Keaton Middleton – McKeen's Hockey

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Toronto Maple Leafs

Grant McCagg — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 12:04:15 +0000

June 24, 2016: Auston Matthews poses after being chosen Number 1 by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire.)

When a team adds the first pick overall, it is enjoying a pivotal draft in team history, especially when that player is considered to be a cornerstone number one center like Auston Matthews. An extremely skilled skater who can stickhandled at high speeds and both distribute and shoot the puck impressively, Matthews will be a key component in Toronto’s rise back to respectability. Yegor Korshkov went a bit higher than expected given he’s a 1996-born prospect, but there was no denying the 6-4 winger’s physical dominance at the U-20 last winter. He’ll compete for a roster spot very soon. Carl Grundstrom doesn’t wow with his speed or offensive flair, but he’s a smart, hardnosed center with top-notch defensive skills that will compete for a bottom-line position in a few years.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
1	1	2	Auston Matthews	C	USA	6-2/210	ZSC Zurich (Sui)
2	31	63	Yegor Korshkov	RW	RUS	6-4/180	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Rus)
2	57	41	Carl Grundstrom	RW	SWE	6-0/195	MoDo (Swe)
3	62	104	Joseph Woll	G	USA	6-2/200	NTDP (USA)
3	72	106	James Greenway	D	USA	6-5/215	NTDP (USA)
4	92	108	Adam Brooks	C	CAN	5-10/175	Regina (WHL)
4	101	NR	Keaton Middleton	D	CAN	6-5/235	Saginaw (OHL)
5	122	146	Vladimir Bobylev	RW	RUS	6-2/205	Victoria (WHL)
6	152	90	Jack Walker	LW	USA	5-11/180	Victoria (WHL)
6	179	NR	Nicolas Mattinen	D	CAN	6-4/220	London (OHL)
7	182	NR	Nikolai Chebykin	RW	RUS	6-3/185	MVD Balashikha (Rus)

HELSINKI, FINLAND - JANUARY 4: Sweden vs Finland semifinal round - 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Adam Brooks

Keaton Middleton of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Joseph Woll brings good size and skills to the goalie position…he’ll need to keep working on the mental aspect of his game. James Greenway is a gargantuan defenceman who improved as the season went along, impressing scouts at the U-18’s with his skating and skills while cutting down on mental errors that remain a significant issue. Adam Brooks showed the hockey world that passing on him a third time would be a mistake following a tremendous season in which he led all WHL scorers with 120 points. More than just a scorer despite his size, the 5-10 center plays a smart, competitive two-way game. Keaton Middleton…Jacob’s “little” 6-5 brother, was overshadowed at times by fellow Saginaw defenceman Markus Niemelainen, and wasn’t expected to be drafted in the fourth round. Lots of work to do, but certainly has the size and raw physical skills to be a candidate for a bottom pairing role at the pro level. Vladimir Bobylev is a 6-2 center/winger with soft hands and above-average playmaking skills who really developed in his second CHL season. Jack Walker’s transformation from junior defenceman to elite winger took place over an 18-month period. This past spring Walker was by many accounts the top forward in the WHL playoffs…he has NHL skills and competes hard. Look for him to be an AHL regular next season.

Mark Hunter reached out to his junior team in London to pluck Nicolas Mattinen...the third blueliner at least 6-4 drafted by the Leafs in this draft. Nikolai Chebykin is another large Russian forward passed in the draft who impressed at an international tournament…in his case it was the WJAC.

Grade: A+: Landing the prospect considered by many to be the best in the draft, and eight in total who were in McKeen’s rankings gives the Leafs the top grade in this draft. This should one day be looked back on as the pivotal weekend in Toronto’s rebuilding process.

2016 NHL Draft Guide: Calgary Flames draft strategy

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 17:48:11 +0000

While the majority of NHL teams have three individuals carrying the load for draft and other player personnel decisions, in the positions of the GM, the Director of Scouting/Amateur Scouting and the Director of Player Personnel, the Flames make do with two, as GM Brad Treliving is also the man in charge of Player Personnel. Tod Button is the Director of Scouting, a position he has held since the 2001-02 season, five of those seasons as the Director of Amateur Scouting.

