Brock
Registered User
OHL Prospects: Sunday Top 10 - Most Impressive 2002 Born Players
One of the many annual traditions I have on this blog is to rank the new batch of OHL rookies in order of the impression they left on me. Only the "true" OHL rookies have been included, thus why it's labeled the "Most Impressive 2002 born players."
I always like to note that this isn't an early ranking for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. This ranking isn't the order in which I believe these players should be ranked for the draft, but an order of which players impressed me most. It's not a draft prognostication, it's an acknowledgment of the significant impact these players have had on their teams this season.
A quick note. This has been one of the best rookie crops that I have seen come through the OHL. The league has never had three 16 year old players hit the 30 goal mark and it looks like that could happen with Perfetti, Perreault, and Byfield hitting the mark. Not to mention Drysdale having one of the better statistical seasons of a U17 defender in the new millenium. As much as scouts are down on the OHL crop for the 2019 NHL Draft, they must be salivating over what could be available in 2020.
As mentioned, this is a tradition, so here are the previous year's lists.
2001's, 2000's, 1999's, 1998's. 1997's. 1996's. 1995's. 1994's. 1993's. 1992's.
Here is this year's list:
1. Quinton Byfield - Forward - Sudbury Wolves
Tough choice to put Byfield ahead of Perfetti, considering Perfetti has posted a top 10 ppg average of any rookie in the new millenium and put up the best statistical season of a rookie since Travis Konecny 5 years ago. But, any time that I've watched Sudbury play, I've come away absolutely enamored with Byfield's physical skills. He's an absolutely electrifying player to watch. 6'5, 215lbs and one of the best skaters in the OHL. He plays all situations for the Wolves and isn't surrounded by the same level of talent as Perfetti is (not to take away from his amazing accomplishments, however). It just seems like that at any given time, Byfield can do as he wishes on the ice. Coming into the league, there were some that felt his vision and playmaking ability were weak spots, but I've been impressed with the way he uses his teammates. Way less selfishness in his game than I was expecting. This kid is the real deal, complete package and could even enter the conversation for first overall next year (due to the physical gifts that he has over Lafreniere).
2. Cole Perfetti
3. Jamie Drysdale
4. Jacob Perreault
5. Jean Luc Foudy
6. Ryan O'Rourke
7. Antonio Stranges
8. Logan Morrison
9. Will Cuylle
10. Donovan Sebrango
See the link for full write ups and all the HM's.
One of the many annual traditions I have on this blog is to rank the new batch of OHL rookies in order of the impression they left on me. Only the "true" OHL rookies have been included, thus why it's labeled the "Most Impressive 2002 born players."
I always like to note that this isn't an early ranking for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. This ranking isn't the order in which I believe these players should be ranked for the draft, but an order of which players impressed me most. It's not a draft prognostication, it's an acknowledgment of the significant impact these players have had on their teams this season.
A quick note. This has been one of the best rookie crops that I have seen come through the OHL. The league has never had three 16 year old players hit the 30 goal mark and it looks like that could happen with Perfetti, Perreault, and Byfield hitting the mark. Not to mention Drysdale having one of the better statistical seasons of a U17 defender in the new millenium. As much as scouts are down on the OHL crop for the 2019 NHL Draft, they must be salivating over what could be available in 2020.
As mentioned, this is a tradition, so here are the previous year's lists.
2001's, 2000's, 1999's, 1998's. 1997's. 1996's. 1995's. 1994's. 1993's. 1992's.
Here is this year's list:
1. Quinton Byfield - Forward - Sudbury Wolves
Tough choice to put Byfield ahead of Perfetti, considering Perfetti has posted a top 10 ppg average of any rookie in the new millenium and put up the best statistical season of a rookie since Travis Konecny 5 years ago. But, any time that I've watched Sudbury play, I've come away absolutely enamored with Byfield's physical skills. He's an absolutely electrifying player to watch. 6'5, 215lbs and one of the best skaters in the OHL. He plays all situations for the Wolves and isn't surrounded by the same level of talent as Perfetti is (not to take away from his amazing accomplishments, however). It just seems like that at any given time, Byfield can do as he wishes on the ice. Coming into the league, there were some that felt his vision and playmaking ability were weak spots, but I've been impressed with the way he uses his teammates. Way less selfishness in his game than I was expecting. This kid is the real deal, complete package and could even enter the conversation for first overall next year (due to the physical gifts that he has over Lafreniere).
2. Cole Perfetti
3. Jamie Drysdale
4. Jacob Perreault
5. Jean Luc Foudy
6. Ryan O'Rourke
7. Antonio Stranges
8. Logan Morrison
9. Will Cuylle
10. Donovan Sebrango
See the link for full write ups and all the HM's.
