18 OHL players eager to make an impression in Guelph

 

18 OHL players look to put their best foot forward tonight in the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph.

OHL all-time great Eric Lindros will step behind the bench of Team Orr alongside Guelph Storm coaches George Burnett, Jake Grimes and Luca Caputi while Don Cherry leads his club with the legendary Ottawa 67’s tandem of Brian Kilrea and Bert O’Brien by his side along with Mississauga Steelheads head coach and GM James Richmond.

Be sure to catch tonight’s action beginning at 7:00pm ET across Canada on Sportsnet and in the United States on NHL Network.

Here’s a closer look at tonight’s OHL competitors.

 

TEAM CHERRY:

(G) JACOB INGHAM – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) [3]

Ingham describes himself as:  Athletic, Competitive, Focused, Agile, Driven

NHL Central Scouting says:  Pro size goalie with excellent quickness and athletic ability – solid competitor with very good work habits – strong legs for efficientt east/west lateral movement –  good quickness getting from post to post – strong on the post to prevent wrap around attempts – very strong technical approach – exhibits a solid stance and plays with authority – overall very good net coverage and good angle play – quick to snap and extend his pads to protect the low corners and also seals the ice and five hole – smart reading the cross ice or back door play.

(D) EVAN BOUCHARD – London Knights (OHL) [5]

Bouchard describes himself as: Calm, Positive, Offensive, Intelligent, Competitive

NHL Central Scouting says: Highly intelligent defender with exceptional vision and offensive instincts – reads the play extremely well – passing ability allows him to be a constant threat in his team’s transition game – one of the top offensive defenseman in the CHL – magician-like when quarterbacking the power play – effective using a variety of shots; has an accurate one timer that needs to be respected – plays a prop style game with composure.

(D) NICO GROSS – Oshawa Generals (OHL) [47]

Gross describes himself as: Smart, Skilled, Competitive, Offensive, Team Player

NHL Central Scouting says:  Very sound two way defenseman – good straight away speed and has good mobility – defends smartly playing a strong positional game utilizing a good stick and body position to eliminate opposing players on the play – very good gap awareness – effective one on one game in the defensive zone with good compete and battle – plays with  poise and confidence – quick in transition; smart at reading and reacting to situations in all zones – makes good decisions with the puck under pressure finding open outlets; good game at offensive blue line.

(D) RYAN MERKLEY – Guelph Storm (OHL) [21]

Merkley describes himself as: Offensive, Competitive, Pass-First, Good Skater, Passionate

NHL Central Scouting says: Excellent skater with elusive speed and mobility – always a threat when the puck is on his stick – looks to lead or join the rush; loves to generate offensive chances – a “go to guy” to quarterback the power play – vision and play execution are exceptional – makes plays from the offensive blue line that end up on the high light reel – one of the more offensively gifted players in the draft class.

(D) RASMUS SANDIN – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) [15]

Sandin describes himself as: Smart, Useful, Competitive, Leader, Smooth

NHL Central Scouting says: First year playing in North America and acclimated himself from game one – strong and balanced skater for his size – mobility and instinctual awareness make him almost impossible to check – execution on breakouts is near perfect; quickly able to skate and think his way out of any situation – very poised and smart game handling and moving the puck in all zones – game is tailored for the modern-day NHL puck moving, puck possession defenceman.

(D) GIOVANNI VALLATI – Kitchener Rangers (OHL) [38]

Vallati describes himself as: Fast, Skilled, Gritty

NHL Central Scouting says:  Good size and skating assets-  quick and agile skater to be on top of plays / loose pucks – very good game collecting and advancing the puck up ice –  knows how to play within limits and keep plays simplified – plays a smart defense first style and has quick instincts to react effectively to make good offensive choices with the puck – composed style of play with and without the puck – very reliable and consistent game.

(C) TY DELLANDREA – Flint Firebirds (OHL) [76]

Dellandrea describes himself as: Competitive, High Energy, Quick, Skilled, Shifty

NHL Central Scouting says: Highly gifted centre with deceptive offensive abilities and instincts – possesses high end puck skills and can be very clever in one on one situations – displays good vision with the puck and can execute skilled plays in traffic – high hockey IQ and ability to anticipate the play make him an important figure on his team’s offensive attack.

(C) AIDAN DUDAS – Owen Sound Attack (OHL) [131]

Dudas describes himself as: Fast, Smart, Skilled, Tenacious, Creative

NHL Central Scouting says: Energy player who always is competing and battling on the play – heads up game with the puck, capable to make plays while being checked & willing to take the hit to make the play – plays bigger than his size and has a knack for drawing penalties – fluid skater with good speed & quickness to gain advantage on plays – good offensive hockey sense, makes the give & go plays to generate chances -great instincts to makes the most his chances & has a good finishing touch- small but very effective.

(C) BARRETT HAYTON – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) [6]

Hayton describes himself as: Competitive, Smart, Skilled, Scorer, Playmaker

NHL Central Scoutings says: Very good offensive hockey sense – has a good puck composure game and effective at making plays at top speed – has quick hands that can mesmerize the best defensive defender – high end puck skills make him capable of being a game changer – a player you want on the ice when you need that important goal or someone to set up a scoring chance – solid competitor who never gives up on a play or puck.

