My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft - Part 2: 20-1

The second and final part of my 2026 rankings release.

Everyone always asks, so how do you view this class as a whole from the OHL? I think it's a good, but not amazing year. You've got two top five candidates. You have probably nine or ten guys who have a chance of being selected in the first round. That's definitely above average.

1. Chase Reid - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

Malhotra made it very close for me, but Reid has been my guy all season and I'm sticking with it. So many elements of Reid's game are bordering on elite. He's an explosive skater who can get up ice quickly, helping him have a profound impact on the transition game. He's extremely skilled and creative; his hands and feet work perfectly in sync. He's such a quick thinker on the fly and able to navigate the neutral zone with ease, even when pressured. Part of this comes from his quick ability to change direction too. Offensively, he's so good off the puck. He times cuts and jumps back door like you would want your 40 goal sniper to do. His shot is a major weapon too. He's going to score goals and lead a powerplay at the NHL level. Defensively, I do think that his game has come a long way. He's not your average undersized offensive defender. He's got length to him. The length and mobility make him a good transitional defender. He can play aggressively and take chances. It's really just defending tighter spaces. He doesn't have to defend a ton along the wall at the OHL level because he's so good at retrieving the puck that he rarely gets hemmed in. However, the net front he can struggle with at times. It's about adding strength and just turning that intensity dial up a tad. I see Reid as a quality number two defender who can be an offensive leader for his team. I don't always make comparisons, but Reid reminds me a lot of watching former Flyer Eric Desjardins and I think he can have a similar long term impact for the organization that drafts him. For more information and videos, check out my scouting report on Reid for McKeen's Hockey.

2. Caleb Malhotra - Center - Brantford Bulldogs

I see a lot of people hung up on Malhotra's perceived lack of upside based off of his "average" scoring year in the BCHL last season. That's ludicrous IMO. What has made Malhotra such a special player this year is that his game is constantly evolving. Early on in the year, I wasn't necessarily sold either. But, every month his game just kept improving. New layer after new layer. He was getting quicker; his skating improved a ton from the start of the year to the end. By the playoffs, he had learned to weaponize that speed too and his pace really increased. He was becoming more confident and assertive with the puck. It's similar to the narrative surrounding Brady Martin last year, that he lacked skill and creativity. Yet...according to InStat Malhotra was among the leaders in successful dekes in the OHL this season. He has great hands and he can create time/space for himself. He was also becoming quite a physical force. It's an underrated component of his game. He's a fierce competitor who will play through defenders. As he gains strength, I would suspect that we'll see this evolve even further to the point of him being a borderline "classic" power forward. What was always there, even from the beginning this year, was the brains. It's no surprise given his father Manny was such an intelligent player. But Caleb is such a crafty playmaker. His vision is outstanding and he makes those around him better. Defensively, he can be a little inconsistent, but I think that will tighten up and I'd project him as an elite two-way player as a pro. This is a very complete pivot who should be a quality, all situations top six center.

3. Ethan Belchetz - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Belchetz is a player that I've gone back and forth on so many times this year. My viewings were just so inconsistent. I'm so bummed that he got injured before the playoffs because I really believe that we could have seen him have a great playoffs; I mean, it's the kind of player he's projected to become and it would have been a great test for him. Truthfully, I think some of Belchetz's consistency issues come from conditioning. It's smart of him to follow the Porter Martone path next year to the NCAA in hopes that they can help him with that. It obviously worked wonders for shoring up Martone's game. But Belchetz can struggle to be impactful physically, away from the puck, and on the puck on the same shift. From the amount that I've watched this year too, he seemed more impactful at the start of games than the end. That's an quick fix and it's why I do think he can reach his upside as a top six power forward. The shot improved a ton this year. It's become perhaps his best offensive weapon. The skating is passable for a guy his size, it's not going to hold him back. But, his pace needs to increase. I also want to see him play between the hash marks more consistently given his size advantage. From a skill perspective, he has the hands. He can evade pressure. He can get to the net. He can prolong possession along the wall. You just want to see him making quicker decisions and applying that skill in a more up tempo game. Best case scenario sees Belchetz put it all together and become a beast. Worst case? I think he's skilled enough to still become an Anthony Mantha type. Check out this great report from McKeen's colleague Kaeden Ireland on Belchetz (lots of video)

4. Nikita Klepov - Wing - Saginaw Spirit

Klepov really grew on me over the year. I still have some projection concerns, but he's one of those guys who you have to watch a lot to really appreciate. And I know that sounds crazy given he led the league in scoring, but it's true. He's just such an efficient offensive player. Crafty is the best word to use. He's very intelligent; very savvy off the puck in the offensive zone. On the puck, he has the skill and he has the frame to keep defenders at bay. He can be so effective off the puck as a shooting threat too, especially on the flank of the powerplay because his one timer is outstanding. Do I wish that he was quicker? Yes. Do I wish the physical engagement in the neutral zone/defensive zone were more consistent? Yes. Do I worry a bit about his pace of play and ability to create separation at the pro level? Yes. He is terrific in transition at the OHL level, but without elite speed/quickness, will that carry over? But, some players just have the "IT" factor and I think Klepov is one of them. The college level is going to really help him improve physically. I think there's some risk factor with his selection, but the offensive upside is very high. He's moved ahead of Novotny for me because I've become more comfortable with that risk because I'm more confident he can improve further. For more, check out my colleague Kaeden Ireland's report on him for McKeen's Hockey.

5. Adam Novotny - Wing - Peterborough Petes

I have absolutely no doubt that Adam Novotny will be an NHL player. His game is very projectable. It's built on power and tenacity. He's so tough to stop North/South because of how quick and strong he is. If he gets even a half step on you, he's finding a way to get to the net. He's also a tremendous forechecker. Just wrecks havoc as the F1; a turnover forcing machine. His game without the puck, in general, is quite mature. He's sound defensively too. Lastly, his shot is a weapon. He one times pucks cleanly from either the bumper spot or the flank and he possesses a powerful wrister too. There's a good chance that he can develop into a consistent 25 goal scorer at the NHL level. At one point this year, I had him as high as third because I believed he could end up being an extremely valuable, playoff style performer. And while I do still believe that can be the case, I really didn't like how he finished the year. It seemed like OHL defenders started to develop a book on him and he started to get boxed in a lot; they were neutralizing his speed/power and he seemed somewhat unable to make adjustments. I'm not sure he's a naturally gifted passer and I wonder if his game is a little too "one note" to be a consistent point producer at higher levels. A valuable player...yes. A high scoring one...no. He's one of the oldest first time eligible players this year and perhaps he's plateauing a bit. I like him in that 20-30 range of the first round, but not in the lottery or teens. Liam Staples, of McKeen's Hockey, wrote a comprehensive report on Novotny earlier this year that you'll want to check out.

