Mike Vukojevic – McKeen's Hockey

OHL Prospects in the AHL: Part Two – Mike Vukojevic (New Jersey), Graeme Clarke (New Jersey), Donovan Sebrango (Detroit), Connor McMichael (Washington)

Brock Otten — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 20:34:27 +0000

In a normal season, players from the CHL under the age of 20 (save for the odd player granted exceptional status like Joe Veleno) would not be eligible to play in the AHL due to the agreement with the Canadian Hockey League. However, 2021 has been anything but normal. While many draft eligible players from Ontario have gone overseas to play and advance their development, OHL players that were already drafted into the NHL have been granted the opportunity to play in the AHL while they await the start-up of the Ontario Hockey League. 28 players who would have otherwise been sent back to the OHL, have started their pro careers early. For many, the results have been terrific, and this experience has done wonders for their development.

As part of a seven-part series, I will be evaluating the performances of each of those 28 players.

Mike Vukojevic - Binghamton Devils

Defense, 6’3, 215lbs

OHL Rights: Kitchener Rangers

NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils

Statistics: 6gp, 1g, 4a, 5p, 6pim, -3

When we last left him:

Vukojevic was an alternate captain for the Kitchener Rangers in 2019/20. While his offensive production did not really improve from the previous year (his draft year), many parts of his game took a step forward. Always a staunch defender, Vukojevic’s four way mobility took a positive step forward to help him keep pace with quicker attackers, help him get to dump ins more efficiently, and to help him evade forecheckers when pressured in the defensive zone. Additionally, we saw his confidence with the puck begin to grow as his breakout attempts were cleaner and more consistent and he showed glimpses of being able to lead the attack in transition or pinch up to keep pucks inside the offensive zone. The perception of his offensive upside as an NHL defender remained limited, however positive steps were made to round out his game.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 60

Assessing his AHL play:

The Devils have three quality defensive prospects from the OHL in their system currently; Nikita Okhotyuk, Kevin Bahl, and Vukojevic. Okhotyuk and Bahl turned pro this year and are a year ahead in their development. Thus, it should come as no surprise to see them earning more playing time than Vukojevic with Binghamton to start the year. That said, Vukojevic has seen action in a variety of roles thus far, even earning powerplay and penalty killing responsibilities (although not consistently). Offensively, the production has been more than adequate as his one goal and four assists (currently) are the highest among Devils’ blueliners.

Interestingly enough, it has been Vukojevic’s offensive game that has stood out more than his defensive game in this small sample size as a pro. He looks comfortable and confident with the puck on his stick in all three zones and is making quick reads with his head up to find the open man, even in the face of a forecheck. Crisp breakout passes and his composure holding the line in the offensive end stand out as positives. We are not seeing him lead the attack or carry deep into the offensive zone. And we are not seeing him looking to utilize his shot or shoot the puck all that often. However, his decision making with the puck looks quite strong.

From a defensive perspective, Vukojevic does seem to be lacking the confidence to play with consistent physicality as a pro thus far. On plays in the OHL where we would see Vukojevic really lean into opposing forwards near the wall, pinning them and separating them from the puck, we are seeing him instead trying to stick check more often in the AHL. As such, we find him reaching, instead of playing the body and opposing forwards are evading his defensive pressure a lot easier than OHL players typically do. We are also seeing him get caught flat footed from time to time, trying to use his reach to defend in transition, but instead giving up ground to attackers with pace. These issues could certainly point towards the need for Vukojevic to continue to improve his mobility.

Game Tape:

*Vukojevic wears #2 for the Binghamton Devils

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-michael_vukojevic_-_2nd_period_5_24_-_5_36.mp4

Here we see Vukojevic spring a Devils’ forward with a terrific outlet pass. As he goes back to recover the dump in, he uses multiple shoulder checks to assess where his teammates are. Confident in his assessment, he fires a near end to end breakout pass to Cam Darcy who gets a great scoring chance. This is the part of Vukojevic’s game that has grown the most since he entered the OHL and he is showing off his vision and precision as a pro too.

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Look at how confidently and quickly Vukojevic assesses the situation here in the offensive zone. He holds the line, fakes a shot and uses a slap pass through two opposing players to an open teammate in the slot. This sets up a great goal for the Devils and earns Vukojevic a secondary assist. Again, earlier in his OHL career, Vukojevic likely forces a shot through traffic or simply dumps this puck back down into the corner. However, he now possesses the confidence to make creative plays with the puck and has become especially good at holding the line.

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In the OHL, it is not too often you see opposing forwards wiggle out of the clutches of Vukojevic. However, he is relying too much on stick checks and showing a lack of confidence in using his size to play the body as a pro thus far. This clip is a perfect example of that. Vukojevic has an opportunity to pin Jordy Bellerive as he spins off the check of a teammate. His decision to provide assistance is too late, which puts him at a slight disadvantage as he approaches. However, he also decides not to try to physically engage Bellerive to knock him off the puck or to pin him. As such, his reaching stick check is ineffective and Bellerive gets behind him and eventually scores. Down low, and behind the net, we are seeing opposing forwards wiggle away from Vukojevic in similar fashion.

AHL Performance Grade: B

Continuing in the OHL:

It is likely that we see Vukojevic named as captain of the Kitchener Rangers this year, after being an alternate last year. He will also continue to be a defensive anchor for the Rangers and will look to continue to improve his confidence as an offensive player. With game speed decreasing, Vukojevic should be able to return to being a physical force in the defensive end. The focus moving forward will remain improving his quickness and mobility so that he can develop into a longtime NHL defender for the Devils.

Graeme Clarke - Binghamton Devils

Right Wing, 6’0, 175lbs

OHL Rights: Ottawa 67’s

NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils

Statistics: 4gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 2pim, 0 (+/-)

When we last left him:

The older brother of top 2021 draft prospect Brandt Clarke, Graeme missed a huge chunk of the 2019/20 season as he recovered from shoulder surgery. He returned in late February and got in a handful of games before the pandemic forced a season ending shutdown. With no OHL playoffs and his injury, it was a tough year to evaluate Clarke’s progress. For as dynamic as he is with the puck, concerns over his lack of explosiveness and his strength on the puck remain. Given the nature of his injury, Clarke did look hesitant to involve himself physically upon returning and as he builds up strength in the shoulder again, he will need to prove to be a more engaged player in all three zones. Before coming to the AHL this year, Clarke had joined his brother Brandt in Slovakia for a brief moment (but was held to one point in six games).

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 60, Smarts: 50, Physicality: 45

Assessing his AHL play:

Graeme has only played in half of the Devils game thus far, spending most of that time on the third and fourth line. While he has played sparingly at even strength, Clarke has received ice time on the powerplay, in an effort to build up his confidence from an offensive standpoint.

Ultimately, what we have seen from Clarke thus far in limited AHL action is that he is not yet ready to play a consistent role at the pro level. He looks adequate on the powerplay (where he is playing regularly), setting up near the dot/half wall on the right side. He looks comfortable and confident moving the puck and is seeking out scoring chances for himself by moving into the slot/home plate area. He does not have a goal yet, but he is getting his shots on net.

However, at even strength, with less room to operate, he is struggling to maintain sustained pressure with his line. His lack of explosiveness is still apparent and he is having difficulty earning those open looks. When trying to create in transition, or lead the attack, he is being funneled to the wall and is losing possession or being forced to dump in. A positive note, however, is that he looks more engaged defensively and has made a few nice plays on the backcheck with good positioning and an active stick. Rounding out his game will be key for his development.

Game Tape:

*Clarke wears #92 for the Binghamton Devils

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-graeme_clarke_-_2nd_period_17_4_-_17_17.mp4

Here we find Clarke in his happy place, operating near the wall on the powerplay. It is from this position that he can dictate and take over as defenders have to respect the quality of his shot, which often opens up passing lanes that he can exploit. In this clip, Clarke gets his best scoring chance as a pro, stepping into the slot and wiring a wrister towards the top shelf. However, he is stymied by the glove hand of the Phantoms netminder.

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In this clip, Clarke is operating in that same spot on the powerplay. Only this time, the play dies on his stick. He gets pushed into the wall and knocked off stride by a defender and then stripped of the puck by the second help defender on the PK, who is able to clear the zone. If he wants to be successful on the powerplay as a pro, he will need to be stronger on the puck in these situations and able to maintain possession and balance through contact.

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I think it is obvious that Clarke has been working to improve his skating over the course of his OHL career. It is just that the results have not really come to fruition as of yet. In this clip, we see him lead the attack and attempt to use linear crossovers to create enough separation for him to have a clear look at the net. But the Phantoms defender (AHL veteran Tyler Wotherspoon) stays with him and closes the gap quickly forcing Clarke into putting a weak wrister on net from further out and from an inopportune angle. With more explosiveness, Clarke might have been able to get in tight to the Phantoms net and deeper into the slot, giving him better leverage.

AHL Performance Grade: C

Continuing in the OHL:

The Ottawa 67’s intend to be competitive yet again this year. They have built up a strong young core and Clarke will be counted on to be an offensive leader along with Jack Quinn. It is likely that Clarke plays on the top powerplay with Quinn, but a different line at even strength. Clarke presumably lines up with Cameron Tolnai as part of a strong second line (as the two showed great chemistry late last year). The expectation for Clarke will be to take that next step as an elite offensive player in the OHL, consistent from shift to shift and night to night. He is talented enough to be among the leading scorers in the league. The question is, can Clarke elevate other areas of his game (competitiveness, physicality, strength on the puck) to prove to New Jersey that he can be a top six option for them in the future. Of course, continuing to improve his skating will be an additional area of focus.

Donovan Sebrango - Grand Rapids Griffins

Defense, 6’1, 190lbs

OHL Rights: Kitchener Rangers

NHL Rights: Detroit Red Wings

Statistics: 7gp, 0g, 1a, 1p, 9pim, -1

When we last left him:

We at McKeen’s had Sebrango ranked 77th heading into the 2020 NHL Draft, which is fairly close to where he was selected by the Detroit Red Wings at the beginning of the third round. After playing a shutdown role for Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, Sebrango emerged as a go to defensive player for the Kitchener Rangers in his draft year. Originally touted as a dynamic puck mover (out of U16), Sebrango has developed into more of a hard nosed, two-way player. While he shows flashes of being a capable offensive player, his development in his own zone has certainly shown to be more advanced than that outside of his own blueline, at least as an OHL player thus far. His four way mobility, tenaciousness, and overall awareness, give him a good chance to be a long time NHL defender.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 55

Assessing his AHL play:

One of only a handful of U19 defenders seeing regular action in the AHL this year, the fact that Sebrango is seeing significant playing time for the Griffins is impressive. While he is only seeing even strength responsibilities, he is certainly holding his own and this experience will certainly be extremely positive for his development as a Red Wings prospect.

Sebrango, despite being significantly younger than most of the players he is asked to check, continues to play with physical intensity. He is engaging physically, digging in his heels and doing his best to win his share of puck battles (especially below the goal line). The fact that he is already proving to be capable of retrieving dump ins and winning those fifty/fifty battles is impressive and shows that he put in the work to get stronger this offseason. That said, where Sebrango is struggling, is at the net front. He is having some difficulty tying up opposing forwards or clearing pucks, and the pace seems to overwhelm him at times there as he gets himself turned around.

However, Sebrango does look very comfortable defending in transition. He is aggressive to step up and angle attackers to the wall when necessary and he is doing a good job of minding his gaps, acknowledging when to be aggressive and when not to be. Transitionally, the pace of defending is not really giving him many issues.

