NHL Prospects at the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup

Host Team:  Red Deer Rebels

#4 Haydn Fleury (CAR)
#6 Nelson Nogier (WPG)
#9 Conner Bleackley (ARZ)
#19 Jake DeBrusk (BOS)
#23 Michael Spacek (WPG)
#25 Adam Musil (STL)
#28 Adam Helewka (SJS)

2016 NHL Draft Eligible
#3 Colton Bobyk
#11 Jeffrey de Wit
#22 Brandon Hagel
#31 Rylan Toth

OHL Champion:  London Knights

#10 Christian Dvorak (ARZ)
#20 Daniel Bernhardt (NYR)
#21 CJ Yakimowicz (STL)
#86 Chris Martenet (DAL)
#89 JJ Piccinich (TOR)
#93 Mitch Marner (TOR)

2016 NHL Draft Eligible
#1 Tyler Parsons
#3 Nicolas Mattinen
#4 Olli Juolevi
#7 Matt Tkachuk
#49 Max Jones
#63 Cliff Pu
#98 Victor Mete

QMJHL Champion:  Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

#5 Jérémy Lauzon (BOS)
#6 Philippe Myers (PHI)
#8 Anthony-John Greer (COL)
#10 Martins Dzierkals (TOR)
#11 Julien Nantel (COL)
#16 Jean-Christophe Beaudin (COL)
#20 Timo Meier (SJ)
#27 Francis Perron (OTT)

2016 NHL Draft Eligible
#3 Jacob Neveu

WHL Champion:  Brandon Wheat Kings

#8 Jayce Hawryluk (FLA)
#9 Ivan Provorov (PHI)
#17 John Quenneville (NJD)
#20 Macoy Erkamps (OTT)
#23 Tim McGauley (WSH)
#27 Reid Duke (MIN)

2016 NHL Draft Eligible
#10 Kale Clague
#16 Tanner Kaspick

NHL prospects in the 3rd round of the OHL Playoffs

Anaheim Ducks = 1
Julius Nattinen – Barrie Colts

Arizona Coyotes = 3
Brendan Perlini – Niagara IceDogs
Dylan Strome – Erie Otters
Christian Dvorak – London Knights

Calgary Flames = 2
Andrew Mangiapane – Barrie Colts
Rasmus Andersson – Barrie Colts

Carolina Hurricanes = 2
Alex Nedeljkovic – Niagara IceDogs
Josh Wesley – Niagara IceDogs

Chicago Blackhawks = 2
Roy Radke – Barrie Colts
Graham Knott – Niagara IceDogs

Columbus Blue Jackets = 2
Blake Siebenaler – Niagara IceDogs
Jordan  Maletta – Niagara IceDogs

Dallas Stars = 2
Aaron Haydon – Niagara IceDogs
Chris Martenet – London Knights

Los Angeles Kings = 1
Jake Marchment – Erie Otters

Minnesota Wild = 1
Pavel Jenys – Niagara IceDogs

New Jersey Devils = 1
Mackenzie Blackwood – Barrie Colts

New York Islanders = 1
Joshua Ho-Sang – Niagara IceDogs

New York Rangers = 2
Ryan Mantha – Niagara IceDogs
Daniel Bernhardt – London Knights

San Jose Sharks = 2
Kevin Labanc – Barrie Colts
Dylan Sadowy – Barrie Colts

St Louis Blues = 2
Vince Dunn – Niagara IceDogs
CJ Yakimowicz – London Knights

Toronto Maple Leafs = 3
JJ Piccinich – London Knights
Mitch Marner – London Knights
Travis Dermott – Erie Otters

Vancouver Canucks = 1
Kyle Pettit – Erie Otters

Eastern Conference Round 1 Review, Round 2 Preview

ROUND 2: REVIEW

Kingston Frontenacs (1) vs Oshawa Generals (8

Prediction:  Kingston in 4.
Actual result:  Kingston in 5.