6. Ryder Cali - Wing/Center - North Bay Batttalion

I certainly haven't hidden my love for Cali this year; I've talked about him a lot. But I do truly believe that he could develop into a really good NHL player in the Alex Killorn mold. He's super young for this class and his month over month progression was great. Early on this year, as he was adjusting to the OHL full time, Cali was fairly reserved in his approach, playing primarily a support role in working the cycle and getting to the net. Then he suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of action for over two months. Upon returning, he was a different player, a more confident one. Through the final 20 games of the OHL regular season, Cali was a point per game player. He looked quicker. He was a driving force offensively. He was more assertive physically. The switch flipped. We saw him hitting the highlight reels consistently. And while his ice time at the U18's for Canada was fairly limited, his "fourth" line with Beckett Hamilton and Alessandro Di Iorio was consistently one of Canada's best. He didn't show the growth from a play driving stand point, but he was a dependable penalty killer and a strong boards player. I think the main question for Cali is can he play center long term? Either way he has value, but if you view him as a center, he's going to have more. I just see Cali as such a safe NHL prospect. The floor is solid, but I think the upside is higher than people think. Curious to see how he plays at Providence. Would have liked him to play another year in the OHL. Check out my in-depth piece on Cali for McKeen's Hockey

7. Thomas Vandenberg - Center/Wing - Ottawa 67's

Vandenberg was so consistent this year for the upstart 67's as a rookie. I think what's most impressive about that is Vandenberg is still pretty physically immature as one of the youngest draft eligible players this year. I think he's only scratching the surface of what he's capable of physically. Once he fills out, we could see another level of his game unlocked; think from a power forward perspective. As is, Vandenberg's best tool is his skating. No question, he's one of the quickest players in this entire draft class, not just Ontario. His first few steps are lethal and it gives him such an advantage on the ice. As the strength improves, his ability to sustain that explosiveness should improve even more. The other thing that always impresses me about Vandenberg is his attention to detail in all three zones. He's one of the draft's best defensive forwards IMO. Never seems to miss an assignment. Great stick placement and awareness. Sometimes he can lose battles along the wall or give up space because he's getting overwhelmed physically, but again, as that improves, I think he's going to be a very good two-way player at higher levels. Offensively, his shot is probably the best weapon in his arsenal. Quick wrister allows him finish off chances from the slot and he's highly accurate. I know some people see him slotting at the wing at the pro level, with a focus on his speed and scoring ability, but I do think that his on puck game and playmaking ability can evolve to the point where he sticks down the middle. There's times where Vandenberg reminds me of a guy like Bo Horvat and I think he could develop into a similar kind of player.

8. Maksim Sokolovskii - Defense - London Knights

Early on in the year, I ranked Sokolovskii 18th and I wrote this: "It’s rare to have someone being routinely healthy scratched ranked this high early on, but I do truly believe that Sokolovskii has excellent upside." It was tough sledding for him until about the deadline. London moved some players and Sokolovskii finally started earning Dale's trust. Fast forward to the playoffs and he had earned top pairing minutes and key defensive assignments. His progression from start to end of the year was outstanding, especially when you consider that he played U.S. AAA hockey last year. Defensively, he has immense upside. He is so good at defending in transition. He's almost impossible to get around or play through. The size, reach, mobility, and physicality combination is deadly. His gap control and understanding of when to play aggressively really improved over the year. Physically, he's dominant. His hits are felt in the stands and he's intimidating because of it. You can see players rushing decisions or altering decisions when he's on the ice. The million dollar question is, how much is he capable of offensively? There are flashes. He can carry the puck. He's actually quite good at working in off the point, either using his size to protect the puck with players on his back, or stickhandling around the first layer of pressure. With his size, his shot probably develops into more of a weapon. His puck management improved over the year, although turnovers in the defensive end still need to get cleaned up. He needs to make quicker decisions. However, under the tutelage of Dale Hunter, Sokolovskii is such an intriguing project. 

9. Alexander Bilecki - Defense - Kitchener Rangers

What a great run for Bilecki this year in Kitchener. He had a very strong playoffs and Memorial Cup and that has to count for something in the eyes of NHL scouts. He's a really well rounded defender who leans offense first. However, he projects as the kind of NHL defender who can play in any situation. He's been quarterbacking one of the Rangers' powerplay units all year and doing a great job. Bilecki's size and strong mobility give him an advantage at both ends. He can kill the rush, but also kick start the transition game. He's not the world's most creative offensive defender, but he's intelligent. On the puck, he gets pucks to the net quickly and makes quick passes, or he has the elusiveness on his edges to escape the first layer of pressure, working to the inside. Similar to Chase Reid, he's also good off the puck as an offensive player. He'll pinch to keep pucks in, activate regularly as a third or fourth man in, or sneak backdoor to earn a look. Defensively, his physical intensity increased over the year and, again, he's an intelligent zone defender. As he picks up more ice time and responsibility, aka next season, I'm really curious to see how his game evolves further. I think the one concern you'd have is the difficulty that his player type sometimes has with finding a role at the NHL level; the "jack of all trades" type. You think of guys like Roland McKeown or Stuart Percy. It's why I'd have Bilecki outside of the first round because there is that chance that he fits that similar archetype. However, I also believe that his offensive game is going to develop further with more confidence, giving him a chance to be a Damon Severson type.

10. Brooks Rogowski - Center - Oshawa Generals

The big Oshawa pivot is a raw player. He hasn't been focusing solely on hockey for very long, growing up as a competitive baseball player. He came to the OHL from Michigan high school hockey, a pretty rare jump. This would suggest that he has a lot of development left in the tank; that he's just scratching the surface of what he's capable of. While that is true, I do have some concerns over his projection. First, let's dive into the "good." I think Rogowski is a very smart player. He's a strong playmaker and has good vision coming off the wall. He's a supportive defensive player as a pivot and his length makes him a real asset in the neutral and defensive zones. He gets to the net and has good instincts as a scorer; the baseball background makes him a terrific net front presence because of his hand eye coordination. He also skates well enough in straight lines with his big, long strides. Given his size advantage, it's definitely good enough. OK, now the things that I'm concerned about. First, the other components of his skating profile need work. He's a bit of a baby deer out there. The balance and agility aren't great. He can lose edges and balance regularly. In order to escape pressure as an NHL player, this will need to improve. The biggest criticism of Rogowski's game this year from the scouting community, as a whole, has been his inability to dominate physically despite such a huge frame. And it's true, the physical intensity does need to ratchet up. He'd be so much more effective at both ends if he could unlock more consistent "power forward" type tendencies. Lastly, I'm perhaps most worried about the small area skill. He can fumble pucks at his feet along the wall and he can have trouble navigating the neutral zone. He's not a creative player. He's strong between the hash marks because he shields the puck well, but with his size, he's going to be looked upon to be dominant along the wall and in the cycle, and he currently isn't great in that area. However, I say all this and bring you back to my opening statement. Even though he's physically mature, Rogowski isn't a finished product. Bigger players take longer to develop, especially ones like Rogowski who just haven't had as much time on the ice as others. You're drafting him in hopes that he can develop into a quality middle six piece...or at the very least become a Brian Boyle type clone. For more, check out my in-depth report on Rogowski for McKeen's.

