OHL Writers Draft Eligible Player of the Month for March

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

It wasn’t exactly a barn burner of a March for the skaters when it comes to the players eligible for the National Hockey League Entry Draft. But it was probably the best month of the season for the goaltenders. Here’s our choices for draft eligible forward, defenceman and goaltender of the month.

Draft Eligible Forward of the Month – Max Namestnikov – Guelph Storm

We all know about the explosion of offence Namestnikov had once he was traded from the Sarnia Sting to the Guelph Storm. Max had just two assists in the month of March but tallied 12 goals in 11 games that raised his season total to 39. And 35 of those goals came after the trade, in just 47 games. He had goals in all but 3 of those 11 games and included 4 multi point games.

Also considered were Coulson Pitre of the Flint Firebirds with 4 goals and 7 assists in 9 games, Joey Willis of the Saginaw Spirit had 5 goals and 8 assists in 11 games and Brady Stonehouse of the Ottawa 67’s who had 7 goals and 4 assists in 10 games.

Draft Eligible Defenceman of the Month – Matthew Mania – Sudbury Wolves

Mania quietly put together a solid season for the Sudbury Wolves and the month of March was a very good one for him. He appeared in 12 games scoring 3 goals and adding 6 assists and a plus-7 to finish the season with 10 goals and 28 assists and a plus-21 while playing in 67 games.

Also considered was Hunter Brzustewicz who had 8 assists in 12 games for the Rangers.

Draft Eligible Goaltender of the Month – Charlie Robertson – North Bay Battalion

Robertson had a great start to the month of March posting consecutive shutouts beginning with a 20 save blanking of the Niagara IceDogs on March and 5 days later blanking the Oshawa Generals with a 28 save performance. Robertson went 5-0-0-0 in the month of March stopping 145 of 154 shots for a save-percentage of .942.

Also considered was Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes who went 4-0-0-0 in 5 appearances and stopped 128 of 134 shots for a save-percentage of .955 and 1 shutout. Collin MacKenzie of the Ottawa 67’s was also considered as he posted a 7-0-0-0 record in 8 appearances with a .930 save-percentage.

We have to give a special shout out to Owen Flores of the Niagara IceDogs. He appeared in 10 games with two of those being in relief. Here are the shots he faced in his 8 full games: 66, 44, 46, 45, 48, 50, 58 and 36. In total, he stopped 399 of 440 shots he faced for a .907 save-percentage.

Forwards

Max Namestnikov – Guelph Storm – March

Nick Lardis – Hamilton Bulldogs – February

Colby Barlow – Owen Sound Attack – January

Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – December

Quentin Musty – Sudbury Wolves – November

Ryan Abraham – Windsor Spitfires – October

Defencemen

Matthew Mania – Sudbury Wolves – March

Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires – February

Rodwin Dionicio – Windsor Spitfires – January

Beau Akey – Sudbury Wolves – December

Brody Crane – London Knights – November

Hunter Brzustewicz – Kitchener Rangers – October

Goaltenders

Charlie Robertson – North Bay Battalion – March

Tristan Malboeuf – Hamilton Bulldogs – February

Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals – January

Joey Costanzo – Windsor Spitfires – December

Andrew Oke – Saginaw Spirit – November

Collin MacKenzie – Ottawa 67’s – October

Brady Stonehouse – Ottawa 67’s – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
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If there is a player that raises more questions then answers about the type of player, he is it’s Brady Stonehouse of the Ottawa 67’s. It appears the scouting community is divided on the player.

Brady Stonehouse of the Ottawa 67’s. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images.

Early in the OHL season it looked as though Stonehouse would project as a bottom six forward at the next level. Despite being 5’9” he is solidly built at 180-plus pounds and he’s not afraid to use that frame physically, especially on the forecheck. His willingness to go to and stand in front of the opposition net is impressive.

Stonehouse’s work ethic stands out. He’s a very good skater – and for the early part of the season he was straight line, dump and chase get on the forecheck and use his body type of player. He is pesky and tenacious and his play away from the puck is very good as his play in all three zones.

What was lacking when watching Stonehouse was any indication of vision, playmaking and skill to go with all the above. That is until he was moved to the 67’s top line. The transition to playing with the top skilled teammates was seamless and flawless.

Instead of going to battle in the attacking zone along the walls and playing the physical game, Stonehouse immediately began to come away with the puck no longer facing the walls and looking for and setting up teammates for scoring opportunities. And instead of heading straight for the net without the puck and planting himself there, he began to find open pockets and lanes to make himself an open target for his teammates. Though he lacks a high calibre shot, he would take it if it was there.

What Stonehouse showed is that he could play with talented players and they wouldn’t have to carry him. He held his own. But the question now is where do you draft him? Did you see enough in such a short window?

As one of the younger players in the draft class, it’s all about continuing to develop for Stonehouse. It won’t be enough to help him in the upcoming draft, but he could develop into more of a middle six role with the right development.