Owen Tippett – Mississauga Steelheads – Player Profile

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 204 pounds

Date of birth: February 16, 1999

Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 1, 4^th overall, 2015 Priority Selection

Mississauga Steelheads’ right winger Owen Tippett played his minor midget hockey during the 2014-2015 season and captained the Toronto Red Wings while potting 52 goals and 35 assists in 50 games. He represented Team GTHL at the OHL-Gold Cup where he provided 3 helpers in 5 games. The Steelheads would select Tippett fourth overall at the 2015 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection.

Last season, Tippett’s rookie season in the OHL, he scored 15 goals and 5 assists in 48 games. He was named to the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team at the end of the season. He also represented Canada White at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17. His 5 goals and 3 assists in 6 games helped Canada win gold and he was named to the tournament’s all-star team. He would also represent Canada at the World Junior Championships Under-18 and in 7 games scored once and added 2 assists.

Tippett’s 2016-2017 began last August representing Canada once again at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He scored one goal and one assist in 4 games. He would add to his international experience during the season as he represented the OHL at the Canada/Russia Super Series where he had 2 assists in the game.

Tippett also participated in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects game and scored a goal and an assist for Team Cherry as his squad beat Team Orr 7-5.

Tippett would finish this season with 44 goals and 31 assists in 60 games for the Steelheads. Among the OHL’s draft eligible players, his 44 goals and 75 points were good enough for third in each category. He also finished eighth in plus/minus, had the longest goal scoring streak with 11 goals in 6 games as well as the longest point streak with 21 points in 12 games, and finished second in shots on goal.

In a recent nhl.com article, Tippett compared himself to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel.

Tippett may just be the hardest player to defend against when talking about the OHL’s draft eligible players. And there are some similarities to Kessel. His shot is elite level and he gets it off with an explosive release. He has power and velocity behind his shot with an ability to beat goaltenders cleanly.

Tippett is also an excellent skater possessing both an excellent first step and top end speed. He uses his speed effectively to force defenders back on their heels, beat them one-on-one, and then drive to the net. He also can release his lethal shot while at top speed. Without the puck, he uses his speed to separate himself from defenders and get himself into open ice allowing his teammates an option.

Pure goal scorers like Tippett are few and far between. And like most players at this stage, he doesn’t come without things he can improve on. While he has all the tools, and the size to go with it which makes him a force all over the ice, he doesn’t always make the right decisions. He could certainly use his teammates more effectively, and once he does that he could become an even greater offensive force. I think in some circles, his hockey IQ comes into question because of that, but I think he just needs to learn that he doesn’t always have to be the “go-to” guy, especially at the NHL level when he’s surrounded by talented players.

Throughout the season on various rankings, Tippett has been in a see-saw battle with Windsor Spitfires’ Gabriel Vilardi on who will be the first player chosen from the OHL. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Tippett was ranked fourth on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings among North American skaters in January. On Bob McKenzie’s mid-term rankings, Tippett was ranked sixth overall.

On January 19, 2017, Tippett appeared on OHL News – Radio Edition with Terry Doyle. You can listen to that here:

Owen Tippett

This is the profile page of Owen Tippett at Elite Prospects