While previous Button drafts have run the gamut of amateur leagues and positional inclinations, in those five years he has never drafted more than one player per year from a European league. Furthermore, only once (in 2013) have the Flames drafted more than their standard allotment of seven players. Another trend of note is that in each season, one pick has either been massive or a noted purveyor of truculence. In the past three drafts, the Flames have drafted Keegan Kanzig, Hunter Smith and Riley Bruce, each of whom is at least 6-6” and plays mean. The previous season, they drafted Patrick Sieloff, who made up in spirit what he lacked in vertical.

They tend to draft skill early, with current roster stalwarts Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett both taken with top ten picks in recent years and turn to character players later on. However, last year’s sixth round selection of Andrew Mangiapane, who produced 104 points for Barrie in the OHL, but was handicapped by his listed measurements of 5-10”, 176, showed that they are not averse to betting on skill late. Perhaps they have learned the lesson of Johnny Gaudreau, drafted in the fourth round the year before Button was moved to his current role.

Also notable is that the Flames have not feared taking goaltenders with relatively early picks as witnessed in their usage of a second rounder for Mason McDonald in 2014 and a third rounder for Jon Gillies in 2012. Finally, each of Button’s five first rounders have been forwards.

Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Possible picks: Picking sixth in this year’s draft, some likely picks to fit their mold include Matthew Tkachuk, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Michael McLeod. Their predilection for oversized players could see the Flames looking at a player like Timothy Gettinger, Keaton Middleton or Oleg Sosunov in the mid- to late-rounds.

OHL Prospect Watch: Senyshyn Soo inconsistent, Juolevi-tation

David Burstyn — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 20:40:06 +0000

Zach Senyshyn suddenly lit it up in December with two hat tricks and a four-goal effort, yet was held off the goal-sheet in 11 of his other 13 games dating back to the start of November.

A surprise first-round pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL draft (15th overall), Senyshyn returned for his third OHL season and, as newly-appointed assistant captain, was expected to carry the offense with the departures of Sergey Tolchinsky, Justin Bailey, and Nick Ritchie.

However Senyshyn and the Soo struggled out of the gate.

He has seen both Blake Speers and Gabe Guertler inter-change as his centerman in an effort to get him going.

Last season, Senyshyn thrived offensively playing for the top team in the CHL, and benefitting from match-ups while playing in the bottom six. This year, with many key graduations, Senyshyn has graduated to the top line of a Soo team that now happens to be the youngest team in the OHL.

Senyshyn possesses a size and speed combination that can be intoxicating as he blows by players at a stand still and can flat-out embarrass defenders if they try to play the puck.

He is capable of taking fans out of their seats with his deft stickhandling and the high rate of speed in which he executes.

Also a dimensional skater in every facet including acceleration, edge work, stops-starts, and overall mechanics, Senyshyn is at his best when he drives the net and creates with speed.

Oddly, however, those shifts have been fewer and farther between this season.

His shift-to-shift consistency often comes into question as does his overall physical game. He needs to play with more jump and work harder away from the puck.

Given his speed and ability to create, he could have been a valuable addition on the third line for this year’s WJC Team Canada squad. However, due to his lack of defensive game shown this year, he was overlooked for the selection camp.

Senyshyn is still learning the nuances of what it takes to be a game-in-game-out player. Addressing his strength - or lack there of - will assist him in getting to the NHL faster.

He needs to show the Bruins that he can shoulder the offensive workload and lead by example by being the best player on the ice each night to quantify their investment in him.

Here are notes and observations on some other OHL prospects on the McKeens watch list.

