Drafted #15 Overall by the Ottawa Senators
As we continue on through the draft prospects we now approach a very defence heavy portion of our rankings. Next up is Cody Ceci, a huge, offensive defenceman who plays for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL. Ceci is currently having an excellent playoff for the 67’s and this can only help his draft stock in the eyes of NHL scouts for this coming June Entry Draft.
Defense
Born Dec 21 1993 — Orleans, ONT
Height 6.03 — Weight 210 — Shoots R
| 2009-10 | Ottawa 67’s | OHL | 64 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2010-11 | Ottawa 67’s | OHL | 68 | 9 | 25 | 34 | 28 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2011-12 | Ottawa 67’s | OHL | 64 | 17 | 43 | 60 | 14 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 2 |
Ceci was the 2nd highest scoring defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League, (to Dougie Hamilton), and scored at nearly a PPG pace. Ceci possesses one of the most feared shots in the OHL. His slapshot is an absolute bomb. He also has a hard and accurate wrist shot. He is very poised and calm with the puck on his stick, taking the time to make the smart play. He’s a good stick handler, and is an excellent passer, making tape to tape passes both to start the 67’s transition game, and in running the power play in the offensive zone. He has the ability to both lead the rush, and join as the trailer, and can even go end to end at times.
Ceci’s skating stride looks awkward, and is certainly not textbook. However it is something that works for him. He possesses very good speed, agility, balance and has a good first step. He is able to use his skating to be a true full ice player, and can recover back to his defensive position after taking an offensive opportunity.
Ceci’s defensive game has greatly improved this season. He is effective at using proper angles and forcing opponents to the outside. Once there he is able to rub his man out along the boards. He has good defensive zone positioning and a long, active stick that helps him to cut down passing lanes. He is also extremely effective at keeping the front of the Ottawa net clear, and at clearing the rebounds that sometimes collect there. We would like to see Ceci add some additional bulk to his frame so he can win more board battles against particularly big and strong opponents. We’d also like to see Ceci add more of a shot blocking element to his game going forward.
Ceci is an excellent defensive prospect who will make a team very happy on draft day. He’s shown great improvement in all aspects of his game this season and its been driving him up draft boards. We believe that Ceci has the potential to become a defenceman similar to Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks.
… and thats the Last Word.
