Sunday Top 10 - Most Improved Players of 2012/2013

 The OHL regular season is now 3/4 of the way finished, which means that, I think, it's safe to begin evaluating individual performance and progression. As is the case every year in junior hockey, there are many players who improve from one year to the next. There are many reasons for this. Increased growth/strength. Improved confidence. Another year of experience. An increased role in the lineup. Whatever the case is, you'll find that teenagers seldom get worse as they go along in this league.

With today's list, I intend to highlight some of the players whom I feel have taken the biggest steps forward this year. This was an incredibly hard list to pare down, because so many players got better. That's why I've got several 'Honorable Mentions' today, and quite frankly, could have included many more.

Here's the list; the OHL's most improved players for 2012/2013

10. Josh Anderson - London Knights
While the offensive numbers don't go jumping out at you (19 goals, 39 points thus far), you have to watch him play to truly appreciate what he does for London on a nightly basis. We saw flashes of this last year; that budding power forward approach. But nothing to the extent that we're seeing this year. He's so incredibly difficult to stop with the puck on his stick and he really wears down opposing defenses and creates space for his linemates. Nearly every time I've seen London play, he's stood out for the right reasons. And that includes his play away from the puck too. His shot and ability to score off the rush still needs improvement in order for him to take that next step as a goal scorer, but I think he deserves a place on this list based on what he's been able to accomplish this season.

9. Matthew Mistele - Plymouth Whalers
Mistele barely got any playing time last year on a stacked Plymouth team, but this year he was given a chance at more ice time and he's taken off. Not eligible until 2014 because of an October birthday, Mistele has emerged as one of the league's top 95 talents. He's your typical Mike Vellucci type of player, who gets his nose dirty, but who also has the skill to finish off plays. He's always noticeable on the ice, be it because of a nice hit, a nice goal, or a quality play without the puck. Mistele has turned himself into one of Plymouth's cornerstones moving forward.

8. Scott Sabourin - Oshawa Generals
Came into camp this year having to fight for his spot on the team. Not only did he earn his spot (forcing the trade of Emerson Clark), but he's remained on the team's top line all season long and sits second on the team to Boone Jenner with 25 goals. He's always been a reliable checker with a nose for the net, but it's his ability to create off the rush and score from the slot that have improved tremendously. He's got a ton of confidence carrying the puck now, and has slowly become one of the league's toughest players to stop one on one. Hoping he's earned himself an NHL contract with his play this year.

7. Andreas Athanasiou - Barrie Colts
The jump in numbers hasn't been as great for Athanasiou this year, when compared to some of the other guys on this list (or not even on it for that matter). But if you have watched him play this year, you'd know that AA has become a much better and different player than he was in London. The trade to Barrie has helped him grow as a player. He's become a much more consistent player, and someone willing to pay the price to make a play. He's become more active without the puck and is using his teammates more than he ever did in London. His 8 game winning goals is second to only Reid Boucher (9) in the league. He's been absolutely clutch for Barrie this year and he deserves props for the improvements he's made.

6. Gianluca Curcuruto - Plymouth Whalers
Last year was a disaster for Curcuruto, as harsh as it sounds. He came into the year as a potential first round selection for the NHL draft, and ended up a 7th rounder after a 16 point, -14 year on a roller coaster Greyhound team. That lead to his trade to Plymouth in exchange for Mitchell Dempsey (ask Greyhound fans how they like that deal now). Curcuruto has now re-established himself as one of the top '94 defenseman in the league. He's become Plymouth's top defenseman and is now brimming with confidence. His 9 goals on the year are triple that of his career high, and he's going to (likely) post his first positive +/- in his three year OHL career. His ability to run the powerplay, lead the rush, and defend his zone with urgency have taken massive steps forward. He looks like a new man in the green and blue.