Olli Juolevi (2016), D, London

Juolevi has had no problem whatsoever adjusting to the North American style of play as he already anchors London's offensively-charged power play. The Helsinki, Finland native adopts a cool and calm approach to all facets of his play; never panics and is always in astute positions to lead a charge up ice or make a staunch defensive play. Due to his calming style of play, he gives his forwards a considerable amount of confidence as they know he will address the defensive duties allowing them to push up more offensively. A terrific skater with deceptive speed, Juolevi spearheads rushes and is just as prone to carry the puck as he is to deliver a tape-to-tape first pass. Stock continues to soar as his team keeps winning.

Nathan Bastien (2016), RW, Mississauga

The former 7th round selection in the 2013 OHL draft, Bastian has grown a whopping five inches in the past two seasons. Thrust into a scoring role this season and has rewarded Coach Boyd with a point-per-game production - and not looked out of place playing with the Steelheads most talented players in Alexander Nylander and Matthew McLeod. Skating has cleaned up which has allowed him to get to pucks quicker. His hands operate very quickly and he has good patience with the puck to make a play. Has a habit of slowing down with the puck and will need to work on the pace and playmaking tempo. Bastien continues to play a skilled game and marries it with size that NHL teams covet.

Alex Debrincat (2016), RW, Erie

Last year’s OHL Rookie of the Year, Debrincat is proving that he can produce on his own without the assistance of Connor McDavid. The current goal-scoring leader with 33, he exploded out of the gate with 17 goals by Halloween; poised to challenge Ernie Gooden’s single season OHL record of 87 goals. A sniper by trade who sets up extremely well and gets everything behind his shot, Debrincat has sharp offensive instincts and anticipates the play much better than his peer group. Yet, surprisingly, has below-average passing skills. A shifty and agile skater, not blessed with explosiveness but is quick and difficult to check. Forms a lethal combination with Dylan Strome on the power play as the duo have ripped apart the league.

Keaton Middleton (2016), D, Saginaw

An absolute rock on the backend, Middleton has improved upon his second season in a defensive landscape. Never going to be confused as an offensive threat with 3 goals through 95 OHL games, Middleton is a massive body and uses it advantageously to block shots, clog up lanes, and smother the opposition along the glass. Does an admirable job of tying up his man in front and has good range to defend forcing many forwards to the outside before they gain the zone. Skating is a work in progress; he is still a tad uncoordinated and he lacks explosiveness moving laterally and especially backwards. Middleton plays well within the team systems and gives NHL teams a healthy depth option on the backend given his size (6-6, 235) and ability to keep things simple.

Observations at all levels: Player notes from Sean LaFortune

Sean LaFortune — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:51:04 +0000

Let’s face facts, things are not great for the Sudbury Wolves right now, there are some 'silver lining' aspects to their current plight. Kyle Capobianco, the 7th overall selection in the 2013 OHL Draft, is starting to gain headway in Draft circles.

Kyle Capobianco of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Smart, quick, agile and offensive minded, he's more confident, more poised, working the powerplay while more importantly, gaining strength. He's never going to be extremely hard to play against, but strength has allowed him start the process of being better in his own zone. I think you can lock him in as a top 90 draft candidate...Matt Schmaltz has had himself a heck of a year. A big, powerful winger who has found his niche with the Wolves this year. Despite the upside, he saw very little ice time last year, limited to 4th line duty on a Wolves team that was attempting to take a run. Receiving more ice time this year, and playing with more confidence, Schmaltz has thrived, showing some of the reasons why many had him as a mid-round draft pick last year. He's tough, with good north to south feet along with a pretty impressive snap shot. While he may never be a 30 goal scorer at the NHL level, there's value in him as a mid-round pick this year, one who can play honest minutes. He’s probably the top draft re-entry guy this year, and should expect to hear his name called between the 4th and 5th rounds....

Congrats to the Ontario 99 age group who took home the Gold Medal at the 2015 Canada Games. Led by Gable Vilardi, Owen Tippett and Ryan McLeod, the group was dominant, leading for all but 30 minutes. Expect those aforementioned names to go highly in April's OHL Draft….

