Monday, July 9, 2018

2018 CHL Import Draft Review


On Thursday, June 28, the Canadian Hockey League held its annual Import Draft. It is here, CHL teams get the opportunity to add import talent to their roster. There are two rounds of the draft, and a team can pass on their pick at any time. Import picks can not be traded. Goalies were allowed to be selected again this year.

Just to remind you, CHL clubs are permitted to carry only two import players on their team or protected list every year. However, if a CHL team has an Import who was an NHL first round pick (such as SSM with Rasmus Sandin), they receive the opportunity to add another player to their protected list to cover should that first round import (like Sandin) make the NHL. There are other scenarios which can allow you to carry the rights of three (such as having an OA Import, having an Import on their protected list who didn't show the year prior, etc). Overall, it's pretty complicated.

While the Import Draft can be a bit of a crap shoot, many of the players drafted do come over and can have an impact. Let's breakdown the results of previous five Import Drafts.

In 2013
22 of 25 players selected came to the OHL (88%)
20 of 25 players selected lasted the entire OHL season with their clubs (80%)
7 (open for debate) of the 25 players had a significant impact on their OHL teams (28%)

In 2014
19 of 25 players selected came to the OHL (76%)
18 of 25 players selected lasted the entire OHL season with their clubs (72%)
11 (open for debate) of the 25 players had a significant impact on their OHL teams (44%)

In 2015
23 of 28 players selected came to the OHL (82%)
17 of 28 players selected lasted the entire OHL season with their clubs (61%%)
10 (open for debate) of the 28 players had a significant impact on their OHL teams (36%)

In 2016
23 of 30 players selected came to the OHL (76%)
21 of 30 players selected lasted the entire OHL season with their clubs (70%)
12 of 30 (open for debate) of the 28 players had a significant impact on their OHL teams (40%)

In 2017
18 of 25 players selected came to the OHL (72%)
16 of 25 players selected lasted the entire OHL season with their clubs (64%)
10 of 25 (open for debate) had a significant impact on their OHL teams (40%)

Of course this article wouldn't have been possible without the help of these experts:
Jimmy Hamrin (@jimmyhamrin)
Dennis Schellenberg (@ScoutingFactory)
Matt Grainda (@graindaiv)
Viktor Fomich (@RUSProspects)
Anton Vasyatin (@Av1376)
Chapin Landvogt (@Csomichapin)
Marco Bombino (@marco_bombino)
Justin Froese (@FroeseFC)
Donesh Mazloum (@DMaz16)
Karel Malek of juniorskyhokej (@karl_karlsson)

Here are the reports:

3. Sudbury Wolves - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - Goaltender
With the first OHL selection of the Import Draft, the Wolves wasted little time taking the first goaltender (now that they are eligible again). The Buffalo Sabres 2nd rounder in 2017, Luukkonen recently signed his NHL deal and looks like he could be headed to the OHL to be the Wolves' new starting netminder. Luukkonen is coming off a bit of a down year that saw him struggle internationally. Sudbury has to be hoping he can turn things around and get the team back to the playoffs next year.

Scouting Report: Marco Bombino says, "Luukkonen performed quite well for LeKi in Mestis last season but could not bring his 'A' game to the national team at the World Juniors. At his best, Luukkonen is very calm and shows great quickness and fluid movements. On the downside, he possesses mediocre puck handling skills and his play reading and net coverage also require work. All things considered, he would be a top goalie in the OHL if he decides to go across the pond."

6. Flint Firebirds - Jan Jenik - Forward
The 65th overall pick by Arizona at this year's NHL, Jenik was the 6th overall pick at the Import Draft this year. The youngest player eligible this year (shares a birthday with Der-Arguchintsev), Jenik has some physical maturing to do and the OHL could definitely be an attractive spot for him. This is especially true given Arizona's connection with the Flint organization (Smereck and Busby). Jenik had a great year internationally for the Czech Republic, winning a Silver in the summer at the Hlinka and leading the event with 6 goals, and being named a top 3 player for the Czechs at the U18's. He could be an ideal winger for Ty Dellandrea next season.

9. Peterborough Petes - Liam Kirk - Forward
Such a cool story here with Kirk. One of the best prospects to ever come out of Great Britain. He was a 7th rounder of the Arizona Coyotes this past NHL draft. KIrk played a ton of hockey last year, suiting up in the EIHL for Sheffield (alongside former Petes' captain John Armstrong), and playing at the U18's, U20's, and the World Championship for Great Britain. Will be interesting to see just how well his game translates to the OHL level next year.
Scouting Report: Future Considerations had Kirk rated 136th for the 2018 NHL Draft and had this to say about him: "He skates very well and is efficient in his strides, displaying good agility. He's shown natural instincts for the game, getting himself in the right position on the ice. He has the puck skills and finesse skills, especially passing and playmaking, to be an offensive contributor. He needs to add weight to his lanky frame and needs to bring more of a physical element. He tries to model his game after Mitch Marner." 

12. Erie Otters - Petr Cajka - Forward
The Otters selected a Czech center who has been playing out of Switzerland the last four years. The late born 2000 forward suited up for the Czech Republic at last year's Hlinka and U18's too. He can hopefully slot into Erie's top 9 forward group next year alongside Gera Poddubnyi as Stephane Patry's rights were released.

Scouting Report: Dennis Schellenberg says, "Petr Cajka is a Czech centerman who came over to Switzerland to play when he was in the age of 15/16 or so. I have seen him in the Swiss U20 league as well as in international games for the Czech Republic and somehow always liked his performance. Not necessarily because he caught my eyes while playing an extremely skilled or physical game but because of his mature two-way game. Cajka contributes at both ends of the ice and does a lot of small things right in order to support his team. Has never been the first centerman in his teams but provided good and reliable work in a smaller role. Although he is not the biggest in size, he can play physical. He understands the game at a high level and makes reliable decisions with the puck. I like his release in his shot, especially quick when firing the puck with his wrist. Cajka is a smooth skater and possesses good overall speed." 

15. Saginaw Spirit - Ivan Prosvetov - Goaltender
Needing to replace Evan Cormier in the crease, the Spirit took advantage of the eligibility of goaltenders by selecting the massive Ivan Prosvetov. The 6'5 netminder was a 4th round pick of Arizona in 2018, playing out of the USHL last year with Youngstown. In fact, he's been in North America already for two years, having suited up in the NAHL the year prior. In the USHL last year, Prosvetov finished top 10 in save percentage and led Youngstown to an appearance in the Clark Cup final. Given the improvements that Saginaw has made this offseason, Prosvetov could be an elite OHL netminder for them.


Scouting Report: Matt Grainda says, “Now that the European goalie ban is over, the Saginaw Spirit recently utilized their high 2018 CHL Import Draft pick on a tall, athletic goaltender with a lot of pro-potential in Ivan Prosvetov. Born in Moskva, RUS, Prosvetov has spent the last two years looking to adapt to the North American game by tending goal two years ago with the NAHL Minnesota Magicians and by spending last year in the crease with the USHL Youngstown Phantoms. Prosvetov posted very good numbers in both leagues, maintaining a save percentage of .928 in the NAHL and .913 in the USHL all while playing 44 NAHL and 36 USHL games. Prosvetov did lead his Younstown team to the USHL Clark Cup Finals this season as well, posting a 2.58 GAA and a .921 save percentage during the run. Prosvetov is primarily described as a very tall, athletic goalie with strong coordination and reflexes. He relies a lot on natural talent which is why he is often described as a raw goaltender who still needs to refine his rebound control and focus more on technique. Either way, the Arizona Coyotes liked what they saw this season as they selected him in the 4th Round of the 2018 NHL Draft. It seems likely that Prosvetov could end up in Saginaw next year.”


18. Ottawa 67's - Marco Rossi - Forward
Rossi is a much hyped prospect and could be a big time contributor to the 67's should he come over. A late 2001 birth date, Rossi is almost universally ranked inside the top 10 on early 2020 NHL Draft rankings. The slick, dynamic center is an Austrian who has been playing in Switzerland and who has put up comparable stats to Nico Hischier at the same age in the same leagues. This looks like the playmaker that the 67's needed to really elevate them to the top of the Eastern Conference over the next few years.

Scouting Report: Dennis Schellenberg says, "Marco Rossi is a very fluid skater, shows great top speed and is mobile on his skates. Very poised with the puck, has smooth hands and can handle the puck with great care. Real smooth hands and silk puckmoving skills. Always aware of his line mates, Rossi doesn’t need much space to make plays and set up team mates. He is strong in setting up plays as well as finish them off using his strong shooting tools. Good shot accuracy and fires the puck with decent power out of his wrist. Rossi is a good two-way player too, backchecks hard and follows his guy until deep into his own zone. Overall, he understands the game at a high level and his hockey IQ impresses me. He has been an impact player in the Swiss U20 league and also played some pro games already. A very gifted player that could become one of the top Austrian players ever played the game."


