OHL Priority Selection: Erie Otters

The Erie Otters entered the 2009 draft with a surplus of picks at their disposal. With five picks in the top 55, the Otters addressed team toughness, scoring and added depth to their overall organization. The selection of David Broll was a surprising move, however GM Sherry Bassin has always gone off the board with his first round picks. The addition of Jeremy Gottzmann and Brady Austin, both second round picks will pay off for them as they should be next year players. The mid-round selections of Mihkel Poldma, Michael Neville and Chris Festarini should also pay dividends for the Otters, as they all have the skill level to play in the OHL at some point during their junior careers. McKeen's profiles these prospects.

David Broll (2011), C, Erie

Broll was one of the thicker and bigger players in the draft at 6-foot-1 and tipping the scales at over 220 pounds. He could probably stand to lose some weight, as his speed suffered as a result. He lacks first-step explosiveness and is good in straight lines but his agility needs some work. The one redeeming aspect of Broll's game is that you always notice him on the ice due to his sheer size. Once he has an opponent locked in his sights, that player usually tends to fall down when he hits them. Broll helped the Nationals advance into the second round of the GTHL play downs and was instrumental in team wins by scoring some clutch goals. He has surprisingly soft hands, as he notched 31 goals last year. His team was invited to the OHL Cup where he continued to shine, as he finished 7th in tournament scoring (5-3-6-9). His game is strictly based on power, as he muscles his way into the zone. He lacks puckhandling skills and vision to be a playmaker, but he is an accomplished finisher. Nonetheless, it will take him a period of adjustment to score with regularity at the OHL level. Broll gives the Otters much-needed size and should develop under the watchful eye of coach Ftorek.

Jeremy Gottzmann (2011), C, Erie

At 5-foot-8, size may have scared some teams away but there is no denying that Gottzmann could be one of the most natural goal scorers in this draft! With 51 goals in 50 games, Gottzmann probably would have scored more had he been healthy all season. He suffered a wrist injury early in the season and was derailed for the first few months. When he returned, he terrorized goalies giving them sunburns in the middle of December. What is most impressive about Gottzmann is he can score goals in a variety of different ways. He had one of the best wristshots coming down either wing amongst all draft-eligible players. He is small but does not play a perimeter game, rather he relishes in attacking the danger zones and paying the price to get the job done. His speed and first-step explosiveness allow him to converge on loose pucks and gives him the ability to get into positions to score. He did not have a great playoff or OHL Cup but managed to redeem himself with the Burlington Midget program for Nationals, averaging over a point a game playing against competition two years older. A virtual steal at 28th overall, Gottzmann has all the tools to be a scorer in the OHL, as his skill package and approach to the game are reminiscent to a young Justin Azevedo.

Brady Austin (2011), D, Erie

At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Austin already has OHL size and is not afraid to use it either, as he routinely punishes the opposition. His shot is hard and low and almost always on goal but it is his release and limited back swing that generates the power to score his goals. His size opens up room for him but he marries it with a graceful skating stride and shocking mobility for a player of his stature. His first step could still use some upgrading, but once he gets going he is able to cover the ice effortlessly. Austin continued to improve throughout the season, which is what made him endearing to OHL scouts. There was tremendous depth at the defenseman position this year, as Austin was the 10th defender chosen. Not too many defensemen that score 25 goals manage to slip deep into the second round and Austin has the determination to prove other teams wrong for passing on him. He should be able to step in next season and learn the ropes before he skates a regular shift for the Otters in a few short seasons.

Michael Neville (2011), LW, Erie

The Otters returned to the Toronto Nationals Midget program and chose Neville (54th overall), a linemate of Broll. Neville's coming out party was the Marlie showcase where he established himself as an accomplished scorer. The confidence he gained from that tournament carried into the New Year and he started to play a completely different game with the puck, as he was able to manufacture offence. He has modest stats of 51 points on the strength of 19 goals but considering how physically underdeveloped he is (5-11, 160) these scoring feats become even more remarkable. Neville showed a willingness to compete but was tossed aside far too often, He relied on his strong hockey instincts to intercept passes and position himself well in the neutral zone to break up plays. He appeared to be struggling through a growth spurt with his feet, as his skating appeared sluggish at the midway point of the year, but cleaned itself up nicely toward the end of the year. Neville could be a very good set-up man and is cut from the same cloth as Matt Lyall.

Mihkel Poldma (2011), D, Erie

Only a year removed from playing Double A, Poldma adjusted well to the fast pace of Triple A hockey to start the season, but the wheels began to fall off toward the end of the year. Poldma does not do anything exceptional but is a big body who skates well for his size. He used his size well at the beginning of the year to steer guys to the outside and contain them, although he is not naturally aggressive. Poldma appeared to lose his confidence toward the end of the season and it was reflective in his play. His puck skills need drastic improvement, as he is not able to deliver a crisp, smooth first pass. His shot is ok (8 goals) but he simply cannot get it off. For all his shortcomings, he is still an accomplished player who may have been playing above himself to start the season before he returned to reality. The bottom line is that he showed remarkable improvement and playing in the OPJHL next year will benefit him greatly.

Chris Festarini (2011), G, Erie

With the Otters getting long in the tooth in the goaltending department they wisely drafted Festarini 110th overall. With no fourth round pick, where five goalies were selected, Festarini was the only goalie chosen in the fifth. He played on an inferior team that had a difficult time scoring goals (97) so he never quite got the support he needed. He saved his best performances against the St.Catharines Falcons, the team that finished with the best record in the SCTA. He is very composed and lets the play come to him. Athleticism and agility are two of his strong suits, as he moves exceptionally well going post-to-post. He has good first-save ability. He can and always makes the first save, however the defence in front of him did not clear the puck and he was forced to make successive saves constantly. His glove hand and stickhandling need work. Festarini is a unique blend of athleticism and skill and should have a crack at the Otters roster at some point in his junior career.