The Scouting Report » Nick Cousins

2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (76-100)

Scott Campbell — Mon, 30 May 2011 18:37:16 +0000

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

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

DOB: Apr. 15/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 183lbs
Midterm Rank: 51 | League Rank: 1st HS-CT | Country Rank: 31st Canada

Hudon was highly regarded at the start of the season but failed to take a significant offensive step forward at the Prep School level. He’s got a decent frame to work with and plays a pretty hard-nosed game, indicating his role will likely be as more of a third line player at the next level. Still, his lack of production is concerning, and the fact that a “power forward” will be heading to Cornell might also be a bit of an issue for NHL teams.

77. LD Max Everson – Edina (HS-MN)

DOB: Feb. 22/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 184lbs
Midterm Rank: 60 | League Rank: 4th HS-MN | Country Rank: 21st USA

Solid defender who depends a lot on his skating and ability to maintain gap control with opposing forwards. Doesn’t have a ton of high-end upside, but the Harvard commit does enough well where he is a steady prospect that might be able to develop a bit of offense in time.

78. LC Tobias Rieder – Kitchener (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 10/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 20th OHL | Country Rank: 1st Germany

There was high praise for Rieder at the start of the year as the German born center/winger came over to Kitchener with fairly high expectations. After starting out the year at a pretty good pace, Rieder slowed down as the year progressed. He’s a little undersized but he definitely competes hard for his size and wears his heart on his sleeve on the ice. Didn’t have a great showing during the World Juniors but by the 3rd or 4th round, he’ll be a decent prospect to see if he can continue to develop his offensive game over the next couple of seasons.

79. LW Gregory Hofmann – Ambri-Piotta (NLA)

DOB: Nov. 13/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 165lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 1st NLA | Country Rank: 2nd Swiss

Hofmann is a talented Swiss forward that has the offensive skill-set of a player who would go a lot higher in the draft. His vision is above average and he has a decent enough shot to go along with it. Concerns center around his strength as he is simply too weak currently and is easily muscled off the puck and pushed around on the ice. This issue is going to mitigate a lot of the upside with Hofmann and could scare some NHL teams away.

80. LC Alan Quine – Kingston (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 10/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 181lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 21st OHL | Country Rank: 32nd Canada

Quine came into the OHL with a ton of expectations as the #2 pick and hasn’t really been able to live up to them even despite a mid-season change of scenery. After failing to find any success with the Frontenacs, Quine was dealt to Peterborough in the Ryan Spooner trade and found a bit more success with the Petes. He’s a pretty dynamic player when he’s on as his blend of speed and skill do make him an offensive threat. Quine’s issue is finding consistency as he can go through lulls where he’s highly ineffective, in addition to being a very poor defensive center. His game is plagued by failing to pick up his man and missing defensive zone coverage assignments, which is something he really needs to work on the next couple of years in the OHL.

81. RD Tyler Hansen – Kamloops (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 17/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 192lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 15th WHL | Country Rank: 33rd Canada

Hansen is exactly what Western Hockey League defensemen are bred to be; physical, good defensively, and not afraid to drop the mitts. Hansen is a raw prospect that will need some time to develop, and will also need to fill in to his tall frame. He is a good skating, stay at home defenseman who likely won’t stand out on most nights. He does most of the little things effectively, and is the type of player that keeps opposition players honest, both with his defensive play and his fighting ability.

82. RW Josh Leivo – Sudbury (OHL)

DOB: May 26/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 22nd OHL | Country Rank: 34th Canada

Josh Leivo from September-December vs. Josh Leivo the second half of the season are about as much of polar opposites as you’ll find in any prospect in this draft. After barely establishing himself as an OHL caliber player during the first half of his rookie season, Leivo maintained a PPG pace throughout the second half and went on to become one of the biggest revelations during the OHL playoffs. He’s a big winger who has a good mind for the game and knows where to go on the ice. Has good anticipation and can play the PK as well. Could be a pretty big steal if he can continue to build on the latter part of his rookie season.

83. RW Matej Stransky – Saskatoon (WHL)

DOB: Jul. 11/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 195lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 16th WHL | Country Rank: 3rd Czech

Much like teammate Marek Viedensky, Matej (Matt) Stransky possesses a nice combination of skill and size. Also like Viedensky, the Czech-born Stransky has adjusted well to the North American game and should prove to be a worthwhile investment on draft day. While he is more of a project pick at this point, he has very good size and is tough to move off the puck. He is also more skilled than his numbers would suggest. The problem for him has been consistency, but there is no denying his talent. After a good but inconsistent regular season, Stransky turned up the play during the playoffs. Some patience will be needed with him, but with the many changes expected in Saskatoon next year, Stransky will be given the opportunity to play a bigger role with the Blades.

