The Scouting Report » Daniel Catenacci

2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (51-75)

Scott Campbell — Mon, 30 May 2011 18:37:40 +0000

Be sure to check out the rest of our Top 100: (1-25) (26-50) (51-75)(76-100)

51. RC Michael St. Croix – Edmonton (WHL)

DOB: Apr. 10/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 179lbs
Midterm Rank: 45 | League Rank: 10th WHL | Country Rank: 21st Canada

Michael St. Croix had a solid, though not spectacular season in the WHL this year. The skilled center built on his rookie campaign by becoming a leader with the young Oil Kings, scoring 75 points and improving his plus/minus rating by an impressive 49 points in his second year. St. Croix is a competitive player who likes to set up his teammates, but can also finish when he gets the chance. Next season will go a long way in determining what kind of player St. Croix will be. If he can produce at the level he’s capable of, he could quickly establish himself as one of the potential steals in the 2011 draft.

52. RC Reid Boucher – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

DOB: Sep. 8/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 192lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 8th USHL | Country Rank: 16th USA

Boucher has elite puck skills and while not a great skater, he’s very good at changing directions and is shifty on his skates. Boucher’s ability to continue to develop will hinge on his keen offensive instincts and ability to see the play develop. He also possesses the ability to complement other highly skilled players such as Grimaldi which is a skill that can sometimes be taken for granted. He must also show the ability to adapt his game against bigger, more physical players.

53. LD Stuart Percy – Mississauga (OHL)

DOB: May 18/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 186lbs
Midterm Rank: 44 | League Rank: 15th OHL | Country Rank: 22nd Canada

We had Percy up pretty high in our mid-terms and are still high on the Mississauga defenseman but feel he’s been eclipsed by some of the other players as the season has progressed. Percy is still a solid value pick as he plays a very smart game and plays mistake-free hockey in a lot of situations, but his high-end potential is a bit of a detractor. He isn’t an overly physical player, but Percy does use his reach well and is positionally smart. With his strong showing in the Memorial Cup, he could certainly go higher than our ranking here, which would not be a poor move at all.

54. RW Brett Ritchie – Sarnia (OHL)

DOB: Jul. 1/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 190lbs
Midterm Rank: 53 | League Rank: 16th OHL | Country Rank: 23rd Canada

There were high expectations for Ritchie this year; something he struggled to deal with at the start of the year. Initially overshadowed by teammates Alexander Galchenyuk and Nail Yakupov, Ritchie found his scoring touch in the second half of the season and was one of Canada’s better forwards at the U18’s. A big winger with a good shot, Ritchie can be a pretty effective sniper when he’s on his game. The symptoms in his game we’re not overly fond of is that he is inconsistent, and while shielding the puck well, he doesn’t really play with any sense of physicality. If you see him play regularly, you will probably even find that his game can be plagued by laziness. Despite our concerns, he does have the skill-set where a team will be willing to take a chance on him and see what they can get after a few years of development.

55. LC Joseph LaBate – Holy Angels (HS-MN)

DOB: Apr. 16/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 180lbs
Midterm Rank: 58 | League Rank: 2nd HS-MN | Country Rank: 14th USA

LaBate held steady in our rankings this season and has definitely put his name on the map this season. He’s got the frame that will definitely interest NHL teams and his skating ability and willingness to play in front of the net will surely entice NHL teams as well. The Wisconsin commit will benefit from playing in the NCAA, where he’ll have an opportunity to add some much needed strength to his frame while playing against older players over the next 3-4 seasons.

56. LW Adam Lowry – Swift Current (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 29/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 184lbs
Midterm Rank: 52 | League Rank: 11th WHL | Country Rank: 24th Canada

The son of former NHLer (and current Calgary Flames assistant coach) Dave Lowry, Adam Lowry is a power forward winger that overcame a slow start to have a solid 17 year old season with Swift Current. After attending Canada’s U18 tryout camp in August, Lowry dealt with a bout of mono in September forcing him to the sidelines for a few weeks. Even after that, it seemed to take a couple months for him to get his game (and energy) back. Since late November, Lowry has nearly been a PPG player (39 points in his final 46 games) for the Broncos. At 6’4, Lowry uses his size well, is good along the boards and is willing to play the body. He likes to provide a screen in front of the net and is able to use his size to create space for his teammates. His footspeed needs some work but for a team that can afford to show some patience, Lowry could turn out to be a good complimentary player on an NHL team.

57. LW Nicholas Shore – Denver (NCAA)

DOB: Sep. 26/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: 37 | League Rank: 4th NCAA | Country Rank: 15th USA

This season would have to be considered a bit of a disappointment for Shore, who many expected to be more of a contender to be a first-round pick; rather than fighting to maintain his status as a second rounder. Shore is a solid two-way player who has an above average skill-set and pretty good creativity when the puck is on his stick. He doesn’t quite have the size that his older brother does, but he still has managed to be an effective freshman player without it. He’s gone a little under the radar and should be a nice value pickup in this range.

58. LW Miikka Salomaki – Karpat (SM-Liiga)

DOB: Mar. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 2nd SM-Liiga | Country Rank: 2nd Finland

Salomaki spent the majority of the season in the SM-Liiga and wasn’t out of place playing in Finland’s top men’s hockey league. He also had an impressive showing at the World Juniors as a 17-year-old and quickly established himself as a gritty player who was willing to sacrifice his body despite being a little undersized. Salomaki is a solid offensive contributor but when you factor in his grit and willingness to compete, he can certainly find a role at the next level with that combination.

59. LC Daniel Catenacci – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: 36 | League Rank: 17th OHL | Country Rank: 25th Canada

Catenacci’s fall in our rankings is more a symptom of other players moving ahead of him rather than faults of his own. After a bit of a disappointing first year in the OHL, Catenacci took a more offensive role with the Greyhounds this season and showed more of an ability to create opportunities when he’s on the ice. Catenacci’s issue for us comes down to defining what type of a role he can have at the next level. He’s a good defensive player and tenacious center at this level, but how much will that translate to the NHL given his size? We’re not sure he has enough offense to be a Top 6 guy, which makes him a bit of a tweener in our eyes.

60. LD Xavier Ouellet – Montreal (QMJHL)

DOB: Jul. 29/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 177lbs
Midterm Rank: 53 | League Rank: 7th QMJHL | Country Rank: 26th Canada

Ouellet had a quick start to begin the year but cooled down as the season progressed. He isn’t a natural offensive defenseman but his game did take some positive steps forward with more ice-time this season. Ouellet is a steady defender who makes good decisions with the puck and is very composed in his own end. He doesn’t force plays and does a good job of utilizing outlets instead of just hammering it off the glass. Is a good fit towards the end of the second round and will be a solid pick-up for any team looking to add some depth to their prospect pool on the backend.

61. LD Rasmus Bengtsson – Rogle (Allsvenskan)

DOB: May 14/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 196lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 2nd Allsv. | Country Rank: 9th Sweden

Bengtsson really came on during the second half of the season and is a player with tremendous upside which should justify a draft selection within the top three rounds. Part of what could be a pretty solid crop of Swedish defensemen in 2011, Bengtsson plays a responsible defensive game while also being a very smart player with good offensive instincts. He’s going to need some time to develop, but he’s a player who could be a very nice pick-up for any team willing to step up and take him.

62. LD Myles Bell – Regina (WHL)

DOB: Aug. 19/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 202lbs
Midterm Rank: 31 | League Rank: 12th WHL | Country Rank: 27th Canada

Unfortunately we can’t talk about Bell without talking about his recent tragic car accident. Bell is an offensively gifted defenseman that plays with a physical edge. He is an effective offensive weapon because he is able to both distribute the puck and shoot it very hard. While Bell has some holes in his defensive game, there is much to like about his offensive abilities and his prospects of making the NHL. However, since that accident, there will be serious questions that will need to be asked. What happened that day? What are the repercussions for what has been done? What are the steps needed for getting the 18 year-old Bell’s life back on track? Is Bell physically okay? Is he mentally okay? There will be many factors that will be examined and all that really can be done is to wish everyone involved all the best.

63. LD Andrei Pedan – Guelph (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 07/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 190lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 18th OHL | Country Rank: 4th Russia

Pedan was impressive during the pre-season with Guelph and then had a bit of a tough adjustment to the OHL during the first couple months of the season. In the new year, however, he finally started to see his game come around and really showed some flashes of the player he can be during Guelph’s brief playoff experience. He’s a big defenseman who is a fluid skater but is still improving his agility and first few steps. Sometimes is guilty of trying to do too much with the puck and is still learning the North American game. Pedan has the raw tools to be a solid puck moving defender with some physical upside, and as he finds his comfort zone, he can start to integrate his offensive game into his play as well.

