Travis Barron – Player Profile – Ottawa 67’s

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’1”

Weight:  190 pounds

Date of birth: August 17, 1998 Belfountain, ON

Position:  Left Wing

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 1, 3rd overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Travis Barron played his Minor Midget hockey for the Toronto Jr Canadiens during the 2013/2014 season where he had good offensive production with 23 goals and 18 assists in 30 games en route to winning a Kraft Cup Championship.

Travis Barron of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Travis Barron of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

In 7 OHL Cup games, Barron would score 2 goals and add 5 assists and captured a silver medal with his teammates. He was also a part of Team GTHL Red at the OHL Gold Cup contributing 5 goals and an assist in 4 games. The Ottawa 67’s would make him the third overall pick in the 2014 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection that April.

The following season, Barron would make the 67’s roster out of camp and play in 64 games. He notched 12 goals and 9 assists in those contests and added one goal and one assist in six playoff games.  He also suited up for Canada White at the World hockey Challenge Under-17 and had a goal and an assist in 5 games.

While putting the puck in the back of the net hasn’t been an issue for Barron in the past, more was expected from him this season after a fine rookie season with the 67’s. He scored just 13 goals and added 24 assists in 60 games. More is expected from a former third overall pick.

But his game is more than just finding the back of the net.

First and foremost, Barron is tenacious on the forecheck. He continuously is looking to finish his checks – usually hard – and is very good at retrieving pucks and causing turnovers. He plays the game with a very high level of energy. He’s not afraid of the physical play and even last season showed a willingness to go after bigger, stronger and older players with his physicality.

Barron does posses a very good shot, solid and hard. But a lack of confidence is showing in his offensive game as at times he seems hesitant with the puck on his stick. He is sound defensively and plays a full 200 foot game. He also possesses excellent leadership qualities.

Barron’s lack of finish has been somewhat of a concern and if it can’t translate at the OHL level, it’s hard to imagine it could translate at the NHL level. He’ll need a strong playoff performance for the 67’s. He may just top out as a physical energy player at the next level.

Barron’s bloodlines include former NHL’er Uncle Andrew Cassels and former Oshawa General cousin Cole Cassels.

Barron was ranked 60th on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings among North American skaters.

Logan DeNoble – Player Profile – Peterborough Petes

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height: 5’10”

Weight:  190 pounds

Date of birth:  October 15. 1997 Peterborough, Ontario

Position:  Center/Left Wing

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft: Round 13, 242nd overall, 2013 Priority Selection

Every season, a player not ranked by NHL Central Scouting catches my attention – Logan DeNoble was not ranked on Central Scouting’s midterm rankings – and this season DeNoble has caught my eye. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’ll be selected on draft day, but he just may get an invite to an NHL team’s development camp if not selected.

Logan DeNoble of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Logan DeNoble of the Peterborough Petes. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

The turning point happened just around the mid-way point of the Petes’ season. Through his first 29 games, DeNoble had just 3 goals and 4 assists and a plus-1. But in his final 34 games, he posted 17 goals and 18 assists and a plus-21.

Is 34 games a small sample size to be a point per game player?

And what about DeNoble’s consistency over that span? Well, since December 8, 2015, he has gone more than one game without a point twice, a 2 games span and a 3 game span. Twelve of his 34 games were also multi point games.

Much of his increase in production can be credited to playing with confidence and moving up in the lineup to play with quality players. He began the season playing on the fourth line and moved all the way up to the top line with Hunter Garlent and Eric Cornel.

Among draft eligible players in the Ontario Hockey League, DeNoble finished 13th in goals scored, 10th in plus/minus, 3rd in faceoff win percentage and 6th in shooting percentage.

You can find all the regular season leaders in my post.

While leading the Lindsey Muskies of the Ontario Junior Hockey league in scoring (30 goals and 27 assists in 49 games), DeNoble garnered interest from several NCAA schools including at least one solid scholarship offer. But playing for his hometown Petes where his grandfather, great uncle and uncle played their junior hockey was something he could not resist.

