OHL Priority Selection: Niagara IceDogs

The Niagara IceDogs were able to draft twice in the first round since they were unable to come to terms with their first round pick last season, Lucas Lessio. The IceDogs quickly addressed their backend by selecting Toronto Young Nats teammates Jesse Graham and Luke Mercer with the sixth and eighth picks respectively. They had two second round picks and wisely selected Billy Jenkins, a top prospect out of the Ottawa area and followed that pick up with Joel Wigle, a true power forward from the Brantford 99'ers minor midget program. McKeen's Director of Scouting, David Burstyn, features these prospects.

Jesse Graham (2012), D, Niagara

Graham was the first defenseman chosen in the draft largely in part to the manner in which he can control a game. His game mirrors that of a young T.J. Brodie, however he is physically under developed. At 5-foot-11 and 145 pounds, he needs to add mass to his frame but his father possesses good size so the thought is that Graham will too. Graham has superior offensive skills, as he can launch an attack, make a great outlet pass and QB a PP. He is very subtle on the offensive side of the puck and makes chip plays that lead to offence. He uses the boards to make passes, draws guys to him and rarely, if ever gets hit. Graham is also positionally sound on the defensive side of the puck. He has some grit to his game and even though he can't dislodge players from the puck he has a Nick Lidstrom-type-approach to winning board battles with his stick preparation and patience. Graham might struggle early in this rookie season unless he can add some weight to his body. The smaller dimensions of his home rink also don't do him any favours. Nonetheless, Graham is an elite athlete who thrived in every situation this year.

Luke Mercer (2012), D, Niagara

Mercer missed the bulk of the GTHL finals and the OHL Cup after sustaining a torn ACL on his knee. Mercer is a dependable defenseman who marries both offensive and defensive elements to his game. He is very calm with the puck and can generate offence, as he had 60 points in 72 games. Mercer never sacrifices his position in favour of chasing down offensive opportunities, as he is reserved and plays a mature game. He is a good skater in all directions and stays with his man due to his lateral quickness. He played in all situations this season, as he was a regular on the PK and PP. Mercer's injury will cost him the majority of his off-season so his conditioning might not be up to par when the season starts.

Billy Jenkins (2012), C, Niagara

Jenkins quietly put together a solid offensive season, as he is the type of player that does not need more than one chance to finish. Jenkins is not a dynamic skater but he can score and does it often. He is not overly big at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, but he is very smart and anticipates quickly in the offensive zone. He operates at a methodical pace but then displays a sudden burst of speed to separate himself from players in tight quarters. Jenkins plays a good two-way game, as he marks his man in the defensive zone. He is the type of player that will play in a third or fourth line capacity next season before making the jump into the top six in two years. He has the potential to carry a line. Jenkins needs to work on his speed and get bigger to survive in the OHL.

Joel Wigle (2012), RW, Niagara

One of the most physically developed players available for this draft (6-2, 180), Wigle is a true power forward. Wigle should do well in the small confines of the Gatorade Centre, as he is used to playing on smaller ice surfaces as he did at the Gretzky Centre in Brantford. He did a great job of improving his game throughout the year and played to his potential by the end of the season. He had a formidable regular season, despite not having the depth on centre to help bring out his offensive abilities. Wigle has a great shot which explodes off his stick but he needs to be more accurate. He uses his body down low to check guys off the puck and competes in all areas of the ice. He was an assistant captain and led by example with his spirited play. There were times this season that Wigle was the only player to show up for the 99'ers. Wigle will be in tough to make the club this year unless the IceDogs decided to card four 1994-born players.