Belarus and Russia named their preliminary rosters for the 2018 World Junior Championships.
One Ontario Hockey League player will be vying for a spot. Owen Sound Attack’s Maxim Sushko will be looking for a spot with Team Belarus.
The Czech Republic announced it’s preliminary roster for the 2018 World Junior Championships. The lone Ontario Hockey League invite is Albert Michnac of the Mississauga Steelheads.
Switzerland announced it’s preliminary roster for the 2018 World Junior Championships. Two Ontario Hockey League players will take part, Nico Gross of the Oshawa Generals and Stephane Patry of the Erie Otters.
Sweden announced this morning their preliminary roster for the 2018 World Junior Championships. Jacob Moverare of the Mississauga Steelheads is the lone Ontario Hockey League player to take part.
Today, Finland and the United States announced their preliminary rosters that will take part in their respective camps for the 2018 World Junior Championships Under-20. Both countries have a couple of Ontario Hockey League players on their rosters, but the majority will come Wednesday when Hockey Canada announces their preliminary roster.
Team USA
Team Finland
Goaltenders
Luukkonen Ukko-Pekka, HPK Hämeenlinna
Lehtinen Lassi, Lukko Rauma
Halonen Niilo, HIFK Helsinki
Defencemen
Heiskanen Miro, HIFK Helsinki
Salo Robin, Sport Vaasa
Räsänen Eemeli, Kingston Frontenacs OHL
Välimäki Juuso, C Tri-City Americans WHL
Juolevi Olli, TPS Turku
Vaakanainen Urho, SaiPa Lappeenranta
Laavainen Roope, HPK Hämeenlinna
Jokiharju Henri, Portland Winterhawks WHL
Kotkansalo Kasper, Boston University NCAA
Forwards
Jääskä Juha, HIFK Helsinki
Kuokkanen Janne, Carolina Hurricanes NHL
Turkulainen Jerry, JYP Jyväskylä
Koivula Otto, Ilves Tampere
Vesalainen Kristian, HPK Hämeenlinna
Koppanen Joona, Ilves Tampere
Moilanen Sami, Seattle Thunderbirds WHL
Tuulola Eetu, HPK Hämeenlinna
Tolvanen Eeli, Jokerit Helsinki
Nurmi Markus, TPS Turku
Räsänen Aapeli, Boston College NCAA
Ikonen Joni, KalPa Kuopio
Luostarinen Eetu, KalPa Kuopio
Heponiemi Aleksi, Swift Current Broncos WHL
Innala Jere, HPK Hämeenlinna
Kupari Rasmus, Kärpät Oulu
League leaders Barré-Boulet and Hart earn national honours
Armada’s Alex Barré-Boulet named CHL Player of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that QMJHL top scorer Alex Barré-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 3 after scoring four goals and four assists for eight points in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.
Barré-Boulet contributed back-to-back four-point performances for the Armada who won both games last week improving their first place record to 19-5-2-0. He scored two goals and two assists in both contests and earned first star of the game recognition twice including Friday night in a 6-1 win over the Charlottetown Islanders, and Sunday in a 5-4 triumph against the Victoriaville Tigres where he produced the late game-tying marker and then the overtime winner. The game-winner was his league-leading ninth of the season and extended his point-streak to 18 games which both tie Armada franchise records.
A 20-year-old from Montmagny, Quebec, Barré-Boulet is playing in his fourth QMJHL season after being a sixth round pick of the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft. He joined the Armada from the Voltigeurs midway through last season and helped the club reach the QMJHL Finals contributing 31 points in 20 playoff games. So far this season he leads the league with 45 points in 25 games including 22 goals and 23 assists.
Also considered for the award this week was 2018 NHL Draft prospect Calen Addison of the Lethbridge Hurricanes with one goal and seven assists for eight points in four games, and Joseph Garreffa of the Kitchener Rangers with eight assists in three games.
2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)
Silvertips’ Carter Hart named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 3 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .984.
Hart becomes the second two-time winner of the award this season and first recipient in back-to-back weeks after turning aside 62 shots in a pair of victories extending the Silvertips winning-streak to five games and keeping them in third place in the WHL’s U.S Division with a 15-12-1-1 record. On Friday night he made 32 saves and earned second star honours in a 3-1 road win over the Kamloops Blazers, then stopped all 30 shots faced on Saturday as second star of a 3-0 win over the Saskatoon Blades.
A 19-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Hart is playing in his fourth season with the Silvertips who selected him in the eighth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. He now carries a record of 10-3-0-1 and leads all WHL goaltenders with four shutouts while his goals-against-average of 1.46 and save percentage of .956 are also top marks. The second round pick of the Flyers in the 2016 NHL Draft now has 23 career shutouts which puts him just three shy of Tyson Sexsmith’s WHL record of 26 set with the Vancouver Giants between 2004-09.
