My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft - Part 4: 10-1

 We have reached the end and it is time to conclude my Top 10 for the 2022 NHL Draft.

 

1. Shane Wright - Center - Kingston Frontenacs

Whether you're someone who has Wright at first overall or not, there's absolutely no questioning that he's the top prospect from the OHL this year. It hasn't been the easiest year for Wright, but I still have faith that he will become a quality NHL player who has a long career. Did he truly take a step forward this year in his progression? I don't believe so. Stagnation is never a great thing to see from a prospect, but when you're already a terrific player, I don't think it's the end of the world. The criticisms of Wright this year are one hundred percent warranted. Yes, his pace of play needs to increase. He became too predictable to cover this year with his habit of altering pace to a crawl. This was not always an approach he used. He used to attack the offensive zone and his ability to quickly alter pace (either way) was a standout quality and allowed him to keep defenders off balance. But since altering his approach, team defensive approaches have been able to take away his space early inside the blueline and make him less effective. Yes, his physical intensity level needs to increase. His defensive instincts are fantastic. But he will never be a standout defensive player at the pro level without becoming more difficult to play against. He doesn't need to be Mike Peca. But even Patrice Bergeron can suffocate and is more than just a positional, stick oriented defender. Yes, he had a disappointing playoffs and under-performed from a statistical perspective all season. I think part of that had to do with the construction of the Frontenacs and how much he was asked to do (without a high end puck mover, Wright was responsible for starting the breakout himself on many occasions, which leaves him the trailer on a lot of occasions, or zapped his energy). All that said, Wright is still an incredibly intelligent playmaking center. His game is tailored to the pro level with how quick he makes decisions with the puck, operating a step ahead of the opposition (and unfortunately ahead of his own teammates). His shot is elite. His skating ability is great (even if he doesn't always use it to his advantage). How quickly we forget how he dominated the U18's in Texas one summer ago. Do I think Wright will be a generational level talent? No. Do I think that Wright will be a fixture as a first or second line center, consistent 60+ point guy, future team captain, and one of the better defensive forwards in the NHL? Yes, I believe that he has that potential.

 

2. Pavel Mintyukov - Defense - Saginaw Spirit

I've said this several times this year but I truly believe that Mintyukov has the highest upside of any defender available this year (including Nemec and Jiricek). Is he a safe pick? No, I don't believe so. But the upside is massive. You simply do not see many defenders who possess the hands and creativity that Mintyukov does. He consistently makes something out of nothing, blending strong four way mobility with a soft touch - you just can't box him in. I've seen some criticism of his vision and decision making with the puck, but I would not agree with that. His passing ability is a highlight. Yes, he can turn the puck over, but look at the situation he was in with Saginaw this year. He was given the green light and he took it and ran, playing about as aggressive as an offensive defender as you can get (it's not uncommon to see Mintyukov as the F1 on the forecheck). When you are constantly activating and asked to take chances, turnovers will happen. More often than not, he escapes pressure and is able to create scoring chances or keep plays alive. Defensively, that's where things get a little murkier. The profile is good. Size. Mobility. Reach. Physicality. He has that in spades. He looks great defending transitional attacks and he is at his best when he can play aggressive to shutdown attackers early, then flip the script and start the offensive attack. When asked to defend in zone coverage, that's when things get dicey. He can cheat to leave the zone early (a big no-no for a defender), he can miss assignments near the net, and he can chase the puck. He will require a lot of coaching. But let us not forget that Mintyukov did not play last year. Doesn't matter that he's a late 2003. He's behind the learning curve. The athletic tools are there, it's a matter of how they are developed. There's a very real chance that he becomes Ryan Sproul. There's a chance that he is asked to refine his game so much that he becomes Dmitri Kulikov. But IMO, the greatest odds are that he becomes a top flight top three defender who can impact the game in a lot of different ways. IMO, he's a top ten pick. 

 

3. David Goyette - Center/Wing - Sudbury Wolves

One of the most misunderstood players in this draft class IMO. Early on, it was all offense for Goyette and he struggled as a three zone player. But his defensive play and engagement away from the puck improved dramatically over the course of the year. So did his consistency, but perhaps too many people stopped watching Sudbury down the stretch with them out of the playoff picture. Don't get me wrong, his play off the puck still needs to improve. But, to call him a one dimensional player is wrong. The best part of Goyette's game is his skating ability. Wouldn't call him the fastest player in the class, but his skating habits and his understanding of how to alter pace are among the best in the class. His edgework is a masterclass and he is very explosive out of cuts, with or without the puck. This makes him very elusive and unpredictable. As he matures physically, I think he can get even quicker and be better at sustaining his speed. Jordan Kyrou level skating ability is attainable for Goyette. Goyette is also highly skilled and does not need to alter his speed to make plays. He can play at a feverish pace. Improving his strength on the puck is a must because his effectiveness at playing through traffic is inconsistent, but the hands are top notch. His vision with the puck and passing touch are also top notch and this should help him stay down the middle at the pro level. To a certain extent, Goyette falls through the cracks because of how many similar average sized, quick, and skilled forwards there are available this year, but he has as much offensive upside as any of them.

 

4. Owen Beck - Center - Mississauga Steelheads

I saw some folks mention how surprised they were to see Beck ranked just outside the first round (33rd) at McKeen's given they know how much I like Beck and how much influence I have over those rankings. The reality is, as much as I love Beck, I don't see him as a future first line player at the next level. I think he settles in as a reliable middle six center who can bring a lot of versatility to his future coaches. There are just so many home run swings available (especially on the back-end) in that late first round range, that I have no problem with Beck being ranked a little lower because I perceive his upside to be somewhat limited. However, I have a hard time finding things that I don't like about Beck's game. The skating ability is among the best in this class. His use of linear crossovers makes him so difficult to cover as he leads the attack because he is constantly deceiving his intentions while also gaining speed. Beck is also a complete player who competes hard in all three zones; his work on the penalty kill is extremely impressive. On the powerplay, Beck's vision and IQ are on full display as he shifts around the offensive zone, working down low and in the middle of the ice. If I am nitpicking (and it's what I think limits Beck's potential), his decision making with the puck in transition leaves some to be desired. He has these impressive rushes to gain the zone, but often they fail to produce high end scoring chances. Part of that is confidence and strength related, as he gains the zone and dumps it down low. But, turnovers can occur as he tries to force his way through defenders. There isn't a real ability for him to alter pace while maintaining possession at this current time. When he's working down low in the cycle, the vision shows well. But when the pace increases, there seems to be a lull. Again though, I have a ton of time for this player in the late first, early second range. He's a slam dunk NHL player for me.

 

5. Matyas Sapovaliv - Center - Saginaw Spirit 

I don't think Sapovaliv had a terrific finish to the year, but how many Saginaw players did given the injuries the team was going through? More concerning for me was his play at the U18's, where he looked a little sluggish in transition. However, if you follow my work, I've been on the Sapovaliv hype train all year and that continues to this day. I think he has a solid upside as a second line center, and a nice floor as a bottom six checking line player. The athletic tools are just so intriguing. His reach and massive frame gives him such high upside as a defensive forward once he fills out and is better at engaging physically. He closes down passing lanes to the slot and defends coming off the wall about as well as any forward in this draft class. Offensively, the key for him will be continuing to improve his agility and edgework. He has already improved his quickness and balance from a year ago, but there is still work to be done in this area for him to be a truly consistent playmaker. Too often can he be angled to the perimeter. The offensive profile is really nice, though. He has good hands. He has good instincts. His shot can be a weapon when he learns to use it more and get himself in scoring position more consistently. He sees the ice well coming off the wall and from down low. I don't see how you can't see his profile as a rangy, two-way pivot and not rank him fairly high.