64. LC Markus Granlund – HIFK (Jr. A SM-Liiga)

DOB: Apr. 16/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 169lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 1st Jr. A SM | Country Rank: 3rd Finland

Granlund certainly doesn’t have the talent that his older brother Mikael possesses, but Markus makes up for it with solid two-way play and quality intangibles. A great skater with high-end speed, Granlund brings a similar style of game that Daniel Catenacci brings to the ice. He was a fine player during the U18’s and showed some good chemistry with his teammates, providing some much needed offense for the Finnish squad.

65. RW Shane McColgan – Kelowna (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 01/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 160lbs
Midterm Rank: 50 | League Rank: 13th WHL | Country Rank: 16th USA

The diminutive McColgan has been very effective in two Western Hockey League seasons, scoring at nearly a point per game pace. McColgan sees the ice well, has great hands, and definitely isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas. The big question on everyone’s mind is whether or not he will be able to play his style at the pro level. The 5-9 McColgan hasn’t let his size hold him back yet, as he has proven a willingness to battle with any player in the WHL while generally staying healthy. If he can get his game to the next level, he could be a big draft day steal.

66. LW Shane Prince – Ottawa (OHL)

DOB: Nov. 16/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: 57 | League Rank: 19th OHL | Country Rank: 17th USA

Prince is a diminutive forward who really burst onto the scene playing with Tyler Toffoli and Ryan Martindale this season, forming one of the top trios in the OHL. While undersized, Prince is a good offensive player and has a wealth of talent that he usually showcases several times during the course of a game. He’s got very good hands and has deceptive speed that he will use to throw off the defense to make a nifty pass to set up a teammate. He’s also got a good shot of his own and does a good job finding space to get a shot off. We have some concerns about Prince’s competitiveness, as he is guilty of taking shifts off, and the fact that he hasn’t convinced us that he’s going to be more than a great junior player.

67. LW Travis Ewanyk – Edmonton (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 29/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 14th WHL | Country Rank: 28th Canada

Ewanyk had a coming out party in the last month or so of the season. After ending the regular season on a bit of a mini hot streak, Ewanyk was handed the task of shadowing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the first round of the playoffs where Ewanyk was able to hold his own at even strength. He then represented Canada at the U18 World Championships where he continued his fine play. Ewanyk is a good skater and has the intelligence and grit needed to play against top offensive players. While his offensive upside may be a lower than many top picks, Ewanyk’s play without the puck will have him in consideration to be a higher pick than his modest numbers (27 points in 72 games) would suggest.

68. LW Max Friberg – Skovde (Sweden D1)

DOB: Nov. 20/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: 55 | League Rank: 1st Swe-D1 | Country Rank: 10th Sweden

Nobody is quite sure what to expect with Friberg, especially given the fact he played in a lower tiered league this past season. Friberg is an undersized forward who competes pretty hard and brings it every shift. His offensive upside has been questioned, but some people may be a little hard on him. His role at the next level could be questionable, and he certainly didn’t have a great finish to the season, but we’ll see how he progresses the next couple of seasons.

69. LW Olivier Archambault – Val d’Or (QMJHL)

DOB: Feb. 16/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 164lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 7th QMJHL | Country Rank: 29th Canada

Former top pick in the QMJHL Draft took some positive steps forward this season with an increased opportunity. Archambault isn’t an overwhelming player but does a lot of little things well to be a dangerous presence on the ice. Pretty strong for his size, and manages to find some space on the ice despite not having high-end speed. He does a good job of finding opportunities to create offense and should continue to develop over the next couple of years.

70. LD Mike Reilly – Shattuck St. Mary’s (HS-MN)

DOB: Feb. 16/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 164lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 3rd HS-MN | Country Rank: 18th USA

Reilly is an undersized defenseman who is going to need a few seasons to develop at Minnesota, but could be worth the wait for whatever NHL team selects him. Reilly has good speed and is able to advance the puck with a combination of vision and assertiveness with the puck. The principal concern for Reilly is adding strength to his frame, but he’ll have some time in the NCAA to worry about those issues.

71. LW Michael Mersch – Wisconsin (NCAA)

DOB: Nov. 02/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 194lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 6th NCAA | Country Rank: 19th USA

Mersch certainly won’t be a player that fools you into thinking top line NHL player due to his skating concerns, but he makes up for it in other areas. Mersch is a gritty forward who does the little things well and wins battles around the ice. If his offensive game comes around, he could be serviceable as a player that can stand in front of the net and muck it out in the dirty areas of the ice. If not, he has the mindset where he could be an effective grinder.

72. LD Zakhar Arzamastsev – Metallurg (KHL)

DOB: Nov. 06/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 192lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 1st KHL | Country Rank: 5th Russia

Our first KHL player is Zakhar Arzamastsev, who has warmed up to scouts as the year has progressed. He’s a smooth skating defender who plays a mistake free game and makes a lot of good decisions with and without the puck. We’ll see what NHL teams think of his commitment to the KHL at the draft, but he would be a nice pickup early in the 3rd round.

73. RC Vincent Trocheck – Saginaw (OHL)

DOB: Jul. 11/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 20th OHL | Country Rank: 20th USA

Trocheck was one of the top players with the Saginaw Spirit this past season and does a lot of things well, but lacks a defining quality to his game. A little undersized, Trocheck isn’t blazing fast and doesn’t quite have the talent to consistently be an offensive threat; also being guilty of taking some shifts and games off. When he’s on, Trocheck is a player that has some decent upside as he has a pretty nifty snap shot and isn’t afraid to use it. He also will take his game to the front of the net and some of the areas that teammate Brandon Saad tends to avoid. If Trocheck were a little bigger or more dynamic, he could make a case to be in the Top 60, but in this draft, he’s better suited to be selected somewhere around the 3rd or 4th round.

74. RD Albert Yarullin – AK Bars Kazan (MHL)

DOB: Mar. 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 194lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 2nd MHL | Country Rank: 6th Russia

Yarullin is another player who certainly boosted his stock during the U18’s where he was one of the better defenseman and a productive one at that, with 11 assists in only 7 games. Yarullin is a dependable defenseman who plays an effective game and also sees ice-time in a variety of situations. The Russian factor, again, has to be considered, but we’ll see how NHL teams feel about it.

75. RW Logan Shaw – Cape Breton (QMJHL)

DOB: Nov. 05/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 190lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 8th QMJHL | Country Rank: 30th Canada

Shaw started to find his game during his third year in the QMJHL and could be a bit of a sleeper to look out for given his large frame and unpolished game. The Mooseheads winger was one of the bright spots on a pretty poor club last season and has pretty good goal scoring instincts and has the ability to get things done. As mentioned, he’s pretty raw and is definitely a risky project, but in a draft that starts to thin out after the second round, he could be worth the risk.

Be sure to check out the rest of our Top 100: (1-25) (26-50) (51-75) (76-100)

TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid-Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (31-60)

Scott Campbell — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:00:40 +0000

Click here for Part One of the Top 60 Skaters (1-30)

31. RD Myles Bell – Regina (WHL)

DOB: Aug. 19/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 202lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 48GP 11G 21A 31P -6 60PIM
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Bell is a high-risk, high-reward defenseman that is capable of making momentum-changing plays. Although listed as a defenseman, Bell could almost be listed as a fourth forward as he seems to spend as much time joining the rush and the play up ice as he does in his own end. He loves to carry the puck up the ice and will attempt to stickhandle through traffic. He makes a strong first pass out of his end and has a very heavy shot from the point. Bell also loves delivering big hits. He can run around out of position when he locks on to a target. While he loves to rush the puck, his puck handling skills are good, but not elite in the way some other draft-eligible players’ are. His risky tendencies have often led to troubles in his own end and it must be determined whether his abilities are good enough for him to play the same way in the pros or whether he will just become a defensive liability.

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32. RW Tyler Biggs – US Under 18 Team (USHL)

DOB: Jan. 30/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 210lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 12GP 5G 2A 7P +5 35PIM
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Biggs has a pro body and uses it well. He also knows when to stand up for his teammates and provides good leadership. Biggs skates well with a powerful stride that takes him from point A to point B with good speed. He’s a little choppy though in tight turns and when he has to change directions. Most of the consensus has him higher, but we think there’s players with more upside ahead of him.