5. Erie Locke - Saginaw Spirit
Locke has always been that player for me, where I've watched him play and asked myself "what's missing?" Lots of skill with the puck, great speed, but just never really to get over that hump of being a secondary player. I've always been a bit critical of his play away from the puck and his intensity level, so I truly believe those deficiencies held him back. This year, it's like I'm watching a different players. Who's that guy who's the first man attacking on the forecheck, hitting guys with authority and winning battles along the boards. Who's that guy playing key minutes on the penalty kill and working hard on the backcheck? It's what Locke has become this year, and it's elevated his offensive game to the point where he's a factor nearly every time he steps on the ice (43 points in his last 20 games).

4. Mitchell Theoret - Niagara IceDogs/Barrie Colts
Anyone who reads this blog knows that I've always believed in Theoret. I had him ranked for the 2011 NHL Draft when no one else did. But last year was not pretty for him. He seemed to lose that fire, and was trying to be something he wasn't. This year, resurgence time. He's returned to doing the things he does well, like working the cycle, being a net presence, and getting active on the forecheck. And because he's gotten bigger and stronger, he's become very difficult for opposing defenses to stop. This is opening up more offensive chances for him...and for the guys he plays with. Good timing too, considering the Isles have to decide whether to sign him this year.

3. Anthony Camara - Barrie Colts
He's going to double his goal and point output from a year ago and has really made himself into a dangerous offensive player this year. Previously, Camara was a simple, hard working checker. His hard work would reward him with the occasional goal, but he was not an offensive leader. This year, his game has taken off. His ability to carry the puck and create offense off the rush is something we never saw consistently from him until this year. He's also greatly improved his shot and is able to score in ways other than crashing the crease. Camara has become a complete player and is making the Bruins happy for using a 3rd rounder on him two years ago.

2. Tyler Graovac - Ottawa 67's/Belleville Bulls
You've got to give it up for a player I figured was a long shot to end up earning an NHL contract from the Minnesota Wild this year. He just hadn't really progressed during his OHL career...until now. Graovac has tripled his previous high in goals ALREADY (with 30) and has emerged as a quality NHL prospect. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that he finally started to use his size (likely with increased strength) to his advantage offensively. The speed and hands have always been there. Now the rest of his game has caught up.

1. Jordan Binnington - Owen Sound Attack
IMO, Binnington is the leading candidate for the Red Tilson right now. The Attack have been one of the league's top teams all season long. Despite being only 7th in the Conference in goals for, they have the second best record because they lead the entire OHL in goals against. And that reason has been Binnington. He's posting the best numbers of his career (in a landslide) and has finally been able to play at the top of his game consistently. He's controlling pucks better, challenging shooters with more confidence and winning hockey games. He's only been pulled from two games this year, which means he's giving the Attack a chance to win every night. What a difference a year can make.

Honorable Mentions:

Reid Boucher - Sarnia Sting
I'll probably get lambasted for not including Boucher in my top 10 here, considering his dominance as a goal scorer this year. That's always been his game though, and I just feel some of the guys I've listed have come a bit further than he has. That said, he does deserve credit. He's worked hard on his skating to become more involved off the rush, and he's gotten stronger, allowing him to fight through traffic to get his shot off. 50 goals in this league don't come by accident.

Matthew Campagna - Sudbury Wolves
His skill level has never been questioned. Perhaps after going undrafted last year by the NHL, it opened his eyes a bit. He's still not the league's most complete player, but he's made strides in being a more active player without the puck and has increased his intensity level making him a much more consistent offensive contributor.

Jimmy Lodge - Saginaw Spirit
Similar to a guy like Matthew Mistele, Lodge was a depth player for the Spirit last year, and has emerged as a go to offensive contributor this year. His real improvement didn't really come until after the trade of Vincent Trocheck to Plymouth. With that added responsibility has come terrific results.

Colin Miller - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Miller has always been a dependable defensive player. Sort of that jack of all trades kind of guy. This year, he's made incredible improvements to his offensive game. He's second in goal scoring among defenseman (with 15) to only his teammate Ryan Sproul and has become one of the league's top powerplay quarterbacks. Los Angeles is looking like a genius again with another overage draft selection out of the OHL.

