Boomhower
Registered User
While, the OHL season has just passed the halfway point and this is how I would rank the OHL skaters that are eligible for the 2004 NHL draft in Carolina:
1 - LW, Wojtek Wolski / Brampton: Top level talent, leading his team in scoring and has good size with room to fill out and become even tougher to knock of the puck (already pretty tough). Wolski showed very well in the Canada vs, Russia Re/Max challenge.
2 -C, Robbie Schremp / London: He and Wolski will battle for the honor of top OHL draftee. Excellent stick handler, sees the ice very well from a playmaking standpoint and has a rocket shot. There has been lots of talk about Schremp having a bad attitude and being lazy defensively, but he obviously has high offensive potential.
3 - C, Evan McGrath / Kithener: Got great exposure (and experience) last year as a 16 year old. Hasn't quite exploded the way some might have expected this season, but still having a very stellar season. I'm confident the puck will start going in for him in the second half and I have him ranked here, at this point.
4 - LW, Brian Bickell / Ottawa: Bickell has really found a niche for himself this year, using his size effectively and playing a crash and bang style. He has shown signs of being a good scorer at times, but the jury is out........Even with questions about his offensive prowess he is a very good skater and a big kid, so teams shouldn't hesitate to grab him. At the very least he could be a high energy checker.
5 - D, Boris Valabik / Kitchener: Enormous D-man (6'6" and 211 Ilbs) in his rookie season in the OHL, loves the physical play and doesn't shy away from fights. At 17 he is relied on heavily by Kitchener and generally does a good job, but by no means is Valabik a top notch OHL defenceman yet. A bit of a project, but if he continues to progress he could be an absolute steal.
6 - C, David Bolland / London: Has had a break out season this year, after a disappointing rookie year in which coach Dale Hunter had him riding the bench. Bolland has great determination and a good work ethic on the ice and off. He has shown a Knack for scoring goals as he is currently second in the league with 24 and also leads the league in PP goals. Bolland finishes his checks and reminds me a little of Mike Peca, but not quite as tough.
7 - C, Ryan Garlock / Guelph: Garlock is averaging about a point per game this season and can be very strong on the puck in the offensive zone. His defensive play is stellar and Garlock is an above average skater. It seems he is good at everything but doesn't really have one skill that defines his game. Should be interesting to see who is off the board first between Bolland and Garlock.
8 - D, Mitch Maunu / Windsor: Good mobility, Is very strong in defensive coverage along the boards and in front of the net, Maunu has good size and plays the body well. He is a staple on the Spits blue line in all situations. His passing has come into question at times because of turnovers, but Overall Maunu is a solid defender who can also jump up into the rush from time to time.
9 – LW, Vaclav Meidl / Plymouth: After a strong start, Meidl has cooled down recently. It’s Tough to gauge Meidl’s potential, but at 6’4†he does have the frame of a power forward and has shown off some slick stick handling moves. His defensive abilities and skating are the question marks, along with his lack of discipline…….Still an interesting prospect though.
10 – LW, Adam Berti / Oshawa: Berti is a big forward with a good wrist shot, unfortunately the Generals don’t have many offensive minded players to compliment Berti and Eager. It appears as though he is capable of doing big things down the road.
11 – C, Peter Tsimikalis / Ottawa: Tsimikalis is a smallish forward who is creative with the puck, his quickness and all out hustle usually pays off, as most nights it seems as though the puck follows Tsimikalis around.
12 – RW, Gino Pisellini / Plymouth: A hard nosed forward, who has come out of nowhere to become an impact player for the Whalers (much like Vigilante last year), He plays a fearless brand of hockey and has the size and toughness to back it up. Pisellini can be used in any situation and does have some offensive upside, but would be more likely to pan out as a checking line forwards when/if he reaches the pros.
13 – D, Jordan Smith / Sault Ste. Marie: A late ’85 birth, so this is Smith’s first year eligible. He is a smooth skating stay at home defenseman. Smith can be dangerous as he enjoys lining up opposition forwards for the big hit, but he isn’t much of a threat offensively. Any team looking for a tough d-man who is reliable in his own end, will probably have Smith on their radar as a mid-round selection.
14 – C, Tyler Haskins / Toronto: Got off to a slow start this season in Guelph, but got going after moving to St.Mikes in the Klein deal. Haskins is good defensively and if he can continue to score in Toronto he will probably move up by seasons end.
15 – D, Kyle Raftis / Kingston: Raftis is a top 4 with the Frontenacs, has good hockey sense as he is usually sound positionally. His skating isn’t the greatest, but he moves the puck well and usually makes the safe play.
Other Noteables: C Tyler Kennedy (Sault Ste. Marie), D Kyle Wharton (Ottawa), LW Chad Painchaud ( Missisauga), C Jordan Morrison (Peterborough) , D Brodie Beard (Ottawa), Sean Courtney (Erie), LW Liam Reddox (Peterborough)
What do you think about this list, or the OHL draft eligible talent for the next draft, in general?
