2018 OHL Priority Selection: Five to Watch
The 2018 OHL Priority Selection is fast approaching with the big day slated for this coming Saturday. Fans can follow the Priority Selection beginning at 9:00am with the first three rounds streaming live online at ontariohockeyleague.com. Follow along pick-by-pick with the OHL Priority Selection live results page.
Here’s a look at five top prospects including four forwards, and a goaltender eligible for this year’s OHL Priority Selection.
Stephen Halliday (LW) – Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
– 2018 GTHL Champion
– 2018 Silver Stick Champion
– 2018 OHL Cup Semi-Finalist
2017-18 Statistics: 59 GP, 36 G, 47 A, 83 PTS.
2018 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Statistics: 6 GP, 6 G, 3 A, 9 PTS., +7
OHL Central Scouting says: Stephen has a great combination of size, skill and skating ability that make all scouts take notice. At almost 6’3” and over 200lbs, he is physically ready to play in the OHL. Combine his size with his powerful skating ability that allows him to get in on the opposition quickly and he becomes a very intimidating presence on the ice. He has a soft set of hands that allow him to make plays in tight or to beat a defender one-on-one in open ice. He has the ability to take over and change the game with a single shift.
OHL Comparable: Brandon Saigeon (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Cameron Butler (RW) – York-Simcoe Express (OMHA)
– 2018 OMHA Champion
– 2018 OHL Cup Semi-Finalist
2017-18 Statistics: 34 GP, 27 G, 30 A, 57 PTS.
2018 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Statistics: 6 GP, 6 G, 2 A, 8 PTS., +7
OHL Central Scouting says: Cameron is a typical power forward that uses his size to his advantage. He is a powerful skater with a nice long stride. He has a good skill set for a player of his stature with the ability to make plays in tight areas. He can beat defenders one-on one when he has the chance. He is used on the point on the power play at times because of his very heavy and accurate shot. He isn’t afraid to shoot the puck and he will put it on net from anywhere. Cameron is relied on to play in all the big situations.
OHL Comparable: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Matthew Maggio (RW) – Sun County Panthers (ALLIANCE)
2017-18 Statistics: 33 GP, 20 G, 24 A, 44 PTS.
2018 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Statistics: 5 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS., -3
OHL Central Scouting says: Matthew is an offensively gifted winger that can change a game in a single shift. He is an explosive skater that reaches top speed quickly and has that top gear most others don’t have. He has great puck skills and stickhandles like the puck is on a string. He is very creative and loves to challenge the opposition one-on-one. Matthew has an accurate shot with a very good release. He has scored numerous highlight reel goals this season. Matthew has the high skill level that you can’t teach.
OHL Comparable: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)
Sahil Panwar (C) – Detroit Honeybaked U16 (T1EHL)
2017-18 Statistics: 19 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS.
OHL Central Scouting says: Sahil is a skilled forward that is always a threat whenever he has the puck on his stick. He has good one-on-one skills, is creative with the puck and has a knack for finding the net. He is a good skater that moves well in open ice. He shoots the puck well and does a good job of finding the soft spots on the ice for his teammates to get him the puck. He battles and competes well for loose pucks. He has a low centre of gravity which makes him hard to knock off the puck.
OHL Comparable: Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)
Daniil Chayka (D) – Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
– 2018 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Champion
– 2018 Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic Champion
– 2018 GTHL Semi-Finalist
2017-18 Statistics: 45 GP, 15 G, 18 A, 33 PTS.
2018 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Statistics: 7 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 PTS., +7
OHL Comparable: Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads)