OHL Priority Selection: Sault Ste. Marie

The last time the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds selected first overall, they chose Eric Lindros. Twenty years later, they selected Daniel Catenacci, a star forward from the York Simcoe Express. Lacking firepower up front, the Greyhounds addressed their scoring woes by selecting four forwards with their first four picks. Nick Cousins, the first pick of the second round and Justin Thomas, the first pick of the fourth round have strong chances of making the team. Depth picks such as Paul Orlando and Matthew Fuller could surprise by cracking the roster but need a few more years of grooming before that should happen. McKeen's profiles these five players.

Daniel Catenacci (2011), C, Sault Ste. Marie

OHL scouts that were fortunate enough to see Daniel Catenacci play were blown away by his speed, quick release and uncompromising compete level. The problem was that Catenacci was injured so often during the course of the year with a multitude of ailments, that many scouts rarely saw him play. He missed countless games - only suiting up for 39 regular season games, nonetheless he ignited the score sheet with 42 goals and 45 assists for 87 points. Catenacci does everything at top speed and literally freezes the opposition when he has the puck. His first two steps vault him deep into the offensive zone, as he has a nice, long, thick stride, despite being undersized (5-9, 165). Despite his diminutive stature, he is an incredibly fierce competitor that drives hard to the net and shows little fear in engaging in the danger zones. This lack of self-preservation resulted in many injuries and even though it is viewed as a strong aspect to his game, he will need to be more conscious of protecting himself. At times, Catenacci will try to put a circle into a square, as he forced things too much offensively. He needs to develop a little bit more patience at the OHL level and understand when to apply pressure and when to hang back. His penchant for blowing by players and going through them rather than around them works in his favour but at higher level of competition it could also be a detriment, as he could be an easy target. Catenacci plays a game similar to Derek Roy, as he is a slick puckhandler capable of both burying a shot or feathering a pass, has great wheels and has a physical mean streak in him. He should be able to step into the Greyhounds system and succeed, however his brittleness has to be a concern at this point.

Nick Cousins (2011), C, Sault Ste. Marie

If the OMHA issued a most valuable player award it would have undoubtedly gone to Nick Cousins. The contributions he made on the score sheet and away from the puck were unrivalled by his peers. Cousins exploded with 72 goals in 71 regular season and tournament games. He was an absolute wrecking ball on the ice, hitting and sticking guys and always getting his nose dirty. Cousins fell out of the top round due to his behaviour off ice, as there were plenty of rumours surrounding his character. Nonetheless, his high skill set and sheer ability to score was too good for the Greyhounds to pass up, as only Matthew Peumpel (Peterborough 5th overall) scored more goals than him amongst draft-eligible forwards. Cousins took his game to another level in the playoffs, as he led his Quinte Red Devils to an OMHA Championship. He continued his strong postseason play by leading the OHL Cup in points (6-5-8-13) and advancing to the semifinals before losing a heart-breaking game to Elgin Middlesex. Cousins led by example and never gave up on a play, always hustling to get back to be a part of it. His skating is good but it is his balance and strength on his skates that sets him apart, as he simply could not be knocked off it or pried away from the puck. He is actually faster with the puck on his blade than he is without it. Cousins has many layers to his game and plays a very similar game to Chris Terry. There were concerns about Terry's off-ice behaviour as well, however as the winner of the first Mickey Renaud award, Terry is now being praised for his leadership skills. The Greyhounds are hoping for a similar fate with Cousins.

Justin Thomas (2011), LW, Sault Ste. Marie

Thomas was a star player for the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs but decided to abandon his team in pursuit of an opportunity to play in the GTHL for his OHL draft year. The move cost him valuable playing time, as he missed the first month and a half of the season waiting for his papers to clear so he could suit up for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Thomas has great size (6-2, 205), but does not always compete away from the puck, as he can be downright lazy. He struggles out of the blocks due to his skating and his game is based on straight lines. He will also take wide circles to exit the zone, as he is an opportunistic scorer who will sacrifice positioning for a limited scoring chance. His game is littered with mistakes defensively. He does however, have soft supple hands in close, as he can make a series of moves in tight spaces and buries his chances with moderate success. He scored 66 points in 57 games. He was a virtual non-factor in the Canadiens opening round playoff loss to the Vaughn Kings but to his credit he did have a strong GTHL Under 17 evaluation camp. Thomas has to work on many aspects of his game but his size may be too hard for the Greyhounds to ignore and they should be able to squeeze him onto the roster in two seasons.

Paul Orlando (2011), G, Sault Ste. Marie

The accolades piled up for Orlando, as he captured Top Goalie honours and a berth on the First All-Star team in the Great North Midget League as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie North Stars. Orlando was a key member of the Stars and contributed largely to their success. He split duties in the playoffs, as the Stars advanced to the OHL Cup, capturing the GNML Championship in the process. Orlando is remarkably calm and composed in his net. His patience and athleticism are his strong attributes. He will out wait a shooter and force them to commit first. Orlando was spectacular in the OHL Cup, going 1-1 but tied the Marlies in an epic performance where he was doubled up in shots. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, he should get an audition with the Thunderbirds (NOJHL), which should aid in his overall development. Due to the proximity to the Greyhounds, he may get an opportunity to practise with the team, which should help prepare him for next season. The imminent trade of Cody St. Jacques could also open the door for Orlando sooner than expected.

Matthew Fuller (2011), D, Sault Ste. Marie

Fuller was an integral part of the success of the London Jr. Knights. Neither flashy nor offensively gifted, he plays well within his role and is considered more of a match up player. Undersized (5-11, 150), Fuller is a mobile skater with good on-ice awareness. At times, he could disappear into the scenery and failed to establish himself as a factor in game situations. Nonetheless, he did prove to be a useful option and his puck skills did improve throughout the season. He relies on his angles to defend but he will need to improve on his physical makeup, as he will be put into the position of a defensive defenseman. It will be a long uphill battle, but he could surprise.