OHL Report: Windsor Spitfires

After winning back-to-back Memorial Cups, the Windsor Spitfires lost several key players to NHL club teams. While Taylor Hall, Adam Henrique and Cam Fowler cannot be replaced, Spitfires management has done a good job of plugging the holes with some exceptional young talent. Alex Khokhlachev and Nick Ebert are definite building blocks while Craig Duininck and Eric Locke give the team depth at the defenseman and forward position. Mckeen's Director of Scouting, David Burstyn, profiles these four players.

Alexander Khokhlachev (2011), C, Windsor

A highly touted Russian-born prospect, Khokhlachev has had little difficulty adjusting to the pace of the OHL, as he is leading scorer on the Spitfires, centres the first line and sees ample PP time .. a slick, highly imaginative centre whose offensive skills, in particular his passing and acute hockey sense separates him from most prospects .. he operates a step ahead in the offensive zone, capable of making behind-the-back passes that most players would not even think of attempting .. savvy and determined, he tries to make something happen every shift .. he is not overly fast but extremely shifty especially in tight, which makes him difficult to check .. he shows a quick burst of speed to converge on loose pucks or cut to the middle of the ice .. his keen sense of anticipation helps offset his lack of speed .. poised in traffic and well-balanced allows him to stay in danger areas longer than his size permits .. not overly adept along the boards, he needs to play with a grinding winger and is positioned on a regular PP shift with Kassian to further help bring out his skill set .. more of a playmaker, he does an excellent job of not telegraphing his passes but can just as easily roof a shot up stairs .. very elusive, he is able to slip away from coverage and then re-appear in a prime scoring position .. shows a defensive conscious, comes back and tries to pick up his man deep in the zone .. Khokhlachev brings a dimension that is unrivalled by his peers, he may have one of the better offensive skill sets available in this year's draft .. his game mirrors that of a young Ray Whitney.

Eric Locke (2012), C, W, Windsor

The sum of his parts, Locke a 13th round selection meshes well with any set of linemates due to his strong, committed work ethic .. neither fast nor overly skilled, Locke adapts well due to his hockey sense and his attention to detail .. shows plausible puck skills in his rushes up the ice and always gets his shots on goal .. he does show some patience and poise with the puck too .. not overly big, he competes along the boards and at the very least, slows the opposition down a tad for his more-talented linemates to become involved in the play .. quick stick for intercepting passes .. versatile and can play in all situations .. Locke is undersized at the NHL level nor does he have the requisite skills to be a difference maker by NHL standards, however he is a good utility player who should be able to post good numbers due to his linemates.

Craig Duininck (2011), D, Windsor

Duininck plays a safe, yet unspectacular game, as he is calm and consistent in the defensive zone .. he blocks shots, sacrifices his body, and takes a hit to advance a play .. he reads plays well defensively, using his intelligence to take away passing lanes and forcing attackers to the boards .. modestly put together (6-0, 200), at times, he struggles with bigger players along the boards, as he is not strong enough to lean on players and force them off the puck .. he is not naturally aggressive but he has fought when he needs too .. a decent straight-ahead skater with limited lateral quickness which effects his gap control .. makes simple plays with the puck, as he rarely ventures past the blueline with the puck .. Duininck could be a good depth option on a backend of an NHL team and be a late pick in the draft.

Nick Ebert (2012), D, Windsor

An off-season blockbuster trade with Mississauga saw the highly touted Nick Ebert don the Spitfires jersey .. Ebert enjoyed a fine season in the USHL (Waterloo) as an underager, seeing a regular shift and scoring PP points as well .. the Spitfires coaching staff has full confidence in him and he sees icetime in all situations but he has been extremely effective on the PP .. more of a puck rusher than a passer at this point, his first passes were unsuccessful, as he appeared nervous making a play when pressured .. at his best when he jumps into the rush as a fourth forward and scored a beautiful breakaway goal with a timely placed wristshot on the inside of the crossbar .. in the offensive zone, Ebert knows where to be and makes things happen .. he gets his shots on goal and boasts a good, low slapshot, which he rifles off the pass .. he has quality hand skills and is not afraid to make an extra move deep in the zone .. Ebert is not physical by any stretch .. his fluid skating keeps him involved in the play and his active stick tries to break up any plays .. he is smart in his defensive reads and does not put himself in uncompromising positions .. Ebert has all the tools to be a premier offensive defenseman in the OHL and become a highly coveted NHL pick next season.