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33. LD Oscar Klefbom – Farjestad (SEL)

DOB: Jul. 20/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 201lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 19GP 1G 1A 2P 2PIM
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Big defenseman with good range and mobility. Sees the ice very well and has the ability to make creative up ice passes to generate offense. Has had strong showings in his age class at international events, and will be more of a factor in the SEL as his game continues to mature.

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34. RW Zack Phillips – Saint John (QMJHL)

DOB: Nov. 28/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 181lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 48GP 29G 40A 69P +33 14PIM
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Phillips has been steadily rising over the past two seasons and could make a case to go in the late first round of the NHL Entry Draft this season along with what could be three other Sea Dogs’ teammates. Phillips is a good offensive player who does a lot of things well, but doesn’t really have a defining quality. He’ll need to improve his skating a bit as well in the future.

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35. RC Colin Jacobs – Seattle (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 20/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 204lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 45GP 17G 16A 33P -12 49PIM
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Colin Jacobs is a prototypical Western Hockey League center. Big, strong, and tough as nails, Jacobs hails from Coppell, Texas, not exactly a hockey hotbed. Jacobs has already surpassed his goal and point totals from last season, and continues to play his rough and tumble style while playing a much larger role on a young Seattle team. Colin projects as a second or third line center in the NHL, but is still a very raw player that will need a few years of solid development.

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36. LC Daniel Catenacci – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 185lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 46GP 21G 32A 53P -7 86PIM
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Has rebounded well this season after a mediocre rookie season as the 1st Overall Pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. Catenacci is one of the better two-way forwards in the OHL, and has also established himself as one of the most consistent offensive threats in the league. He’s a good skater with a low center of gravity and very good strength for being undersized in stature. Has a heavy stick and wins a lot of battles with his drive. Fairly creative player, but it’s difficult to project just how effective he will be offensively at the next level, and due to his size, he could have a hard time being a checker. He could be a solid 2nd line center or a tweener, but he might struggle to find a role as well.

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37. RW Nicholas Shore – Denver University (NCAA)

DOB: Sep. 26/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 17GP 2G 10A 12P 33PIM
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The younger brother of Panther’s draft pick and college teammate Drew Shore, Nick has been under the radar a bit at Denver this year. He’s a reliable winger who plays a good game at both ends of the ice but also has the offensive talent to be a factor on the score-sheet. Has a high skill level and good creativity which has allowed him to make an immediate impact as a freshman.

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38. LW Stefan Noesen – Plymouth (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 12/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 195lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 49GP 24G 31A 55P +14 56PIM
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Noesen is one of the big surprises out of the OHL this year, as he has really relished the increased role he’s earned himself with Mike Velucci’s team this season. He’s an above average skater who’s a prototypical north/south winger. Plays his off wing, but takes a lot of faceoffs and is very adept in the faceoff circle. Not a very creative player and looks to shoot first often, but has a pretty good shot. Hard nosed player who sacrifices the body and isn’t afraid to dish out his weight either. Offensive potential at the pro level is still questionable, but he competes hard and brings it every game.

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39. RC Vladislav Namestnikov – London (OHL)

DOB: Nov. 22/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 46GP 21G 25A 46P +15 26PIM
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Came into the season with very high expectations but just hasn’t managed to find his groove offensively as the Knights as a whole have struggled to find some cohesion up front. Namestnikov is a smooth skater who can move up and down the ice fairly effortlessly and also is a very good puck mover. He sees the ice well and makes a lot of smart decisions with the puck which makes his linemates a lot better. Really lacks a lot of strength which is a big issue for him as he does get pushed around a bit, and he really needs to find a way to add some weight in the future.

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40. LW Lucas Lessio – Oshawa (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 23/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 201lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 47GP 21G 22A 43P +13 42PIM
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Came into the year with huge expectations and thus far, his offensive output has to be considered a little disappointing. Despite his limited impact on the scoresheet, Lessio evidently still has a lot of qualities to his game that are attractive to NHL teams. He’s got good size and strength and is very good along the boards and on the cycle. He does a great job of pivoting his feet and changing direction while protecting the puck along the wall and can find a teammate with a quick out pass. Wins a lot of his on ice battles and does a good job of asserting himself in the slot for body presence. The numbers should come in time, but as long as Lessio continues to do the little things well, the rest will take care of itself.

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41. RC Rickard Rakell – Plymouth (OHL)

DOB: May 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 185lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 39GP 17G 18A 35P +11 12PIM
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Like Noesen, he came into the year off the chart a bit but has quickly entrenched himself as a legitimate prospect and was rewarded with a nod for the Swedish World Junior squad. He’s an above average skater who just does a lot of things well and is a player that a coach can use in a lot of situations due to his versatility. After playing mostly on the wing, he’s been thrown into a center position and made the transition fairly easily. He competes hard and leaves it all on the ice and also has a bit of grit which is a positive as well. Decent offensive threat and there’s no doubt that his upside isn’t capped with what he’s shown thus far.

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42. LD Joe Morrow – Portland (WHL)

DOB: Dec. 09/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 198lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 39GP 4G 22A 26P +3 41PIM
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After being injured early in the season, Morrow came back into the lineup with a lot of confidence, which led him to post 8 points in his first 7 games of the season. The slick-skating rearguard has since cooled off, posting 12 points in 22 games through November and December, while going -1 during that time span. Morrow has to fight for time on a stacked Portland defense, but has shown that he can hold his own while playing alongside other top prospects. Morrow is a very good skater who makes a solid first pass out of his own zone, and also has an underrated shot from the Portland blue line. Like some of his fellow teammates, Morrow will need to continue to improve in his own end to raise his stock even more, but with his raw skills, the sky is the limit.

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43. LD Jonas Brodin – Farjestad (SEL)

DOB: Jul. 12/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 165lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 30GP 0G 2A 2P 10PIM
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Brodin is a lanky defender that skates extremely well and has great lateral ability across the ice. Does a great job of buying time for himself and escaping the forecheck to move the puck up ice. Good defensive skills and very methodical in positioning himself.

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44. LD Stuart Percy – Mississauga (OHL)

DOB: May 18/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 186lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 42GP 2G 21A 23P +35 46PIM
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One of the most underrated players in the OHL this season, Percy is a player who thinks the game extremely well. Rarely makes a bad decision or forces a pass, Percy is a very good puck mover who is very effective on the breakout. Delivers tape to tape passes in traffic or down the seam and does a good job of buying time for himself from opposition fore-checks. Can skate the puck when he sees an opportunity and does a good job of advancing the puck that way as well. Offensive instincts are good, and while his shot is weak, he does a great job of getting it on net and creating rebounds. Not an overly physical player, but is good in zone coverage and will rub forwards out. An above average skater who is rarely beaten off the rush. Doesn’t blow you away with any one skill, but does a great job of managing the game.

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45. RC Michael St. Croix – Edmonton (OHL)

DOB: Apr. 10/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 179lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 46GP 21G 31A 52P +22 34PIM
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Michael St. Croix is really starting to become a complete player with the Edmonton Oil Kings; something evidenced by his +/- stat going from -21 to being a +22 at the time of this article. St. Croix has also really started to pick up his offensive play, netting 7 goals and 20 points in 11 December games, and is once again starting to show flashes of the player everyone thought he would be. St. Croix might be the second most talented center the WHL has to offer this year, and though he’s not overly big or strong, his playmaking ability is solid, and you would have to wonder what kind of numbers he could put up on a stronger team.

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46. LC Boone Jenner – Oshawa (OHL)

DOB: Jun. 15/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 197lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 43GP 14G 29A 43P +3 34PIM
---

Jenner has great size and strength for a 17 year old and is very hard to move off the puck. He’s not afraid to get physical and he can handle body contact effectively as well. He has a good release and likes to shoot the puck and wants the puck to be on his stick. Some may view this as a good trait, but with Jenner it borders heavily on immaturity as he is constantly calling for the puck at inopportune times. Jenner’s skating is still pretty choppy, but it’s improving, and aside from that there’s a lot that translates well to the NHL level, but he needs to find some consistency and make better decisions with the puck to be a more effective player.

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47. RW Maxim Shalunov – Chelyabinsk (MHL)

DOB: Jan. 31/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 183lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 28GP 16G 8A 24P 34PIM
---

At this point, the top ranked Russian player playing in Russia, Shalunov is a big winger with good speed and a heavy shot. A little predictable in that he generally sticks to the wing and tries to cut in, but his game should evolve as he plays more consistently against a higher level of competition moving forward.