24. Mississauga Steelheads - Filip Reisnecker - Forward
After trading Albert Michnac to Saginaw and seeing Jacob Moverare turn pro, the Steelheads picked twice at this year's Import Draft. The first was a Czech born forward playing in Germany whose late birthday doesn't make him eligible for the NHL entry draft until 2020. Reisnecker led the DNL (U19) in scoring this past year and even scored a goal professionally in the German 3rd division. This is a kid who looks like he has some offensive upside and who could be a nice find for Mississauga.

Scouting Report: Chapin Landvogt says, "The drafting of Filip Reisnecker, who is technically a Czech with a German passport, was absolutely fascinating. This is a kid with a lot going for him offensively and he's been tearing things up here in Germany the past two seasons. He's just got a ton of hockey sense and great anticipation. He's only 16 right now and is first eligible for the 2020 draft, so if he'd head over now, he could spend two seasons in the OHL to make a name for himself. He's talented and at 6'1", 170 lbs., he won't get pushed around in quite the same manner as could be the case for Alberg and Fleischer. I'd be very excited to see him in North America. If he stays in Germany, he'll likely be splitting time between the DNL and the men's third league with a possibility to latch on with a 2nd league team (via affiliations). Definitely an exciting name to follow, no matter where he ends up."

27. North Bay Battalion - Yegor Postnov - Forward
With their first pick in the Import Draft, the Battalion opt for offensive winger Yegor Postnov, who had 17 goals in the MHL last year. The 2000 born, 6'0 forward was ranked in the 70's by NHL Central Scouting, but went undrafted. Now, strangely enough, this guy is listed as a defense by some places and forward by some places. NHL Central Scouting has him listed as a defender, as does Elite Prospects. Thinking it's an error as official MHL websites list him as a forward.

Scouting Report: Viktor Fomich tries to clear up some of the confusion. "He played a bit of defense two years ago in the U18 league, but played forward this year in the MHL."And Anton Vasyatin has the true scouting report, "Right now Yegor Postnov is in that situation I like most of all. He is not the most famous junior from Russia, and the CHL is his chance to show the best of him. In 2018 Postnov played for weak team (Kapitan Stupino) and collected nice numbers - 17 goals, 29 points. Definitely worth remembering Nikita Scherbak who played in Stupino a few years ago and was an unknown player, but then he went over seas and became a first rounder. Postnov is that type of winger who doesn't like to shoot the puck a lot but makes it accurately. Also has quite good on-ice vision during the powerplay and can make accurate assists. He should work on his defensive game. I suppose he won't turn into great player even in Canada, but next season will be very useful. Centers like Adam McMaster or Matthew Struthers will help him to play the best game in North Bay.

30. Windsor Spitfires - Kari Piiroinen - Goaltender
Hoping that they have grabbed their goaltender of the future (along with Xavier Medina, a recent priority selection), Windsor took 2001 born Finnish netminder Kari Piiroinen. Piiroinen was Finland's starter at the most recent U17's and won a league championship with HIFK's U18 squad. Adding someone like Piiroinen gives the Spitfires protection for once Dipietro graduates after next year.

Scouting Report: Marco Bombino says, "Piiroinen definitely belongs to the top tier of Finnish goalies in the age group. He has very good technique and good vision, reading the developing play well in front of him. He's athletic and has good rebound control, both on low and high shots. Though drafting goalies is a crap shoot, I'd say he has a good shot at getting picked even in the mid rounds of the 2019 draft."

33. Oshawa Generals - Nando Eggenberger - Forward
The Swiss forward was one of the biggest surprises to go undrafted at the 2018 NHL Draft. Redline Report had him inside their first round, while most other scouting agencies had him firmly in their top 100 (including Bob McKenzie at #90). He's been hyped for quite some time, but definitely did not have a good draft season. The late '99 born winger could come over to Oshawa, play a top 6 role and hope to get himself drafted the second time around in 2019.

Scouting Report: Dennis Schellenberg says, "Nando Eggenberger is a player that plays a power forward type of game. He is extremely effective around the net and shows that nose for the net as he always finds great shooting spots around the crease. Very good at circling away from the play without the puck and finding open ice. A goal scorer at heart, possesses good shot accuracy as well as a quick release in his wrist shot. Often not noticeable for a while and then able to sting and score the goal. Eggenberger improved his skating skills this past season and possesses powerful steps and also good top end speed. He is not shying away from checks and board battles, however, not an overly physical player but still good at protecting the puck and fighting for space and open ice around the crease. He is a somehow one-dimensional player and not someone who creates offense on his own, but if lined up with the proper players that feed him, he can be a dangerous offensive weapon."

36. Niagara IceDogs - Kyen Sopa - Forward
Sopa is a smaller, offensive forward who is first time eligible for the 2019 NHL draft thanks to a late 2000 birth date. The Swiss winger has been a top scorer in the Swiss leagues the last few years and was also a standout for the Swiss at this year's U18's. Niagara has a pretty deep roster going into next season, so it will be interesting to see where he fits in.

Undersized forward who put up great numbers in the Swiss U20 league. Was a top 5 scorer as a 17 year old, which shows where his strength are. Can move the puck nicely and knows how to rack up points. What I like about him is his work ethic and physical maturity although being undersized. He is strong on his skates and shows a good lower body balance and is somehow hard to knock off the puck. He shows a willingness to battle and shows grittiness too. I am curious how he’s going to work out if he comes over to play Canadian Juniors facing older and more mature opponents.
Scouting Report: Dennis Schellenberg says, "Undersized forward who put up great numbers in the Swiss U20 league. Was a top 5 scorer as a 17 year old, which shows where his strength are. Can move the puck nicely and knows how to rack up points. What I like about him is his work ethic and physical maturity although being undersized. He is strong on his skates and shows a good lower body balance and is somehow hard to knock off the puck. He shows a willingness to battle and shows grittiness too. I am curious how he’s going to work out if he comes over to play Canadian Juniors facing older and more mature opponents." 

39. Kingston Frontenacs - Ian Derungs - Forward
With Linus Nyman and Eemeli Rasanen moving on from the OHL this year, the Fronts had to pick in this year's import draft. They chose Derungs, a tiny offensive forward who hails from Switzerland. The late born '99 was 2nd in goals (with 33) in the Swiss U20 league. Of note, Kingston only selected once because they decided to keep Rasanen on their protected list in hopes that he changes his mind.

Scouting Report: My contacts had little information on Derungs, so here's some info from a Kingston Whig article by Doug Graham (here), with quotes from GM Darren Keily. "His experience and his character are going to be huge for us this coming season," Keily said. "He's a pretty good player. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he competes like crazy, can skate and do all the little things we are going to be looking for."

42. London Knights - Matvei Guskov - Forward
London opts for Russian center, Matvei Guskov, a standout from this past year's U17's. The 6'1 center led Russia in goals at the event with 4. He also played for Russia at last summer's Hlinka tournament as an underager, scoring two goals. Assuming London hopes the 2001 born, 2019 eligible Guskov can come in and be the team's 3rd line center next year.

Scouting Report: Viktor Fomich says, "Here we have some upside from what I've seen: potentially a complete two-way center, skates well, works hard, isn't afraid to get his nose dirty, already at his age he has some good strength in his game. His father is former Russia NT player Alexander Guskov." Anton Vasyatin says, "Matvei Guskov is one of the best young Russian forwards. He showed terrific hockey IQ and puck skills playing for Team Russia at International tournaments (even with Russia U18, where his partners were one year older) and in the MHL where he represents CSKA Moscow junior team. He is a very agile and quick skater. Reminds me Rangers' 2018 first rounder Vitali Kravtsov. It would be much better if he improvs his game at the faceoff circle, but not so necessary, because he also can easily play as a winger. If Guskov decides to leave Russia to play in the CHL, the next season will be the most important for him if he wants to be drafted in the first round in 2019. I think OHL is the best option as he has no chances to debut in the KHL soon. London Knights is very good organisation for improvement especially in the pre-draft season


45. Owen Sound Attack - Manuel Alberg - Forward
Alberg is an undersized forward from Germany who is 2001 born. He suited up for Germany at last year's Division 2 U18's, averaging a point per game as an underager. He should provide some offensive depth to the Attack this year, who are poised to lose some players to the pro level.
As for Alberg and Fleischer, we are talking about two offensively oriented forwards who need to gain weight. Both are under 160 pounds and only Fleischer even comes in at six foot, but he might be less. Both have produced above-average DNL stats (albeit nothing like a Michaelis or Kahun, much less Draisaitl). Both were part of the U18 team that was in Latvia for the D1A U18 tourney in which Germany lost only to host Latvia and scored the most goals in the tournament. Each got a few points along the way, with Alberg checking in at a PPG pace, finishing the tourney with a +5 rating. Certainly, he has been the more interesting prospect of the two to date. This said, I think Fleischer may end up being the better player. If you're wondering what type of CHL impact they might have, it's hard to tell at this juncture as both need to mature physically more than anything else. I think both could end up being a bit like Max Kammerer, who just signed with the Washington Capitals as a young European UFA after two eye-opening seasons in the DEL. He always had some tools, but his one season for the Regina Pats was less than stellar. I'm also not sure either is quite as talented as Andreas Eder, a former Vancouver Giant who has a lot of great tools himself, but has struggled to establish himself as a DEL player to date. It'll be fascinating to see how they present themselves, if they head over.