 

6. Luca DelBelBelluz - Center - Mississauga Steelheads

DelBelBelluz is a tough call for me. I'm kind of torn on him to this day and I've seen him play a ton this year. I can relate with those who really like him and have him ranked as a first rounder. I can relate with those that do not. I see both sides of the equation and I'm truthfully still not sure where I stand. Here's what I love. I think the hands are fantastic. He is terrific at manipulating the space around him with his hands...you just don't see him turning the puck over much when he plays through the middle of the ice. His linear quickness is not good, but his agility, puck control, and ability to build speed out of cuts is impressive. This is why he is so dangerous working the half wall area on the powerplay. I also think DelBelBelluz shows potential as a strong two-way center given his size and awareness. This is an inconsistent part of his game currently, but as he adds strength, my hope is that it becomes a standout quality. LDBB's shot is also impressive. He will score at the next level. OK, so here's what I don't love. The skating mechanics are not great. An awkward stride prevents him from truly building or sustaining speed. At the OHL level this does not affect him much because of how good he is at protecting the puck through the neutral zone, but it will affect him at the NHL level. I also think that he goes through stretches of not being very noticeable. Even when he's not hitting the score sheet, teammate Owen Beck is noticeable for his speed and tenacity. But LDBB goes through stretches where he is just kind of there and fails to make an impact at even strength. What if the skating does not improve? What if the two-way engagement does not become more consistent? Is he an NHL player? I wouldn't hesitate to select him in the second round somewhere, but the questions I have about him would make me hesitate in the first. 

 

7. Paul Ludwinski - Center/Wing - Kingston Frontenacs

Ludwinski was not in my top ten as of around late March. However, late in the year I think we saw him take massive strides forward that I believe can carry into the future. Ludwinski has a really solid floor as an NHL role player. He skates really well. He brings it physically. He is a solid three zone player. Easy to see him becoming a Paul Byron type. However, there are so many flashes of higher offensive upside that you have to jump on him earlier if you really like him and believe that he's just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Early on in the year, the hands just had not caught up to his feet and a lot of plays died on his stick as he tried to gain the offensive zone. However, as the year went on, his transportation skills really improved and he became a real asset in transition offensively. The hands and finishing ability were equally difficult to truly assess. At times this year, he struggled to finish off chances in the slot, despite earning many great looks. However, later in the year, he was finishing on more of those and showed that his release had improved and that his confidence was growing. Ludwinski was my favourite player in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection Draft class. I thought he had the package to become an elite and complete NHL center. Thanks to a strong finish to the year, I'm ever closer to believing that again...even if I'm not convinced that he is a center moving forward.

 

8. Ty Nelson - Defense - North Bay Battalion

Tale of three seasons for Nelson. He started the year extremely well and I believed that he had a chance of being a first round pick. Then he really struggled in the second half of the OHL regular season and seemed to lose all confidence in his offensive abilities. This was followed up by a very strong performance in this year's OHL playoffs, where he helped North Bay reach the East finals. So what do we make of all of this? Honestly, much like LDBB, I'm a little flummoxed. The four way mobility is a major positive. The shot is one of the best in this draft class. His breakout pass is excellent and he has great scanning habits with the puck. His physical intensity level is extremely admirable given his lack of height (but not width; Nelson is built like a brick **** house). He has the makings of being a very good two-way defender. There are just a lot of application issues that I see that I think could limit his potential if not corrected. He has some bad habits when defending in transition. He gets caught flat footed a lot, way more than he should given his strong mobility. This leads to a lot of blow-byes and penalties against. His footwork inside the offensive zone isn't terrific either. He has this booming shot, but he does not clear space for himself well enough by using his edges. He's just too stagnant running the point right now and he needs to do a better job of using space inside the offensive zone. This is something that all elite powerplay QB's do to help break down coverage and he does not have those habits yet at a consistent level. Late in the year, when Nelson seemed to lose his confidence, he wasn't even taking chances offensively either. Lots of dump ins and low percentage plays, even though he has the skill to try to make plays. Given how many puck moving defenders eligible this year had terrific second half performances (Korchinski, Havelid, Rinzel, etc), it's going to be tough for Nelson to find a spot inside the Top 45 or so IMO.

 

9. Gavin Hayes - Wing - Flint Firebirds

The 2021/22 season didn’t exactly start off according to plan for Hayes. A former first round pick of Flint, Hayes started off the year playing a fourth line role and was even scratched, thus obviously limiting his production and ability to stand out. Slowly, but surely, he worked his way into the favour of the coaching staff and finished the season extremely strong as a top six contributor and special teams regular. Once Hayes’ ice time increased, the points started to come consistently, putting up 49 points in the remaining 54 games of the regular season. He also had a very strong playoff performance. Hayes' shot is a real standout quality. Much like teammate Brennan Othmann, he can absolutely rifle the puck; possessing both a strong wrist shot and one timer. Hayes also can be a real intimidating physical presence, even if that part of his game is wildly inconsistent. The skating stride is good and he generates good power and speed for the type of North/South game he plays. He will never be the world's most creative player and his vision with the puck and overall decision making will need to improve. But power wingers with a goal scoring touch do not grow on trees anymore. In a lot of ways, watching Hayes this year reminded me a lot of watching Dustin Brown as a draft eligible player. A lot of the same concerns and strengths.

10. Danny Zhilkin - Center - Guelph Storm 

I find it kind of weird that I've got Zhilkin rated this high even though I don't love him as much as other scouts do. To an extent, I think that points to how this draft class from the OHL has shaped up to be a bit below average. I'm not convinced that Zhilkin has a high upside as an NHL player. I don't love how he sees the ice with the puck, especially when he is attacking with pace. I think his IQ without the puck is also slightly concerning as he does not always find himself in strong scoring position, despite having elite level physical/athletic tools. This helps to explain his production inconsistency this year, despite being one of the oldest first time eligibles. All that said, those same athletic tools give him the opportunity to develop into a very good third line center. His play in the defensive end has improved greatly since his time in the GTHL and he really can suffocate opposing players along the wall to stymie creativity and eliminate space. With his quickness and explosiveness, he can really start the counter attack too. By altering his approach to become more work-man like in the offensive zone (chip and chases, give and go's, pivots to invite contact inside the blueline), Zhilkin could become a more than adequate playmaker to go with his potential impact in the defensive and neutral zones. The skill level is certainly there too. Think of Lars Eller in a best case scenario from a two-way perspective.

 

My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft - Part 3: 30-11

This is the third part of my final top 50 OHL players eligible for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Here you will find players ranked 30 through 11. 

 

11. Hunter Haight - Center - Barrie Colts

Coming into the year many felt that Haight was a first round candidate and had a chance to be the second best forward available from the OHL behind Shane Wright. His strong performance at the Hockey Canada U18/U20 camp solidified that belief. However, Haight just never really got things going this year consistently. Every time he started to get going, playing really well over mini stretches, he would fall back into a production slumber and fade into the background for an equally long stretch. His lack of development as a true offensive standout was one of the reasons Barrie underachieved this year and ultimately lost in round one to Mississauga. So why is he ranked 11th still by me? The answer is simple...I still believe that he can develop into a quality NHL player. For Haight, the big thing is trying to figure out what kind of player he wants to be. He has a well rounded skill profile. Really, there isn't a skill that he doesn't possess and there isn't an attribute of his that would be considered weak. But, his play is erratic because not all of those attributes are firing at the same time. Some games he looks like he wants to be a power forward, throwing his weight around as he tries to be tenacious and pesky away from the puck. But when he does that, he can become a non factor offensively as he just kind of runs around, chasing pucks and puck carriers. Then there are other games where he looks dominant on the puck and every bit the offensive star we expected him to be...but he struggles to be a factor away from the puck and he struggles to find his way to the middle of the ice. Truthfully, I think a lot of Haight's issues stem from a lack of strength/conditioning. This would help him get a little quicker. It would help him be able to maintain possession through contact more consistently. The upside is just so high. Best case scenario, he becomes a really solid top six center who can play in any situation and who brings a physical element. Worst case scenario, a lack of processing ability proves to be the culprit behind Haight's lack of development despite possessing high end skill and traits.

