Today's Top 10 is dedicated to blabbing about the most impressive 16 year olds in the league this season. Fresh off a selection at the 2009 OHL Priority Draft, it can be hard to jump right into this league and make a serious impression. Players are stronger, faster, and smarter than in midget and it takes a really special player to be able to jump into a crucial role for an OHL team in their "natural" rookie season. The guys on this list (and many who aren't) are definitely special players.The one thing this list isn't, is an early ranking for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Where these players get taken a year and a bit from now is still relatively unknown and it is not my intention to rank them yet for that. However, it is my intention to highlight some of those 1993's that have caught my eye this year.
Just for comparison's sake, here is my list last year of the most impressive 1992's.
Without further ado, the year's most impressive 1993 born players:
10. Michael Curtis - Belleville Bulls
Only Matt Puempel scored more goals than Curtis this season as a 1993. The Bulls winger had a very inconsistent season (as most 1993's do), but finished the year with 19 goals. He appears to be the perfect player for the big ice in Belleville. Very good skater, knows how to use open ice, elusive and tenacious. In time, he probably develops into a quality two way forward too. Let's not forget that Curtis was the captain of the 2009 OHL Cup champion Toronto Marlboros too. He seems to have a lot going for him, and despite not being named to Team Ontario for the Under 17's, I thought he had a very solid year.
9. Nick Cousins - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Hounds
8. Alan Quine - Kingston Frontenacs
I think Quine has developed very well in Kingston this year. Really solid overall player who's accepted and relished a third line energy/checking role this year despite being billed as an offensive player (and 2nd overall pick). He's active on the forecheck, not afraid to get a little dirty in the corners or in front of the net, and he's got a very good shot that tells me he could be a pretty good goal scorer in this league once he gets stronger. He's been quite noticeable for the Fronts in the playoffs thus far too.
7. Dougie Hamilton - Niagara IceDogs
Hamilton jumped right into spot in the top four this year for the Dogs. He's taken his lumps, but playing in every situation as a 16 year old can be tough. There's obviously going to be a learning curve. But he's got great size and I think a bit of a hidden mean streak. He's not afraid to throw the body and as he gets stronger and more confident, I think we'll see his physical tendencies increase. He's already very defensively sound and makes (mostly) smart decisions with the puck. The Hamilton brothers should be the face of this franchise for the next couple of years.
6. Stuart Percy - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
While the likes of Hamilton, Harrington, Sefton, and Murphy appear to be getting all the hype, Percy has quietly come in and done a great job for the Majors this year. Their first round pick in 2009, Percy has stepped into a top four role on the blueline, with overager Blake Parlett as a usual partner. Most impressive to me have been Percy's defensive skills. He's a top quality one on one defender and he reads and reacts to the play at an elite level. Once he gets stronger, he'll be an even more effective defender in the zone. Offensively, he shows a lot of promise too. Good playmaker and he's seen a fair amount of time on the Majors powerplay. He needs to learn timing and when to bring the puck up ice, but with experience and the tutelage of Dave Cameron, he's likely to become a very good two way defender.
5. Scott Harrington - London Knights
We all know the story by now. Harrington was supposed to be a top 3 pick in 2009.
He wasn't because he said he was 'likely' going the NCAA route. The Knights pick him up and he magically joins their line-up. Such is life in the OHL. Not going to harbour any ill will against a kid who wanted to play for an elite program if he was giving up his NCAA eligibility. But it's the Knights who have gained most by acquiring Harrington. He's jumped right into this league and become an elite level defender. He pairs with Michael D'Orazio on the Knights "shutdown" pairing and has managed a +25 on the year despite going up against some of the OHL's best as a 16 year old. Offensively, he might have been a bit underwhelming, but jumping into the league and being such a good defensive player is impressive.4. Garrett Meurs - Plymouth Whalers
Next year, I think we'll be talking about this guy as one of the most offensively talented players the OHL has to offer for 2011. Meurs has fantastic offensive skills. A top notch puckhandler, great hands in close to the net, reads the play well. He's the complete package...offensively. For as impressive as he was offensively, he's got a ways to improve in other areas. Meurs turns the puck over a lot, especially in the offensive zone when he tries to be too fancy. He also needs to spend more time backchecking and playing without the puck. But there is a ton of potential in Meurs.
