2018/19 OHL Season Preview: Award Predictions

The conclusion to my three part season preview sees me look at potential award candidates for 2018/19.

Red Tilson Trophy - Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Coming off a 100 point season last year, Suzuki seems like a pretty safe bet to return to Owen Sound for his 19 year old season. He'll be able to play alongside his longtime running mate, Kevin Hancock, one last time. As such, he's going to put up a ton of points (even with a likely appearance for Canada at the WJC's) and the Attack are going to win hockey games. Sounds like a recipe for a Tilson vote. Obviously, Morgan Frost is a serious candidate too. 2nd leading scorer from a year ago and should be better this year. Problem is that the talent surrounding him won't be quite as good. Jack Studnicka is a serious candidate for me too. If he cracks the 100 point mark and the Generals are as good as I think they'll be, Studnicka could get a lot of votes because of how he impacts the game in so many different ways. What about Michael Dipietro if he can get the Spits to the top of the Western Conference? Sasha Chmelevski is a nice darkhorse candidate many aren't talking about right now, as I think he could be a top 5 scorer in the league this year. Ben Jones, Kyle Keyser, Isaac Ratcliffe, and Akil Thomas are others who I could see getting consideration.

Goaltender of the Year - Kyle Keyser (Oshawa Generals)
I went against Dipietro last year, against my better judgment. And it looks like I'm doing it again. I must be insane. Here's the thing. I think the Generals are going to be really good. And I think Kyle Keyser is going to put up some really strong numbers. His game has really come a long way. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if Dipietro won it again. He is going to be so crucial to Windsor's success, so even if his numbers aren't the best, he is still going to get votes. OA's Joseph Raaymakers and Stephen Dhillon could be considered candidates heading into the year. Ditto for the Soo's Matthew Villalta. But what about Ivan Prosvetov in Saginaw? The Spirit are going to be very strong defensively and Prosvetov could put up some very solid numbers.

Max Kaminski Trophy - Joey Keane (Barrie Colts)
A candidate last year, I think Keane is going to have a very big year in Barrie. Because of how solid he is at both ends, Keane attracts attention from voters. His goal scoring numbers will need to be better this year though. If Evan Bouchard returns, he's a near shoe in IMO. Sean Durzi, once he returns from pro camp, is a serious candidate again. He's going to put up insane offensive numbers this year on that Owen Sound powerplay with Suzuki. Matt Brassard, another OA, should also be a candidate once he returns from pro camp (assuming he does). He had a terrific second half and will be in a position to be a point per game player. How about Adam Boqvist? Hard to imagine that he's not in the running once he joins the OHL from Blackhawks' camp. Ryan Merkley is going to put up a TON of points, but I'm not sure voters will give him a serious look if his defensive game remains an enigma. How about a darkhorse candidate? Mac Hollowell is one of the highest scoring returning defenders and he's going to be riding shotgun on the Hounds powerplay with Morgan Frost and Barrett Hayton.

Emms Family Award - Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves)
I'm all in on the Byfield train. This kid was dominating the OHL preseason by the end and is going to have some talent surrounding him in Sudbury. He could be the first 16 year old to be over the 70 point mark since Travis Konecny. Ottawa's Import Marco Rossi is someone I could see putting up a ton of points and being a serious contender here too. He performed well in the preseason and is considered a potential top 5 pick for 2020 (late birthday). Another import who will be put in a good spot to put up points is London's Matvei Guskov. Just recently named to Bob McKenzie's preseason draft ranking, Guskov looks like the real deal. A few other 16 year olds to keep an eye on are Will Cuylle, Jamie Drysdale, and Cole Perfetti.

