My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft - Part 3: The Top 10

Here's the conclusion of my draft rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft; the top 10!

1. Sam Dickinson - Defense - London Knights

For me, the top OHL player available this year is Dickinson. I can see why some may favor Parekh. Heck, I wouldn't even be surprised if a few NHL staffs have Sennecke (at this point) at one. However, Dickinson is just such a safe impact player and I think that carries a ton of value. It would shock me if Dickinson does not develop into a reliable top four, 20 minutes a night, all situations NHL defender. Is there a chance his offensive upside is limited and he ends up as a Brady Skjei type? Yes. But, there's also a chance that his offensive game continues to develop and we're talking about him as more of a Noah Dobson, Alex Pietrangelo type. The obvious selling point is Dickinson's skating. It's really the main key to his success at both ends. He's an elite skater. The amount of power he generates and the smoothness of his stride is so impressive for a big(-ish) defender. Offensively, he's much better off the puck than he is on it. He is so good at picking his spots to jump up in the play, creating odd man opportunities with his speed. He's also really good at timing movement to fill gaps in the offensive end to get looks for him to use his great shot. He has both a terrific one timer and a heavy wrist shot. On the puck, there are times where his creativity and skill look a bit limited. He needs to make consistently quicker decisions. He can get boxed in. However, I felt that he really cut down on his neutral zone turnovers over the course of the season and learned to simply trust his speed to attack in straighter lines, rather than overcomplicate things by trying to work through traffic, forcing plays. I think he has terrific vision with the puck in the defensive end; he's a master as using the boards to create clean exits. Defensively, his mobility gives him such a clear advantage when you factor in his great reach too. Is there a need to increase his physical intensity level? I think so. I think he can also be too passive at times, especially when defending the slot and the net front area. However, I expect those things to be cleaned up under Hunter's tutelage in London. Bottom line is that Dickinson is going to play 10+ seasons in your top four and he's going to do so very soon, perhaps as early as a year from now. If you're looking for more info on Dickinson, check out this video report and this lengthy scouting report from me via my work at McKeen's Hockey

2. Zayne Parekh - Defense - Saginaw Spirit

Hands down, Parekh is one of the most creative playmaking defenders I've seen come through the OHL. That's high praise, but it's true. You don't break records and put up the kind of offensive numbers that Parekh did this year unless you're exceptionally skilled and creative. He really is a magician in the offensive zone. His hands work completely in sync with his quick feet. His edgework and lateral quickness are tremendous and when you factor in how quick his hands are, it's almost impossible for OHL defenders to box him in. He finds a way to escape pressure and he consistently finds a way to get pucks to the middle of the ice after he prolongs possession. Off the puck, Parekh's awareness is equally elite. He has great anticipation in the offensive zone. He routinely knocks down clearing attempts or intercepts outlets to hold the line and keep pressure on. Simply put, he's a relentless offensive player. Now...do I have some concerns? I do. I think there's a need for him to improve his first step linear quickness in order to help him make the transition to elite offensive defender at the NHL level. He's way better on his edges than he is in straight lines. Obviously, there are the defensive concerns too. Simply put, he's not always effective defending in traffic. He can struggle to tie up or win battles down low. He can cheat the defensive zone in favor of offense. His effectiveness is maximized by Saginaw's free flowing system, and learning a new one at the NHL level that requires him to defend more aggressively will be challenging. However, I do think his defensive game will improve. I think he's too smart of a player for it not to. And we see flashes of him being a relentless competitor. As his conditioning improves, I think he'll be able to find a way to be more of a two-way difference maker. I've seen comparisons to guys like Ryan Merkley or Tony DeAngelo. I saw both come through the league and I think Parekh is a more consistent competitor than they were at the same age. When Parekh loses the puck (which is rare), he fights to get it back on his stick. All that said, the Memorial Cup is going to be huge for him after a bit of a disappointing playoff performance thanks to injury. He'll have time to heal and it will be a big opportunity for him to prove that he can be a true difference maker when it matters the most. Single event performances rarely have significant influence, but I do truly believe that his Memorial Cup will be the difference between a top 8 selection and a 10-15 selection.