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48. RD Adam Clendening – Boston University (NCAA)

DOB: Nov. 26/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 190lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 24GP 2G 12A 14P 51P
---

Clendening is a very smart defenseman with great hockey sense. Really sees the play develop well and does a great job of anticipating the play. Adept offensively and a very good puck mover who makes good decisions making passes or using the wall. A little bit undersized and not an overly dynamic player, but a very quality pick in this range.

—————

49. LW Mario Lucia – Wayzata (HS-MN)

DOB: Aug. 25/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 183lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 18GP 19G 19A 38P +22 10PIM
---

Lucia is the son of University of Minnesota Head Coach Don Lucia, and is the gem of the Minnesota High School hockey system this year. He’s a big guy that is very agile and has great speed. He’s been putting together a strong season this year, and he should rise during the second half.

—————

50. RW Shane McColgan – Kelowna (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 01/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 160lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 43GP 18G 31A 49P +3 33PIM
---

McColgan is a shifty, skilled player that just hasn’t been meeting the lofty expectations thrust upon him after his excellent rookie campaign last season where he was runner-up to Nugent-Hopkins for WHL rookie of the year. The diminutive California native hasn’t been so much of a disappointment as he has been a victim of his own success. Offensively he hasn’t progressed enough from last year to overcome perceived deficiencies in his game. McColgan seems to have worked on his play away from the puck, and while it isn’t the greatest, it has improved quite a bit from last year. McColgan still needs to work on his strength as he is very easily knocked off the puck and he loses a high majority of physical battles at the WHL level, which will be a concern for NHL scouts. His compete level comes and goes, and when he’s on, he’s feisty, physical, chippy, and engaged.

—————

51. RC Philippe Hudon – Choate-Rosemary (HS-CT)

DOB: Apr. 15/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 183lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): n/a
---

Hudon is a Quebec native taking the prep school route before heading off to Cornell University next season. He’s a proactive player who is dangerous offensively as well as being all over the ice. Skates hard and competes and really earns a lot of his chances.

—————

52. LW Adam Lowry – Swift Current (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 29/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 184lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 48GP 14G 16A 30P -14 64PIM
---

After getting off to a slow start to the season while recuperating from mono, Lowry is quickly becoming one of the fastest risers in the WHL for this year’s upcoming NHL draft. Lowry has been nearly a PPG player for the Broncos since the end of November. Lowry isn’t the best skater and could stand to improve his first step, but he’s a power forward in the making that does a lot of little things that coaches love. The son of former NHLer Dave Lowry works the boards well, wins puck battles, is strong on the puck, throws his weight around, takes his man, and has surprisingly good hands for his size. At 6’4, Lowry already has the ability to overpower his opponents and he doesn’t look he’s finished growing yet.

—————

53. LD Xavier Ouellet – Montreal (QMJHL)

DOB: Jul. 29/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 177lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 50GP 5G 27A 32P +18 30PIM
---

Ouellet bypassed the NCAA route to stay in the QMJHL and has taken the next step with Montreal this season. He’s been putting up strong numbers which reflects a lot of his poise as he’s not a pure offensive defenseman. Ouellet is very good in his own end and makes a lot of smart decisions which makes him a quality pick in this range.

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54. LD Jesse Forsberg – Prince George (WHL)

DOB: Aug. 13/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 195lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 46GP 2G 11A 13P -1 117PIM
---

Forsberg is a player that has polarized the TSR team so far this year. He’s another player that just hasn’t met pre-season expectations, yet brings a nice blend of skill, grit, size, and potential to merit watching as the season progresses. The talent is evident with Forsberg, but he hasn’t yet figured out how to harness it. While Forsberg hasn’t put up the offensive numbers expected of him when he entered the WHL, he does play a useful role for the Cougars as a gritty, physical defensive player.

—————

55. LW Max Friberg – Skovde (Swe-D1)

DOB: Nov. 20/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 23GP 10G 17A 27P 6PIM
---

Friberg hasn’t got much exposure this season playing in the third division of Swedish professional hockey, but he certainly won some people over at the World Juniors. He’s a little undersized, but he competes hard and is a tough player to play against. Has a bit of offensive pop but can also kill penalties. His role might come into question on draft day, however.

—————

56. LC Philip Danault – Victoriaville (QMJHL)

DOB: Feb. 24/93 | Shoots: l | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 47GP 20G 32A 52P +19 46PIM
---

Lanky forward with a smooth skating stride and pretty good tenacity. Has taken a major step forward offensively this season and will certainly challenge to work his way up into the Top 50 over the next few months.

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57. LW Shane Prince – Ottawa (OHL)

DOB: Nov. 16/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 46GP 21G 55A 76P +35 16PIM
---

Prince is very quick and has good bursts of speed and is very elusive on the ice. More of a playmaker and makes a lot of good plays in the offensive zone, but has also been willing to shoot the puck more this year. His defensive game needs a lot of work as he’s fairly one dimensional, but his offensive production is more then offsetting that right now, although he will need to prove to critics he’s more then a dominant junior player with little professional upside.

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58. LC Joseph LaBate – Holy Angels (HS-MN)

DOB: Apr. 16/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 180lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 19GP 20G 15A 35P +19 32PIM
---

LaBate has a great frame to work with as a forward, but still needs to grow into it as he refines his game. He skates very well for a big guy and has some solid grit to his game as well. Good touch around the net and has a very good shot which he loves to use. Still pretty raw, but has some very good upside.

—————

59. RD Reece Scarlett – Swift Current (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 31/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 168lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 54GP 4G 13A 17P -28 40PIM
---

Scarlett projects as an offensive defenseman at the pro level. He skates well and is quite a creative player that shows good offensive instincts and a strong shot. He is small and plays like it, at times significantly struggling in his own end. He can be a bit of a mess in his own zone as he is not strong enough to take his man and often not positionally good enough to make up for it. Concerns over those two factors mean that he needs to excel more in the offensive part of his game than he has so far if he hopes to become a pro player one day. The potential is there with this kid, but whoever drafts him will have to be patient as he is still a work in progress.

—————

60. LD Max Everson – Edina (HS-MN)

DOB: Feb. 22/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 184lbs

Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 17GP 4G 13A 17P +4 18PIM
---

Everson is a smooth defenseman who really uses his skating ability to his advantage. Pivots well and does a good job of maintaining gap control. Occasionally guilty of losing his man in the defensive zone, which is something he needs to improve.

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Click here for Part One of the Top 60 Skaters (1-30)

CHL Top Prospects Game Review

Mike Kloepfer — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:28:14 +0000

The NHL/CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects Game is always an intriguing event on the CHL calendar. On one hand it is an all-star game of sorts, but without the all-star game feel. These forty 17 and 18 year old players are playing in this game to prove to NHL scouts that they deserve to be a top pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. They show their grit, they finish their checks, and will make plays outside of their normal character to show the scouts that they have the intangibles to play in the NHL one day.

Below are a few players who I felt played a strong game as well as a few who left something to be desired.

PLAYERS WITH STRONG PERFORMANCES:

C Ryan Nugent Hopkins – Team Orr
Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Ryan Nugent Hopkins is a player that has been getting a serious looks from scouts since he played as a 15 year old for the Red Deer Rebels where he put up 6 points in 5 games. There is no question the Burnaby, BC native has a lot of talent, but if there are going to be any concerns about his game it will come from his overall strength. Standing at 6.00, 155lbs. there is a lot of room for this kid to grow into his body. His offensive ability is uncanny and is lethal when shooting or passing the puck. Nugent-Hopkins definitely showed some of that playmaking talent as he picked up 2 assists in the game.

LC Jonathan Huberdeau – Team Orr
Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Jonathan Huberdeau is the offensive leader in the strong group of Saint John Sea Dogs. The St. Jermome, QC native has been stellar with the Sea Dogs this season picking up 68 points in 44 games. His strong play transitioned nicely over to the prospects game as he scored a goal and an assist for Team Orr. Even though he is leading his respective club in points this season, he does have a high ceiling for potential and there is room for improvement. Not unlike many other players competing in this game, Huberdeau will have to mind his defensive game so he is not a liability at the next level.

