OHL: Petes Launch Zach Attack

Going west could be the rallying cry for the Peterborough Petes this season. It would be in reference to going to the Memorial Cup, a feat they accomplished only a few short seasons ago. While it is doubtful this squad will make it to the Memorial Cup there is plenty of optimism with a series of great draft picks currently developing. The Petes will carry four 16-year-olds on their roster, which undoubtedly puts them in rebuild mode. The stage could be set in a few short seasons for a strong push into the playoffs and it starts with their core group of 1991-born prospects including Zack Kassian, Zach Tartn and Joey West. McKeen's profiles many young and surging Petes.

Zach Harnden (2008), RW, Peterborough

This is the year for Harnden to produce and be the offensive leader of this team .. he proved last year that he has the ability to elevate his game and take over contests .. a big, rangy player whose limbs are always moving, making his play a tad unpredictable .. not blessed with the best finishing ability or playmaking savvy, he will need to pressure defenders by beating them to loose pucks and as a result, will score the majority of his goals in tight .. has good hockey sense and moves the puck quickly and effectively .. has the presence of mind to hold onto the puck until the last second to make a pass .. while there are many facets of his game that need attention - like defensive zone coverage and lack of physical play, they appear to be coachable and could be fixed in the right environment .. his skating has improved leaps and bounds and it should not hinder him as he already has the frame of an NHL pro.

Zach Bogosian (2008), D, Peterborough

Bogasian did not play much in this contest largely because of a fight that cost him the game .. he engaged with Michael Del Zotto and showed that he would not take any abuse from players no matter what the size .. an incredibly strong player who actually has good fighting technique, as he filled in Del Zotto .. a gifted skater in all directions and competent puck mover .. his pure offensive skills on the backend may only be outdone by Doughty, as far as NHL draft eligible players .. his first pass is always on the tape and he places the puck in open ice to where his teammates are going to be .. highly intelligent, he possesses uncanny hockey sense .. his skating allows him to escape any pressure situation .. all the tools are there for him to be a successful and a high first round selection however, as is the case with most defenders decision making, shot power and overall strength will need to be faster and stronger.

Jamie Doornbosch (2008), D, Peterborough

The fourth round selection of the 2006 OHL draft was Del Zotto's defensive partner for the Markham Waxers in his minor hockey playing days .. a tall physical specimen who is still growing .. he moves well and is very coordinated for a player of his size .. not eager to jump the play, as his style is more defensive .. his passing accuracy needs some work .. he struggles with the puck at times, as is the case with most rookie defenders .. he is careful to play in his own limits and therefore, he is an effective member on the backend .. slotted on a third defensive pairing, he has the tools to be a player the Petes will lean on in later years.

Jake Laplante (2008), D, Peterborough

At 6-foot-5, Laplante is one of the taller defenseman in the league .. the Petes have always been big on size on the backend and Laplante is certainly proof of that .. not known as a scorer, he has yet to score a goal in his OHL career that has spanned over 60 games .. he has decent lateral agility but relies more on his long reach and active stick to pry pucks from opposing forwards .. he is quick to recover, as he does not overextend himself because of his average foot speed .. big body that covers a lot of room especially down low .. he is very effective along the wall, as he can come around players and pickpocket them off the puck .. his decision-making with the puck will need upgrades .. he looked tentative and often unsure of what to do with it, often failing to see and make the simple play .. at his best when he plays a simple game.

Jason Missiaen (2008), G, Peterborough

Missiaen compiled an unflattering 1-7 record in the 12 games he started last season with the Petes .. in his defense, he literally had none, as most of the older players were shipped off in the Petes fire sale last season .. Missiaen is the tallest goalie in the league at 6-foot-7 and as such fills the net well .. he has a tendency to go down early, which exposes his short side .. his blocker seems to be a weakness .. he is not overly quick, as his lateral movement needs considerable work .. he relies heavily on his size but too often shots go through him due to his stance .. he remains square to the shooter but leaves far too many openings .. his rebound control is average and he has a hard time smothering pucks when his net is crashed .. he has the size, now he just needs the technique.

Zack Kassian (2009), RW, Peterborough

Kassian is a player that everybody in the league will either hate or fear by the end of this season .. he is a power forward in the making with a mean streak that he is all too willing to back up with his fists .. started a brawl after charging over Peters (Oshawa) in exhibition action .. a fluid and swift skater .. he already sees a spot on the PK unit due to his intelligence and strong skating skills .. he finishes his checks with gusto .. he will look to find someone with his head down .. he plays with intensity and on edge, as he is very unpredictable from shift-to-shift .. already has the NHL-size scouts drool over at the age of 16 .. the knock on Kassian may be his lack of true finishing skills .. while he is not expected to score in leaps and bounds this season, he should see considerable ice and maybe PP situations, which should boost his confidence.. his reckless style of play may need to be controlled so he does not cost his team.

Zach Tatrn (2009), C, Peterborough

The second round selection is a natural centre that is blessed with size and skill .. he has all the tools to be a quality player in this league however, he needs to want it .. too often, he is out-muscled on the boards and loses more battles than he wins - even if he decides to engage in them at all .. he is a passive player and with his size (6-2, 205), it leaves you shaking your head .. his finesse skills and sheer ability could already be one of the best on the team however, he does little to make plays in traffic and as a result, is rendered to the perimeter .. will need to play with more desire and get stronger in order to make the Petes scouting staff look good.

Joey West (2009), LW, C, Peterborough

West played on an inferior minor hockey team and was the lone bright spot last season, as he slipped to the third round .. he is a highly intelligent player .. his skating is not as strong as his peers are however, his hockey sense is off the charts .. he gets to pucks before faster players because he knows where to be .. creative pivot with a wide array of stickhandling moves .. plays within his limits, which is equally impressive, as most rookies like him, with the pressure of making the team, will over compensate when they have the puck in their possession .. his calm, relaxed and confident two-way approach to the game resulted in him being signed .. he should continue to make tremendous strides, as he is a great piece to build a championship with.

Chad Lowry (2009), D, Peterborough

Due to a rash of picks acquired throughout the year, the Petes could not resist taking Lowry, a bruising defenseman who instilled fear in the opposition as a member of the Waterloo Wolves last season .. he has the size and mean streak that will make him very difficult to play against in a few years .. he handles the puck like a grenade as if he is on a timer and needs to get rid of it .. his puck skills are lacking and too easily he can cough up the puck when pressured .. he was thrown into some PP situations and struggled with his decision-making at the line, as he pinched too aggressively resulting in a breakaway in the other direction .. his skating is a positive .. he has good start up and a healthy change of direction .. defensively, he can keep up with plays, as he resists the urge to over commit .. will come along slowly but has a good package to draw from, as just needs experience and confidence.