Also considered for the award this week were a pair of past winners including Vancouver Canucks prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires with a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 69 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .972, and Minnesota Wild prospect Dereck Baribeau of the Quebec Remparts who posted a 1-0-0-2 record with 90 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.25 and save percentage of .957.
2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the third edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2018 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
The 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 13-19 and will feature 20 teams from across Ontario and the United States showcasing many of the top players eligible for the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 19 where it will be broadcasted nationally on Sportsnet.
The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.
Minor Midget Rankings for the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour – Week 3
| RANK | TEAM | LEAGUE | LAST WEEK | WEEKS RANKED |
| 1 | Toronto Marlboros | GTHL | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Oakville Rangers | OMHA | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Barrie Colts | OMHA | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | Vaughan Kings | GTHL | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | Mississauga Reps | GTHL | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | Cambridge Hawks | ALLIANCE | 7 | 3 |
| 7 | Don Mills Flyers | GTHL | 6 | 3 |
| 8 | Niagara North Stars | OMHA | – | 2 |
| 9 | Detroit Little Caesars U15 | USA | 10 | 3 |
| 10 | Peterborough Petes | OMHA | – | 1 |
| Honourable Mention: | ||||
| York-Simcoe Express | OMHA | 9 | 2 | |
| Toronto Jr. Canadiens | GTHL | – | – | |
| Guelph Gryphons | ALLIANCE | 8 | 1 |
The Toronto Marlboros and Oakville Rangers hold down the top two spots in the third edition of the weekly rankings while the Barrie Colts leapfrog the Vaughan Kings, climbing one spot into number three. The ALLIANCE-leading Cambridge Hawks continued their strong play, unseating the Don Mills Flyers for sixth on the rankings. After a week in as an honourable mention team, the Niagara North Stars are back in the Top 10 at eighth overall while the Peterborough Petes make their season debut as the tenth-ranked club.
Tournament Structure:
16 of the 20 spots in the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour are guaranteed through league competition. The 16 guaranteed spots continue to include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship. Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals. Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete. For the second straight season the final guaranteed spot will be awarded to HEO but represented by their previous year Bantam Championship team who will be reassembled for tournament competition. This season, HEO’s entry will be members of the 2017 Bantam Champion Ottawa Jr. 67’s.
Wild Card Games:
The final four entries at the 2018 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario. The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series. As introduced in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be reserved for GTHL teams. The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round. As introduced in 2017, one spot in a Wild Card will also be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final. The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship. Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee. The Committee will evaluate and review a team’s post-season success as the first criteria for selection, with additional criteria to include regular season play and tournament play. All four Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 13 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams on Tuesday March 6.
History:
Last season the Mississauga Reps captured their first OHL Cup title, defeating the Toronto Nationals 3-2 on Dennis Golovatchev’s late game winner with nine seconds remaining in the third period. Current Kitchener Rangers forward Mike Petizian led the showcase with 13 points (5-8—13) in seven games to earn the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP.
The 2017 OHL Priority Selection featured 15 players chosen in the first round who competed for the OHL Cup including Ryan Suzuki (London Jr. Knights – 1st overall Barrie Colts), Tag Bertuzzi (TPH Hockey – 2nd overall Guelph Storm), Brandon Coe (Toronto Nationals – 3rd overall North Bay Battalion), Nicholas Porco (Vaughan Kings – 4th overall Saginaw Spirit), Philip Tomasino (Mississauga Rebels – 5th overall Niagara IceDogs), Graeme Clarke (Toronto Marlboros – 6th overall Ottawa 67’s), Blake Murray (Whitby Wildcats – 7th overall Sudbury Wolves), Jack Hughes (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Jamieson Rees (Mississauga Reps – 9th overall Sarnia Sting), Ethan Keppen (Toronto Nationals – 10th overall Flint Firebirds), Connor McMichael (Ajax-Pickering Raiders – 11th overall Hamilton Bulldogs), Cody Morgan (Toronto Jr. Canadiens – 12th overall Kingston Frontenacs), Thomas Harley (Vaughan Kings – 14th overall Mississauga Steelheads), Nathan Staios (Vaughan Kings – 17th overall Windsor Spitfires) and Lucas Rowe (Mississauga Reps – 18th overall London Knights).
Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers), Mitch Marner (Vaughan Kings/Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Max Domi (Don Mills Flyers/Arizona Coyotes), Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames), Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/New Jersey Devils), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), P.K Subban (Markham Islanders/Nashville Predators), and Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning).