 

12. Isaiah George - Defense - London Knights

If you like athletic defenders...you will like George. He tested extremely well at the NHL combine. He tested extremely well at the CHL Top Prospect's Game. This guy is just a natural athlete. And it shows on the ice. George is one of the best skating players (period) available this year. His stride is so naturally smooth and effortless. He is explosive in any direction and his transitional agility is phenomenal. Good luck beating George to a dump in. The thing is, he is still learning how to use his quickness to his advantage as an offensive player. Sometimes turnovers can be an issue in the defensive end as he takes on pressure from forecheckers because he takes poor routes or because he tries to force passes through traffic. Additionally, he is capable of so much more as a puck mover through the neutral zone and across the opposing blueline. When he activates, he rarely gets stopped. Yet, he also rarely looks to push further than center ice. Right now, he stands out first, and foremost as a defensive player. The mobility is obviously an asset there as he can be suffocating when defending transitional attacks; his gap control is terrific. However, over the year, he really started to assert himself physically and this helped him defend the middle of the ice better and be more effective (overall) in coverage. Dale Hunter really leaned on him this year through injuries. George's own injury in the playoffs was one of the main reasons London was upset early. So what's the upside? It's significant if you believe George has the IQ and vision with the puck to be a true two-way standout. Even if you don't, his athleticism should at least help him to become a new age shutdown type who can be a steady and reliable #5 and penalty killing option.

 

13. Matthew Poitras - Center/Wing - Guelph Storm

Poitras is going to be a very good OHL player when his athletic tools improve and mature. Just how far he plays up the lineup at the NHL level will be dictated by how MUCH they improve. He's already such a versatile player. I love the energy he brings in the offensive end as a forechecker and boards player. He is really effective at causing chaos and turnovers. However, he is also a really smart player. Love how he plays through traffic with the puck. The skating is only average, but he has no issue inviting contact and sliding the puck through openings, identifying passing lanes the moment they open. When you have a player who is both energetic and intelligent, it's a great combination. However, as mentioned, Poitras just doesn't have great athletic tools right now. The lateral movement and edgework are good, but his first step quickness and top speed will need to be upgraded. Additionally, he needs to get stronger to be better at fighting off checks. The will is there, but the success rate is not as high as you would like it. I think becoming a little quicker and stronger would also help Poitras be more consistent in the defensive zone too. Playing through the middle of an NHL lineup would be a pretty realistic expectation for him as his versatility and intelligent approach are likely to make him a coaches favourite.

 

14. Jake Karabela - Wing/Center - Guelph Storm

Karabela is a player that really grew on me over the course of the year. I was lukewarm on him before the CHL Top Prospect's Game, but his strong performance at the event really caused me to track him closely in the second half and it helped me to gain an appreciation for all the things he does well. Karabela is someone with a real attention to detail, especially in the offensive zone. He has that "slippery as an eel" quality to him. Never stops moving his feet and it makes him very difficult to pin down, even despite some obvious size/strength deficits. This workman like mentality helps him to be an excellent playmaker as he draws in help defenders and tires out defensive units. However, what people don't realize is how good of a skater Karabela is. Without question, I feel like he is one of the quicker linear skaters available in the draft. He just doesn't use this all the time. Playing with two fast paced and creative players like Jagger Firkus and Owen Beck at the Prospect's Game really brought the best out of him and showcased his ability to create in transition. But with Guelph, the application of his speed is inconsistent. When he becomes unleashed and gains confidence in his ability to carry the puck, look out. So here's what I see: Karabela has untapped upside in a variety of roles and what role he ends up settling into remains to be seen. There are a lot of different routes to the NHL available to a player like Karabela depending on how he develops over the next two seasons. 

 

15. Vinzenz Rohrer - Wing - Ottawa 67's

This is my man Dylan Krill's (OHL running mate at McKeen's) favourite. And I love him too. This guy would go through a wall for his team. Just watch him play the penalty kill. He blocks shots. He plays the body. His effort level is always 100% and it is why the Ottawa coaching staff uses him in so many different situations. Whether the 67's are down a goal or up one, Dave Cameron has him on the ice at the end of a game. His four way mobility and agility are standout qualities. He is very confident and balanced on his edges, with or without the puck. His linear quickness could stand to improve still given his average size (his stride mechanics are inconsistent), and this limits his effectiveness in transition at times. However, I love how he alters pace and alters the plane he plays through to make him an unpredictable cover. The hands are smooth and quick, even through pivots and tight quarters. I'm not extremely confident that he's more than a high end third liner, however if his shot, scoring instincts, and skating continue to improve, he could be a complementary scoring line player.

 

16. Servac Petrovsky - Center/Wing - Owen Sound Attack

I think it's important that Petrovsky is not forgotten in this draft class. Even myself, there are times where I am listing off or talking about other similar high/energy two-way forwards in this OHL class, but I don't mention Petrovsky. This shouldn't be the case. I feel very confident that Petrovsky will play in the NHL. Maybe it's only in a fourth line/PK role, but it will happen. He skates well enough. He is a really intelligent and committed three zone player. He plays through contact and excels along the wall (despite not being the strongest on his skates). He is strong at the faceoff circle. These are all things that effective energy players do at the NHL level. How high you're willing to select him at the draft depends on how you feel about his offensive potential. He is not the most creative player. His scoring ability is only average. He effectiveness as a transporter can be limited by some strength deficits. But these things can be improved and I think the Owen Sound development model is extremely underrated. It wouldn't shock me if Petrovsky was selected in the second round and it wouldn't shock me if he lasted until the fifth/sixth. But I love the versatility.

 

17. Bryce McConnell-Barker - Center/Wing - Soo Greyhounds

Probably lower than you expected to see BMB and certainly lower than I expect him to go at the actual NHL draft. There is a lot to like (obviously since I still have him ranked 17th). However, is there anything to love? Maybe a harsh comment, but I think many components to his game will need to develop a lot in order for him to be an NHL player. The skating is good, but not great. There is room for improvement in his quickness and agility (especially with the puck). The shot can be a real asset, but his release in traffic needs work and he needs to do a better job of working his way to the middle to earn looks. The IQ shows well as a three zone player; his stick placement and defensive positioning is a particular strength. However, he will need to increase his physical intensity level to be a true defensive standout. What about his position? He played both center and the wing this year and was equally inconsistent at both. I think his skill set features best on the wing, but I have no doubt that the Soo and his NHL team will try to develop him further down the middle. If all of those things improve, BMB could be a real standout and someone who looks like an NHL steal in a few years. If none of those things improve, I don't see a path to the NHL like some of the other guys ranked in this range. I know that NHL scouts really love this guy, I just have some other preferences.

 

18. Brady Stonehouse - Wing - Ottawa 67's

I don't expect him to go this high at the NHL draft, but a few years down the road, I think teams will be kicking themselves for not taking him earlier. Not every selection needs to be a slam dunk with first line upside. You need to find NHL players in every capacity through the draft in the modern cap era and I feel that Stonehouse will be one. He does everything well that you look for in a high end bottom six player. Speed...check. Tenacity...check. Dedication to playing without the puck in all three zones...check. Enough skill and creativity to play with pace...check. The one aspect of Stonehouse's game that will need to improve is his shot, especially if he wants to produce offensively in some capacity at the next level. I'm not worried about the lack of size. He'll fill out and he has that peskiness that makes him tough to play against. I've compared him to the likes of Cal Clutterbuck previously and I think he can have a long and successful NHL career much like Cal. If your team selects Stonehouse at some point in the draft, be happy. He will develop into a fan favourite and a very useful and versatile NHL player.

