OHL Priority Selection: Brampton Battalion

The Brampton Battalion were without several picks in the early stages of the OHL draft. They drafted wingers with their first two picks who are cut from the power forward cloth. Barclay Goodrow and Matt MacLeod should have every opportunity to make the club next season especially with the inevitable graduations of Dale, Duchene and Hodgson. The Battalion then used their next two picks on defenseman taking Michael Mastrangelo and Zach Bell, teammates on the Toronto Jr. Canadiens Midget program. Jacob Riley was the first goalie selected by the Battalion who had a strong campaign with the London Jr. Knights. McKeen's Chief correspondent David Burstyn looks at these five profiled players.

Barclay Goodrow (2011), LW, Brampton

Not many players scored more goals than Goodrow, as he potted 67 goals with the York Simcoe Express Midget program. Only Nick Cousins and Matt Puempel scored more goals than him amongst draft-eligible players. Goodrow is a rare combination of size, skill and finesse. He used his expansive wingspan to shelter pucks and work himself into prime scoring areas. He benefited greatly by playing with Daniel Catenacci (1st overall Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) but he was also able to manufacture offence on his own accord. Granted, he is a much better player with a good playmaking centre, as his skating did not always allow him to converge on loose pucks. At times, Goodrow had inconsistent efforts, however considering the level of competition his YSE team faced it was somewhat understandable. He did manage to show up for crucial games and score goals and appears ready to embrace the challenges of playing in the OHL next season. He suited up for a handful of games with Villanova (OPJHL) and produced in each game he played (2-2-1-3). Goodrow is the ultimate project, as he will give the Battalion some much-needed size up the middle and timely scoring. Battalion management is hoping he fills the scoring void left from Hodgson and Duchene, however it may be a tad presumptuous to assume he can be a key offensive contributor immediately. His game is similar to a young Rick Nash.

Matt MacLeod (2011), RW, Brampton

The first player chosen from the Niagara Falls Midget team, MacLeod plays an honest power forward's game. He was often forced to do too much on his team due to the lack of bonafide prospects he played with. At times, he was too fancy with the puck, including making inopportune drop passes and over handling the puck. He is equipped with a large stride but has a chunky first step. Once he got going he was virtually impossible to derail as he entered the zone unmolested due to his sheer size and power. What was most encouraging about MacLeod's game was his willingness to compete and venture into any area of the ice. It was not uncommon for him to attack the boards, compete down low or position himself in front to create offensive opportunities. MacLeod suited up for a few Jr. B games with the Niagara Falls Canucks, he was used sparingly during the playoffs but the experience should help him for next season as he should see a regular shift with the team. MacLeod could be an ideal third line, energy-grind player for the Battalion in two short seasons and the Battalion were wise to draft him.

Michael Mastrangelo (2011), D, Brampton

It is not difficult to see what type of player Mastrangelo is by examining his stats. He will never be confused as an offensive contributor, as he managed zero goals in 68 games but did amass a whopping 114 PIM. Mastrangelo brutalized the opposition and made them pay the price once he managed to catch them. There are many holes in his game including hockey sense and basic puckhandling skills. His size is an attractive asset, however he is routinely beaten by quick, skilled forwards who turn him inside out. Mastrangelo needs a year of playing in the OPJHL and learning the ropes against older, faster competition. Improvements to his puc handling skills are a must otherwise he will never be more than a 6th or 7th defenseman.

Zack Bell (2011), D, Brampton

The Battalion returned to the Jr. Canadiens Midget program with their fourth round selection and chose Bell, the other left defenseman on the team. Bell is the son of former NHLer Bruce Bell, however he had little contact with him growing up. Bell laboured through the season with inconsistent efforts but did post impressive numbers with 9 goals and 53 points in 71 games. His play, not unlike the rest of his teammates in the playoffs was spotty. He failed to make decisions with the puck in a timely fashion and as such, constantly surrendered the puck in prime scoring areas down low. He started the season as the go-to-guy on the backend and was even asked to play forward for stretches throughout the year. Ultimately, his game regressed with the arrival of Eric Diodati (115th overall St.Mikes Majors), as he was never quite the same impact player. Bell has a decent set of tools but needs to play at a higher level next year to activate his goals in the OHL. He should get an opportunity to play in two seasons but may not crack the top four until his final year of junior.

Jacob Riley (2011), G, Brampton

Riley spilt the duties in the regular season, however he took over during the regular season with commanding performances against Sun County and Brantford. He had a solid regular season with 7 shutouts and a G.A.A of 1.48. Riley has good size and is fairly athletic. He moved well going from post-to-post and has good overall technique and style. He still needs to work on consistency, however that criticism can be made with just about every 15-year-old goalie playing at this level of hockey. Riley comes out to challenge but does not play the puck. His lack of puckhandling allowed the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs to continuously dump the puck in and retrieve it during the Alliance Championships and was a large reason the Chiefs had so much success. In a best case scenario, Riley should be able to latch onto a Jr. B club next season and see regular action, as he will need to be tested to get better.