Defections To The OHL

Score another win for the Ontario Hockey League, and a tough loss for NCAA hockey, and more specifically Boston University.

The Kingston Frontenacs have lured forward Ethan Werek to the fresh water capital of North America. (link) Werek was supposed to suit up this year with the Indiana Ice of the USHL, and next year join the Boston Terriers, where his former teammate in Junior A, Corey Trivino will skate as a Freshman this year.

Last year both Trivino and Werek played for Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge. Obviously neither of them will be at the tournament this year when the puck drops November 2nd in Camrose. (link)

Werek likely wanted more attention entering the draft this June, and it's obvious that the CHL provides more exposure than the USHL.

Last year Trivino was grabbed in the second round by the Islanders. For 2009, Werek is ranked 24th overall by International Scouting Services (link) and he should help a Kingston team that missed the playoffs by 8 points last year in the OHL's Eastern Conference. At 6'2" and 195 lbs, Werek put up great numbers playing Junior A last season with Stouffville. He notched 29 goals, added 41 assists for 70 points in just 37 games and was named the Ontario Provincial Hockey League's top rookie.

During the World Junior A Challenge, Werek played 5 games for Team Canada East, but didn't register a point.

Speaking of the fast approaching tournament in Camrose, with Werek jumping to the OHL it leaves Dylan Olsen as the lone draft eligible player from the list of top 100 for 2009 compiled by ISS. Brett Cook is on that list, but after a year with Huntsville of the OPJHL, he's now with the Erie Otters.

Olsen was ranked 15th by ISS after a season the Kodiaks blueline where he scored 8 times and added 16 points in 49 games for Boris Rybalka, and he'll be on of Canada's top defenders while playing on home ice for team Canada West this November. Fellow Kodiak Andrew Macwilliam, a 7th round pick of Toronto last June, should also suit up with Canada West for a second straight year. Tune into the show in the next 2 months as we'll speak with Olsen, Team Canada West Head Coach Boris Rybalka and others involved with the tournament.