NHL Prospects in the Second Round of OHL Playoffs – BY NHL TEAM

OR: BY OHL TEAM

BY NHL TEAM

Anaheim Ducks = 1
Julius Nattinen – Barrie Colts

Arizona Coyotes = 5
Kyle Wood – North Bay Battalion
Brendan Perlini – Niagara IceDogs
Dylan Strome – Erie Otters
Christian Dvorak – London Knights
Ryan MacInnis – Kitchener Rangers
Christian Fischer – Windsor Spitfires

NHL Prospects in the Second Round of OHL Playoffs – BY OHL TEAM

OR: BY NHL TEAM

BY OHL TEAM

Barrie Colts
#14 Kevin Labanc (SJS)
#15 Dylan Sadowy (SJS)
#19 Rasmus Andersson (CGY)
#22 Roy Radke (CHI)
#25 Julius Nattinen (ANA)
#26 Andrew Mangiapane (CGY)
#29 Mackenzie Blackwood (NJD)

2016 NHL Draft Eligible
#10 Justin Murray – NHL CS 171
#16 Ben Hawerchuk – NHL CS 159
#39 David Ovsjannikov – NHL CS 23 (goalies)

2013 Ottawa Senators Rookie Camp

Rookie Tournament roster

Goaltenders
François Brassard (Quebec – QMJHL)
Chris Driedger (Calgary – WHL)
Andrew Hammond (Bowling Green State – CCHA)

Defencemen
Ben Blood (Elmira – ECHL, Binghamton – AHL)
Cody Ceci (Ottawa – OHL, Owen Sound – OHL, Binghamton – AHL)
Fredrik Claesson (Binghamton – AHL)
Ben Harpur (Guelph – OHL)
Daniel New (Elmira – ECHL, Binghamton – AHL)
Troy Rutkowski (Portland – WHL),
Michael Sdao (Princeton – ECAC, Binghamton – AHL)
Chris Wideman (Elmira – ECHL, Binghamton – AHL)

Forwards
Jakub Culek (Cape Breton – QMJHL, Binghamton – AHL)
Vincent Dunn (Val d’Or – QMJHL)
Derek Grant (Binghamton – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Wacey Hamilton (Binghamton – AHL)
Danny Hobbs (Greenville – ECHL)
Ludwig Karlsson (Northeastern – Hockey East)
Darren Kramer (Elmira – ECHL, Binghamton – AHL)
Curtis Lazar (Edmonton – WHL)
Jarrod Maidens (Owen Sound – OHL)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (Binghamton – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Shane Prince (Binghamton – AHL)
Matt Puempel (Kitchener – OHL, Binghamton – AHL)
Buddy Robinson (Lake Superior State – CCHA, Binghamton – AHL)
Cole Schneider (Binghamton – AHL)
Mark Stone (Binghamton – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)

Schedule

2013 rookie tournament schedule at London’s Budweiser Gardens

Thursday, Sept. 5: Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa, 2 p.m.; Chicago vs. Toronto, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 7: Ottawa vs. Chicago, 2 p.m.; Toronto vs. Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 8: Chicago vs. Pittsburgh, 2 p.m.; Toronto vs. Ottawa, 7 p.m.

Ottawa 67’s roster trimmed to 27 players

It’s getting down to crunch time with pre-season right around the corner.

On August 28th, 51 hopefuls attended the Ottawa 67’s training camp including 10 from the 2013 OHL draft and several who dawned the 67’s jersey at least once during the 2012-13 OHL season. Training camp was 4 days long and involved a series of fitness testings, medicals, scrimmages and seminars.

The coaching staff & scouts selected 27 players to start the exhibition season including with 3 goaltenders, 8 defencemen and 17 forwards.

2011-12 Post Season Review: Ottawa 67’s

As the OHL season comes to a close for the 67’s, the fans and management can look back at many highs and lows during the season and playoffs.

On paper, the Ottawa 67’s were the team to beat in the East in the first half of the season after a great record of 10-3-1-0.  The team was playing well and the stars were emerging.  Tyler Toffoli and Shane Prince were both awarded with the OHL Player of the Week honours before early January.  By the end of the season, the team started to coast – and didn’t look so much as a team rather than a team of individuals.

