Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects. We continue previewing the CHL for the 2013-14 season, going East to West across the country. After finishing off the QMJHL yesterday, we move on to the OHL’s East Division. As always you can check out the previous Top Shelf Prospects articles here.
The entire OHL Eastern Conference feels wide open this year, and our first look at the Conference starts with the Eastern Division. While last year this division was dominated by the Belleville Bulls, graduations and turnover are a part of junior hockey, and the Bulls have felt it. It leaves the door wide open for a new favorite in the division, and its a team that hasn’t spent much time at the top of the standings in the last twenty years.
The rise to prominence of the Kingston Frontenacs may not even be the biggest story in the division this year though. NHL Scouts will be a common sight in these five rinks, perhaps even more common than usual as there is a particularly strong crop of 2014 NHL Draft prospects in the division. There could be as many as 4 picks in the top 10 out of the division, and there could be 5 or 6 first-round picks, an impressive haul for a five-team division.
Top Contenders
Kingston Frontenacs: Its been 21 years since the Kingston Frontenacs had a team that was this good on paper, making their last appearance in an OHL Conference Final in 1993. However, the Frontenacs look like the class of the Eastern Division this season. Up front, the team returns its two leading scorers in Lightning prospect Henri Ikonen and New Jersey Devils 3rd rounder Ryan Kujawinski. They will be joined by potential top 10 pick Sam Bennett and Spencer Watson, another potential first-rounder. In the summer GM Doug Gilmour added more offensive potential, trading for Corey Pawley. On the blueline, they have Roland McKeown leading the way, he’s a potential top 10 pick in 2014. Dylan DiPerna is also looking to deliver on the promise that made him a high pick in the 2012 OHL draft. Overall, the team is full of youth, and that is why the summer deal to add overage goalie Matt Mahalak from Plymouth was a very smart move. He will provide veteran poise behind this young learning team. Kingston has been building towards this season (and next) for several years now, and its time to start delivering on the promise.
Belleville Bulls: Goaltender Malcolm Subban has finally moved on, after spending what seemed like an eternity in the Belleville net. He gives way to his backup, Charlie Graham, who put up nice stats in limited action. It will be up to him to prove he can handle the load as the number 1 guy. In front of Graham, is Canucks fourth-round pick, Jordan Subban, who will look to improve on his defensive game this season, while maintaining his high-end offensive skills. Daniel DeSousa, Adam Bignell, and overagers Jake Worrad, and Brady Austin should return on the blueline, adding experience in front of Graham. Upfront the Bulls anxiously await a decision by the New York Islanders on Alan Quine, if returned for his overage season, he could lead the team in scoring. Canucks prospect and Bulls captain Brendan Gaunce should be returning soon, and man the other top-line centre spot. The Bulls are a bit thin on the wings though, so even if they do get the big 1-2 centre punch back from their NHL camps, they may have trouble scoring goals again. The team will once again hope its defensive style can lead to wins.
Players to Watch
Alan Quine, Belleville Bulls: Quine was a third-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2011 but did not sign. He re-entered the draft this year, and was taken in the 6th round by the New York Islanders. Acquired at midseason last year to boost the Bulls offence, he was a PPG player in Peterborough, but exploded on his new club with 41 points in 28 games. Quine is an outstanding skater, he is extremely fast, and has great acceleration. He uses his speed to be dangerous off the rush, but is also usually one of the first in on the forecheck throwing hits and digging for pucks in the dump and chase game, despite being slightly undersized. He has good stickhandling and puck protection skills, and combines those with good vision and passing to be an effective playmaker. He also has an accurate wrister and a good release. Quine is an effective two-way player, who is good in the face-off dot, and understands his responsibility and role in the defensive zone. The Bulls eagerly await the Islanders decision on Quine and have left open an overage spot for him.