DeNoble signed with the Petes and played in 20 games last season scoring once and adding 4 assists.

DeNoble is an intelligent hockey player. He moves into open spaces while giving his teammates an open lane to get him the puck undetected. Once he gets himself into those opportunities, he capitalizes on his chances more often than not which reflect in his shooting percentage. He also uses that intelligence defensively and has become a solid 200 foot player.

DeNoble is also a grinder. He’s not afraid to get in on the forecheck and battle along the walls. He has no fear of driving to the net with or without the puck. You can question his size (and many will) but you cannot question his heart.

DeNoble is a hard worker and knows that continuing to work hard, remaining focused and determined is what will bring him to his long term goals. He’s also an accomplished lacrosse player – not new to hockey players these days – and golfer.

DeNoble was featured on CHEX-TV for his off season workouts.

OHL Playoff Preview

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Eastern Conference

Kingston FrontenacsKingston Frontenacs (1)  VS   GensOshawa Generals (8)

Regular season head to head: Kingston 7-1-0-0 Oshawa 1-5-2-0

Goals for: Kingston 252 Oshawa 197

Goals against: Kingston 189 Oshawa 235

Powerplay: Kingston 21.5% Oshawa: 19.9%

Penalty kill: Kingston 83.5% Oshawa 76.6%

Draft eligible players to watch: Kingston: Konstantin Chernyuk Oshawa: Domenic Commisso, Riley Stillman

Prediction: Kingston in four

Result: Kingston in five

Barrie_ColtsBarrie Colts (2)  VS  Mississauga SteelheadsMississauga Steelheads (7)

Regular season head to head: Barrie 5-1-0-0 Mississauga 1-5-0-0

Goals for: Barrie 295 Mississauga 215

Goals against: Barrie 207 Mississauga 229

Powerplay: Barrie 21.7% Mississauga 19.2%

Penalty kill: Barrie 83.4% Mississauga 79.4%

Draft eligible players to watch: Barrie: Ben Hawerchuk Mississauga: Sean Day, Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian, Alexander Nylander, Austin Osmanski

Prediction: Barrie in six

Result: Barrie in seven 

North Bay BattalionNorth Bay Battalion (3)  VS  Peterborough_PetesPeterborough Petes (6)

Regular season head to head: North Bay 2-2-0-0 Peterborough 2-2-0-0

Goals for: North Bay 240 Peterborough 240

Goals against: North Bay 227 Peterborough 250

Powerplay: North Bay 18.8% Peterborough 14.8%

Penalty kill: North Bay 81.5% Peterborough 75.3%

Draft eligible players to watch: North Bay: Cam Dineen, Zack Poirier, Justin Brazeau, Max Kislinger Peterborough: Jonathan Ang, Logan DeNoble, Dylan Wells.

Prediction: North Bay in six

Result: North Bay in seven

ICEDOGLogo.epsNiagara Ice Dogs (4)  VS   Ottawa_67'sOttawa 67’s (5)

Regular season head to head:  Niagara 3-1-0-0 Ottawa 1-3-0-0

Goals for: Niagara 213 Ottawa 234

Goals against: Niagara 198 Ottawa 219

Powerplay: Niagara 19.1% Ottawa 19.6%

Penalty kill: Niagara 84.2% Ottawa 79.7%

Draft eligible players to watch: Niagara Christopher Paquette, Stephen Dhillon.

Prediction: Niagara in six

Result: Niagara in five

Western Conference

Erie_OttersErie Otters (1)  VS    Saginaw_SpiritSaginaw Spirit (8)

Regular season head to head: Erie 2-2-0-0 Saginaw 2-2-0-0

Goals for: Erie 269 Saginaw 209

Goals against: Erie 183 Saginaw 282

Powerplay: Erie 25.3% Saginaw 16.3%

Penalty kill: Erie 82.6% Saginaw 81.1%

Draft eligible players to watch: Erie: Jordan Sambrook, Kyle Maksimovich, Alex DeBrincat, Taylor Raddysh. Saginaw: Keaton Middleton, Markus Niemelainen, Tye Falhaber, Evan Cormier.