Scouting Report: Chapin Landvogt provides his report on both Alberg and Hamilton selection Tim Fleischer. "As for Alberg and Fleischer, we are talking about two offensively oriented forwards who need to gain weight. Both are under 160 pounds and only Fleischer even comes in at six foot, but he might be less. Both have produced above-average DNL stats (albeit nothing like a Michaelis or Kahun, much less Draisaitl). Both were part of the U18 team that was in Latvia for the D1A U18 tourney in which Germany lost only to host Latvia and scored the most goals in the tournament. Each got a few points along the way, with Alberg checking in at a PPG pace, finishing the tourney with a +5 rating. Certainly, he has been the more interesting prospect of the two to date. This said, I think Fleischer may end up being the better player. If you're wondering what type of CHL impact they might have, it's hard to tell at this juncture as both need to mature physically more than anything else. I think both could end up being a bit like Max Kammerer, who just signed with the Washington Capitals as a young European UFA after two eye-opening seasons in the DEL. He always had some tools, but his one season for the Regina Pats was less than stellar. I'm also not sure either is quite as talented as Andreas Eder, a former Vancouver Giant who has a lot of great tools himself, but has struggled to establish himself as a DEL player to date. It'll be fascinating to see how they present themselves, if they head over."


48. Barrie Colts - Maksim Zhukov - Goaltender
With Leo Lazerev moving on, Barrie elected to bring in a new starting goaltender by way of the Import Draft. The team intends to still contend next year and it was likely felt that Kai Edmonds still needed more seasoning. Zhukov has played the last two years in the USHL with Green Bay, where he's been a top 10 netminder. The Vegas Golden Knights draft pick (in 2017) has definitely explored NCAA destinations, so recruiting him might not be so cut and dry. But should he report, he could be an impact player for the franchise.


Scouting Report: Matt Grainda says, “The floodgates have opened on European goaltenders, and the Barrie Colts didn’t waste any time by taking a chance on a highly-touted goaltender from the USHL in Maxim Zhukov. Zhukov spent his minor league career in Russia prior to coming over to the USHL Green Bay Gamblers two seasons ago. He has experienced a pretty solid international career with Russia, tending the crease at the U17 World Hockey Challenge along with winning Bronze at the U18 World Junior Challenge while earning Best Goaltender, Best Save %, and Top 3 on Team honors. Zhukov has also had a lot of success in the USHL as well, posting a 2.25 GAA with a .913 save percentage during 31 games in year one while earning USHL All-Rookie Second team honors and following that up with a big workload playing in 53 games and putting up a 2.45 GAA with a 9.09 save percentage. As a strong, athletic butterfly-style goaltender, Zhukov does a great job using his agility and angle work to put shooters in tough situations to score. He’s got the prototypical height and weight that NHL scouts look for, and he can steal games as demonstrated by his performance in the U18 World Junior Challenge. The Vegas Golden Knights made Zhukov the first goalie drafted in their franchise history, so it will be interesting to see if they want the uncommitted NCAA prospect in the OHL for next season.”


51. Kitchener Rangers - Axel Andersson - Defense
A 2nd round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2018, Andersson is an offensive blueliner who could be a very shrewd pick up for the Rangers. With the loses of Logan Stanley and Austin McEneny on the horizon, Kitchener needed to look for someone to quarterback their man powerplay unit and Andersson could definitely be that guy. He has suited up internationally for team Sweden (winning bronze at the Hlinka and U18's), and lead the U20 SuperElit league in assists from the back-end.

Scouting Report: Jimmy Hamrin says, "Good skater with good technique and room for improvement. Puck skills are strong, both his shot and his passing skills have NHL potential. He’s also smart both defensively as offensively. In a future role I see Andersson as a top 4 NHL defenseman as the ceiling and an AHL/SHL defenseman as the floor. For him to reach the ceiling, his game needs to standout and flash more often and for that to happen he’ll need to use his best skills more often and effectively. If he takes more risks in his game, he’ll also learn more on where his limits are and where he can work on improving to become the player he wants to be."


54. Hamilton Bulldogs - Philip Broberg - Defense
The Bulldogs beefed up their blueline by selecting one of the top 2001 born blueliners in Sweden. Broberg was the 2nd highest scoring U17 defender in the SuperElit U20 league last year and at 6'3, his size will be alluring to scouts too. He also played for Sweden at the U17's. If Broberg can step in and fill a top 4 role, that would be huge for a team set to lose RIley Stillman, Justin Lemcke, and Connor Walters on the backend.

Scouting Report: Jimmy Hamrin says, "A two-way defenseman. Solid in the defensive game, but takes offensive risks as well. Not super skilled with the puck, but can transport it well and has a good shot. He has good size and reach. Plays with poise. Makes things happen on the ice. Smooth and agile skater, but with average top speed. Still a bit early to say, but long term and with good development, I see NHL potential in Broberg. Although I haven't looked deep on next years NHL draft class, I'd say Broberg has a good chance of being drafted next year."

57. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - Roman Pucek - Forward
The Greyhounds Import situation is extremely cloudy heading into next year. Will Rasmus Sandin return? Will Rasmus Kupari show up a year later? Because both are NHL first rounders, SSM gets to add more imports to their protected list. The first is Pucek, a 2000 born forward who went undrafted in the NHL this year (but was ranked 74th by NHL Central Scouting). He finished 3rd in scoring in the Czech U18 league and was recently at the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp. Seems that Toronto definitely has interest in him and what better fit than with the Hounds?

69. Peterborough Petes - Erik Cermak - Forward
Peterborough grabs another forward with their second selection, Czech winger Erik Cermak. He's a 5'10, 2001 born forward who will be eligible for next year's NHL draft. He's competed in the Czech U18 league the last two years as an underager, putting up over a point per game. But if we're comparing him against his peers, the ppg average this year was not even top 20 for U17 players in that league. Never know if he ends up being a diamond in the rough, and he will at least add some depth to Peterborough's forward group.

84. Mississauga Steelheads - Nikita Zuyev - Defense
With their second pick, the Steelheads took a relatively unknown defender from Belarus. Zuyev played in the Belarussian men's league this past year, and posted 3 assists. As a late birthday '99, he was passed over in this year's NHL draft and was not ranked by NHL Central Scouting. Listed at 5'11 by Elite Prospects, so he's not bringing a ton of size to the table either. Could be a real shot in the dark.

Scouting Report: No contacts had any information on Zuyev, so here's some info from the Steelheads themselves (as per this article), "The second round selection attended a camp in the GTA a couple of weeks ago and demonstrated to Steelheads’ coaching staff to be a strong d-man who exemplifies a good first pass and who skates and moves well. After spending the 2017-18 season in the Belarus men’s league, Zuyev is a promising young defenceman who the Steelheads expect to grow and develop into a solid blueliner."

87. North Bay Battalion - David Maier - Defense
In the 2nd round, the Battalion grabbed an Austrian defender (and international teammate of Ottawa selection Marco Rossi) who will look to provide some offense from the blueline for North Bay. He went undrafted at this year's NHL draft, but was named the best defender at the 2nd division U18's while playing for Austria. No question, the Battalion will need someone to QB their powerplay this year and Maier (or Postnov) could be that guy.

Scouting Report: My contacts had no info on Maier, but here's some information from the North Bay Battalion website and quotes from Adam Dennis (here), “David was a guy whom I actually came across through some mutual contacts while playing in Austria,” noted Dennis. “I was watching one of his former teammates at the under-20 by the name of Marco Rossi and just fell in love with David." “I think he’s going to fit in really well with our system. He really likes to jump into the play. He’s a good skater, and I think he’s going to be a pleasant surprise in the second round.”

96. Niagara IceDogs - Daniel Bukac - Defense
A hulking defender at 6'5 and over 200lbs, Bukac is actually a CHL veteran at this stage of his career. The Boston Bruins 7th rounder (2017) has played the last two seasons in Brandon of the WHL, but they released his rights so that they could pick again in this year's Import Draft. He'll add some size and physicality to a Niagara blueline that could badly use it.

