OHL: Werek-ing Back to Respectability

The Kingston Frontenacs sit in last place in the OHL with long time NHLer and native of Kingston, Doug Gilmour assuming the coaching responsibilities this season. There are many trouble spots on this roster however, young players such as Erik Gudbranson and Ethan Werek have helped forge an identity for the team and are two great building blocks to restore the Fronts back to respectability. McKeen's looks at a handful of prospects on the Frontenacs roster.

Ethan Werek (2009), C, Kingston

Werek has established himself as probably the most well-rounded player on this team .. after a slow start to the season, Werek has been scoring at will with 11 goals in his last 18 games .. the smartest player on the team, Werek's development was stunted slightly after opting to play a year with Stoufville in the OPJHL but appears to be well on track now with the pace of the OHL .. a swift skating, cerebral centre who has a strong presence in the offensive zone .. great selection of shots, including a snap and wristshot that can beat goalies in close or from just above the faceoff dot .. his stickhandling moves are very limited and basic .. he does not beat defenders with flashy one-on-one moves, he tries to slide the puck behind them and beat them in the dump and chase .. he has decent speed and can beat defenders to the outside .. healthy work ethic and has already been named an assistant captain .. he will go to the net and look for rebounds and stays there until pestered .. the fact that he willingly goes to the net for rebounds and chances is encouraging .. more of a finesse player than a physical one, Werek is still growing into his body .. his game has improved leaps and bounds which is a very positive sign amongst the NHL scouting fraternity .. currently ranked 26th overall on McKeen's Preliminary rankings.

Colt Kennedy (2009), RW, Kingston

Acquired in a block buster deal that saw former Kingston first round selection and Anaheim Ducks 2008 third round pick (71st overall) Josh Brittain head to Barrie .. Kennedy is already situated on the first line with Kang and Moon .. he has the skill set and natural ability to play with them and not look out of place .. he uses his speed advantageously but his lack of courage and overall physical strength does not allow him to exploit his openings .. he simply cannot handle himself in traffic and is void of any type of physical contact whatsoever .. he pulls up on hits and will not defend himself if targeted .. nice package of speed and skill but it is simply not enough.

Mitch Lebar (2009), RW, Kingston

Another player acquired from Barrie in exchange for Brittain, Lebar is a highly skilled offensive player but refuses to put forth the energy and effort required being a regular on the score sheet .. he simply does not work hard enough away from the puck .. his skating is good, as he is equipped with a lively first step and can pounce on loose pucks as a result .. makes plays on the half boards but lacks strength to engage fully and as a result, he needs to hurry his plays .. instinctively knows where to go in the offensive zone, as he has a nose for the net .. Lebar should become a good OHL player within time, capable of scoring goals and putting up points, however he will frustrate the coaching staff with his aloof style of play.

Taylor Doherty (2009), D, Kingston

Doherty continues to struggle this season as all eyes are on him to perform and live up to a successful debut campaign that saw him finish second in team defenseman scoring .. he continues to keep his game simple but his lack of skating, ability to make a successful first pass and generate any type of offence has become more apparent this season .. he has a long, thick stride but takes far too many steps in his first two steps .. for as physical as he is, he is very weak on his stick down low, as his anticipation is off and he tends to react after a play .. does not dictate the pace of the game, rather follows it .. decent composure in the defensive zone as far as holding the line and not bolting up the ice in search of offensive opportunities .. uses his reach effectively but his lateral movement and overall agility needs to improve .. Doherty's stock continues to drop as quickly as his team in the standings .. he desperately needs to add some offensive numbers to his game even if that is not what he is regarded for.

Nathan Moon (Pit), C, Kingston

After leading his team in scoring, Moon continues to shine offensively this season, averaging more than a point a game through 30 games .. Moon has such a dazzling array of hand skills and moves that he makes defenders look foolish .. he has moves that would make Play Station jealous .. he still tries to force things and makes cross-ice passes that change the complexion of the shift and usually results in a scoring chance the other way .. coupled with his complete disinterest away from the puck, this explains his atrocious plus/minus rating .. not the most picturesque of skaters, he has a limited stride and little to no explosiveness .. he takes lazy penalties because he is not able to keep up .. offensively, he will go to the net and scores many of his goals from in close .. he is not overly strong or assertive in any area of the ice .. Moon has already showed signs of missing Brittain, as Kang plays an immature game and Kennedy is simply not ready.

Erik Gudbranson (2010), D, Kingston

Gudbranson is enjoying a strong rookie season despite being thrust into a losing environment .. was recently named team captain, as coach Gilmour is rotating the responsibility .. he has drawn comparisons to a young Chris Pronger as he has size, physical toughness and an offensive dimension to his game that has yet to be developed .. he still needs to be quicker with his decision making in the defensive zone .. he can also lose his man in defensive assignments but due to his skating and size, he is usually able to stay within a safe distance of them and at the very least slow them down with his reach .. with the puck he can play under pressure .. his puck skills belly his age, as he shows remarkable poise .. should log ample minutes for the Team Ontario Under 17 team and be the go-to-guy, as he is capable of defending and spear heading offensive rushes .. the change of scenery should help to renew his confidence as Kingston continues to rebuild.