A lot of buzz about undrafted Boston University goalie Matt O'Connor. The Toronto native has impressive raw tools that everyone looks for in new-age goaltenders, he's big (6'6) and athletic. He's not a puck blocker, but his lateral mobility and agility are impressive. I had the opportunity to see him play twice in Boston this year, and while I can see the intrigue, patience will be required, he's got a while to go. Very raw from a positional standpoint, he's almost too mobile, losing his crease and reacting. It’s a cliche, but he needs to learn to allow the game to come to him, as opposed to getting uber aggressive and reactive. That said, a free lunch is a free lunch...Speaking of goaltenders, how good has Jake Patterson been for the Kitchener Rangers? Some in the media questioned the acquisition after trading away Justin Bailey, but it wasn't that complicated. A team with a young core needed protection from the mistakes that they are expected to make. In the past those mistakes would end up in the back of the net, but now they are stifled thanks to the abilities of Patterson. Add in the fact that the Rangers should now make the playoffs (something they were not guaranteed pre-trade) and give those young players more experience for next year, it's turned out to be a very, very smart move. Trade in a prime trade chip at a high return, bring in a goaltender at a lesser cost, and still make the playoffs. Heck, they may even win a round…

Said it last month, will say it again, Zachary Senyshyn is the most under rated skater in this draft...Calgary Flames prospect Sam Bennett is back with the Kingston Frontencas for the remainder of their season, and already is having an offensive impact. While we expected this would have a big impact on Draft eligible Lawson Crouse, the Frontenacs have chosen to spread the offense out and reunite Bennett and Spencer Watson while keeping the Crouse/Lammikko/McGlynn line together. Those who complain about Crouse's offensive output need to keep that in mind, had Crouse played with Watson and Bennett all year (mirroring the talent that Marner, Strome and McDavid have played with) it's fair to suggest that Crouse would probably be averaging well above a point a game, if not more...

There's a lot of love for Jakob Chychrun, and for good reason, he’s one of the, if not the most, impactful 16 year old defenders in recent memory, and could push for 1st overall status next year. With all that said, don't sleep on Logan Brown.

Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Brown, a player who we had as a top OHL Draft pick last year at TheScout.ca, has all the tools that you look for in a pro. Quick, agile with good possession skills, he has a long, powerful stride, good in close skills and impressive 4 way mobility. Did I mention that he's 6'5 and continuing to grow into his game? He’s truly yet to scratch the surface on his long term potential, and it’s fair to suggest that he has top 10 NHL Draft abilities. He still has areas to grow, he's inconsistent and struggles with focus from game to game, however that’s not uncommon for 16 year olds making the transition to the OHL. I’d also add Soo Greyhounds winger Tim Gettinger to that group of top 2016 NHL Draft eligible skaters from Ontario. He has a lot of the same aspects to his game that Brown has - mobile, skilled, big and powerful. He's not your typical 'big man', he's a bigger player who thrives when playing with skill. Anyone who expects a north to south banger will be disappointed, but if you enjoy 6'5 wingers with active feet and creativity, who can play give and go, make smart touch passes and drive the net when needed, you'll like him. Expect him to be projected as a top 30 skater early next year....

The Guelph Storm signed former Waterloo Wolves defender Brock Phillips, he's not flashy, but has size, strength, is tough and blessed with good quickness. He's got a while to go before we talk NHL draft status, he's hardly played in the OHL, but keep his name in the back of your head. If he adjusts quickly to the league, look out, he’s got all the tools….While I’ve said before that Evan Cormier projects as one of the top goaltenders in the OHL, and should be projected as a top goaltender for next year’s draft... one player who hasn't gotten a ton of attention yet has thrived has been Keaton Middleton.

