Category Archives: 2020 NHL Entry Draft

2020 NHL Entry Draft, 4 Amigos, Boston Bruins prospects, Dominic Tiano, Mason Lohrei , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Dominic Tiano: Mason Lohrei and the Evolution of the NHL Draft

by

Dominic Tiano is back with a new piece on Boston Bruins prospect Mason Lohrei and how he represents a trend for NHL clubs who are investing more and more entry draft selections on second- and third-year eligible players. Dom has watched a lot of the criticisms of Boston’s selection of Lohrei center around the misconception that he’s older- and somehow inferior- to the 2002 and late 2001-born players who were eligible for the first time this past October. This is food for thought- if you learn something new in the piece and it changes your perspective, then we’ll consider it mission accomplished. If not, that’s okay too.- KL

Before I begin my deep dive, let me preface things with this: When the Boston Bruins selected Mason Lohrei in the second round with the 58th overall pick in the 2020 National Hockey League Draft, I readily admit, he wasn’t my first choice. However, he is now, a member of the Bruins organization and I wish him nothing but the best. There will be no comparing him to what could have been, no sulking, and no excuses. Just a simple eye test on what he is and might be when he is ready to turn pro after junior and college hockey at Ohio State University.

I’m surprised yet I shouldn’t be, by some of the comments being made on social media, especially now that Lohrei has gotten off to such a good start with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. At the time of this article, Lohrei, a forward turned defenceman, has 5 goals and 10 assists in just 10 games.

But comments such as: “he’s an ‘overager’ so he’s just going up against younger players” or “he was picked in his second draft year so there must be something wrong”, or “how many players picked in their second drafts make it to the NHL?” and the one that really gets under my skin “comparing him to a CHL player” (I can say that because I cover the OHL exclusively), should be kept to one’s self unless you are prepared to provide some context and willing to accept some criticism.

In reality, and I am trying to be polite here, what it shows is a lack of knowledge of the changing methodology NHL teams employ, differences and nuances in the demographics of the various junior leagues or even a lack of effort to obtain the knowledge to know what that really means. I hope to bring you some context and maybe, just maybe shed some light on things and you can change your opinion (or not).

Let me begin with the term that gets thrown around a lot these days: ‘overager’. Many fans think Lohrei is an older player in the USHL and should be piling up points because he has a significant advantage in terms of physical maturity and experience. The fact is, Lohrei is 19 years of age (turns 20 on January 17, 2021). Considering that 16 and 17-year old players are a minority in the USHL and teams are limited to just 4 twenty-year old players (2000 birth year) on the roster for the current season, Lohrei isn’t much older than the majority of players he faces every single night on the ice. The USHL does require each member club to keep a minimum of three 16- or 17-year-old players on every roster to ensure that there is a developmental path for the youngest players on the junior spectrum, but the majority of the average ages of each USHL club is 18+. Lohrei is on the higher side of that average this season, but it isn’t like he is a 2000 birth year competing against a league full of 2003 and 2004-born players. In fact, the 2001 and 2002 birth years comprise the bulk of USHL rosters this season.

The mistake some casual observers make is in asserting that the demographics between the CHL, which comprises the three major junior leagues in Canada, and the USHL plus other Tier 2 junior leagues like the North American (NAHL) and Canadian British Columbia (BCHL), Alberta (AJHL), Manitoba (MJHL), Ontario (OJHL) and Quebec (QJHL) and other regional T2 subset leagues are the same, when in fact, they are not. Because the NCAA track tends to develop players over a longer timeline, whereas CHL-drafted players must be signed within two years/before June 1 of the season they turn 20 (and one year to receive a bona fide offer), those Tier 2 feeder leagues tend to have older rosters on average than CHL clubs.

I ask you to replace the word overager with experience for some context. Lohrei was playing high school/prep hockey at Culver Military Academy until the age of 18, and is now in his second full season in the USHL. That compares to a 17 or mostly 18-year old players in the CHL, their first year of draft eligibility. Let’s take it a step further. In 2017, the Bruins selected a QMJHL rookie in the name of Cedric Pare (an 18-year-old in his draft year) with not even a full season of Major Junior experience. It wasn’t until Pare’s fourth season that he broke out with 37 goals and 51 assists in 64 contests. The Bruins didn’t sign Pare and he is now playing in the East Coast Hockey League without an NHL contract.

To be fair, Pare was a seventh-round pick, and as I mentioned, didn’t have a season worthy of being drafted until his fourth season. I suggest you ask yourself this question: If Pare had been skipped over in his first draft, would he have been selected in his second draft? And you could ask yourself the same question about any player selected in rounds two through seven. Obviously, the Bruins (and maybe others) saw something in his first year to think he was worthy of selection his second time around.

Because Lohrei was passed over in 2019 does not mean he should not have been selected in 2020. You might be surprised to find out that in fact, statistics show he should have been selected the second time around, and that second-year players being selected in the NHL draft is becoming more and more prevalent going back a decade.

I looked at the six NHL Drafts from 2010 to 2015 to measure NHL success. I didn’t use 2016 or later as a lot of those players are still at the developmental stage. To measure success, I used 100 NHL games or more as the benchmark and included all players, even goaltenders. I think you’ll be surprised by what you find.

In the chart below, you’ll see I’ve broken down each draft by round. In each round you will see the number of picks used to select first time draft eligible players and those picked in their second or third drafts as well as how many went on to play 100+ games in the NHL. At the bottom, you’ll see the total number of players selected as well as the total number that went on to play 100+ games in the NHL and the success rate by percentage. At the far right, you will notice the total picks by draft year and those that went on to play 100+ games in the NHL and the success rate by percentage.

The numbers are a bit skewed because only one player from 2010 to 2016, who was a draft re-entry, was selected in the first round when the Los Angeles Kings selected Tanner Pearson with the 30th pick in 2012. Still, only 76% of first round picks selected have played in 100 or more contests. Do I need to remind everybody that 3 of those first round picks not to play 100 games all belong to the Bruins? Malcolm Subban in 2012, Jakub Zboril and Zachary Senyshyn in 2015.

Beyond the first round however, statistically speaking, there is a greater chance for success at the NHL level if you are a draft re-entry player, and in some cases a drastically better chance. And there are a greater number of draft re-entry players approaching the 100-game plateau then first-time eligible players. But we had to draw the line somewhere.

That said, in the second round where Lohrei was selected, there have only been seven players selected that have re-entered the draft. Still, they’ve shown to have a 42.9% success rate as opposed to 38.4% of first timers. Although 177 first timers were selected in those 6 years, 61.6% did not have the success. So, I ask you, which gives you the better chance of finding a successful player?

These are just statistics and are no indication of success. Maybe it suggests a trend. More radically, maybe it suggests the NHL change the draft and allow 18-year-old players be selected in only the first round, maybe the second round.