Brendan Gaunce, Centre, Belleville Bulls: The captain of the Bulls, Gaunce is the classic good old Canadian Boy hockey player. He’s got great size and he is not afraid to use it. He is extremely effective using his body in the offensive zone, winning board battles, getting to loose pucks, and scoring the points from the dirty areas of the ice. Gaunce thrives in traffic, and combines his powerful physique with soft hands, good hockey sense and excellent passing ability to be a point per game player the last two years. Gaunce is an extremely hardworking player and I’ve rarely seen this kid take a shift off. He is also a very intelligent defensive player. His coaches in Belleville use him in all situations, including when line matching against the opponent’s best players and on the penalty kill. Gaunce uses his long reach to cut down on passing lanes and is not afraid to use his body to block shots. He has good positioning and anticipation. His size, strength and hard work also help him to win board battles in the defensive zone. If Quine returns, Gaunce could give Belleville the conference’s best 1-2 punch down the middle
Ryan Kujawinski, Centre, Kingston Frontenacs: The Devils third-round pick, Kujawinski has NHL size, and great reach. He has a long stick, and excellent puck control which really allows him to protect the puck and extend plays. He is strong on the puck, and powerful down low in the cycle game. Combine this with excellent vision, and the ability to put the puck through the tiniest of openings, and this allows Kujawinski to be an excellent playmaker. Kujawinski is also is a powerful skater who drives the net and plays a gritty style getting involved in the corners and in front of the net. His wrist shot is strong and powerful and he has a good release, but Kujawinski lacks accuracy. The tools are all there, the issue again remains Kujawinski’s inability to show them every night. His defensive game also needs some work. He is guilty of sometimes puck watching and getting flat-footed and out of position. He needs to work on learning his responsibilities without the puck. He is also sometimes guilty of looking too much for the big hit which gets him out of position. Kujawinski though, does stick up for teammates and has even been known to drop the gloves. He will look to add consistency to his game this season, and if he can, could be a dominant force in the league.
Scott Laughton, Centre, Oshawa Generals: The Flyers first-rounder in 2012, Laughton made the team out of camp last year, but got sent down before he could play 5 games. He’s currently in Flyers camp again, and the Generals really hope to see him back in Oshawa. After the losses of Boone Jenner, Lucas Lessio, and Tyler Biggs the Generals really need Laughton to carry the offensive load. Laughton has outstanding hockey sense. He sees the ice very well and has an uncanny ability to sneak behind defenders and find a free piece of ice and get himself open. He has a hard and accurate wrist shot and a good release. As a playmaker, Laughton possesses good vision and passing skills. He uses his grit and desires to win board battles and to control the puck down low on the cycle game. He does need to work on his stickhandling, as he’s more of a straight-ahead, north/south type player than one who will dangle his way through opposing defences. Laughton has developed into an excellent checking centre. He is willing to do whatever it takes to excel in the role, whether it be blocking shots, intercepting passes, making hits, or being an irritating pest to the opposition’s best players. He is an extremely hard-working player in all three zones, and always willing to battle along the boards or in front of the net. Laughton has developed top notch faceoff skills and this has made him a key member of the Generals penalty kill. Laughton shows a ton of will to win, and is willing to do whatever is necessary to make that happen, including being willing to drop the gloves with a bigger opponent when necessary.
Draft Eligible Players to Watch
Nick Ritchie, Right Wing, Peterborough Petes: The brother of Dallas Stars draft pick, and 2013 WJC Team Canada member Brett Ritchie, Nick is finding his own way as a power forward prospect winning gold with Team Canada at the 2013 IIHF Under 18 tournament. Due to shoulder issues, he played in just 41 games last season, but managed to put up 35 points on an understaffed Peterborough team. A power forward prospect who finishes his checks, and plays a very straight line game, taking the puck right to the front of the net and not caring if he has to go through a defenceman to do it. He has a powerful skating stride, and excellent balance, but could stand to work on his speed as it is just average right now. He loves to stand in front of the net and has the quick, soft hands necessary to score on rebounds and deflections.