3. Beckett Sennecke - Wing - Oshawa Generals

His incredible second half has pushed him way up draft boards and I'm here for it. I wrote about Sennecke earlier this year for McKeen's Hockey (found here) and I mentioned how he was just scratching the surface of his immense potential. Turns out that he found that extra gear earlier than expected. The first thing you should know about Sennecke is that he's gone through a massive growth spurt in recent years. From about 5'10 to 6'3. It's been a tough adjustment for him that has had growing pains (no pun intended). His skating development has fluctuated, especially his quickness. His physical intensity level has wavered. However, the positive development he has shown over the course of this year is so encouraging. At the end of the day, wingers with his size and skill do not grow on trees anymore. Especially ones with his athletic pedigree (Mom was an Olympic volleyball player) and potential. The first thing you'll notice about Sennecke's game is his ability to sync his hands and his feet. He is so good on his edges for a bigger player. He explodes out of cuts and is so dangerous down low because of it. He handles the puck in a phonebooth, missing sticks as he shakes off checks to move the puck to the middle of the ice. That's another thing that I love about his game; he's so home plate oriented. He wants to get to the middle. He's not content on the perimeter, even if he has a big one timer that could see him post up on the flanks. Instead, he looks to get to the inside consistently. I also really like Sennecke's playmaking ability and vision for a bigger winger. I think that this comes from the fact that he wasn't always a bigger winger who could rely on a North/South power game. He's creative because this is how he had to play in minor hockey, before he could overwhelm opponents physically. Away from the puck, his game is inconsistent. Ditto for his strength on the puck. But, as he fills out his frame, look out. The sky is the limit because he's a smart player. I wouldn't hesitate at all to use a lottery selection on Sennecke at this point. I think he can be first line player in the NHL when all is said and done. 

4. Liam Greentree - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Don't let Greentree's poor U18's influence your opinion of him. Did it further magnify his need to improve his quickness and overall skating ability? Yes. Did it further magnify his need to become a more consistent physical player? Yes. But, there are so many other things to like about his game. For one, he's extremely skilled for a bigger winger. He routinely makes defenders miss and creates something out of nothing because of his handling ability. He's so good along the wall, routinely escaping pressure with possession only to help set up a scoring chance with his high end vision and passing ability. Of course, there's also the big shot. Greentree has a heavy wrist shot that routinely beats goalies cleanly, even from a distance. Yes, Greentree does need to get quicker. He can struggle to shake coverage at times and the bigger ice surface gave him issues at the U18's. I'd also really love to see him become a more consistent physical threat. He needs to find a way to the net, be better in puck pursuit, and look to play through players with his size. He doesn't need to be Tom Wilson. But, even a guy like Jason Robertson learned to do this at the OHL level before taking his talents to the NHL level. I think improving his strength and conditioning will do wonders for him. It's clear that there is a need for him to improve his lower body power to become more explosive. The stride itself isn't bad. It's the power he generates. And that's similar to the aforementioned Robertson. If you're looking for more info on Greentree, check out this video report and this lengthy scouting report from me via my work at McKeen's Hockey

5. Jett Luchanko - Center - Guelph Storm

Easily one of my favourite players in this entire draft class. He's a top 20 NHL pick for me. I don't see a world where Luchanko isn't at least a Casey Cizikas kind of impact bottom six'er...even if I believe that his offensive ceiling is closer to the likes of Nick Suzuki (Luchanko is a better skater than Nick, though). I was so happy to see Jett have a stand out U18's for Canada, because everyone got to see what he's been doing all year for Guelph. Luchanko is just such a detail oriented player. It's rare to see "speedsters" at this level have a clear understanding of how to use their speed effectively, but that's Jett. He is terrific on the forecheck. He is dangerous in transition. He is a committed and effective three zone player. But, best of all, he doesn't rely on his speed to be an offensive difference maker. He can slow the game down. He alters pace well on his entries to help him survey the ice, allowing teammates to catch up. He times his cuts well. He works the cycle and has a great motor. In Luchanko, you get all these great pro level habits, but then you also have a player with some of the best vision and passing ability of any player in this class. He makes those around him better. Do I think he's the most creative or skilled player with the puck? No. He's not in the same class of Sennecke or Greentree in that regard. He's also not ever going to be a prolific goal scorer IMO. However, he doesn't need to be with how quick pucks are off his stick when they need to be. When he has time and space, he's poised and confident with his head up, looking to make a play. When time and space are taken away, he uses his strong skating ability to escape coverage. There's really very little not to like about Luchanko. For more info, check out my lengthy scouting report (with video) on him for McKeen's Hockey.