As an offensive defender, Sebrango is very much keeping it simple. Lots of deferrals, quick exits, or chip outs. He is playing very conservative in terms of holding the line or pinching down low. This is to be expected, as he had not yet gained full confidence of his offensive abilities at the OHL level, let alone against experienced professionals at the AHL level. Regardless, Sebrango has shown well in the AHL by simply not standing out in a negative way on most nights as a U19 defender.

Game Tape:

*Sebrango wears #55 for the Grand Rapid Griffins

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-donovan_sebrango_-_2nd_period_6_3_-_6_20.mp4

In this first clip, we see Sebrango stop longtime pro Zac Dalpe dead in his tracks, separating him from the puck. However, Cleveland maintains possession. Sebrango quickly recovers to his position net front and intercepts a pass, breaking up a significant scoring chance. Then he heads the attack out of the defensive zone himself and gains entry to the offensive zone for the Griffins. Many clips could have been shown that were similar to this one, with Sebrango stepping up physically to separate along the wall.

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Here, Sebrango can’t corral a rebound near the crease and gets himself all turned around. His failure to clear the rebound from the slot results in a goal against, as he failed to tie up the Wolves forward too. The scoring chances earned by the other team when Sebrango is on the ice do seem to follow a pattern, with him being unable to tie up players or clear the front of the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3-donovan_sebrango_-_2nd_period_21_15_-_21_28.mp4

In this final clip, Sebrango earns his first AHL point, as he takes the pass at the point, fakes the point to point pass, and steps into one, which is redirected in front of the net. Sebrango has shown to be at his best as an offensive defender when he is holding the blueline (in the OHL) and this play certainly shows a glimpse of the types of plays he is capable of making.

AHL Performance Grade: B

Continuing in the OHL:

Upon returning to the OHL, expect Sebrango to form a fantastic one-two defensive punch with Mike Vukojevic. The two would have the potential to become one of the top pairings in the OHL (if the Rangers elect not to separate them). Sebrango would, no doubt, receive an increase in offensive responsibility from a year ago, including time on the powerplay. This would hopefully help to increase his confidence with the puck on his stick and convince him to take a few more chances as a facilitator. Another expectation would be that Sebrango would carry over his confidence as a defensive player from the pro level and establish himself as one of the most physical and intimidating defensive presences in the OHL.

Connor McMichael - Hershey Bears

Center, 6’0, 183lbs

OHL Rights: London Knights

NHL Rights: Washington Capitals

Statistics: 9gp, 4g, 2a, 6p, 4pim, +8

When we last left him:

A breakout season with the London Knights made McMichael one of only four OHL players to reach the 100 point mark last season. His 47 goals placed him third and his 0.90 goals per game were second only to Nick Robertson. McMichael has also starred for Canada at the last two World Junior Championships, earning gold and silver medals, respectively. His hockey sense, without question, remains his best asset. McMichael is an extremely intelligent hockey player who rarely makes a mistake with the puck and reads and reacts to the play at a level above his peers, which earns him so many good scoring chances (4.33 per game according to InStat, tops in the OHL last year). He also scores in so many different ways, thanks to his excellent release and his quick hands. The big thing for McMichael is to get stronger so that he can become tougher to knock off the puck (especially along the wall) and more effective as a two-way player. The positioning and understanding of how to play in all three zones is there, as you would expect from any Dale Hunter coached player, but McMichael’s effectiveness in winning those puck battles and forcing turnovers was inconsistent.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 60, Skills: 55, Smarts: 60, Physicality: 50

Assessing his AHL play:

McMichael has stepped right into the AHL and become an impact player for the Hershey Bears. He has been playing as the Bears’ second line center behind veteran Michael Sgarbossa, but has been seeing time on the top powerplay unit, working in either the bumper position or the half wall. As of writing this, McMichael is tied for the team lead in goals and is second in points for the Bears.

Just like he did in the OHL, McMichael has been generating or the recipient of multiple scoring chances per game. According to InStat hockey, his 3.8 per game are tops on Hershey by a large margin (Joe Snively is second with 2.4). A lot of this has to be attributed to how well he processes the game. A strong skater, McMichael is consistently beating pro defenders to gain those chances; again in a multitude of ways. He is earning breakways. He is firing one timers from the half wall on the powerplay. He is taking abuse near the crease for rebounds or redirects. So why isn’t he finishing off more of these chances? He seems to be gripping his stick a little tight in these situations, missing on chances that he would not miss at the OHL level. Obviously the pace of play, the speed of passes; it is more advanced and could be contributing to this. Another contributing factor could be McMichael’s lack of strength on the puck. He is being knocked off stride/off balance by defenders, throwing off his timing and it is causing him to fire wide or fumble the puck. As he gets stronger and builds confidence, look for more of those chances to end up in the back of the net.

The fact that McMichael is playing center for Hershey and excelling is definitely promising too. Many scouts felt (and still do) that he would feature more prominently on the wing at the pro level. However, he is proving all of us wrong thus far. He is leading the charge through the neutral zone and being more active in leading the zone entry than he typically does at the OHL level. He is showing little fear in driving through the middle and learning to be more engaged in the defensive zone. His faceoff percentage has been a strength thus far too.

Really, the only two things holding him back thus far are the consistency with which he is engaged defensively and his strength. Again, McMichael is a really bright kid, but learning how to be a strong two-way presence will take him at the pro level, especially if he continues to stick down the middle. Part of that will mean getting stronger to help him be more effective on the backcheck and along the wall, so that he does not just have to rely on his stick positioning to be a defensive presence. That added strength will also help him convert on more of those scoring chances and would help him elevate his playmaking ability as he can hold possession longer and through initial bouts of contact.

Game Tape:

*McMichael wears #15 for the Hershey Bears

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-connor_mcmichael_-_2nd_period_3_13_-_3_26.mp4

Great read and effort here by McMichael. He pokes the puck by Will Reilly and heads off on a breakaway, where he makes no mistake with the wrist shot, going high blocker side.