11. Jaxon Cover - Wing - London Knights

Cover is one of this draft's ultimate wildcards. Not just in terms of where he is selected, but also in terms of how he develops. By now, if you follow the draft, you're very familiar with his story. If, not give friend Scott Wheeler's story a read. Basically, Cover has an inline background and just hasn't played a ton of high end ice hockey. That's going to create a development lag and it's wild that he's closed the gap as quickly as he has; a testament to his athleticism and work ethic. The tools are there. His skating mechanics aren't conventional, but he covers ground well and can build speed. He's a highly skilled player in small spaces. He's highly elusive; can keep the puck on a string. The hands and feet work in sync and this allows him to play up tempo. The decision making, play away from the puck, and physical engagement are all best characterized as inconsistent. There's flashes of all three being possible strengths, but then he can go stretches of being invisible. I had Cover much higher on my list at various points of the season. But, I guess the question I asked myself was, did Cover show the kind of progression this year that I wanted to, given his unique background and lack of experience? I wouldn't confidently say that he was better in the London playoff series than he was in the first week of the season. That could certainly be viewed as a red flag. However, you have to like that he's in London and believe that he'll get a ton of ice time next year. Cover could literally develop into anything from a top six scoring winger to a low level NA or European pro player. There's big time risk and reward. For more info on Cover, check out colleague Liam Staples' report for McKeen's Hockey.

12. Alessandro Di Iorio - Center - Sarnia Sting

Di Iorio entered the year as a very possible first round selection. As a well rounded and competitive pivot, there was real hope that his offensive game would reach another level and that he'd push for the first round. However, Di Iorio's offensive contribution and production remained extremely inconsistent. I mean, yeah the Sarnia Sting weren't great this year; the supporting cast struggled just as much as he did with consistency. But, it's left us with more questions about his upside than answers. As such, he's seen as a more likely second or third round selection. What Di Iorio deserves credit for is his effort level. That was consistent this year. He's a competitive two-way player who can kill penalties. He needs to get stronger at the faceoff circle, but his defensive awareness is solid and as he builds strength, he projects as a strong defensive forward. He's also highly effective on the forecheck. That was very evident at the U18's where he was part of a strong fourth line with Ryder Cali (and Beckett Hamilton of the WHL). One of the things that was tough to evaluate this year was his skating. At times, he looks extremely quick and agile, with the ability to beat defenders wide and cut in. Other times, his stride looks a bit clunky and he fails to generate separation ability. That should get ironed out won't likely hold him back. So it comes down to skill and offensive IQ. There are flashes. The shot is a weapon, but he doesn't use it enough or get himself in position to use it. He can be creative, but he can struggle with altering pace and either skates himself into trouble or gets boxed in. It's just really hard to say what kind of player he'll end up becoming. There are so many possibilities. There's a high floor. There's a high ceiling. But there's also a world where he fails to develop a true identity and struggles to breakthrough similar to Francesco Pinelli in the Kings' organization. 

13. Pierce Mbuyi - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

This is definitely a fall in the rankings for Mbuyi, as I had him firmly inside my top ten for most of the year. It's a combination of others really stepping up late, the strange end of the year for the Owen Sound Attack, and a closer dissection of Mbuyi's game. I still really like him as a pick in that 50-70 range. You'd be hard pressed to find a player with more upside in that slot. Mbuyi is the nearly ideal smaller forward. He's skilled. He's tenacious. He's equal parts playmaker and goal scorer. He's elusive thanks to good agility and quickness off his edges. I've said this before, but he reminds me a little bit of Cole Perfetti, only a more physically engaged player. Now, I said nearly ideal because there's definitely room for Mbuyi to upgrade his top speed and linear quickness given his size and slight frame. So why the drop? I think we need to talk about that end of the year for Owen Sound. As captain of the team, that definitely had to leave a sour taste in the mouth of scouts. Then he was left off the Canadian U18 team despite being a member of the Hlinka team and being more highly rated than many of the players brought in. The other thing that needs to be discussed is Mbuyi's lack of strength. He's tenacious as heck for a smaller forward; love how aggressive he forechecks and works to win battles along the wall. However, he can be kept to the perimeter and separated from the puck too easily at times. He's a long term project so that he can bulk up. It wouldn't shock me to see him drafted in the NHL lower than we're projecting and if that's the case, a team will be getting great value.

14. Ryan Roobroeck - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

Roobroeck is such a difficult player to assess and project in different ways than Mbuyi. He offers such a tantalizing package of skill and smarts in a large frame. The offensive upside is significant; he could be a powerplay one threat and a top six winger. However, a lot of adjustments need to be made in order to reach that upside. Let's start with the good. Roobroeck is one of the best scorers in this draft class. He possesses a whip like wrister and snap shot that he can pick corners with and he's very deceptive with his release. If he could become more confident with his one timer from the flank, he could be a consistent 30 goal scorer in the NHL. Roobroeck is also a very intelligent playmaker. He uses the threat of his shot to open up passing lanes and can really thread the needle. He consistently rotates to the point of Niagara's powerplay because of how well he moves the puck. The IQ extends further than that; he's a very opportunistic player. He consistently finds soft spots and settles into pockets that allow him to get his shot off. He's one of those guys that the puck magnetically gravitates towards. OK, now the concerns. Firstly, the physical engagement is very low for a bigger forward. He shows flashes of physicality and strong off puck pursuit, but can also be pushed to the perimeter and lacks the competitive drive to consistently earn touches; he needs to be harder on pucks. Will this develop? The issue is that this has been the knock on Roobroeck since his minor hockey says. He's played three years in the OHL and you could make the argument that his game hasn't improved a ton. Roobroeck's pace of play also lags. When he tries to push pace, he can get boxed in without elite quickness and turnovers can be an issue, especially without that high end compete level. In straight lines he can build speed, but he's not great working off his edges or having to make quick cuts. As a result, Roobroeck tries to slow the pace of play, incorporating delays, hesitations, and pivots to help him create room. So where does that leave us? It's just a matter of your aversion to risk. Roobroeck could be someone who figures it out and then you've got a high end offensive player with size. Or he could be the next Michael Dal Colle. For a larger breakdown of his game, check out my report for McKeen's Hockey. 