D Ryan Murphy – Team Cherry
Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Ryan Murphy was one of the lone stand-outs on Team Cherry, and although did not register a point, Murphy sure did his part. Murphy is a smooth skating offensive defenseman. Although he is only listed at 5.11, 176lbs. the Aurora, ON native makes up for that with his superb offensive prowess and instincts. If there was a knock on the defenseman’s game it would be his defensive game. Naturally as an offensive minded defenseman, there has to be a bit of a trade off, but in Murphy’s case, there are times when he becomes a liability.

C Zach Phillips – Team Orr
Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Zach Phillips is part of a very strong Saint John Sea Dog contingent. He really set himself apart in this game scoring two goals and assisting on one. Phillips is an offensive gifted center man which he has showed in abundance this season, scoring 65 points in 45 games this season with the Sea Dogs. Phillips has a strong work ethic, a quick release, a very high offensive IQ. In order for Phillips to better his game, he will have to work on his first step to generate some separation between him and the opposition.

C Daniel Catenacci – Team Orr
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Daniel Cantenacci is a player that should concern scouts a bit with choosing him in the top 30. The former 1st overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection has great speed, decent instincts and plays with an edge. The concern is what type of player is he at the next level? Standing at 5.10, 185lbs he cannot be considered a power forward, even with his grit, and his scoring ability does not appear to translate into a top six forward at the next level. Nonetheless, Catenacci had many good scoring chances, and showed his elite speed when he beat the defenseman and the goaltender en route to burying his lone goal.

G Liam Liston – Team Orr
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

This was my first look at Liston, and overall I was impressed. Naturally you cannot judge a goaltender by half a game of hockey, but stopping 18 of 18 against some of the most elite offensive talents in the CHL is no easy feat. Liston is a technically sound goalie with relatively strong lateral movements. Being his first season as a full-time starter in the WHL, Liston has made some great strides to becoming a great goalie.

PLAYERS WHO LEFT SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED:

C Sean Couturier – Team Cherry
Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

Perhaps expectations are too high for Sean Couturier at this point in the season, but I was hoping to see a little bit more out of the Team Cherry’s captain. En route to a 7-1 loss, Couturier registered zero points and didn’t have many chances either. Despite his performance, I think there is little which can change the minds of scouts at this point. Outside maybe Gabriel Landeskog there is not a safer pick in the draft. His size, standing at 6.04, 195lbs. He will be able to contribute at the, next level, whether it is with his body or his offense.

LW Brandon Saad – Team Orr
Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

I was hoping to see a little bit more out of Brandon Saad in this game. Since announcing he would be playing for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL this season, it would appear as though Saad’s stock has been slowly dropping. He is a very strong forward who protects the puck well, and although is not overly creative in the offensive zone, has a quick release which is effective in fooling opposing goaltenders. Saad’s status as a Top 10 pick in 2011 is waning with the rise of others.

C Ryan Strome – Team Cherry
Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Ryan Strome was fairly quiet in this game, when I was hoping he would show his offensive abilities like he has done with the Niagara IceDogs this season. There were a couple plays where he went for a fancy dangle, but just didn’t seem to have it all on this night. Strome brightest quality when he is on is his ability to make spectacular moves at top speed. Strome sees the offensive zone very well, which enables his natural playmaking ability to shine. His biggest flaw at the current time is similar to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins where his overall strength takes away from his skill set. In effect, Strome struggles when it comes to board play, which is something he will have to work on.

LW Matt Puempel – Team Cherry
Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Since Minor Midget, Matt Puempel has succeeded the competition, and coming off a rookie campaign which saw him win CHL Rookie of the Year honours, it is needless to say that expectations are high for the 17 year old, Essex ON Native. He is having a relatively strong season with a weak Peterborough squad, but he definitely could have shown more in this game. The largest flaw in Puempel’s is his consistency where he goes through periods where you don’t really notice him. He has a tremendous will to succeed and his natural goal scoring ability, indicate he could be a solid goal scorer at the NHL level.

GAME NOTES:

The #1 ranked North American skater, Gabriel Landeskog, we held out of the line-up due to an injury, and Ottawa 67’s forward Shane Prince took his place. Prince scored the lone goal for Team Cherry in a losing effort.

2011 OHL Mid-Term Draft Rankings: Top 20 Skaters (1-10)

Scott Campbell — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:02:59 +0000

Click Here for Part 2 of the Mid-Season Top 20

1. RW (LS) #92 Gabriel Landeskog | Kitchener (OHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 201 | Birthdate: 11/23/92 | Nationality: Swedish

2010/11 - 32GP 25G 20A 45P +23 43PIM

After coming into the season jostling with Brandon Saad for top honours in the OHL, Landeskog has surpassed Saad to top TSR’s Mid-Season OHL Rankings. Rated 6th Overall in TSR’s Preliminary 2011 Top 15 Rankings, Landeskog’s torrid pace to start the year has left him knocking on the door of the Top 3 in this draft. He’s a very solid all around player who plays a hard nosed game and is has a lot of grit for a skilled player. Has a strong nose for the net and good goal scoring instincts, but a lack of pure creativity is likely the biggest cause for concern for his upside at the NHL. Still, he projects to be a great Top 6 forward who will be capable of being a top line winger with strong two-way ability.

2. LW #22 Brandon Saad | Saginaw (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 196 | Birthdate: 10/27/92 | Nationality: American

2010/11 - 31GP 20G 16A 36P +13 20PIM

Saad was 5th Overall in TSR’s Preliminary 2011 Top 15 Rankings, and has immediately made an impact in the OHL. He’s a big guy with explosive speed and does a good job of creating a lot of offense off the rush. Protects the puck well with his wide reach and has a pretty quick release and a quality shot. Isn’t a particularly creative player and also shies away from a lot of contact for a big guy. In our viewings, he’s showed limited grit and lost a lot of board battles for a player of his size and caliber.

3. RD #24 Ryan Murphy | Kitchener (OHL)

Height: 5.10 | Weight: 165 | Birthdate: 03/31/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 31GP 15G 33A 48P +15 14PIM

Ranked 8th in TSR’s Preliminary 2011 Top 15 Rankings. One of the most intriguing prospects to come around in recent memory. Tremendous skater with elite acceleration and agility. Able to make shifty moves at high speed and is very adept at beating opponent’s with quick head fakes and stick fakes. Murphy is always looking for opportunities offensively and has the explosive ability to skate end to end seemingly at will. His shot has improved significantly and his powerplay distribution is also much improved. Defensive game is still a concern as he is undersized and can got caught out of position looking to move the puck up to the other end of the ice. His style of play will be a point of contention to see how well it translates to the NHL.

4. LW #18 Matthew Puempel | Peterborough (OHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 190 | Birthdate: 01/24/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 33GP 19G 23A 42P -18 35PIM

The top CHL rookie a year ago has seen his star fade a bit this season with a struggling Peterborough squad and was ranked 7th Overall in TSR’s Preliminary Top 15. Not an overly dynamic player, but has great hockey sense and the ability to capitalize on any opportunity he gets. Has one of the better shots of any player in this draft and has a pro caliber release. Finds seams in the defense and does a good job of getting into positions where he can generate a good scoring chance from. Above average skater, and an improving playmaker, but is still guilty of disappearing for lulls in a game.

5. RC #18 Ryan Strome | Niagara (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 183 | Birthdate: 07/11/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 33GP 19G 31A 50P +15 36PIM

Listed as TSR’s Player to Watch prior to the start of the season, Strome has even managed to shatter our expectations thus far, much like Greg McKegg a year ago. Dynamic player who can play all three forward positions, with great skating ability and a very high skill level to match. Has the ability to make highly skilled moves at top speed, in and out of traffic. More of a playmaker and sees the ice very well and knows when to make a pass, but also is a threat to score as well. Despite listed weight, Strome is still extremely weak physically and loses a lot of board battles because of it. Will be a bit of a risk where some people are talking about him because of this, but could be an impact player with his skillset.

6. RD #27 Dougie Hamilton | Niagara (OHL)

Height: 6.04 | Weight: 193 | Birthdate: 06/17/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 32GP 5G 22A 27P +26 47PIM

Imposing defender who good upside at both ends of the ice. Hamilton skates well for a big guy and has a good skill level. Big shot on the powerplay and uses it frequently, doing a good job of getting it through. Not afraid to play physical, but doesn’t use his size as much as he could. Sometimes struggles to deal with opposing forecheckers and handling the cycle as his lateral agility is relatively average. Also is prone to making some poor decisions moving the puck and has struggled against some of the better teams this year in that regard. Will be a high NHL pick, but we have concerns about what type of role he will have in the NHL.