 

19. Owen Van Steensel - Wing - North Bay Battalion

Basically whatever I said about Stonehouse goes double for Van Steensel. The fact that he wasn't ranked by NHL Central Scouting is criminal. I have Stonehouse slightly ahead because I think he's just a bit quicker and a little more consistently involved physically, however Van Steensel has the better shot and scoring instincts. He started the year as a change of pace attacker on the fourth line, but he worked his way up to a much larger role by season's end, excelling as a complementary goal scorer in the top six for North Bay. He competes for every inch of ice and his high energy level is consistently noticeable. Van Steensel is that classic guy on a scoring line who opens up space for more skilled players with how he keeps his feet moving and drives the net. Like Stonehouse, I expect him to be an NHL player in some capacity. It won't be high in the lineup, but if he can be a consistent 15 goal scorer who can anchor your penalty kill, that's a major success to find outside of the first two rounds. Again, you need to find NHL players...even if they're role players.

 

20. Michael Buchinger - Defense - Guelph Storm

I know he has his fans in the NHL scouting community. With good reason too. Buchinger is a good skater and there is a real effectiveness in his simplicity. He starts the breakout really well, even in the face of pressure. His instincts with the puck are sound and he always seems to have his head up; the scanning habits are also top notch. For that reason, he can be tough to truly pin down in the defensive end. Defensively, he also competes along the wall and near the crease. He doesn't win every battle because he definitely needs to get a little stronger, but the effort is there. A high IQ, but mobile defender, it is easy to see Buchinger developing into a long time #4-5 defender. However, my concern is that he's good at a lot of things, but elite at none of them. What is the path for him to the NHL? We've seen many similar kind of jack of all trades type of defenders from the CHL falter (Stuart Percy, Matt Finn, Noah Juulsen, Roland McKeown, etc). McKeown is a terrific comparison in fact, as we used a lot of the same sort of descriptors with him. Can Buchinger turn himself into an elite player at either end? Offensively, I found that as he pushed deeper outside of the defensive zone with the puck, he ran into trouble and it showed some limitations to his puck moving ability. Defensively, he doesn't have the kind of size, reach, and physical tenacity that you typically see from a standout stay at home type. I really like Buchinger in that 75-120 range because I do feel there is value in selecting high IQ defenders two-way defenders in hopes that a few of the tools really improve. But earlier than that? I'm not sure.

 

21. Christian Kyrou - Defense - Erie Otters

Without question, Kyrou was one of the OHL's most improved players this year. He was barely a replacement level player two seasons ago, but now he's one of the league's elite offensive defenders. His shot is one of the best in the OHL at any position. It's not just the velocity and accuracy, it's how he utilizes it. He is terrific at walking the line and using his linear quickness and smooth hands to help him evade pressure, which in turn opens up a shooting lane for him. A lot of his points this year came from his ability to get his point shot through traffic. This is a skill that can translate. However, what about the rest of his game? I'm just not sure. My ranking of him in that third/fourth round range is certainly lower than many have him now (a late season riser). Although his four way mobility is strong, I don't think he's tremendously explosive moving forward...not like his brother Jordan. I think that this limits his ability as a puck rusher at the next level. Does that mean his zone starts will need to sheltered? Defensively, there is a lot of room for improvement. I like the tenacity, but the reads are often questionable and he struggles to defend the middle of the ice. His riverboat gambler tendencies can also cause him to play a high risk game. Erie saw that first hand this year as that team gave up an abundance of odd man rushes this season. Like Buchinger, Kyrou has value for me later in the draft, but I'm not as convinced as others that his game translates well to the pro level.

 

22. Beau Jelsma - Center/Wing - Barrie Colts

Jelsma probably deserves to be rated up with Stonehouse and Van Steensel. He's a similar kind of player. He makes up for a lack of size (vertically) by being as strong as an ox. This makes him a very effective three zone player with a low center of gravity. Tough to knock off stride and tough to match up against defensively on the backcheck. Jelsma always seems to keep his feet moving in the offensive end too. His quickness is an asset and his confidence on his edges makes him a difficult cover in transition. Jelsma also has a high end shot that should make him a top goal scorer in the OHL by the time he graduates. I have him a little lower than the other two because I'm not as convinced he has the same level of awareness/vision. Jelsma can get tunnel vision as he drives the net and this limits his effectiveness. I like him best when he plays the wing and is supporting other puck carriers, but I also think his transitional play is a standout quality of his. Quite the dilemma. It just means that his vision will need to improve as his game matures. I'd also like to see him be a little more consistently physical, rather than just buzz around as a stick checker. 

 

23. Tnias Mathurin - Defense - North Bay Battalion

Mathurin has to be considered one of my favourite potential middle round selections available this year. I think he possesses immense upside as a defensive player. The size and length are there. He's a strong four way mover. He is learning to play more physical. He makes a quality first pass. Even if injuries were a bit of an issue this year, he was a huge part of North Bay's success this year in the defensive end and I don't think enough people are giving him credit for that. I think we also saw him starting to flourish offensively in the first half before he got hurt, which suggests to me that there is some hidden offensive potential in there once he gains the confidence to use his quickness to carry and move the puck. Later in the year, the offensive game was much less noticeable, but that's alright. Even if his play with the puck remains safe, he still has upside as a strong stay at home defender. One hundred percent, the key will be becoming more difficult to play against in traffic. He defends transitional attacks really well, but he needs to take away space more aggressively and really assert himself. I think he could easily develop into a John Marino type.

 

24. Cedrick Guindon - Center/Wing - Owen Sound Attack

Tale of two seasons for Guindon in Owen Sound, something that could be said about a lot of these young men coming off the long lay-off. It was certainly encouraging to see him excel in the second half and become a consistent offensive contributor. Guindon is exactly the kind of player NHL scouts make their money on, and stake their reputation on. By that I mean...he's a potential diamond in the rough. He does everything offensively well. The hands are good. The instincts are good. He can really shoot the puck (explosive release on his wrister). He can create his own chances or capitalize on others through hard work and determination. Early on in the year, he was being kept to the perimeter, but in the second half, he developed a real fearless attitude. So the disconnect is...the athletic tools are only average. Speed, strength, size. It will need to improve. Guindon is the kind of player who could make us all look silly in five years because as he physically matures, he becomes a more explosive offensive player. Or, those tools could stay average and it limits him to being a really good OHL player but nothing more. Again, this is the kind of player scouts truly go to bat for if they like him. I'll say one thing, Owen Sound has done a great job of developing players like Guindon in recent years. People weren't crazy about Nick Suzuki's athleticism either.

 

25. Jorian Donovan - Defense - Hamilton Bulldogs

Speaking of athleticism...insert defender Jorian Donovan. The son of former NHL'er Shean Donovan, Jorian is a tremendous skater. Explosive moving forward, he shoots out of the defensive zone as if he's been shot out of a rocket. An aggressive offensive defender, he can have a real positive impact as he jumps up into the play. The problem is....how Donovan uses his athletic gifts is a major work in progress. Turnovers were a real problem for him this year. In the second half, they improved, but only because he stopped taking chances and appeared to lose confidence in his puck moving abilities. As such, he found himself in and out of the lineup for the Bulldogs down the stretch and into the playoffs. Defensively, his game is equally as raw. Even though the mobility is good, he gets caught standing flat footed far too often and will chase the play. Basically, his game is in need of major refinement. That said, if you CAN refine his game, he has upside at both ends. It's just a matter of whether you believe that "hockey sense" is an innate trait or one that can be drastically improved. No question he'll be drafted, though, because the upside is too tantalizing. Just be prepared with a very focused development model for him.