But to me, it suggests that we as fans, are too quick to jump to conclusions. We do after all, have a fast-food mentality when it comes to our beloved Bruins. Everything has to be served up on a black and gold platter- hot, fresh and now. There is for lack of a better term, no patience. No patience to wait and see how a player who isn”t on a public list around where the Bruins were supposed to select him actually plays and develops.

As I said in the opening, Lohrei is a member of the Bruins organization. The only comparisons we should be making is to Mason Lohrei from a season ago and asking ourselves how far has he come in regards to his development? Shouldn’t we be asking what his strengths are and what areas does he need to improve on more than what other player who is one year younger the Bruins could have chosen instead?

There is a very small group out there that wants to see a player fail just so they can say “I told you so.” That’s sad, yet but true. I know because some people have actually come out and say it to me. While its just noise on the internet, it is a reflection of where some are as fans- the new class of self-appointed pundits who think they know far more than they actually do and find it more important to be validated on social media by other low-information people. Rather than educate themselves on the evolving nature of the NHL draft and how the changing CBA has caused teams do things differently than were done in the past when a hard salary cap did not exist, some are stuck relying on inaccurate perceptions about junior league demographics to justify their own disappointment that the player(s) of choice based on public lists that bear no resemblance to those generated by the NHL teams themselves, were not drafted by the B’s.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I will only cheer for a prospect in the organization and hope they find success. No harping on who could have been, as that ship has sailed. Time will tell on Lohrei, but given that his two-way game has taken positive strides in one of the top junior leagues in the world, things are setting up for him to be an impact player in the Big-10 conference and beyond when the time comes for him to turn pro.

2020 NHL Entry Draft, 4 Amigos, Anthony Kwetkowski, Boston Bruins prospects, Mason Lohrei , , , , , , Leave a comment

Anthony Kwetkowski: Mason Lohrei Profile

by

Anthony Kwetkowski of the superb Bruins Network hockey prospect platform is writing profiles on all of the Boston Bruins’ 2020 draft choices and leads off with second-rounder Mason Lohrei. Anthony is the “4th Amigo” on the Scouting Post podcasts and does excellent work at http://www.bruinsnetwork.com/ He can also be heard on the Bruins Diehards podcasts and his influence is growing on multiple social media channels for his insightful commentary and analysis of B’s prospects and Boston Bruins hockey in general.

Mason Lohrei, left-shot, left-side defender

1st selection, 58th overall in 2020 NHL Entry Draft

Current team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

Future team:   Ohio State University (NCAA)

Previous team: Culver Military Academy (USHS-P), Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

Strengths: Standing at 6’4” and 200lbs, Lohrei’s biggest strength is having the rare combination of size, mobility, speed and skating all in one frame. And speaking of his frame, Lohrei is able to edge defenders out of the play with little to no effort against his current USHL competition— even the high-end prospects and players around the league. The term “fleet-footed” is usually reserved for speedy, small forward prospects around the NHL, however, it definitely applies to Lohrei despite his 6’4” frame. Stopping on a dime, he’s able to quickly and precisely change his direction on the ice when needed, giving him an advantage even against the smaller, more agile players on the opposite faction.

Lohrei is more of a two-way defender than he is a defensive defenseman or puck-mover because of his offensive instincts and ability to seamlessly join the rush or even better— jumpstart it from the backend. He’s shifty when carrying the puck and smart when selecting whether to pass or shoot. Great offensive awareness and IQ, which is to be expected from a forward turned defenseman. Lohrei is the type of defender to jump into the play, with the puck on his stick while saying “watch me.” He can defend at the level of a top-four defensemen, but also play the offensive game with the same authority.

Weaknesses: While Lohrei is undeniably smooth, silky and efficient, his skills sometimes get the better of him. In one-on-one contests, he’ll sometimes make one too many moves and commit an unforced turnover by attempting to be too fancy. Now, before people get all fired up over that assessment— chill. With high-skill players comes high-risk plays that sometimes wont be pulled off. It’s on Lohrei, however, to figure out his limits, timing and execution moving forward so that he’s still reliable on top of rewarding.

Now, it’s been stated before that Lohrei is a forward turned defenseman and that lines up in certain showings. Lohrei, while reading the play and defending very well, occasionally takes a somewhat weird approach on the back check. He’s able to keep up with the play due to his sheer range and mobility, but sometimes instead of pivoting and skating backwards, he’ll turn and skate parallel to the opposing player through center. This isn’t a big deal now, but in the NCAA (he’s committed to Ohio State for next season) and beyond, that could cause him to be exposed if he’s not careful. Pivoting and transitioning to back-skating is crucial for a defenseman’s gap-control and overall efficiency.

Overall analysis: Lohrei was undoubtedly “off the board” when selected at No. 58th OA by Boston, but that could be due to a number of reasons. One being his age as he’s already 19, turning 20 in January of 2021. There were definitely better options for Boston in terms of value at No. 58 OA, however, if there’s one thing clear it’s that Boston just doesn’t care about value, optics or perception. They identify their players and simply call their names in the draft when available.

Lohrei was the second-highest scoring defender in the USHL last season as a rookie in the league, so that’s very encouraging right away. He’s a tough out who provides size, mobility, skill, balance and excellent skating on the backend. Though he’s 6’4” — 200lbs and already a 19-year-old, he’s not winning battles or making plays based off those physical traits. Why does that matter? Simple, because he’s not a good defenseman in the USHL due to his size and age, instead he’s a good defenseman in the USHL because he’s a good defenseman.

He’s going to be dragged down a bit by the relentless critics on Twitter because of wher he’s drafted, but make no mistake— at 6’4” — 200lbs, Mason Lohrei can play and think the game at a high-level. I assume he wasn’t the shining star to many scouts and outlets given his age and their assignments to watch other high-profile draft eligibles, but maybe they should have paid more attention.

Projection: Mason Lohrei looks to fit the build of a modern, smooth, fleet-footed top-four defenseman. He already proved to be that much as a freshman in the USHL and is on track to be in the NCAA next year. I have no issues saying his projection that of a through and trough top-four defender in the NHL if he so makes it there. There simply aren’t many defensemen available outside of the first-round of the draft with this combination of speed, size, skating, skill and overall mobility. I mean, let alone defenders, but how many forwards fit that build at that size? Not too many.

Given the age of Lohrei and his trajectory to be playing in college, I don’t believe he’s going to do a four-year bid in college. Instead, I think after two seasons or so in the NCAA, he will be signing with Boston and climbing the ranks of the professional organization starting in providence. He’s a bit unrefined, but the skills and intangibles are there and that’s quite important for prospects, especially defensemen who usually take a little bit longer.