3. Boone Jenner - Oshawa Generals
Jenner is a future force to be reckoned with. A future power forward, Jenner is at home in front of the net and is already handful for OHL defenders. He's a good skater for his size too, which makes him tough to handle one on one as he drives the puck to the net. With a summer of conditioning, Jenner probably comes back next season even meaner and asserts himself as one of the top prospects for the 2011 NHL Draft.
2. Matt Puempel - Peterborough Petes
Say hello t
1. Ryan Murphy - Kitchener Rangers
With all due respect to Puempel, Murphy was the guy who impressed me the most th
is season. Yes...he needs to improve defensively, especially in his zone coverage. But the things he can do with the puck are potentially legendary. His skating, awareness and puck handling ability are already among the league's elite as a blueliner...at just 16 years of age (well he turns 17 in a couple of days). He carves through the open ice with precision and is no stranger to the end to end rush. As he improves his strength, his shot from the point will improve too, further advancing his play as an offensive blueliner. Here's hoping he grows a little bit more before the 2011 Draft. By the way, this marks the second year in a row a Kitchener Ranger tops my list (Skinner was number one last year). I guess they're doing something right!Honorable Mention:
Just a quick honorable mention to Vincent Trocheck of the Saginaw Spirit. On offensive production and impact to his team, he should probably make this list. But truthfully, I just didn't see enough of the Spirit to put him in my top 10, especially considering that the times I did see Saginaw, he didn't make much of an impact. Maybe the Spirit fans out there can tell us how good this guy is.
All good players. I think Meurs is going to be exceptional next year. Not on your list, but particularly impressive is Daniel Catenacci. He played well in the 1st round of the playoffs & I think he'll be pretty amazing next year, too.
ReplyDeleteCatenacci deserves to be on that list, as RWG said. With Meurs, the reason he turns the puck over so much isn't because he makes bad decisions but rather because he's always getting knocked down. Part of it is his size, part of it is his stance. But if he works on that in the offseason, he should go in the top half of the first round on his offensive talent alone.
ReplyDeleteI've seen Saginaw enough to say that Trocheck is definitely going to be a player next year. In the latter half of the season, you definitely saw improvement in him, as he was able to find open men a lot easier than he did earlier in the year. I think the level of play was a big adjustment for him (like it is for everyone), but once he adjusted, he flourished.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if the top scoring 93 in the OHL next season is Austin Czarnik. Having seen him play a ton with the NTDP this year, I have to say that he impressed me a hell of a lot more than anyone on your list. He's just so small that he makes Daniel Ehrlich look like Leigh Salters.
Thomas, I agree Czarnik is a force and has great tools, but I wouldn't look for him to stand out until the latter part of the season - if then. No matter where they come from (USHL/NTDP), there's always a big adjustment to the OHL. Once AC gets acclimated, though, it's anyone's guess how much of an impact he could make. The O is a different world.
ReplyDeleteReally No Brandon Francisco? He was the second highest scoring rookie from January 1st on behind Puempel and he didn't crack the top 11?
ReplyDeleteAs for Catenacci being on the list I disagree, he never stood out in any of the 5 games i wached him this year, and non listed players such as Francisco who should be there, and Ritchie who's likely top 15. I kinda disagree with Harrington he clearly has alot of talent but has not looked like a top 1993 player out there just yet. 3 years from now he could be one of the top 1993 players, but right now i don't think he belongs there just yet if we're basing it on play and not NHL potential.
