The Scouting Report » Vincent Trocheck

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)

OHL Feature: Mississauga Hosts the Best from the West

Josh Lieberman — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:49:41 +0000

This past Sunday, I took in what was billed as a potential preview of the OHL final this season. The Mississauga St.Michael’s Majors hosted the Saginaw Spirit, and the result of this game was certainly surprising. It was a solid effort by Spirit goaltender Mavric Parks, who has certainly showed well over the past two seasons, and a terrific defensive display by his teammates that led them to a 4-0 victory over the Majors. It is a Majors squad that has now last 4 games in its past 10, after having only lost 2 games up until then. Here are some reviews of a few prospects that have a great chance of hearing their name called at the upcoming NHL draft.

Brandon Saad #22 – LW, 6’2″, 211

The American-born winger for the Saginaw Spirit possesses tremendous size and is expected to be a top 10 pick, with a good shot of getting selected a fair bit earlier depending on the needs of the teams picking. Saad can easily get himself into scoring positions around the net by using his great speed, which is above average for any skater and not just for a kid of his size. What was evident during this game, however, is that he is not using his size nearly enough. With his speed and skating abilities, he has the potential to be a truly dominating player at the next level if he begins to assert himself more in the physical department. At the OHL level, he has proven capable of skating past defenders with his speed. This will not happen at the pro level for this player, unless he starts using his body more to gain control of loose pucks. With his size, he should rarely lose a puck battle along the boards, but this occurred on at least 2 occasions in the Majors zone tonight.

Obviously, the positive aspects of his game more than make up for this single deficiency that many have noticed. He has a hard and accurate shot and is capable of playing in all situations, including on the penalty kill. He projects to be more of a goal scorer than playmaker, and he certainly has a nose for the net.

Vincent Trocheck – #89 – Centre, 5’11″, 180

Some project this player as an early round draft pick in the 2011 draft, but there are some who feel his size will keep many teams away. He did show very well tonight, and has found decent chemistry with Saad and John McFarland, who was the best player on the ice for the Spirit tonight. He is a solid, if unspectacular, two-way forward, who can win faceoffs and is good in transition due to above average speed. Trocheck is solid in his own end, and does a lot of the little things that NHL General Managers should notice. He will block shots and is always anticipating the opposing teams passes by getting in the right place at the right time. He is a shifty stickhandler and his speed makes him a threat.

Stuart Percy – #5 – Defense – 6’01, 186

Without question, Percy was the best player on the ice for the Majors tonight. He showed great two-capabilities, and was excellent in leading many rushes up the ice. His first pass is always on the tape, and he has a natural ability in the transition game. He positions himself very well in the defensive zone, and uses his average size extremely well. Percy has an extremely accurate point shot, getting it through screens on most of his shot attempts and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. He likely projects as a power play QB and minute eater, as he never seemed to tire. He should see his name called in the first couple of rounds without question.

Dylan DeMelo – #2 – Defense – 6’1″, 193

This player appears to have a solid offensive skill set and awareness. He gets a lot of powerplay time and has a very good point shot, one that is both hard and accurate. Dylan is often caught trying to force the pass to a teammate, and this resulted in a handful of turnovers tonight. His average size does not lend itself to winning puck battles, which was something that was illustrated often against a big and strong Saginaw squad. He, nevertheless, is an aggressive player and does not shy away from physical play. He should see his name called at some point in the upcoming draft, especially with the opportunity for added exposure in the Memorial Cup.

2011 OHL Mid-Term Draft Rankings: Top 20 Skaters (11-20)

Scott Campbell — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:52:33 +0000

Click Here for Part 1 of the Mid-Season Top 20

11. LC #89 Alexander Khokhlachev | Windsor (OHL)

Height: 5.10 | Weight: 172 | Birthdate: 09/09/93 | Nationality: Russian

2010/11 - 33GP 16G 28A 44P +7 20PIM

A dynamic Russian forward who has been a consistent offensive performer all season long. He’s got very good offensive creativity and has the ability to really break down a defense with his stickhandling ability and elusiveness. Prone to disappearing at times, but when he’s on his game, he has the ability to take it over. Especially dangerous on the powerplay when given time and space. Strength is a bit of a concern as he can be neutralized by physicality. Could certainly be a riser in the second half.