Keaton Middleton of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A raw rookie who many expected would be skating with the Jr B Cullitons this year, Middleton has made a fairly seamless transition this year, playing a calm, calculated style. He's never going to wow you with his impressive offensive tools or his ability to run a powerplay, but his reach, aggression and awareness allow him to take over a game in his own zone. He's hardly hit the surface, he needs to add weight, work on his outlets while continuing to improve his feet, but again, he’s a name that I would keep an eye on...had the opportunity to see US-NTDP Chad Krys in an Arbour recently, he's the real deal. An active defender, one who can push the pace in possession, stretch the ice with a pass or make a simple outlet, he's a new breed of intelligent 'puck managers' - ones who play a read and react possession style. He's already been called up to play with the U18 squad and has thrived. He's another strong option for the first round next year, especially if he accelerates and joins an NCAA program much like Zach Werenski and Noah Hanifin have done this year.

Youngblood: World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Preview

Brendan Ross — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:36:02 +0000

Currently known as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the international tournament has underwent a name change from the Quebec Esso Cup (in 2011) and most recently, Hockey Canada has decided to change the format of its own team entries into the tournament. For the first time in 2014, rather than sending five provincial teams (Ontario, Quebec, Pacific, Atlantic and Western) to compete, Hockey Canada has opted to combine players from across the nation into three competitive teams - Red, White and Black. Canadian players will now have the opportunity to play alongside talented competitors from other provinces. For example, Ontarian Jakob Chychrun will be taping Nova Scotian Mitchell Balmas with passes rather than laying him out in the corner. The Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence that is used to help identify talent for the Under-18 and National Junior Team and it has seen over 1400 National Hockey League draft picks come through the tournament.

Tournament organizers have moved up the Challenge on the calendar to November to avoid conflict with the World Junior Championships that runs over the holiday season. For the first time since Windsor hosted in 2012, the tournament returns to Ontario and the world’s top hockey talents have arrived in Sarnia, Canada as the border-town city, in collaboration with nearby Lambton Shores, is ready to host the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Group A consists of two Canadian teams (Canada White and Canada Black), Finland and last year’s bronze medalists Russia while Group B will feature Canada Red, Slovakia, Sweden and the defending champions, Team USA. For more information on World Under-17 Hockey Challenge schedules and rosters, visit the tournament website.

The majority of participants are born in the 1998 age group and these players have spent months going through evaluations to reach their goal of donning their nation’s sweater. The following breakdown of teams will help to familiarize the general public with some of the names to watch. Here are just a few of the top talents skating in the #WU172014.

Team USA (Roster)

Knocking the four-time gold medalists off of the podium will prove to be a difficult feat as Team USA enters this tournament with a very talented roster, including 20 of 22 players who compete with the US National Under-17 Team. Non-National Under-17 skaters Spokane's Kailer Yamamoto and 6-foot-3 Riley Tufte (Blaine High School) will replace injured forwards Zach Walker and Graham McPhee. The Americans won’t have to fight through chemistry issues with such familiarity and with them icing five University of Michigan commits in Nick Pastujov, James Sanchez, William Lockwood, Griffin Luce and Luke Martin. In addition, Everett Silvertips draftee Patrick Khodorenko, London Knights first round selection Max Jones and Boston University commit and USNTDP leading scorer Clayton Keller are expected to help Pastujov and Sanchez with the offensive production. Towering netminders Joseph Woll and Minnesotan Jake Oettinger won’t surrender much net for the opposition and with Griffin Luce, Luke Martin, Plymouth Whalers’ hopeful James Greenway, Chad Krys (Moncton Wildcats prospect) and Harvard commit Adam Fox patrolling the blueline teams will be in tough against the champs.

Team SWEDEN (Roster)

Just like his older brother William Nylander (Maple Leafs draft pick), Alexander Nylander is an immensely skilled forward and has the ability to create space for him to showcase his elite puck skills, vision and shot. Playing alongside Nylander on the AIK U20 team, Jesper Bratt is a two-way forward with speed to burn and a blue-collar work ethic. Undersized and physically raw defenseman Alexander Andersson owns some slick hands, shrewd hockey sense and a poised approach that helps spark the offense and quarterback the powerplay. Committed to the University of Minnesota, William Fällström is a complete two-way competitor who offers a good level of physicality and the awareness to be trusted in critical game moments.