Lohrei might never be a big-time star in the NHL and I’m not suggesting that. However, I am projecting that after another year in the USHL and time in college, he could definitely blossom into a top-four defensemen capable of eating minutes and playing both sides of the puck. In closing, I really believe Bruins fans and media alike should start paying closer attention to his development instead of dwelling where he was ranked or drafted. The kid can flat-out play and he’s on pace to demonstrate that in the NCAA and beyond.

Here’s his post-draft interview with Boston sports media:

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/video/press-room-mason-lohrei/t-277437088/c-6794459

2020 NHL Entry Draft, Boston Bruins, Mason Langenbrunner, Mason Lohrei, Riley Duran, Trevor Kuntar , , , , , Leave a comment

Bruins draft Four long-term prospects

by

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft is in the books, and without a first-round pick, many observers expected that the Boston Bruins’ effort in an unprecedented October event due to COVID would be relatively quiet.

Picking at 58th overall, the B’s once again did things their way by not selecting one of the top remaining first-year draft eligible players, but by taking a late-blooming defenseman out of the USHL. With only five total draft choices (no 1st- Ondrej Kase, no 4th- Marcus Johansson) due to trades, the team dealt its final seventh-round pick (213th overall) to the Toronto Maple Leafs for that club’s seventh in 2021.

Here’s a quick look at Boston’s four selections, with more to follow as there will be prospect profiles developed for all.

Mason Lohrei

Rd. 2/58 Mason Lohrei, LD 6-5/210 Green Bay (USHL)- Ohio State (2021-22)

Pronounced: LOHR-eye. January 2001 birth date left-shot D was passed over in 2019 after spending his second season at Culver Military Academy, but obviously impressed the Boston scouting staff as a USHL rookie in 2019-20 with Green Bay.

A big, long, rangy defender who can get up the ice with a smooth, powerful stride, Lohrei is a very good passer/puck-mover who led the league in assists by a blue liner with 29. He has the physical tools to be a top-4 defenseman in the NHL, but does not have the junior hockey experience of a lot of his peers. Good defensive awareness and plays with some jam.

Upside: You can’t teach this kid’s pure size and reach- he’ a good skater who plays the prototypical modern defensive NHL style with the ability to handle pucks under pressure. Has improved significantly in the past several years, and puts in the work/plays with bite. He’s definitely a Boston Bruins-type player and while he wasn’t on our radar largely because he was a second-year eligible who wasn’t a serious draft prospect in 2019, he should have been this time around- he demonstrated a fine 2-way game in his first USHL season, and will be even better in his second campaign before heading to the Big Ten and OSU.

Downside: Did the B’s have to make the selection at 58? How many other teams were seriously on Lohrei there, and with some highly-regarded first-year draft players still on the board like Will Cuylle, Daemon Hunt, Ty Smilanic, Jean-Luc Foudy, Jeremie Poirier and even local prep star D Ian Moore, the decision to spend the first pick on Lohrei was a curious one. All of those players were drafted within 17 spots after the B’s took Lohrei.

Did you know: The B’s had another former Culver Military Academy (Indiana) standout in defenseman Barry Richter, who played parts of several seasons in Boston in the mid-90’s.

Rd. 3/89 Trevor Kuntar, C-LW 6-1/203 Boston College (Youngstown- USHL)

Solid pick, and one we previewed this week before the draft.

Like Lohrei, Kuntar is a 2001 who was passed up a year ago. Unlike Lohrei, Kuntar played three full years of junior hockey before moving on to BC this season and is a lot more refined and experienced.

A USHL tender player out of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization in 2017, Kuntar had to pay his dues and did not immediately meet expectations in the league for his first two seasons before blossoming last year and finishing in the top-10 scorers. Kuntar is the second Youngstown Phantom to be drafted by Boston in the last 3 drafts (Curtis Hall– 2018)

With a thick build and natural strength, Kuntar can bull his way to the net, but also possesses the speed and puck skills to create offense in space. He competes hard and was clearly stung by not being drafted a year ago, as he played the 2019-20 campaign with a burr under his saddle and established himself as one of the league’s top players.

Upside: With about 150 games of junior experience, he should be able to make an impact right away with the Eagles. He has a tremendous shot- a pinpoint, lightning release with a heaviness that he can blow by goalies from the outside. He also has soft enough/nifty mitts to score goals in tight. He was a lethal weapon on the PP, and has some nastiness to his game that the B’s love, with the versatility to play both center and wing, though he’s probably more likely to be a winger in the pros.

Downside: Kuntar may not be much more than a solid 3rd-line NHL player at his best, with the potential to be a Sean Kuraly-like 4th-liner. High floor, which is good, but don’t expect him to evolve into a major scorer- he’s more of a three-zone forward with jam.

Did you know: His dad, Les, was a pro goalie and Montreal Canadiens draft pick in 1987 who played at St. Lawrence Academy and had a cup of coffee in the NHL in the early 90’s.

Rd 5/151 Mason Langenbrunner, RD Eden Prairie HS (MN)- Harvard (2021-22)

The son of B’s player development director and 2-time Stanley Cup winner Jamie Langenbrunner, the 2017 Boston draft runner gets his own team jersey after a solid Minnesota high school season. He left Cloquet HS for the Twin Cities powerhouse Eden Prairie team and is slated to be back for his senior year of HS, unless COVID wipes out the season in Minnesota. His USHL rights are held by Sioux City.

Just making the 2020 draft cutoff age with a Sep 14 2002 birth date, Langenbrunner can really skate and has a good head for the game with solid details typical for the sons of former pro players.

Upside: With good size, mobility and puck game, he’s a right-shot D to complement Lohrei and is a long-term project type of player, but there is some promise here as a 2-way guy with a pro-style game.

Downside: The B’s do have a history of picking players related to members of the organization, which tends to raise eyebrows. In 2012, they selected Matt Benning (nephew of then assistant GM Jim Benning) and a year later, grabbed forward Mitch Dempsey (then assistant GM Don Sweeney’s nephew) in the final round. Benning worked out, though with another team as he exercised his free agent rights to sign with Edmonton (was not qualified this week), while Dempsey did not. Time will tell here, but Langenbrunner looks the part of a NHL prospect.

Did you know: Langenbrunner played two seasons in the Upper Midwest Elite League, the top amateur proving ground in Minnesota for top high school players in that state, plus Wisconsin and the Dakotas. It’s the tune-up circuit that begins in August and runs up through October before all the players return to their high schools for the scholastic hockey season, and an indicator that he is one of the top talents at that level.

Rd. 6/182 Riley Duran, C Youngstown Phantoms- USHL (Lawrence Academy)- Providence College (2021-22)

Boston closed out its draft with another Youngstown player and local prep standout from Woburn, Mass.

Lawrence Academy’s top scorer (22 goals, 44 points in 27 games) has a nice 6-2 frame and can really skate and score. He oozes pro potential, and will get the opportunity to demonstrate his potential in the USHL this season before he joins a top Hockey East program next fall.