The first thing that stands out with Bukac is his size. He is an imposing 6’5” with an even longer wingspan. His reach gives opponents fits when trying work to the inside and he excels at disrupting the rush with an active stick. Bukac also shows solid agility and mobility for his size. He has smooth balance transfer in transitions and can cover a lot of ground with his long stride. Like most big men he could use some quickness in tight spaces but he’s not a player that will be burned often. While Bukac is a steady defender in his own end, he brings very little to the table offensively. He can at times seem uncomfortable with the puck on his stick and his awareness on the ice needs some work. Additionally he is still very raw physically and has room to add strength. Bukac was drafted on his potential as a defender with NHL size and decent mobility however he still has a long way to go in his development. He got a late start last season due to offseason knee surgery which kept him behind the eight ball for most of the year. Here’s hoping with a fresh start in Niagara he can revitalize the evolution of his game. At this point I’m skeptical that he has the mental processing to play at the pace of the pro game however he’s at the precipice of being a solid middle pairing junior defender.
The first thing that stands out with Bukac is his size. He is an imposing 6’5” with an even longer wingspan. His reach gives opponents fits when trying work to the inside and he excels at disrupting the rush with an active stick. Bukac also shows solid agility and mobility for his size. He has smooth balance transfer in transitions and can cover a lot of ground with his long stride. Like most big men he could use some quickness in tight spaces but he’s not a player that will be burned often. While Bukac is a steady defender in his own end, he brings very little to the table offensively. He can at times seem uncomfortable with the puck on his stick and his awareness on the ice needs some work. Additionally he is still very raw physically and has room to add strength. Bukac was drafted on his potential as a defender with NHL size and decent mobility however he still has a long way to go in his development. He got a late start last season due to offseason knee surgery which kept him behind the eight ball for most of the year. Here’s hoping with a fresh start in Niagara he can revitalize the evolution of his game. At this point I’m skeptical that he has the mental processing to play at the pace of the pro game however he’s at the precipice of being a solid middle pairing junior defender.
Scouting Report: Donesh Mazloum says, "The first thing that stands out with Bukac is his size. He is an imposing 6’5” with an even longer wingspan. His reach gives opponents fits when trying work to the inside and he excels at disrupting the rush with an active stick. Bukac also shows solid agility and mobility for his size. He has smooth balance transfer in transitions and can cover a lot of ground with his long stride. Like most big men he could use some quickness in tight spaces but he’s not a player that will be burned often. While Bukac is a steady defender in his own end, he brings very little to the table offensively. He can at times seem uncomfortable with the puck on his stick and his awareness on the ice needs some work. Additionally he is still very raw physically and has room to add strength. Bukac was drafted on his potential as a defender with NHL size and decent mobility however he still has a long way to go in his development. He got a late start last season due to offseason knee surgery which kept him behind the eight ball for most of the year. Here’s hoping with a fresh start in Niagara he can revitalize the evolution of his game. At this point I’m skeptical that he has the mental processing to play at the pace of the pro game however he’s at the precipice of being a solid middle pairing junior defender."
Justin Froese echoes this. "Bukac is a raw player but has some positive attributes that can be deemed useful if he ever pieces it together. He struggles a little bit with puck retrieval and clearing the zone by overcomplicating plays. I feel that even though there are some mental blunders in his own end when he faced a lot of pressure, he’s done a better job of managing the puck than in the past. He has little skill with the puck, although he at times thinks he’s more fluid than he is and often becomes his own worst enemy by trying to over handle himself out of traffic. He is willing to use his teammates and is capable of laying some good quality breakout passes and manages the point at a satisfactory level. Bukac is at his best in his own zone when he uses his frame and length to sweep at pucks and using his frame to pick his spots and ride opponents into the boards. He’s got a big frame, but is not the best at utilizing his size as he lacks strength and the demeanour to use grit. Along with his lacking physical game, Bukac tends to be drawn away from coverage and has a tendency to miscalculate play and gets beat. If he were to tighten up his defensive positioning and add some abrasive play at the net front, he would be a lot more effective at defending forwards who are consistently going to the crease. Offensively he has adequate awareness in moving the puck and will be active off the offensive line. He gambles very little and seldom pinches deep but shows an ability to get shots off, although his shot isn’t consistently accurate or coming off his stick with power. One of his best assets at this point is his skating ability, showing a great length and smooth transition footwork. His skating helps him mask some coverage mistakes as his gap control on the rush is inconsistent. Long way to go yet for him, but he’s seen lots of minutes and learning by fire. I saw progression in his second season in the WHL but he is not a top 4 guy on most teams in the league."

102. London Knights - Vladislav Kolyachonok - Defense
London picks Belarussian defender, Vladislav Kolyachonok, who suited up as an underager (2001 born) for Belarus in the main draw of this year's U18's. He was named as one of the team's three best players, which is a great feat for a player not eligible for the NHL draft until 2019. One has to wonder if he's a back-up plan if Adam Boqvist doesn't end up playing for London this year, though. Could be a nice stow-away for next year if he ends up having a good year in the KHL (he has signed to play for Dinamo Minsk of the KHL next year).

Scouting Report: None of my contacts had any solid information on Kolyachonok, other than he and Guskov are represented by the same agency. Here's some info from a Ryan Pyette article (here) courtesy a Rob Simpson quote, "The 6-foot, 176-pound left-shot blue-liner caught the Knights’ attention while playing up an age group at the under-18 worlds in the spring. “He had an exceptional tournament,” Simpson said. “There’s a lot to like about him. He has a good stick defensively. His shot is good. That’s one part of his game he could probably improve on, but a lot of his hockey sense and instincts for the game, you can’t teach. Those are things you’re born with.”

105. Owen Sound Attack - Moritz Seider - Defense
The Attack rolled the dice in the second round, taking big (6'4) defender Moritz Seider, one of the top young players in Germany. He's slated as a potential top 60 pick next year after playing for Germany as an underager at the U18's the last two years. He was named the top defenseman at the most recent U18's (second division though). However, the German media is reporting that Seider plans on staying in Germany for his draft year after signing a pro contract with Adler Mannheim. Should he change his mind, he could be an impact player for Owen Sound who could use the defensive help next year.

Scouting Report: Chapin Landvogt says, "Moritz Seider is currently a man among boys. It's not just that he's already 6'4" and may be 190 lbs. before summer's end (and won't turn 18 until April of 2019), but his play is extremely mature. He is a very heady Dman who moves far too well for a kid his size at that age. Don't look to much into the stats to date; he won't blow you away with points. Neither his junior stats nor those in international play are all that noteworthy (although he had 10-17-27 in 26 DNL games this season). It's his all-round game, instincts, shutdown abilities, and propensity to make good outlet passes that have him ahead of maybe every other defenseman to ever have come out of Germany. This is no Tim Bender we're talking about here. Very telling is that the Adler Mannheim of the DEL, one of the top addresses in Germany for years, felt highly enough of him to dress him for four games this season - at the age of 16. You may get that in Sweden, but it doesn't happen in Germany. To my knowledge, it may have been the first time in DEL history. As such, he's not your everyday prospect and it should be no surprise if he ends up being a top 60 pick in the 2019 draft."

108. Barrie Colts - Matej Pekar - Forward
Pekar , a 4th rounder by Buffalo at this year's NHL draft, has played in North America already for three seasons, competing for Muskegon of the USHL last year. In Muskegon, he averaged nearly a point per game and was named the USHL rookie of the year. He also had a standout performance for the Czech's at the U18's. He would most definitely be an impact player and potential top 6 forward should he report to Barrie. Problem is, he has a commitment to Miami University. Going to take some heavy recruiting.


Scouting Report: Matt Grainda says, “If the Barrie Colts were looking for a hard-working 200-ft two-way forward who can really put up some quality scoring numbers, they picked the right player in the CHL Import Draft with Matej Pekar. Pekar spent the last season with the USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks after originally being selected in the USHL Phase II Draft by the Chicago Steel. Pekar played his youth hockey in the Czech Republic before coming over to the United States to play locally in the Detroit area. He was the highest scoring player for Jimmy Johns 16U AAA as a 15-year-old before moving over to the Oakland Jr Grizzlies 16U team the following season. He really jumped on the radar with Oakland and became a valued prospect for the USHL draft, displaying himself as a tough-to-play-against kid with a great motor and valuable puck possession skill that often led to scoring chances through his playmaking and internal drive. Pekar played last year with the USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks and had a very successful season, almost scoring at a point-per-game pace while earning the USHL Rookie of the Year award along with USHL All-Rookie Team honors. He really was one of the best puck pursuers in the USHL this season through his relentless pace of play, but his biggest knock is his skating mechanics. That didn’t stop the NHL Buffalo Sabres though, who selected Pekar in the 4th Round of the 2018 NHL Draft. Pekar is committed to play NCAA Hockey with Miami University (OH), so it looks like the Sabres will need to help him decide between the NCAA and CHL.”