2018 marks the second season of a three-year partnership between the OHL and GTHL with Under Armour that includes title sponsorship of the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament. The OHL and GTHL are also in the second season of a five-year partnership extension announced in 2017 that ensures the event will continue to be hosted by the GTHL through 2021.
For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for November 2017, including Chad Denault of the Peterborough Petes, Isaac Walker of the Mississauga Steelheads, Aidan Dudas of the Owen Sound Attack and Chris Playfair of the Windsor Spitfires
East Division: Peterborough Petes forward Chad Denault is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for November. A 17-year-old native of Iroquois Falls, Ont., Denault has attained an 80% average over his grade 12 studies at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School. He is currently studying in English, International Business Fundamentals and Data Management courses. “Chad is a conscientious young man in the class room and on the ice,” said Petes academic advisor Kim Driscoll. “He is a disciplined student who shows good academic insight and is well liked by his teachers and fellow students.” A 6-foot-1, 186Ib., right-winger, Denault was a third round pick of the Petes in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. He has one assist over 16 games this season.
Central Division: Mississauga Steelheads rookie defenceman Isaac Walker is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for November. A 17-year-old native of London, Ont., Walker holds an 88.3% average in his grade 12 studies at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School. He is currently taking university level Philosophy, Biology and Chemistry courses while competing in his first OHL season with the Steelheads. The 6-foot-1, 192Ib. defenceman helped guide the London Nationals Jr. B club to a GOJHL Western Conference championship last spring and has one assist in 19 games with the Steelheads this season. He was a ninth round pick by the club in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.
Midwest Division: Draft eligible Owen Sound Attack sophomore forward Aidan Dudas is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for November. A 17-year-old native of Parry Sound, Ont., Dudas has achieved an overall overage of 86.5% in grade 12 university level courses at Owen Sound District Secondary School. “Aidan balances the demands of hockey and school with ease,” said Attack academic advisor Sarah Rowe. “He is an incredibly positive role model for his teammates both on and off the ice and always has something nice to say and is quick to lend a hand.” Dudas had a strong month of November, recording 14 points (5-9–14) over 11 games with the Attack for a season total of 31 points (14-17–31) through 27 contests. He was Owen Sound’s first round (10th overall) pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.
West Division: Windsor Spitfires forward Chris Playfair is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for November. The 17-year-old from Waterloo, Ont. has an 86% average in grade 12 university level Business, Data, and Biology courses at St. Anne Catholic Secondary School. “Chris is extremely well-liked by his teachers and fellow students,” said Spitfires academic advisor Danielle Chevalier. “He is a mature young man who recognizes the importance of an education and works diligently to achieve success in the classroom.” A former fourth round pick by the club in 2016, Playfair has two goals and an assist in 26 games this season.
2017-18 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
East Division:
November – Chad Denault (Peterborough Petes)
October – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)
Central Division:
November – Isaac Walker (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Blake McConville (Sudbury Wolves)
Midwest Division:
November – Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack)
October – Billy Moskal (London Knights)
West Division:
November – Chris Playfair (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Brett Jacklin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 301 OHL Alumni with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.17 million. Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $18.8 million.
Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Joseph Garreffa of the Kitchener Rangers is the OHL ‘On the Run’ Player of the Week for the week ending December 3 after leading the league with eight points, all assists, in three games while recording a plus-minus rating of plus-3.
Garreffa helped the Rangers collect three comeback wins last week delivering back-to-back four-assist performances against the Owen Sound Attack. The forward turned defenceman earned first star honours on Wednesday night in Owen Sound as the Rangers erased a 4-2 deficit with a trio of third period tallies skating to a 5-4 victory. On home ice Friday, the third year blue shirt was recognized as the game’s second star as the Rangers once again battled back from a 4-2 third period hole this time emerging triumphant in overtime with Garreffa intercepting a clearing attempt and feeding Kole Sherwood for his second straight game-winner. Kitchener improved their first place Midwest Division record to 18-9-2-0 on Sunday following a 3-2 overtime road win against the Erie Otters after trailing 2-0 early in the first period.
An 18-year-old from Toronto, Ont., the 5’6’’, 167lb Garreffa was a third round pick by the Rangers in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He is currently second in team scoring with 28 points in 29 games powered by five goals and 23 assists after scoring 25 times in 2016-17 with 35 assists for 60 points in 68 games. His 23 helpers are tied for 11th overall among league leaders with 13 of them coming with the man advantage good enough for a fifth place tie in the power play assist category.
Watch video highlights of Garreffa and the Rangers on the road against the Attack, at home against the Attack, and on the road against the Otters.