Cody Payne - Plymouth Whalers
Last year Payne had one role, mash bodies and work hard on the forecheck. This year, his offensive game has grown leaps and bounds. He's taking chances with the puck and getting himself into better scoring position. This had lead to him posting career highs in all offensive categories (more than double).

Darnell Nurse - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Probably the player I wanted to most include on this list. Defensively, he looks more confident (especially physically), while offensively he's a changed man. We saw very little offense from Nurse last year as he adjusted to the league. This year, he's leading the rush with authority and picking great spots to unleash his cannon from the point. There's a reason why he's still exploding up the draft charts.

Justin Auger - Guelph Storm
Behemoth of a player. Considerable improvements to his skating, in addition to added strength, have made him a much more effective offensive player. His reach and size makes him very good in the cycle and he's slowly learning how to best use his frame to create offense.

Connor Crisp - Erie Otters
He's come a LONG way from being that kid who got tossed to the wolves in Niagara; forced to act as an emergency netminder. His 20 goals on the year put him 3rd on his team and represent a quadrupling of his previous career high. He's still fighting and working hard as a checker, but he's added that goal scoring element to his game. I think he even earns a look from the NHL at this year's draft.

That's it, and I'm sure I've missed players whom you believe should be on this list. Quite frankly, it could have gone on forever. But...it's got to stop somewhere.

Nice Goal from Mitchell Theoret

I don't post a lot of videos on this blog, but I felt this one was worthy.

Check out Mitchell Theoret's goal from Game 2 in Oshawa last night.



You'll have to fast forward to about the 4:20 mark of the clip.

A nice power move by a guy who doesn't get enough respect for the upcoming NHL draft. If he were on a team with less depth, his offensive numbers would have been much better. He's certainly embraced his role this year and has been one of the best 4th liners in the league. HERE's a great article on him from the St. Catharine's Standard.

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NOTE: If you want to see the questionable goal disallowed call, go to about the 3 minute mark on the above clip. IMO the officiating crew got that one wrong and it cost the IceDogs.

Game Report: Erie & Niagara from September 30

I caught the Ice Dogs and the Otters last night in St. Catharines. I was undeniably curious to catch the new look Dogs in action after adding Steve Shipley, Tim Billingsley, Jason Wilson and David Pacan in recent weeks. And quite frankly, they didn't disappoint.

The score was close, but generally speaking, the play was not. The Dogs squeaked away with a 5-4 victory, but outshot the Otters 51-31 during the game. This included a dominant third period where they put 23 shots on Ramis Sadikov. Once the forward lines develop more chemistry, this team is going to be one to watch in the East (if they weren't already before the moves).

The Otters defense had a lot of trouble with Niagara's size and speed combination. They were consistently outworked in their own end and were visibly tired by the end of the game. All four of the Dogs lines worked the cycle to perfection and really did well to gain and maintain possession in the offensive end. Erie's Ramis Sadikov had a great game. He looks poised for a good year. He's so big and his hybrid style helps him to take up a lot of the net.

The Dogs were also helped by 4 power play goals, as Erie's penalty kill unit had some trouble. Although in the end, Steve Shipley's even strength tap in goal in the third (the Dogs first even strength goal of the game) sealed the victory.

Player Reports

Erie Otters







#5 - David Shields (2009 NHL Draft - St. Louis Blues)
Shields had a game that was pretty much on par for him. He's a steady influence on the ice and someone you don't really notice unless you're paying attention to him. For a defenseman that can be a good thing. Last year I did notice that he had difficulty with forwards on the rush, and last night was no different. Steve Shipley blew by him just inside the blueline, leaving him flat footed. Shields is solid in coverage, but it looks like he can still stand to improve his agility and anticipation.

