OHL Report: Nail Yakupov, Ebert and Vail

Currently ranked first and tenth overall respectively in our NHL Draft Rankings for 2012, McKeen's has notes on Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting and Nick Ebert from the Windsor Spitfires. We also have notes on Ebert's teammate Brady Vail, who is developing into a well-rounded forward.

Nail Yakupov (2012), RW, Sarnia

Maintains a wide stance and a powerful stride .. quick first steps used to gain top speed .. keeps a very low centre of gravity .. great lateral movement used to create time and space .. will often burn defenders on the outside while breaking into the attacking zone .. uses acceleration gear to pull away from the opposition .. made ill-timed line changes .. average vision on the powerplay and makes questionable passes .. lack of effort in defensive zone often leads to turnovers .. has the ability to make clean cross-ice passes while on his off wing .. loves to lose defenders with a toe drag .. boasts a fast wristshot on a very quick release and is dangerous with a low hard slapper .. thrives on crushing opponents along the boards with neutralizing hits .. core strength allows flexibility .. can be guilty of standing still in the offensive zone instead of moving to a support position .. Yakupov is a player with game-breaking ability but will deserve the ire of coaches for his faults.

Nick Ebert (2012), D, Windsor

Ebert is an agile skater .. average first-step quickness .. about fives steps to full stride then good leg extension when in full flight .. effective edgework used to carry the puck while eluding forecheckers on the outside .. could offer better support to defense partner in defensive zone .. makes well-timed pinches and also backs off questionable ones .. maintains effective gap control .. at times, Ebert chooses to pinch straight down the middle .. makes deep pinches on the powerplay .. sees the ice well on the powerplay .. could improve body positioning to battle along the boards more effectively, but will still come away with his share of pucks from scrums along the boards .. throws penalty killers off stride with an accurate slap pass to the faceoff dot from the blueline .. Ebert will quietly do his job in the defensive zone while creating offence for his team.

Brady Vail (2012), LW, Windsor

Vail possesses nice first-step quickness .. sees the ice very well in the offensive zone .. excellent defensive instincts, which often lead to odd-man rushes for the Spitfires .. will fire a quick and hard wristshot while streaking down the wing .. protects the puck well .. always maintains an active stick in both zones .. will see a lot of penalty-kill time .. persistent forechecker .. stick checks very effectively in his own zone .. goes to the front of net with or without the puck .. quick to the front of the net looking for rebounds and is often the first one there .. Vail has a good combination of size, speed, offensive and defensive aptitude, and determination .. the type of player that could be thrown on the ice in any situation.