Also considered for the award this week was Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs with seven assists in three games, and Colorado Avalanche prospect Conor Timmins with three goals and three assists for six points in three games helping the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds extend their winning-streak to a team record 14-straight. In goal, Vancouver Canucks prospect Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires made 69 saves in a pair of victories including one by shutout posting a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .972.
2017-18 OHL ‘On the Run’ Players of the Week:
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Joseph Garreffa (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Brady Hinz (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 196 pounds
Date of birth: January 6, 2000
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
OHL Draft: Round 1, 20th overall (Barrie Colts) 2016 Priority Selection; Round 7, 107th overall (Lincoln Stars) USHL Futures Draft.
Coming into the season, Jack McBain was considered one of the top prospects playing in Ontario for the 2018 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and rightfully so. While listed on NHL Central Scouting’s players to watch list as a B prospect (2nd or 3rd round candidate) to start the year, and again on their updated list in November, one can’t imagine him not moving up. He’s already ranked in the first round on most independent scouting services and has been for some time.
McBain is the son of former NHL’er Andrew McBain, who was a former first round pick, 8th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in 1983. The elder McBain played in 608 NHL games scoring 129 goals and 172 assists with the Jets, Canucks, Penguins and Senators.
McBain has always had his eye on playing in the NCAA. In this article with the Barrie Examiner, McBain spoke openly about considering the Ontario Hockey League and the Barrie Colts. But if the NCAA was going to be his route to the NHL, then the OHL was out of the question. (The NCAA considers Major Junior players professionals and therefore, ineligible).
To keep his NCAA eligibility, McBain had two realistic choices: The Ontario Junior Hockey League or the United States Hockey League – where he was drafted by the Lincoln Stars. He chose the OJHL and his hometown Toronto Jr Canadiens.
In March of this year, McBain stayed true to his heart and committed to Boston College for 2018. Thus, McBain was left with another decision to make coming into this season: return to the Jr Canadiens and the OJHL or jump to the Stars and the USHL. Once again, he chose Toronto.
During the 2015 – 2016 season, McBain played his Minor Midget hockey for the Don Mills Flyers where he was captain of his squad and his father was an assistant coach. He would appear in 45 games and score 25 goals while adding 48 assists. In 6 games for the Flyers at the OHL Cup, he would add 8 assists. He would also represent Team GTHL Red at the OHL Gold Cup where he scored 5 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.
Last season McBain broke onto the OJHL scene and appeared in 42 games notching 13 goals and 28 assists in 42 games. He would add 4 goals and 8 assists in 11 playoff games and was named OJHL First Team All-Prospect. He also got a taste of international hockey with Canada at the World Junior A Challenge Under-19.
This season began in August for McBain by representing Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial. In helping Canada capture gold, he scored 3 goals and added 2 assists. He saved his best performance for the gold medal game as he scored once and set up two others in a 4-1 victory over the defending champion Czech Republic.
This season, McBain is well on his way to surpassing his totals from a year ago. He has 12 goals and 26 assists through 31 games. His 38 points puts him second among the Jr Canadiens as does his goals while he leads his squad in assists.
McBain has got size and he has strength. Just imagine how much stronger he can be once he fills out his 6’3” frame. He’s already tough to play against and even harder to control. Speed is not an asset he possesses, or more accurately, explosiveness on his first steps. Improving on his first few strides can be crucial to him and by all accounts, he knows this and continues to work on it. Once he gets going however, his speed is more than adequate.
McBain has a lot of assets that benefit a hockey player, but it’s hard to pick out which may be his best asset. Perhaps it is his work ethic and his will to be the best he can be every time he’s on the ice. And he puts that devotion in at both ends of the ice.
Maybe it’s McBain’s vision. He sees the ice extremely well and can read and react quickly. He has an uncanny ability to slow the pace down and the patience to let the play develop and then strike with either a crisp tape-to-tape pass or fire a deceptive, accurate and hard shot with a purpose. And he’s willing to drive the net with or without the puck.
Or could it be McBain’s impressive two-way game? We are already aware of his offensive prowess, but his defensive game is somewhat underrated in some circles. He uses his smarts defensively as he does on the offense. His stick is almost always on the ice and in passing lanes. He reads and anticipates so well that he outthinks the opposition. He uses his big frame to take opponents out along the wall and to win one-on-one battles.
If that isn’t enough, then it might be McBain’s elite puck skills. He handles the puck extremely well even at top speed. He strong at keeping possession, can dangle one-on-one or find open areas or lanes to move into with possession.
McBain is currently at Team Canada East’s camp along with 39 other prospects vying for a spot at the World Junior A Challenge.
Jack McBain
Eliteprospects.com stat page profile of Jack McBain
OHL Writers 