The first part of my rankings release for the 2025 NHL Draft.
For those that have been following my work for years, I'm condensing down to only two parts for this. Part one includes the players ranked 21 through 50. Part two will include the players in my top 20.
Just for clarification, for my top 50 ranking, I haven't included any players eligible for draft re-entry, such as Kristian Epperson. This has been consistent all the way through my lists. Instead, I did a list of the top 10 draft re-entries, which can be found here.
Also for clarification, this list is MY list of the top 50 OHL prospects, as if I were drafting for my own team. In other words, this isn't a list of where I THINK or believe players will go, but a ranking of my own opinion on the top players eligible for this draft based on my viewings this season. If you want a draft projection and information about players outside the OHL, be sure to check out McKeens Hockey. As you may know (or not know) I am the scouting director for McKeen's and our draft guide will be released extremely soon (purchasing information is available on the linked site).
In recent years, less and less players ranked in this range from the OHL have been drafted. The reality is that NHL teams are using mid to late round picks on European and College bound players more often these days because they get a longer signing window in regards to their rights. Longer shot prospects take longer to develop because they have more to work on. That longer window allows them a few extra years to see how they progress before they have to hand out an ELC. Additionally, in the mid to later rounds, teams are using picks on second/third year eligible CHL players who have already shown positive growth. That said, how will the new NCAA eligibility rules affect this? Will teams be more willing to bet on CHL players late, in hopes of eventually extending their signing window by pushing them to the NCAA?
Without further ado, here are the players ranked 21 through 50.
21. Carson Cameron - Defense - Peterborough Petes
I really thought that Cameron would end up being this year's Ben Danford. A solid, intelligent, and competitive two-way defender who could eventually rise to the point where team's would consider him in the first round. But he just didn't have a terrific year for a Petes' team that struggled. Just out of necessity, he was tasked with having to do too much and his game lost focus. To an extent, I think he lost his identity as a defensively oriented player. Turnovers were an issue from trying to make plays with the puck. His overall puck management and decision making lacked. This hurt his defensive game as it felt like he was having to chase too much, or the Petes were just hemmed in their own end too much. The good news? I think there's still an NHL prospect in there and I think he'll be fine in the long run. But he's got to get back to the basics and that means Peterborough needs to bring in a defender who can play a larger role offensively to take some pressure off of him. Cameron is mobile. He can be combative in the defensive end. He defends the rush well. He has a good point shot that should eventually develop into a better weapon when he can play more confident off the puck. The NHL upside isn't likely too huge, but he could definitely be a third pairing defender with some adjustments. He's still got a lot going for him.
22. Shamar Moses - Wing - North Bay Battalion
Moses is a big winger who is at his best as a playmaker/passer. That's pretty rare to find. His ability to protect the puck and his poise under pressure allows him to find passing lanes out of the cycle, or when driving the net. He's got soft hands too, and he can make skilled plays with the puck to extend time/space. I thought that Moses' off puck game improved a lot in the second half and I think he'll eventually be a solid two-way player. He just didn't end the season well offensively. He had a single goal in the last 25 games of the season (including the playoffs). He needs to get quicker and he needs to find a way to be more of an impactful player between the dots given his size. Right now, he's kind of a big man without a true identity as a potential pro. I don't think he's quite skilled or quick enough to be a top six option and he's not as quick or as tenacious as teams are looking for from their bottom six these days. So something needs to give. It definitely can, but with a weaker finish to the year, he's probably more of a mid/late round target now.
