OHL Report: Oshawa Generals

The Oshawa Generals are once again contending in the East thanks to a solid nucleus of young players acquired in the off-season. Lucas Lessio who de-committed from Michigan and first round Import selection Nicklas Jensen have formed a dynamic duo and are paying immediate dividends. Second year forward Boone Jenner is looking to build on a successful rookie campaign and is centring the first line. Mckeen's Director of Scouting, David Burstyn looks at these players along with a handful of draft eligible defensemen and OHL first round selection Scott Laughton.

Boone Jenner (2011), C, Oshawa

Jenner has already participated in two International tournaments capturing silver at the U17 and most recently a gold at the Hlinka .. in both tournaments he wore a letter, as he is a true leader on and off the ice .. a character player who works hard and competes .. has a sturdy frame and is exceptionally strong and balanced on his skates .. gutsy warrior with a highly tuned competitive streak .. not naturally aggressive but he battles and never gives up on plays .. exhibits great intuition and poise, able to read the game without losing his connection to the puck .. lacks blistering speed but he is a capable skater with improving lateral agility and quickness .. has uncanny ability to get within the goal and get shots on net .. his hands are super quick and he can make a series of moves in small/tight quarters .. consistently finds options with his passes, as he has a heightened offensive game .. smart on the cycle and using his size down low to angle off players and gain positional advantage on them .. Jenner plays with sandpaper and has the requisite skill to survive at the NHL level .. he can play up or down in a lineup, as he has versatility .. his game mirrors that of a young Mike Richards.

Nicklas Jensen (2011), RW, Oshawa

The 8th overall pick in the Import draft has immediately contributed averaging a point a game through the first 10 games of the season while playing a regular shift on the second line .. was unable to make an impact on this game against Saginaw, as he left the game for the better part of the second and third period .. a slick skater, with good balance but not an abundance of speed, as he operates on only one level of speed .. good puck skills, he can handle the puck and is shifty with it .. accelerates quicker when he has the puck on his blade .. lurks in the weeds, waiting for an opportunity to pounce on a loose puck .. has good size but does not use it to physically impose players off the puck .. does not dig in the trenches or operate in the danger zones .. lacks upper body strength, as he is rail thin at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds .. Jensen is adjusting to the pace of the league and shows promise.

Lucas Lessio (2011), LW, Oshawa

Lessio's game relies on speed and creativity, however at times, his decision making with the puck is cause for concern .. extremely agile, shifty and quick on his skates .. he can change directions effortlessly and explode up the ice .. Lessio managed to put on some weight in the off-season and attempts to play a spirited game but he usually bounces off players he tries to hit .. he can also be intimidated in the corners if bigger defenders play him tough, he will throw away the puck .. constantly in motion, Lessio's game would benefit from slowing down to evaluate his options .. while he can hit his linemates with precision passes, he often over skates options and at times, plays in a capsule .. he sparks to life when the puck crosses the redline but defensively, he tends to watch plays and does not move his feet .. Lessio has many qualities to his game but can be invisible for long stretches and seems to get discouraged when the game is out of reach.

Kyle Hope (2011), D, Oshawa

Hope played in 41 games last season albeit in a very limited role .. this year he returns to a defensive corps that returns six defensemen (including himself) and finds himself once again on the outside looking in .. a swift and agile skater, he moves well in all directions .. plays a tentative game due to his lack of shifts and generally looks uncomfortable in all areas of the ice .. has not developed his puck skills, a trait that saw him get drafted in the third round .. pinches inappropriately and looses his position, as he gets caught flat footed .. Hope needs to play and may be a trading piece for a surging Oshawa team that may make a run for it.

Colin Suellentrop (2011), D, Oshawa

Played a minor role on the Hlinka team, employed as more of a shut down defender .. finished last year with the worst plus/minus amongst first year defenders .. not much skill in terms of skill with the puck or as a skater .. he does play a physical game and does not hesitate to fight or lay the body .. he contains players down low, as he is very simple in his defensive game .. he blocks shots and sees PK time .. Suellentrop is a good depth player at this level but does not bring a dynamic skill set to the table.

Scott Laughton (2012), C, Oshawa

The third overall pick has made rapid adjustments to the league, playing on the second line, seeing PP time, producing points and playing with some grit .. not an explosive skater, he does a good job of sacrificing his body and competing .. makes the simple, effective play .. does not over handle the puck, he makes quick passes and then moves his feet .. will fight to get his team back into a game .. works hard defensively, as he habitually comes back .. Laughton embodies many leadership qualities as he wore a letter all throughout minor hockey with a powerhouse Marlies team.