15. Spencer Bowes - Wing - Ottawa 67's

When Spencer Bowes was drafted by the 67's as an overage player in 2024 (he was originally eligible in 2023), he was listed at 5'6. Now he's pushing six foot. That's a pretty large growth spurt. However, playing as a smaller player for so many years had such a positive effect on Bowes' game. He's such a relentless physical player and hard worker. He broke in with the 67's on the team's fourth line and slowly gained more trust and responsibility because of his hard work and positive attitude. 10 points in his first 34 games. 40 points in his final 42 games (including the playoffs). Talk about progression. To be honest, I think Bowes is the kind of player who is still gaining confidence; learning about the kind of impact he can have. As such, I think he's only scratching the surface of his upside. In the second half of the year, we saw so many terrific flashes of play creation ability. He's got skill. He's also got a terrific shot and scoring instincts. Bottom line, he checks a lot of boxes and because of that, there are going to be so many different paths to the NHL for him. Most likely scenario sees him develop into a Daniel Cleary kind of high impact third liner. The only thing really missing from his game is high end skating ability, and as a result, the ability to play a high paced game. However, we know how late growth spurts can impact skating power. Mechanically, I don't think there are real issues. It's just a matter of improving lower body strength to compensate for his now larger frame. Give him a few years and I don't think the skating will be an issue.

16. Beckham Edwards - Wing/Center - Sarnia Sting

The best way to describe Edwards' game is that he's not yet the sum of his parts. He has speed and can play with pace, but he has trouble slowing the game down and varying attack patterns. He has played both center and wing and his long term positional projection would be different depending on who you ask. He has a good shot, but he doesn't consistently find soft spots or exhibit sound decision making or poise with the puck. He works hard off the puck, but the physical consistency is still developing. Just how skilled is Edwards? The hands don't always play at the same speed as his feet. Lots of questions. Then you throw in the wrinkle of Edwards playing on a poor Sarnia team this year and he's just such a puzzle. I had really high expectations for him coming into the year, but I didn't really feel like his game improved much. However, this is exactly the kind of player you feel comfortable taking in that late second, third round range. You can work with him to help him find a better on ice identity; to find that niche. The skating ability will play at higher levels and if you can help him simplify things, he could be a terrific middle six asset. You also have to hope that as Sarnia improves around him, Edwards' game should take off with less pressure on him to drive play.

17. Adam Nemec - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

Nemec is that classic case of a player who is a high level thinker and a great competitor, but who lacks high end athletic tools. So how do you value that? How do you project his game in today's NHL? I think one of the other issues is that Nemec isn't huge. He's average sized. He does so much of his damage from between the dots and near the crease; will he find success there at the NHL level? As a late born 2007, how much physical development remains and can he improve his skating further to get quicker and more elusive? Yeah...I know, lots of questions here. But these are the questions NHL scouts are going to be asking themselves in regards to Nemec. But he's firmly in the conversation as a second or third round pick because of how smart he is. For my money, he's one of the smartest off puck players available in this class. His reads and anticipation are outstanding. I also greatly appreciate his work rate. He's not a heavy hitter or a power forward. However, he is great along the wall and in the cycle, and he's willing to take a hit to make a play, be it along the wall or in front of the net. I think he can be a powerplay asset at higher levels the way that he was for Sudbury this year after coming over. He really was gaining a ton of confidence as a play driver later in the year and it would have been interesting to see how his game would have grown had he spent all year in the OHL. You draft Nemec hoping that some of those physical traits can be improved because he's smart enough to be an NHL player.

18. Layne Gallacher - Wing/Center - Guelph Storm

Tale of two seasons for me in regards to Gallacher. I loved his play with Brantford to start the year. He was super aggressive physically and he was playing an up tempo game offensively. Even with somewhat sheltered minutes, he found a way to be consistently impactful. He looked like a future versatile pro. Then he got dealt to Guelph in the Luchanko trade and I felt like he lost his way a bit. We saw flashes of what we saw in Brantford, but his game became super inconsistent. The supporting cast in Guelph obviously wasn't as strong and he was tasked with being more involved offensively. This seemed to take away from his physical play. He was still trying to use his speed to play at a quick pace, but turnovers become more common place as teams were able to key in on him. Part of me wanted to drop him lower than this. His second half play wasn't great. However, there's just something about his game that I think is very projectable and I think he has a lot of runway to improve his production and consistency. The speed can play at the next level. As he gets stronger, he'll be more effective driving the net and the physical game should become more dominant. I think he's going to be a good two-way forward who can play on the PK. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut.

19. Cole Zurawski - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

NHL teams are going to likely love Zurawski in the third/fourth round range. He's exactly the kind of player you take a chance on in that range. On one hand, his game currently has some flaws that make him inconsistent and a longshot to be an NHL contributor. On the other hand, he has significant NHL upside as a power scoring winger if he's able to make some adjustments. Boom/bust is the way to go in this range if you ask me; serious bang for your buck. What makes Zurawski a high upside swing is that he's capable of playing a power game given his frame, but he's also a strong straight line skater, a creative one on one player, and in possession of one of the best shots in this Ontario class. When he's on his game, he can completely take over shifts in the offensive zone. The problem is, those shifts can be few and far between. His off puck play leaves a lot to be desired given that his physical gifts could make him such an impactful player in this regard. And without outstanding off puck habits, he's not getting as many looks to utilize his shot as he should be. Then, of course, the elephant in the room was the poor end of the year for Owen Sound. I guess the question scouts will ask is, do they think Zurawski is a smart enough player to truly unlock his upside? You just have to focus on those dominant shifts and hope that he can find a way to play that way all the time.

20. Brody Pepoy - Wing - Saginaw Spirit

Speaking of inconsistent, at least in terms of offensive effectiveness, insert Pepoy. I find him to be one of the most fascinating players eligible from Ontario this year. You never seem to know what you're going to get from him. I think he's one of those classic cases of a player possessing all the tools, but whose application of said tools is wildly inconsistent; perhaps because he doesn't quite understand how to utilize them. Pepoy flashes some real creativity with the puck; he doesn't lack confidence in his ability to make plays. However, this sometimes leads to a reckless game in the offensive end and turnovers. When it works...Pepoy looks great. When it doesn't,,,Pepoy looks like a liability. But, this is a winger with a good frame, a strong shot, and the puck skill to be a difference maker and play driver. What's more consistent is Pepoy's work rate and boards play. His effort away from the puck, in the offensive end anyway, should not be questioned. He could stand to get a little quicker, but I don't see the skating holding him back at all. I mean, if you're stat watching, Pepoy probably doesn't catch your eye. But the way Saginaw employs it's top players, the second and third line just doesn't see as much responsibility. Pepoy's time will come and that will give him a real chance to improve his decision making and understanding of how to best utilize his skill set. Like mentioned with Zurawski, this is the type of player you take in the mid rounds because Pepoy's potential will be greater than his draft slot.

My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft - Part 1: 50-21

The first part of my rankings release for the 2026 NHL Draft. 

For those that have been following my work for years, like last year, I'm condensing down to only two parts for this. Part one includes the players ranked 21 through 50. Part two will include the players in my top 20.

Just for clarification, for my top 50 ranking, I haven't included any players eligible for draft re-entry, such as Alex Kostov or Egor Barabanov. This has been consistent all the way through my lists. Instead, I did a list of the top 20 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. As you may know (or not know) I am the scouting director for McKeen's and our draft guide will be released extremely soon (purchasing information is available on the linked site).

Previously, the number of players drafted from the CHL in this range was shrinking due to the decreased signing window in comparison to other players from other regions. However, with the new NCAA eligibility rules, I wonder if we see a resurgence here. NHL teams will be more willing to take on longer term projects from the CHL because they know that they can go to college and develop further there, extending their signing window.

Without further ado, here are the players ranked 21 through 50.

21. Eric Frossard - Defense - Guelph Storm

From start to finish this year, Frossard had to be one of the OHL's most improved draft eligibles. I felt like he was Guelph's best overall defenseman by the end of the year, and that includes Penguins draft pick Quinn Beauchesne. Frossard has some really projectable qualities. The size and mobility combination is excellent. He's a smooth four way mover. And I really like how Frossard uses his mobility to play aggressively defensively. Steps up in the neutral zone to make plays. Is aggressive at the blueline with an active stick. He's not content to sit back. Physically, there's room for growth. He's not always as physically aggressive as you'd like, deeper in the zone...especially given his size. However, you have to project that changing as he gains confidence and bulks up. I would project him as a very difficult pro to play against. Offensively, later in the year we really saw him come out of his shell. He's never going to be a highly creative defender, but he's efficient with the puck and makes a strong exit pass. You could make a comparison to a guy like John Marino here. I know Frossard is headed to Notre Dame in the future, but I'm hoping he stays in Guelph next year where we can see his game blossom on the Memorial Cup hosts.

22. JC Lemieux - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

Lemieux is one of those classic cases of...you really like the player, but you also understand that his NHL projection is a bit murky. I mean, there really is lots to like about his game. He's competitive. He's skilled. He's an excellent playmaker, especially from the half wall; he's going to be a powerplay asset at higher levels. He likes to play up tempo. He was so good for Sudbury after the trade from Windsor, although he was admittedly pretty quiet at the U18's. I think his lack of effectiveness at the U18's magnified some of those projection issues. He's considered undersized by today's standards. He's not the kind of dynamic or explosive skater that you like to see in smaller forwards. He's not slow by any means, but if he were just a little quicker, it would help him escape pressure more consistently and not have to rely on outworking defenders. The other concern is durability. Given how he needs to play to be successful, he's struggled with injuries in his OHL career thus far. I'd be totally fine with taking Lemieux in the like 80-120 range, it's worth the risk, but earlier than that and I think more projectable players could be on the board.

23. Colin Fitzgerald - Center/Wing - Soo Greyhounds

Consistency is the million dollar word here. It was an issue starting the year with Peterborough and closing the year with Sault Ste. Marie. Sometimes it feels like Fitzgerald is having a bit of an identity crisis. Every shift; every game, we see different layers but rarely at the same time. Sometimes, he looks like a power forward, throwing his weight around on the forecheck, getting to the net. Other times, he tries to be more of a finesse player, trying to beat defenders one on one. He found some success driving wide to the net later in the year when he was playing the wing almost exclusively. He still has the big shot that he had in minor hockey too, but his usage of it is...again inconsistent. He needs to do a better job of finding those soft spots to use his shot and his release is sometimes on the slower side. You also have ask the question of whether he's a center or wing long term? If you're drafting Fitzgerald early, you're banking on him finding consistency as a power pivot who can project as a solid third line center at higher levels. I know he hit a big growth spurt heading into the year and it impacted his skating a bit, so it'll be interesting to see how offseason training improves his game.

24. Carter Stevens - Wing - Guelph Storm

I really liked Stevens coming into the year and I still have hope that he can develop into a quality pro prospect. I think he's a smart player. He understands his game really well. He's really effective near the crease and in the slot. His shot can be a big weapon for him. I think Stevens has a lot of potential as a two-way player too, again because of the high IQ. However, he's quite often a passenger. He doesn't drive play, only supports it. I mean, that's the kind of role that he'd play at higher levels, but you'd still want to see him show greater offensive responsibility and creativity at the junior level. The other two things I'd like to see from Stevens is improvement to his speed and explosiveness, in addition to an increased physical element. He's not slow and he's not soft. However, he'll need to be quicker and harder to play against to be an effective NHL role player. Drafting Stevens, you're loving the IQ and frame and hoping that a few areas improve to be assets for him.

25. Ryder Fetterolf - Goaltender - Ottawa 67's

Fetterolf is a tough one to gauge. He had such a fantastic year for the 67's, earning the OHL's top netminder award. Yet, you won't find him ranked highly on a public scouting list, and I would suspect he could be lower on NHL scouting lists. You look at guys like Jack Ivankovic or Carter George who are about the same size as Fetterolf, yet drew early looks, and Fetterolf isn't as technically sound as they are. He relies so much on his competitiveness, athleticism, and play reading. His rebound control and positioning aren't always on point. I know there are concerns that his game won't translate as well to higher levels because of this. Smaller goaltenders do have an uphill battle to climb. Look at Michael Dipietro, back to back AHL goaltender of the year and can't get a sniff. Devon Levi is struggling with consistency in the AHL/NHL. Yet, once you get to this point, I just don't see another player who could have the same kind of impact as Fetterolf IF he does end up hitting Dustin Wolf, Juuse Saros style. Mid rounds, sign me up for the risk/reward!