12. LW (RS) #11 Stefan Noesen | Plymouth (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 195 | Birthdate: 02/12/93 | Nationality: American

2010/11 - 33GP 15G 21A 36P +13 37PIM

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.

13. LW #38 Lucas Lessio | Oshawa (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 201 | Birthdate: 01/23/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 33GP 11G 13A 24P +2 28PIM

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.

14. RC #24 Rickard Rakell | Plymouth (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 185 | Birthdate: 05/05/93 | Nationality: Swedish

2010/11 - 27GP 13G 13A 26P +9 10PIM

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.

15. LW #18 Shane Prince | Ottawa (OHL)

Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185 | Birthdate: 11/16/92 | Nationality: American

2010/11 - 35GP 19G 39A 58P +30 8PIM

Prince struggled to find his offensive game during his first two years in the league, but there’s no doubt he’s found it now as he’s ascended all the way up to second in OHL scoring at the winter break. Missed out on an invite to the US World Junior camp and also was not invited to the CHL Top Prospects game, but it’s going to be hard to pass up the offensive production he’s been able to muster thus far. 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.

16. LC #26 Alan Quine | Peterborough (OHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 181 | Birthdate: 02/25/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 34GP 16G 14A 30P -7 2PIM

Former 2nd Overall Pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection has really come to life after being dealt to Peterborough earlier this season. Quine is a highly skilled player with a great set of hands and has the ability to make those moves that can bring a crowd out of their seats. Always has been a good goal scorer and is finding his touch now as his confidence improves. Still a pretty one dimensional player, however, and doesn’t really have any grit to his game, but his offensive upside is certainly noteworthy and he’ll start to get some attention during the second half of the year.

17. RC #18 Vladislav Namestnikov | London (OHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170 | Birthdate: 11/22/92 | Nationality: Russian

2010/11 - 32GP 10G 19A 29P +9 18PIM

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.

18. RW (LS) #17 Nicklas Jensen | Oshawa (OHL)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 186 | Birthdate: 03/16/93 | Nationality: Danish

2010/11 - 26GP 9G 12A 21P +5 14PIM

One of the most dynamic players in the league when he’s on his game due to his sheer speed and skill level, Jensen has struggled to find some consistency in his game this season. He’s got a tremendous skillset for his size, and when he wants to, he has the ability to make some incredible rushes, but they seem to be to few and far between. He needs to show that he can be more effective in the game in other ways and find a way to be effective on every shift.

19. RC #89 Vincent Trocheck | Saginaw (OHL)

Height: 5.11 | Weight: 180 | Birthdate: 06/15/93 | Nationality: American

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

Had a very good rookie season and has taken some positive steps forward offensively this year. Trochcek is a little undersized, although he is stocky, but he’s only an above average skater as he doesn’t use his speed as much as he should and doesn’t bring it every shift. With the puck he’s a pretty crafty player and is a dual threat as a scorer and a playmaker which certainly works to his advantage. He’s a player who is pretty turnover prone and just hasn’t quite shown enough that he has what it takes to be an offensive player at the NHL level.

20. LD #6 Scott Harrington | London (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 203 | Birthdate: 03/10/93 | Nationality: Canadian

2010/11 - 55GP 1G 13A 14P +25 20PIM

Harrington was very good as a 16 year old, but hasn’t quite taken that step forward this year to establish himself as a legitimate NHL prospect. He’s an average skater who doesn’t have outstanding offensive instincts and has shown that he’s a little susceptible to being broken down defensively. While his first half has been disappointing, he has logged a lot of big minutes in London and there’s a lot of hockey left for him to show some steps forward in his game before the draft comes next summer.

Click Here for Part 1 of the Mid-Season Top 20

OHL Feature: Saginaw Spirit Prospects

Scott Campbell — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 02:03:46 +0000

I was able to get my first live look at the Spirit this season on Sunday when they finished off their weekend with an afternoon matinee in the Bunker against the hometown Brampton Battalion. Entering atop the Western Conference with 30 points, I came away very impressed with the Spirit, and can say this is probably the most complete team I’ve seen in the OHL so far this season. Aside from being a great OHL team, the team is laced with NHL calibre prospects and was a very interesting one to watch.