Upside: Duran has the talent to develop into an eventual pro player and could be more than the sum of some impressive parts. He’s got superb wheels and acceleration, and can handle pucks at speed with a pro-caliber release.

Downside: He’s raw and coming out of prep, so he’ll have a steep learning curve ahead. If Duran makes it in Boston, it will be a years-long process.

Overall analysis:

The Bruins do things their way.

You can understand the criticisms when they go off the board like they did with Lohrei, but in fairness- he’s an accomplished player at a high level. They may have been bidding against themselves to take him as early as they did, but you take the player you want where you want him, and they weren’t willing to roll the dice and wait. He’s committed to a top hockey program and all signs point to him at least being a solid/serviceable pro one day.

The issue the B’s are facing is that they aren’t drafting much in the way of higher-end talent because of where they are picking each year. 2015 was an obvious missed opportunity for the team now five years later, but when you look at first glance what teams like Minnesota, Ottawa, Los Angeles etc. did over the past couple of days, the Bruins are facing an uphill slog down the road as their veteran core continues to age, and there isn’t a whole lot of true play-making top talents in their system.

Sure, the Jack Studnickas, John Beechers, Jeremy Swaymans, Jack Ahcans, and Jakub Laukos of the world look promising, but the lack of picks and pick position is going to put a tremendous strain on Boston’s ability to keep up with the teams who are able to underwrite any draft misses with multitudes of other quality players and prospects. It is not unfair or being negative to point out that neither of Jakub Zboril or Urho Vaakanainen look like top-4 NHL players, and that since 2018, the Bruins have drafted just one player in the top-30- Beecher.

At some point, Sweeney and Company probably need to avoid the temptation to deal away picks and start figuring out how to get assets back/start being more aggressive at the draft so that they can land some more premium prospects. Thinking that they can draft someone like Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci in the second round or later every year is easy in theory, but much harder to pull off.

In the end, the B’s have their process and they put in the work. All four of the players they drafted have the size, skating and skills to be pro players, even if they might not have a readily apparent high-end projection. That could change going forward, or they could fall short. Solid is about the best way to describe each of the four players, but is “solid” going to allow the Bruins to continue to be among the league’s top teams in the next five years?

When it comes to pedigree and boom factor, it looks like Boston’s Class of 2020 is a lot more of the same of what they’ve been doing for about four years now, and that means we won’t know for quite some time.

2020 NHL Entry Draft, 3 Amigos, Boston Bruins, Reed Duthie , , , , Leave a comment

Reed Duthie: B’s 2020 Draft Preview- Europe

by

Continuing the 2020 NHL Entry Draft preview series, Reed Duthie checks in with his look at players from Europe who could be Boston draft options from the late ’01/’02 (up to Sep. 15) birth year class.- KL

As the Amigos go through a look at the 2020 NHL Draft and who may be on the board when the Bruins make their picks, we’re going to take a look at potential Bruins from across Europe.

Pick 58 – Zion Nybeck, RW/LW (HV71 / SHL)

In an era where Bruins fans are screaming for offensive creativity and high-end offensive talent, Zion Nybeck is would be the prototype that fans have wanted. One of the most exciting pure talents the Swedish junior system in many years, Nybeck as adept at making plays as he is finishing them. Playing in the J20 level at just 16 years old, Nybeck would dazzle in the 2018-19 season recording 17 goals & 26 assists for 43 points in 35 games against competition up to 4 years his elder. The 2019-20 season would see another rise as the 17-year old would dominate the J20 level recording an astounding 27 goals & 39 assists for 66 points in 42 games as well as making his SHL debut at just 17 years old recording a goal in 15 games playing limited minutes. On track to spend the 2020-21 season in the SHL, Nybeck will climb prospect rankings quickly with his combination of speed and puck handling ability. The only downside to Nybeck’s game comes from his size, 5’8” 176 lbs, but at a similar size to Alex DeBrincat and a better skater, it won’t be at all surprising to see Nybeck in the NHL within just a couple of seasons.

HM: Roni Hirvoinen, C (Assat / SM-Liiga), Kasper Simontaival, RW (Tapparra / SM-Liiga), Emil Andrae, D (HV71 / J20), Theodor Niederbach, C (Frolunda, J20)

Pick 89 – Samuel Knazko, D (TPS / U20 SM-sarja)

Born in Trencin, Slovakia, the same hometown and Bruins captain and future Hall of Famer Zdeno Chara, Samuel Knazko may not have the same size as the Bruins leader but he sure has his attitude. Leaving home and the Dukla Trencin U20 program at the age of 16, Knazko arrived in Finland looking to up the competition level and make his name for NHL scouts. At 6’1’’ 190lbs, the left shot defender already has ideal NHL size and projects as a real powerhouse on the backend while bringing strong skating ability and next level vision on the rink, able to fit the puck through the eye of a needle to find teammates. Knazko is yet to make his SM-Liiga debut and may be a couple seasons off arriving in North America but if his development stays on its current track, Knazko would be a player well worth waiting for.

HM: Alexander Pashin, RW (Toplar / MHL), Oliver Tarnstrom, C (AIK / J20), Alexander Nikishin, D (Spartak / KHL)

Pick 151 – Ilya Ovchinnikov, C (Avtomoblist Yekaterinburg / KHL)

Born on October 31, 2001 Ovchinnikov only missed the cut off for the 2019 NHL Draft by a few weeks and it may have been for the best for him moving forward. The talented center who captained the Spartakovets Yekaterinburg U18 squad until he was called up as a 17-year old to the Avto Yekaterinburg MHL squad where he would post 4 goals & 13 assists for 17 points in 48 games. 2019-20 would be an even better season for Ovchinnikov as he posted 6 goals & 9 assists for 15 points in 31 games in addition to seeing 19 games, albeit scoreless, in the KHL. Ovchinnikov would open the 2020-21 season with 2 points in 2 games in the MHL before heading to the KHL once again and has since posted a goal & an assist in 8 games for Avtomoblist. An adept playmaker having racked up assists at the junior level playing against competition his own age, Ovchinnikov is a strong skater and at 5’11” 175lbs has decent size to go with it. Although there is always concern with Russian players making the jump to North America without a transfer agreement between the leagues, Ovchinnikov may just be worth be the risk as he’s already shown he can play in the professional ranks as an underage player.

HM: Florian Ellis, C (Jungadler Mannheim / DNL), Lucas Ramberg, D (Lulea / J20)

Pick 182 – Erik Noren, D (Orebro, SHL)

A potential late steal, Erik Noren has gone far under the radar but brings both leadership qualities and tremendous skills. Another late-2001 birthdate (October 11, 2001) Noren has been a leader at every level on his way up the ranks in Sweden, serving as captain at the U16, J18 and an assistant captain at the J20 level to open this season. Noren would see his break to the SHL in the 2019-20 season 9 games at the professional level while seeing 6 games off the start of the 2020-21 season and appears to have made his claim to a spot on the Orebro blueline moving forward. Fleet of foot, the 6’0” 183lbs left shot rearguard is a defense first player who will make sure the puck is moved crisp and clean out of his own end and has tremendous instincts behind his own blueline. Noren will need time in the SHL and there is hope he could continue to develop his offensive game but he already appears to be a player who could play in the North American pros.

HM: William Hallen, C (Frolunda / J20), Simon Andersson, C (MODO / J20)

Pick 213 – Isak Garfve, C/LW (Mora, Allsvenskan)

A late (REALLY LATE) riser, Mora’s creative centerman Isak Garfve represented Sweden at the 2019 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup scoring a pair of goals in 5 games but never seemed to pick up much traction in rankings despite his size, skills and leadership. Standing 6’3” 195lbs, Garfve represented Mora J18 as captain, for parts of 2 seasons before being called up to the J20 level where he posted 33 points in 36 games as a 17-year old in the 2019-20 season. Garfve would go onto play 7 games for Mora in Allsvenskan but a tremendous camp to start the 2020-21 season where he showed his skill & will combination to earn a regular place with Mora may go a long way in seeing the talented Swede jump into the end of the NHL Draft.

HM: Matias Rajaniemi, D (Pelicans / U20 SM-sarja), Calle Spaberg Olsen, RW (Rogle / J20)

2020 NHL Entry Draft, Boston Bruins , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

B’s U.S. Junior/Prep/HS Draft Preview

by

Here’s a quick hitter with some names of top USA-based junior, prep and HS players for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Out of Range

Barring the Bruins trading back into the 1st round or getting up into the 2nd from near the end of the round, these players won’t be available to the team when they make their first selection at 58th overall:

Jake Sanderson, LD 6-2/186 U.S. NTDP (USHL)- Like his dad Geoff, the 2-way defender is a glorious skater. While not all are sold on his capacity to be a 1/2 at the NHL level, we have no doubts after watching him since he took the Team USA Selection Camp by storm in March 2018, after having been a top player in Canada’s prep league. He’s explosive, dynamic and a sure puck handler who can impact the game in all three zones. Whoever drafts him will be getting a star player for years to come once he turns pro from North Dakota in a year or two. It won’t be long…

Brendan Brisson, C 5-11/180 Chicago Steel (USHL)- The league’s top rookie tore it up on a stacked Steel team that was on pace for record wins when COVID shut everything down. Now at the University of Michigan, he’s an excellent skater with superb skills, offensive instincts and a willingness to go to the greasy areas for points.

Dylan Holloway, C 6-0/195 University of Wisconsin (NCAA)- Late ’01 was a top Tier 2 Canadian player over the past several seasons and did not disappoint as a true freshman in Madison. Although the Badgers underacheived as a team, Holloway showed off his all-around NHL game- skating, scoring and solid 2-way instincts.

Sam Colangelo, RW 6-1/205 Chicago Steel (USHL)- Power winger and former Lawrence Academy standout formed a nasty 1-2 punch with Brisson on the Steel and is all over the map largely because he doesn’t always turn the wheel. However, there is no doubt that the Northeastern freshman and late ’01 has a pro-caliber skill set and when he matures, could become an impact forward at the highest level.

Thomas Bordeleau, C 5-9/180 U.S. NTDP U18 (USHL)- Small but dynamic offensive creator is the son of former NHLer and Nashville player development guru Sebastien Bordealeau. Fast, talented and plays with pace- superb passer/playmaker who may lack pro size, but plays a bigger game and finds ways to create magic from the mundane.

2nd-round possibilities

Ty Smilanic, LW 6-1/175 U.S. NTDP U18 (USHL)- First-round talent struggled with injuries in his draft season and doesn’t always bring his best on every shift. However, there is no denying the fact that the Colorado native has been among the best players in his peer group for years, and he showed off his impressive size, skating and puck game for two years with Team USA. He’ll need to mature, but there’s some solid boom potential here.

Blake Biondi, C 6-1/199 Hermantown (Minnesota HS)- The 2020 Minnesota Mr. Hockey is a scoring machine at that level and if you just watch him playing against other single-A programs in the state, he’s a dominant force, leading his team to the state championship game before falling in OT to the Mahtomedi Zephyrs. However, he began the year with Sioux City in the USHL and had trouble establishing himself at that level. His skating will need to improve at the next level (he’s at Minnesota-Duluth), but he’s got elite hands and the vision/IQ to make plays. He’d be a bit of a reach at 58 in our estimation, but he’s also got high-end potential, and the B’s have a track record of players at UMD- Biondi would make sense.

Eamon Powell, RD 5-11/165 U.S. NTDP U18 (USHL)- After watching success of other smallish, speedy and skilled defenders in their organization, the Boston College freshman from Syracuse would make a ton of sense here. He was the yin to Jake Sanderson’s yang. He’s fast, smart and efficient- would be a very good value pick at the end of the 2nd round, because he’s more than the sum of his parts. Outstanding in retrievals, Powell is a human breakout machine and will be a solid complementary NHL piece for some time.

Mitchell Miller, LD 5-10/190 Tri-City Storm (USHL)- While not as defensively sound as Powell, Miller is more of an offense-minded defender who loves to rush the puck and can get up the ice quickly. A superb PP QB at the USHL level, his best hockey is in front of him. He’ll need to continue working on his strength and off-ice conditioning, but this guy can wheel and impact the game offensively- just needs coaching and time to develop/mature. There’s more risk/reward with this player, and he might be able to be had at the end of the third round.

Dylan Peterson, C 6-4/192 U.S. NTDP (USHL)- We think this player would make a perfect Bruin and might be the victim of unmet expectations at the Program. He can really move for such a big man and has the vision and skill to make a lot of plays in the o-zone- the production just didn’t come with the potential. He can be a bit on the perimeter at times, but he’s like a poor man’s Joe Thornton in terms of the way he plays and if he can find some confidence and scoring at BU, he could be a solid value at the end of the 2nd round.

Best of the rest:

Wyatt Schingoethe, C 5-11/200 Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)- Prototypical 200-foot center can do it all. May not possess ideal NHL size, but not afraid to get his nose dirty. Very good in the faceoff circle and plays a smart, responsible 2-way game with underrated offense. On the downside, he’s inconsistent and did not have the kind of anticipated impact in the USHL after being a dominant AAA player coming up through the storied Chicago Mission program. He’ll have a chance to get his development on track at Notre Dame.

Landon Slaggert, C 6-0/190 U.S. NTDP U18 (USHL)- Good, hard-working center who doesn’t have Schingoethe’s skill, but brings a similar 200-foot game and works his bag off. Good skater- always turns the wheel. Not a big NHL ceiling, but the kind of guy you win with.