6. Marek Vanacker - Wing - Brantford Bulldogs

Vanacker was a model of consistency all year long for the Bulldogs, who surprised by being up near the top of the Eastern Conference standings most of the year. He has a very clear identity on the ice already. His game is modelled around pace. He attacks North/South using his speed. He is an active forechecker who is very effective in puck pursuit because of his speed. He's a quick strike goal scorer who explodes into gaps in coverage, pouncing on loose pucks or opening himself up for a quick shot on net. Get the drift? Best case scenario sees Vanacker developing into a Chris Kreider type of goal scorer who also uses his speed to be an effective two-way player. A couple of things really need to happen for that to occur. For one, Vanacker needs to add greater variance to his game plan. We've seen other speedsters with one note games like Liam Foudy fail to break into the league full time. He has shown flashes of being able to work the wall, and use his hands to escape pressure in the cycle. But, learning to slow the game down to become a better playmaker is key. Additionally, I've found his play away from the puck to be inconsistent. I'd love to see more physicality in his game; a more definitive edge would really help to elevate his goal scoring ability. And with his speed, by becoming a strong presence in the defensive end, he could be even more dangerous on the counter attack. I thought his play at the U18's was actually quite solid, given that he was asked to play a little bit of a different role and ended up earning more ice time because his off puck play was sound. It showed versatility and growth. Overall, what you're looking at is a winger with size, speed, and a scoring touch. Depending on how other areas of his game develop, he could be anything from a top six winger, to a bottom six energy/PK guy, to not an NHL player. I think he's definitely put himself in the first round conversation. Interestingly enough, it has come out that Vanacker played the year with a torn labrum and has recently had surgery. This will likely keep him out of action until the start of the 2025 calendar year.

7. Ben Danford - Defense - Oshawa Generals

Danford is one of the players in this crop that grew the most on me over the course of this season. As much as Jacob Oster, Cal Ritchie, and Beckett Sennecke had a hand in Oshawa's hot run to the OHL finals, Danford was just as critical. He's such a well rounded player already. Firstly, he's an excellent skater. He is explosive and quick moving forward, which helps him be quick to retrievals and start the transition game. He is also excellent moving backwards and laterally, allowing him to maintain his gap when defending players downhill. He's a really tough player to shake. Despite not being an overtly physical player, Danford has managed to push himself into the upper echelon of the OHL's defensive defenders already. Look at this year's coaches poll results. Top defensive defender in the East. Also placed in the hardest worker and the best shot blocker. This guy is just a true competitor in the defensive end, even if he's not exactly playing through guys. Once he adds bulk, look out. But, perhaps the most exciting thing is that Danford really grew into an excellent two-way player over the year. This couldn't have been more evident during Oshawa's playoff run. Danford showed confidence and poise leading the rush. He was jumping up in the play. He was holding the offensive blueline. He's still learning how to best use his skating ability, but I think he's taken some notes from Sam Dickinson on how impactful he can be because of his quickness. Is he the most skilled? No. He's not going to be a powerplay 1 QB at the NHL level. But, I do truly believe now that Danford can be a top four defender who can impact the game in a lot of different ways. He's going to just keep getting better and better IMO.