Prediction: Erie in four

Result: Erie in four games

Sarnia_Sting.jpgSarnia Sting (2)  VS   Soo_GreyhoundsSault Ste Marie Greyhounds (7)

Regular season head to head: Sarnia 5-1-0-0 Sault Ste Marie 1-4-1-0

Goals for: Sarnia 254 Sault Ste Marie 243

Goals against: Sarnia 192 Sault Ste Marie 233

Powerplay: Sarnia 19.3% Sault Ste Marie 19.4%

Penalty kill: Sarnia 84.4% Sault Ste Marie 79.0%

Draft eligible players to watch: Sarnia: Jakob Chychrun, Anthony Salinitri, Jordan Kyrou. Sault Ste Marie: Boris Katchouk, Tim Gettinger, Hayden Verbeek, Jack Kopacka, Joseph Raaymakers.

Prediction: Sarnia in six

Result: Sault Ste Marie in seven

London_KnightsLondon Knights (3)  VS Attack Bear on whiteOwen Sound Attack (6)

Regular season head to head: London 4-1-1-0 Owen Sound 2-4-0-0

Goals for: London 319 Owen Sound 209

Goals against: London 182 Owen Sound 222

Powerplay: London 29.2% Owen Sound 19.4%

Penalty kill: London 82.3% Owen Sound 82.0%

Draft eligible players to watch: Olli Juolevi, Matthew Tkachuk, Max Jones, Cliff Pu, Victor Mete, Tyler Parsons, Nicolas Mattinen.

Prediction: London in five

Result: London in six

Rangers_PMSKitchener Rangers (4)  VS Windsor_SpitfiresWindsor Spitfires (5)

Regular season head to head: Kitchener 1-1-2-0 Windsor 3-1-0-0

Goals for: Kitchener 256 Windsor 253

Goals against: Kitchener 197 Windsor 200

Powerplay: Kitchener 22.2% Windsor 23.6%

Penalty kill: Kitchener 80.1% Windsor 79.4%

Draft eligible players to watch: Adam Mascherin, Connor Bunnaman. Windsor: Logan Stanley, Logan Brown, Mikhail Sergachev.

Prediction: Windsor in seven

Result: Kitchener in five

OHL’s Draft Eligible Stat Leaders: End of Season

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

The Ontario Hockey League’s regular season has come to an end and we look at the statistical leaders in a variety of categories. Listed are players available for the National Hockey League Draft on June, 2016 for the first time – players passed over in previous drafts are not included.

Peterborough Petes forward Logan DeNoble appears on the list in three categories – the only player not ranked by NHL Central Scouting on their midterm rankings in January.  DeNoble ranked sixth in shooting percentage at 16.95%. Will Bitten of the Flint Firebirds led the way with 20.55% followed by Boris Katchouk of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds at 20.17%. Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters was third at 18.96% followed by Katchouk’s teammate Hayden Verbeek at 17.95%. Another Otter, Kyle Maksimovich placed fifth at 17.65%.

DeNoble also finished third in faceoff win percentage at 53.9%. Jack Kopacka of the Greyhounds tops the list at 60.9% followed by Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads at 58%. Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires followed DeNoble at 53%.

Finally, DeNoble finished eighth in plus-minus with a plus-22. Four London Knights topped the plus-minus, Victor Mete (plus-53), Matthew Tkachuk (plus-45), Olli Juolevi (plus-38) and Max Jones (plus-30). Maksimovich placed fifth (plus-25) Brown sixth (plus-24) and Sarnia Sting defenceman Jakob Chychrun (plus-23) finished ahead of DeNoble.

DeNoble finished just outside the top ten in goals with 22.