Carson Bantle, LW 6-4/205 Madison Capitols (USHL)- We think he’s under the radar given his size and scoring. He’s a clunky-looking skater, but can really get there and has a rocket of a shot. Classic power forward. Captained the worst team in the league, but but up consistent production playing in all situations. Would be a good value pick anywhere after the 2nd round- off to Michigan Tech.

Brock Faber, RD 6-0/195 U.S. NTDP (USHL)- Not flashy or dynamic, but solid in all areas. Good puck-mover who has solid size and can really wheel and move pucks crisply and efficiently. The best may be yet to come- we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Minnesota native drafted higher than many are projecting him to go.

Colby Ambrosio, RW 5-9/170 Tri-City Storm (USHL)- Explosive, dynamic, deadly scorer is a top-four round talent. When it comes to the power play, he was nearly automatic last season- an NHL-caliber release with pinpoint accuracy and the hockey sense to find quiet ice. Top-level catch-and-shoot skills. Issues are size/strength and too much showboating and diving/antics that detracted from an otherwise superb offensive performance. Boston College has a talented player and if he plays there the way he did in Kearney, there will be some electric surges at the Heights this season.

Ian Moore, RD 6-3/180 St. Mark’s School (MA Prep)- Skating with the Chicago Steel this season, the prep standout from Concord, Mass. can pretty much do anything he wants. Size, skating, intelligence- ability to move pucks, quarterback a PP and be a top penalty killer. Committed to Harvard. Wouldn’t be a bad second-rounder, albeit a long-term project, but his value increases from 3rd round and on.

Brett Berard, RW 5-9/160 U.S. NTDP U18 (USHL)- Small but fast winger is a disruptive presence all over the ice. Relentless forechecker and smart- noticeable on every shift. Providence College frosh has the makings of a versatile, bottom-line pro winger with pace and jam, though it will take time for him to get there.

Trevor Kuntar, C-LW 6-0/200 Youngstown (USHL)- Passed over in 2019 after two largely disappointing seasons with the Phantoms, Kuntar exploded in his third year, piling up points and playing with a lot of fire and jam. Heavy game and Bruins-like attributes. May not have high-end NHL scoring potential but brings a solid floor with him.

Sleepers

Ben Meehan, LD 6-0/195 Cedar Rapids (USHL)- Massachusetts native and former Dexter star blew up in the USHL over the first half, racking up goals and points, plus being a top PP weapon, until an injury ended his season halfway through. His defensive game is a bit of a mystery, but the guy can really skate and has a big-time shot.

Zakary Karpa, C 6-2/185 U.S. NTDP (USHL)- Big, rangy center was in a bit role with Team USA, but was turning the corner at the end of the season when COVID hit. Instead of going into Princeton, he’ll spend the 20-21 season with the Omaha Lancers. He’s tall, lanky, can really skate and pass/shoot. Already a strong defensive center, there’s some offensive upside here for any team that takes a late-round flyer on him. Son of former NHL D Dave Karpa.

Nick Capone, C 6-2/210 Tri-City Storm (USHL)- Big right-shot center is at UConn this season but has some sneaky offensive skill to go with a large, strong frame and some physicality/nastiness. Tough to play against, but also received several league suspensions for crossing the line- will need to rein it in. Will need to improve his skating- mainly his initial steps and small-area game, but he’s not that far off and brings reasonable speed when he’s going north-south and driving the net.

Patrick Guzzo, C 6-1/205 Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)- Whenever we bring up his name, all we hear are crickets. Why? He’s big, powerful and has an undervalued offensive tool kit. Ox-strong, he moves well for a big man and goes hard to the net. Was overshadowed by flashier players in Waterloo last season, but has a solid pro-style game and pedigree. We’d take him as early as the 4th/5th round, but he might not get drafted at all…crazy.

Matt Gleason, RW 5-8/170 Cretin-Derham Hall (MN HS)- Another Minnesota HS star who will play for the Chicago Steel, he’s small but can absolutely fly and is a scoring machine. Plays a high-energy skill game and will be hard for NHL teams to pass up.

Jakub Dobes, G 6-4/201 Omaha Lancers (USHL)- Czech native who spent the last several years in North America has NHL size/athletic ability. Showed immense potential at times last season, split between the NAHL (Topeka Pilots) and USHL. When he sees the puck, he stops it and uses tremendous east-west lateral agility to make highlight reel saves. Promising, but raw- bubble pick.

2020 NHL Entry Draft, 3 Amigos, Boston Bruins, Dominic Tiano , , , , Leave a comment

Re-post: B’s OHL Draft Preview- Dominic Tiano

by

This was originally posted by Dominic Tiano on April 23rd. Now that the NHL Entry Draft is upon us this week, here is his post refreshed and brought up for air. The only edits were to the actual draft positions, which reflect Boston’s 2nd-round exit at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning, moving five spots earlier than projected when the B’s finished with the NHL’s best regular season record.- KL

The Boston Bruins don’t have a first-round pick because of the deadline deal that brought Ondrej Kase to Boston. They also don’t have a fourth-round pick – traded to New Jersey that saw the Bruins acquire Marcus Johansson near the 2019 trade deadline.

That leaves the Bruins with 5 picks at the draft. My area is of course, the Ontario Hockey League, so that’s where we will focus for now:

Photo credit: Terry Wilson/OHL ImagesZayde Wisdom of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

ROUND 2, 58 OVERALL – ZAYDE WISDOM – KINGSTON FRONTENACS – RIGHT WING

Forgetting the fact that the Bruins have been looking for a second line right wing for some time now, Wisdom fits the bill as both a right winger and best player available.

Wisdom is a good skater with good speed and is markedly improved from a year ago. He is able to get on the forecheck quickly and create havoc. He darts into lanes quickly and without hesitation. He’s a small guy at 5’9” but built like a tank. Quite simply he is the little engine that can with a motor and work ethic that never hits pause.

Wisdom is not afraid to go to the dirty areas, in fact, he has a superb net front presence. You’ll find he parks himself in front of the blue paint and yes, he is hard to move. But he’ll also score the majority if his goals from the top of or in the paint. But he also has an excellent shot and release that can beat a goaltender from the high slot or coming down his wing. Frankly, with his ability to find open ice combined with his shot, we are a little bit surprised he doesn’t score more of those goals.

Wisdom has also improved on his puck possession and has learned the importance of maintaining possession in today’s game. He is strong on his feet and hard to separate from the puck. His body is always in a good position to protect the puck. We would like to see his playmaking skills improve. To put it in hockey terms, would like to see his hands catch up to his feet and his head.

ROUND 3, 89 OVERALL – RORY KERINS – SAULT STE MARIE GREYHOUNDS – CENTER

Kerins plays the game the right way and is actually an accomplished 200-foot player. He has no fear of getting into the higher danger zone area in the slot area. He can score the dirty goals or beat you with his shot. He’ll battle along the walls, and has surprising strength at 5’10”. He has the ability to be an effective forechecker. If there is an area that I feel he could improve it’s adding an extra gear. That would help him in getting on the forecheck quicker. Despite his willingness to go into battle, he does it the right way, and the Greyhounds recognized that by awarding him the Dr. Bill Kelly Award as the Most Gentlemanly Player.

