OHL: Young Barrie Colts

McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn looks at a few draft-eligible prospects from the Barrie Colts in Mitch Lebar, Kyle Clifford and Alex Hutchings who was recently listed as the OHL's 22nd ranked prospect by Central Scouting. Michael Sgarbossa and Ryan O'Connor are also featured and are already making noise for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Alex Hutchings (2009), RW, Barrie

Enjoyed a breakout campaign with 29 goals last season and is averaging a point a game through the first 20 games as the first line RW this year .. his game is based solely on his speed and shot, however they are rather complementary .. he works hard in all situations, which also attributes to his scoring prowess .. tries to out work the opposition on every shift, as his speed and grittiness will cause turnovers .. he has a good understanding of the game but needs to physically assert himself .. makes quick passes and goes to the open areas of the ice .. his anticipation helps him to play well without the puck .. looks rather unspectacular, but is a good skater who is equipped with one-step quickness and is able to dart in and out of scoring areas .. surprisingly, he has not produced many points on the PP despite his penchant for attacking the sideboards and driving to the net .. draws comparisons to a poor man's Doug Gilmour, as he plays a scrappy, dogged-style-of-game and shares the same physical dimensions (5-10, 165), however his offensive game is not as polished.

Mitch Lebar (2009), C, Barrie

Is being put in a better position to score this season, as he is the second line centre, however he has been on the ice for more against than for .. his attention to detail in the defensive zone is alarming, as his last several games have seen him do nothing offensively but add to his paltry plus/minus totals .. he is an ok skater but only has one gear and is unable to separate himself from the pack .. it has affected his game, as he needs time and space to manufacture offence .. needs to get stronger, as he is very slim and gets pushed off the puck in the corners with swift regularity .. decent transition game, as he can breakout and create offensively off the rush .. is more of a finisher but does not drive the net with gumption and tends to play more on the perimeter .. his shot is merely average at this point because of his strength .. has the potential to be a game breaker but does not understand what needs to be done on a consistent basis .. might be drafted but is looking like a long shot at this point .. could be a player who develops better next season.

Kyle Clifford (2009), LW, Barrie

The ultimate role player at this level, the Colts coaching staff have rewarded him with plenty of icetime even in PP situations on account of his work ethic and honest, yet physically imposing style of play .. not to be confused with a goal scorer, as his hand skills simply are not there .. he will however charge the net and is near impossible to move in front .. he is able to coral loose pucks along the boards with effectiveness and make plays .. controlled and balanced on his skates, coupled with his muscular frame, he tends to win many loose puck battles .. he is swift and agile on his skates and able to absorb many hits and not lose stride .. Clifford fills a role and is a good pet project for a team picking in the later rounds .. a good player off the ice as well, as he exudes character and class.

Michael Sgarbossa (2010), C, Barrie

The surprise story of the OHL thus far, the 1992-born centre has assumed first line duties but surprisingly was left off the roster for Team Ontario's Under 17 program .. a swift and calculated player whose hockey sense and patience suit his aloof style of play .. looks as if he is not asserting much energy or going fast but he is always around or on the puck .. not a blinding skater, he appears to only have one gear but he is very economical in his approach to the game and does not exert more movement than he needs too .. has had no trouble adjusting to the physical aspect of the game and employs an almost Gretzky-like sleekness to him, as he is able to go unnoticed and more importantly does not get hit .. his passes open up seams for his teammates and are a main reason why Della Rovere has been so successful this season .. he makes players better with his skills .. inside the dot, his quick hands and slinky body allow him to generate strong offensive chances .. has been consistent away from the puck in terms of his efforts defensively .. needs to play with more of an edge, however his game is more of a finesse variety.

Ryan O'Connor (2010), D, Barrie

First round selection was added to help a woeful defence corps improve upon their offense .. he has a hard accurate shot with a quick release .. his shot is comparable to that of Ryan Ellis, however he needs to show more confidence in unleashing it .. will stand up to a challenge and is not afraid to stick up for his teammates .. he is not built overly well, more top heavy, as he has short legs .. he has average footwork and that will be an issue to address moving forward .. he is a good puck controller and handler and does a fair job of taking the play into the offensive zone, as his game is pure offense .. he is unable to tie his man in front .. still undecided as to when to pinch or fall back, as these are common mistakes for rookie defenders .. his gap control could also be tighter .. will be a key contributor for the Team Ontario Under 17 program, as he is the current points leader amongst 1992-born OHL defensemen.