Points Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 77 107
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 50 101
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 46 81
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 47 75
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 21 53 74
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 49 73
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 44 71
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 35 65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 21 40 61
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 19 40 59
Goal Scoring Leaders
Player Team GP G GPG
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 51 0.85
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 35 0.54
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 30 0.53
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 30 0.45
Dmitry Sokolov Sudbury Wolves 68 30 0.44
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 28 0.49
Max Jones London Knights 63 28 0.44
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 27 0.40
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 24 0.36
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 24 0.38
Assist Leaders
Player Team GP A APG
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 77 1.35
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 53 0.90
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 50 0.83
Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 67 49 0.73
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 47 0.82
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 46 0.71
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 46 0.68
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 44 0.65
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 40 0.70
Nathan Bastian Mississauga Steelheads 64 40 0.63
Defencemen Point Leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts
Cam Dineen North Bay Battalion 68 13 46 59
Mikhail Sergachev Windsor Spitfires 67 17 40 57
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 11 38 49
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 9 33 42
Victor Mete London Knights 68 8 30 38
Benjamin Gleason Hamilton Bulldogs 66 7 26 33
Jordan Sambrook Erie Otters 67 9 18 27
Markus Niemelainen Saginaw Spirit 65 1 26 27
Plus/Minus Leaders
Player Team GP +/-
Victor Mete London Knights 68 +53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 +45
Olli Juolevi London Knights 57 +38
Max Jones London Knights 63 +30
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 +25
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 +24
Jakob Chychrun Sarnia Sting 62 +23
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 +22
Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 65 +19
Austin Osmanski Mississauga Steelheads 65 +19
Penalty Minutes Leaders
Player Team GP PIM M/G
Givani Smith Guelph Storm 65 146 2.25
Max Jones London Knights 63 106 1.68
Logan Stanley Windsor Spitfires 64 103 1.61
Michael Pezzetta Sudbury Wolves 64 98 1.53
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 80 1.40
Ben Hawerchuk Barrie Colts 60 78 1.30
Faceoff Leaders (Minimum 60 faceoffs)
Player Team GP FOA FOW %
Jack Kopacka Soo Greyhounds 67 69 42 60.9
Michael McLeod Mississauga Steelheads 57 1284 745 58.0
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 154 83 53.9
Logan Brown Windsor Spitfires 59 1148 609 53.0
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 183 97 53.0
Cliff Pu London Knights 63 851 445 52.3
Brandon Saigeon Hamilton Bulldogs 43 502 259 51.6
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 72 37 51.4
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 74 38 51.4
Connor Bunnaman Kitchener Rangers 68 193 99 51.3
Shooting Percentage Leaders (Min 75 shots)
Player Team GP Shots Goals SH%
Will Bitten Flint Firebirds 67 146 30 20.55
Boris Katchouk Soo Greyhounds 63 119 24 20.17
Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 60 269 51 18.96
Hayden Verbeek Soo Greyhounds 63 78 14 17.95
Kyle Maksimovich Erie Otters 68 153 27 17.65
Logan DeNoble Peterborough Petes 63 118 20 16.95
Jonathan Ang Peterborough Petes 68 127 21 16.54
Alexander Nylander Mississauga Steelheads 57 178 28 15.73
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 57 191 30 15.71
Domenic Commisso Oshawa Generals 66 117 18 15.38
Goaltenders Leaders – Goals Against Average
Player Team GP Min GA Avg
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 2835 110 2.33
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 1317 59 2.69
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 3246 201 3.72
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 1516 116 4.59
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 2000 158 4.74
Goaltending Leaders – Save Percentage
Player Team GP SH SVS SV%
Tyler Parsons London Knights 49 1397 1287 0.921
Stephen Dhillon Niagara Ice Dogs 27 639 580 0.908
Evan Cormier Saginaw Spirit 58 1825 1624 0.890
Troy Timpano Sudbury Wolves 35 1296 1138 0.878
Dylan Wells Peterborough Petes 27 896 780 0.871

OHL’s Draft Eligible Player of the Month for March: Alex DeBrincat

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Alex DeBrincat returned back to form to help lead his Erie Otters to top spot in the Ontario Hockey League standings on the final day. After returning from the World Junior Championships, DeBrincat went into a mini slump – possibly due to not being fully recovered from an injury he sustained at the tournament.

Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

DeBrincat finished the month of March with 8 goals and 11 assists in 9 games. In his 9 March games, DeBrincat was named the game’s first star 4 times while garnering second star honours once. DeBrincat would finish 7th overall in OHL scoring with 101 points on 51 goals and 50 assists in 60 games. He broke the fifty goal mark for the second consecutive season.

Also considered were: the London Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk who posted 7 goals and 7 assists in 9 games. Pair of Windsor Spitfires were also considered. Defenceman Mikhail Sergachev had 3 goals and 7 assists in 8 games while Logan Brown scored 5 goals and added 7 assists.

Previous winners

February – Tyler Parsons, London Knights

January – Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion

December – Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion

November – Matthew Tkachuk, London Knights

October – Alex DeBrincat, Erie Otters

September – Matthew Tkachuk, London Knights

Jack Kopacka – Player Profile – Soo Greyhounds

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’2”

Weight:  190 pounds

Date of birth:  March 5, 1998, 1998 Metamora, MI

Position:  Left Wing

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft:  Round 8, 157th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Jack Kopacka describes himself as: Explosive, wicked shot, fast, good vision, hockey sense.

Kopacka has good size at 6’2”. He is an extremely good skater with some speed and has very good hands and puck handling skills at top speed. He does posses good hockey sense, vision and has an excellent shot and release.

Jack Kopacka of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Jack Kopacka of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

His play this season has been inconsistent at times. He got off to a good start but the inconsistencies reared their ugly heads in November, December and January and at times found himself lower on the depth chart.

Have to give credit to Kopacka for working through it. His hard work paid off and since mid February has been producing at a point per game clip and providing the Greyhounds with some much needed secondary scoring. He’s reached the 20 goal 40 point mark (20 goals, 22 assists) and is second in rookie scoring on the Greyhounds behind Boris Katchouk.

Kopacka has the ability to be a strong two-way player. Two things I’d like to see him improve on. First, his physicality: With his size and skating, he could be a force on the forecheck but at times has shown an unwillingness to do so. Secondly, his consistency: If Kopacka would work harder at putting the effort in and using his skills without the hesitancy he at times projects, he could be more successful.

Those are things that young players can learn over time, especially when they get a taste of NHL development camps and see what it takes to make it at the next level. Kopacka certainly has the smarts and he’ll learn.

Kopacka played his minor hockey with Detroit Compuware Under-18. In 21 games he scored 8 goals and added 10 assists. The Greyhounds selected him in the 8th round, 157th overall in the 2014 Ontario hockey League Priority Selection. He was also selected in the United States Hockey League’s Futures Draft by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the 4th round, 84th overall.

Kopacka was ranked 33rd among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings  released in January, right behind Katchouk.

Hayden Verbeek – Player Profile – Soo Greyhounds

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  5’ 10”

Weight:  180 pounds

Date of birth:  October 17, 1997 Kingston, Ontario

Position:  Center

Shoots:  Right

OHL Draft:  Round 4, 71st overall, 2013 Priority Selection

Lets flashback to last season’s Western Conference finals between the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds and the Erie Otters.  The Otters led the series three games to two. With the game tied at 2 in the second period, it was one of the most questionable slew footing match penalties I can recall to Hayden Verbeek when he accidentally bumped Otters goaltender Devin Williams in which the Otters would score twice to take the victory and the series.

Hayden Verbeek of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Hayden Verbeek of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

A lot of players would dwell on it for a long time and they would actually change the way they play the game, but not the nephew of former NHL’er Pat Verbeek.

A vigorous off season workout regiment had Verbeek add some much needed bulk and muscle while also growing an inch. Working hard however, is not a characteristic Verbeek is lacking in.

