cvandenberg22
Registered User
- Dec 25, 2012
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OHL Future Watch: Mississauga Steelheads
The Mississauga Steelheads frequently find themselves cast as the OHL’s version of No-Man’s Land-not good enough to challenge for an OHL title and Memorial Cup birth, but not bad enough to get a top draft pick. This year the Steelheads have some great pieces with experience, and could challenge for the East title if they can add a couple of key veterans and their promising young stars take a step forward.
Forwards:
St. Louis 5th rounder Keean Washkurak (2001, C), (22 goals and 52 points) and big Florida 3rd rounder Cole Schwindt (2001, C) with 28 goals and 71 points are the offensive catalysts for the Steelheads, along with James Hardie (2002, LW) who managed 34 goals and 63 points. He is a candidate to be drafted in the first 3 rounds of the NHL Draft in June. LW Richard Whitaker (2000, LW) returns as an overage candidate after producing 44 points, as does Nicholas Canade (2000, LW) with 40 points. Aidan Prueter (2001, C) and William Portokalis (2002, C) return, but more will be expected from them or they will get passed on the depth chart by young guns like 2020 1st rounder Zak Lavoie (2004, RW), Carson Christy (2004, C), Owen Beck (2004, C) and Luca Del Bel Belluz (late 2003, C). This forward group has the potential to be very deep and lethal in 2020-21.
Defense:
Mississauga is one of the few teams that boast a true #1 defenseman in big, skilled Dallas Stars’ first rounder Thomas Harley (2001, LD). Harley can be dominant on both offense and defense, and will be a huge factor in Mississauga contending for the OHL title. The rest of their D-corps has an emphasis on size and toughness, with a burgeoning young star in 2019 OHL 1st rounder Ethan Del Mastro (2003, LD) who stands 6-3, as well as huge Danish imports Ole Bjorgvik-Holm (2002, LD) and Kasper Larsen (2002, LD), who stand 6-3 and 6-6 respectively. Rounding out their top 4 is Duncan Penman (2001, LD) who is a steady veteran who compiled 10 goals and 21 points last season. They have some promising youngsters in the bottom 6 of their blueline in Chas Sharpe (late 2003, RD) and small, mobile Charlie Callaghan (2002, LD).
Goalies:
Mississauga returns Kai Edmonds (2000) as an overager, and the big backstop will be counted on to provide a steady presence behind a deep, talented team. Joe Ranger (2002) is a talented young netminder who will push Edmonds this season for minutes this season. If they struggle, the Steelheads may look to make a big move at the deadline if they are challenging for the East crown.
Draft Capital:
Mississauga has a 2nd round pick in 2021, none in 2022 and two 2 in 2023. They do not own 3rd rounders in 2021 or 2023. This may become an issue for them if they elect to upgrade at the trade deadline, as they won’t want to part with lot of their young assets because of the amount of players they will potential lose after this season. If they struggle out of the gate, or if they underachieve, they may look to move Harley, and potentially Schwindt and Washkurak for massive returns at the deadline.
In conclusion, Mississauga is in a great position because of both their veteran depth, and the potential emergence of young stars at every position. Their 2001 born players are potentially the strongest in the entire league and have set them up to challenge for an OHL title this season. Also, other than Edmonds, the emergence and talent of some of their young forwards may make overagers Whittaker and Canade expendable, which would allow them to shore up a number of areas should they choose as the season goes on. They are definitely a team to watch in 2020-21.
The Mississauga Steelheads frequently find themselves cast as the OHL’s version of No-Man’s Land-not good enough to challenge for an OHL title and Memorial Cup birth, but not bad enough to get a top draft pick. This year the Steelheads have some great pieces with experience, and could challenge for the East title if they can add a couple of key veterans and their promising young stars take a step forward.
Forwards:
St. Louis 5th rounder Keean Washkurak (2001, C), (22 goals and 52 points) and big Florida 3rd rounder Cole Schwindt (2001, C) with 28 goals and 71 points are the offensive catalysts for the Steelheads, along with James Hardie (2002, LW) who managed 34 goals and 63 points. He is a candidate to be drafted in the first 3 rounds of the NHL Draft in June. LW Richard Whitaker (2000, LW) returns as an overage candidate after producing 44 points, as does Nicholas Canade (2000, LW) with 40 points. Aidan Prueter (2001, C) and William Portokalis (2002, C) return, but more will be expected from them or they will get passed on the depth chart by young guns like 2020 1st rounder Zak Lavoie (2004, RW), Carson Christy (2004, C), Owen Beck (2004, C) and Luca Del Bel Belluz (late 2003, C). This forward group has the potential to be very deep and lethal in 2020-21.
Defense:
Mississauga is one of the few teams that boast a true #1 defenseman in big, skilled Dallas Stars’ first rounder Thomas Harley (2001, LD). Harley can be dominant on both offense and defense, and will be a huge factor in Mississauga contending for the OHL title. The rest of their D-corps has an emphasis on size and toughness, with a burgeoning young star in 2019 OHL 1st rounder Ethan Del Mastro (2003, LD) who stands 6-3, as well as huge Danish imports Ole Bjorgvik-Holm (2002, LD) and Kasper Larsen (2002, LD), who stand 6-3 and 6-6 respectively. Rounding out their top 4 is Duncan Penman (2001, LD) who is a steady veteran who compiled 10 goals and 21 points last season. They have some promising youngsters in the bottom 6 of their blueline in Chas Sharpe (late 2003, RD) and small, mobile Charlie Callaghan (2002, LD).
Goalies:
Mississauga returns Kai Edmonds (2000) as an overager, and the big backstop will be counted on to provide a steady presence behind a deep, talented team. Joe Ranger (2002) is a talented young netminder who will push Edmonds this season for minutes this season. If they struggle, the Steelheads may look to make a big move at the deadline if they are challenging for the East crown.
Draft Capital:
Mississauga has a 2nd round pick in 2021, none in 2022 and two 2 in 2023. They do not own 3rd rounders in 2021 or 2023. This may become an issue for them if they elect to upgrade at the trade deadline, as they won’t want to part with lot of their young assets because of the amount of players they will potential lose after this season. If they struggle out of the gate, or if they underachieve, they may look to move Harley, and potentially Schwindt and Washkurak for massive returns at the deadline.
In conclusion, Mississauga is in a great position because of both their veteran depth, and the potential emergence of young stars at every position. Their 2001 born players are potentially the strongest in the entire league and have set them up to challenge for an OHL title this season. Also, other than Edmonds, the emergence and talent of some of their young forwards may make overagers Whittaker and Canade expendable, which would allow them to shore up a number of areas should they choose as the season goes on. They are definitely a team to watch in 2020-21.