#9 LC Justin Kea | 6.04 | 201lbs | 02/07/94 | 2012 Eligible

21GP 1G 1A 2P +4 25PIM

Selected in the first round in this past OHL Priority Selection with the 13th pick, Kea was the only 16 year old in the Saginaw lineup on Sunday. His size is imposing, but his role is a limited one this season. He saw mostly limited fourth line duty and didn’t have much of an impact on the game. Next year he’ll have a much bigger opportunity but I’m not sure about how much of an NHL prospect he’ll be. He reminds me a lot of Peterborough’s Justin Larson as they have similar skill-sets and comparable size as centers.

#10 RW Jordan Szwarz | 6.00 | 192lbs | 05/14/91 | PHX 09′ (4/97)

21GP 7G 13A 20P +14 35PIM

I’ve always had a lot of time for Szwarz and he’s developed into a great second line OHL player on a competitive team, like Saginaw. Now donning the captaincy in his fourth year with the club, Szwarz is a versatile player who can play on any line as well as on the special teams. He’s not an overly dynamic player, but he is very responsible positionally and he’s got good hockey sense. He can be a threat in the offensive zone and is good down low where he’s a pretty shifty player. I would have to think he’ll be signed by Phoenix and in the AHL next season but I’m not sure he has much NHL potential at this point.

#15 LW Anthony Camara | 6.01 | 194lbs | 09/04/93 | 2011 Eligible

19GP 4G 1A 5P -5 37PIM

His numbers are far from gaudy, but Camara is quietly a player that you love to have on your team. While he isn’t a real potent offensive threat, he can play with your big guns and generate some time and space for them. A fine example of this was how Head Coach Todd Watson was comfortable giving him a lot of ice time with Brandon Saad and Vincent Trocheck. Camara is a good skater and has decent size, but he’s more than willing to sacrifice his body and is very effective on the forecheck. As I said, his offensive tools and awareness aren’t anything to rave about, but he knows his role and because of that, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see an NHL team take a look at him towards the end of the draft.

#19 RW Michael Kantor | 6.00 | 198lbs | 02/02/92 | 2011 Eligible

19GP 7G 1A 8P +1 51PIM

I thought Kantor might have an outside chance of being drafted last season after making the jump to the OHL from the NAHL, however his name went uncalled in June. Fast forward a season and I’m still on the fence on this one. Kantor is another guy that really can bring a physical element and can certainly impact a game using his fists as he is no stranger to dropping the gloves. Supplement that with the fact that he is capable of making an impact on the score-sheet and he does have some value. He wasn’t great on Sunday and I know he can be inconsistent, but if he can show his grit on a more consistent basis and continue to find the back of the net, he could be a player that draws some interest on his second time around in the draft.

#21 RD Ryan O’Connor | 5.10 | 189lbs | 01/02/92 | 2011 Eligible

15GP 1G 8A 9P +8 10PIM

A lot of people were probably hoping the undersized defenseman would be drafted last June, but he was also bypassed. Frankly, his game has taken positive steps forward in his third year and he’s a lot more comfortable playing 5 on 5, moving the puck, and playing better defensively. However, with that being said, he just doesn’t really have the tools to play at the NHL level. His skating is still pretty average and his skillset isn’t enough to make up for it. He’ll continue to develop into a very solid OHL defenseman, but don’t expect him to be drafted next June, either.

#22 LW Brandon Saad | 6.02 | 211lbs | 10/27/92 | 2011 Eligible

20GP 12G 11A 23P +10 16PIM

I was really excited to get a look at Saad for the first time in the OHL, and I have to say it was a pretty impressive showing for the Pennsylvania native. Riding shot-gun to Vincent Trocheck most of the game, Saad was very effective, utilizing his size and speed to draw a couple of penalties as he gave the Brampton defense a lot of trouble with their gap control. Saad had some good chances offensively and finished off a nice cross ice pass as well. He’s definitely got Top 10 written all over him as there’s a lot to like about him. However, I think I can comfortably say that he’s not quite at the level that Gabriel Landeskog is right now. I would have liked Saad to compete a little harder and I didn’t think he played with as much grit as I would of liked from a player his size. Those are the two components that separate Landeskog from Saad at this point.