23. David Bedkowski - Defense - Owen Sound Attack
He's 100% going to go higher than this. There's no question about it. He's big. He's physical. He's mobile. There is a projection here as a top notch stay at home defender. I guess I just haven't seen enough growth in his game as a third year player (and late birthday) to warrant the kind of high ranking he's receiving from some outlets (and from NHL scouts). Has his play with the puck truly improved over three seasons in the OHL? I don't think there's been much progression at all. Now, of course, that's not going to be his bread and butter at the next level. However, as is, he would get feasted upon in the NHL in his own end because of his lack of excellent scanning habits and ability to make plays under pressure. A lot of the top end defensive defenders in the NHL were decent puck movers at the junior level before taking on a lesser role at the higher levels. We've seen players with this profile before and they've struggled to make the jump. I'd have a ton of time for Bedkowski in the mid rounds. But, this is a draft that has a ton of quality athletic, stay at home types available this year from other regions (from my crossover work with McKeen's), and I think a lot of those guys have more to offer from an offensive perspective, while possessing the same kind of defensive upside.
24. Aidan Lane - Wing - Brampton Steelheads
Simply put...if Lane was an even adequate skater, he'd be much higher than this and a serious top two round candidate. As he showed late in the year with Brampton, he can be the perfect complement to highly skilled or creative playmakers because he's one of those guys that does all the little things well. He's a highly intelligent player who creates space and extra time for those players to operate. He embraces his role as a net front presence and has really good hands in tight for tips and second chance put aways. He controls the wall well and he makes quick decisions with the puck. Even with the skating deficiencies, he didn't turn the puck over much in the offensive or neutral zones. But, he's just so hard to project to that complementary offensive role at higher levels because those types at the NHL level are often quite physical or quite quick, or both...and Lane is neither. He just needs to focus every ounce of his being on trying to get quicker and he'll have tons of time to do that with the route he plans on taking (OHL to NCAA).
25. Lev Katzin - Wing - Guelph Storm
Katzin really turned some heads with his performance at the U18's for Canada to close out the year. I know that he was good for Guelph after signing out of the USHL, but it was interesting to see him in a different light. He was especially good on the powerplay for Canada, where he put his excellent vision and playmaking ability on display. I think what's most admirable about Katzin is that he's not a perimeter player, despite giving up size. He's competitive and he hunts his touches in the offensive end. There really is significant offensive upside here. But, if we're projecting players to the NHL...where does Katzin fit into that as a winger without high end physical tools? He's not a poor skater, but he's not the kind of dynamic or explosive skater you'd like to see given his size. His three zone play needs to become more consistent too. For that, I see him as that classic boom/bust smaller player and we know what history has said about that combination. Outside the 4th round? I'd be all over this because of the boom potential. But inside that range? I'd be more hesitant.
26. Travis Hayes - Wing - Soo Greyhounds
Classic high energy type. Plays up tempo. Great on the forecheck. Attacks the net. Shows scoring upside with a pretty quick release and good scoring instincts. Basically Travis is like a hybrid between his brothers Gavin and Avery. Offensive consistency was an issue for Travis this year on a middling Greyhounds club, but he did finish the season on a real high note. In the last 27 games of the year (including the playoffs), Hayes had 32 points, including 13 goals. Given his late season strong play, I could see an NHL team drafting him inside the top 100. He's going to be a big part of the resurgence in the Soo in the coming years. However, I also believe that there will be hesitancy over the fact that he's one of those high energy, jack of all trades types who can have trouble at the pro level. There just isn't a trait that could be called significantly above average and when you factor in his average size, that's something that could hold him back. But, Hayes does have middle six upside.
27. Kieren Dervin - Center - Kingston Frontenacs
Admittedly a player that I had a difficult time getting a read on this year; I just don't know what to make of him. His playing style in the prep loop with St. Andrews was way different than how he played with Kingston in the OHL. Is he a power pivot? Is he more of a rangy, skilled playmaker? He just needs to bulk up to be able to play through traffic at the OHL level. He had trouble maintaining possession and driving play with Kingston and didn't have that same jam to his game that I saw with SAC. Obviously, you could look at that and be extremely interested in Dervin because he's a good sized center who skates well, flashes upside as a creative handler, and who might end up being a power forward type once he fills out. On the flip side, you might look at Dervin and wonder what the true projection to the pro level is. If you're convinced that his development takes off once he bulks up and gains confidence, you take Dervin in the top three rounds.