26. Callum Croskery - Defense - Soo Greyhounds

This might be a shockingly low ranking for Croskery, but I lump him in the same category as JC Lemieux. Croskery is a player I like, but who I also worry about in terms of projection. These type of average sized, jack of all trades types on the blueline historically have a difficult time finding roles at the NHL level. A guy like Roland McKeown is the perfect example. I did think that Croskery had a terrific U18's for Canada. We saw more from him offensively; a level of assertiveness and confidence with the puck that we didn't see a ton of this year in the Soo. He's a good skater and I think his decision making at both ends improved a lot over the course of the year. He's at his best defensively when he's defending aggressively, denying entries, breaking up passes in the neutral zone. As play shifts down low, he can struggle to contain at times. Could he develop into a Calvin de Haan kind of player? Certainly possible. He's the kind of prospect who can really use these new NCAA eligibility rules to his benefit. Play at least another year in the Soo, then head to Boston College for another three.

27. Vladimir Dravecky - Defense - Brantford Bulldogs

Basically what I said for Croskery goes here too, except Dravecky is a late born '07. I really liked him at the beginning of the year when he was playing a larger role for the Bulldogs. Thought he was flashing some high end skill and showing some jam in the defensive end to make up for a lack of size. The decision making wasn't always the best, but he was willing to activate and take chances. As the year went on, I felt like he went back into a shell as he got pushed down the lineup; as such his impact was generally limited. The mistakes decreased, but so did the offensive production. Which leads me to believe that Dravecky is the kind of defender who'll need to play that high risk/high reward kind of hockey to be successful; at his size and ability level, that may not work well in the NHL. So, I do believe that he has more upside than he showed late in the year, but I also have concerns that he has plateaued from a development perspective. What would his role at the NHL level be?

28. Ryan Brown - Wing - London Knights

What a difference a change of scenery can make. Brown was really struggling with his consistency in Sarnia. His development had really stalled IMO. He really wasn't utilizing teammates well and offensive zone turnovers were a real issue for him as he tried to transform himself into more of a play driver, rather than a high energy complementary piece. In London, we saw him look a lot more comfortable, letting the play come to him rather than forcing it. Quicker decisions with the puck. Getting back to the basics of getting to the net and outworking defenders along the wall. He was one of their best players, if not their best player down the stretch. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad worried about his projection as a high energy middle six type; there's a need for him to get quicker and stronger still. At his size, I wish he were just a little more physical too. That would give him a sort of Michael Bunting type vibe. He's worth a flyer in the mid to late rounds based on the progression he showed in London, but I do wonder if NHL teams bypass him despite a lot of the amateur scouting community buying in.

29. Parker Vaughan - Wing - North Bay Battalion

I thought Vaughan had a really strong finish to the year, elevating his play in the OHL playoffs specifically. He's a fairly projectable player; the tools are solid. He's a winger with a good frame, physical intensity, and a really good wrister. Thought that his physical play really became more consistent late in the season, which in turn, helped drive better production. He has a great shot, but does he have the instincts to utilize it? Goes through dry spells because I find that he can have trouble finding those openings to use his shot. His playmaking vision and decision making with the puck can leave some to be desired too. He's at his best when he keeps things simple. The top speed is solid, but there's room for improvement in his start ups; they're a bit clunky. Overall, you're projecting Vaughan as a possible middle six, complementary scorer.

30. Yevgeni Dubrovtsev - Center - North Battalion

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills in regards to Dubrovtsev because I am always impressed by him, yet NHL Central Scouting doesn't rank him and I haven't seen him mentioned anywhere else. But, I'm sticking to my guns here. Dubrovtsev isn't huge, but he's a really well rounded player. I think he's very efficient in all three zones. Flashes skill in transition and can play with pace. He works hard to earn touches and plays through traffic. He's shifty and quick. Does he currently lack a true standout quality? I would say yes. However, he flashes greater potential offensively and I really hope he sticks it out in the OHL next year and improves. He'd be a very valuable later round pick IMO. His talents were hidden a bit by a lack of ice time.

31. Rowan Henderson - Wing - Sudbury Wolves

This is another player that I'd advocate for in the later rounds. I think that there is a very clear path to a long NHL career for him as a 4th liner and PK'er. He's one of the quickest and better skating players eligible from Ontario this year. His speed is a major asset in puck pursuit especially. Henderson is also physical and assertive, especially in the defensive end. The shot shows promise and I think his goal scoring numbers will slowly increase. He's not going to be a high skill or points guy. The hands don't always work in sync with his feet and he's not able to weaponize his skating the way that you'd want him to offensively. But, he understands that he can impact the game in other ways and I appreciate that. Keep it simple. I look at a guy like Jordan Martinook as a comparable here. Didn't score a ton in junior, but has that elite checking line mentality paired with great skating.

32. Gavin Betts - Goaltender - Kingston Frontenacs

First half of the season Gavin Betts doesn't even make this top 50 given that he's an undersized goalie. For whatever reason, when he returned from the Hlinka/Gretzky (where he played reasonably well IMO), he was really fighting it for a while and that allowed Minchak to shine. Second half of the season? Betts was one of the best goaltenders in the OHL IMO. It was a complete 180. The thing about Betts is that he's so athletic and competitive. He's truly never out of a play. His recovery ability and scramble abilities are great. His highlight package by the time he graduates from the OHL will be insane. I also appreciate how aggressive he is in trying to play the puck. It can be a bit of a nightmare, but this is a lost art these days. If he continues to work at it, it could be a big asset for his team. Otherwise, the things that were said about Fetterolf go for Betts too. There's not a ton of confidence in the scouting community that his skill set translates well to higher levels. He's a smaller goaltender who doesn't always make himself bigger. But, as I said for Fetterolf, he's well worth a draft pick to try to find out. His strong play at the U18's really did him favors too.

33. Adam Levac - Center - Peterborough Petes

Unfortunately for Levac, his season is being remembered more for that terrible slew foot that earned him a long suspension, rather than the fact that he pushed his way up Peterborough's lineup to become their top center. Two things are at the heart of his game. First is his aggressiveness. He's not an in your face physical player per say; not a heavy hitter. But, he plays hard. He's getting to the net. He's involved in board battles. He takes away space defensively and gets under the skin of opponents. The second thing would be his passing touch. This year I was consistently impressed by his ability to find or create passing lanes. He mixes speed well and is not afraid of inviting pressure to open up those lanes. There will probably be folks who'd have Levac higher than 32, but I'm also concerned about his upside. I don't see him as an above average skater. There's room for him to get quicker. Levac is also not a high skill guy or creative. There's that tweener vibe being given off. If you draft Levac high, you're really leaning on him becoming a high end checking line center.