#24 LW Ivan Telegin | 6.04 | 188lbs | 02/28/92 | Atl 10′ (04/101)

21GP 5G 13A 18P +14 10PIM

I was pretty impressed with Telegin on Sunday as he showed some positive progression over last season. Last year I thought Telegin competed hard and went to the dirty areas, but beyond standing in front of the net, his effectiveness was pretty limited. Sunday he was a lot more engaged in the corners and won a lot of puck battles to maintain some offensive zone pressure. He probably lacks the high-end skill to be a top six player in the NHL, but he seems to be committed to taking the North American route and as he fills out, he could be a guy that carves his way into a third line role as a big body forward.

#25 LW Josh Shalla | 6.02 | 183lbs | 09/25/91 | 2011 Eligible

21GP 16G 3A 19P +3 14PIM

There isn’t much doubting Josh Shalla’s ability to score at the OHL level, as he’s clearly developed into one of the premier snipers in the league. He found the back of the net twice on Sunday, including one very nice shot where his release was simply too much for Riley to handle in goal. While goal scoring certainly isn’t an issue for him at this level, he isn’t a great skater and he doesn’t compete overly hard, which both pose a lot of questions towards his effectiveness as a professional. That’s why he went undrafted last season and he will likely be back for an overage season in the OHL as well.

#89 RC Vincent Trocheck | 5.11 | 180lbs | 07/11/93 | 2011 Eligible

21GP 10G 12A 22P +7 30PIM

Like Saad, I was also really looking forward to seeing Trocheck live as he’s been putting together a pretty good season thus far. I was a little impartial to him on Sunday, however. He’s an opportunistic player who has good creativity and offensive instincts, but he was a little too easy to neutralize and knock off the puck as well. Some shifts he was very effective, like one where he created a turnover in his own zone and skated to the other end and shelfed a quick snap shot from the faceoff dot to the left of Riley, but others he was lazy and was not skating nearly as hard as he should have been. At this point I would got out on a limb and say he’s probably a third or fourth round type of prospect. I think some teams might be willing to step on him a little earlier, but there are some question marks in his game that will effect his ability to be an NHL player.

#93 LC Michael Sgarbossa | 5.11 | 175lbs | 07/25/92 | Signed San Jose 2010

21GP 5G 11A 16P -2 20PIM

After going undrafted in June, Sgarbossa was part of a trio of undrafted players that were signed by the San Jose Sharks during the rookie free agent signing window. I’ve always liked the things that Sgarbossa brings to the table as he’s a quality offensive player with good hands and the ability to create things in the offensive zone. He also has the ability to impact the game with some well timed physical play as well as those pest attributes that have become synonymous with many NHL players. He struggles a lot with consistency however. On Sunday he was rendered largely ineffective, while other games he can be a force if he’s on his game. If he can add some strength to his frame and bring those components to the table on a more consistent basis, he could make an NHL career out of it.

2011 OHL Sleepers: Western Conference

Scott Campbell — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 01:52:38 +0000

LW David Broll | 6.01 | 225 lbs | 01/04/93

2009/10 (Erie OHL) - 64GP 9G 9A 18P -19 42PIM

Broll was Erie’s first round pick back in 2009 and put together a very productive freshman campaign with the Otters. He saw some quality minutes and was a part of Ontario’s entry at the Under 17 Challenge, where he had two assists in a predominantly depth role. Broll is a massive player on the ice and many have labeled him as being a “man-child” due to his sheer presence on the ice. His physicality and ability to lay huge hits are two of the main elements to Broll’s game, but he also has some offensive upside. He’s a great guy to plant in front of the net on the powerplay and does a great job generating offense off the low cycle. His skating stride is long and awkward, which will hinder him at the draft, but he will definitely be selected and could go around the early third.