Breakout seasons – Past

Off a great second half of the 2010-11 season, Shane Prince continued his stellar play into the 2011-12 regular season.  His skating has improved and his hockey IQ is still at the top of the pack in the OHL.  He ended with 43 goals and 90 points in 57 games good enough for Top 4 scorer in the OHL.

While Prince had another good season, the real breakout season belongs to Sean Monahan.  With the departure of Ryan Martindale, Monahan was given more ice time and put in more key situations.  At the age of 17, it speaks a lot of Chris Byrne’s trust and believes in Monahan’s play.  Near the end of the regular season, he fell into a bit of a slump.  He was playing well, but just could not finish.  Monahan still managed to finish with 33 goals and 78 points in 62 games, good for 16^th in the OHL for goal scorers.

Breakout seasons – Future

I predict a couple of breakout seasons for next year.  These following players have shown glimmers of hope behind the top line.  Remy Giftopolous will only shine with more ice time and 1 and a half season of experience under his belt.  Brett Gustavsen was one of the hardest working players over the course of the season.  His work ethic and speed will boost him to another level next year.  Tyler Graovac had a rough season and started to turn things around the end up until the playoffs where he elevated his play to a whole new level.  While I expected big things from him this season, I think next season will prove that Minnesota got a steal in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Disappointments

There were many positives during the regular season, but there were also some disappointments.  After playing so well in the first 5 months, the team had a tendency to coast during the remaining 1-2 months and into the playoffs.  By the last couple weeks, they saw a Niagara Ice Dogs team that was struggled at the start of the season easily over take the OHL Eastern Conference lead.  It was also then that the top line of Toffoli – Prince – Monahan were not producing like they were before.  Toffoli ended up losing the OHL scoring race by a measly two points.

67’s had a bit of luck in the playoffs.  In the first round, they faced a team they had no trouble beating during the regular season, in fact, they pretty much manhandled the Bulls.  But it was their first test and despite the series victory, they did not play the best they could.

Next round, the 67’s faced a depleted Barrie Colts team that they had trouble with all season.  The 67’s still did not play their best.  But give the 67’s credit for storming back from a 3-1 series deficit to advance to the conference finals in 7 games.  This series could easily have been either way.

The 67’s finally showed some life in Niagara in games 1 and 2, but Niagara was too strong in the end and was able to defeat the 67’s in 5 games.

This post-season was disappointing because this wasn’t the team that started the season.  The best players were no their best players and even Mrazek faltered at times.  The team was unable to give a full 60 minutes and the inconsistency eventually took a toll on them.  Toffoli was one of the players I felt would not show up, but in fact he proved me wrong and Prince seemed to have a lot of trouble.  Monahan started to come around, but was still far away from his regular form.  Tyler Graovac, Jake Cardwell, Cody Ceci and Steven Janes were the other players who seemed to elevate their game when their team really needed it.

With the possibility of several key players departing from the 67’s, it appears that the 67’s will be in a rebuild mode.  Unless Chris Byrne and the scouts are able to put the same touch on the team as Kilrea – to retool rather than rebuild.  It will be a busy and very interesting off-season.  The review of prospects will come at a later date.

Overagers: These three players will not return as they are not eligible.

• Mike Cazzola, Centre, shoots left
• Daniel Broussard, Defense, shoots right
• Marc Zanetti, Defense, shoots left

NHL Prospects: These players could make the jump to the NHL and some more likely their AHL affiliates.  There is still a chance that they could be back in the 2012-13 OHL regular season.

• Tyler Toffoli, LA Kings, 2010
• Shane Prince, Ottawa Senators, 2011
• Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings, 2010
• Dalton Smith, Columbus Blue Jackets, 2010
• John McFarland, Florida Panthers, 2010
• Cody Ceci, Eligible 2012, ranked top 10

With back-to-back 50 goal seasons and coming within 2 points of back-to-back scoring titles, there’s not much left for Tyler Toffoli to prove to the LA Kings in the OHL… except the experience of winning a J Ross Robertson Cup or Memorial Cup.  However, the Kings may prefer to see Toffoli with their AHL team in Manchester and play against men.

