1. Ryan Mantha - Defenseman - Niagara IceDogs
Spurned by the New York Rangers this summer when they didn't offer him a contract, Mantha returned to the OHL with a chip on his shoulder this year. He's been sensational as the captain for the upstart IceDogs. He's currently just outside the top 5 in defenseman scoring and leads all blueliners in shots by a very large margin (in fact he's second in the entire OHL in shots). He looks like a completely different player this year, quite frankly. Big difference is improved foot speed, which is allowing him to be more of a factor leading the rush and jumping up in the play, where he can use his size to really drive the play. At 6'5, 225lbs, he can be a real tough guy to separate from the puck. Defensively, he's looked good too. He's playing with more intensity in his own end. With his size and the impact he's making at both ends, I'd be surprised if an NHL team doesn't give him a second chance.