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LW Carter Sandlak | 6.01 | 190 lbs | 05/18/93

2009/10 (Guelph OHL) - 61GP 7G 8A 15P +1 61PIM

Another first round pick from the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, Sandlak’s sophomore season has actually been delayed after he was assessed a five game suspension for a hit on Brampton’s Jordan Auld. Sandlak struggled to find an offensive game early last season, but his role at the next level won’t be as a scorer. He’s a real hard nosed player who can really change the pace of a game with his physical play. He skates well and will likely develop into a real solid penalty killer as well. If he can put together a solid year on the score-sheet, a team might be inclined to scoop him up in the second round, but he’ll probably end up as a mid-round selection.

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RW Tobias Rieder | 5.10 | 172 lbs | 01/10/93

2009/10 (Landshut Ger D2) - 45GP 10G 13A 23P 28PIM

Rieder isn’t exactly a house-hold name in the North American prospects scene, but he has certainly raised more then a few eyebrows with this meteoric rise in Germany over the past few seasons. Rieder lacks quality size, but he’s used to playing a physical game having played professionally last season, which should help his transition to the Ontario Hockey League. He’s got an explosive first few steps but is particularly dangerous with the puck on his stick. He’s got very good puck handling skills and good vision as well as a very accurate shot. He could be a dark-horse player to challenge for the first round in 2011.

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RW Seth Griffith | 5.10 | 187 lbs | 01/04/93

2009/10 (London OHL) - 17GP 2G 1A 3P -5 2PIM

The Knights draft eligibles lack a lot of depth this year beyond Scott Harrington and Vladislav Namestnikov, but Seth Griffith could be a player that makes a name for himself this season. He had a very impressive showing in the playoffs last season, where he notched 4 goals and 7 points in only 10 games, and has translated that into a larger role on a Knights roster that will largely consist of a scoring by committee mantra this year. Griffith has shown the ability to put himself into good positions and be effective offensively, so it will be intriguing to see what type of numbers he can produce this year in London.

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G Jordan Binnington | 6.02 | 160 lbs | 07/11/93

2009/10 (Owen Sound OHL) - 6-10-1 4.38GAA .889SV% 0SO

Binnington is another one of the goalies in the OHL’s 93 crop that will be a player to watch this season to see how they fare as a 17 year old in the OHL. He’s still pretty lanky and his strength in goal and ability to go post to post and maintain good positioning needs some improvement, but he does have the ability to make acrobatic saves and has shown on a few occasions as a 16 year old, that he can single handily keep his team in the game. He’ll likely see more then a few starts this year, as Mark Reeds does like to utilize both goaltenders.

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G Matt Mahalak | 6.03 | 180 lbs | 01/22/93

2009/10 (Youngstown USHL) - 9-17-3 4.24GAA .868SV% 0SO

Another 93′ goalie is Matt Mahalak who joins the Plymouth Whalers after being a rookie a season ago with the Youngstown Phantoms. He saw a lot of quality minutes last season with the USHL’s expansion franchise, and his numbers are fairly indicative of the quality of the team. Mahalak got roughed up in his first start, but he does have the caliber to be a very good goalie in the OHL and a quality NHL prospect as he has good mechanics and a big frame to cover a lot of net. He’ll battle for starts with 18 year old Scott Wedgewood this season in net for the Whalers.

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RC Vincent Trocheck | 5.11 | 180 lbs | 07/11/93

2009/10 (Saginaw OHL) - 68GP 15G 28A 43P +5 56PIM

While Trocheck will likely end up playing second fiddle to 18 year old rookie Brandon Saad this season, the 17 year old Pittsburgh native will be a very good player to watch in his own right. He’s added on some strength this year by bulking up a bit which should help him improve his ability to deal with the physical grind of the OHL. Offensively, he’s a guy that will definitely be capable of a PPG pace as he will be expected to be one of the offensive catalysts for the Spirit this season.

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LW Brandon Francisco | 5.10 | 155 lbs | 02/11/93

2009/10 (Sarnia OHL) - 65GP 12G 20A 32P -30 14PIM

The first thing you’ll notice about Francisco is that he is an extremely slight player who really gets knocked around quite a bit in the corners. There’s no doubt that his size is the paramount concern about his value as an NHL prospect, but he does have a lot of skill to make scouts think twice. Despite his lack of strength, he is competing more for pucks and does have the ability to work the puck against bigger defensemen. He’s a very creative player who makes great seam passes and is very good on the powerplay. He’ll likely be overshadowed by some of the bigger name forwards on the Sting, but expect him to quietly put up some very good offensive numbers and generate some late round interest.