84. RC Johan Sundstrom – Frolunda (SEL)

DOB: Sep. 21/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 196lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 6th SEL | Country Rank: 11th Sweden

Big center who was a member of the Swedish U20 team in Buffalo this season. Doesn’t have a ton of offensive upside but works hard and has a bit of grit that could be used in a checking role. Will be given some time to develop at home and could translate into a solid bottom line player one day.

85. RD Justin Sefton – Sudbury (OHL)

DOB: Apr. 14/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 201lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 23rd OHL | Country Rank: 35th Canada

Sefton struggled to adapt to the OHL as a rookie and it took him awhile to get his feet under him this season as well, but he’s finally showing the type of player he can be. Sefton is a nasty defenseman to play against and someone that will make you pay on every shift either through physical play, or nasty Chris Pronger-esque slashes in front of the net. He’s still working on his skating and acceleration, but he’s not a bad technical skater. Offensive upside is minimal; although he does have a pretty hard shot but will need to work on getting it off more frequently.

86. LC Nick Cousins – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 20/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 24th OHL | Country Rank: 36th Canada

Cousins is a bit of an enigma who we have trouble determining a role at the next level for. He’s a scrappy little player who does a bit of everything on the ice and isn’t afraid to mix things up, trying especially hard to get under opponents’ skin. He’s got a bit of an awkward stride, but his combination of skill and offensive awareness is enough for him to make things happen out there. Our issue is seeing how much of his game translates to an offensive role at the next level and trying to figure out whether or not some of his character issues will hinder his efforts to make that jump.

87. LD Dillon Simpson – North Dakota (NCAA)

DOB: Aug. 20/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 195lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 7th NCAA | Country Rank: 37th Canada

In hindsight, Simpson’s draft stock was likely hurt by playing in the NCAA as a 17-year-old, as Simpson didn’t get the ice-time or live up to the expectations most had for him. The son of former NHLer Craig Simpson, Dillon had a strong rookie season in the AJHL a year ago but had some issues with the speed of the college game. He has some decent ability and is a fairly smart defenseman but will need to really improve his skating if he wants to be a legitimate NHL prospect. He will have some time to develop over the next few years and should be well worth a 3rd round pick to see if he can improve on those deficiencies.

88. LW Joachim Nermark – Linkoping (SEL)

DOB: May 12/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 187lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 7th SEL | Country Rank: 12th Sweden

Nermark is a bit of an enigma who showed some promise in the Ivan Hlinka before being fairly average during the club season. He’s got a good frame to work with and certainly has the puck skills to go along with it but needs to produce on a more consistent basis. A good showing in the U18’s could have rectified some of the concerns about his game but Nermark was pretty disappointing for Sweden with only 1 goal.

89. RW Maxim Shalunov – Chelyabinsk (MHL)

DOB: Jan. 31/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 183lbs
Midterm Rank: 47 | League Rank: 3rd MHL | Country Rank: 7th Russia

Big winger with high skill level and a package of goods that will excite fans some of the time, and frustrate them the rest. Shalunov is an inconsistent player who can be the best player on the ice when he’s on the game, only to disappear the rest of the game. He’s worth the “risk” in the 3rd round, but we can’t envision anyone stepping up to take him any higher.

90. LD Brendan Kichton – Spokane (WHL)

DOB: Jun. 18/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 17th WHL | Country Rank: 38th Canada

After going undrafted last year, Kichton earned an invite to camp with the Detroit Red Wings. While he impressed the Detroit brass enough to earn an extended stay, he suffered a broken wrist that would delay the start to his junior season. Once back, Kichton exploded for 81 points and a +55 rating in 64 games, leading a young Chiefs team deep into the playoffs. Kichton is a great skater with very good lateral movement, a gifted passer and jumps into the rush at just the right moment, creating odd man rushes and scoring chances. The smallish Kichton will have to prove he can handle the physical rigors of the pro game, but certainly looks primed for another big season in the WHL next year.

91. LW Zac Larraza – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 25/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 192lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 9th USHL | Country Rank: 22nd USA

Larraza has the look of a prototypical pro winger. He skates well and plays a very simple, effective game and takes care of his side of the ice. He’s strong on the boards and plays a smart defensive game. He has a nice, powerful stride and will gain more speed as he adds bulk to his frame. Larraza should be a nice pick for a club willing to show patience and let him grow and mature at Denver.