114. Hamilton Bulldogs - Tim Fleischer - Forward
With their second import selection, the Bulldogs take German forward Tim Fleischer, who is a late 2000 born center who led the DNL (U19 league) in points per game this past season. He also suited up for Germany at the second division U18's.  Hamilton could use the depth at center as they could potentially be losing some of their key players at the position. Fleischer was also a second round pick by Cedar Rapids of the USHL, so they will likely have to compete to have him suit up.

Scouting Report: Chapin Landvogt provides his report on both Fleischer and Owen Sound pick Manuel Alberg. "As for Alberg and Fleischer, we are talking about two offensively oriented forwards who need to gain weight. Both are under 160 pounds and only Fleischer even comes in at six foot, but he might be less. Both have produced above-average DNL stats (albeit nothing like a Michaelis or Kahun, much less Draisaitl). Both were part of the U18 team that was in Latvia for the D1A U18 tourney in which Germany lost only to host Latvia and scored the most goals in the tournament. Each got a few points along the way, with Alberg checking in at a PPG pace, finishing the tourney with a +5 rating. Certainly, he has been the more interesting prospect of the two to date. This said, I think Fleischer may end up being the better player. If you're wondering what type of CHL impact they might have, it's hard to tell at this juncture as both need to mature physically more than anything else. I think both could end up being a bit like Max Kammerer, who just signed with the Washington Capitals as a young European UFA after two eye-opening seasons in the DEL. He always had some tools, but his one season for the Regina Pats was less than stellar. I'm also not sure either is quite as talented as Andreas Eder, a former Vancouver Giant who has a lot of great tools himself, but has struggled to establish himself as a DEL player to date. It'll be fascinating to see how they present themselves, if they head over."


118. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - Jaromir Pytlik - Forward 
Again, the Hounds had a ton of flexibility at this year's import draft, so why not take some chances. Pytlik is likely a stash for next season, as I doubt there is room for him this year. But he is considered one of the top 2001 born Czech players, having already scored a goal at the men's level and posting the 2nd best point per game mark in the Czech U18 league among U17 players. He also played the Czechs at this year's U18. His late birth date makes him ineligible for the NHL Draft until 2020 though. So if he wants to play in SSM for his draft season, you know that the Greyhounds will be recruiting.

BONUS - London Knights - Adam Boqvist - Defense
Last year the Knights rolled the dice on talented 2018 draft eligible defender Adam Boqvist, who decided to stay in Sweden for his draft year. But London had to know that there was a chance that he'd come over for his draft +1 year and that is the case now. Boqvist has inked his ELC with Chicago and has left Brynas of the SHL. That gave him three options for next year. He could make the NHL squad. Or Chicago could have him play in the AHL. But the 3rd one was sending him to the OHL for a year and that was the selected route with Boqvist signing on with the Knights recently. In London, Boqvist will get top 3 ice time, perhaps more if Evan Bouchard cracks the Edmonton Oilers' roster. This is a massive get for the Knights.

Scouting Report: Future Considerations has Boqvist rated 7th in 2018 and had this to say, "An offensive blueliner who owns a fluid skating stride that allows him to carry the puck coast to coast and be a constant threat with the puck in his possession. He's a natural on the powerplay who can pick apart penalty killers with his crisp and accurate passing and powerful/accurate point shot. However, defensively he can be an adventure. His decision making is too high risk for the defensive zone and he's too passive clearing the front of the net. Offensively, many of his tools are elite, but he needs to add upper body strength to improve defensively. He has the chance to be a difference maker at the next level."




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Sunday, June 24, 2018

2018 NHL Entry Draft Results

The 2017 NHL Entry Draft commenced this weekend and 35 OHL players had their names called by NHL clubs.

Below you can find the results for OHL players, as well as my draft ranking before the draft (for comparison's sake).

Some general thoughts on how the draft played out:


- Mentioned this on twitter, but Pavel Gogolev is the highest ranked player (at 16) by me in my 10 years of writing here, that has ended up going undrafted. Pretty crazy that he didn't end up at least a 7th round gamble by someone. His 5 on 5 stats were pretty terrific.


- It was also the first year (out of 10) where no one chose a player that I didn't have ranked in my top 50 or my top 10 re-entries. In fact, no one beyond 40 was drafted by an NHL team this year. NHL General Managers just weren't very enamored with the OHL crop this year.


- Among those drafted way earlier than my rankings would have predicted include Kody Clark and Semyon Der Arguchintsev. But, neither was a surprise to be honest. Had them lower in my rankings than other publications did.


- Among those who went lower include Aidan Dudas and Allan McShane. Again, neither was shocking. Dudas because of his size. McShane because of his skating deficiencies.


- Obviously ecstatic to see Joey Keane go in the 3rd round. Definitely well deserved. He's a heck of a prospect.


- Also fantastic to see Dennis Busby get drafted despite barely playing this year. Been the leader of that train all season long.




- here's a link to the full draft results.



My RankPlayer NamePOOHL TeamNHL TeamRDPick
1Andrei Svechnikov
F		BarrieCAR12
2Evan BouchardDLondonEDM110
3Barrett HaytonFSSMARZ15
4Ty DellandreaFFlintDAL113
5Serron NoelFOshawaFLA234
6Akil ThomasFNiagaraLA251
7Rasmus SandinDSSMTOR129
8Ryan MerkleyDSan JoseSJ121
9Ryan McLeodFMississaugaEDM240
10Liam FoudyFLondonCBJ118
11Kevin BahlDOttawaARZ255
12Aidan DudasFOwen SoundLA4113
13Allan McShaneFOshawaMTL497
14Cam HillisFGuelphMTL366
15Alec Regula DLondonDET367
16Pavel GogolevFPeterborough


17Mitchell HoelscherFOttawaNJ6172
18Blade JenkinsFSaginawNYI5134
19Kody ClarkFOttawaWSH247
20Riley DamianiFKitchenerDAL5137
21Giovanni VallatiDKitchenerWPG5153
22Merrick RipponDOttawa


23Semyon Der-ArguchintsevFPeterboroughTOR376
24Curtis DouglasFWindsorDAL4106
25Nico GrossDOshawaNYR4101
26Caleb EverettDSaginaw


27Carter RobertsonDOttawa


28Billy MoskalFLondon


29Nathan DunkleyFLondon


30Jacob InghamGMississaugaLA6175
31Dennis BusbyDFlintARZ5145
32Jordan KooyGLondonVGS7208
33Connor RobertsFFlint


34Riley McCourtDFlint


35Declan ChisholmDPeterboroughWPG5150
36Matthew StruthersFNorth Bay


37Tyler TuckerDBarrieSTL7200
38Connor CorcoranDWindsorVGS5154
39Sam BittenFOttawa


40Damien GirouxFSaginawMIN5155
41Maxim GolodFErie


42Adam LiskaFKitchener


43Kirill NizhnikovFSudbury


44Jake GoldowskiFSaginaw


45David LevinFSudbury


46Justin MacPhersonDNiagara


47Adam McMasterFNorth Bay


48William EnnisDOshawa


49Owen LalondeDGuelph


50Zack Malik DSudbury









1Joey KeaneDBarrieNYR388
2Sean DurziDOwen SoundTOR252
3Linus NymanFKingston


4Justin BrazeauFNorth Bay


5Jakob BrahaneyDKingston


6Mac HollowellDSSMTOR4118
7Brandon SaigeonFHamiltonCOL5140
8Brady LyleDOwen Sound


9Jason WillmsFBarrie


10Adam ThilanderDNorth Bay









N/AAdam MascherinFKitchenerDAL4100




























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Wednesday, June 20, 2018

2018 NHL Draft Primer

With the 2018 NHL Entry Draft slated for this weekend, here is everything you need to know about the players available from the Ontario Hockey League.

My Rankings:
Honorable Mentions
50-31
30-11
10-1

Media/Scout Poll

Top Draft Re-Entries (second and third year eligible)

2018 Mock Draft 

Best of luck to all the OHL players eligible this year!
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Friday, June 15, 2018

Final Media/Scout Poll for the 2018 NHL Draft

The NHL draft is now only a few weeks away, so it's time to conclude our yearly media/scout poll.

For comparison's sake, here are the preliminary (from November) and the midseason (from February) consensus lists.

 Preliminary List
Midseason List

It's always interesting to note some of the major changes/trends from the beginning of the year to the end. Ryan McLeod and Ryan Merkley are the two most notable "fallers" from the beginning of the year. Both started the season in the consensus top 3 from the OHL, but now find themselves ranked 8th and 9th (respectively). Meanwhile, Rasmus Sandin has seen himself rise from 10th, to 8th, to the top 5 as scouts have grown to appreciate his mistake free game. Additionally, Liam Foudy is a massive riser, as he climbs into the top 10 after not receiving a single vote in the preliminary or midseason polls.

At this point, the number of OHL players taken in the first round remains a total mystery. I could see as many as 9, or as little as 5 going on the first day. And, as always, the depth is strong which should see the OHL with close to, or over 40 players taken.