Verbeek is consistently one of the hardest working players on the ice on any given night. Last season, he brought energy to a Greyhounds lineup that was deep and talented and he’s carried it over to this season where he has taken on an expanded role with players graduating to the next level.

Verbeek is a very strong skater and accompanied with his work ethic and compete level is an excellent forechecker. Despite his size, he’s an excellent body checker who can hit hard. He can also play a chippy game and can get under the skin of opponents.

Verbeek found himself with limited ice time and even a healthy scratch early on this season. But he worked hard and gained more playing time under coach Drew Bannister as the season progressed. Some line juggling late in the season gave Verbeek a chance to play more offensively. He’s a player that Bannister can trust, playing a role on the penalty kill and is second only to Gabe Guertler on the team in faceoffs taken.

The most surprising stat when it comes to Verbeek is that his 14 goals on the season have come on just 77 shots, for an 18.2 shooting percentage. Compare that to Tim Gettinger and his 15 goals on 170 shots for an 8.8 shooting percentage.

Verbeek played his midget hockey for the Sun County Panthers in 2012-2013 where he scored 13 goals and 21 assists in 43 games. The following season he would play for the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey league scoring 8 goals and 27 points in 35 games. He would get in 5 games for the Greyhounds and go pointless. Last season was his rookie season with the Greyhounds where he scored 4 goals and 6 assists in 51 games.

Verbeek was ranked 164th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings in January.

Joseph Raaymakers – Player Profile – Soo Greyhounds

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’1”

Weight:  182 pounds

Date of birth: March 17, 1998 Chatham, Ontario

Position:  Goaltender

Catches:  Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 37th overall, 2014 Priority Selection

Joseph Raaymakers played his midget hockey for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones where he posted 2.16 goals against average and .936 save percentage. He went on to post spectacular numbers in 11 playoff games finishing with 1.75 goals against average and .947 save percentage. The Greyhounds would select Raaymakers in the second round of the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Last season, his rookie season in the OHL, Raaymakers appeared in 25 games finishing with a 14-7-0 record with 3.05 goals against average and .898 save percentage. This season, it was hoped that he would get more playing time. Despite number one goaltender Brandon Halverson missing time early in the season with an injury and taking part for Team USA at the World Junior Championships, Raaymakers appeared in just 28 games to date and has a 13-10-3-1 record and 3.61 save percentage and .891 save percentage.

In fairness to Raaymakers, the Greyhounds are not the Juggernaut they were last season.

Raaymakers suffered with consistency issues last season and at times it has carried over to this season. That’s typical when talking about a young goaltender at this level however.

Raaymakers is agile in his crease. He moves extremely well and is quick to move out and cut down angles. He is good at stopping second chances and when he gets better at his rebound control he will negate many of those second chances. He’s also above average with his puck handling skills.

Raaymakers biggest need is to work on his consistency. He’s prone to let in a bad goal but rebounds quickly. Next season he should take over the number one role on what promises to be a strong Greyhounds squad and it will be his time to shine. The problem with that is that this is his draft year.

NHL Central Scouting had Raaymakers ranked as the top goaltender from the Ontario Hockey League on its midterm rankings released in January. With the likes of Tyler Parsons (London Knights), Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes), Evan Cormier (Saginaw Spirit), Stephen Dhillon (Niagara Ice Dogs) and Troy Timpano (Sudbury Wolves) it promises to be a strong draft class of OHL Goaltenders. However, I’m not sure Raaymakers should top that list.

Cole Candella – Player Profile – Hamilton Bulldogs

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’1”

Weight:  185 pounds

Date of birth:  February 13, 1998, Mississauga, ON

Position:  Defence

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft:  Round 2, 23rd overall, 2014 Priority Selection (Belleville Bulls)

Candella played his Midget hockey for the Vaughan Kings Minor Midget AAA where he was an alternate captain and scored 11 goals and 43 assists in 60 games prior to being selected by the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.  Candella and his Kings also took part in the OHL Gold Cup where he registered three assists in five games.