34. Brady Murnane - Defense - Oshawa Generals

I thought Murnane improved a lot over the OHL season and was the most impactful of Oshawa's draft eligible defenders this year. It's not easy playing on a rebuilding team as a stay at home defender, but I liked the progression. His combination of size, mobility, aggressiveness, and smarts are going to definitely attract an NHL team; I'd be shocked if he goes unselected. I don't think Murnane is a high upside guy. His exits improved over the course of the year as he learned he could trust his feet to create space. However, his offensive skill set is pretty limited. What we're talking about here is a third pairing, PK guy who can give you solid minutes and not hurt his team. Every organization needs that. 

35. Joseph Salandra - Wing - Barrie Colts

I love watching Salandra play. That brutal leg injury in the OHL finals was so hard to watch because he's such a tenacious and hard working player. Hopefully he bounces back quickly. What you're getting in Salandra is one of the fiercest physical competitors, pound for pound, in the OHL. He's a relentless physical player. Forecheck. Backcheck. Getting to the net. He will play through you. It's cliche for sure, but he plays way bigger than his size. He's strong. However, Salandra also has some offensive skill and he's certainly not a poor skater. He can create space with his quickness and he surprises defenders on the forecheck with how quickly he can close in on them. Salandra's playmaking touch coming out of the cycle always impresses me; he has great scanning habits. As an NHL player, Salandra would be a bottom six guy. And at his size, he may not get picked. It will be an uphill battle for him. However, I'd advocate pretty heavily for him late because he's one of those guys that I think finds a way.

36. Weston Cameron - Center/Wing - Kitchener Rangers

It was tough to see Cameron healthy scratched for most of the playoff run and Memorial Cup. However, the Rangers depth was just too strong. The start of his year wasn't much luckier either, with that bad infection that cost him the first few months. Obviously, he didn't receive a ton of ice time either. So why do I have him ranked? I think that Cameron has serious boom potential. Huge frame. Knows how to leverage his frame down low and near the crease; just has to get stronger to fight off checks and find consistency. He's a decent skater for a guy his size and I think that as he fills out, his skating could actually become a strength; it's just the power and balance that are lacking. I think Cameron also shows excellent two-way potential and that he could end up playing center, his natural position, down the line. An NHL team would be really wise to use a later round pick on him. Let him gain ice time in Kitchener and then he heads to UMass for three years. In five, you potentially have a 6'4, power pivot who can play both ends of the ice. Or at worst, you could have a Mark Jankowski kind of fourth line center.

37. Maks Corovic - Goaltender - Brantford Bulldogs

I'm extremely intrigued by Corovic. The OJHL's goaltender of the year with Collingwood, also saw spot duty with the Bulldogs and with one of the Canadian entries at the WJAC. I thought he really held his own in his limited OHL appearances, flashing upside because of his quickness and size. If he had played the entire year in the OHL, I wonder if the narrative surrounding him would be different and we'd be seeing him ranked way higher. The big thing for Corovic is learning to harness his size more and control his rebounds. His positioning isn't always sound and he can have trouble securing pucks. That's going to hurt him at higher levels. However, the upside is very high because his more natural gifts are great; gives NHL development staffs a lot to work with. I assume we'll see him as a full time OHL starter next year with Brantford because the Bulldogs already moved out Leenders and Egorov.

38. Caden Harvey - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

I like Harvey. I think the big thing for him is developing a more clear identity on the ice. We see bits and pieces of things. He looks like a borderline power forward at times with his ability to drive the net and work the wall. However, the physical consistency really wavers. His play away from the puck lacks consistency too. He shows flashes of being a very capable offensive support player. He protects the puck well and has good playmaking vision. But, there are other times where he simply fades to the background. The frame and skating are both solid. I mean, there's room for him to get quicker, but it's not a weakness. If you're drafting Harvey, you're really hoping that he unlocks that power winger potential by increasing his physical intensity; developing that dog on a bone mentality. If he does, he could easily be a quality third line player at the NHL level. 

39. Arvin Jaswal - Goaltender - Barrie Colts

Always tough to evaluate back-up netminders in their draft years, especially ones on good teams like Jaswal. But, he was really solid for Barrie when called upon to give Ben Hrebik a break. He's clearly an athletic play tracker. He covers his posts really well. As such, he seals the bottom of the net and has quick pads. Pucks do tend to squeeze through his body and he can have trouble securing point shots or controlling rebounds. I wonder if he has the frame to bulk up a bit to help him look a little bigger/wider in the crease. I'm really curious as to how he'd handle a full starter's load too. Looks like we'll find out next year with Hrebik heading south of the border rather than play an OA year. 

40. Braidy Wassilyn - Wing - London Knights

This is definitely way lower than many have him, but I'm just not sure I'd be comfortable with selecting him anywhere outside of the later rounds. Yes, he was a high OHL pick. He flashed a ton of offensive upside as a rookie with Niagara. However, this wasn't a good year for him. There's no question that his puck skill and shooting ability give him offensive upside. But his game is just so wildly inconsistent, especially in terms of urgency and off puck play. He had a hot start in London, but a lot of those goals and production were due to the hard work or strong play of others. It wasn't soon that he found himself pushed further down the depth chart because it was obvious Dale Hunter wasn't happy with his physical engagement and three zone play. Wassilyn is capable of playing tenaciously. I've seen it. He can be an effective forechecker. He can be a pest physically. But will he ever reach his upside as a high scoring winger? 

41. Zach Jovanovski - Goaltender - Guelph Storm

Jovanovski is just a very efficient netminder. Sometimes that doesn't stand out playing on a retooling Guelph team; he's not the kind of guy who regularly hits the highlight reels. He's not the quickest or best athlete available at the position this year. It's all about making things look easy. He tracks the play well. He controls rebounds well. He squares to shooters and covers his angles. His movement is very refined, he's not a scrambler. At higher levels, there may be some limitations as to how good he can be, but I think NHL teams are going to like how technically sound he is and hope that they can help him unlock another level from an athletic perspective. I don't think he'll ever be an NHL starter, but I think he's a worthwhile later round gamble to see if he could become a reliable back-up or high end organizational depth. 