92. LD Zach Yuen – Tri-City (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 03/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 205lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 18th WHL | Country Rank: 39th Canada

Zach Yuen has quietly become one of the top all-around defensemen in the WHL. Yuen is a solid skater, plays a strong physical game, and can chip in offensively. While he doesn’t do any one thing that will garner big attention, he’s the kind of player that can play just about any style of game that’s asked of him. Yuen is a steady influence on the blueline, and does most of the little things right on a nightly basis, making his teammates better whenever he’s on the ice. Zach Yuen is the type of player every coach loves to have, as you can put him on the ice in any situation and know what you’re getting.

93. LD Garrett Haar – Fargo (USHL)

DOB: Aug. 16/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 193lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 10th USHL | Country Rank: 23rd USA

Haar oozes athleticism that is sure to excite scouts. His footwork is particular strong allowing him to move well laterally and display confidence by maintaining tight gap control. He’s tough to get around as he has the knack and ability to step into the puck carrier and separate him from the puck. Haar also keeps his head on a swivel and reads his backchecking support to know when to pressure the puck carrier. Haar just needs to pick his spots better as he can be prone to taking himself out of position in order to make a great offensive play. He also needs to improve on some of the finer points of the game in areas such as taking better angles when forcing the puck carrier in the corner.

94. LW Marek Tvrdon – Vancouver (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 1/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 212lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 19th WHL | Country Rank: 2nd Slovakia

Tvrdon had a very nice start to the season posting 11 points in the first 12 games of the season. Unfortunately, those 12 games were all he would end up playing this year as a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely. Tvrdon has good size and uses his strength to outmuscle opponents and create scoring chances. Once he is in position to shoot, Tvrdon uses a hard wrist shot that has proven to be effective for him.

95. LC Sean Kuraly – Indiana (USHL)

DOB: Jan. 20/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 192lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 11th USHL | Country Rank: 24th USA

Kuraly appears to have benefited by being on an experienced, high scoring team with the Ice. He’s a big kid who figures to get even bigger and stronger. He contributes at both ends and shows the ability to get open and make plays with the puck. He also is strong in front of the net and battles for rebounds and deflections. Kuraly works hard to get from point A to point B but needs to lengthen his stride a little to be a more efficient skater.

96. RW Max Le Sieur – Shawinigan (QMJHL)

DOB: Sep. 27/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 203lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 9th QMJHL | Country Rank: 40th Canada

Le Sieur finally had his break-out season in his third year in the QMJHL and became a bit of an offensive threat this season. He’s got decent speed and competes alright depending on the game. Can be guilty of making poor plays on offense and leaves chances unfinished sometimes. Will be a project pick but could have some more upside left in his game.

97. LD Joakim Ryan – Dubuque (USHL)

DOB: Jun. 17/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 182lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 12th USHL | Country Rank: 25th USA

Ryan displays tons of high-end offensive talent. He’s a good skater who doesn’t slow down when he has the puck and attacks the blue line with speed. He has good vision and instincts to anticipate the open lanes to enter the offensive zone. Ryan passes well and has the creativity to open up the ice for his teammates. Defensively, Ryan seems to know the game and also plays with an edge usually seen by bigger players. There is enough upside to excite you but he has to be more consistent.

98. LC Jean-Francois Leblanc – Val d’Or (QMJHL)

DOB: Mar. 03/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 192lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 10th QMJHL | Country Rank: 41st Canada

Leblanc is very much an unfinished product at this point and has a lot of work ahead of him to lose that label. He’s a big, wiry, and fairly awkward skating pivot who really needs to improve his feet and add some bulk to his frame before he can take the next step. With that being said, he’s a pretty smart player and has good hockey sense with the ability to make things happen. As mentioned, he’s a project type pick, but the upside is there if everything pans out.

99. RD Matt Killian – Delbarton (HS-NJ)

DOB: Oct. 20/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 191lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 1st HS-NJ | Country Rank: 26th USA

Safe, solid, and skating are three words that come to mind when describing Matt Killian. The Yale commit isn’t going to blow you away with offensive upside but he can play a steady game on the backend without taking many risks. Seems like a solid mid-round pick who will have some time to develop at Yale.

100. LD Patrick Koudys – RPI (NCAA)

DOB: Nov. 15/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 196lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 8th NCAA | Country Rank: 42nd Canada

Koudys had a bit of a prolonged adjustment to the NCAA this year after spending last season with the OJHL’s Burlington Cougars. Koudys has plenty of size and is a fairly mobile player with decent pivot ability; both attractive attributes. Offensive upside is questionable and his overall impact on the game probably isn’t as big as you would hope for him. Could be an interesting prospect to see if his overall game comes around at RPI.

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

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.

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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