Sweden is a team that lacks a true individual standout but the squad is comprised of some solid depth full of smart and competitive players. Look for Oskar Steen, a shifty winger with a quick release and some untapped offensive upside, and Linus Weissbach to act as forwards who have an ability to create offense on their own. Jacob Cederholm, younger brother to Vancouver Canucks draftee Anton, has already suited up in the SHL and will help the Swedes defend their zone. Niklas Andersson, the son of current Los Angeles scout and former NHLer Niklas Andersson, is already off to a hot start with the HV71 U18 team picking up six goals and 14 points through 10 games. It could be a coming out party for 5-foot-6 defenseman Oliver Horrsell as this offensive blueliner certainly knows how to fill the score sheet. Lastly, pivot Tim Wahlgren should earn plenty of minutes as his great hockey intelligence and sense for the game is evident in all three zones. Both of Sweden’s goaltenders, Filip Gustavsson and Gusten Lundh have the size and big-game pedigree to provide Sweden with great stability between the pipes.

Team FINLAND (Roster)

Without forwards Jesse Puljujärvi, Patrik Laine, defensemen Olli Juolevi and Jusso Välimäki, the Finns will unfortunately be missing some of their top talents from the `98 age group. However, Finland is a nation that has been pumping out some great prospects and their entry isn’t without talent. Kristian Vesalainen and Urho Vaakanainen are two of Finland`s top underagers. Vesalainen is already skating at 6-foot-2 and offers up confident puck skills, suffocating physicality and an impact shooting arsenal. Emil Oksanen is a skilled right-shooting forward playing for Blues Espoo and his game features a deceptive shot that seems to find the net with regularity. The 6-foot-1 left shooting Tappara forward Otto Mäkinen is the former teammate of Patrik Laine and he`s got an advanced playmaking skill set, featuring soft hands and creative vision. Look for Finland to rely upon their depth and play some defensive hockey, much like they`re known for, to compete in Group A.

Team RUSSIA (Roster)

The Under-17 tournament provides an opportunity for the North American hockey world to be introduced to the up-and-coming talent from overseas. As a result, there isn’t much familiarity with these players coming into the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Headlining the Russian team are forwards Dmitri Sokolov and Vitali Abramov. Undersized but extremely skilled, Vitali Abramov is considered a potential first round talent for the 2016 NHL Draft and he`s off to a great start with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL) scoring six goals and eight points (12 games). As good as Abramov is, it`s Dmitri Sokolov who projects as a potential Top 10 selection for the 2016 draft. The 6-foot-2 forward has racked up nine goals and 10 points through 13 games with Omskiye Yastreby Omsk (MHL). Russia will lean heavily on Sokolov and Abramov to provide the bulk of scoring but 6-foot-4 forward Nikita Popugaev (not to be confused with 5-foot-8 teammate Nikita O. Popugaev), Vladimir Kuznetsov and Vyacheslav Shevchenko should offer good secondary support.

Team SLOVAKIA (Roster)

Much like the Russian squad, Slovakia`s entry is a bit of a mystery. Forward Samuel Solensky is a pint-sized offensive making noise with HC Liberec`s U20 team with six goals and 16 points through the club's first 20 games. Viliam Cacho is a 5-foot-9 forward who has noteworthy playmaking skills and the offensive prowess to be considered a prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Cacho racked up eight goals and 44 points in 37 games playing up with Dukla Trencin's U20 club. Keep an eye on underagers Milos Roman, Patrik Hrehorcak and Adam Ruzicka to see how they handle the competition against older opponents.