8. Sam O'Reilly - Center/Wing - London Knights

Another guy that I really like. He's my type of player. O'Reilly is physical. He's hard working in all three zones. He's intelligent. He's got great vision as a playmaker and great anticipation as an offensive player off the puck. O'Reilly is one of those guys that you watch play and you say, "this guy plays a mature, pro style game already." Just think, he's kind of the reverse Henry Mews too. He played a bit of defense in his minor hockey career and has only recently shifted to center full time. He's got lots of runway left to get better. This is especially true once he upgrades his skating further. He needs to get quicker. He needs to get better on his edges to help him escape pressure and help him play with greater pace. He also needs to become more confident in using his heavy shot. He can really fire it, but his release needs to get quicker in order for him to start converting on more chances. Then comes the question about whether he's a center long term? It's definitely debatable. All that said, he's a guy I'd really advocate for in the mid second round. For one, I have a ton of trust when it comes to Dale Hunter developing guys like O'Reilly, who play the game that way that he did. For two, I see so many different paths to the league for O'Reilly. He's got a lot going for him and I think we'll see even more creativity and skill from him when he inevitably earns more ice time and responsibility in London. He flashed it at times during the second half and during London's great playoff run. It's the Hunter model. See Easton Cowan last year. 

9. Cole Beaudoin - Center/Wing - Barrie Colts

I really wanted to put Beaudoin higher because I really like him. This guy is a true gamer. It's cliche, but it's true. This is the kind of player you win in the playoffs with. Look at how he stepped up at the U18's, playing over 20 minutes a game in all situations by the gold medal game. Is he the best skater? Far from it. A wide stride and wonky mechanics limit his effectiveness at times. It will need to get cleaned up. However, I also believe his skating concerns have been overblown. He wins way too many races to the puck and beats too many defenders wide to the net for someone with speed deficits. It ain't pretty, but it works. Saw someone compare him to Boone Jenner recently and I think that's apt. Is he the most skilled or creative player? No, he is not. His release is going to need some work. He can struggle to escape pressure with the puck at times. He can fumble passes in transition at times. Yet...he's such a determined and intelligent offensive player. He's got great vision and instincts. He understands pacing. He knows when to attack with speed wide, drawing out pressure. And he knows when to dump and chase, working the cycle. He can be effective in both scenarios. That's because he makes quick decisions and rarely pushes his game outside of its limits. Of course, Beaudoin is also an extremely versatile player because of his incredible strength. He easily separates junior aged players from the puck in the defensive end and can be a high end penalty killer and defensive forward at the NHL level. He also plays all three forward positions. So why don't I have Beaudoin higher? I'm just not sure he's more than a really good third line player. That has a ton of value. Teams pay a premium for players like him heading into the playoffs. But given that he's not the world's most dynamic skater, there's also a chance that he's just not up to the pace of the league. I remember liking guys like Jonah Gadjovich for similar reasons and they struggled to be even consistent third liners because their skating never got up to par. If he were a better skater, Beaudoin would EASILY be a first rounder for me. But, without that element, I'd feel a little safer taking him in the second behind some players that I feel have more upside. For more information on Beaudoin, check out my lengthy video report for McKeen's Hockey

10. Henry Mews - Defense - Ottawa 67's

In all my years of scouting, Mews is unquestionably one of the most perplexing players that I've encountered as a draft eligible. I really don't know what to make of him and I've moved him around my final rankings so many times. Without question, one of the reasons why is that his game is still so raw, as someone relatively new to the position of defense. The application of his skill is so inconsistently applied that it makes it tough to truly assess him IMO. For every outstanding play he makes with the puck, or great read he makes without it, you're likely to see a complete head scratcher. Is he a high IQ player still working out how and when to be aggressive? Or is he a low IQ player whose skill allows him to shine through in certain situations? What gives me hope is that I thought he finished the year well, including a strong performance at the U18's. He limited his mistakes and was better defensively there than I had seen him. However, I'm still so hesitant based on the full body of work. I can find too many instances this year where he was so defensively disengaged; being slow to get back on defense following a bad pinch, cheating the defensive zone, failing to play with physical intensity and allowing his man to get inside leverage too easily. Yet...I keep coming back to the upside, which is very high. He's a terrific skater. He's highly skilled and creative. He shows flashes of being the complete package. I remember thinking some similar things about K'Andre Miller in his draft year, but I was enamored with him because he had the physical tools to make his misgivings more forgivable. He too was new to playing defense and he ended up figuring things out. Mews doesn't have the same physical tools that K'Andre has. And that means the risk is even greater when selecting him. The hope is...we've seen players like him before figure it out.