28. Joshua Avery - Center - Brantford Bulldogs
There's just something about Avery that makes me believe that he'll end up being an NHL prospect at some point. On a strong Bulldogs team, he didn't get the consistent ice time that he needed to shine offensively. But, I found his effort admirable. He has a clear understanding of how he needs to play to be successful. He's a power center, through and through. He gets to the net. He skates hard (and has some power to his stride). He shows great instincts and competitiveness in all three zones. I think of the way a guy like Barclay Goodrow developed over his time in the OHL and eventually became a quality NHL player and I wonder if Avery is capable of a similar path. I see them as similar players at the same age.
29. Parker Snelgrove - Center - Guelph Storm
Basically what I just wrote about Avery goes the same for Snelgrove. He just passed the eye test too many times for me this year, even with inconsistent ice time. He skates well, but he currently is faster without the puck than he is with it. As that confidence grows, will his offensive production sky rocket? He's also detail oriented and is strong without the puck. He's great in puck pursuit, intelligent as a defensive player, and he works hard to play the net front and did a lot of his offensive damage from there this year. Could Snelgrove develop into a Casey Cizikas type at the NHL level? I think it's very possible. Like Avery, I have a ton of time for him in the later rounds.
30. Jake Crawford - Center/Wing - Owen Sound Attack
Crawford was quite good to start the year for the Attack, playing big minutes. But he really faded in the second half, was moved to the wing and that kind of pushed him to the periphery. But, I really like the tools here. He's got great size and great wheels. At times this year, he's shown a real knack for hunting pucks and creating chances out of turnovers. The big issue is the lack of improvement over the year in his puck play and skill. He can struggle to play with pace with the puck and he had trouble finishing chances. The hands just need to improve. If you're drafting Crawford, you're hoping that he can develop a true identity as a tenacious, two-way player who could be a real asset on the PK and defensively. But the offensive abilities need to tick up for that to happen.
31. Lucas Karmiris - Center/Wing - Brampton Steelheads
Injuries were a real issue for Karmiris this year as it seemed like he never truly got healthy. He just never really developed a rhythm to his game the way that he did in the second half last year. And with him being a late birthday in his third year in the league, that plateau in development is going to be concerning to NHL scouts. That said, there are some nice tools. He skates pretty well. He has great three zone instincts and should develop into a really good PK option at the pro level (somewhere). He flashes an ability to drive the middle with skill and funnel pucks to the net. But, like some others in this range, he just hasn't truly developed an identity yet and that's where the problem lies. Projecting him as an NHL player currently is a bit problematic.
32. Lirim Amidovski - Wing - North Bay Battalion
There are definitely some pro level attributes here. Amidovski has a pro frame. He builds speed well North/South and can drive the net. He has scoring upside with a heavy shot. He flashes a physical game, especially in puck pursuit. The issue is that none of these things are consistent. And as a late born 2006, I would have wanted greater production and consistency. While the linear stride is strong and powerful to create speed, he struggles with his agility and working off his edges and that makes him easy to contain for a lot of OHL defenders. Additionally, his playmaking sense and overall skill needs to improve to make him less "one note." But I'd actually be shocked if Amidovski wasn't selected given that he is still a raw prospect despite his older age. With the new NCAA eligibility rules in place, an NHL team could give him a ton of time to develop. At 23/24, he could actually be a dangerous player with the right adjustments.
33. Xander Velliaris - Defense - Saginaw Spirit
He definitely got more ice time after the trade from Kingston and that unquestionably helped his development. However, I don't think it necessarily gave us better information about the kind of pro Velliaris would be. He just needs to embrace and develop an identity. However, because he's so raw (a bit of a blank canvas), he's actually one of my favourite later round sleepers for this year. He's big. He's mobile. He's shown offensive upside at times, be it as a powerplay QB or a transition player. He's shown to be physical and tough to play against. It's just that none of those things are happening consistently or at the same time. But, this could easily be someone who absolutely pops off down the line with the right development. Or, he could be out of the OHL by his OA year. The wide range of outcomes is what makes it scary. Will NHL teams take a wait and see approach?