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Here McMichael buries one from the bumper position on the powerplay. He makes a really creative play here, using the goaltender’s pad as a means of a self pass, allowing him to get better balance and into a better shooting position to put home the rebound. Of course, that first poke might have simply been an attempt to score, but knowing McMichael and the way he plays, that looked intentional.

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This was certainly not McMichael’s finest moment as a pro thus far. He takes a lazy tripping penalty, then visibly frustrated with himself, fails to hustle on the backcheck, leaving a wide open Phantom to score. These types of mental lapses just can not happen at the pro level and I am sure he heard about this one from the Bears’ coaching staff.

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These are the types of misses that you do not typically see from McMichael. However, there are multiple instances of plays just like this that he can not convert on. With some of the best hands and among the best releases of any prospect in hockey, you can chalk these misses up to a lack of confidence and experience. As he becomes more comfortable, expect these to end up in the back of the net.

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In this clip we see a good example of how added strength, especially to his lower body, would help McMichael greatly. Firstly, he does not build up enough speed quickly enough to get a clean break between the two defenders. Secondly, he is easily knocked off stride by the reach of the defender into his hands. That prevents him from securing possession and likely scoring. In time, McMichael likely drives through those two defenders, fights off the contact and earns that opportunity in alone.

AHL Performance Grade: A-

Continuing in the OHL:

The Capitals will have a tough choice on their hands when the OHL starts up. The obvious one would be to send him back to London where he would continue to be one of the best players in the league, and where he could continue to improve his defensive play under the tutelage of Dale Hunter. However, there is certainly a chance that the Capitals call up McMichael and have him finish out the rest of the year on their taxi squad, getting into the occasional game (as he has already done this season), while practicing with the big club. In a perfect world, he stays in the AHL, but that is just not a possibility due to the CHL/AHL agreement. Either way, this year has to be considered a positive one for McMichael’s development, even in the face of a pandemic.

McKeen’s Choice Awards: OHL

Brock Otten — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 13:45:50 +0000

Brock Otten’s OHL Choice Awards

The 2019 NHL Draft is under a month away. What better way to dissect the players available from the OHL than to compare them through a “best of” article. Here are my selections for the top-rated players across several categories.

Connor McMichael of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

Best Hockey Sense - Connor McMichael, London Knights

McMichael is the type of player who succeeds because of his high IQ in the offensive end. He is consistently one step ahead of the competition and is equally as effective without the puck as he is with it. This higher order processing is put to use in all three zones too.

Also Considered: Arthur Kaliyev, Ryan Suzuki, Nick Robertson, Cole Mackay

Most Skilled - Nicholas Robertson, Peterborough Petes

Robertson, despite being less physically mature than some of his fellow draft eligible players, is so difficult to stop in the offensive zone because of the things that he can do with the puck. He drives offensive possession, operating just as well in transition as he does when the game slows down.

Also Considered: Graeme Clarke, Ryan Suzuki, Thomas Harley, Arthur Kaliyev

Hardest to Play Against - Jamieson Rees, Sarnia Sting

Rees’ energy level and tenaciousness knows no bounds. He is constantly looking to use his speed to disrupt the play and can be characterized as a “puck hound.” This was perfectly on display at this year’s U18’s, where he was Canada’s spark plug and a top penalty killer.

Also Considered: Vladislav Kolyachonok, Ethan Keppen, Michael Vukojevic, Keegan Stevenson, Keean Washkurak

Best Playmaker - Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts

Suzuki is the type of center who seems to have eyes in the back of his head. His vision on the ice and ability to thread passes through traffic is unrivaled among OHL players in this draft class. With the extra room to operate on the powerplay, he can be especially dangerous.

Also Considered: Thomas Harley, Nick Robertson, Philip Tomasino

Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Best Skater - Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads

There are some terrific skaters available from the OHL this year, but Harley is the best of the bunch. He generates such power with long explosive strides and as such is able to carve up the neutral zone with relative ease. In my viewings of Harley this year, he seemed to average at least one end to end rush per game.

Also Considered: Jamieson Rees, Philip Tomasino, Billy Constantinou, Connor McMichael, Keean Washkurak, Vladislav Kolyachonok

Best Shot - Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs

In this year’s OHL coaches’ poll, not only was Kaliyev voted as having the best shot in the OHL’s Eastern Conference, he was voted as having the hardest shot too. He has a variety of weapons in his arsenal. From a quick, but accurate wrist shot, which he uses in transition. To a booming slap shot (that can be effectively one timed), which he utilizes while running the point or half wall on the powerplay. His 50 goals this year were no fluke.

Also Considered: Graeme Clarke, Nick Robertson, Connor McMichael

Best Stickhandler - Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes

Robertson is such a slick and creative playmaker because of his skill level. His ability to change pace and direction with the puck, makes him incredibly elusive in the offensive end and gives him the ability to make defenders look very, very bad. He dictates tempo as well as any forward in this draft.

Also Considered: Graeme Clarke, Ryan Suzuki, Jamieson Rees, Philip Tomasino

Best Body Checker - Navrin Mutter, Hamilton Bulldogs

Mutter is a human torpedo on the ice; a real throwback player to an era that put more value on physical intimidation. His physicality can be reckless at times, but his hits can do damage for the positive, especially when it comes to forcing turnovers and creating space in the offensive end.

Also Considered: Nikita Okhotyuk, Jamieson Rees, Ethan Keppen, Mike Vukojevic

Jamieson Rees of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Best Defensive Forward - Jamieson Rees, Sarnia Sting

Strong two-way awareness and effort is not always something that is present in draft eligible forwards. And it can almost always be improved upon. But Jamieson Rees has to be considered the most well-rounded prospect available from the OHL this year. He is good at using his speed to break up plays on the backcheck and will use his physicality to separate his man from the puck in all three zones. These characteristics also make him a terrific penalty killer.