1 - LW, Wojtek Wolski / Brampton: Top level talent, leading his team in scoring and has good size with room to fill out and become even tougher to knock of the puck (already pretty tough). Wolski showed very well in the Canada vs, Russia Re/Max challenge.
2 -C, Robbie Schremp / London: He and Wolski will battle for the honor of top OHL draftee. Excellent stick handler, sees the ice very well from a playmaking standpoint and has a rocket shot. There has been lots of talk about Schremp having a bad attitude and being lazy defensively, but he obviously has high offensive potential.
3 - C, Evan McGrath / Kithener: Got great exposure (and experience) last year as a 16 year old. Hasn't quite exploded the way some might have expected this season, but still having a very stellar season. I'm confident the puck will start going in for him in the second half and I have him ranked here, at this point.
4 - LW, Brian Bickell / Ottawa: Bickell has really found a niche for himself this year, using his size effectively and playing a crash and bang style. He has shown signs of being a good scorer at times, but the jury is out........Even with questions about his offensive prowess he is a very good skater and a big kid, so teams shouldn't hesitate to grab him. At the very least he could be a high energy checker.
5 - D, Boris Valabik / Kitchener: Enormous D-man (6'6" and 211 Ilbs) in his rookie season in the OHL, loves the physical play and doesn't shy away from fights. At 17 he is relied on heavily by Kitchener and generally does a good job, but by no means is Valabik a top notch OHL defenceman yet. A bit of a project, but if he continues to progress he could be an absolute steal.
6 - C, David Bolland / London: Has had a break out season this year, after a disappointing rookie year in which coach Dale Hunter had him riding the bench. Bolland has great determination and a good work ethic on the ice and off. He has shown a Knack for scoring goals as he is currently second in the league with 24 and also leads the league in PP goals. Bolland finishes his checks and reminds me a little of Mike Peca, but not quite as tough.
7 - C, Ryan Garlock / Guelph: Garlock is averaging about a point per game this season and can be very strong on the puck in the offensive zone. His defensive play is stellar and Garlock is an above average skater. It seems he is good at everything but doesn't really have one skill that defines his game. Should be interesting to see who is off the board first between Bolland and Garlock.
8 - D, Mitch Maunu / Windsor: Good mobility, Is very strong in defensive coverage along the boards and in front of the net, Maunu has good size and plays the body well. He is a staple on the Spits blue line in all situations. His passing has come into question at times because of turnovers, but Overall Maunu is a solid defender who can also jump up into the rush from time to time.
9 – LW, Vaclav Meidl / Plymouth: After a strong start, Meidl has cooled down recently. It’s Tough to gauge Meidl’s potential, but at 6’4†he does have the frame of a power forward and has shown off some slick stick handling moves. His defensive abilities and skating are the question marks, along with his lack of discipline…….Still an interesting prospect though.
10 – LW, Adam Berti / Oshawa: Berti is a big forward with a good wrist shot, unfortunately the Generals don’t have many offensive minded players to compliment Berti and Eager. It appears as though he is capable of doing big things down the road.
11 – C, Peter Tsimikalis / Ottawa: Tsimikalis is a smallish forward who is creative with the puck, his quickness and all out hustle usually pays off, as most nights it seems as though the puck follows Tsimikalis around.
12 – RW, Gino Pisellini / Plymouth: A hard nosed forward, who has come out of nowhere to become an impact player for the Whalers (much like Vigilante last year), He plays a fearless brand of hockey and has the size and toughness to back it up. Pisellini can be used in any situation and does have some offensive upside, but would be more likely to pan out as a checking line forwards when/if he reaches the pros.
13 – D, Jordan Smith / Sault Ste. Marie: A late ’85 birth, so this is Smith’s first year eligible. He is a smooth skating stay at home defenseman. Smith can be dangerous as he enjoys lining up opposition forwards for the big hit, but he isn’t much of a threat offensively. Any team looking for a tough d-man who is reliable in his own end, will probably have Smith on their radar as a mid-round selection.
14 – C, Tyler Haskins / Toronto: Got off to a slow start this season in Guelph, but got going after moving to St.Mikes in the Klein deal. Haskins is good defensively and if he can continue to score in Toronto he will probably move up by seasons end.
15 – D, Kyle Raftis / Kingston: Raftis is a top 4 with the Frontenacs, has good hockey sense as he is usually sound positionally. His skating isn’t the greatest, but he moves the puck well and usually makes the safe play.
Other Noteables: C Tyler Kennedy (Sault Ste. Marie), D Kyle Wharton (Ottawa), LW Chad Painchaud ( Missisauga), C Jordan Morrison (Peterborough) , D Brodie Beard (Ottawa), Sean Courtney (Erie), LW Liam Reddox (Peterborough)
What do you think about this list, or the OHL draft eligible talent for the next draft, in general?
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, but Valabik is the type of prospect who probably often draws completely different opinions. Most 6 footers can't move players around like Valabik is capable of, his mobility is not a problem, his reach takes space away from offensive players and he is already a good top 4 defenseman in Kitchener at 17 years old.