Leo Lalande Trophy - Sean Durzi (Owen Sound Attack)
Man, this is a tough one. There are some REALLY good OA's playing in the OHL this year. Wouldn't be surprised if 3-4 of the top 10 scorers are OA's, and 3-4 of the top 10 defenseman scorers are OA's. Durzi just seems like the logical choice here, pending he returns (which I think he does). Should be well over a point per game on a strong team. Teammate Kevin Hancock would actually be my second choice as I see him as a potential top 5 scorer in the OHL this year, riding shotgun with Suzuki. Up front, Justin Brazeau and Tye Felhaber are candidates. As is Brandon Saigeon, who was just returned by the Avalanche (much to the surprise of many). On the back-end, so are Mac Hollowell, Matthew Timms, and Matt Brassard. And in net, Joseph Raaymakers and Stephen Dhillon should be right there. Many other names that I'm not mentioning too. Just a really solid OA crop this year.

Matt Leyden Trophy - Greg Walters (Oshawa Generals)
I've mentioned that I'm bullish on the Generals this year and I think that makes Walters a big time front runner for this award. The Generals jump from 5th to 1st in the East and become serious Championship contenders. 2nd choice here would be Troy Smith in Saginaw. Again, big jump here from 8th to a division title (potentially) and that could earn him the attention from voters. If the London Knights are as good as everyone expects, Dale Hunter can obviously throw his hat in the ring. Some others to consider as preseason candidates include Billy Burke (Niagara), George Burnett (Guelph), Todd Gill (Owen Sound), Andre Tourigny (Ottawa), and Cory Stillman (Sudbury). If Stillman can get the Wolves back to the top 4 of the East, he could be someone who really deserves this award.

Eddie Powers Trophy - Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
I chose him for the Tilson, so I'm sticking with him for the scoring title. He's going to miss time for the WJC's, this is true. But so will other top candidates like Morgan Frost, Sasha Chmelevski, Jason Robertson, and Jack Studnicka. Does that open the door for another OA such as Kevin Hancock or Tye Felhaber, who are surrounded by a ton of talent and should put up a ton of points? Or what about Ben Jones or Akil Thomas in Niagara, since I'm not sure either end up suiting up at the World Juniors. They could put up a ton of points on a strong Niagara team. But if I'm a betting man, it's one of the guys I mentioned in the opening sentences of this paragraph. I didn't mention Robertson as a Red Tilson candidate, but if he gets dealt, sooner rather than later, he could end up taking this one home.

Goal Scoring Leader - Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm)
Had 40 last year and I think he hits the 50 goal mark this year. I'm also not sure he ends up playing at the WJC's, which will help him lock this down. Guelph's powerplay is going to be fantastic this year and Ratcliffe's size and shot will be a big time asset. Niagara's Kirill Maksimov is another guy that I think could be a 50 goal scorer. Love his game. What about Nick Suzuki, my pick for the Powers? Along with Morgan Frost, he's the highest scoring returning player. Again, Robertson is someone worth a mention. How about big overager Justin Brazeau or fellow OA Brandon Saigeon? They could easily be a 50 goal scorers too. Last name I'll mention is Sasha Chmelevski. A guy who hasn't received enough love for the improvements that he has shown.

1st Team All Stars:
LW - Isaac Ratcliffe
C - Nick Suzuki
RW - Jason Robertson
D - Sean Durzi
D - Joey Keane
G - Kyle Keyser
Coach - Greg Walters

2nd Team All Stars:
LW - Kevin Hancock
C - Morgan Frost
RW - Kirill Maksimov
D - Matt Brassard
D - Mac Hollowell
G - Michael Dipietro
Coach - Troy Smith

3rd Team All Stars:
LW - Matthew Strome
C - Jack Studnicka
RW - Justin Brazeau
D - Adam Boqvist
D - Ryan Merkley
G - Ivan Prosvetov
Coach - Dale Hunter

1st All Rookie Team:
LW - Cole Perfetti
C - Quinton Byfield
RW - Kaleb Pearson
D - Jamie Drysdale
D - Daniil Chayka
G - Jet Greaves

2nd All Rookie Team:
LW - Will Cuylle
C - Marco Rossi
RW - Ty Tullio
D - Jake Murray
D - Robert Calisti
G - Kari Piiroinen