2016 OHL Coaches Poll

[Brock]

The results should be released sometime in the next two weeks.

But here are my predictions (or at least my ballot...if I had one).

http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016/03/ohl-coaches-poll-my-ballot-2016.html

Always curious to see what others think, although fans do have a tendency to say "why isn't my guy there?"

Regardless, what would your ballot look like?

Click to read more...

 

[EON]

I believe Jake Marchment is currently #1 in the league in FO % at 62.2%, so I'm not sure how he doesn't win that catergory (although imo, now that the OHL actually tracks faceoffs, it shouldn't be a catergory in this poll at all anymore).

Other than that, from Erie, I would say Darren Raddysh is actually probably a better shot blocker than Travis Dermott. And I think Kyle Maksimovich works harder than DeBrincat.

Interesting read as always though.

 

[aresknights]

Thanks Brock.

 

[Rubbers29]

I believe Jake Marchment is currently #1 in the league in FO % at 62.2%, so I'm not sure how he doesn't win that catergory (although imo, now that the OHL actually tracks faceoffs, it shouldn't be a catergory in this poll at all anymore).

Other than that, from Erie, I would say Darren Raddysh is actually probably a better shot blocker than Travis Dermott. And I think Kyle Maksimovich works harder than DeBrincat.

Interesting read as always though.

I understand what you're saying about a stat for this category but I think there is a difference between "the best face off guy" and the top % face off guy.
I am not saying this is the case with Jake but there are players that consistently take face off against lesser opponents, their stats may be high but may not be the player on your team you want at the dot with a couple minutes left while down by a goal. I am not sure if Jake or Dylan is that guy on Erie but I think that is the guy the coaches will be voting on, not the top stat guy.

 

[knowescape]

One substitution, under the heading of best skater, delete Vince Dunn , replace him with Blake Siebenaler - hands down a smoother and faster skater.

 

[OSMike]

I would say that Petrus Palmu is an honourable mention best shot. One of the quickest releases in the league.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Thanks, Brock. As always, I love reading your blog and posts.

I was really happy to see McLeod mentioned so many times. He's my "sentimental favourite" this year (by "sentimental favourite", I mean the player i've had a long time fondness for, who, while typically 'well regarded' by most, I seem favour even more highly than others). As a point of reference, I'd say my two favourite "sentimental favourites" in the last 5 yrs have been Horvat and Konecny.

Also re shot - where would you put Max Jones in your hardest shot/best shot rankings? I get frustrated with his habit of consistently going for low % opportunities - but other than that, I think the technical aspects of his shot are elite.

Finally - if you care to answer, who do you think is the most underrated prospect of the '16 draft. For me, it's Bitten.

 

[Mitts Marner*]

I think you forgot to add some Frontenacs players to a couple of your categories.

 

[NOA]

I understand what you're saying about a stat for this category but I think there is a difference between "the best face off guy" and the top % face off guy.
I am not saying this is the case with Jake but there are players that consistently take face off against lesser opponents, their stats may be high but may not be the player on your team you want at the dot with a couple minutes left while down by a goal. I am not sure if Jake or Dylan is that guy on Erie but I think that is the guy the coaches will be voting on, not the top stat guy.

Jake typically plays 2nd line center. Often times he is the key faceoff man. But for Erie they are very strong up the middle in that catergory. Marchment seems to be the go to guy on defensive zone draws or PK draws. Pettit much the same. But Strome is just as strong. You could guess any of them but all 3 are over 60% with about 1000 draws a piece. Pick whatever one you want, personally I would rank them in order of Marchment, Strome, and Pettit. But by slim margins

 

[Brock]

Also re shot - where would you put Max Jones in your hardest shot/best shot rankings? I get frustrated with his habit of consistently going for low % opportunities - but other than that, I think the technical aspects of his shot are elite.

Finally - if you care to answer, who do you think is the most underrated prospect of the '16 draft. For me, it's Bitten.

Re: Jones.

Wouldn't have him anywhere near the best shot category yet. It definitely shows potential (as you said) because he generates a lot of velocity with it, but he's still got a lot to learn when it comes to using it. Ditto for his accuracy (although it's improved a lot since the beginning of the season when he couldn't seem to hit the net).

Re: Underrated prospects

Agree on Bitten for sure. Because of the speed, motor, and skill, he's going to be a very good player once he gets stronger and is able to win more of those battles he's always in on.

Others...I'd say Cam Dineen, Riley Stillman. Two very smart defenders. I think Dineen should be a top 45 pick and Stillman should be a top 90.

To some agree, I'd also say Tim Gettinger and Givani Smith. Both are wildly inconsistent, but with their size and skill, I'd be willing to roll the dice on either of them in the second round.

 

[Petes1987]

Daniel Nikandrov from the Peterborough Petes is currently the best defensive forward in the Eastern conference. He has routinely gone against the league's top centres and has shut them down. He would get my vote as the best defensive forward in the Eastern conference.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Results have been released:

Most Underrated Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie Colts (28)
2. Jordan Maletta, Niagara IceDogs (16)
3. Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (15)

Western Conference:
1. Aaron Berisha, London Knights (22)
2. Jeff King, Sarnia Sting (14)
3. Jalen Chatfield, Windsor Spitfires (12)

Most Improved Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jeremy Helvig, Kingston Frontenacs (30)
2. Mathew Santos, North Bay Battalion (18)
3. Nic Hague, Mississauga Steelheads tied Riley Stillman, Oshawa Generals (10)

Western Conference:
1. Kyle Maksimovich, Erie Otters tied Logan Stanley, Windsor Spitfires (25)
3. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (10)

Smartest Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (32)
2. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (25)
3. Hunter Garlent, Peterborough Petes (8)