7. RC #19 Mark Scheifele | Barrie (OHL)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 175 | Birthdate: 03/15/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 34GP 9G 26A 35P -11 14PIM

Rangy center who will be poised to ascend up the draft rankings this season. Still needs to add a considerable amount of strength to his lanky frame, and also needs to improve his balance on his skates, but there is a lot of upside to his game. He’s a very deceptive skater and moves well in traffic. Isn’t afraid to battle on the boards and protects the puck well for a big guy. Moves the puck well in tight seams and also has a quick release in traffic which improves the effectiveness of his shot. Needs to improve in the faceoff circle, but he is still very raw at this point. His numbers won’t blow you away right now, but a lot of his skills project well to the next level.

8. LC #7 Daniel Catenacci | Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Height: 5.10 | Weight: 185 | Birthdate: 03/09/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 35GP 18G 27A 45P -3 58PIM

9. LC #22 Boone Jenner | Oshawa (OHL)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 197 | Birthdate: 06/15/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 29GP 11G 17A 28P +8 28PIM

There were high expectations for Jenner this season and he’s started to rebound after a bit of a slow start to the year that was derailed by a suspension. Jenner has great size and strength for a 17 year old and is very hard to move off the puck. He’s not afraid to get physical and he can handle body contact effectively as well. He has a good release and likes to shoot the puck and wants the puck to be on his stick. Some may view this as a good trait, but with Jenner it borders heavily on immaturity as he is constantly calling for the puck at inopportune times. Jenner’s skating is still pretty choppy, but it’s improving, and aside from that there’s a lot that translates well to the NHL level, but he needs to find some consistency and make better decisions with the puck to be a more effective player.

10. LD #5 Stuart Percy | Mississauga (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 186 | Birthdate: 05/18/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 29GP 2G 16A 18P +27 33PIM

Click Here for Part 2 of the Mid-Season Top 20

OHL Feature: Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds Prospects Report

Scott Campbell — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:32:01 +0000

I got my first live look at the Greyhounds this season last night in Barrie. While it was against a struggling Barrie Colts squad, it was a good opportunity to see some of the younger players take on an added role this year as the team has taken on a much younger appearance. Unfortunately captain Brock Beukeboom, a third round pick of Tampa Bay last season, was scratched from the lineup with illness and 17 year old left winger Justin Thomas was also out of the lineup with an injury. Here are my reports on the players who were in action.

#7 LC Daniel Catenacci | 5.10 | 185lbs | 03/09/93 | 2011 Eligible

2010/11 – 26GP 15G 16A 31P -1 38PIM

After an inconsistent rookie year where he only managed 30 points, Catenacci has already surpassed his point totals from a year ago. I saw a lot of positives in his game last night that show that he’s taken some steps forward from his freshman campaign which were positives. He’s always been a good skater, but he seemed to be a lot more engaged in the offense and was willing to take a lot more shots. Last season I watched him several times as he always seemed hesitant to shoot the puck and left me questioning his goal scoring ability. He’s still a pretty creative player and he had a couple of nice rushes with the puck where he was able to generate some offense off the rush.

He also had a good night in the faceoff circle and competed hard on the back check making it a pretty good showing for the #1 pick in the 2009 OHL Draft. I’m looking forward to seeing him some more this season against some stiffer competition to get a better feel for his game, but I do have some optimism for him. Thus far in the OHL he’s managed to avoid the injuries that plagued him in minor hockey and hopefully that continues this season. Right now I would likely slot Catenacci somehwere in the 40-60 range. He’s got a lot of positive qualities to his game, but his offensive ability isn’t quite elite and given his stature, it’s difficult to gauge what type of role he could have in the NHL.

#14 RW Trevor Morbeck | 6.02 | 186lbs | 11/21/93 | 2012 Eligible

2010/11 – 19GP 4G 5A 9P +2 11PIM

I was a big fan of Morbeck a season ago as he’s a pretty big guy that plays a solid north-south game and is effective on the boards. Last season he saw very limited ice-time, but this year he’s been seeing more time in a Top 9 role, last night riding shotgun to Nick Cousins where he manged a goal and an assist. I wasn’t too impressed with him in the game, however, as I only noted him finishing a couple of checks on the night and was fairly quiet. I thought he would have taken some steps ahead in his game in that regard to become more of a power forward, but I didn’t see any of that last night. From watching them on television a few times, I doubt Morbeck would be drafted this season, but since he is a late birthday, he still has another season to elevate his game and he’ll be worth monitoring this season before being focused on next year.

#27 LC Nick Cousins | 5.11 | 170lbs | 07/20/93 | 2011 Eligible

2010/11 – 26GP 11G 12A 23P -3 18PIM

Cousins was the 21st pick in the 2009 OHL Draft and the diminutive center is an integral part of the Greyhounds’ core moving forward. There is no doubting that Cousins has the offensive ability to be a gamebreaker at the OHL level. He’s got deceptive moves in traffic and very good vision on the ice. He’s also got a bit of grit to his game and isn’t afraid to shy away from the difficult areas on the ice despite being undersized. As an NHL prospect, however, I’m not sure he’s going to amount to much. His skating is improving but it’s still only slightly above average. His defensive game also isn’t anything to write home about and detracts from his value as an NHL prospect. If he can put up 60-70 points this season an NHL team might snap him up with a late round pick, because he does have good skill and has some of those pesty qualities that can get under another team’s skin, but I don’t expect him to go in the Top 5 rounds and wouldn’t be shocked if he winds up going undrafted either.

#3 RD Brandon Archibald | 6.04 | 197lbs | 03/31/92 | CBJ 10′ (4/94)

2010/11 – 23GP 1G 13A 14P +2 28PIM

A fourth round pick a year ago, Archibald is a guy who will be relied on to be an anchor for a very young defensive group this season. He’s a tall, lanky defenseman that is pretty rangy and an above average skater, especially for his size. While he is mobile, his puck moving skills are average and he always seems to be a little indecisive, making some poor decisions. Offensively, he has a wicked shot, but he isn’t a true PP quarterback as he also struggles to move the puck as a PP defenseman needs to. I would also like to see him be a lot more physical then he is as he does have the frame to really engage forwards a lot more in that regard but elects to use his stick more instead. At this point I have a difficult time envisioning what type of role Archibald could have as an NHLer as he doesn’t really have any defining traits to his game. While you can get by on that at the OHL level, he’s going to need to play a more physical and safer game to be a successful pro.

#24 LD Gianluca Curcuruto | 6.01 | 187lbs | 02/25/94 | 2012 Eligible

2010/11 – 26GP 0G 9A 9P E 18PIM

Sault Ste. Marie’s first round pick from a year ago, Curcuruto has transitioned very well to the OHL only a third of the way through the season. Logging some pretty hefty minutes for a 16 year old blueliner, Curcuruto has played effectively due in large part to his ability to keep things simple and pick his spots to rush the puck. He’s a bit of an awkward skater and he has a very wide stride, but once he gets going he had a couple of very nice rushes to move the puck. His first few steps will be a point of improvement for him, however. I thought he handled himself pretty well in the Greyhounds zone, only making a couple of poor decisions, but he handled the forecheck well and displayed some good escapability. He also showed good ability to know when to make a seam pass on the breakout, and when to use the boards. He’ll be a definite player to watch next season as he will certainly be on the NHL’s radar.

Canadian Under 18 Camp Report: Forwards

Scott McDougall — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:48:12 +0000

Forwards

Players that made the cut: Brassard, Catenacci, Curtis, Danault, Jenner, Lessio, Meurs, Nugent-Hopkins, Broll, Huberdeau, Puempel, Quine, Ritchie

Adam Lowry | LW | LH | Swift Current (WHL) | 03/29/1993 | 6’4 184lbs | 2011 Eligible

I thought Lowry played well enough that he had a shot to make the team. He has a nice blend of size and skill. He played well along the boards and was willing to use his size to his advantage. For being such a big player at his age, his hands and skating are decent and he doesn’t look clumsy or awkward like many players adjusting to their growth spurts. Lowry is also smart (2009/10 WHL Scholastic Player of the Year) and has good genes as his father (Dave) is a former NHLer who now is an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames. Power forwards usually take a little longer to develop and he remains an interesting player to follow for this upcoming season.

