Friday, April 30, 2010

OHL Priority Selection


The WHL Draft is in the books and the OHL has their version this weekend. Our old friend Mark Seidel from North American Central Scouting (not to be confused with NHL Central Scouting) was kind enough to forward his mock draft and with his permission, you can check that out below.

2010 OHL Mock Draft

By: North American Central Scouting; Mark Seidel

The whole concept of Mock Drafts has always been a difficult one because a single trade or one of a thousand other variables can make the most accurate projection look flawed but I shall take a stab at this year’s Draft. Please note that this Mock Draft is based on information gleaned throughout the year along with Franchise needs and not based on our rankings. Our rankings are based as if we were the 21st NHL Team and thus if we were selecting in the Draft, it would simply be the highest rated Player still left on the board. Enjoy and I hope everyone enjoys this year’s festivities .

1. Sarnia Sting – F; Alex Galchenyuk; CYA

Simply the best Player in the Draft but he doesn’t lack for intrigue about his background, eligibility and training.

2. Belleville Bulls – F; Brandon Gaunce; Markham Waxers

The younger brother of St. Mikes stud brother Cameron will centre the Bulls until he is a Top 20 NHL pick.

3. Oshawa Generals – F; Matia Marcantouni; Toronto Marlies

This is where the Draft gets interesting whether the Generals go for the home run with Ebert or Marcantouni or do they play it safe with Scott Laughton. We think Pete Deboer and the Gens go big and work to recruit the stud forward from Toronto.

4. Owen Sound Attack –F; Scott Laughton; Toronto Marlies

As long as Marcantouni goes to Oshawa then the Attack look to start over again with the highly skilled leader of the Marlies.

5. Sudbury Wolves- F; Jarrod Maidens; Hamilton Bulldogs

If the Wolves go for help on the back end, it will be McIvor but they may go for the highly skilled Jarred Maidens or Mathew Campagna despite his reluctance to report.

6. Niagara IceDogs- D; Gianluca Curcuruto; Mississauga Reps

This kid has a bomb from the point and has huge NHL upside. Was a big minute kid on a very good team.

7. Peterborough Petes –D; Slater Koekkoek; Notre Dame Hounds

Another Ontario kid that went west to avoid the OHF’s silly rule prohibiting Minor Midgets from playing Junior, Koekkoek has some questions but his recent play in Montreal had our scouts raving.

8. Niagara IceDogs- F; Sean Monahan; Mississauga Rebels

The Icedogs get this compensatory pick because of Lucas Lessio’s refusal to report and his subsequent trade to Oshawa. Kudo’s to Dave Branch and the OHL for implementing this rule to help avoid “cooked deals”. Monahan is the next in a long line of guys who had a great OHL Cup that got everyone buzzing but like John Hughes, Jordan Skellet and others before him, the question is whether he has improved this much or just had a phenomenal week.

9. Brampton Battalion – D; Marcus McIvor; Whitby Wildcats

The slick puck moving defenseman had a great year and unless Stan Butler has a trick up his sleeve again, McIvor will begin the rebuilding process.

10. Kingston Frontenacs – D; Alex Gudbranson; Ottawa 67’s

The obvious pick because of the success his older brother has had but he is waaaaay more raw then his brother was and good coaching will be necessary to make him the Player he could become.

11. Erie Otters – F; Chris Marchese; Toronto Marlies

Sherry Bassin always runs the tightest ship in the business with regards to their selection getting out but we think that the solid. Character kid from the Marlies will be the selection. If he tries to hit a home run, he could opt for Al Iafrate’s young son, Max but we think Marchese will win out.

12. Guelph Storm – D; Matthew Finn; Toronto Marlies

Guelph has been very successful grabbing stud defenders over the past couple decades and once again this will prove to be a solid pick. Finn was arguably the best defender on the powerful Marlies and has a little bit of everything in his game

13. Saginaw Spirit–F; Cristoval Nieves; Syracuse U16’s

The Michigan recruit didn’t receive an NDTP invite as many had expected so that may push him to the OHL and Saginaw will put the full court press on him.

14. Sault Ste. Marie – F; Justin Kea; Central Ontario Wolves

Although logic would dictate that they need a defenseman, this under-rated stud could become a steal at #14. He is big and raw but has a lot of upside.

15. Plymouth Whalers – D; Max Iafrate;

Plymouth has a new head scout who is very pro-American so look for the son of Al Iafrate to be the selection here. The offensive defenseman has good size and moves well so at the end of the day, the Whalers could get a steal at #15.

16. Ottawa 67’s – F; Matthew Campagna; Toronto Young Nats

A kid who could go Top 5 could fall to the 67’s who always take the best player. Campagna is a smallish player who has comparable skills to last year’s #1 overall pick, Michael Catenacci. We aren’t sure he’ll still be here but if he is, look for Joe Rowley and the 67’s to scoop him. A late rumour we have heard is Ottawa taking the northern kid, Brody Silk who missed the OHL Cup with a bad shoulder.

17. St. Mikes Majors – D; Adam Pelech; Toronto Marlies

Another stud defender off the Marlies, Pelech is the last in the line of Pelech brothers who have played in the OHL for the past decade. Going into the year he was expected to be a top 10 pick but he has slid a bit but the quality coaching that the Majors possess along with our choice for the 2011 Memorial Cup should serve as a great consolation prize for the big defender.

18. Kitchener Rangers – D; Nick Ebert; Waterloo BlackHawks

The Rangers always swing for the fences and this is the next in line of those choices. If they don’t like the Trouba kid, look for the 2nd best Player in the Draft, Nick Ebert to fall here because he has refused to report to many teams but it might be in an attempt to slip his way down to here or a little lower to the London Knights and although it would mess with our Mock Draft, we would love to see a team step up and take him earlier despite his refusal to report.

19. London Knights – D; Jacob Trouba; Detroit Compuware

If Marcantouni or Ebert slips this far down then you can bet that the Knights will take one of them here and woo him. If the Rangers scoop him up either one ahead of them then look for Knights to select the Trouba kid.

20. Windsor Spitfires – F; Kerby Rychel; Belle Tire

Although this is probably 1 round too early, the son of the GM might be the selection here because there is no guarantee that they can get him in the 3rd round and before people criticize him, the kid has some game and can play and if he works like his dad did, he will become a very good player.

21. Barrie Colts – D; Connor Carruck; Chicago Fury

It’s very difficult to try to determine who will still be around but Barrie might try to hit a home run with the very skilled but under-sized Carruck. He is highly skilled and moves the puck like a pro and is committed to the US NDTP and then Michigan after that but Barrie might make an offer of their own.

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