42. Lucas Ambrosio - Defense - Erie Otters

Ambrosio is going to be drafted higher than this. You can take that to the bank. He's a big, physical, shutdown defender who can skate. He closes gaps really well and is tough to shake in the defensive zone because of his reach and four way quickness. There's defensive upside. My issue is that I just don't think he is capable enough offensively to make a considerable impact at higher levels. Even the best defensive defenders have to be able to make a clean exit under pressure and Ambrosio really struggles with this at times. He can be very turnover prone in his own end. I also wonder about his overall defensive sense too. He can chase the play and take himself out of the action. If you recall, I was lower on David Bedkowski last year too for the same reason. I'd rather a guy like Frossard, who may not be as physically dominant yet, but is more sound with the puck.

43. Wesley Royston - Wing - Owen Sound Attack

At one point this year, I was much higher on Royston. It's rare to find a big winger who brings speed and physicality like Royston does. He can be really effective in transition with his ability to drive the net. He's sort of the prototype, athletically, of what NHL teams want from their fourth line players these days. However, I was really disappointed with his play in Owen Sound after the trade. His offensive game, for a the third year OHL player, really didn't make any strides. He can struggle receiving passes or keeping control at full speed. I don't see him as a natural goal scorer. A lot of plays died on his stick late in the year with the Attack. Like Ambrosio, he's going to be drafted higher than this. He was invited to the combine. But, I'm just not sure he has the offensive skill to be a highly useful NHL player. I hope I'm wrong because the athleticism gives him a chance to be a unique player.

44. Justin Handsor - Defense - Barrie Colts

Handsor would be lumped in with guys like JC Lemieux and Croskery; I really like the player, but I'm not sure about the projection. A future elite defensive player at the OHL level, but given that many components of his skill set are average, how does that carry him forward to the NHL? For the kind of physical defensive first game that he plays, he's pretty competent with the puck. I actually think that he'll breakout a bit offensively next year with a larger role. But, that's not likely to carry over to the pro level. And his size/mobility combination is only average and that'll make it tough for his defensive game to translate too. I'm not sure he's drafted, but as I said, I do like and appreciate the player.

45. Tyler Challenger - Wing - Sarnia Sting

You could honestly do a lot worse than Challenger with a late round dart throw. He's one of those guys who's passing the eye test at times, but simply not hitting the score sheet. His play the last few months of the season definitely caught my eye. He's a power forward that can skate. Those don't grow on trees. I think he has goal scoring upside because he has a heavy shot, he just needs to earn better looks and improve his release. He could be one of those guys who really explodes in the next year or two, as Sarnia improves around him or he finds an organization (OHL or NCAA) who can unlock his upside. He committed to Michigan State recently, but I wonder how impactful he'd be without significant improvements made. An NHL team may take him late because if he were to explode next year, say as a 35 goal scorer in the OHL, they'd have to use a pick earlier than a 7th to select him.

46. Caleb Mitchell - Defense - London Knights

Let the record show that I don't expect Mitchell to be selected. He hasn't showed enough offensively to suggest that he can be an impactful pro at his size. However, when you're getting this late in the draft, you're looking for players with one elite quality that they can build around. Mitchell is a terrific skater. His four way mobility and ability to play off his edges is one of the best among defenders in this Ontario class. As he earns the trust of Dale Hunter, what can Mitchell transform himself into? An elite two-way guy like Jared Spurgeon? An offensively oriented puck mover and powerplay quarterback? It's tough to project him right now given his inconsistent ice time and responsibility. When he did play big minutes, he was more safe and simply trying to stay out of the doghouse given London's blueline depth. Curious to see how he develops next year.

47. Matthew Humphries - Goaltender - Oshawa Generals

Circumstance is such a huge part of getting noticed for the draft. Humphries was sent down by Niagara and looked destined to play the year in Tier 2. But then the Generals came calling for his rights. And then the Generals suffered some injuries at the goaltending position and he got his second chance. He came out like gangbusters for the Generals and was literally stopping everything. He looked downright unbeatable at times through his first month with the team. Later in the year, it seemed like he hit a wall and the league got a book on him...plus the Generals kind of packed it in a bit and he was facing a lot of high end chances on a nightly basis. Humphries is a big netminder with a high compete level. Could stand to use his size a little more to his advantage by refining his movements and scrambling less, but he can be tough to beat when he's tracking the play and challenging shooters. Room for him to improve in a lot of areas, but there's some raw talent there in a big frame.

48. Aiden O'Donnell - Wing - Oshawa Generals

After a hot start to the year with Brantford, it seemed like O'Donnell was earning a lot of high praise as a potential top two round selection. But, I wasn't really on board with that talk and I'm even less so after an inconsistent run with Oshawa to close the year. To me, O'Donnell lacks a standout quality. I think he struggled with his identity in Oshawa in particular. In Brantford, he was asked to be the third wheel on his line and he was able to do the dirty work and keep things simple. In Oshawa, he was tasked with having to drive play and be an offensive catalyst and he struggled. The one thing that's close to a standout quality is the hockey sense; he's a smart player. We saw that in his time in Brantford and it showed in flashes in Oshawa. I think he'll end up being a solid two-way winger who can play in any situation. But, the skating, skill, and physicality all need to tick up. 

49. Ondrej Ruml - Defense - Ottawa 67's

I kind of see Ruml like a poor man's Jakub Fibigr. Similar kinds of players. Similar difficulty with NHL projection. Only Fibigr, at least IMO, is the better skater. Ruml was definitely solid as an OHL rookie and I hope he sticks in the league next year and continues to develop. However, I don't think he has the dynamic abilities to be a true offensive type at higher levels. And while I appreciate his competitiveness despite his slight frame, he's going to have a tough time defending at the pro level. Given how few smaller defenders are drafted these days, it seems unlikely that Ruml hears his name called. That said, if you're drafting Ruml it's because you like his well rounded game and physical intensity, and you hope that as he bulks up and matures physically, that components of his game really progress.

50. Quinn McKenzie - Center - Soo Greyhounds

I really enjoyed watching McKenzie play this year as a rookie with the Greyhounds. He's such a high impact player in transition. He reminds me a bit of when you hit the Go-Kart track; the foot is always down on the gas pedal...no brakes allowed (despite what the signs ask you to do). He's fearless for his size too. Definitely not a perimeter player. The skill and playmaking ability are legit; he's going to be a high scoring player in the OHL and eventually in College. However, he's just so small. Yeah, he's the kind of dynamic skater and creative player that you need to be at that size, but he's easily separated from the puck at times and not as impactful in the defensive zone. Maybe he's Mats Zuccarello? But, he had to work his way up as an undrafted player. It's going to likely be that way for McKenzie too.