Alan Quine | C | LH | Kingston (OHL) | 02/25/1993 | 5’11 179lbs | 2011 Eligible

Quine was the fastest player in camp. He mishandled the puck a few times while at full speed both in the neutral zone and his own end resulting in some good scoring chances for his opponents. His hands were there in spurts as he was able to make a nice play by knocking a clearing attempt out of the air and he also made a few nice passes, but his hands were hot and cold in this regard. He seemed to shy away from the physical play a little bit.

Boone Jenner | C | LH | Oshawa (OHL) | 06/15/1993 | 6’1.5 197lbs | 2011 Eligible

It took a little while for Jenner to get going, but once he did he was one of the very best players at camp. He’s big and competes hard. Constantly going to the tough areas, Jenner both gave and received some big hits and wasn’t deterred by the physical play. At the same time, Jenner has a lot of skill and created more offense than the majority of players in camp. He had an accurate shot, showed good awareness of his teammates and used his long reach very well.

Brent Andrews | C | LH | Halifax (QMJHL) | 01/19/1993 | 6’1.5 199lbs | 2011 Eligible

Looking over my notes after the camp, I realized I didn’t get a good viewing of him as I had next to nothing written on him. He was not very noticeable through two days of camp.

Brett Ritchie | RW | RH | Sarnia (OHL) | 07/01/1993 | 6’3 204lbs | 2011 Eligible

Ritchie was another big, strong winger at the camp. He was very strong on the puck, good along the boards and won a lot of puck battles.

Sarnia's Brett Ritchie had a productive rookie season with the Sting last year, notching 13 goals and 29 points.

Austen Brassard | RW | RH | Belleville (OHL) | 01/14/1993 | 6’2 192lbs | 2011 Eligible

Nice combination of size and skill. Not overly dominant in any one area, but had a solid camp.

Bryce Milson| LW | LH | Acadie-Bathhurst (QMJHL) | 01/25/1993 | 5’11 181lbs | 2011 Eligible

Milson played okay at the camp, but didn’t excel in any one area. He just wasn’t at the same caliber of some of the skilled guys that made the team and he didn’t find a niche where he would be of some value to the team.

Carter Sandlak | LW | LH | Guelph (OHL) | 05/18/1993 | 6’1.5 199lbs | 2011 Eligible

Sandlak didn’t boast the strongest first impression by taking a bad penalty and displaying some weak skating on the first day. He had a much better final day where he played both a little smarter and more physically. Like Lowry, Sandlak also has NHL bloodlines as his father is former Vancouver Canuck Jim Sandlak.

Colin Smith | C | RH | Kamloops (WHL) | 06/20/1993 | 5’10.5 165lbs | 2011 Eligible

Smith worked very hard at the camp, but was very much overmatched physically. He spent a fair amount of his ice time in his own end. He was willing to get into the shooting lanes to block shots, but he was not aggressively challenging the shooters.

Daniel Catenacci | LW | LH | Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) | 03/09/1993 | 5’10 180lbs | 2011 Eligible

Catenacci had an average day on my first viewing and was much better on the 2^nd day. He was very quick and shifty and was able to make some plays. For a small guy, he wasn’t afraid to go to the tough areas. He put up some points but seemed to be fighting the puck from time to time.

David Broll | LW | LH | Erie (OHL) | 01/04/1993 | 6’1.5 221lbs | 2011 Eligible

Broll was the oldest and biggest player in camp. He was by far the most physical player at camp and had several massive hits. He didn’t handle the puck too well, his skating was poor, and his acceleration even worse, but he made everyone aware of when he was on the ice with his big checks. He may not have the skills to be an NHL player, but some teams are going to absolutely love his physical presence as a bottom 6 forward if he can improve his skating.

Garrett Meurs | RW | RH | Plymouth (OHL) | 01/12/1993 | 5’10.5 171lbs | 2011 Eligible

Meurs showed a lot of energy and hustle. He isn’t the biggest player, but he gave everything he had. Meurs needs to get stronger as he was knocked around a lot at the camp, but he fought for the puck and showed some decent hands.

Jonathon Huberdeau | LW | RH | Saint John (QMJHL) | 06/04/1993 | 6’1 166lbs | 2011 Eligible

Huberdeau is a small, smart, and skilled player. He wasn’t flashy, but he played a little more of a complete game than some of the other comparable small, skill forwards.

Lucas Lessio | LW | LH | Oshawa (OHL) | 01/23/1993 | 6’1 195lbs | 2011 Eligible

Lessio was one of the best forwards at the camp. He was good at creating space for himself and anticipating the play. This left Lessio on the receiving end of a few top-notch passes both that he managed to capitalize on. Like Puempel, he definitely benefitted from playing with Nugent-Hopkins. He showed better vision and playmaking ability on the final day than during the previous game. He was good along the boards despite just average strength. He will be an interesting player to follow this season and will now be making the jump to the OHL to play with Oshawa.

Lucas Lessio will be joining the Oshawa Generals this year after spending last season in the CCHL with St. Michael's.

Mark McNeill | RW | RH | Prince Albert (WHL) | 02/22/1993 | 6’1.5 209lbs | 2011 Eligible

McNeill was another one of the hard-working, but lesser skilled player at camp. McNeill was hard on the forecheck, but lost his edges a few times allowing the defenseman ample time to make a play and get the puck heading up the ice.

Matt Puempel | RW | LH | Peterborough (OHL) | 01/24/1993 | 6’0.5 201lbs | 2011 Eligible

For being the reigning CHL rookie of the year, Puempel was very average for me. He knew how to get open in front of the net, but he really didn’t generate any chances himself. Puempel was the beneficiary of some nice plays by two of the best forwards in camp: Nugent-Hopkins and Lessio. He seemed to skate alright, but his positioning was not very good at times.

Michael Curtis | LW | LH | Belleville (OHL) | 01/26/1993 | 6’0 184lbs | 2011 Eligible

Curtis wasn’t the most skilled player on the ice, but he was able to pot a couple nice one-timer goals by going to front of the net and getting a shot off just before the nearest defenseman could get to him. He had good speed but didn’t have great balance and was knocked around a bit because of it.

Michael St. Croix | C | RH | Edmonton (WHL) | 04/10/1993 | 5’11 178lbs | 2011 Eligible

On the first day St. Croix was used quite a bit for the PK and didn’t seem to have a lot of opportunity to showcase what he can do offensively. He made a few nice passes including one off his backhand that hit his teammate in stride for an odd man rush. On the second day St. Croix was sitting next to me in the stands instead of playing. I don’t know whether it had to do with an injury (he looked fine walking around the stands) or a precaution or something else, but he wasn’t playing anyways. St. Croix is a quick skater, but his lateral movements were a bit choppy.

Olivier Archambault | RW | LH | Val d’Or (QMJHL) | 02/16/1993 | 6’1.5 203lbs | 2011 Eligible

Was ok at the camp, but I didn’t get a real good feel for him one way or another.

Phillip Danault | C | LH | Victoriaville (QMJHL) | 02/24/1993 | 6’0 173lbs | 2011 Eligible

I really enjoyed watching Danault play. He is another small player but he was really tenacious in all aspects of his game. He is a very good skater and was relentless on the forecheck. He looks to be a good energy player that has a little skill to boot.

Jean-Francois Leblanc | C | LH | Val d’Or (QMJHL) | 03/03/1993 | 6’3.5 197lbs | 2011 Eligible

Leblanc has great size and competitiveness. He was also very good on the dot.

Raphael Bussieres | LW | RH | Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) | 11/05/1993 | 6’1 189lbs | 2012 Eligible

Bussieres looked to be a little bigger than listed and had some skill to go with his size. He has a late birthday so he still has a couple years to round out his game. He is worth watching for 2012.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | C | LH | Red Deer (WHL) | 04/12/1993 | 6’0 166lbs | 2011 Eligible

Nugent-Hopkins is one of the very few players that really stood out at the camp. He was one of the best skaters at the camp and had very good speed and elusiveness. Nugent-Hopkins showed off his incredible skill level and vision by saucering some beautiful passes through traffic. He made some difficult passes with ease. While he is primarily a playmaker, he showed a willingness to shoot the puck. He was consistently a threat when he had the puck and he also excelled in the faceoff circle. He is still very thin and will need to put on some weight if he hopes to be a lottery pick this year.