Kerins also has very good hockey IQ. He has shown he can be a good playmaker. He can slow down and wait for a play to become available and make a good pass, with a very good ability to lead players with a pass by putting it into areas they can skate into. However, judging how his playmaking skills are is difficult. The Greyhounds are a young team that need to gain some experience. And they didn’t muster up a whole lot of offense this season, just 253 goals and that ranks 14th in the OHL.

Defensively, Kerins understands positioning, whether it’s getting his body or stick into lanes, or understanding where he needs to be and is always prepared for the breakout. The coaches have the trust in him to take key defensive zone draws and use him on the penalty kill.

ROUND 5, 151 OVERALL – VILLE OTTAVAINEN – KITCHENER RANGERS – DEFENCE

Ottavainen got off to a blazing start, causing most of his offensive damage in the first 15 games scoring 4 goals and 6 assists in that time, but managed just 5 assists in the remaining 38 games (and two of them came in one game). So, any questions surrounding his adapting to the North American ice should have been laid to rest in those first 15 games, right? So, what happened?

Well, for one Ottavainen saw his ice time drop as the season progressed, especially after the Rangers acquired veteran Holden Wale in a trade with the Soo Greyhounds. As a player though, you have to make the most of the opportunities presented to you. It’s no fault of his, Wale was just a very experienced OHL’er

If you are a reader of some of the independent draft publications available to you, there are a couple questions regarding Ottavainen. One of them is his first step speed. Well, he has such a long reach, he keeps the opposition close enough that he effectively uses that reach to his advantage. Defensively, there isn’t much need for him there, but it could help the transition game. But he is such a mobile and agile skater that I don’t see the lack of blazing speed as an issue.

Another issue is his questionable decision making. I don’t really buy into that. He is one of the youngest defenders in the draft class and he has shown the ability to make very good passes and his playmaking skills are very good and he moves well enough to jump up into the play. Did we mention he has a booming shot? As he gains experience and confidence, this won’t be an issue, and maybe playing pro in Finland is a blessing in disguise. (Signed to play with Oulun Karpat of the Finnish Elite League next season).

ROUND 6, 182 OVERALL – JAMES HARDIE – MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS – LEFT WING

No draft eligible player likes to shoot the puck more then Hardie. He led the draft class comfortably in shots on goal and finished fifth in goals per game with .58. He has an NHL caliber shot and release and not every shot is an attempt to beat the goalie. He creates a lot of second-chance opportunities just by putting the puck in the right place so that the goaltender can’t eat it up.

Hardie’s skating is fine technically, but he doesn’t generate a lot of speed both in fist steps and top flight. But he is capable of finding openings and sneaking into them, however, he doesn’t always drive to the high danger zone in front of the net. But he is dangerous with space as evidenced by his powerplay abilities, finishing third among draft eligible players.

Hardie is a goal scorer that needs to round out the rest of his game. He’ll require patience and a good development program that will help him in achieving the necessary tools to play at the NHL level.

ROUND 7, 213 OVERALL – LOUKA HENAULT – WINDSOR SPITFIRES – DEFENCE

Henault is a mobile two-way defender who has his head on a swivel when in possession of the puck, almost always seemingly surveying the ice and looking for the best options available. He’s a good skater that has good mobility both north-south and east-west. He walks the offensive blue line very well and creates lanes by doing so. And he can jump up the wall and make pinches when he needs to.

Henault is known for his shot. While he hasn’t shown that he can overpower goaltenders with it, he usually finds the target and he doesn’t try to score, but to put it in areas where he can create rebounds and second chance opportunities. The fact that the bulk of his assists were primary assists speaks to that and his passing abilities.

Defensively, Henault was steady on the backend for the Spitfires who still have a young and somewhat green blueline. He understands positioning, uses his stick well to defend, and is willing to battle in all the hard areas. And he is effective at moving the puck out of his zone.

Henault is one of those players that doesn’t excel at any one thing, but you get an honest effort and steady performances at both ends of the ice.

Henault was passed over in 2019 and is re-entering the draft.

2019-20 NHL season, 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Boston Bruins, Boston Bruins prospects, Jack Ahcan, Jack Studnicka, NHL Prospects, Podcasts, Torey Krug , , , , Leave a comment

Happy Independence Day- Random hockey thoughts on July 4 (podcast)

by

4thofJuly

Hey, all-

Happy Independence Day aka Insurrection from the Crown Day!

It’s been a slow couple of weeks here with hockey news, so thought I’d throw up a podcast with some thoughts on prospects, free agency and the NHL draft lottery plus some other things about hockey.

It clocks in at around 45 minutes, so hope you’ll give it a listen.

Have a great holiday and we’ll be back with more content soon!

-KL

 

2020 NHL Entry Draft, Uncategorized , Leave a comment

Happy Canada Day

by

Things have been slow lately…

Working on a post about the NHL Draft lottery, but what’s the point? The system is what it is, but any lottery is going to have winners and losers, and only the NHL could come up with a scenario in which not one of the bottom-seven/non-24 playoff and play-in teams would end up with Alexis Lafreniere as the top overall pick whenever the NHL Entry Draft happens.

Is it even worth posting about? Not sure. But as a former member of the QMJHL club that finished dead-last in the league regular season standings but lost the draft lottery and dropped to the third pick in 2017, I know exactly what the Detroit Red Wings are going through.

In the meantime, Happy Canada Day to our great neighbors to the North and the very reason we have this game we love.

Dom, Reed and the rest of Canada- this whiskey’s for you!

Liked this graphic, so am borrowing it and the least I can do is link to the city of Kawartha Lakes’ website…

Canada Day

https://www.kawarthalakes.ca/en/things-to-do/canada-day-the-2020-way.aspx

 

 

 

2020 NHL Entry Draft, Dominic Tiano , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Dominic Tiano: 2020 Boston Bruins NHL Draft Preview- OHL Prospects

by

Dominic Tiano returns once again to add to the fine content he’s been churning out over the last several weeks with a look at Ontario-area options for the Boston Bruins in the upcoming 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Dom is a top source for hockey talent in that key region of Canada, and this year is shaping up to be a strong group of prospects in Ontario. Sudbury Wolves forward Quinton Byfield will be the first selection out of the OHL and long off the board by the time the B’s make their first choice at the end of the second round, but there will be some intriguing players available to them. Enjoy Dom’s early bird projection of whom Boston might take a shot at.- KL

The COVID-19 pandemic has left the date on when and how we could possibly have the National Hockey League’s Entry Draft in question, so one might question if this is too soon. On the other hand, there is no more hockey to scout and evaluate so why not?