Also Considered: Connor McMichael, Cole Schwindt, Cole Mackay, Petr Cajka

Best Defensive Defender - Nikita Okhotyuk, Ottawa 67’s

The OHL is absolutely loaded with talented defensive stalwarts on the back-end this year, with all six of the players I have listed for this category looking like NHL draft selections. But Okhotyuk should be considered the best one because of his blend of size, physicality, and mobility. He was leaned on heavily by the first place Ottawa 67’s to protect leads late in games, match up against opposing top lines and to kill penalties.

Also Considered: Mike Vukojevic, Jacob LeGuerrier, Vladislav Kolyachonok, Liam Ross, Mitchell Brewer

Best Offensive Defender - Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads

There is a reason why Harley is considered a possible top 20 selection at this year’s draft. His blend of size, mobility, puck skill, and vision have teams envisioning him as a future powerplay QB and point producer at the next level. He is ultra-aggressive in his attacks already, constantly looking to push the pace and drive the play with his speed and skill. As he continues to gain strength and confidence, how high can his game climb? Many compare Harley to current Ottawa Senator Thomas Chabot.

Also Considered: Billy Constantinou, Vladislav Kolyachonok, Jack York

Fastest Skater - Connor McMichael, London Knights

This one is tight between a few different players, but McMichael’s speed is key to his effectiveness as a contributor in all three zones. Sometimes he does not play the game as quick as he should, but that does not mean that his speed is not impressive. When he turns on the jets, few players in this league can catch him. He finished first in the forward skate sprint at the CHL Top Prospect’s Game testing this year.

Also Considered: Jamieson Rees, Philip Tomasino, Vladislav Kolyachonok, Keean Washkurak

Top Goalie - Hunter Jones, Peterborough Petes

At mid-season, Jones was looking like someone who could challenge Spencer Knight for the top goalie available in North America. But his second half performance was not strong, and his ranking has slipped accordingly. That said, his combination of size and athleticism are going to be very attractive to NHL scouts. Consistency is often the last thing top notch goaltending prospects figure out.

Also Considered: Jet Greaves, Mack Guzda

IIHF 2019 U18 World Championship Preview – Canada

Brock Otten — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 21:51:02 +0000

Team Canada at the Gretzky/Ivan Hlinka Tournament 2018

The IIHF World Under 18 Hockey Championships can often be a challenging event for Hockey Canada due to the fact that they are often not able to ice their most competitive roster. This is because the event runs simultaneously with the Canadian Hockey League playoffs and subsequently some of the best talent is not able to participate. Canada has won the gold medal only twice in the last 15 years of the U18’s and has failed to medal in the last three. In contrast, Canada has dominated the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup that occurs in the summer for U18 players, winning 22 of the 28 gold medals in the history of the event. But just as Canada does not send its best to the IIHF event, many other nations (especially the United States) do not send their best to the Hlinka.

This year, Canada may actually be able to ice a very competitive team. From the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup team that won gold this past summer, Canada will have three of their top six scorers available (Suzuki, Cozens, and Krebs), and a fourth (Kirby Dach) joining the team now that Saskatoon is eliminated at the hands of the powerhouse Prince Albert Raiders. In addition to that, Canada will have three defenders and a goaltender from this summer’s roster too. As such, Team Canada has a very real chance of breaking their medal drought at the event.

Up front, Canada’s likely to be led by a very strong top two scoring lines which features two WHL players (Dylan Cozens, Peyton Krebs), one OHL player (Ryan Suzuki), one QMJHL player (Nathan Legare), and two Tier 2 players from the BCHL and AJHL (Alex Newhook, Dylan Holloway). Additionally, Pascal Pelletier, Samuel Poulin, and Kirby Dach are likely additions after their teams were eliminated in the second round of the CHL playoffs. That group will be able to compete with the best that the rest of the world has to offer in the age group.

On the backend, Thomas Harley will be an integral component. He will quarterback the team’s powerplay and look to get the puck to the team’s talented forward group in transition. Canada will also rely on their three returning Hlinka/Gretzky team members in Kaedan Korczak, Braden Schneider, and Mike Vukojevic. Underager Jamie Drysdale is likely to play an integral part too. His skating ability will be a major asset on the big ice. Moncton’s Jordan Spence is a possible addition as well following Moncton’s second round loss. He would be able to run the powerplay with Harley and give Canada another competent puck mover.

And in net, Taylor Gauthier is likely to be the workhorse as a returning Hlinka/Gretzky member. He was terrific in the summer for Canada and is highly ranked as a potential top three round pick for this year’s NHL draft. With all the firepower at this year’s event (especially from the United States), Gauthier will have to be at his best for Canada to take home the gold. Although if Saskatoon does indeed get eliminated, there is a chance that Nolan Maier is brought in, which would give Canada their exact duo from the summer U18’s.

As is the case every year for Canada at the IIHF Under 18’s, the team will take a wait and see approach before naming their final roster should any other highly regarded players come available (due to playoff elimination). Kirby Dach of Saskatoon was already mentioned and he would be an impact player. Others available now that their playoffs are done include Samuel Poulin, Jordan Spence, Quinton Byfield, and Nolan Maier. All of these players would elevate Canada’s roster and make them more of a contender for a medal.

Top 10 to Watch:

Dylan Cozens

Cozens will arguably be Canada’s most important player at this event. The Lethbridge Hurricanes forward can suit up at center or the wing and his speed and skill will be on full display. He also enters the event as Canada’s top ranked player for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (recently ranked 6th by McKeen’s’ April draft rankings). His 84 points (34 goals and 50 assists) led Lethbridge in scoring this year. It also made him the highest scoring U18 player in the WHL. At 6’3, Cozens is physically imposing and when paired with an explosive skating stride, it makes him very difficult to stop in transition. This is especially true given his excellent puck control while at full speed.