#7 - Brady Austin (NHL Draft Eligible in 2011)
Is he a defenseman or a forward? That's the question I want answered. He played forward last night, centering the team's third line. But I've seen him play defense previously and I've felt he's looked better there, using his size and aggressiveness to push forwards around. He still throws his body around as a forward (hit Ryan Strome from behind at one point in the second), but I didn't really notice him offensively at all. I wonder if he has the puck skill to excel as a forward, especially as a center?

#10 - Tyler Hostetter (Signed as a Free Agent by the Philadelphia Flyers)
I've always liked Hostetter. Definitely one of the more underrated defenseman in the league. He's not really a flashy guy, but someone who's quietly a good two way defender. He makes good decisions with the puck and had a couple of nice rushes into Niagara's zone, particularly in the third period when Erie was really trying to shift momentum. Defensively, I think his lateral mobility and general agility help him to play both off the rush and in the zone. I'm not really sure what type of NHL defenseman he could be, but he's a solid player.

#14 - Greg McKegg (2010 NHL Draft - Toronto Maple Leafs)
The new captain of the Erie Otters was actually pretty quiet until the third period. In the third, he was one of the only players coming alive for the Otters. On the powerplay, he came off the side wall and tried to throw a pass cross crease to Anthony Luciani, but Dogs forward Andrew Agozzino ended up tipping it into his own net. And later, to draw the Otters within one goal with about 5 minutes remaining, he cut to the middle of the ice with the puck and left a drop pass to Mike Cazzola who snapped the puck past Mark Visentin. The Otters are going to need McKegg (and Cazzola) to pick up where they left off last season...sans Zach Torquato.

#17 - David Broll (NHL Draft Eligible in 2011)
Was kind of excited to see him, but ultimately didn't notice him at all. He had a couple of big hits in the first period, but disappeared after that. I'll definitely hope to see him again.

Niagara IceDogs









#8 - Alex Friesen (2010 NHL Draft - Vancouver Canucks)
Alex is still one of the hardest working forwards in the league. His speed is hard to contain and he's relentless in pursuit of the puck. He and linemate Andrew Agozzino have such good chemistry and the two of them are constantly creating off the rush. Interestingly enough, Alex is one of the only forwards I'd actually trust on the point of the powerplay. He's QB'd the Dogs powerplay for the past year and a bit. Tonight he made a great defensive play as Shawn Szydlowski came flying down the wing on the penalty kill (one on one with Friesen), but Alex angled him off the puck and negated a serious scoring chance. Friesen added a goal and two assists on the powerplay too. All the secondary scoring the Dogs have added is only going to help him have an even better offensive season than last year.

#10 - Steve Shipley (2010 NHL Draft - Buffalo Sabres)
Who are you? Is this the same Steve Shipley as last year? Where the heck did the speed and acceleration come from? Shipley looked fantastic off the rush, blowing past Erie defenders (in particular David Shields on one play). What was once considered a serious fault, has to now be considered a weapon. Definitely looks like he's worked on it over the summer. Shipley had a great game all around though. On the powerplay in the third, Shipley took a rebound, did a dipsy doodle around Sadikov and got it out to Wilson at the edge of the crease for a tap in. He also picked up the game winning goal by going hard to the net following his own rebound and putting home the garbage. If he can increase his consistency this season, he'll have a big year.

#13 - Freddie Hamilton (2010 NHL Draft - San Jose Sharks)
Hamilton looked quite good on the powerplay, as he worked hard down low and did a great job moving the puck around quickly. He picked up a couple of assists. However, at even strength he wasn't nearly as noticeable I thought. I think it's a case of acclimatizing to new linemates (Shipley and Wilson for most of the night).

#15 - Jason Wilson (2010 NHL Draft - New York Rangers)
Truthfully, I didn't notice Wilson at all until the 3rd period, when he came to life. He grabbed a garbage goal off the aforementioned nice feed from Shipley on the powerplay. He also picked up an assist on the game winning goal by Shipley by breaking into the offensive zone with speed and getting the puck to a streaking Shipley for a shot (it was ultimately the rebound that Shipley put in for the goal). In the past, I've always noticed how physical Wilson is though and didn't see that tonight. Hopefully as he becomes more used to his new surroundings, we'll start to see the heavy hitter return.

