Sarnia may feel a Sting

The Sarnia Sting has their work cut out for themselves this season. Graduation took a toll on them as did the off-season trade of Gregg Sutch (11th overall/2008) to Mississauga. The move enabled them to get additional roster players and valuable draft picks. Nonetheless, it has left a scoring void that the Sting will need address at the draft table. The Sting is in rebuilding mode, as the roster has seen the insertion of three 1993-born players and six other rookies.

McKeen's Director of Scouting David Burstyn, looks at several rookies that should help propel the Sting back to respectability.

Craig Hottot (2010), RW, Sarnia

The Sarnia native was the team's third round pick after going undrafted in the 2008 OHL draft .. played his minor hockey with the Notre Dame Hounds and was largely overlooked due to limited exposure .. gained instant notoriety last season as a member of the Sarnia Legionnaires, scoring 20-plus goals en route to the Sutherland Cup round robin finals .. a jerky skater whose shiftiness and unpredictability make him an enigma .. he needs to engage in a game early to be a part of it .. a pesky winger, he likes to hit despite his relatively small size .. has ok puckhandling skills but his game is based more around him getting into scoring lanes and causing a disturbance down low .. not the strongest of skaters, he excels in a short game but can get lost in the neutral and defensive zone .. adjusting to the OHL size and pace slowly and still seeing ice on the fourth line.

Brandon Alderson (2010), RW, Sarnia

Sarnia's sixth round pick in 2008 put together a fine season as a member of the Oakville Midgets posting 52-26-27-53 totals .. was one win away from representing the Blades at the TELUS Cup as they fell to the Hamilton Reps .. a tall upright skater whose lower body strength is still not developed .. his skating hinders him from joining the rush at all times but to his credit he does keep his feet pumping and competes .. speed and pace of the game can overwhelm him at times and as such, he becomes part of the scenery .. strong player who will hit but his balance needs to be worked on as he falls down far too much for a player of his size (6-4, 185) .. has slick hands in front and can finish his chances when they present themselves .. like most young players on this team, the adjustment will be gradual but Alderson does have a good frame from which to draw upon.

JC Campagna (2011), LW, Sarnia

Originally drafted by Chicago of the USHL (11th overall), Campagna decided to join the OHL after a sensational season with the Ohio Midget program where he scored a point a game .. a swift and effortless skater, he has no stride but literally floats on the ice .. due to his unique skating stride it is remarkable how he can achieve healthy levels of speed and acceleration .. Campagna tries to do too much and needs to learn that simple is better .. he will put himself into poor defensive situations trying to look for offence .. his game is littered with mistakes, as he learns the ropes of the OHL .. however, he does have great natural abilities and finishing skills .. he has a great wristshot and can get it up in an instant .. he also needs to compete on a nightly basis in traffic .. he has a good frame and should physically mature .. plays too much in a bubble and needs to shake the prima donna style to his game.

Brandon Francisco (2011), LW, Sarnia

Francisco decided to forgo his verbal commitment to Ohio State and join the Sarnia Sting .. an offensive juggernaut last season as a member of the York Simcoe Express scoring 38 goals and notching 77 points in 49 games.. a slick playmaker whose hand and puck skills are elite, that is when he touches the puck .. a knock-kneed skater who accelerates quickly and stays low to the ice .. he has a squat down technique which allows him to survey the ice and make better passes .. good faceoff technique and should be playing centre due to his creativity .. not a factor at this stage of his OHL career but the cream tends to rise to the top and if he can stay motivated he should be able to blossom into a regular point producer.

Brett Ritchie (2011), RW, Sarnia

A member of the OHL Cup winning Toronto Marlies, Ritchie (team's first round selection in 2009) is already one of the Sting's biggest players at 6-foot-3 and190 pounds .. has been playing in every situation including PP and PK in an attempt to accelerate his development .. he is a tall and physically mature player who will engage down low and try to open up room for himself .. still unsure of his physical involvement, however signs indicate that he will understand how to use his size better .. is still learning how to position himself along the boards/wall and only experience and confidence will help in that regard .. is aware of his time and space and does not hold onto the puck too long .. makes strong centring feeds and creates offensively with his size and ability to make short crisp passes into the slot .. should develop into a nice power forward capable of scoring 25-plus goals as early as next season.