Here is our second Top 5 for the 2019/20 season: Best Skater
We were spoiled in 'sauga the last few years with the MacLeod brothers. They set a very high standard for skating that this year's team could not easily replicate, but here goes:
1. Keean Washkurak - 9 points - remember the Hasbro game "Battling Tops"? Washer is kind of like one of those tops, when you touch him one of the two are likely to spin wildly out of the rink
2. Thomas Harley - 8 points - the only debate here is which musician best exemplifies his skating style - Barry White or Carlos Santana?
3. Nicholas Canade - 6 points - the Energizer Bunny of the team.
4. Cole Schwindt - 5 points - consistently quick for his size
5. Calvin Martin/Max Dodig - 1 point ea. - fifth place on this team could have gone to a number of players....this one is a toss up.
Washer has had issues with staying on his feet since he came into the league. He has made huge strides, pun intended, with three seasons of OHL hockey and three years of growing. You are correct, he lands hard, and usually along the boards as he looks for contact. He plays all 3 zones with zeal.
Schwinny really stood out the last third or so of the regular season as it played out. His name appeared on the scorers sheet on a consistent game basis and he seemed to have a fast set of wheels as well.
Harley is just a smooth player, good post about how he rubs out opponents, he isn't about to Scott Stevens anyone, but you can't do that anymore. His game looks to offense, but his quick hands and skating lead to a more subtle and effective defense as well. It has been fun to watch him develop over a short time.
Canade has been a leader it would seem like to me, I have no access to Billets, Players, etc. just a STH observation. He has played defense a few times when the team got stretched over the last 2 years, he has been tossed on the first line at times to spark things up as he does score a few goals. Canade to me is a special OHL player.
Really liked Edmonds, very steady and his rebound control was much better then some games previous. I would be OK with Edmonds returning as a OA goalie next season, with Canade and Whittaker as OA's next year.
I was getting geeked for this upcoming season before last season ended as it was!