(C) CAM HILLIS – Guelph Storm (OHL) [59]

Hillis describes himself as: Hockey Sense, Vision, Competitive, Skilled, Elusive

NHL Central Scouting says: Smaller dynamic skilled player – first year in OHL and plays like a veteran – very quick and powerful stride with skater – good quickness and acceleration – uses his speed as an asset on the forecheck or when reacting to a loose puck – smart player with good vision and passing skills – plays in important situations including the power play and penalty kill – good compete and battle in all areas of the ice.

(RW) AKIL THOMAS – Niagara IceDogs (OHL) [10]

Thomas describes himself as: Hockey Sense, Complete, Two-Way, Skilled, Dangerous

NHL Central Scouting says:  One of purest skaters in this Draft class; has NHL speed that makes a difference on the play – plays a consummate two way game every time – consistently gives an honest effort – tenacious checker; doesn’t let up on pucks / plays -ultra quick changing gears to separate self from checks and pull away with the puck – very good puck control / movement game to go along with good offensive hockey sense – unselfish and patient game with the puck – has the hands /moves / shot to contribute offensively – high character prospect.

 

TEAM ORR:

(D) KEVIN BAHL – Ottawa 67’s (OHL) [30]

Bahl describes himself as: Fierce, Decisive, Confident, Smart, Controlled

NHL Central Scouting says: Huge on-ice presence at 6’6 –  plays a composed game under pressure and has a good puck movement game –  sees the ice well and can sort out the right option and execute with efficiency – plays a strong positional game utilizing a good long stick and body position to eliminate opposition from getting to the net – possesses a physical element to his game and is concentrated on making opposing forwards earn their opportunities – has proved to be a valuable shut down puck moving defender for his team.

(C) LIAM FOUDY – London Knights (OHL) [91]

Foudy describes himself as: Fast, Competitive, Relentless, Gritty, Fearless

NHL Central Scouting says: Strong skater with good speed and quickness to be on top of plays and getting to where he needs to be – good hockey sense to make effective choices / decisions moving the puck – has the puck skills to execute passing plays and get the shot – very good game getting to the net to generate or be open on play for chances – consistent work ethic to play a two way game and he’s effective on the forecheck to get to loose pucks first – a young Knights player who has shown glimpses of having the ingredients of an NHL prospect.

(C) RYAN McLEOD – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) [16]

McLeod describes himself as: Competitive, Creative, Selfless, Skilled, Responsible

NHL Central Scouting says: Strong and effortless skater; has deceptive speed and agility – utilizes speed on the rush to take the defenseman wide while protecting and shielding the puck – speed and puck handling ability allows him to gain the offensive zone very effectively – arguably one of the best passers available for this upcoming draft – very good instincts and very smart and patient game with the puck – very reliable and smart away from the puck;  plays a strong two way game – good balance and quick hands in the face-off circle – he plays in all situations and has a big role on his team.

(C) ALLAN McSHANE – Oshawa Generals (OHL) [33]

McShane describes himself as: Smart, Shifty, Playmaker, Rounded, Patient

NHL Central Scouting says: Highly skilled centre with natural offensive instincts – manipulates poor defensive gaps with his precision like passing – excellent play maker that every winger wants to play with – his game away from the puck can’t be taught and allows him to execute plays with more time and space – offensive catalyst for his team.

(RW) KIRILL NIZHNIKOV – Sudbury Wolves (OHL) [161]

Nizhnikov describes himself as: Hard Worker, Talented, Skilled, Offensive, Smart

NHL Central Scouting says: An offensively skilled player – very good hands and creative game especially when given time and space – good vision handling and moving the puck – good at finding the open man and delivering the puck for a quality chance – quick shot and release as well as one time ability – he skates well and when playing with energy can be very effective and a dangerous offensive threat.

(RW) SERRON NOEL – Oshawa Generals (OHL) [9]

Noel describes himself as: Smart, Physical, Relentless, Risk-Taker

NHL Central Scouting says: Big, strong power forward who demonstrates good hockey intelligence and a soft touch around the net; has “puck on a string” abilities;  – possesses a multi-dimensional skill set where he can make plays on the rush while using his size, strength and pull away speed to beat defenders wide or out of corners – could have the best puck protection game in this Draft class – a rare and valuable blend of size, skill and speed.

(RW) ANDREI SVECHNIKOV – Barrie Colts (OHL) [1]

Svechnikov describes himself as: Team Player, Focused, Passionate, Determined, Hard Worker

NHL Central Scouting says: Plays the game with speed & precision – excellent offensive hockey sense seeing the ice & getting open on plays – high end skills with puck control, hands & shooting – smart driving to net and accurate finishing touch; has a quick release shot – heads up anticipating & reading plays – extra gear with skating to get through traffic / checking with the puck – deft hands / moves to go along with his confidence make him a viable scoring threat every time he’s on the ice – high end skills and assets; one of the top players in North America.