34. Harry Nansi - Wing - Owen Sound Attack
The amateur and "X" scouting community's OHL favourite, but I just haven't seen it. I'm much more in line with NHL Central Scouting's ranking for him. Look, I appreciate that he's got the frame and mindset to be a quality checking line player in the NHL. He's clearly an intelligent player who impresses in the defensive end especially. He works hard along the wall to keep plays alive. When he fills out, he could be a real tough matchup for OHL defenders below the hash marks. But, I don't see an NHL caliber skater. He's got a real wild base and doesn't generate a ton of power in his strides. I don't see high end finishing ability or someone who's going to be a dominant transitional attacker. I'd happily use a later round pick on Nansi hoping that as he adds muscle, his game takes off, but I don't buy some of the rankings I see of him in the top 75.
35. Noah Tegelaar - Goaltender - Soo Greyhounds
Firstly, let’s ignore that Tegelaar was thrown to the wolves in his first OHL start against the London Knights. The first three goals against, no goalie in the league was stopping. The next one he would have wanted back because he was caught cheating to the slot. The final one, before he got pulled, was a fluke netfront bank in. He was then sent back to Collingwood to finish the season. Not exactly top shelf goaltending development if you ask me. Tegelaar first came to my attention at the World Junior A Challenge where he was tasked with backstopping an overmatched Canada East team, consistently coming up with big saves to keep games closer than they deserved to be. Tegelaar is a big netminder who seals the bottom of the net really well. He collapses deep, but has quick pads and tracks the play well in scramble situations. Tegelaar also moves decently post to post for a bigger netminder and can sprawl out to make highlight reel saves. He’s far from perfect. Consistency is an issue that I’ve noticed. Sometimes he swallows up initial shots and prevents rebounds, other times, he struggles to corral pucks and gives up second/third chance opportunities. Sometimes he fights through screens for sight lines, other times he gets caught deep and is susceptible to point shots or perimeter shots. There’s also a need for Tegelaar to get quicker out of the butterfly as he can get caught scrambling, without that quickness up/down, or in his pushes when he’s already down. I do truly believe that there is something here. He shows enough in flashes to suggest that he could develop really well under the right tutelage, and once he fills out and gets stronger. There’s some early stages Matt Murray here.
36. Daniil Skvortsov - Defense - Guelph Storm
Another player that I'm lower on compared to other members of the scouting community. Granted, it was tough for a defender to shine through on the Storm this year. We saw that with Quinn Beauchesne, based on how much better he was for Canada internationally or at premier events. Skvortsov is big and mobile, but that's about the extent of what I see currently. I don't see high end instincts at either end. I wish he were more physically assertive in the defensive end given his size. Puck management was a real issue at times this year. Does he flash offensive upside with the odd impressive rush or nice play inside the offensive blueline? Definitely. Does he have solid defensive upside because of his size, reach, and mobility? Definitely. And that's why I still have him ranked. He's just more of a later round flier for me, as opposed to an earlier round one. There's a bit too much of former Storm Daniil Chayka's complacency in his game for me.
37. Matthew Koporowski - Goaltender - Owen Sound Attack
I think my biggest issue with Koporowski was that I wish he had played more, in addition to there being a clear path for him to play more in the immediate future. He's big and he's quick in his crease. The rest of his game needs refining. But, for some NHL teams that will be enough, because goaltenders do take longer to develop and refine. However, the smaller sample size this year in combination with his inconsistency makes it tough, especially given that it's a really solid goaltending crop this year (overall for the draft). Next year, is he stuck behind Carter George again? Is there going to be a trade, given that Trenten Bennett is also in the fold if he doesn't go to the NCAA early? Koporowski is likely to be a pick and I have no qualms with that because there is upside. However, I'm just not sure I saw enough to truly say...this guy is going to be an NHL netminder.