Sam Bennett, Centre, Kingston Frontenacs: Slightly undersized, the 17-year-old Bennett is 5’11” so the height should be fine by the time he’s 18, but he’s extremely thin and needs to put on weight. Stil that size hasn’t slowed Bennett down as he has excellent hockey sense, and always seems to be in the right place, and make the right play. Good skating, and excellent agility and acceleration make Bennett a menace off the rush, or in cycling the puck as he seems to slip by defenders who can’t keep up with him when he quickly changes speeds. He has very good vision and can pass the puck through small openings and tape to tape for a teammate. A hard worker, Bennett is fearless, and always involved in the corners, in front of the net and at the middle of the after-the whistle scrums. A player to watch, he’s a potential top 10 pick.
Roland McKeown, Defence, Kingston Frontenacs: McKeown had a really strong first year with Kingston, playing top 4 minutes on a club that was vastly improved over 2011-12. His skating ability is at an elite level. Excellent speed and acceleration both forwards and backward, great pivots, excellent lateral agility, fantastic edgework. He is so smooth on his skates, its like he’s floating above the ice. The mobility allows McKeown to always be in position defensively, and to join the play offensively. He shows confidence and poise with the puck on his stick, and should really develop into a solid two-way defenceman this season. Could add more muscle to his frame, and play a more physical game, however.
Spencer Watson, Right Wing, Kingston Frontenacs: Watson may not be as highly touted as his two Kingston teammates, but he’s a potential first-round draft pick in his own right. The pure sniper who plays on a line with Bennett, he is able to find openings in the defence from which to unleash a fantastic wrist shot or one-timer. His shot is powerful, accurate and features a great release. He also has the speed and stickhandling ability to join the rush with his linemate and to create goals on odd-man rushes. He’s willing to go to the dirty areas to score goals, and has the soft hands to bury rebounds and tip ins close to the net. His playmaking game is underrated at this point because he’s such a great sniper, but the passing skills and vision are also there. Like Bennett, he must add muscle to his frame.
Michael Dal Colle, Centre/Right Wing, Oshawa Generals: Played on Oshawa’s top line, and produced 48 points in 63 games on last year’s deep Generals squad. Dal Colle showed an excellent ability to play the cycle game protecting the puck down low, and making quick, smart passes. When given openings he drove the net and showed soft hands in close, and the ability to beat defenders and goaltenders one on one. He’s a power winger who is strong on his skates and also isn’t afraid to bulldoze through a defender if necessary. Willing to take a hit to make a play, but also unfraid to dish them out. Dal Colle can only improve as he adds more strength. With all the offence leaving Oshawa, he’ll be looked at as a key contributor this year and be expected to lead the offence with Laughton.
Jacob Middleton, Defence, Ottawa 67s: Acquired from Owen Sound at the trade deadline last year, the 67s hope Middleton will become part of their core going forward. At 6’4″ Middleton has the ideal size that NHL teams are looking for and will catch many scouts eyes this season. He is also tough, throwing hits, playing mean and clearing the frotn of the net, and being aggressive in the corners. He is a decent skater, with good edgework and agility, making him a bile big man on the blue line. He didn’t show much offence as a rookie, but did show decent defensive ability. He could really move up the boards if he can add that offensive dimension and become a two-way defenceman this year.
2015 Draft Eligibles to Watch:
Travis Konecny, Centre, Ottawa 67s: The first overall pick in the OHL Draft, Konecny comes to Ottawa with the expectations of a franchise on his shoulders. The young centre would definetely benefit from a year learning under Sean Monahan, but it is unlikely that will happen as Monahan should make the Calgary Flames. And so the 67s new hope up the middle must go it alone on this rebuilding club. Konecny has excellent speed, and tremendous vision and passing ability. Hes the type of player who can make his linemates better, and the 67s hope he will do exactly that in the next couple of years. After being drafted ahead of Sean Day, who was given exceptional status to enter the draft and would not be NHL draft eligible until 2016, there is plenty of pressure on Konecny to prove that Ottawa made the right decision.