As always, it's important to note the contributors, as without them and their terrific insight, this article does not exist. For the final list, the following helped out:

Corey Pronman - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@coreypronman)
Dominic Tiano - Writer for The OHL Writers (@dominictiano)
Dylan Galloway - OHL Scout for Future Considerations (@dylangalloway_)
Peter Kneulman - Provides OHL coverage at OHL Writer (@PeterKneulman)
Mike Morreale - Staff writer for NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL)
Ryan Kennedy - Associate Senior Writer for The Hockey News(@THNRyanKennedy)
Peter Harling - Managing Editor of Dobber Prospects (@pharling)
Scott Wheeler - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@scottcwheeler)
Steve Kournianos - Founder of The Draft Analyst(@TheDraftAnalyst) 
Mark Scheig - OHL writer for The Hockey Writers (@THWMark)
Tony Ambrogio - PA Announcer for the Mississauga Steelheads & TSN editor (@Tony_Ambrogio)
Chris Peters - NHL Prospects Writer for ESPN (@chrismpeters)
Grant McCagg - President of Recrutes Hockey (@grantmccagg)
Steve Clark - Play by play voice of the Niagara IceDogs (@ClarkPlaybyPlay)   
Mark Seidel - Scouting Director for NACS Hockey (@MarkSeidel) 
Cam Robinson - Writer/Scout for Dobber Prospects (@CrazyJoeDavola3)

Two Anonymous OHL Scouts 
 
and of course...myself (@BrockOtten)    

Here's the List:

1. Andrei Svechnikov - Forward - Barrie Colts
Total Votes: 19 Votes
High/Low Ranking: 1st (19x)
Comments:
"It’s pretty easy to stand well above your peers when you have one of the most prolific goal-scoring seasons by an OHL draft-eligible in the last few decades. Svechnikov was on pace to score 50 goals – at even strength! But there’s a lot more to his game beyond finishing, as he’s proven to be a creative playmaker and an effective penalty killer. On top of that, the kid is flat-out nasty to play against and uses his strength to mash opponents." - Steve Kournianos 

"There was no secret about Svechnikov’s offensive game before he first stepped onto an OHL ice surface. He’s been called in many hockey circles “the best pure goal scorer since Alex Ovechkin was drafted.”  Putting up numbers as he did during the season, despite missing two months of action, well it’s no wonder he has been tagged with that title. What was a secret entering the season was just how accomplished a two-way game he plays. It’s not perfect, and there is work to be done but for as accomplished he is offensively, it has been quite the pleasant surprise to see him put the effort on the defensive side. All the tools are NHL ready. That’s where he will be next season." - Dominic Tiano

"Svechnikov had a fantastic OHL rookie campaign, especially after returning from a hand injury he sustained earlier this season. I think he's the one Canadian Hockey League player who can step into an NHL lineup right now. He's big, has a powerful shot, and knows when to drop the shoulder and turn it on. He also has a lot of skill for a 6-foot-2, 188-pound winger, and is really good along the half-wall on the power play." - Mike Morreale

"No player in this class can do as much damage quickly as Svechnikov can. He doesn’t need the puck to make plays, and can burn teams by getting into open space and effortlessly finishing a pass in one touch – from a standstill or in motion. When you can score and shoot with the ease that he does, you’re destined for success. He’s the clear top prospect in the OHL and it’s not all that close." - Anonymous

"I still think that he is going to have the most successful NHL career, and that is saying something given that Rasmus Dahlin is in the draft. He's big, aggressive, plays on the edge, has terrific instincts on the ice, a heavy shot and a quick release. Plus, you are drawn to him whenever he is on the ice.  He's that talented. He'll score over 30 in his first year and would not surprise me if he hits 40." - Stephen Clark

 2. Evan Bouchard - Defense - London Knights
Total Votes: 19
High/Low Ranking: 2nd (15x)/5th (1x)
Comments:
"I have been a fan since I saw him skate his first OHL shift 3 seasons ago. You could tell then he would be a player. He should have been named OHL defenceman of the year, considering how young the Knights were (after trade deadline) and that he put the team on his shoulders and carried them the rest of the season. Right shot defencemen like him don’t come around often. He has an ability, with calmness, to draw in forecheckers and then beat them with tape-to-tape stretch passes. On the powerplay, he is deadly with his shot, or he can make perfect passes. Big minute eating defenceman who can stay on for multiple minutes and leave the ice without huffing and puffing. I once timed him with 42:01 TOI, in a 60-minute regulation game." - Dominic Tiano

"The progress that the Knights coaching staff made with Evan Bouchard from his OHL draft eligible season is tremendous. They tamed him as a riverboat gambler style of defender who was quite erratic into a two-way defender who can now say decision making is one of his strengths. Few defenders in this draft class can execute a stretch pass as well as Bouchard and don't mistake his efficient, calm style of play as disinterested because this kid relishes being the go-to guy on the Knights. He isn't getting the love he deserves." - Anomymous

"Skating and defense was a concern when he entered the OHL and it'll be the same thing in the NHL. He has high skilled puck handling ability and an NHL shot. He can contribute at the next level but using his size in his own zone and improving his skating will be the difference between he becomes a good offensive defenseman and one that is a perennial all-star." - Anonymous

"A strong puck-moving defender who took on all the tough minutes on a depleted Knights’ squad. Runs the power play with precision, uses his big shot with impunity and finds a way onto the score sheet most nights. Has great vision to go along with a bomb of a shot. Needs to quicken his feet and his pace as he transitions up." - Cam Robinson

"Took a huge jump forward this year and showed a tremendous amount of poise with and without the puck. Excellent vision allows him to pass himself out of trouble and put up points in the offensive end. At times he lacks urgency but that will come." - Mark Seidel

3. Barrett Hayton - Forward - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Total Votes: 19
High/Low Ranking: 3rd (11x)/7th (1x)
Comments:
"Quite possibly the best all-around player in the draft class. Everything Hayton does, he does with a relentless work ethic. He’ll chase down the opposition in all three zones and creates turnovers almost at will. He has excellent vision and knows where he should be on the ice and how to get there. I think some in the hockey industry were expecting greater offensive numbers from Hayton, but he wasn’t always put in the top offensive situations with the Greyhounds depth. He has the skill set to be a top offensive producer, but as we have seen in the past in the Soo with the likes of Morgan Frost and Zachary Senyshyn, it’s the draft year plus one that the big offense production begins." - Dominic Tiano 

"Came into the league as a rookie known for his tremendous shooting ability but has now developed into a well-rounded do it all type of centre. As a pro prospect he may lack a standout trait but scouts love how complete he is as a player. He was the Hounds best forward by a notable margin in the playoffs and that will not go unnoticed. His ability to create ice and make plays in tight is fun to watch." - Anonymous

"He's underrated by many and a legitimate top-ten prospect for me.  His smarts, puck skills, character and poise are all elite. His skating isn't great, but he has the mindset to work on it hard over the next few years and turn it into an asset much like John Tavares did in the years after he was drafted.  I expect an offensive breakthrough next season in the Soo when he's handed the top offensive role." - Grant McCagg

"The best 200 foot player coming out of the OHL for this draft. After watching him all year I wonder if he ever ends up a true #1 centre at the next level but I could see him being a very good #2 centre who can play in all situations." - Peter Kneulman


4. Rasmus Sandin - Defense - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Total Votes: 19
High/Low Ranking: 2nd (1x)/10th (1x)
Comments:
"If you paid close attention to Sandin’s play in Sweden, you saw something developing but nothing definitive. Well, it took him barely any time to smash through the OHL like a sledgehammer, and did so while playing smart hockey in all three zones. Sandin is a strong skater and plays his one-on-ones better than most teenage eligibles. But it was his playmaking, creativity and shot accuracy that opened a lot of eyes, regardless of the fact that he played on a powerhouse. There were stretches when Sandin was the Greyhounds’ best defenseman, which says something when you look at how stacked a lineup they iced." - Steve Kournianos

"For me, Sandin became the second-best defenceman in this class behind Bouchard early in the season. It took some in the hockey world a while to put him in that spot but almost everyone sees him there now. As calm as Bouchard is in his own zone, I think Sandin is even calmer. He doesn’t get rattled under pressure and is always making the right play. Despite being 5’11”, he uses his body extremely well at keeping the opposition to the outside, and he won’t shy away from the physical game. He could work on his speed however, he is very adept at joining or leading the rush. Just how good he is and how important he was to the Greyhounds this season was evident when Conor Timmins was out with injury and the World Juniors." - Dominic Tiano

"I still feel Sandin is a bit underrated entering the draft. I liked him a lot. His hockey sense is great and he's so difficult to hit because he's elusive and mobile. He knows how to work the blue line and get the puck to his wingers to give them a chance to do something with it. In other words, he doesn't just pass the puck to get himself out of trouble; he has a purpose. His head is up all the time, has a decent shot, and knows can quarterback a power play." - Mike Morreale