38. Ruslan Karimov - Wing - Sarnia Sting
Karimov is definitely best described as an enigma. His ice time fluctuated this year (due to performance issues). His play style fluctuated this year from game to game. Yet, the upside still remains very high. This is a highly skilled and creative player. He can create that extra time and space for himself. He also can be fairly physical...again to help create that space for himself. The combination of skill and tenacity is a good one to have. Yet, it's what he does with that time and space that has him ranked this low. Maybe it was just the adjustment to playing in North America, but his decision making with and without the puck badly needs to improve. Things like understanding spacing, timing cuts, neutral zone and defensive zone positioning, heads up passing and pre scans. It's not really there. When you combine that with the fact that he's an average skater currently, it helps to explain why he wasn't able to get the best out of his skill set this year as a much hyped Import. I really hope he stays in Sarnia though. I think they have a solid young team that's going to boom at some point. And the coaches can work with him through building some of those good habits on the ice. The upside is still quite high. I just can't rank him higher with so many issues currently.
39. Caden Taylor - Wing - Peterborough Petes
I definitely didn't envision having Taylor this low when the season started. I thought that he would pop off at some point. He has among the highest scoring upside of anyone on this list and he has the pro frame to match it. However, I just didn't see much development in his game this year. He's got the great shot, but he wasn't getting himself opportunities to use it. His stride needs to become more explosive to be able to beat defenders to spots and to get inside of coverage. He's not a dynamic player in transition either. I'll give him credit by saying that I thought his physical intensity level did pick up over the course of the year and he started using his size to get to the net at times. That absolutely needs to become more consistent because it will be one of the keys to unlocking his upside. But, does he project as more of a triggerman who needs a high end playmaking pivot to get him the puck? Look, Taylor is probably an NHL pick this year because players with his size and shooting ability don't grow on trees. You're just going to have to be very patient.
40. Evan Passmore - Defense - Barrie Colts
It's probably shocking to see Passmore ranked this low given that I'm usually all over players like him...and I was singing his praises on social media at the start of the year. However, I didn't see a ton of growth in his game from the start of the year to the end, if anything, I thought he struggled with puck management in the second half and playoffs. And as a late born 2006, IMO, there should have been more progress (similar to my views on Bedkowski from above). I love that Passmore is a throw back to yesteryears. He is big. He is mean. He's going to end up being, possibly, a Zach Bell type of OHL defender by the time he graduates out. But, Bell wasn't an NHL prospect either. There are a lot of big, potential shut down defenders available this year and most of them are more mobile than Passmore, and more confident and capable with the puck. I wouldn't advise against using a later round pick on him, I'm just not sure the upside is more than just a solid depth defender at the pro level.
41. Oliver Turner - Defense - Erie Otters
Massive and impressive stay at home defender who was a defensive stalwart for the St. Andrew’s College program this year. Obviously got in a few games with the Erie Otters too. He’s a really impressive physical specimen. His reach is extremely disruptive and he’s very aggressive at taking away space. Defends high in the defensive zone and neutral zone, shutting down attackers before they build speed to play around him. Turner also brings a consistent physical element, not so much in the way of big open ice hits, but by pinning, sealing, and pushing opponents off pucks. As he further matures physically and his conditioning improves, I’d look for the physical component of his game to dial up even further. What’s really impressive about Turner is his lateral quickness. He closes gaps and pushes to seal the wall very quickly, stopping attackers in their tracks. For such a bigger defender, this is impressive and it gives him a real solid defensive projection for higher levels. Offensively, there’s really not much to speak of. He can make a clean exit pass, but he’s not extremely confident or comfortable with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. His point shot is currently non existent. In his limited OHL action this year with Erie, Turner also struggled a bit with the pace of play, both in retrievals (his transitional skating does need some work) and timing of his aggressiveness. The team drafting Turner will be hoping that he can develop into a Jan Rutta type at the next level; someone who can be a defensive stalwart and play regularly on the penalty kill, but whose offensive upside is limited.