 

26. Ruslan Gazizov - Center/Wing - London Knights

Early on in the year I flirted with the idea of Gazizov being in my top ten from the OHL. I really liked his playmaking ability and his ability to problem solve in the offensive end. In terms of creativity and pure skill, Gazizov has to be near the top among OHL players available this year. However, by midseason it had become very apparent that he had some major things to work on. Firstly, he's not the kind of high end skater that you'd like to see from a player with his creativity. Because he does not get terrific separation, he has to constantly rely on his hands to get him out of problems and as teams started to play him more physically, he struggled. Secondly, the tenacity and strong two-way play that we had previously seen from him internationally (playing for Russia) never became a consistent part of his game with London. I think that this obviously frustrated Dale Hunter as he moved him around the lineup to try to ignite a flame. Much like Donovan, Gazizov presents himself as a boom/bust selection. The upside is very high, but the downside is quite low. I hope we see him back in the OHL again next year, but will it be with London?

 

27. Liam Arnsby - Center/Wing - North Bay Battalion

Arnsby is the kind of player that coaches appreciate a hell of a lot more than internet scouts. Look at the accolades he piled up in this year's OHL Coaches Poll. In that poll, he was named the Eastern Conference’s hardest worker, second best defensive forward and penalty killer, and third best body checker. Although he struggled with some injury issues this year, Arnsby was largely the anchor of North Bay's successful third line and he matched up against the best the opposition had to offer (see his work on former U16 teammate Shane Wright in this year's OHL playoffs). The only thing missing for me is a lack of high end quickness and speed. If he had that, I'd have him much higher. But, without that, his upside if severely limited. I could easily see Arnsby having a long NHL career similar to a guy like Matt Hendricks and I think he'll go surprisingly high at the NHL draft.

 

28. Spencer Sova - Defense - Erie Otters

Sova's game is built around his excellent mobility. An effortless and explosive four way mover, he can have a profoundly positive effect on the breakout. Once he gets clear of forecheckers, he almost always gains the offensive zone and this helps Erie set up shop. The offensive upside is quite high. That said, Sova was my biggest disappointment this year. I had him as a top defender from this class coming into the year and now I'm ranking him as a mid-later round flier. Defensively, his game needs a ton of work. This was obvious in the OHL and it was obvious at the U18's where he played a large role for Canada. He chases the puck. He is not hard enough on puck carriers. He does not defend the slot or crease well. This needs to improve. Offensively, the tools are good, but the application of them is wildly inconsistent. He needs to make quicker decisions with the puck and he needs to pick his spots better when trying to walk or hold the line. Offensive zone turnovers were a problem for him. An NHL team likely jumps on him earlier because of his mobility, but a lot of work is needed at both ends for him to be an NHL player.

 

29. Kirill Kudravtsyev - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

Consistency issues really plagued Kudravtsyev's first season in the OHL with the Greyhounds. He came into the year with probably just as much hype as Mintyukov (as a Russian import defender), but it was clear that the two were not on the same level. Kudravtsyev has some interesting tools. The offensive game is pretty well rounded. He has good hands that allow him to carry the puck through traffic. He has good offensive instincts for jumping up into the play. He also shows well at times in the defensive end, with a good stick and anticipation for defending the slot. As a puck mover, I think adding power to his stride would really help him. More fluid than powerful, Kudravtsyev can struggle to gain separation from forecheckers and defensive zone turnovers were a problem as he held on to the puck too long. Additionally, his physical intensity level in the defensive end wavered. He needs to be better along the wall and when defending near the crease. A passive approach just does not work there. As the athletic tools improve, will his projection? That remains to be seen, especially since I have questions as to how well he processes the game with the puck on his stick. But I'd take a flier on him in the later rounds to see how the Greyhounds' coaching staff works with him (they have developed defenders well).

 

30. Pano Fimis - Center - Niagara IceDogs

I really felt bad for Fimis at this year's U18's. He wasn't put in a situation to excel on the wing. It's just not a good spot for him and it's no wonder that he struggled to standout. That event could have done wonders for his draft stock after playing on a poor Niagara team all year, but it probably did more harm than good. If there's one thing about Fimis that I really love, it's his ability to problem solve through traffic with the puck on his stick. He is most effective at center because of how well he controls pace, pivoting and darting in and out until he finds a passing lane that he likes. As he gets stronger, this part of his game will only become amplified. The real key for Fimis is improving his quickness. As a smaller guy, he will need that to help him avoid checks at the NHL level. I think the odds are that Fimis develops into a very, very good OHL player. But will he develop into a good NHL prospect? That's something that I'm less certain of.

My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft - Part 2: 50-31

In three straight drafts (2019, 2020, 2021), only three players ranked in this range have been selected. The reality is that NHL teams are using mid to late round picks on European and College bound players more often these days because they get a longer signing window in regards to their rights. Longer shot prospects take longer to develop because they have more to work on. That longer window allows them a few extra years to see how they progress before they have to hand out an ELC.

That said, I do expect more than a few players to be selected from this group. The quality of this OHL crop is better than it has been in recent years. However, I will say that I expect there to be more second/third year eligible players selected (like Tucker Robertson who appeared in this section last year) than those ranked by me in this 31-50 range.

Without further ado, here are the players ranked 31 through 50.

 

31. Kocha Delic - Center/Wing - Sudbury Wolves

One of Canada's most impressive players at the U18's, it was actually a bit of a blessing for Delic that the Canadian coaching staff decided to separate he and David Goyette at the event (much to the surprise and disappointment of many). It allowed him to really stand out on his own and show that he can be the focal point of an attack because of his aggressive approach, skill, and motor. The aggressive approach gets him in trouble at times. He can be prone to undisciplined penalties (this was extremely evident at the U18's), but I have faith that he will be able to reign that in. As he gets a little quicker and stronger, he won't have to reach as much to apply the kind of pressure off the puck that he wants to apply. I'm not sure Delic possesses a ton of offensive upside as a pro, but I could see him having a long NHL career as a Brad Richardson type. I think he deserves a ton of credit for adapting his game to the OHL level by improving his commitment to playing off the puck and in the defensive end.  I would be advocating for my club to jump at selecting Delic if he is still available in the later half of the draft.

 

32. Evan Konyen - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

Speaking of the U18's, it was a real shame that Konyen was not able to get approval from the IIHF to play for Canada due to residency rules. Would have been great to see him at the event. Playing and developing with Goyette and Delic, Konyen is going to be a high end goal scorer at the OHL level. His scoring instincts and shot are both terrific. He consistently finds open lanes in the middle and finds a lot of success there despite lacking ideal size. Konyen is also a quick skater and confident on his edges, giving him that elusiveness that he needs as a relatively undersized attacking winger. The key for Konyen will be the development of his on puck play. He can be ridden off the puck too easily and his decision making will need to improve to play a top six role at the NHL level. I think that as he gets stronger, he will also need to develop more of a pest like mentality to find success at higher levels, similar to how a guy like Michael Bunting has emerged as a standout complementary piece for the Maple Leafs. 

 

33. Zak Lavoie - Wing - Mississauga Steelheads

Lavoie proved to be an extremely versatile player for the Steelheads this year. He played a lot with Owen Beck, but did slide up and down to be wherever he was needed. He is at his best when he is dialed in physically and aggressive on the forecheck. When he is outworking and outhustling defenders, he is also able to get himself open looks from the slot for him to use his wrist shot, which is one of the better ones in this age group in Ontario. If Lavoie can really work to get stronger and quicker, he not only has a decent ceiling as a goal scorer, but a decent floor as a high-energy attacker. However, he seemed to really fade down the stretch and the physical component to his game became very inconsistent. I don't believe he is innately skilled enough with the puck to be a primary play creator or someone who can truly drive possession metrics. So playing all out, all the time will be a necessary progression for him. 

 

34. Chas Sharpe - Defense - Mississauga Steelheads

I really liked the progression of this 6'2, right shot defender this year. He started the year playing on the third pairing, playing minimally, but worked his way up the lineup by the end of the year and was routinely seeing 20+ minutes a game in all situations late. He has a really well rounded profile. To an extent, that makes it hard to project him as an NHL player. "Jack of all trades" defenders at the junior level don't often translate unless they do a few things exceptionally well. However, I think that every single component to Sharpe's game improved over the course of this season, which suggests that he could continue to improve next year. Sharpe can quarterback the powerplay with good vision and puck poise when walking the line. His skating improved a ton, especially his quickness and four way mobility. He will take away space aggressively in the defensive end and could become a defensive standout with his improving mobility, reach, and physical approach. I'd have a lot of time for Sharpe in the later rounds because I like the upside at both ends.

