OHL Top 50 Players Features Four Ottawa 67’s
Though this is not an official list, nor has there been an official list of the OHL’s top 50 players of 2014-15, if there was these are the Ottawa 67’s players that would definitely make the cut.
Dante Salituro
The flashy centre led the 67’s in points last season, scoring 37 goals and adding 41 assists. His game has improved every season, boosting his point totals by 19 each year.
Dante’s upgraded offence last season also improved his line mates. Jeremiah Addison had a career year on Salituro’s left wing. He finished the season with 47 points, 30 more than 2013-14. Great players always make those around them better.
He’s NHL draft eligible this season, but should return to the 67’s for his third, and most likely his best, OHL season.
Travis Konecny
Missing eight regular season games could put a dent in anyone’s year, but the dynamic forward still managed to post 68 points in only 60 games.
Konecny entered the 2014-15 season with a lot on his plate. He was named 67’s captain, became NHL draft eligible, and his team was moving back home to the Arena at TD Place. Even with all that pressure, Travis persevered. He led Ottawa to a fourth place finish in the OHL’s Eastern Conference and their first playoff appearance in three years.
His drive and determination should make him a hot commodity at the 2015 NHL Draft, so his return to the 67’s next season is up in the air at the moment.
Liam Herbst
The 67’s starting goaltender experienced a drastic difference last season.
The Toronto-native missed the entire 2012-13 season after undergoing major surgeries on both his hips and knees. Upon his return to the OHL in 2013-14, he played only 10 games between London and Ottawa, posting a 0-4 record and a 6.62 GAA.
With a fresh start last year, Herbst shined. He started 39 games for Ottawa and finished the season with the fourth best GAA (2.76) in the OHL. Liam also won 24 games and recorded three shutouts.
He’s ranked as the 12th best North American goaltender heading into the 2015 NHL Draft, so here’s hoping a team recognizes the reemergence of this top prospect.
Alex Lintuniemi
Lintuniemi’s all-around game makes him a lock for this list. The 6’3″, 214 lb. Finn knows how to throw his weight around without drawing a penalty, as he only collected 22 minutes throughout the entire 2014-15 OHL season.
Though not a prototypical offensive defensemen, he led the 67’s defence in points with seven goals and 29 assists.
Alex was drafted by the LA Kings at the 2014 NHL Draft and suited up for their AHL affiliate, Manchester Monarchs, for their 2015 playoff run. His future in pros looks very bright, as he unfortunately won’t be back in Ottawa next year.