"Shows great awareness on the backend with great closing speed. Isn't afraid to be physical and when he is, he doesn't take himself out of the play. Burgeoning offensive game highlighted by great vision and an uncanny ability to get pucks through a crowd and onto the net." - Peter Kneulman
I still feel Sandin is a bit underrated entering the draft. I liked him a lot. His hockey sense is great and he's so difficult to hit because he's elusive and mobile. He knows how to work the blue line and get the puck to his wingers to give them a chance to do something with it. In other words, he doesn't just pass the puck to get himself out of trouble; he has a purpose. His head is up all the time, has a decent shot, and knows can quarterback a power play.
I still feel Sandin is a bit underrated entering the draft. I liked him a lot. His hockey sense is great and he's so difficult to hit because he's elusive and mobile. He knows how to work the blue line and get the puck to his wingers to give them a chance to do something with it. In other words, he doesn't just pass the puck to get himself out of trouble; he has a purpose. His head is up all the time, has a decent shot, and knows can quarterback a power play.
I still feel Sandin is a bit underrated entering the draft. I liked him a lot. His hockey sense is great and he's so difficult to hit because he's elusive and mobile. He knows how to work the blue line and get the puck to his wingers to give them a chance to do something with it. In other words, he doesn't just pass the puck to get himself out of trouble; he has a purpose. His head is up all the time, has a decent shot, and knows can quarterback a power play.
I still feel Sandin is a bit underrated entering the draft. I liked him a lot. His hockey sense is great and he's so difficult to hit because he's elusive and mobile. He knows how to work the blue line and get the puck to his wingers to give them a chance to do something with it. In other words, he doesn't just pass the puck to get himself out of trouble; he has a purpose. His head is up all the time, has a decent shot, and knows can quarterback a power play.
5. Akil Thomas - Forward - Niagara IceDogs
Total Votes: 19
High/Low Ranking: 4th (3x)/9th (2x)
Comments:
"Good skater with a notable shot. Had a good statistical season but left me wanting more. A lot of rankings are placing him in the first round but my comfort zone would be in the second round. Possesses a lot of tools that teams want but I have not been overly excited about him this season. Needs to play with more pace and if he can find that, he should contend for an OHL scoring title next season." - Anonymous

"Thomas is a fabulous player who lacks elite upside but has above-average skill on both sides of the puck and a frame that will allow him to bulk up and play with a little more power. He’s already a great, fluid, light skater and playmaker and I have faith the rest will come in time. He’s a little inconsistent but when he’s on he’s one of the best pure centres in the draft." - Anonymous

"Thomas is perhaps the best pure playmaking center available. He has a knack for finding the open guy in stride and can score when called upon. I'm just not sure if he's a center at the next level. Even if he's just a winger, he projects as a top-six guy for me." - Mark Scheig

"Very talented centre who has put up great numbers given his age in both his seasons. Great vision and high end play maker. If his shot improves and allows him to take advantage of teams who over commit to the pass, watch out." - Peter Kneulman

"A buzz-saw of a player. Needs to add strength, but moves as quick with the puck as he does without. Has tremendous vision and a soft touch. Likely better suited for the wing in the NHL. Will run through a wall for his teammates." - Cam Robinson

"The kid has all of the skills to play the entire 200 feet. He has a high hockey IQ and great feet that allow to challende defenders or work to get back on his horse for the back check. Put up an incredible 80+ points on a young Icedogs team so he has shown he can produce as well. Sometimes lacks a little urgency at times but that will come in the years to come." - Mark Seidel

"Ever try to learn a new position on the fly , and have that new position be centre?   That's what Akil Thomas did with Niagara this year, and he did well.  He held his own in terms of face offs, and became more of a play maker (57 assists) than a goal scorer (24 goals).  He elevated his game in the post season, and meshed well with Pittsburgh FA signing Sam Miletic.  He is on the smaller side, but was fine with playing the physical game.   The skill set and speed is certainly there.  Had one NHL Player Personnel person tell me he has 100 point potential." - Stephen Clark

 6. Serron Noel - Forward - Oshawa Generals
Total Votes: 19
High/Low Ranking: 2nd (1x)/10th (1x)
Comments:
"Noel is an interesting case because his measurements usually aren’t synonymous with deft puck handling and smart neutral-zone play. Of course, there are plenty of times where he takes full advantage of opponents via his 6’5 frame and massive wingspan, but what really impressed me was his puck poise and soft touch while collecting loose pucks at center ice. Sure, Noel is the perfect net-front presence on the power play, but all the accolades he’s received this season likely stem from areas outside of the realm of your typical power winger." - Steve Kournianos

"Who wouldn’t want a 6’5” 210 plus pound winger who can absolutely fly? To be honest, I see Noel as a project, a guy who needs to put in more work then some of the guys that will be drafted around him. But the package is there, he’ll just need more time then some of the other players. He has an ability to go end-to-end and on the occasions he does, he brings Generals’ fans to their feet. He’s very good at protecting the puck and when he parks himself in front of the opposition net, he’s hard to move and can beat even the best goaltenders with his hands from there. I would like to see him more involved physically and in battles for puck up for grabs. But as I said, he needs to put it all together." - Dominic Tiano

¨I don´t get when people say that Noel lacks high end potential. They see this big kid whose numbers aren´t extremely glamorous and assume he tops out as a future checking line player. The reality is that I don´t think we have any idea of what type of player he will end up as, or how good he could possibly be. And that´s the allure. North/South, I think he is one of the most powerful skaters in the OHL. Not too many guys will beat him in a straight foot race. And the hands in tight and puck possession ability are already strong. The questions are: how much better can his puck control ability become at full speed? Will his hockey sense in the offensive end develop? And will he start to play with more truculence on a consistent basis and become a force away from the puck? If the answer to all three of those questions is yes, this guy will look like the steal of this year´s draft."- Brock Otten

"Complete power forward that has more skill then he is given credit for. Has a huge frame that he will fill out and will be a load to handle in front. Think of Tom Wilson with more skill & less fights." - Mark Seidel

7. Ty Dellandrea - Forward - Flint Firebirds
Total Votes: 18
High/Low Ranking: 3rd (1x)/Outside of the Top 10 (1x)
Comments:
"He was the most offensively gifted player on his team. He was targeted by the opposition but, give him credit, he battled through it, produced and put up numbers. His game is speed and skill. When he gets the puck, he's looking to drive it to the net. I don't believe we've seen his full potential just yet." - Mike Morreale

"To me, Dellandrea is the best center available from the OHL in this draft. He brings a little bit of everything to the table. He can finish. He can also be a playmaker. He plays both special teams units. He was the star of the show in Flint after the trades and was consistently their biggest threat to score. He also has the highest chance of becoming a top-six center in the NHL." - Mark Scheig

"Dellandrea has a solid two-way game already, but I think his offensive potential is still a bit untapped. He’s got an unreal shot that he doesn’t release often enough. Dellandrea can sometimes be too smart for his own good and over think plays. His untapped offensive potential could be realized through simplifying his game. The team that drafts him is getting one of the more underrated players in this area of the draft in my opinion." - Dylan Galloway

"A massive fan of his and I think his game has been massively underappreciated thus far. He's going to be an NHL center, it's just a matter of where he slides in, in the line-up. Sometimes guys like him get pigeon held as future 3rd line centers because of how advanced their play away from the puck and two-way games are. But Dellandrea has a high skill and I think he put that on display at the U18's where he was one of the better centers in the tournament, at least IMO. If he's not a first round pick, it's a travesty and someone is getting a very good prospect." - Brock Otten

"A flower amongst the weeds in Flint has skewed his on-ice product to some degree. Owns a heavy and accurate release and finds ways to cut into high-danger scoring areas. Feasts in the high slot on the PP. Can draw the opponents in due to his shoot-first mentality but distributes effectively as well. Performed exceptionally on the big stages – Hlinka, U18, and Top Prospect Game. Adding more explosiveness and quicker hands will be on his wish list this summer." - Cam Robinson

"Reminds me a lot of Mike Richards in the year that Philadelphia took him. The kid oozes character and work ethic while putting up 60+ points in Flint this year. Understands the game & will have a long productive NHL career." - Mark Seidel


8. Ryan McLeod - Forward - Mississauga Steelheads
Total Votes: 17
High/Low Ranking: 4th (2x)/Outside of the Top 10 (2x)
Comments:
"Has the look of a player and put up decent numbers this season but always leaves me wanting more from a player who can skate like the wind and flash slick puck skills from time to time. I worry about his compete level and whether he has the drive to be an impact player at the next level. I'd pass on him in the opening round and hope he falls to the second." - Anonymous