Ty Rattie | RW | RH | Portland (WHL) | 02/05/1993 | 5’11 167lbs | 2011 Eligible

Rattie generated some good scoring chances and looked good for the most part. He has some very good offensive tools, but is not the most complete two-way player. You’d like to see him become a more explosive skater for his size and he needs to get stronger. Rattie looks to have grown a bit since I saw him last although he still is a small player. He looks to have lost out in the numbers game for the small forwards that were able to make U18 team.

Mid-Season 2011 OHL Top 15

Scott Campbell — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:56:21 +0000

The 2011 Draftees in the OHL almost have half of their rookie campaign’s under their belts, leaving everyone curious as to how things will eventually shake out for this crop. With over a year and a half until the 2011 Draft, there will still be a lot of movement in the rankings but we’ll take a look at how the picture is looking right now. TSR has ranked the Top 15 skaters available for the 2011 Draft from the OHL thus far, as well as the Top 3 Goalies, which follows the skaters. As always, we’d love to hear some feedback either through a comment or an email!

Skaters

RANK	NAME	TEAM	DOB	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	POS	S
1	Boone Jenner	Oshawa	15-Jun-93	6.01	193	C	L
2	Matt Puempel	Peterborough	24-Jan-93	6.00	190	LW	L
3	Ryan Murphy	Kitchener	31-Mar-93	5.11	160	D	R
4	Scott Harrington	London	10-Mar-93	6.01	190	D	L
5	Alan Quine	Kingston	25-Feb-93	5.11	172	C	L
6	Ryan Strome	Barrie	11-Jun-93	5.11	160	C	R
7	Justin Sefton	Sudbury	14-Apr-93	6.03	199	D	R
8	Gabriel Landeksog	Kitchener	23-Nov-92	6.00	201	RW	L
9	Daniel Catenacci	Sault Ste. Marie	09-Mar-93	5.10	180	C	L
10	Vincent Trocheck	Saginaw	11-Jul-93	5.10	165	C	R
11	Stuart Percy	Mississauga	18-May-93	6.01	175	D	L
12	Dougie Hamilton	Niagara	17-Jun-93	6.03	180	D	R
13	Curtis Crombeen	Owen Sound	12-Feb-93	5.10	162	D	L
14	Garrett Meurs	Plymouth	12-Jan-93	5.11	170	C	R
15	Carter Sandlak	Guelph	18-May-93	6.01	190	LW	L

Goaltenders

1	Jordan Binnington	Owen Sound	11-Jul-93	6.01	146	G	L
2	Tyson Teichmann	Belleville	19-May-93	6.00	142	G	L
3	Jacob Riley	Brampton	18-Mar-93	6.01	163	G	L

OHL Feature: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Update

Scott Campbell — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:09:44 +0000

Nobody was quite sure what to expect out of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds this season. A year ago, the team struggled through a dismal 42 point season, which put the illustrious OHL team at the bottom of the league’s cellar. Following an off-season of change, and the progression of several core players, the Greyhounds have reinvented themselves this year, and are already closing in on last year’s point totals only 27 games into the 2009/2010 Regular Season.

Currently sitting in fifth place in the OHL’s Western Conference with a 14-11-1-1 record, the Greyhounds were actually one of the bigger stories in junior hockey early this season as they exploded out of the gates with seven consecutive wins. After battling through some small losing streaks, the team has rebounded well in the last couple of weeks, and are currently riding a four game win streak, including most recently, a 3-2 overtime win on the road in Sudbury last Tuesday.

Looking at the Greyhounds roster, it’s clear to see that a lot of their success is being catalyzed from their star goaltender, Robin Lehner (1991). The 18 year old Swede was a 2^nd round pick of the Ottawa Senators in last summer’s NHL Entry Draft, and was picked up by the Greyhounds with the 9^th pick in this past summer’s CHL Import Draft. Lehner has been one of the top goaltenders in the OHL this season, and has the sixth best GAA and third best SV% in the OHL thus far. Lehner has terrific size at 6’4”, 224lbs, and takes up a lot of net when he’s in his butterfly. He’s a bit unorthodox, but when he’s hot, he can be extremely hard to score on. His rebound control will need some work, but he moves very well laterally for a big goalie, and has terrific recovery, which are all good signs for a young goalie.

Robin Lehner (Guelph Mercury)

Greyhounds backup Bryce O’Hagan (1991L) will also be getting a lot of attention this season, as it is expected that he will hear his name called at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He’s a big goalie with a lot of raw ability, but his mental game hasn’t quite come around yet. O’Hagan will likely be a mid to late round pick based off his potential, but his game needs a lot of refinement over the next few seasons.

The other forte of the team is on the backend. Overage captain Jake Muzzin (1989) has been a force on the blue-line this season after being unsigned by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’s taken some major steps forward offensively, and is a controlling force at both ends of the ice. Muzzin currently leads the team in scoring with 6 goals and 27 points in 24 games. Fellow overager Michael Quesnele (1989) has also been a very reliable defenseman for the team, using his vision and puck moving skills to help run the team’s powerplay. Quesnele has been a major factor offensively as well, currently sitting third in team scoring with 6 goals and 23 points in 27 games.

Draft eligibles Blake Beukeboom (1992) and Brandon Archibald (1992) will garner a lot of attention from NHL scouts this season, and rightfully so. Beukeboom (25GP 2-10-12 +5), the son of former NHL defenseman Jeff Beukeboom, has taken some major steps forward this season. He’s a smooth skating defenseman who makes smart decisions at both ends of the ice, keeping things simple. He isn’t overly physical, but he’s strong positionally. He also has some untapped offensive potential that could develop later on. He’s likely projecting as a late second rounder or early third round pick at this point, and should be a lock for the top four rounds at this rate. Archibald (27GP 0-12-12 -6) is more of a shut-down defenseman who logs a lot of ice-time against the other team’s top offensive unit. He skates very well for his size and is very effective with his long reach and ability to compete hard in the corners. Lacking natural offensive instincts, Archibald’s ceiling will be somewhat limited, but he should be selected around the third or fourth round.

Brock Beukeboom (The Hockey News)

Up front, the Greyhounds have been an offense by committee team with several players making contributions offensively. Vern Cooper (1990) is the team’s top scoring forward (27GP 10-15-25 E), with Soo native Brett Thompson (1991) right behind him (27GP 14-7-21 +1). St. Louis prospect James Livingston (1990) (22GP 10-8-18 +8) has been more consistent in his fourth season in the league, which should help him get a professional contract next year. Despite having a lot of raw ability, Livingston’s offensive production has never come around to where many felt he should be. He does have a lot of power forward qualities that should help him play any type of role at the next level, however. Meanwhile, LA Kings prospect Jordan Nolan (1989) has been a force since returning from suspension (10GP 5-7-12 -5). While the numbers are impressive, it should be noted that Nolan is an overager, and these numbers are expected from him. His skating will likely hold him back at the next level, but he should get a shot with Manchester next year.

Finally, the player that everyone wants to hear about is the first pick from the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, Daniel Catenacci (1993). The 16 year old forward has had a bit of a rough transition to the OHL, as his numbers are probably below a lot of people’s expectations at this point (27GP 3-8-11 -6). Catenacci is a very good skater and has a lot of lower body strength for only being 5’10”, 180lbs. He competes very hard and doesn’t back down in the corners and actually is willing to lay the body when he has the opportunity. Offensively, he has a lot of raw skill, but it hasn’t quite translated to the OHL level, and it might not to the extent that some people expect. He’s definitely more of a playmaker, but he lacks the natural creativity of high end players which limits what he can do. Next season will go a long way towards indicating where Catenacci might go in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, but at this point he could be anywhere from the late first to the middle rounds.

Daniel Catenacci (North Bay Nugget)

The Greyhounds also have a pair of other 16 year old forwards who have seen quite a bit of ice-time this season. Most notably, Nick Cousins (1993), the 21^st overall pick in last summer’s OHL Priority Selection, has been one of the more effective 1993 forwards in the OHL this season (27GP 5-9-14 -4). While his skating needs some work, he’s a very crafty offensive player and is a threat to create a good scoring chance when he’s on the ice. While his skating and small size (5’9”, 155lbs) could hamper the perceptions that NHL scouts have of him, he has all the makings of being a terrific junior scorer when he matures over the next couple of years. Lastly, Trevor Morbeck (1993L) (21GP 2-2-4 -2) has bounced in and out of the lineup, but doesn’t look out of place on the ice. He has good size (6’1”, 180lbs) and isn’t afraid to drive the net. He’ll be given a greater role with the team next season, and it will be interesting to see how he takes the increased ice-time as a sophomore.

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