Cole Candella of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Cole Candella of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Candella’s transition to the OHL was slow and “uncomfortable” last season – for the most part. He seemed to struggle with his decision making and would often find himself making the wrong decision.

What a difference a year makes!

Candella is a mobile defender who possesses some strong skating abilities. He is a very solid two way, minute eating defenceman whose hockey smarts seem to have come out of nowhere from last season where the smart play wasn’t always the play he made. This season he appears to think quicker on his skates and usually makes the right play.

Defensively, he has an ability to draw the opposition towards him and then use his skating abilities to close the gap and end the play there. He plays calm under pressure and makes a very good outlet pass, but is capable of skating it out on his own. He has good size and isn’t afraid of the dirty areas.

Offensively, Candella is more than capable of jumping into the play and is able to elude the opposition and be the trailer on the play. He sees the ice very well and can find open space as well as lanes to the net and passing lanes. He’s also shown an ability to quarterback the powerplay and has a powerful shot from the point.

Candella missed five weeks from December and into the New Year with fractured wrist and was just getting back into the swing of it when he had a setback at the end of January and would miss the next month.

Injuries have prevented us from getting a solid read on Candella, but we’ve seen, in somewhat limited time, what he is capable of. He should be a good third round pick in the 2016 National Hockey League Draft.

Candella would rank 65th on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings released in January.

Alan Lyszczarczyk – Player Profile – Sudbury Wolves

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Height:  6’1”

Weight:  180 pounds

Date of birth: February 17, 1998, Poland

Position:  Left Wing/Center

Shoots:  Left

OHL Draft: Undrafted – signed as a free agent.

The path that brought Lyszczarczyk to the Sudbury Wolves is a unique one. He spent the prior 4 years playing in the Czech Republic. One would think that would make him eligible for the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. That was not the case.

Lyszczarczyk’s parents had been living in Willington New Jersey while he was in the Czech Republic and as residents of the United States he was deemed ineligible for the Import Draft and thus became a free agent.

Lyszczarczyk also holds a Canadian citizenship. His father Dariusz was a long time hockey player in his native Poland.

Alan Lyszczarczyk of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Alan Lyszczarczyk of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Lyszczarczyk was an offensive force in the Czech Republic. Last season in the Czech Under-18 he led the league in scoring with 66 points on 27 goals and 39 assists in 42 games for KLH Chomutov. In 2013-14 he recorded 37 goals and 26 assists in 23 games in the Czech Under-16 before moving up to finish the year with the Under-18 where he scored 20 goals and 10 assists in 19 games.

Lyszczarczyk has a career 70 goals and 66 assists in 58 career Czech Under-16 games and 47 goals and 49 assists in 62 Czech Under-18 games.

Lyszczarczyk’s adjustment both on and off the ice has been a calculated one as the Wolves (especially coach Dave Matsos) did everything right bringing him along. Matsos admits he wasn’t “wowed” when Lyszczarczyk – who needed a translator – arrived. But Matsos put him in a position to succeed and he has not disappointed.

Lyszczarczyk currently has 14 goals and 31 assists in 61 games – good enough for third on the Wolves scoring chart and just 4 points from the leader Mikkel Aagaard and 1 point back of fellow draft eligible rookie Dmitry Sokolov. That places him sixth among OHL rookies in scoring, ahead of the likes of Max Jones – a potential first round pick.

The speedy, skilled winger is dangerous off the rush and driving to the goal from the wing. But it’s his work ethic and dedication to get better from game to game that stands out.

If there was any doubt to Lyszczarczyk’s dedication to his team and his teammates, the answer came when Poland came calling to have him represent his country at the World Junior Hockey Championship’s Group B tournament. With key injuries to Wolves’ forwards at the time, Lyszczarczyk knew he’d be leaving his team in a bind and decided to wait for his next opportunity to represent his country.

Lyszczarczyk was ranked 119th on NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings in January.