"He does so many things well - solid skater, good penalty killer, high end skills. The confidence and improvement in his game from September 2017 to January 2018 was like night and day. But in the second half of the season, I didn't see the continued improvement I was hoping to see. Solid player who does so many things well, but how much better can he get?" - Tony Ambrogio

"He has the tools but I just feel he underwhelmed on a team with a lot of skill on it. There's no question he can skate and has the frame to play in the NHL. I'd just like to see him more consistently take over games." - Mark Scheig

"A similar type player to Akil Thomas, but did not have as good of a year, but then again Mississauga as a team under performed, based on the talent that they have. McLeod is a dynamic skater and sees the whole ice well and a deft finisher.  He will be either a centre piece trade acquisition for someone, or will be the leader and likely captain in Mississauga. He just looks like he has a pro game already." - Stephen Clark   

9. Ryan Merkley - Defense - Guelph Storm
Total Votes: 16
High/Low Ranking: 2nd (2x)/Outside of the Top 10 (3x)
Comments:
"Is exceptional at the point on the power play; he had 32 assists with the man advantage. He's got great offensive instincts and is a pure point producer. He shows a lot of poise and puck control. He just needs to work on his defensive game and take more of a positive approach off the ice when the going gets tough. The skill set it certainly there and he's going to be hard to pass up late in the first round." - Mike Morreale

"What a story line this young player has already wrote for himself. Public reports of his unwelcomed poor attitude will certainly drive him down the draft lists but he is likely the second most talented prospect from the Ontario league. His confidence, silky hands and willingness to extract every afforded second before making a play with the puck is something few players at any level possess. I'm rooting for him to clean up his attitude because players from around the globe would love to have his abilities and chance to play in the NHL." - Anonymous

"Merkley is the biggest risk-reward bet in the NHL draft this year, let alone among his OHL peers. He’s nearly unmatched in terms of raw gifts and that should put him in everyone’s top-five out of the OHL, regardless of his attitude issues and defensive lapses. There’s a decent chance whichever team takes him in this year’s draft ends up missing on him, but if he can mature on and off the ice then the sky’s the limit. I’d take that gamble." - Anonymous

"Elite offensive weapon. Skating, skill and particularly offensive brain are all high-end. Makes very unique plays. Erratic in terms of his defensive play, and discipline issues remain. Has consistency issues." - Anonymous

"The stories of attitude problems that have swirled around Merkley leading up to the draft have been a big factor in his slide down a number of rankings. I’m inclined to trust the development process, and have to believe there will be personal growth in the coming years and months. Oh and by the way, he’s a phenomenally gifted offensive defenceman with a gift for game-breaking puck movement, skating and vision." - Dylan Galloway

"We have seen with highly talented first round athletes with several reported attitude and conduct issues out of the OHL recently. Josh Ho-Sang and Anthony DeAngelo both have received some action in the NHL but are currently in the AHL and underachieving based on what their talent projects. I expect we will see the same out of Merkley where he will be back and forth between NHL and AHL but ultimately doesn't stick due to his attitude. He will be one of the first 8 players out of the OHL in this draft, but he won't end up being one of the top 8 when these players are 35."- Anonymous


10. Liam Foudy - Forward - London Knights
Total Votes: 9 Votes
High/Low Ranking: 5th (1x)/Outside of the Top 10 (10x)
Comments:
"An incredible second half after London traded their vets away seen Foudy explode and got scouts pushing him up their ranking. His athleticism and speed is well documented and those assets are skills that translate. I want to see his offensive numbers emerge next season and start to command the puck more often. The lack of production will likely keep him from being a first round pick but teams will dial in on him early in the second." - Anonymous

"Truly one of the biggest draft risers in the second half of the season as soon as he was handed offensive opportunity.  He may be the fastest skater and best athlete in the draft, and in today's pro game with speed being such an asset he may thrive." - Grant McCagg

"I had to get Foudy into my top 10. His growth through the season was very fun to watch as he shouldered the added minutes beautifully post-trade deadline. Foudy’s strengths of speed, good hands and solid smarts fits perfectly into the new NHL. With a couple more years of development in the OHL, the NHL team that drafts him will be very happy with their selection." - Dylan Galloway

"I feel like we're just on the cusp of seeing what he's fully capable of doing after his second half breakout. Right now, his game is entirely built around his speed and ability to carry the puck. By March, he was averaging 2-3 end to end rushes per game that resulted in scoring chances. But he'll need to learn how to play more effectively East/West. And he'll need to increase his intensity level without the puck to fully harness his speed and fully take over games. But this kid is a freakishly good athlete, as evidenced by his combine results. With the way the NHL game is built around speed now, this is a kid I take a chance on in that 25-40 range and trust that the London coaching staff can turn him into a quality all around hockey player." - Brock Otten

Honorable Mentions

 Kevin Bahl - Defense - Ottawa 67's (5 Votes)
Highest Ranking: 7th (1x)
Comments:
"Bahl is a smart player with a lot more offensive upside than he exhibited this season (one goal, 17 assists); I expect him to rediscover his offensive game in 2018-19 with the 67's. He's got good puck skills for a 6-foot-6, 230-pound defenseman and rarely gets beat wide or out of the corners. He has a good shot and he usually gets it on net." - Mike Morreale

" I know the game is changing but teams can always use a big kid that can eat up minutes, be solid in his own end and keep opponents honest. He has more skill and ability to make plays than most give him credit for and through maturity, he will become a good piece on an NHL team." - Mark Seidel

"Likely not top 10 talent wise, but I've got a soft spot for Bahl because he's a big , physical, throwback type D man.  He stands 6'6 over 220 lbs and you notice him on the ice with his size and strength.  He will hardily dazzle you with his scoring but his reach and defensive play was very good on a very young and talented Ottawa 67's team that will be among the leagues better teams next year.  Expect Bahl to play a large role with them." - Stephen Clark

Allan McShane - Forward - Oshawa Generals (4 Votes)
Highest Ranking: 7th (2x)
Comments:
"McShane is an excellent playmaker and gives a solid effort in all three zones, especially in board battles in the offensive zone. He and Noel made a lot of money together, and at times that second line carried Oshawa for most of the first half of the season. I really like the way he digs in and jostles with bigger defenders." - Steve Kournianos

"McShane is a kid who blew me away last year, didn’t impress me in early viewings this year, and then really came on at U18s as the dominant carrier and passer I’d seen in 2016-2017. He’s got breakout potential next season on an Oshawa team that looks like it’ll be competitive." - Anonymous

Sean Durzi - Defense - Owen Sound Attack (2 Votes)
Highest Ranking: 5th (1x)
Comments:
"I know I have him rated higher than most, but I like the way he plays and the smarts he shows." - Tony Ambrogio

"Went through the Draft once already but has shown that it was a huge mistake. Tremendous offensive instincts and has become a stud defender. Ultimately will be able to quarterback an NHL power play." - Mark Seidel

Cam Hillis - Forward - Guelph Storm
Highest Ranking: 8th (1x)
Comments:
"Hillis is a kid with impressive, better-than-his-numbers-show upside who became a point per game threat as a rookie after opting to make the move out of the prep school, NCAA circuit towards Guelph and the OHL. He adjusted quickly and ended up leading OHL rookies in assists with 39 on route to being named to the all-rookie team with Blade Jenkins and Andrei Svechnikov. He’s got some of the better puck skills in the class, and he’s shiftier than most." - Anonymous

"Hillis is a creative, skilled but undersized center. Given the trend of the NHL allowing undersized player to make an impact, Hillis has a lot of upside." - Peter Harling


Semyon Der-Arguchintsev - Forward - Peterborough Petes (1 Vote)
Highest Ranking: 5th (1x)
Comments:
¨I´m not the one who had him in their top 10, but I can see where the allure comes from. Youngest player eligible this year. Blessed with great individual skill and playmaking ability. Put in a tough spot this year on a bad Peterborough team. Consistency is an issue. Strength is an issue. Play away from the puck is an issue. Size is an issue. Skating is mediocre. As he matures though, could he start to take over games with his skill level? Absolutely." - Brock Otten

Blade Jenkins - Forward - Saginaw Spirit (1 Vote)
Highest Ranking: 8th (1x)
Comments:
"I honestly don't get why so many are down on Jenkins. He came on strong in the second half after finding a consistent role. He combines an NHL frame with a good shot and great skating. His upside is that of a top-six winger. That's pretty good for someone most project to go in the second round." - Mark Scheig



Aidan Dudas - Forward - Owen Sound Attack (1 Vote)
Highest Ranking: 9th (1x)
Comments:
"An undersized pivot who shies away from nothing. Skates miles each night as his motor is constantly churning. He creates chances off his terrific forecheck. An accomplished penalty killer and goal-scorer. Was insulated behind Nick Suzuki this season, but has the ability to anchor a line. Some will see his height and dismiss his ability. No matter, he’ll continue to prove his detractors wrong." - Cam Robinson


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