Team CANADA WHITE (Roster)

The first of Canada’s three tournament entries may just be the most popular, at least among local fans. With Sarnia hosting the event, local fans can come out to cheer on their 2014 1st-overall selection in Jakob Chychrun and 2nd-round forward Jordan Kyrou as key members of Canada White. Chychrun and Kyrou have already stepped up in their rookie seasons and are playing top minutes. In addition to the familiar Sting faces, fans can expect to get excited about Ottawa 67`s two-way threat Travis Barron, Erie`s Taylor Raddysh, Moose Jaw's Brett Howden and high scoring BCHLer Tyson Jost.

Charlottetown winger Mitchell Balmas (who replaces the injured Hunter Moreau), Saginaw Spirit defender Keaton Middleton (who replaces Josh Mahura) and Soo Greyhounds top 2014 pick Anthony Salinitri (who replaces Dillon Dube) are excited about their renewed opportunity.

The strength of Canada White comes from their outstanding defensive core which starts with Jakob Chychrun, Medicine Hat's David Quenneville (brother of New Jersey Devils 2014 1st rounder John), Luke Green of Saint John, Gabriel Bilodeau of Val d'Or and ends with the outstanding Samuel Harvey in net.

Team CANADA BLACK (Roster)

Donning the black threads for Canada is potential Top 10 2016 NHL Draft prospect and 2013 1st-overall WHL pick Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants), 2013 2nd-overall WHL selection Sam Steel (Regina Pats) and a slew of OHL 1st-rounders in Brandon Saigeon (Belleville Bulls), Matthew Hotchkiss (Guelph Storm), Chris Paquette (Niagara IceDogs), Zach Poirier (North Bay Battalion), Cliff Pu (Oshawa Generals) and Reagan O'Grady (Kingston Frontenacs). Canada Black features some underrated scoring depth with the likes of Nolan Volcan (Seattle Thunderbirds), Pascal Laberge (Gatineau Olympiques) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) who are all off to strong starts in their respective junior leagues.

On the blueline, look for Brandon Wheat Kings Kale Clague, Shawinigan's Samuel Girard, London Knights' Tyler Nother to help solidify the defensive zone in front of 6-foot-4 goaltender Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Reilly Pickard (Baie-Comeau Drakker) who will share crease duties.

Team CANADA RED (Roster)

A quick glance down the roster for Canada Red will certainly appear as if Hockey Canada formed an All-Ontarian team as 11 players are from the Ontario Hockey League including exceptional defender Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads), a potential 2016 Top 3 draft prospect. Joining Day on the blueline from the OHL is the intelligent Matthew Timms (Peterborough Petes), big tough Windsor Spitfire Logan Stanley and slick skating Knight Victor Mete. On the front lines, dazzling puck rusher Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads), dangler Tye Felhaber (Saginaw Spirit), sniper Adam Mascherin (Kitchener Rangers), clutch forward William Bitten (Plymouth Whalers), power forward Givani Smith (Barrie Colts) and top 2016 prospect Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires) will all represent the OHL. In total, eight of the OHL's Top 20 selections from the 2014 draft are competing for Canada Red.

Beyond the tremendous "potential" firepower from the Ontario top picks (McLeod, Mascherin, Felhaber and Brown), Canada Red may have three of the most productive 98s in the nation in Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick (15-4-8-12), William Bitten (13-3-6-9) and Kamloops Blazer Jake Kryski (16-5-6-11).

Blueline soldiers outside of Ontario will consist of BCHL stud Dante Fabbro, Sherbrooke's Thomas Gregoire and Victoriaville's Guillaume Beck - all fantastic defensive prospects. With goaltenders Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes) and 6-foot-4 Phoenix puckstopper Evan Fitzpatrick in net, goals against should be held to a minimum.

On paper, Canada Red may have the best opportunity to end the red and white's three year drought of a World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal. If I were a betting man (and I am), I would look towards Canada Red as the best chance to unseat the Americans.

With exhibition play slated to kick off Halloween night and the tournament commencing on Sunday, the shores of Lake Huron will be home to some outstanding world-class talent looking to make their country proud in hopes of taking home the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal.

Follow @RossyYoungblood on Twitter as he covers the entirety of the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.