By Steve Fitzsimmons /
With the OHL season now in full flight, it’s time to give you an early season update on each club, with some of the highlights of what’s taken place so far and who has been the key performers. There are some definite huge surprises that are making things very interesting so far.
Soo Greyhounds
After starting 7-0, the team has come back to earth a little, actually losing a few games. The goaltending tandem of Robin Lehner and Bryce O’Hagan has been outstanding, stabilizing the team in goal and are both among the top goaltenders in the OHL among several goaltending categories…Rookie forwards Daniel Catenacci and Nick Cousins have both played very well and look to have significant upside offensively.
Guelph Storm
Team power skating coach Barb Underhill is participating in the CBC show “Battle of the Blades” and is partnered with former NHL player Ron Duguay. Underhill is a former two-time Olympian and Pairs figure skating World Champion with partner Paul Martini...RW Matt Kennedy has been playing some great hockey for the club, after returning from Carolina Hurricanes training camp. The team captain has five goals and 11 points in eight games since his return, before being slowed by a groin injury.
Kitchener Rangers
16-year-old Swedish RW Gabriel Landeskog has been very impressive for the team. The 6-0, 201-pound physical-type player has played with poise and significant skill, notching seven points in 10 games. One NHL Scout said he reminds him of a young Peter Forsberg. He will be fun to watch for the next three seasons...F Jeremy Morin has found the move to the OHL to his liking, with 10 goals and 15 points in 10 games. He played for the U.S. development program last season.
Owen Sound Attack
The Attack have found a diamond in the rough in rookie D Geoffrey Schemitsch. He has played extremely well and has 13 points in 14 games from the back end. That leads all OHL rookies in points and ranks him in the top ten among OHL defencemen, but his poise away from the puck has also been very impressive...F Bobby Mignardi has enjoyed the move to the Bayshore from Kingston in a trade, with 11 goals in his first 13 games for the club, after getting 16 goals in 68 games last season.
Windsor Spitfires
Have shown their abundance of offence in the early part of the season, with F Taylor Hall currently second in OHL scoring with 24 points, while RW Greg Nemisz, RW, C Adam Henrique, RW Justin Shugg and rookie D Cam Fowler are all in the top ten in league scoring. Add in D Ryan Ellis and the team presents a formidable challenge for all OHL clubs…Rookie G Troy Passingham has shone in net for Windsor, ranking among the top goaltenders in all OHL categories. The youngster is eligible for the 2010 NHL Draft.
Saginaw Spirit
Rookie C Ivan Telegin is second among all OHL rookies in points so far, with 12 points in 11 games. He has shown significant skill and has a wicked shot, terrorizing OHL goaltenders in the early going. A 1992 birthday, he is eligible for the 2010 NHL Draft...LW Josh Shalla has been on fire. With 14 goals in 61 games as a rookie last year, Shalla has cranked it up a notch, with 10 goals and 15 points in 11 games. His emergence has helped the club deal with the loss of Jack Combs and Chris Chappell offensively.
Sarnia Sting
A team in full rebuild mode, but some of the veterans are leading by their positive example. Diminutive C Steve Reese appears poised for a career season, notching 10 points in nine games; while LW Kale Kerbashian has 13 points in nine games…The team should be aided by the return of G Adam Courchaine to the club. His veteran presence should help stabilize things from the crease.
London Knights
C Nazem Kadri, the focus of Leafs Nation after being drafted seventh overall in the 2009 NHL Draft, has returned and has not been dominating the OHL, picking up six points in eight games since his return. But when he breaks out, he will be a big part of the club’s offence this season. C Phil McRae has picked up where he left off last season, with 10 points in 10 games so far and playing tough in the dirty areas of the ice…D Michael D’Orazio has been a nice addition, helping stabilize the defence and has put up five points in 10 games. Coming over from Owen Sound, the change of scenery seems to be making a world of difference.
Plymouth Whalers
C Tyler Seguin has emerged as an elite player, after a very impressive rookie year last season, which saw him get 67 points. He currently leads all OHL players in points, with 15 goals and 26 points in 12 games. Seguin is expected to be one of the top prospects for the 2010 NHL Draft...Rookie F Garrett Meurs has been showing why he was a first round pick in the OHL draft. With 11 points in 11 games, he’s been playing like a seasoned veteran and has made the transition to the OHL quite well.
Erie Otters
Appears to have lost C Ryan O’Reilly to the Colorado Avalanche. O’Reilly was a surprise to make the team, but has played well in his first six games. The Avalanche will have to decide whether to return him to the Otters before he plays his tenth game. But his return seems unlikely given how well he’s playing...Rookie LW David Broll has brought a physical presence and some additional grit to the team. The youngster has also notched seven points in 12 games.
Barrie Colts
A team off to an excellent start, with C Luke Pither picking up the scoring pace where he left off in Belleville, notching 10 goals and 18 points in 11 games, putting him in the top 10 in league scoring. Rookie C Alexander Burmistov has opened some eyes with his strong play, as he is fifth in league scoring and has notched eight goals and 20 points in 12 games. The Kazan, Russia-native had a five-point game in his second OHL game against Niagara.
Peterborough Petes
A team reaping the rewards of solid drafting and development and appear poised to have a very solid season. RW Zack Kassian is leading the team on and off the ice, with a point a game and his usual robust style of play. Second-year C Ryan Spooner is playing very well, with seven goals and 15 points in 12 games. NHL Scouts are starting to drool at the potential of this gifted youngster.
Belleville Bulls
Scratching and clawing their way to some hard-earned points. LW Matt Tipoff is on his way to obliterating his previous career high of 40 points, with 21 points in the first 12 games. D Shawn Lalonde is one of the best defencemen in the league and continues to shine offensively, with five goals and 13 points in nine games, putting him fifth among OHL defencemen in points. This is clearly a year in transition for the club, but coach/GM George Burnett is one of the best in the business at teaching the game to young players and getting them to reach their potential.
Mississauga St. Mike’s Majors
G Chris Carrozzi has returned to form after a sub-par season last year, leading the OHL with a 1.57 GAA and .942 save percentage in seven appearances...C Jordan Mayer is off to an impressive start. After notching 22 goals last year in an uneven type year, he has potted seven goals in 11 games so far this season…D Cameron Gaunce has been anchoring the defence and providing his usual dose of offence, with 10 points in 11 games so far.
Kingston Frontenacs
A couple of new faces have been exceeding expectations for their production levels, helping the club start the season well. RW Michael Farrell, picked up from Owen Sound, has notched six goals and 12 points in 14 games. He put up 27 points all of last year for the Attack. C Michael Fine has looked just fine since coming over from the Soo. He has seven points in nine games and is plus-3.
Niagara Ice Dogs
LW Chris DeSousa is showing NHL Scouts that he deserved to be drafted in the 2009 NHL Draft. He has sizzled to start the season, with seven goals and 17 points in 12 games. He went unselected in the draft, but that could change this year with his strong play...C A |