OHL: Sault Greyhounds, Hartsburg Heroes

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds have quietly flown under the radar this season in the competitive Western division, where they have accumulated respectable point totals. Led by WJC gold medal winning coach Craig Hartsburg, the Dogs play a disciplined style of hockey and are very patient in terms of creating and burying their chances. McKeen's was on hand for a recent game featuring the Greyhounds and files these notes.

Dustin Jeffrey (2007), C, Sault Ste. Marie

Passed over in last year's draft, the Sarnia born native put on over 20 pounds in the off- season and has been scoring at an alarming rate this season as a direct result .. has increased his point totals by well over 50 and doubled his goal scoring totals from last year .. commands so much room on the ice as he now stands at 6-feet and 210 pounds .. has learned to use his size down low and work the corners of the ice .. is very slow in open-ice situations so when he can engage in a physical battle along the boards it works to his advantage .. skating really holds him back as he is more of an up-and-down skater who is rigid in his pivots and struggles to stop .. has very limited reverse movement and disguises it by trying to skate forward .. skating aside, he can put the puck in the net with lethal hands, especially in close.. with greater emphasis placed on skating it is very doubtful that Jeffrey will be drafted this year.

Matthew Lyall (2007), C, Sault Ste. Marie

Development has not been as quick as Lyall would have liked .. small and lanky he was unable to put on any weight in the off-season, which may be a direct result of his previous medical condition (autoimmune disorder), .. is very crafty, has slick hands, and moves around effortlessly with the puck .. skates well, his side-to-side movement is sensational with good pick up speed that allows him to force defenders to the outside .. a diminutive stature does not allow him to drive or go hard to the net .. a healthy offensive candidate on this team who will give the Greyhounds some depth at playoff time.

Cody Thornton (FA), C, Sault Ste. Marie

One of the better overage players this year as the Hounds captain brings intensity and a productive scoring touch .. smart player who understands where to go and creates with his vision .. slight build but plays much bigger than his size as he often launches his body and initiates physical contact .. good skater, he has quick feet and a short compact stride .. has a good shot but it could be harder .. displayed a good work ethic and played with intensity, however needs to show that on a more consistent basis.

Jiri Tlusty (Tor), LW, Sault Ste. Marie

After starting the season with the Leafs and then the Marlies, Toronto management thought his development would best be served under the tutelage of coach Hartsburg .. has played well but does not dominate as he should .. very smart player who is always around the puck and can make plays .. does not take over games with his skill set, as he seems to be playing to the pace of the league .. his vision creates many opportunities for his teammates as he draws respect around the league for fear of his shot .. at times, he gets careless with the puck and needs to be more firm in his decision-making and avoid cute plays .. ok speed, the length of his stride is what helps him get around .. should compete for a roster spot in the AHL next season.

Brandon MacLean (2007), LW, Sault Ste. Marie

Has elevated his game this season lining up on the top-two lines and receives plenty of icetime .. a hard-working winger who cycles the puck extremely well and shows no fear in driving the net .. has good hand/eye coordination in front, as he was able to bat down many loose pucks, settle them down and create .. very hard to dislodge from the puck but is not overly skilled carrying it .. his up-ice forays benefit his game since his body can stay in motion as he doesn't really have any break away speed, and is a tad choppy in his stride .. gets frustrated when plays fail to develop or when he makes a mistake and he needs to harness that energy in making a positive change on the ice.

Chris MacKinnon (2007), LW, Sault Ste. Marie

Tenth-round selection in 2005 has earned a spot on this team .. super quick with great change of direction, he gives any line an added dimension .. has superb balance and strength that compliments his foot speed and agility .. anticipation and hockey sense are at a premium and often plays on the top-two lines, a good indication as to what coach Hartsburg thinks of his play .. has good puck skills but holds onto the puck too long and should shoot more and be more selfish .. shows courage in throwing his weight around and while he does not always initiate it, he can take it with his favourable strength and balance.

David Kuchejda (Chi), RW, Sault Ste. Marie

The Czech native was selected in the first round of the Import Draft in 2005 .. is very reckless in his play and would sooner go through someone than around them .. his confidence and ability to perform in this league has added to his offensive game .. good speed up ice but his balance could be improved .. his shot is his best weapon as there are times his vision comes into question .. is effective within 20 feet of the net and since he is a left shooting right-winger, he is effective on both sides .. takes the abuse associated with standing in front of the goal .. his game is particularly strong in traffic and in the corners as an intimidating style of play opens up more room .. for the type of physical game he plays, he is disciplined in his approach playing well within the limits of the game and is not dirty by any means .. a pest who has decent hands is always dangerous in the playoffs so look for coach Hartsburg to employ his services often.

Andrew Campbell (2007), D, Sault Ste. Marie

The Caledonia native (281st in the 2004 draft) brings good size and a healthy stay-at-home presence on the back end .. has already improved on his career offensive totals despite rare PP time .. still shows signs of being raw by not committing himself to a play and at times is too passive .. needs to move to the play not the other way around .. despite his strength and size, he still looses some key battles along the wall .. has a good frame to work with so these holes can be overcome by adding some increased strength and learning to move his feet quicker; something he needs to be reminded of .. has a good feel for the game and his offensive skills are slowly maturing .. while it is doubtful he will run the PP on the first unit, he may see time on the second unit as early as next season.

Michael Quesnele (2007), D, Sault Ste. Marie

The Sault Ste. Marie Ontario born defenseman did not have to go far to play Major Junior A .. more of an offensive defenseman he has registered healthy point totals this season and is flirting with double-digit goal totals because of his accurate point shot .. has decent feet and can accelerate with the puck on his stick .. has decent vision and tries to play within the confines of the Greyhounds game plan by making the simple play and not being caught up ice .. is not the best defensively as gapping skills are poor and he needs to make adjustments faster when positioning himself between the shooter and the net .. gives forwards too much time and space and has not been able to recognize whom he can force off the puck and whom he needs to respect .. is likely to take a bad penalty at times because he gets lazy or cannot keep up .. should mature into an offensive option for this rebuilding defence.

Josh Godfrey (FA), D, Sault Ste. Marie

It is amazing what ten pounds and a little bit of confidence can do .. acquired last season in a trade with the Guelph Storm, Godfrey is tied for the goal lead (23) amongst defenders and fourth in overall defenseman scoring (56) .. registers many of his goals via the PP as his shot manages to get through .. it is not blistering but it is deadly accurate, being able to hit the top corners, and with a healthy cast of forwards crowding the net it only helps matters .. is showing considerably stronger puck skills and that is a direct result of being thrust into the role of a number one defender .. is an ok skater, not blinding, but moves well and with his head always up he can make a good pass out of all three zones .. while his passing skills are good at this level he will still need to have more zip and accuracy to be that much more effective .. has good hand/eye coordination and is able to bat down many pucks and rid the zone .. has emerged as a top candidate for the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL's most outstanding defenceman.