Only one OHL prospect for the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
1. Connor Hall - Kitchener Rangers
One of the draft's biggest risers this year. Hall had a tough first half of the season. A preseason suspension (for a hit to the head). Then some healthy scratches. Then a broken jaw. But once the new year hit, he really started to flourish and slowly earned more responsibility from the Kitchener coaching staff. Hall is a potential shut down defender, as he possesses good size and plays the game very hard. No question, he's already one of the league's most physical players. That intensity level and willingness to engage should make him a very difficult player to match up against as he gets stronger and continues to improve his mobility. In regards to his skating ability, it's certainly not poor, especially for a player of his ilk. In fact, I think his straight away speed could give him some potential to be a puck rusher as his OHL career progresses. But his lateral and backwards mobility is a bit shaky (and exposed him a bit at the U18's). In Kitchener next year, he'll return to a team that should once again be solid. They'll have a veteran d-core and Hall should slot into the top 4 and top penalty killing unit. A modest increase of his offensive numbers should be expected, especially if he plays the whole season. A 25 point season is a good expectation.
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