 

35. Ryan Abraham - Center - Windsor Spitfires

Undersized, but tenacious center who is consistently noticeable for the right reasons. This is especially true for his play in the postseason for the Spits. Abraham is just a really annoying player to match up against because he never stops moving his feet. He'll apply pressure on the forecheck, but maintain that pressure through all three zones, consistently hounding puck carriers to take away their space. He forces a ton of turnovers in the offensive end and those turn into scoring chances because Abraham is also a skilled and intelligent playmaker. As a transitional attacker, Abraham relies on the "mohawk" stride, using his edges and four way agility to weave through traffic. The track record for this approach at the NHL level isn't terrific. Given his lack of size, that will be concerning to NHL scouts. I'm also not quite sure Abraham is skilled enough to create his own time/space consistently at the NHL level, meaning he probably profiles more as a bottom six guy. Not listed by NHL Central Scouting, I have time for Abraham because I think he plays the way you want undersized players to play.

 

36. Max Namestnikov - Center - Sarnia Sting

Tale of two seasons for Namestnikov really. The younger brother of NHL'er (and former OHL'er) Vladislav, Max struggled mightily in the first half, but really picked it up in the second half.  He's tiny too, but he is another player who plays with tenacity and without fear. Namestnikov is actually a pretty physical player, at least he tries to be. A strong skater, he can impact the game in a lot of different ways. He can lead the attack in transition. He can force turnovers on the forecheck. He looks confident as a playmaker along the half wall and his vision allows him to excel on the powerplay. But, when pressured, I do worry about his decision making. Turnovers are a problem as he just throws pucks away, rather than exhibit patience and poise in the offensive zone when defenders try to take away his time/space. Too many blind passes that just don't work and in fact, end up going the other way for odd man opportunities. His high energy approach is also not consistently applied in the defensive zone, as Namestnikov looks more focused on heading back the other way to be involved offensively. The skill and athletic tools are there as an undersized forward. The application of those skills and play style will need to change for him to be a successful pro player. Someone with a real confident development plan for him will likely take him, banking on the upside.

 

37. Aidan Castle - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

Castle is a strong complementary offensive player who had an up and down year on a rebuilding Niagara team. He's a true grinder in every sense of the word and I mean that as an endearing sentiment. He is very tough to separate from the puck along the wall and as he gets stronger, he is going to be one of the better players below the hash marks in the OHL. I think the thing that gives Castle promise is that he also has terrific vision and scanning habits with the puck. He is a way more talented playmaker than many give him credit for. He routinely makes passes from the wall that find his teammates in the slot for scoring chances, timing his passes perfectly as he draws in double coverage. The issue with Castle is his ability to play with pace at the OHL level. An average skater, Castle becomes less than that when tasked to carry the puck or receive passes at full speed. His ability to improve this and improve his overall athleticism will be the key to him playing at a higher level. If it happens, he does have the kind of traits you would look for in a middle six support winger.

 

38. Jackson Edward - Defense - London Knights

Edward will unquestionably go higher than I have him ranked. I'm fine with that. Good size. Good mobility. Physically aggressive. Plus, NHL scouting teams have a ton of trust in Dale Hunter's development model. That said, he's a late round gamble for me and not someone I take in the earlier rounds. I don't think his play with the puck showed much growth over the course of the season. Neither did his decision making at either end. His zone coverage reads are still quite unrefined and I thought he struggled when London asked him to play a larger role due to injuries (at times) this year. While London is a great place for him if he develops well, if he doesn't, he'll find himself on the outside looking in pretty quickly with the depth of the London organization. A player like Oliver Bonk will be pressing hard for his ice time next season. The raw physical tools are great, and that's why I'd take him late. But, I haven't seen enough at either end to suggest that those tools can be put to use the kind of way they would need to be for him to be a long time NHL defender.  

39. Rodwin Dionicio - Defense - Niagara IceDogs

Dionicio could be a real nice project pick for an NHL team. I've said it a few times, but I see a lot of former Barrie Colt Tyler Tucker in Dionicio. He manages to have a positive impact on the game despite being a rather limited mover. His forward mobility is alright. He can lead the attack out of the defensive zone with his feet because his hands are good and because he can get up to a decent top speed. However, his lack of four way mobility really hurts him in the defensive end, and his lack of first step quickness can make it tough for him to separate from forecheckers. His physicality can be an asset when going up against slower forwards, or when defending below the goal line, however it could be put to better use if his footwork improved. I also understand that Dionicio has not played defense all that long, so some of his question decision making can be attributed to that. As a late round pick, Dionicio will very much be a boom or bust pick. However, he does have NHL upside.

 

40. Colton Smith - Wing - London Knights

Smith got off to a blazing hot start, establishing himself as a skilled net front presence for London...especially on the powerplay. The son of former OHL bench boss (and current Ottawa Senators coach) D.J. Smith, Colton then faded hard down the stretch. His success at the beginning of the year was no fluke. He can score. He also shows good understanding of how to play without the puck in the offensive end. The kind of player the puck gravitates toward. As the pace increased over the course of the season, he tended to disappear. Improving his skating and quickness will be key for him. Additionally, I'd like to see his physicality without the puck become a more consistent element of his game. To an extent, I think this is tied to his speed and quickness, as he finds himself just a step behind, but given the style of play he needs to utilize, it will be important none the less.  

 

41. Brice Cooke - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

I think Cooke's upside is actually higher than his teammate Castle, who I ranked a few slots higher. Cooke is the better athlete. He has the kind of size and length you would look for in a middle/bottom six forward today. His linear quickness is pretty good too. He can look good driving the net wide and can beat defenders one on one to cause defensive zone breakdowns. However, Cooke is way more inconsistent. His off puck play is not as strong. His physical intensity wavers. He needs to improve his four way agility and confidence on his edges to allow him to work his way to the middle more consistently. In a lot of ways, Cooke is a bit of a one trick pony right now. If he can't beat you in a straight line, he can be kept to the perimeter. However, Cooke shows just enough in flashes to suggest that he could have high upside as a scoring line winger with size and reach. 

 

42. Sam Alfano - Wing - Peterborough Petes

Alfano came into the year with fairly lofty expectations. He had played well at Hockey Canada's combined U18/U0 summer camp and his size and skill package was sure to be attractive to scouts. However, the pace of the OHL proved to be too much for him to start and he had trouble standing out. The 6'3, 200lbs winger has some intriguing tools. He has good offensive instincts, something that not all big wingers have (because they can run through people at a young age). He has good vision with the puck, making him an equally effective playmaker. He can hit and hit hard, especially in puck pursuit. However, his lack of mobility hinders him in a big way right now. This is especially true of his first few strides, which lack both power and grace. This limits his ability to create separation from defenders. If Alfano can really work hard to become even an average mover, I think his upside is still quite high.

 

43. Zander Veccia - Wing - Mississauga Steelheads

Veccia's versatility makes him a very intriguing player. He showed the ability to do a lot of different things well this year. He can play in any situation. He is active on the forecheck and the backcheck. He can lead the attack in transition with good speed. He can crash the net and win loose puck battles. He played everywhere from the fourth line to the first line for Mississauga this season. However, that versatility has also clouded his true upside and NHL projection. Does Veccia have any true standout qualities, or qualities that have the capability of being elite? Or does he project as more of a quality energy guy at the OHL level who will play his years in the OHL and then move on to the CIS? 