Peyton Krebs

Krebs is a player who has been difficult for scouts to get a read on this season because he plays for one of the worst teams in the WHL, the Kootenay Ice. But the talented, playmaking forward remains a potential top 10 selection due to his competitiveness and complete game. Already the captain of Kootenay at 18, he led the Ice in scoring by a pretty significant margin (16 points). Krebs can do it all. He can skate. He can dominate the offensive zone with his puck control ability. He can play in all three zones. And his hockey IQ is considered to be extremely high. Because of those aforementioned leadership skills, he is going to serve as the captain of this Canada team. Currently ranked 8th by McKeen’s in April, Krebs has a chance to improve that ranking with a strong U18 performance (away from Kootenay).

Ryan Suzuki

Speaking of playmaking centers, they don’t get much better than Barrie’s Ryan Suzuki. His vision, passing ability, and creativity with the puck are among the best in the age group. His seven assists led the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in helpers this past summer. He also registered 50 assists for Barrie of the OHL, which put him tied for second in the entire CHL among U18 players. Yet, Suzuki has found himself slowly sliding down the first round in most rankings. Now at 18 in McKeens April rankings, his inconsistent play has some doubting whether he should still be a first-round selection. Likely to be a big part of Canada’s powerplay at the U18’s, a strong performance could put him back in contention for a lottery selection come June.

Alex Newhook

Newhook was a surprising cut this past summer from Canada’s Hlinka team. Additionally, he was disappointing at this year’s World Junior A Challenge where he suited up for Canada West. Needless to say, he is a player who has a lot to prove at this year’s Under 18’s. Currently McKeens’ 16th ranked prospect for 2019, Newhook will look to utilize his speed and puck skill to be one of Canada’s offensive leaders. He finished the year as the leading scorer of the BCHL with Victoria, so expectations will be quite high. The Boston College commit is an excellent playmaker and figures to be one of Canada’s first two centers in Sweden.

Nathan Legare

With 45 goals this year for Baie-Comeau, Legare figures to be one of Canada’s pivotal goal scorers heading into the event. He finished tied for second in the QMJHL in goal scoring, thanks in part to his powerful shot, quick release, and high-end hockey sense. He also has the potential to impact the game on a physical level, which will be needed to help open up some space on the ice for Canada’s more skilled puck carriers. Despite these strengths, Legare finds himself outside the top 93 of McKeens’ current rankings because of some skating deficiencies. As such, his play on the big ice will go a long way in proving to NHL scouts that he can keep pace with the best in his age group and transition his goal scoring ability to the next level.

Dylan Holloway

Thanks to a later September birthday, Holloway is not eligible to be drafted until next year (2020), where he will likely be playing for the University of Wisconsin. This year, Holloway finished second in the AJHL scoring race for Okotoks and is the second player on this roster from outside of the CHL (along with Newhook). Holloway played more of a shutdown role for Canada at the Hlinka this summer, so it remains to be seen what role he will play at the U18’s. A versatile player who has few weaknesses, Holloway has the skill and hockey sense to play up in the lineup, but also the skating ability and intensity level to excel as more of a role player and penalty killer. But he is definitely someone to keep an eye on as a potential lottery selection in 2020.

Thomas Harley

Harley, currently ranked 21st by McKeen’s for the 2019 NHL Draft, will be an integral part of Canada’s blueline and powerplay unit at the U18’s. A fantastic skater, he is able to start the breakout and lead the transition game. He will most likely quarterback Canada’s top powerplay unit and success with the man advantage is always one of the keys to taking home a medal at an IIHF event. Harley is a finalist for the Max Kaminsky award this year in the OHL, as the league’s top defender, so expectations will be quite high for him to be a leader of the blueline. That said, he will also need to prove that he can play well in his own end and be that top minute eater that Canada requires.

Kaedan Korczak

If Harley is Canada’s most important offensive defender, then Korzcak would have to be considered Canada’s most important defensive defender. A likely partner to the explosive Harley, Korczak is a staunch two-way defender out of the defensive factory known as Kelowna in the WHL. His draft ranking is inconsistent from scouting agency to scouting agency, with some having him as a first-round pick and others like us at McKeens having him outside of the top 93 currently. With good size at 6’3, a physical approach in his own end, and adequate puck skill, Korczak will be used in all key defensive situations. With a strong performance at the U18’s, Korczak can likely be another Kelowna defender to find himself taken inside the first two rounds come June.

Jamie Drysdale

Every year Canada has an underage player perform in a starring role for them and this year that player is likely to be Erie Otters (OHL) defender Jamie Drysdale. A potential top 5 pick in 2020, Drysdale is a potentially dominant two-way defender who is the complete package. His skating ability is among the best in the OHL already as a 17-year-old and he was only the fifth U17 defender to hit the 40 point mark in the OHL in the new millenium. One of those five was Ryan Ellis, who was a standout performer on Canada’s 2008 gold medal winning U18 team as an underager. When all is said and done, I would expect Drysdale to be a top four defender in Sweden.

Taylor Gauthier

Generally speaking, a team is only as good as their goaltender at events like this. Considering the amount of firepower that the U.S., Sweden, Finland, and Russia possess this year, Taylor Gauthier may have to stand on his head at times. The Prince George (WHL) netminder was the hero for Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky this summer, coming into the gold medal game against Sweden in the first period after Nolan Maier had given up two goals on the first three shots and shutting the door the rest of the way. He enters the event as one of the top North American goaltenders available for the 2019 Draft (ranked 5th by NHL Central Scouting at midterm) and could move himself up event further with a medal winning performance in Sweden.

Sleeper - Kirby Dach

Currently McKeens’ third ranked player for the 2019 Draft, Dach will be a huge addition if added to Team Canada now that his Saskatoon Blades were eliminated by Prince Albert in the second round of the WHL playoffs. The 6’4 center has some of the best hands and puck skill in the age group and as such is dynamic as a playmaker, especially in transition. If he comes into the event he will take a spot on Canada’s top line and top powerplay unit with the expectation that he be among the tournament’s leading scorers. He was just that at the Hlinka/Gretzky in the summer where his seven points tied him for fourth in tournament scoring. The only knock on Dach being the consistency of his engagement level, but it would be hard to see that being an issue when competing for his country on the big stage.