The Boston Bruins don’t have a first-round pick because of the deadline deal that brought Ondrej Kase to Boston. They also don’t have a fourth-round pick – traded to New Jersey that saw the Bruins acquire Marcus Johansson near the 2019 trade deadline.

That leaves the Bruins with 5 picks at the draft. We don’t know the order of selection and we don’t know if there will be a Stanley Cup awarded, therefore we are going by standings which has the Bruins picking last in each round. So, here’s a look at some possibilities the Bruins could look at. My area is of course, the Ontario Hockey League, so that’s where we will focus for now:

Photo credit: Terry Wilson/OHL ImagesZayde Wisdom of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

ROUND 2, 62 OVERALL – ZAYDE WISDOM – KINGSTON FRONTENACS – RIGHT WING

Forgetting the fact that the Bruins have been looking for a second line right wing for some time now, Wisdom fits the bill as both a right winger and best player available.

Wisdom is a good skater with good speed and is markedly improved from a year ago. He is able to get on the forecheck quickly and create havoc. He darts into lanes quickly and without hesitation. He’s a small guy at 5’9” but built like a tank. Quite simply he is the little engine that can with a motor and work ethic that never hits pause.

Wisdom is not afraid to go to the dirty areas, in fact, he has a superb net front presence. You’ll find he parks himself in front of the blue paint and yes, he is hard to move. But he’ll also score the majority if his goals from the top of or in the paint. But he also has an excellent shot and release that can beat a goaltender from the high slot or coming down his wing. Frankly, with his ability to find open ice combined with his shot, we are a little bit surprised he doesn’t score more of those goals.

Wisdom has also improved on his puck possession and has learned the importance of maintaining possession in today’s game. He is strong on his feet and hard to separate from the puck. His body is always in a good position to protect the puck. We would like to see his playmaking skills improve. To put it in hockey terms, would like to see his hands catch up to his feet and his head.

ROUND 3, 93 OVERALL – RORY KERINS – SAULT STE MARIE GREYHOUNDS – CENTER

Kerins plays the game the right way and is actually an accomplished 200-foot player. He has no fear of getting into the higher danger zone area in the slot area. He can score the dirty goals or beat you with his shot. He’ll battle along the walls, and has surprising strength at 5’10”. He has the ability to be an effective forechecker. If there is an area that I feel he could improve it’s adding an extra gear. That would help him in getting on the forecheck quicker. Despite his willingness to go into battle, he does it the right way, and the Greyhounds recognized that by awarding him the Dr. Bill Kelly Award as the Most Gentlemanly Player.

Kerins also has very good hockey IQ. He has shown he can be a good playmaker. He can slow down and wait for a play to become available and make a good pass, with a very good ability to lead players with a pass by putting it into areas they can skate into. However, judging how his playmaking skills are is difficult. The Greyhounds are a young team that need to gain some experience. And they didn’t muster up a whole lot of offense this season, just 253 goals and that ranks 14th in the OHL.

Defensively, Kerins understands positioning, whether it’s getting his body or stick into lanes, or understanding where he needs to be and is always prepared for the breakout. The coaches have the trust in him to take key defensive zone draws and use him on the penalty kill.

ROUND 5, 155 OVERALL – VILLE OTTAVAINEN – KITCHENER RANGERS – DEFENCE

Ottavainen got off to a blazing start, causing most of his offensive damage in the first 15 games scoring 4 goals and 6 assists in that time, but managed just 5 assists in the remaining 38 games (and two of them came in one game). So, any questions surrounding his adapting to the North American ice should have been laid to rest in those first 15 games, right? So, what happened?

Well, for one Ottavainen saw his ice time drop as the season progressed, especially after the Rangers acquired veteran Holden Wale in a trade with the Soo Greyhounds. As a player though, you have to make the most of the opportunities presented to you. It’s no fault of his, Wale was just a very experienced OHL’er

If you are a reader of some of the independent draft publications available to you, there are a couple questions regarding Ottavainen. One of them is his first step speed. Well, he has such a long reach, he keeps the opposition close enough that he effectively uses that reach to his advantage. Defensively, there isn’t much need for him there, but it could help the transition game. But he is such a mobile and agile skater that I don’t see the lack of blazing speed as an issue.

Another issue is his questionable decision making. I don’t really buy into that. He is one of the youngest defenders in the draft class and he has shown the ability to make very good passes and his playmaking skills are very good and he moves well enough to jump up into the play. Did we mention he has a booming shot? As he gains experience and confidence, this won’t be an issue, and maybe playing pro in Finland is a blessing in disguise. (Signed to play with Oulun Karpat of the Finnish Elite League next season).

ROUND 6, 186 OVERALL – JAMES HARDIE – MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS – LEFT WING

No draft eligible player likes to shoot the puck more then Hardie. He led the draft class comfortably in shots on goal and finished fifth in goals per game with .58. He has an NHL caliber shot and release and not every shot is an attempt to beat the goalie. He creates a lot of second-chance opportunities just by putting the puck in the right place so that the goaltender can’t eat it up.

Hardie’s skating is fine technically, but he doesn’t generate a lot of speed both in fist steps and top flight. But he is capable of finding openings and sneaking into them, however, he doesn’t always drive to the high danger zone in front of the net. But he is dangerous with space as evidenced by his powerplay abilities, finishing third among draft eligible players.

Hardie is a goal scorer that needs to round out the rest of his game. He’ll require patience and a good development program that will help him in achieving the necessary tools to play at the NHL level.

ROUND 7, 217 OVERALL – LOUKA HENAULT – WINDSOR SPITFIRES – DEFENCE

Henault is a mobile two-way defender who has his head on a swivel when in possession of the puck, almost always seemingly surveying the ice and looking for the best options available. He’s a good skater that has good mobility both north-south and east-west. He walks the offensive blue line very well and creates lanes by doing so. And he can jump up the wall and make pinches when he needs to.

Henault is known for his shot. While he hasn’t shown that he can overpower goaltenders with it, he usually finds the target and he doesn’t try to score, but to put it in areas where he can create rebounds and second chance opportunities. The fact that the bulk of his assists were primary assists speaks to that and his passing abilities.

Defensively, Henault was steady on the backend for the Spitfires who still have a young and somewhat green blueline. He understands positioning, uses his stick well to defend, and is willing to battle in all the hard areas. And he is effective at moving the puck out of his zone.

Henault is one of those players that doesn’t excel at any one thing, but you get an honest effort and steady performances at both ends of the ice.

Henault was passed over in 2019 and is re-entering the draft.

That’s a wrap- we’ll be doing a few more draft preview stories as we get closer to the event, whenever the NHL has it. We’re in uncertain times, but it’s never too early to provide information and insights on the future of the league, and the OHL was as good a place as any to start.- KL