Sunday Top 10 - Breakout Players for 2015/2016

One of the great things about the OHL is the improvement that players show from one season to the next. Whether it's strength, confidence, increased playing time, or a combination of all three, there are several players in the league who "breakout," each season. The list below aims to highlight 10 players from each age group who could have very good years in 2015/16.

1998 Born
Jonathan Ang - Peterborough Petes
Not worried about Peterborough's goaltending or defence, but they'll need a couple of players to step up as offensive stars. Ang looks like he could be that guy, with a dynamic offensive skill set and added strength.

Jakob Chychrun - Sarnia Sting
Maybe a bit of a stretch putting him on this list, but the reality is…if he's healthy, I expect him to establish himself as a best defenseman in the entire OHL and the likely winner of the Defenseman of the Year award.

Cam Dineen - North Bay Battalion
A first year player transferring from the EHL, where he lead all defenseman in scoring and was rookie of the year. This is not an easy league for young players to star in. With some graduations, North Bay will need someone to step up as a puck mover and power play QB and I expect that to be Dineen.

Tye Felhaber - Saginaw Spirit
Looked very impressive at the Hlinka camp and I think he's in for a big season as part of an underrated Saginaw club that could surprise with speed, skill, and tenacity.

Jonah Gadjovich - Owen Sound Attack
Really liked this player last year and I think he's got a lot of potential as a power forward in this league. The Attack could struggle to score a bit, but I think Gadjovich has a solid season and establishes himself as a top 3 round candidate for 2017 (late birthday).

Tim Gettinger - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Hulking winger who is coming off a solid showing at the Ivan Hlinka. Tons of skill in Sault Set. Marie's lineup, even with graduations, and they'll need a big guy to finish in close. Gettinger could be in for a big draft season.

Jordan Kyrou - Sarnia Sting
Tremendous young playmaker with feet that never stop moving, Kyrou should see a significant spike in his production this year on a much improved Sarnia team.

Michael McLeod - Mississauga Steelheads
I think McLeod is poised to emerge as one of the league's serious breakout stars this year. His speed and strength coming down the wing and off the wall, makes him a serious scoring threat. Combine that with an improved offensive supporting cast and I could see McLeod as a 40 goal scorer.

Victor Mete - London Knights
London is going to have some serious firepower up front this year. Someone has to get them the puck and run that power play. Look for Mete to be in the top 5 of defensive scoring this year.

Dylan Wells - Peterborough Petes
Back stopped Canada to a gold at the Hlinka and I see him coming into camp with the Petes and grabbing hold of the starting job within the first month of the season (no offence meant to Matthew Mancina).

HM's: Givani Smith (GUE) & Christopher Paquette (NIA)

1997 Born
Noah Carroll - Guelph Storm
I don't think the Storm are going to be a great team this year (with, or without Fabbri), but Carroll should emerge as the team's top defender and a possible top 3 round candidate in 2016.

Anthony Cirelli - Oshawa Generals
Last year Cirelli emerged as one of the biggest surprises in the league (a free agent signing by OSH), and I expect him to take that next step this coming year. From complimentary offensive piece to standout offensive catalyst. Should be a 70+ point player.

Luke Kirwan - Windsor Spitfires
We've seen it time, and time again. Players transferring from the USHL (or NTDP) tend to struggle in their first year in the OHL. Kirwan needs a big bounce back year to put himself back in conversation for the first round in 2016 and I think we'll see that.

Mason Kohn - Kitchener Rangers
I thought he was under utilized by Kitchener's management last year, as shown by his strong performance in the playoffs when he saw more ice time. Kitchener has a veteran laden team, but it's Kohn that I expect to really see a jump in production from.

Travis Konecny - Ottawa 67's
Already an established point per game player, I expect Konecny to really take that next step offensively to break into the top 10 of scoring in the league (which makes him a 90 point player).

Brett McKenzie - North Bay Battalion
Stan Butler often brings his forwards along slowly and I was shocked to see McKenzie not drafted in 2015. But I think he's a very talented player who is going to get his chance to center a scoring line now (with power play time).

Tyler Parsons - London Knights
At this point, I think we all expect London to be quite the powerhouse this year. And Parsons should be the goaltender along for this ride. He's more than just a pawn though. Parsons is a quality goaltending prospect who should gain a lot of confidence from playing behind a strong team.

Zach Senyshyn - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The surprise of the 2015 draft (for most people), Senyshyn is a legit prospect who's going to get lots of ice time (and power play time) in the Soo this year. Look for a big time breakout from the goal scorer (35+ goals).

Mitchell Stephens - Saginaw Spirit
Was terrific in the 2nd half of last year and sensational at the U18's, parlaying that into a 2nd round draft selection. Confidence should be high heading into the season and I think he'll have a great year with a strong supporting cast (think 80+ points).

Colton White - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Loved this player last year and I think he's poised for a big time breakout. With all the graduations in the Soo, White could potentially be a first pairing defender this year and see tons of power play time. One of the league's breakout defensive stars.