Shane Prince is in an interesting situation.  All signs point to him not returning, however, I feel he could benefit from returning for a final season in junior hockey.  With the Ottawa Senators right around the corner, the scouts are able to keep a close eye on his progress and are able to have frequent meetings with training staff and coaches.  On the flip side, the Binghamton Senators could use Prince right away with not much depth on RW with the club.

Petr Mrazek is almost a sure bet.  Mrazek has proven his worth in the regular season, playoffs and even on the world stage.  Mrazek is definitely ready to take the next step and with the Red Wings on a possible decline, he will fit right into their plans.  Mrazek will get a fair shot to make the big club next season, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him spend the majority of the season with Grand Rapids.  Note, if Mrazek returns to the 67’s he would be taking up both an overager spot and import spot.

After excelling with a top line pairing earlier in his career, Dalton Smith took a new role on the team.  While his scoring has gone down, Smith has developed in to a physical force and a solid power forward that can play at both ends of the ice.  With the re-tooling in Columbus, his services may be needed sooner rather than later.  Don’t expect to see Smith back in a 67’s uniform as he should be ranked pretty high on Columbus’ LW depth chart.

There is a chance that John McFarland could be back in a 67’s uniform.  There have been many questions about his lack of consistency.  While he didn’t have much of a journey with the Ottawa 67’s due to his injury, when he was here, the team played well.  Adding another centreman helped take pressure off the – talented but young – Sean Monahan.  The team played with confidence and together.  Once McFarland injured his shoulder, the pressure on the 67’s started to show.  McFarland’s injury may delay his chances with the Florida Panthers.

Cody Ceci is rated top 10 in the first round, which means he will likely be an early to mid-round pick when you take into account the goaltenders and European skaters.  The status of Ceci as a 67’s will be determined with the team that draft him.  Regardless of the team, Ceci will be given a chance at making the big club – the depth of that team will have a huge factor.  This will be something to discuss at a later date.

Eligible overagers next year:  These players are eligible to return for a final season in the OHL.  They all may return, but the 67’s can only keep three.  Note: The 67’s can carry four, but there is a deadline the OHL will set where the roster must be set.  The 67’s could use an additional overage player as trade bait.

• Tyler Toffoli
• Shane Prince
• John McFarland
• Ryan MacLean
• Dalton Smith
• Michal Cajkovsky
• Jake Cardwell
• Petr Mrazek
• Shayne Campbell

As it stands right now, taking into consideration of players moving on, Jake Cardwell and Shayne Campbell are pretty much a lock as overagers next season.  Michal Cajkovsky will likely not be back as he will take up an overager and import spot.  I believe there is a chance that McFarland or Prince will take the third spot.  Ryan MacLean could be the odd man out.

Possible Captains:  2011-12 captain Marc Zanetti will not return while alternate captains Dalton Smith and Tyler Toffoli will likely also graduate from the OHL.  Two players who have shown leadership are Jake Cardwell and Tyler Graovac.  I believe these are the two best candidates for this young team going forward.  Honorable mention to Brett Gustavsen, but I believe he is still one year away from getting this honour.

67’s eliminated after 3-2 regulation loss

After a disappointing game 4 loss at home, the Ottawa 67’s found themselves in a hole looking at a 3-1 series deficit.  A deficit they were able to overcome in round 2, but this time it was against a team that was relatively healthy and could roll a full four lines no problem.

It was not the start Ottawa wanted.  With Dalton Smith in the box for boarding, Freddie Hamilton set up Ryan Strome in the high slot and wired it past Petr Mrazek at the 2:02 mark of the first period to end his 6 game goalless drought.

Ottawa would respond with just over one minute later on the powerplay.  Mark Visentin made a huge save off a Mike Cajkovsky point shot, but let out a big rebound.  Sean Monahan was right in front and redirected the rebound into the back of the net.

The fans at the Gatorade Garden City Complex were treated to a nearly 20 minute delay well before the halfway mark of the game with a malfunctioning penalty box door.  Perhaps the IceDogs may have caught a break, as the 67’s were starting to get back into the game with a sense of urgency.  Play resumed for the 14 minute mark and Mrazek came up big stopping 17 of 19 shots fired his way in the first period as Niagara dominated the last half of the period.  Freddie Hamilton added a late goal after the 67’s got caught flatfooted creating a clean breakaway and Hamilton slid the puck through the fivehole on Mrazek.