OHL Playoff Preview: Western Conference – Trade deadline talent arms race makes for a wide open battle

Brock Otten — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:21:53 +0000

This week the 2019 OHL playoffs will kick off with first round action getting under way on Thursday. More so than any year that I can remember, the field is wide open. There are favorites to take home the J.Ross Robertson Cup, sure, but the sheer number of candidates to make it to the end is greater than previous years because of how many teams loaded up with talent at this year’s trade deadline. As difficult as it is, I will make my predictions. Just do not place any large bets or wagers based upon it.

First Round

Jean-Luc Foudy of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#1. London Knights vs. #8. Windsor Spitfires

Season Series: 5-1 for London

Analysis: The Spitfires limped into the playoffs with only one regulation win in their final ten games. Their punishment? A date with London, who narrowly held off Saginaw to take the #1 seed in the West. Even if I don’t expect this to be a close series, it will be a terrific experience for the Spitfires and their talented, young roster. Young players like Jean Luc Foudy and Will Cuylle will get a taste of the playoffs to know what is required of them when Windsor becomes a powerhouse again in a few years’ time. The Knights hold the clear advantage in nearly every area here. The team’s #5 defender, Joey Keane, would be Windsor’s #1. They outscore them by over a goal per game. And even if discipline issues creep up (London is the most penalized team in the Western Conference), their top-rated penalty kill is efficient enough to limit Windsor’s chances of getting back in games. Look for Evan Bouchard to have a big performance after last year’s poor showing in the first round that saw London get swept by Owen Sound.

Prediction: London in 4.

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Evan Bouchard (EDM): As mentioned, Bouchard did not have a good first round performance in last year’s playoffs, something that may have led to his slide to the 10th spot last June. To be honest, I wasn’t enamored with his performance this year either with his offensive production taking a step back and his defensive engagement continuing to be a concern. That said, the best players elevate their game when it matters most and I’ll be looking for Bouchard to do that this playoffs. As deep as London is on the blueline, they need him to be a dominant force at both ends if they want to go for the championship.

Liam Foudy (CBJ): Foudy was another player who looked overmatched in last year’s playoffs against Owen Sound. After a slow start to this year, Foudy finished the season well and ended up second in goals for the Knights. The Knights know that they will be getting production from Formenton and Hancock up front, but again, if they want to go far, they will need the speedy Foudy to be an impact player; someone who can use his speed and puck skills to create consistent scoring chances for himself and his linemates.

Jean-Luc Foudy (2020): It is a Foudy vs. Foudy match-up with Liam going against his younger brother Jean-Luc. Like Liam, Jean-Luc is an absolute lightning bolt on skates. He has shown a penchant for using his speed to be one of the OHL’s elite young playmakers, leading all OHL rookies in assists this year. He is a prime time prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft and it will be interesting to see if he is able to better his brother’s initial playoff performance.

Ryan McLeod of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#2. Saginaw Spirit vs. #7. Sarnia Sting

Season Series: 3-3 TIE

Analysis: The Sting have played the West Division champion Spirit extremely tight this year, including a recent 7-6 shootout victory in late February. Sarnia has a team of workhorses that just never give up on a play and that tenacity always plays well in the postseason. They have seven different players who had over 15 goals on the year, and that’s not including Jamieson Rees who would have hit that mark easily had he played all year. But Saginaw is a CHL ranked team for a reason. Lately one of the main reasons for their success has been goaltender Ivan Prosvetov, who has only two regulation losses in his last 16 and who finished in the top 5 of nearly every statistical category this year. Rookie winger Cole Perfetti has also been a remarkable story as the first U17 player since Taylor Hall, Steven Stamkos, and John Tavares to score more than 35 goals in a season. He is aided by the likes of Owen Tippett, Bode Wilde, Ryan McLeod, and Cole Coskey on a deep and balanced roster. I expect the Sting to give the Spirit a bit of a scare and be in most games. But the Spirit are rolling on too much of a high and have too much firepower to fall victim to an upset.

Prediction: Saginaw in 6

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Ryan McLeod (EDM): While his production for Saginaw since the trade from Mississauga has been a little underwhelming, McLeod has been a proven playoff performer so far in his OHL career. He was a huge part of Mississauga’s deep run in 2017 and I would expect him to bring himself back to that point per game production. His playmaking ability will be much needed if the Spirit want to eventually come out on top in the Western Conference.

Bode Wilde (NYI): Wilde has been sensational in his first OHL season after coming over from the USHL. No question he is in the conversation for the Max Kaminsky as the league’s top defender. His size and skating combination make him a lethal operator off the rush and very difficult to stop as he cuts through the neutral zone like butter. Defensively, there have been some ups and downs and now he will be getting into his first playoff action. I am very intrigued to see how he responds and looks to take over and control the play at both ends.

Ryan McGregor (TOR): A 2017 draft pick by the Leafs, McGregor is still without an NHL contract. He has had a very good season, establishing himself as one of the OHL’s elite two-way forwards. But a strong playoff series performance for Sarnia here, even if it is in a losing cause, would go a long way to proving to Toronto’s management that he deserves a place in their future plans.

Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Grehounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#3. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. #6. Owen Sound Attack

Season Series: 2-0 for Sault Ste. Marie

Analysis: Two things are bad news for the Attack. The first, Morgan Frost avoided a longer suspension for cross checking and will be available for the entire first round. The second, Barrett Hayton is back and healthy, showing no rust whatsoever with four goals in two games to close out the year. That means that the ‘Hounds will be operating at full speed offensively and that does not bode well for the Attack, a team that has struggled to keep the puck out of their net this year thanks to inconsistent goaltending. Owen Sound also only has two 20 goal scorers in their lineup and no one operating at over the point per game mark. With a healthy lineup, the Greyhounds have the advantage here in nearly every facet. While I do worry about their depth and supporting cast as the rounds progress, I am confident that they should be able to get past a rebuilding Attack team pretty easily.