HM's: Evan Cormier (SAG), Liam Dunda (OS), Nikita Korostelev (SAR), & Cam Lizotte (PTB)

1996 Born
Zach Bratina - North Bay Battalion
Struggled to stay on the ice last year, but he was effective when he played. I look for him to emerge as North Bay's top offensive weapon on the wing, on a team with some solid depth down the middle. A Stan Butler type of player who I think scores 30 this year.

Blake Clarke - Saginaw Spirit
Have to feel for Clarke after the last two seasons have not gone according to plan. Not ready to give up on him yet though. Finally healthy, I think he puts himself back on the map with a 25 goal season.

Stephen Desrocher - Oshawa Generals
Loved what I saw from Desrocher in the playoffs and the Memorial Cup, when he was seeing top 4 ice time. He'll get even more this year and should be poised for a big time breakout. I expect him to be in the top 10 of defensive scoring.

C.J. Garcia - Guelph Storm
Along with Carroll, Garcia should emerge as a top defender on Guelph. I didn't like the Harpur deal for Barrie at the time and still don't like it. Garcia is criminally underrated and I think he's a 35+ point player this year.

Josh Ho-Sang - Niagara IceDogs
With back to back 80+ point seasons, it may seem odd to see Ho-Sang's name on this list. However, I think this year becomes his true breakout, where he cracks the top 10 of OHL scoring and hits that 100 point mark.

Ryan MacInnis - Kitchener Rangers
The most important player in Kitchener's lineup this year. They really need him to step up and lead this club offensively. With his skill set, I do think he steps up to the challenge in his final year in the league.

Jacob Middleton - Ottawa 67's
Has established himself as a very solid player in his own end at this point, but the offensive game had yet to really come around…until this season. I think Middleton really breakouts out as a two-way star on one of the East's top teams.

Roland McKeown - Kingston Frontenacs
Like Chris Bigras last year, I expect McKeown to find his offensive confidence in his final OHL season. He focused on the defensive side of things last year which should allow him to take more chances offensively this year.

Alex Peters - Flint Firebirds
The forgotten man after a season ending injury last year, Peters will be poised and ready to establish himself as a top 10 defender in the league this year. He'll lead a Firebirds team that will look to start off their new surroundings in a positive way.

Spencer Watson - Kingston Frontenacs
Easily one of the most offensively talented players in the league, but his numbers have yet to match his skill set. I just can't see him disappointing yet again this year and based on how strong he looked in those team Canada exhibition games, I think this is finally going to be the year where we see him near the top of the scoring race.

HM's: David Miller (KIT), Blake Siebenaler (NIA), Brent Moran (NIA), Roy Radke (BAR), & Keigan Goetz (SSM)

1995 Born
Greg Betzold - Peterborough Petes
Blessed with great size and hustle coming down the wing, I think this is the year that Betzold finally breaks out offensively. The Petes will need their veteran forwards to really step up and I see Betzold as a 30+ goal scorer and point per game player.

Josh Burnside - Mississauga Steelheads
Has been hovering around the 40 point mark for the last few years, but this OHL veteran should be in for an offensive spike this year. A few more playmakers in the lineup and Burnside is good enough near the crease to put up 25-30 goals this year.

Stephen Harper - Hamilton Bulldogs
Following the move back to forward half way through last year, Harper looked like a different player and as such, I see him having a pretty big year as Hamilton's go to offensive guy. For the first time in his OHL career, he's going to be a point per game player.

Tyler Hore - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Has proved to be a great acquisition for the Hounds, emerging as one of their top defensive players. However, in his OA year, I expect the offensive side of things to really come around. Confidence is the name of the game and I say that leads him to a 35+ point season.

Jake Marchment - Erie Otters
I would be downright shocked if he's not back in the OHL for his overage season. And that means I think he's going to have a very big year. Erie still has tons of talent on the wing and if he's back in the OHL, I see him as a 30/30 player.

Brent Pedersen - Oshawa Generals
One of those guys who still hasn't put it all together in his OHL career. His lack of offensive development was the main reason Carolina chose not to sign him. But, having one NHL door slammed in your face can often serve as great motivation (ask Joseph Blandisi, Jake Muzzin, etc). I think he bounces back and finally hits that 30 goal mark in his OA year

Will Petschenig - Saginaw Spirit
Very underrated acquisition by Saginaw this offseason, I've long been a fan. Just a solid all around defender. In Saginaw I think he'll take on a little more offensive responsibility and I see him closing out his career with a 30 point campaign.

Mathew Santos - North Bay Battalion
Hard working veteran winger who is an integral part of the leadership group in North Bay. He's the type of player who breaks out in his OA season. I think he's a 25/25 guy and the potential captain for the Battalion.

Sam Studnicka - Ottawa 67's
Already had a mini break out last year and I expect his numbers to jump yet again in his final year. He's going to have a talented center to play with (Konecny or Salituro) and he'll be the guy responsible for opening up space and banging home garbage. Another jump in the 25/30 goal range is possible.

Michael Webster - Barrie Colts
Webster has slowly improved every year he's been in the league. Next year he'll be counted on as a top 4 defender on one of the best team's in the conference. Moves the puck well and I think the offensive confidence grows to the point where he's a 35+ point player.

HM's: Jordan Maletta (NIA), Jacob Harris (SUD), & Bradley Latour (WIN)