Also i like Puempel over Jenner personally. I know alot of people will disagree with that, just as a lot of people disagreed when i said last year at this time Seguin would be ahead of Gudbranson and McFarland this year, but I really believe Puempel will be the guy out of the OHL this year to push for a top 5 spot in 2011.
ReplyDeleteInteresting and great discussion going on so far guys.
ReplyDeleteMy $0.02
Like Ryan, I wasn't terribly impressed with Catenacci this year. Does he have talent? Absolutely, but he just wasn't strong enough to excel in the type of game he plays as a 16 year old. But remember, just because he's not on this list, doesn't mean he's going down hill as a prospect for 2011. My guess is that he explodes ala Greg McKegg next year, as long as he dedicates his summer to conditioning.
On Austin Czarnik, all signs would point to him coming to the OHL next year, especially with the success his brother has had since coming to Plymouth. He sure is undersized though and as skilled as he may be, I still doubt he'll be able to jump right into the league and be a significant point contributor (RWG said). Second part of the season...maybe, but not right away.
On Francisco, I didn't really see much of Sarnia in the second half, so it's tough to gauge the improvements he made. He's definitely got offensive potential though.
And on the Puempel/Jenner debate, I have to agree Ryan, from what I've seen I prefer Puempel too. However, NHL scouts may see it differently. Big natural centers like Jenner who can skate, produce offensively, and push people around do not grow on trees
If Czarnik were a defenseman or goalie, I'd agree. As a skilled forward, especially one who should slot in as a first liner on a skilled team, especially given all the skill he's already shown, I don't have any worries about him making the transition. He's already playing in a league where most every team is made up of guys much older and bigger than he is, and he's rather dominant. I don't really see any reason why there should be an adjustment period for him.
ReplyDeleteBrock - Austin Czarnik is Robbie Czarnik's cousin. Cory Czarnik (Barrie's 11th round pick in 09) is Robbie's brother. Austin Czarnik is 5'8" 160lbs. Not huge, but not small enough to render him ineffective. I guess we'll see what happens next year, but I really don't see size being an issue. There are plenty of productive, undersized players in the OHL.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what Cory Czarnik does as well. He's got his brother's size (5'11" 165lbs, which isn't big, but it's not as small as Austin Czarnik), the Czarnik wheels and the Czarnik skillset. If you've never seen Cory or Austin, they play just like Robbie.
Wow, thanks for the tip. I was under the impression that the three were brothers, Robbie, Austin, and Cory. Interesting, guess I should do my homework!
ReplyDeleteThomas, sounds like you've seen Austin a lot, so I'm definitely going to take your word for it...as I don't get to see the USHL at all.
Keep posting and leaving comments, absolutely dig the discussion it creates.
Austin Czarnik is a 92(12/92 which makes him a 2011)... yes do your homework
ReplyDeleteWhere did I talk about Czarnik being a 2010 selection or a 1993? He wasn't mentioned in the article, but was brought up in the comments section by another reader. Not entirely sure where that comment comes from, but thanks for reading anyway!
ReplyDeleteAlso though, you are right, I should have done my homework on the Robbie, Austin connection. But then I again, I don't pretend to be the world's foremost authority on U.S. Hockey. That's why I love it when readers comment on things like that to give me some information.
ReplyDeleteAlso not only did Catenacci not stand out, but when you're talking draft Catenacci is not a draft projectable player as much as others. He'll get picked but i can't see him going first round. Teams are starting to ignore the NHL draft a little and taking the small guys that will play 3 years, rather than the guys who will turn into big names and only play 2 or 3. Catenacci (and Francisco) are perfect examples of picks for players that will be able to play out their eligiblilty.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco was arguably Sarnia's best forward the second half of the year, all the things he was "just missing on" the first half, he was connecting on. I'm shocked if he doesn't put up 30 goals next year, but he had close to a point per game and size and defensive play and commitment to the weight room will be what determins him from a good OHL player and an NHL prospect.