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LW Justin Thomas | 6.02 | 207 lbs | 01/25/93

2009/10 (Sault Ste. Marie OHL) - 8GP 1G 0A 1P E 13PIM

Thomas spent most of the season last year playing in the NOJHL with Sault Ste Marie, but saw a bit of action with the Greyhounds. This year, however, the hulking winger is going to get a good opportunity to be a contributor as he looks to take the next step. He’s a big guy that plays a real nasty style of game but also has a good scoring touch. He’ll need to show some consistency in both regards this year if he wants to establish himself as a real power forward in the eyes of NHL scouts.

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RD Craig Duininck | 6.00 | 201 lbs | 04/29/93

2009/10 (Windsor OHL) - 57GP 1G 11A 12P +14 30PIM

Managed to stick the entire season with the Memorial Cup Champions on one of the deepest blue lines in the CHL. This year he’ll have a much more prominent role with the Spits, especially if they don’t get Ryan Ellis or Cam Fowler back from the NHL. The 17 year old will see more powerplay time this year and should have more of an opportunity to chip in offensively, but he’ll need to continue to show the steady defensive play that his game is accustomed towards.

OHL Feature: Sudbury, Saginaw NHL Draft Prospects

Scott Campbell — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:47:35 +0000

Friday night’s game between the Sudbury Wolves and Saginaw Spirit provided a good look at a large group of NHL prospects who receive little attention around the league. The Wolves won the game 3-0 to snap a small losing streak, with overage captain notching a hat trick, while 19 year old goalie Alain Valiquette backstopped the team to a 28 save shutout. We’ll take a look at some of the draft eligible prospects who could be hearing their name called in upcoming NHL Entry Drafts.

SUDBURY WOLVES

| #3 RD Justin Sefton | 1993 | 6’3” | 199lbs | 24GP 0G 3A 3P -11 32PIM |

It’s been a bit of a struggle offensively for the 16 year old Thunder Bay native this season, but he is quickly establishing himself as a quality OHL defender. Sefton has a tremendous amount of size and strength, and plays a very physical game. He competes hard in the corners and makes life miserable for opposing forwards, which is a major asset to his game. His skating is pretty good, but will need continued work moving forward. He’s probably projecting as a late first rounder in 2011 at this point, but it will be interesting to see if his offensive game comes around a bit before then.

| #18 LW (RS) John McFarland | 1992 | 6’1” | 195lbs | 21GP 8G 12A 20P -12 26PIM |

McFarland came into the season with pretty hefty expectations, and it’s safe to say that he’s had some trouble living up to them thus far. While his offensive game is starting to make some advances, and he is utilizing his incredible speed more frequently, he still has a couple of big issues which are plaguing his game. He lacks the natural creativity of high end offensive players, and his defensive game and positional play still leave a lot to be desired. McFarland will still be a sure-fire first rounder in 2010, but he’s in danger of falling out of the Top 10 right now.

| #22 RD Frankie Corrado | 1993 | 6’0” | 174lbs | 24GP 0G 1A 1P -6 24PIM |

The Wolves other 16 year old defenseman has also struggled a bit to produce offensively this season, but there is some decent upside with Corrado. While working on his strength will be one of the biggest issues for Corrado moving forward, he has a lot of raw ability that will build some hype around his name. He’s a very good skater and has a variety of shifty moves he can use to elude any fore-checkers. He moves the puck well and has some good offensive instincts, and he will be given a much bigger opportunity to showcase those skills next season with an increased role.

| #29 G Alain Valiquette | 1990L | 6’3” | 186lbs | 5-8-0-1 3.24GAA .917SV% 3SO |

There was some talk that Valiquette could be a late round pick last season, and even got some interest on NHLCS’s draft list, but at the end of the day, the Sudbury native did not hear his name called in Ottawa. This season has been much different for the 18 year old, as Valiquette has really elevated his game to the next level. He’s seeing the puck a lot better this season, and he’s really worked on his strength and lateral movement which have been the main catalyst behind his greatly improved numbers. His glove still needs a bit of work, as does his rebound control, but he has the ability to make highlight reel saves with his athleticism. He’ll need to maintain some consistency throughout the season to make the draft radar, but his hot start to the season should warrant some consideration.