Western Conference:
1. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (41) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Matthew Tkachuk, London Knights (18)
3. Petrus Palmu, Owen Sound Attack (7)

Hardest Worker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Michael McLeod, Mississauga Steelheads tied Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (24) – McLeod finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (21) – finished first in voting in 2014-15

Western Conference:
1. Hayden Verbeek, Soo Greyhounds (32)
2. Jonah Gadjovich, Owen Sound Attack tied Josh Jacobs, Sarnia Sting (13)

Best Playmaker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (31)
2. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (26) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Michael Dal Colle, Kingston Frontenacs (12)

Western Conference:
1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (35) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
2. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (27)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers (12)

Most Dangerous in Goal Area:

Eastern Conference:
1. Spencer Watson, Kingston Frontenacs (35) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts tied Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (24)

Western Conference:
1. Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters (37) – finished first in voting in 2014-15
2. Christian Dvorak, London Knights (32)
3. Zach Senyshyn, Soo Greyhounds (9)

Best Skater:

Eastern Conference:
1. Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie Colts (18)
2. Sean Day, Mississauga Steelheads tied Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa Generals, and Jonathan Ang, Peterborough Petes (17) – Day finished second in voting in both 2013-14 and 2014-15

Western Conference:
1. Zach Senyshyn, Soo Greyhounds (33) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Victor Mete, London Knights (27)
3. Vili Saarijarvi, Flint Firebirds tied Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting (7)

Best Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (35)
2. Spencer Watson, Kingston Frontenacs (30)
3. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads tied Greg Betzold, Peterborough Petes (7)

Western Conference:
1. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (28)
2. Travis Konecny, Sarnia Sting (25)
3. Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters (16)

Hardest Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kyle Wood, North Bay Battalion (41) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
2. Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (23)
3. Rasmus Andersson, Barrie Colts (10)

Western Conference:
1. Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (30)
2. Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting (20)
3. Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (13)

Best Stickhandler:

Eastern Conference:
1. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (35) – finished first in voting in 2014-15
2. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (16)
3. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (15)

Western Conference:
1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (43) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. William Bitten, Flint Firebirds (13)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers tied Blake Speers, Soo Greyhounds (11)

Best on Face-Offs:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jordan Maletta, Niagara IceDogs (38)
2. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (24)
3. Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (10)

Western Conference:
1. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (30)
2. Gustaf Franzen, Kitchener Rangers (21)
3. Christian Dvorak, London Knights (20)

Best Body Checker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (39)
2. Jacob Middleton, Ottawa 67’s (13)
3. Cameron Lizotte, Barrie Colts (11) – finished second in voting in 2014-15

Western Conference:
1. Givani Smith, Guelph Storm (34)
2. Connor Hall, Kitchener Rangers tied Jacob Friend, Owen Sound Attack (12)

Best Shot Blocker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jacob Middleton, Ottawa 67’s (25)
2. Roland McKeown, Kingston Frontenacs (15)
3. Dylan Sadowy, Barrie Colts (14)

Western Conference:
1. Damir Sharipzyanov, Owen Sound Attack (24)
2. Darren Raddysh, Erie Otters (18)
3. Will Petschenig, Saginaw Spirit tied Patrick Sanvido, Windsor Spitfires (11)

Best Defensive Forward:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (32)
2. Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (29) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Cordell James, Barrie Colts tied Anthony Cirelli, Oshawa Generals (9)

Western Conference:
1. Kyle Pettit, Erie Otters (31) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Ryan MacInnis, Kitchener Rangers (22)
3. Kris Bennett, Saginaw Spirit (14)

Best Penalty Killer:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (26)
2. Mike Amadio, North Bay Battalion (25)
3. Jordan Maletta, Niagara IceDogs (17)

Western Conference:
1. Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting (26)
2. Kyle Pettit, Erie Otters (19)
3. Darby Llewellyn, Kitchener Rangers (16)

Best Offensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Rasmus Andersson, Barrie Colts (31) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa Generals (23) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
3. Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion (17)

Western Conference:
1. Travis Dermott, Erie Otters (28)
2. Vili Saarijarvi, Flint Firebirds (21)
3. Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (20)

Best Defensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Roland McKeown, Kingston Frontenacs (30) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Jacob Middleton, Ottawa 67’s (29)
3. Michael Webster, Barrie Colts (19)

Western Conference:
1. Darren Raddysh, Erie Otters (37)
2. Frank Hora, Kitchener Rangers (13)
3. Chris Martenet, London Knights tied Colton White, Soo Greyhounds (9)

Best Puck-Handling Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie Colts tied Alex Nedeljkovic, Niagara IceDogs (21) – Nedeljkovic finished third in 2014-15 West vote
2. Jake Smith, North Bay Battalion (18) – finished second in voting in 2013-14 and 2014-15

Western Conference:
1. Brandon Halverson, Soo Greyhounds (28) – finished first in 2013-14 and 2014-15
2. Michael Giugovaz, Guelph Storm (12)
3. Michael McNiven, Owen Sound Attack (11)

Best Shootout Shooter:

Eastern Conference:
1. Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie Colts (29) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (20)
3. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (16)

Western Conference:
1. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (23)
2. Christian Dvorak, London Knights (22)
3. William Bitten, Flint Firebirds tied Petrus Palmu, Owen Sound Attack (16)

Best Shootout Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Alex Nedeljkovic, Niagara IceDogs (24) – finished second in 2013-14 and 2014-15 West voting
2. Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie Colts (18) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Jack Flinn, Mississauga Steelheads (16)

Western Conference:
1. Devin Williams, Erie Otters (36)
2. Michael McNiven, Owen Sound Attack (16)
3. Charlie Graham, Sarnia Sting (11)