Prediction: Sault Ste. Marie in 4

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Barrett Hayton (ARI): Had to be a difficult year for Hayton to settle in and find a groove. Start the year in the NHL. Back to the OHL. Then off to the World Juniors. Then get injured. Through it all, his production has been fantastic with one of the highest point-pergame averages in the league. His game is tailored perfectly for the playoffs because of his high intensity level and how well he plays through traffic in the offensive end. He had a very successful playoffs last year for the Soo as a support player, now let us see how he does as a focal point.

Mac Hollowell (TOR): The front runner for OHL defender of the year was recently rewarded with a much deserved NHL contract from Toronto. Hollowell is an elite offensive defender who is great at using his above average mobility to jump up in the attack. He is also a major weapon on the powerplay, something that any team needs operating at a high level to make a deep run in the playoffs. This guy competes so hard and is easily one of the most underrated players to have played in the OHL in recent years.

Mack Guzda (2019): If Owen Sound hopes to stay in this series, they will need top shelf goaltending and that will have to come from Guzda. He came into the year very highly touted but consistency issues have continued to plague him as they did in his rookie year. He has the size and athleticism that NHL scouts are looking for, but he needs to show that he possess the mental makeup too. Not only will NHL scouts be looking closely at him here, but so will Hockey Canada for the 2019 U18 roster. He can’t afford to be a sieve and look overmatched.

Nick Suzuki of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#4. Guelph Storm vs. #5. Kitchener Rangers

Season Series: 4-4 TIE

Analysis: With the way the Guelph Storm loaded up at this year’s trade deadline, bringing in Nick Suzuki, Markus Phillips, Sean Durzi, and Mackenzie Entwistle, one would have to consider them the heavy favorite here. And they have been playing some great hockey lately. But so have the Kitchener Rangers; a team that I do not believe can be completely written off. They have five 30 goal scorers, something that matches Guelph and their firepower. Guelph’s Anthony Popovich has struggled down the stretch and is being threatened by Nico Daws for the starting role, so I am slightly concerned about Guelph’s netminding. However, I believe the thing that sways this in Guelph’s favor is their veteran defense. Dmitri Samorukov has been playing out of his mind lately and along with Durzi, Gordeev, Phillips, Hanley, and Lalonde, make up one of the strongest and veteran-heavy defensive units in the OHL. Contrast that with Kitchener, which relies on youngsters like Mike Vukojevic and Donovan Sebrango to play key roles. The Rangers will push the Storm, but ultimately come up short.

Prediction: Guelph in 6

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Nick Suzuki (MTL): Took him a bit of time to really acclimate himself with his new surroundings in Guelph, but he has been on a tear lately and really seems to have settled in. In his last 11 games, he has 5 games with 3 points or more. Suzuki is such a good distributor, but he is at his best when he is active without the puck, forcing turnovers and putting pressure on the opposition in all three zones. He has traditionally performed very well in the playoffs in his career and I would expect nothing less from him here as Guelph gears up for a long run.

Dmitri Samorukov (EDM): Speaking of a tear, few defenders in the OHL have been as hot as Samorukov in the second half. Whether it was the confidence he gained from the World Juniors, or the increased role he received from the trade of Ryan Merkley, Samorukov has blossomed at the right time. He has become extremely aggressive offensively, using his skating ability to create off the rush. He still remains a physically aggressive stalwart in his own end; a true two-way force.

Riley Damiani (DAL): Earlier I spoke of underrated OHL players and few fit that category more than Damiani. Among 2000 born players in the OHL, only Akil Thomas and Barrett Hayton had greater point per game averages as he jumped from 37 points last year to 85 in 2018/19. He has an infectious energy about him on the ice and his dynamic playmaking ability and vision are one of the main reasons why Kitchener’s powerplay has been one of the league’s best this year.

Continued Western Conference Predictions

Conference Semi Finals

#1. London vs. #4. Guelph

#2. Saginaw vs. #3. Sault Ste. Marie

I am taking Guelph and Sault Ste. Marie here. I just was not crazy about what I saw from London in the last month of the year. They are relying on too many younger forwards to create offense and I think they lack a premier playmaker. And on defense, I think they lack the jam necessary to slow down an offensive juggernaut like Guelph. As for the Soo, I like them over Saginaw because I feel that their veteran leadership group consisting of Morgan Frost, Barrett Hayton, Mac Hollowell, Jordan Sambrook, and Keeghan Howdeshell can help to elevate the play of some of their younger support players. I think their abrasive style of play bodes better for playoff success, even though I see potential for Prosvetov to stand on his head. That is a true coin flip, but I am sticking with the Greyhounds.

Western Conference Final

#3. Sault Ste. Marie vs. #4. Guelph

I am all in on Guelph this year to take home the Western Conference title. I feel like they have been constructed the right way and have really found chemistry and hit their stride at the right time. Goaltending is a mild concern for sure, but in the West, I think everyone has similar concerns to a certain degree.

SEE OHL PREVIEW: EASTERN CONFERENCE- LINK HERE

OHL Championship Series

Niagara IceDogs vs. Guelph Storm

Another toss up for me. Ask me tomorrow and I may just choose someone different. Both of their regular season matchups were decided by a single goal. Honestly, this comes down to goaltending. I give Niagara the advantage at forward. I give Guelph the advantage on defense. But in net, I think you have to tip your hat in Stephen Dhillon’s direction. Especially considering that there is no guarantee that Anthony Popovich finishes the postseason as Guelph’s starter. So...I am selecting the Niagara IceDogs as this year’s OHL Champions!