The 67’s would come out for the second period until they ran into some penalty trouble.  Just as the powerplay expired, Alex Friesen would give the IceDogs a two-goal lead after tipping in a Dougie Hamilton shot from the short side.  Mrazek and Visentin were solid the rest of the period.

A powerplay midway through the third period would give the 67’s some life.  Tyler Toffoli fed Jake Cardwell who was all alone out front and made no mistake to tap it into a wide open net.

The 67’s caught another break as Freddie Hamilton took a bad penalty in the last two minutes.  The 67’s fired everything they could at Visentin, but despite two extra attackers and the scrambles out front – the buzzer horned signalling the end of the game. The end of the series and the end of junior hockey careers for Marc Zanetti, Daniel Broussard and Mike Cazzola.

The 67’s fell 3-2 to the Ice Dogs in regulation and fall 4 games to 1 in the series.  The Ice Dogs advance to the OHL Finals vs the London Knights for the first time in their club history.

67’s on the brink of elimination after 5-2 loss

OTTAWA – Petr Mrazek stop 39 shots, but it wasn’t enough as the Niagara IceDogs skated to a 5-2 victory over the host Ottawa 67’s.  The win gives the IceDogs a 3-1 series lead and puts the 67’s in a must win situation Friday night at the Gatorade Garden City Complex.

Despite an early powerplay chance, the Ottawa 67’s didn’t get off to a very good start.  The Niagara IceDogs did a great job of keeping the 67’s to the perimeter and limiting their chances – in fact, the 67’s had no shots and no chances in the first 6 and a half minutes of the game.

However the momentum started to change once they finally got their first shot – and it was a great chance that Mark Visentin had to be ready for.  The 67’s started to produce more scoring chances with help from another 2 straight powerplay opportunity.  On each end of the rink, the goaltenders were solid. 

It wasn’t until the 10 minute mark of the first period that the 67’s would open the scoring.  With Remy Giftopolous in the box serving a too many men on the ice penaltiy, Tyler Graovac bounced the puck of the boards in the neutral zone and beat Dougie Hamilton to the net.  Dalton Smith grabbed the loose puck in the slot and wired it top shelf past Visentin.

After 20 minutes, the IceDogs outshot the 67’s 15-12.

The 67’s started to get into a bit of penalty trouble in the second period and took 3 penalties in the first 8 minutes.  The Ice Dogs continued to fire shot after shot and Petr Mrazek had to come up big on several flurry of shots.  While Mrazek stood on his head, the team in front of him started to collapse.  After a big initial save, the puck took a weird bounce onto Andrew Agozzino’s stick.  He made no mistake a tapped it in effortlessly into the opened Ottawa net.

After 40 minutes, the IceDogs outshot the 67’s 17-11 for a total of 32-23 IceDogs.

Focusing at the period at hand, the Ottawa 67’s regrouped in the 3^rd period and started to look like they did in the first period.  Off a great individual effort, Tyler Toffoli netted his 1^st goal in 4 games.  He deked out Jesse Graham, went backhand to forehand, and then slid it past Visentin to give the 67’s the go-ahead goal.

The IceDogs would respond.  With only one man back, Alex Friesen catches a wide open Andrew Agozzino in the slot who makes a beautiful stickhandling move to get the puck past Mrazek.  That was Agozzino’s second of the night.

Less than a minute later, the IceDogs would get their first lead of the game.  From a defensive breakdown off the faceoff, Ottawa native David Pacan grabbed a hold of his rebound as it squeezed under Mrazek’s pads.  This ultimately led to the 67’s collapse.                   

David Pacan would tally his second of the game on the powerplay beating Mrazek on a sharp angle – a goal he would like to have back.

The IceDogs would round out the scoring with an empty net goal from Freddie Hamilton.  His first in 5 games since his breakout 5 point night earlier this month.

The 67’s fall 5-2 and will try to force a game 6 in Niagara Friday night.  You can catch the action on the Team 1200 or Rogers Cable 22.