30 Teams in 30 Days - Calgary Flames

Calgary is the first Canadian stop on our 30 day tour.

Patrick Sieloff - Windsor Spitfires
It probably wasn't the most ideal first season in the OHL for Sieloff. The Spitfires weren't very good and he had to miss the final two months of the season with a groin injury after returning from the WJC's. That held him to only 45 games this year. In the action he did see, Sieloff was fairly effective. He's certainly one heck of an aggressive player and never misses an opportunity to lay the body. Despite not being the biggest (just over 6'0), he's certainly developed a reputation for being the type of defender forwards want to avoid playing against. That said, I think his zone coverage can use some tuning up and he wasn't quite the "shutdown" defender that he was billed to be. However, there wasn't really a defenseman in Windsor's line-up that looked great this year. Hard to stick out when you're constantly covering for the mistakes of others. Offensively, I thought he'd make a slightly bigger contribution too, but was rather tentative with the puck in his own end. All in all, I'm hoping next year is a better one for Sieloff in the OHL. I think he'll be a big part of a significantly improved Windsor squad (should they find some goaltending).

Sean Monahan - Ottawa 67's
I think he's ready. The 6th overall pick in this year's draft doesn't have much to prove by going back to Ottawa for another year. He's played three years in the OHL and his development was stagnated a bit by the horrendous quality of Ottawa's team this year. The 67's will continue their rebuild next year, so things aren't likely to change there. I think Monahan is better off playing a 3rd line role in Calgary, than going back to the OHL. He's already a very complete player who won't hurt you in his own end and who's big enough to withstand the physical rigors of the NHL. Offensively, his hockey sense will trump his lack of dynamic skating ability, his physical immaturity and lack of experience, at least enough to contribute some on the score sheet. Just a well spoken and mature individual who is ready for the next step. Given Calgary's state of rebuild, I think he's played his last game in the OHL.