feed from Tavares leading to his second goal, tops in team defenceman scoring ..has all the ingredients to be successful at this level and lack of experience is his only draw back.

John Tavares (2009), C, Oshawa

Tavares is an offensive machine .. when he becomes draft eligible he is going to make an NHL team a contender .. it is hard to believe that he is only 16 yet the feats he accomplishes on the ice at this level are remarkable .. uncanny sense and on-ice awareness in terms of anticipating his line mates actions .. his skating has improved but he still does not have top flight speed or an extra gear of separation .. in one-on-one situations he relies more on his deft stick handling skills and his sneaky release .. his shot is hard and gets to the net often catching the goalie by surprise .. his wrist shot is one of the best in the league and he effectively uses defenseman as a screen and gets into the slot to unload it .. gets break aways as a result of him playing very high in the neutral zone, a tactic no doubt employed by the coaching staff .. could show a little more attention to defensive detail .. will most likely learn that when he gets more mature in the league and understands that team success comes with defensive diligence .. Tavares is the cornerstone of this franchise and the centre piece in selling season tickets for the new arena, his drawing power and hype surrounding him makes him one of the biggest if not the biggest player in the entire OHL.

The Windsor Spitfires:

New and Hoping to Improve (posted 11.1.06)

by David Burstyn

One look at the OHL information guide from last year and now, would indicate just how many changes have been made in the Windsor organization. The most glaring change has been the new ownership group consisting of two ex NHL'ers, Bob Boughner, who coaches the team and Warren Rychel who acts as the team's General Manager. There are only seven returning players from last year's squad which makes this team one of the youngest in the league but also one of the most inexperienced. The Spitfires have some quality young players and it will be the sole responsibility of Coach Boughner to create a positive attitude in the dressing room which they can carry for this season and beyond. The Spitfires also got the city's approval for help to construct a new arena. The barn, which was long overdue to be replaced has created excitement once again in one of the OHL's oldest markets.

McKeen's was on hand for a recent contest featuring the Spitfires and files these notes.

Mickey Renaud (2007), C, Windsor

Local boy enters his second season and looks to improve on his offensive totals this season .. a thick and sturdy player, he likes to lay the body when an opportunity presents itself .. he has deceptive speed, it appears he has an additional gear but he does not use all the time .. he is a fixture on the PK where his understanding of positional play is his best asset .. despite his play on the PK, his 5 on 5 play is sometimes left to be desired, as he appears too anxious to push for the offence and is usually caught up high when the play is switching directions .. offensively he lacks the hands to be a difference maker, he has an average shot at best .. scores his goals and registers his points by getting dirty and getting the occasional lucky bounce .. a good character player however his play on a team not loaded with NHL prospects hinders his chances at greater exposure in NHL scouts notebooks.

Keaton Turkiewicz (2007), RW, Windsor

Returns for another year at a chance of being drafted, being passed over last season .. is a heart and soul type player who sacrifices himself for the team and is pugilistic in his style of play .. often takes a hit to make a play, gets knocked down and back up again ready for further abuse .. showed character and courage when he immediately stood up for his team mate after suffering a vicious check at the hands of Grant McGee (Guelph Storm), giving up three inches and several pounds in the tilt .. good speed and skating ability .. sees a considerable amount of PP time as he is one of the better skilled right handed shots on the team .. his release needs to be faster as does his decision making with the puck .. he can see the ice ok but still has a tendency to throw the puck to where a team mate has already left, needs to anticipate his team mates and the environment around him better .. defensively he is strong as coming back and supporting the team is not something you need to tell him twice.

Mike Weber (Buf), D, Windsor

The captain returns to a youthful team and offers encouragement to the younger players regularly .. still boasts good mobility and skating quickness for his size however he seems to be lacking upper body strength .. on a few occasions against bigger players he gave up some precious real estate to the side of the net, which thankfully did not result in any scoring chances, but at a higher level of competition it very well could .. needs to reduce time and space better on rushing forwards, likes to play the line but can get beaten by quicker players and needs to be cognscent of this .. a fixture on all special teams .. when forced his decision making is not the best .. will decapitate the opposition and is very mean as he laid out several bone crunching hits .. has a bad temper and cost his team with stupid penalties and a game misconduct in the dying minutes of a close game in which they could have used his services .. intimidating presence he should be able to work on those aspects of his game with the increased ice time allotted to him.

Anthony Soboczynski (2008), LW, Windsor

It is hard to believe how low Sobo has landed .. once considered a solid prospect (2nd round by Saginaw in 2005) he is now struggling to be a 4th line player on a weak Windsor team .. does very little to create offensively as he appears not to have the proper hockey sense, confused on where he needs to be .. is valuable on the PK, as his skating is very fast, he has a smooth, graceful glide .. very committed to removing the puck from the zone and dove in many situations to relieve the pressure .. late birth date gives him a chance to improve on his game and he will need much seasoning to be NHL ready.

Greg Nemisz (2008), C, Windsor

First round selection is already one of the taller players in the league and there is a slight chance that he could get even taller .. not uncommon for big players to seem lazy when they skate Nemisz is no exception however he covers the ice so fast and is never out of position .. has hockey sense as his plays with the puck are very calculated .. makes things look effortless when he handles the puck .. did not see much time in a game dictated by special teams as he is not a PP (yet) or a PK guy.

Adam Henrique (2008), C, Windsor

Brantford Minor Midget scoring sensation and Windsor second round selection is playing with poise and offensive savvy well beyond his age .. he can make plays at top speed as he is agile and quick on his feet, his decision making with the puck could be his best asset as he is very clever .. on a team whose leading point producer has 10 points, Henrique's 7 points in 15 games is sensational especially when he sees literally no PP time .. should garner some PP time as he is very dynamic however lacks the physical strength to assert himself .. defensively he is always the first to pry the puck loose in a scrum along the boards .. does not show much fear when attacking the danger areas of the ice however doesn't stay there long .. should come along nicely and be a big time producer for years to come.

Thomas Battani (2008), RW, Windsor

One of the few players selected in last year's draft with an 89 birth date .. grew 4 inches in one year and posted healthy numbers including a 20 goal season with the Pertrolia Jr.B Jets to garner OHL draft consideration .. not flashy by any means and was unrecognizable on the ice as his contribution was very limited .. does not excel in any particular area as his hands and intelligence all seem to hover around the average mark while his skating was sub-par .. showed good hustle on the back check on some shifts and then failed to follow that same effort on the next shift .. looks to go to the slot to release his shot .. has struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.

Mark Cundari (2008), D, Windsor

Second rounder is exceeding all expectations with his pit bull style approach to defending .. small, yet thick he has great balance and can really drive the shoulder into a player .. seeing ice in all situations, even played a 3-5 and was successful in his defensive efforts .. still attempting to find proper positioning and did make some mistakes with the puck, as his hesitation and lack of quick thinking were exposed on a few occasions, rookie mistakes but for what he brings to the table the coaching staff are willing to over look these blemishes .. has a good shot with some zip to it and manages to get it through .. ok mobility he is relatively quick footed and can cover the gap well but needs to take an extra stride due to his small stature .. should continue to develop nicely and assume a top defender role in the next few seasons.