 

44. Brody Crane - Wing - London Knights

Crane is another young forward who got buried on London this year. This happens year after year, and every following year there are one or two who break out in a big way. Is that player going to be Crane next season? This year, he showed value as a physical forechecker. He can cross the line physically at times and ran into penalty problems, but the aggressiveness could play well at higher levels, especially when combined with his quickness. Crane also shows flashes of being a quality goal scorer with the skill and creativity to create his own chances in transition. The one thing that was really tough to ascertain this year, given his ice time, was how well Crane thinks the game. I'd probably wait to see how Crane performs next year before looking at him as a serious draft pick, but I could see why a team would use a later pick on him this year.

 

45. Simon Slavicek - Center/Wing - Flint Firebirds

Part of me wonders if Slavicek had come over at the start of the OHL season, would his performance this year have been better? Entering the season, he and fellow Czech Matyas Sapovaliv were on pretty equal footing as potential NHL draft selections. One started the year in the OHL and flourished. The other did not, came over late, then had trouble breaking into a deep Flint lineup. It took a while, but Slavicek actually started to look pretty decent before he was allowed to leave to play for Czechia at the U18's. Unfortunately, Slavicek was pretty invisible at that event...pretty much the only chance he had of saving his draft stock. I still see a player with NHL upside. That doesn't disappear in a year. He can be effective in all three zones. He can play multiple forward positions. He is active in puck pursuit and shows skill playing through traffic to get shots off. But the skating needs to continue to improve and he needs to regain his confidence. I really hope he returns to Flint next year or at least stays in the OHL with another team. I think he could do well in his second year in the league.

 

46. Nolan Collins - Defense - Sudbury Wolves

Collins is a right shot defender with good size and mobility. That alone is going to put him on the scouting radar. He had a solid rookie season with the Wolves and actually earned a spot on Team Canada at the U18's, where he played a depth role for the Canadians. Collins' projection is that of a quality defensive defender. His game is not flashy, but it can be effective. To be an NHL defender his defensive reads will need to improve. The same could be said for his reads with the puck and ability to make a clean exit pass. He is at his best when he can use his feet to help him clear the defensive zone, but when forecheckers close off those lanes, it can lead to turnovers. Right now, the raw physical and athletic tools are intriguing, but the application of those is inconsistent. It would not shock me to see him selected not unlike Chandler Romeo last year. I can see the intrigue.

 

47. Andrew Oke - Goaltender - Saginaw Spirit

Ranking this year's OHL goaltenders is tough. But, Oke may have emerged as the league's top option for the draft. With Tristan Lennox banged up, Oke stepped in admirably for the Spirit, seeing a ton of rubber. He had quite a few rough nights. But, he also had quite a few standout performances. His athleticism and puck tracking abilities are impressive. It's why he was able to make the highlight reel more than a few times this season. The finer technical components of his game will need to tighten up. He has a habit of scrambling a bit and this can take him out of position. Additionally, he can make life tough on himself with some weaker rebound control. Patrick Leaver would be my first goaltender off the board from the OHL, but among first time draft eligibles, I'd give Oke the nod. 

 

48. Nolan Lalonde - Goaltender - Erie Otters

Lalonde emerged as the starter for the Otters this year thanks to the injury to Aidan Campbell and he had some really strong performances for Erie. This earned him the back up role for Canada at the U18's. Again, it's not a strong year for netminders, so how many get drafted remains to be seen. I think Lalonde's best asset is his athleticism. He is very quick post to post and this strong agility allows him to be aggressive in challenging shooters. However, his play tracking ability, rebound control, and positioning are all inconsistent. He had some really strong stretches this year, but with a weaker defense in front of him, stringing strong performances together was tough. An NHL team may see upside in his athletic tools.

 

49. Domenic DiVincentiis - Goaltender - North Bay Battalion

I know he has some fans in the scouting community and his standing with Hockey Canada is pretty strong. The argument could certainly be made that he is the top draft eligible netminder from the OHL too and that's why I have he, Oke, and Lalonde ranked consecutively. For my money, I don't think he tracks the play as well as Oke does and I don't think he's as gifted athletically as Lalonde. His attributes are pretty well rounded, but is he elite in any one area in the crease? I just feel a little more confident at this point in Oke and Lalonde, but it truly is a toss up.  

 

50. Noah Van Vliet - Defense - Hamilton Bulldogs 

A long shot to be drafted, but I felt the need to include Van Vliet as my final player ranked. There is a reason why he was called back up for the playoffs and had been playing over Jorian Donovan at times. I really don't think the offensive upside is significant at all. However, he does do a good job of taking care of the puck and helping to clear the defensive zone. Just don't expect him to be leading the rush or quarterbacking the powerplay. He will make his money in the defensive end with his size, mobility, and physicality combination. I think he has the potential to be one of the better stay at home defenders in the OHL by the time his graduation from the league occurs. He has been very impressive in limited action this year.

My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft - Part 1: Honorable Mentions

It has been great to have the OHL back this year and to have a fairly normal scouting season. I say fairly normal and not completely normal only because we didn't have a few large scale international events that would normally occur (Canada's participation in the Hlinka/Gretzky, the WJAC, the Under 17's Challenge), and because there are still very clearly some players whose development was stunted by the lost season last year. 

As per the usual, my top 50 will be released in four parts: Part 1 - Honorable Mentions, Part 2 - Prospects 50-31, Part 3 - Prospects 30-11, and Part 4 - Prospects 10-1.

Just for clarification, for my top 50 ranking, I haven't included any players eligible for draft re-entry, such as Tucker Robertson or Lucas Edmonds. This has been consistent all the way through my lists. Instead, I did a list of the top 10 draft re-entries, which can be found here.

Also for clarification, this list is MY list of the top 50 OHL prospects, as if I were drafting for my own team. In other words, this isn't a list of where I THINK or believe players will go, but a ranking of my own opinion on the top players eligible for this draft based on my viewings this season. If you want a draft projection and information about players outside the OHL, be sure to check out McKeens Hockey. I am now the scouting director for McKeen's and our draft guide will be released extremely soon (purchasing information is available on the linked site).
 
This first part includes the Honorable Mentions of my list. These are the players who received consideration for my top 50, but who fell just short. There are 19 in total. Last year, two players were taken from my HM's (Pasquale Zito and Chandler Romeo). This year, I could see a couple being drafted again. While all of these guys most definitely have potential, they remain long shots who need to put in a lot of work to be serious NHL prospects.

Here are my HM's (in alphabetical order)...

 

Gavin Bryant - Center - Owen Sound Attack

Really wanted to find a spot for Bryant in my top 50, but his lack of high end physical tools kept him out. An intelligent playmaker, Bryant is the epitome of what makes Owen Sound consistently successful. He plays all three zones effectively. His positioning and anticipation without the puck are excellent. He shows good poise with the puck, and is excellent when working down low, showing great scanning habits to find streaking teammates in the slot, even under the face of pressure. However, the skating is only average overall. He's not really a physical player. He can still be muscled off the puck and doesn't win quite as many 50/50 battles as you'd like to see from a high IQ/two way center. Really curious to see how he grows over the next few years and it's very possible that if those athletic tools can improve some, he could find himself very firmly on the pro radar.

 

Thomas Budnick - Defense - Kingston Frontenacs

Stay at home defender who moved up and down the lineup for the Frontenacs this year. Struggled a bit in the playoffs, but how many Frontenacs players had good playoffs? He combines decent mobility with physicality to take away time and space from opposing forwards. The puck skill is rather limited and he can struggle with turnovers in the defensive end. His ability to use his feet to clear the forecheck, or his ability to get his head up to make a quicker exit pass will need to improve. An NHL team could see him as a potential depth defender down the road.

 

Ben Bujold - Center/Wing - London Knights

On merit, Bujold probably doesn't deserve to be listed here. But I still believe he has the potential to be an impactful OHL player. He got buried this year in London and really struggled with the pace and strength of the OHL game after the year off. It's odd that he seemed to struggle with pace because his skating ability is his biggest strength. But the hands and brain need to catch up with the speed he can play at. Could easily see him breaking out next year...or I could easily see him out of the league in a few years. There may not be a middle ground.

