Ryan Yessie's OHL Draft Sleepers

In lieu of Brock's great 10.. er.. 11 sleeper picks in the OHL, I have decided to throw together a list of 10 MORE excellent sleeper picks. Basically the method is if I already consider them a prospect for the 2010 draft, then they can't make this list. This looks like one of the best crops to come out of the OHL in years.. maybe ever. I can easily assemble a list of 50-60 players that could all be drafted this year.. so here's 10 more sleepers to add to your potential list of soon to be NHL prospects. This is in alphabetical order, not necessarily the order of talent.

Patrik Andersson - D - Kitchener Rangers
Info: Andersson has size at 6’2” but also is a smooth skater with good puck movement skills including an excellent first pass. Andersson comes over from Sweden and despite being a 19 year old rookie, may very well interest a lot of scouts by the end of the year.

Brandon Archibald - D - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Info: Archibald is a big 6’3” 200lb. Defenceman, and will get a lot of action on the blueline for the progressing SOO team. Physical but also is moving the puck well has opened the season with a 5 game point streak despite only putting up 8 assists all last year.

Jeff Braithwaite - D - Peterborough Petes
Info: Braithwaite is a reliable defenceman, who can move the puck well and is a decent skater.

Nathan Chiarlitti - D - Sarnia Sting
Info: I’m breaking my rules a little bit but although I consider him a prospect for this draft, he appears to be flying well under the radar for everyone else, which qualifies him as a sleeper. Chiarlitti has near ideal size at defense for a 17 year old. Chiarlitti scored the first goal of the season for Sarnia. He’s been playing a defensive stay at home style most of the time, and has excellent positioning, and patience beyond his years as well as good decision making under pressure. Chiarlitti has some untapped offensive skills that may be unleashed this year on a weak Sarnia blueline.

R.J. Mahalak - LW - Plymouth Whalers
Info: Mahalak is unliked by many outside the Plymouth fan base, but Mahalak shows the size and the skill of a potential prospect. Unsure going into this year if he’d have the points to go with the physical edge that would make him an intriguing prospect, Mahalak has started strong putting up 4 points in his first 4 games.

Petr Mrazek - G - Ottawa 67’s
Mrazek who was brought over from the Czech Republic apparently may have won the job from Chris Perugini in Ottawa. If this does indeed occur expect Mrazek to get a lot of attention from scouts.

Ben O’Quinn - C - Sarnia Sting
O’Quinn who was a 4th liner + PK specialist until midway though last season, didn’t produce enough to get drafted. So far he’s Sarnia’s leading scorer. Despite 3 losses O’Quinn contributed offensively in all 3 games. O’Quinn will be counted on both sides of the puck this year, and could legitimately be Sarnia’s top scorer as well.

David Quesnele - RW - Peterborough Petes
Info: Quesnele already had some potential going into this year, but has put up 2 goals and 4 points in his first 5 games. Built solid at 5’10” 195 he should only get stronger from here on in.

Justin Shugg - RW - Windsor Spitfires
Shugg got lost between all the prospects from last year, as well as all the talent that surrounded the Windsor team last year despite putting up 17 points. The late 1991 birthdate makes Shugg eligible in 2010 and he will one again be a name lost behind teammates and potential 1st overall picks Taylor Hall, Cam Fowler and sure fire NHL draft pick Austin Watson. But make no mistake, Shugg will get drafted and will likely be a pleasant surprise to whoever lands him.

Ivan Telegin - C - Saginaw Spirit
Telegin comes over from Russia with great size (6’3”) and apparently the ability to put the puck in the net, evidence of this is the 3 goals in his last 2 games for Saginaw. A rookie in the OHL and entering his first year as a NHL draft eligible prospect, expect Telegin to get a lot of attention later this season.

Two other guys i felt had potential to make this list, but may already be too established as potential NHL prospects..
Josh Shalla - RW - Saginaw Spirit
Michael Sgarbossa - C - Barrie Colts

RY