42. Tanner Lam - Wing - Kitchener Rangers
No doubt in my mind that Lam will be among the OHL's leading scorers by the time he graduates out of the league. He's incredibly talented and he's smart. His agility and edgework is among the best of any forward in this OHL class. He's so slippery because his hands also work in sync with his feet. So why do I have him ranked so low? Undersized wingers with his profile just have incredibly low hit rates as NHL prospects. He's light on his feet and can turn on a dime, but I think his straight line speed and quickness need to improve given his size. He's also just too easily pushed off the puck or kept to the perimeter currently. Now, I do expect both of these things to improve over his OHL career...I've had people tell me amazing things about Lam and his willingness to improve. However, I'm just not sure his game translates to the NHL level. I mean, look at someone like former Ranger Joseph Garreffa.
43. Jacob Cloutier - Wing - Saginaw Spirit
Earlier this year (on my midseason list), I had Lam and Cloutier back to back and I'm keep it this way for my final list. Another guy that I think develops into a real top notch OHL player, but I question whether his game is successful at higher levels. Cloutier is like the little engine that could. He never quits on a play. He's a very aggressive forechecker. He gets to the net. He's out there working his butt off every shift and that's incredibly admirable; it's the old adage of playing bigger than he is. He's a fairly skilled and intelligent player too. The thing is, he's not a dynamic or explosive skater for an undersized winger. He's got quick feet, but his shorter strides limit speed development. That dog on a bone mentality will carry him a long way, but it's tough to see him as a standout NHL prospect.
44. Noah Read - Wing - London Knights
Is Read next in the long line of London forwards who explode in their post draft seasons? I know some scouts who believe that to be the case. Me? I'm a little more skeptical. I like the energy he plays with. He's a strong skater, especially North/South. He is excellent in puck pursuit; strong on the forecheck especially. He gets himself to the net and has a quick release. At times this year, he did show flashes of higher offensive upside. But I'm not sure I see a projection higher than a change of pace, depth forward at the higher levels. I think it's somewhat fair to ask the question, if Read wasn't on the London Knights, would he be firmly on the draft radar? It's a testament to the program and how successful they've been bringing forwards along slowly, but I don't see Read as the next Dvorak or Cowan. However, you could also do a lot worse in the later rounds. Could see a path where he becomes a Jesper Fast kind of player.
45. Blake Arrowsmith - Wing - Niagara IceDogs
I had really high expectations for Arrowsmith after he moved to Niagara, but he just couldn't find any consistency. There is something there. He's a solid athlete. He's got size. He moves well. He can play physical. He shows upside as a scorer with a heavy wrister. But, he's prone to disappearing for stretches and just being "there." What's holding his game back currently? Is it processing? There's a chance that the lightbulb goes on for Arrowsmith and he develops into a real solid prospect; the tools are there. There's a chance that it doesn't and he's out of the league before he graduates out. The hit rate for players traded by the Hunters at a young age is not great, so it makes you wonder. I'm still ranking him because I saw flashes of some really great things this year, but I doubt that he's an NHL pick this year.
46. Jordan Charron - Wing - Soo Greyhounds
Solid North/South, high energy winger. Has good straight line speed. Gets to the net. Works to retrieve pucks. Has a good frame; he'll be a load to handle in transition at some point in his junior career (or NCAA career). However, I'm not sure I see more than just a quality middle six junior player, who can be a solid complement to more creative players. We see a lot of similar players come through the junior ranks and few develop into NHL prospects. If you're drafting Charron, it's because you believe that the skill and finishing ability can tick up with development and that his physicality becomes more apparent so that he can become a Garnet Hathaway, Kiefer Sherwood type. Certainly not impossible.