 

Caeden Carlisle - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

Carlisle is a defender who seems to be trying to figure out what kind of OHL player he wants to be. He shows occasional flashes of being a strong puck mover, which is something he was known for as a U16 player with the Mississauga Senators. He can lead the attack. He also has decent four way mobility and a strong understanding of how to defend in transition. He can play physical too. But what is he? Can his play at either end elevate further to make him a standout offensively or defensively? Can the skating improve further? 

 

Justin DeZoete - Wing - Peterborough Petes 

Really liked DeZoete early on in the year and he was one of my favourites from his draft class. But as the year went on and Peterborough's struggles as a team magnified, DeZoete faded. I think that he will eventually develop into a quality, high energy scoring winger at the OHL level. However, his ability to skate with the puck, his four way agility, and his strength on/off the puck really need to improve for him to be considered a quality pro prospect. Thought he was right there with the likes of Stonehouse, Van Steensel, and Jelsma before, but it's clear those three separated themselves physically.

 

Kyle Downey - Goaltender - Windsor Spitfires

It just hasn't come together yet for the former highly touted netminder and goes to show you how difficult it is to assess goaltenders at a young age. After the Spits acquired Matt Onuska, Downey even went down to the GOJHL to get starts (and did perform well). He has good size. He has good instincts in the crease and tracks the play well. However, the four way agility needs to improve for him, and he just needs to gain confidence at the OHL level. Way too early to give up on him, but he's a long term play as of now.

 

Zach Filak - Center - Sarnia Sting

Filak finished the year well for the Sting, which is a great sign for his development as an OHL player. Consistency was an issue all year though. I think he has a lot of potential to be an impact player in the league. He shows well as a two-way player. He shows well as someone who can counter attack in transition. He wins battles down low and near the crease. I guess the question is, is he skilled enough to be a consistent offensive contributor? There's certainly a chance that his tools could make him a quality bottom six forward at the next level, but the lack of consistency puts him behind some other similar types. Also think he will need to upgrade his quickness to play that role effectively.

 

Ethan Larmand - Center - Sudbury Wolves 

This competitive, attacking center started the year well but fell down the lineup as the season went on. A late born 2003, he wore a letter with the Wolves and it's obvious that Sudbury values his character. If Larmand can continue to improve his vision and decision making with the puck, and his speed, he could easily develop into an Andrew Shaw kind of player in the future. Right now, he will need to prove that he can be a consistently impactful offensive player first.

 

Andrew Leblanc - Center/Wing - Kitchener Rangers 

Had high expectations for Leblanc coming into the season. He was one of my favourites from his OHL draft class. However, his athletic tools just did not get to where they needed to be in order for him to be an impactful OHL player. Still like the sense and awareness in all three zones; he's a high IQ player. However, he desperately needs to get quicker and stronger to take advantage of this. He did look better in the last few months, however let's see if he puts in the work this offseason to take his game to that next level.

 

Alec Leonard - Defense - Niagara IceDogs

Hard to standout consistently on a weak team as a defender due to how often you're forced to play in your own end. That said, Leonard improved a lot over the course of the year. Love his physical intensity level and his defensive awareness. I think he will develop into a standout defensive player in this league at some point. Just not sure the mobility or offensive touch will improve to the point where he could be considered a high-end two-way defender or NHL prospect.  

 

Jonathan Melee - Center/Wing - Peterborough Petes

Really thought that he would take off a bit with more ice time in Peterborough following the trade from Hamilton, but that wasn't the case. Melee stands out with his strong defensive awareness already; he's already a great penalty killer. He also shows well when he can get the puck down low as he can be tough to separate from the puck in the cycle. However, the quickness, speed, and agility all need to improve. Also not sure the puck skill is high end enough for him to be a quality pro. Tons of room for development as a goal scoring, two-way power center, but he's still a little ways off.

 

Cedricson Okitundu - Defense - Owen Sound Attack

Okitundu really caught my eye early in the year. He looked good at both ends and I loved his competitiveness in the defensive end. He's got a really strong and low center of gravity that makes him tough to get around in the defensive end. However, I found his confidence with the puck decreased significantly in the second half, especially after he returned from his injury. As such, without elite four way mobility, it's tough projecting him as more than a quality OHL player. 

 

Jacob Oster - Goaltender - Guelph Storm

Probably the player from this HM list with the best chance of being drafted this year. I think NHL scouts will  like how technically composed he is already. Challenges shooters. Fights for sight lines. Reads the play well. Already controls rebounds well. He just needs to become a more athletic netminder, improving his agility and quickness to really take that next step. Without improving his athleticism, he probably tops out as a quality OHL netminder and CIS player, but NHL teams may like how refined he is.

 

Nathan Poole - Center - Kingston Frontenacs

I love this player as someone who watches a lot of OHL hockey. He is already one of the most physically engaged players in the league as an 18 year old. He just never seems to give up on a play at either end of the ice. Has a chance to be a very strong defensive center. However he needs to get quicker and he needs to stay healthy. At this point, it's tough imagining him as a high end offensive player. However, I had to mention him because I love how he plays.

 

Teddy Sawyer - Defense - Ottawa 67's

A late born 2003, Sawyer has the makings of being a strong stay at home defender in the OHL. Solid mobility. Sturdy and balanced, he applies himself physically and makes life difficult down low for opposing players. Will block shots and do anything to help his team win. However, he doesn't have the kind of size/reach that you want from a stay at home type at the next level and his offensive tools just didn't improve a whole lot this year. He's going to be a standout OHL defender at some point, but did not play himself onto the NHL scouting radar this year IMO.

 

Kai Schwindt - Center/Wing - Mississauga Steelheads 

If you saw his brother Cole come through the league, you'd immediately know that these guys were related. Kai is all limbs. His length can be very disruptive in all three zones and as such, he projects well as a defensive forward at the very least. The athletic tools are not as good as Cole's though. Already a late born 2003, Kai needs to improve his quickness and his strength to truly become a strong two-way threat and consistent offensive contributor. Cole was a bit of a late bloomer too and his skating improved a ton over his OHL career, maybe Kai can do the same.

 

Landon Sim - Center/Wing - London Knights

The son of former NHL'er Jon Sim, Landon plays a similar kind of game. It's all about pace and energy. A strong forechecker, Sim found ways to be noticeable despite limited ice time on a lot of nights. A late bloomer physically, Sim has solid top speed and he shows well as a North/South attacker, with and without the puck. With a lack of true playing time, it's just tough projecting Sim. More of a strong complementary piece, can he be the focal point? Does he have the skill to create his own chances consistently, or better yet, the vision and creativity to create for his teammates? Is he a center or a wing long term? I'd want to see a little more from him to throw a draft pick at him. But the bloodlines and athletic tools are interesting. I could see him drafted.

 

Connor Toms - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

I think Toms has a lot of potential to be an impactful offensive defender and puck mover at the OHL level. He shows flashes of being a real standout with the puck on his stick and I think his composure inside the offensive blueline gives him a projection as a powerplay QB at some point. However, his overall skill/sense package is very raw. His quickness and four way mobility will need to improve. His physical intensity level in the defensive end needs to be more consistent. His decision making with the puck in the defensive zone and neutral zone needs to improve. I have faith in the Greyhounds development program, especially on the back-end. Could be a quality re-entry candidate next year. 

 

Dalyn Wakely - Center/Wing - North Bay Battalion 

The shot is high end. The application of all the other tools is wildly inconsistent. A bit of an early maturer, Wakely once was able to dominate physically as a U16 player, but since arriving in the OHL, many of his age equivalent peers have surpassed him. The key for him moving forward will be the improvement of his athletic tools. Like many listed in this HM list, improving his quickness in all four directions is key for him. This would help him get to those openings quicker so that he can get better looks to use his shot.