#18 - Ryan Strome (NHL Draft Eligible in 2011)
Strome was the best player on the ice. I left incredibly impressed with him. Considering this seems to be carrying over from the preseason, this might be a permanent fixture. He showed a lot of offensive creativity. He undressed an Otters defenseman (I believe Derek Holden) with a beautiful toe drag to the middle of the ice, but couldn't beat Sadikov on the partial break. But he created a lot of room for himself with his hard work on the cycle too. He, Myles Doan, and David Pacan were ruthless in puck possession and really tired out the Otters defense. Strome may not be big, but he protects the puck very well, and his agility helps him to keep defenders from squaring him up. Strome also showed outstanding on ice vision. On the powerplay , he found a cutting Dougie Hamilton with a tape to tape pass and Hamilton buried it to tie the game at 2. He had another assist on the powerplay, but also scored. He was quarterbacking the powerplay at the time and perfectly timed a shot through a defender's legs, going five hole on Sadikov (catching him moving from right to left). If Strome continues to play like this during the year, he could easily be a top 40 NHL pick. Colour me very impressed.

#22 - David Pacan (2009 NHL Draft - Chicago Blackhawks)
Fresh off getting booted from the University of Vermont, Pacan suited up for his first game with the Dogs (and in the OHL). I thought he looked excellent. He's big and he plays big. Pacan cycled the puck very well and Erie's defenders had a tough time getting it off him. He also knows his role and goes hard to the net looking for loose pucks. Pacan added a secondary assist on the Jason Wilson powerplay goal. It'll be interesting to see him get more comfortable.

#23 - Mitchell Theoret (NHL Draft Eligible in 2011)
Theoret was great tonight, even if he got less ice time as the game went on. I was really impressed by his hustle and forechecking ability. He was another forward who gave the Otters' defenders a tough time on the cycle. But Theoret also created off the rush and looks to have a lot more offensive confidence this season. Considering how well he played in the preseason, I'd love to see the Dogs find a way to get him involved more as it's clear he's got more to offer than your typical fourth liner.

#27 - Dougie Hamilton (NHL Draft Eligible in 2011)
When I saw Bob Mackenzie list Hamilton as a potential top 10 selection for the 2011 draft, I was a little surprised. But the word was he had improved a lot and was fantastic at the Ivan Hlinka tournament. The word was right. Hamilton looked massively improved last night and really controlled the pace of play at both ends. He looks confidence and skilled in rushing the puck, with his skating and acceleration being much improved. He's taking chances offensively that he wasn't last year, but he's also quick to get back to his own end. He scored a beautiful goal on the powerplay, as he found space, cut to the net and one timed a pass from Ryan Strome to the back of the net. It was a laser. It actually seemed like he never left the ice on the powerplay and seems to be much more poised in moving the puck along the umbrella. And on defense, he was physical and controlled. He could have a monster year.

#29 - Mark Visentin (2010 NHL Draft - Phoenix Coyotes)
Visentin didn't have the best of games by his standard. He seemed to be fighting the puck a bit. The first goal against him was kind of weak. It was a partially screened shot from his right side, as Shayne Rover tried to get his stick/body in front of a wrist shot. I don't think Rover touched it, but it was a bit of a knuckler. It seemed like Visentin might have been caught a little bit too deep in his net. The second goal against was off a juicy rebound to Matt Paton in the slot. Third goal was no chance, deflection off his own player (Agozzino). Fourth goal was probably one he would have liked to have back too. Mike Cazzola let a wrister go from the slot that caught Visentin deep in his net again and beat him under the glove. Overall, Visentin was giving up more rebounds than he usually does too. But he did make some big saves when he needed too and ultimately worked hard enough to save 27 of 31 for the win. But the Dogs are going to need him to be better and I have no doubt he will be.

That's it, anyone else catch the new look Dogs in action?