47. Liam Beamish - Center - Sarnia Sting
I really liked Beamish's game after he came to the OHL. On a lot of nights, he was Sarnia's best player. He's really smart and he makes up for a lack of size/strength with a great motor. Safe to assume he'll be back in the OHL next year before heading to Penn State the year after. I'd expect him to be close to a point per game guy next season. I guess the issue is that he looks like more of a quality OHL player and not a true NHL prospect. He's an average skater. Has average size. Not a high skill or overly creative player. His game is predicated on quick touches. Strong off puck play. Great hustle. Admirable qualities for sure, but not as a high end NHL prospect. However, you could do worse with a late round pick. You hope that the physical tools blossom around his IQ making his pro projection a little more clear.
48. Carson Harmer - Center - Saginaw Spirit
Earlier this year I had Beamish and Harmer lumped together and I think it makes sense for that to continue. They're basically clones of each other. Extremely smart pivots who lack dynamic skating and size. Harmer was great for Saginaw this year in a supporting role. His attention to detail defensively is terrific. He breaks up a lot of plays deep in the defensive end and in the slot with his reads and effort. He's also a great playmaker. Has excellent anticipation and vision. I've said this a few times now but Harmer reminds me a lot of former Ottawa 67 and OHL standout Austen Keating.
49. Shaan Kingwell - Wing - Ottawa 67's
Kingwell was a player who caught my eye while playing for Canada East at the WJAC’s. He was one of the lone bright spots for the team at the event. Then he signed with the 67's and had some time with them in the second half and will play with them full time next year. In Navan of the CCHL, he looked the part of a dominant offensive player. He escaped pressure consistently, pushed pace, and showed high end scoring upside with a plus shot. Playing at a higher level, such as the OHL and at the WJAC, Kingwell has been more of a support player. Get pucks in deep, work the forecheck, bring some tenacity. At either level, I think he has shown well as a boards player; he has quick feet that allow him to evade pressure and keep plays alive. He has a good skating base, but it’s obvious that he needs to get stronger to improve his speed and quickness. He can be knocked off stride too easily. For me, Kingwell’s upside is going to be tied to his scoring ability. The release on his wrister is lightning quick, so as he gets stronger and is able to get himself more chances at the higher levels, he could be a valuable complementary piece. The added strength will make him a more consistent physical threat too, a required element if he wants to take his game to another level. I'd just want to see more at a higher level first.
50. Michael Newlove - Goaltender - Windsor Spitfires
Newlove is a really fun goaltender to watch and a really cool story. Passed over in the OHL draft after playing for a poor Credit River team, Newlove then used an excellent U18 year with the Halton Hurricanes to help him get selected by Windsor (first overall) in the U18 draft. He is ultra athletic and a throwback to the Tim Thomas, Dominik Hasek, Jonathan Quick era with the way that he competes to make saves anyway he can. Yes, that means that technically he’ll have some things to work on as he moves up to higher levels, because he has a tendency to drop to the butterfly early and scramble to make saves. However, I think goaltending coaches at higher levels are going to love the physical tools here, especially when you consider that he’s not undersized like your typical hyper-athletic, scramble style netminder. Only played one full OHL game this year against Niagara and he was excellent in that game, making a few really high-end stops to secure the victory for Windsor. The key for Newlove will be finding a way to improve his rebound control. Gets to spots to make saves, but he can give up too many second chance opportunities. Additionally, he can sometimes give up soft goals that squeeze through his body, something that can be fixed. Lastly, something that separates Newlove from the pack is the way that he handles the puck. He scored a goal in the OJHL earlier this year and he’s ultra confident in playing the puck like a third defender. That’s a rare quality these days. If I’m an NHL organization, Newlove is the kind of goaltending prospect that I’m hoping other NHL teams aren’t on to, with the hope that I can grab him with a later pick. He possesses massive upside. It's just a matter of where he plays moving forward. Is he in Windsor's plans to backup Costanzo next year?
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