SAGINAW SPIRIT

| #21 RD Ryan O’Connor | 1992 | 5’8” | 175lbs | 24GP 3G 11A 14P +9 21PIM |

One of the centerpieces of the Nick Crawford/TJ Brodie blockbuster trade, O’Connor’s transition to Saginaw has not been smooth thus far. O’Connor has drawn some comparisons to Ryan Ellis, due to being undersized and playing a similar game, but the reality is that O’Connor is not even a lock to be drafted at this point. He doesn’t skate very well for his size, and his defensive play needs some work as he struggles to maintain body positioning. Offensively he definitely has some talent, and he has a very good shot, but it might not be enough to get him drafted. If he is selected, he’s likely going to be a late round pick, between the 5th and 7th rounds.

| #24 LW Ivan Telegin | 1992 | 6’3” | 185lbs | 24GP 17G 12A 29P +12 10PIM |

After coming over from Russia in the CHL Import Draft last season, Telegin has really flown under the radar thus far, despite putting up very strong numbers. This is starting to change, as the big Russian is starting to get some attention, and for good reason. Telegin is a very good skater for his size, and has a lot of offensive potential. He sees the ice very well and makes quick decisions in the offensive zone. He’s not afraid to drive the net, and he’ll take a hit to make a play in the corners, too. He competes hard, but he isn’t an overly physical player, and he really needs to add some bulk to his frame as well as some upper body strength. Telegin is definitely a player that will be rising this year, and he could very well be working his way into the first round at this pace.

| #25 RW (LS) Josh Shalla | 1991L | 6’1” | 187lbs | 24GP 16G 14A 30P +18 27PIM |

This has been a breakout season for Shalla thus far, and he’s been getting some NHL draft consideration as a result. While the numbers are very impressive, there are some fairly major concerns with Shalla’s skating that could really limit his potential at the next level. His offensive game is really starting to come around, as he’s becoming a much more dangerous player offensively, and he’s also a lot more reliable in his own end, back-checking hard and playing physical occasionally as well. The problem will be his feet, however, as they need a lot of work. His stride is choppy and his first few steps need a lot of improvement. He also has poor agility and transitionally, needs some work. If he can continue this pace, he should be a late round pick for sure, but the skating will be something that holds him back from being a 3rd or 4th rounder.

| #89 RC Vincent Trocheck | 1993 | 5’10” | 165lbs | 24GP 7G 8A 15P -1 19PIM |

Trocheck looks to be one of the more impressive 1993’s in the OHL this season, as he’s made a very smooth transition to junior hockey. The Pittsburgh native is seeing a lot of quality ice time with the Spirit this year and has definitely earned it. He’s got some pretty good offensive upside, and he’s a fairly creative player that does a good job of finding gaps in the defensive coverage. His skating is pretty good, but will need continual improvement. Trocheck competes hard for a smaller player, and battles hard for pucks all over the ice, and he’s also pretty reliable defensively despite being 16 years old. Like most rookies, his biggest issue will be adding some strength and hopefully growing another inch or two as well, but right now, he’s a player to watch for 2011.

| #93 LW Michael Sgarbossa | 1992 | 5’11” | 165lbs | 24GP 8G 14A 22P +1 18PIM |

The other component of the Crawford/Brodie trade coming to Saginaw, Sgarbossa has also had a bit of a rough time following the trade, much like O’Connor. He’s a very talented player, but he has some trouble maintaining consistency, as one night he can be the best player on the ice, and then he might not do anything for the next two games. Sgarbossa is an above average skater, with good offensive instincts. He’s not afraid to drive the net, and has pretty good hands in tight spaces. He also has a lot of the characteristics of a “pest”, which scouts will like to see. He does a good job of getting under the skin of opponents, and isn’t afraid to get physically involved, despite his small stature. At this point, he’s likely a mid-round pick, but if he can find his groove offensively, he could sneak into the 3rd round.

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