OHL Priority Selection: Erie Otters

The Erie Otters made the best of their first three selections, as they addressed their forwards by adding size and skill with the likes of Connor Crisp and first round selection Chris Marchese. They also added depth to their blue line with the selection of Adam Pelech. McKeen's Director of Scouting, David Burstyn, profiles these players.

Chris Marchese (2012), LW, Erie

Marchese was one of the more dominant players in the GTHL and for periods this season, the best forward in the loop. Marchese has great size and uses it well along the boards where he absolutely owns the boards. He positions himself well in the offensive zone and is always a threat to create when he has the puck due to his vision and puck protection skills. He is a healthy skater who is crisp in his movements and can generate good speed off the mark. At times this season, Marchese did not assert himself but was a different player in the second half of the season, at times carrying the team on his back in the playoffs. Marchese has a solid skill set and is thick (6'0, 205). He has the disposition of a young Kyle Palmieri, although a tad shorter. He should be able to step into next season and make an immediate impact and has the potential if he asserts himself off the ice to be a very effective OHL player and possible pro player.

Adam Pelech (2012), D, Erie

The last instalment of the Pelech clan, Adam will undoubtedly join both Matt and Michael to play in the OHL. Pelech is a stay-at-home defenseman who routinely plays his man and offers very little in terms of ice due to his staunch positioning and active stick. Pelech is the ultimate shut-down defender cut from a similar cloth to a young Marc Staal. Pelech can also handle the puck, as he is not nervous with it but that is not the strength of his game. He can make a decent outlet pass which helps to round out his skill set. Pelech is a pigeon-toed skater whose appearance is suspect but he manages to stay in plays. He will need to clean up his mechanics and improve his overall speed. Pelech joins a defensive corps in which he could already be pencilled into the top four and has a chance to make an impact in the league on the backend quicker than most.

Connor Crisp (2012), C, Erie

The nephew of former Stanley Cup winning coach Terry Crisp, Crisp is a budding power forward who stands at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. Crisp did a good job of getting into shape throughout the season, as he shed 15 pounds during the year after coming into the season a whopping 225 pounds. Crisp has all the tools to be a successful player but does not always exhibit the type of consistency that he should. He has a good shot, can drive the net, and skates well. His hands are not elite, as he scores the majority of his goals in front (more of the garbage variety), nonetheless, when he goes hard to the net good things happen. Crisp is a bull in a china shop but remarkably agile for a player of his size. He has the potential to develop into a young Chris Stewart.