Five to Watch for the 2022 OHL Priority Selection

 

By Raine Hernandez/OHL

We are now 35 days away from the official start of the 2022 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour on March 30th as 20 of the best teams at the U16 AAA level will battle it out for minor hockey supremacy.

In the meantime, we continue to witness high-level competition, including multiple top-10 matchups leading up to the return to Scotiabank Pond for the annual showcase.

In this past week’s action, the second-ranked Toronto Jr. Canadiens defeated two top-10 opponents in the Markham Majors and the Toronto Marlboros in addition to the Toronto Nationals, while the ninth-ranked Brantford 99ers extended their winning streak to seven games, highlighted by knocking the Waterloo Wolves out of the top-10 in a massive road victory on Saturday.

Meanwhile in the OMHA as they begin their playoffs this week, the Quinte Red Devils welcomed another U16 ETA Regular-Season title to their organization, finishing with an incredible 23-0-3 record with a goal differential of +111.

Teams will continue to work their way through their league playoffs in the coming weeks while another big event is approaching on the calendar in the GTHL Top Prospects Game on Tuesday, March 1.

Let’s look at another edition of “Five to Watch”, featuring a handful of prospects eligible for the 2022 OHL Priority Selection:

 

Benjamin Cormier (F) – Navan Grads (HEO U18)

Benjamin is an offensive player that has a knack for the net.  He has a shoot first mentality and possesses an accurate shot with a quick release.  He is a good skater and has good top end speed when in full flight.  He is one of the top producing offensive players in the HEO as a 15-year-old and plays a very mature type of game.  He has a good understanding of the game and what it takes to create scoring chances.  Ben is a player that capitalizes on his chances and should be able to do the same thing at the next level.

Raine’s OHL player comparison: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)

Liam Greentree (F) – Markham Majors (GTHL)

Liam is a big power forward that drives his team offensively with his speed, skill set and physicality.  He is a powerful skater with an explosive stride that he uses on the forecheck and puts pressure on the opposition.  He has a very good skill set that allows him to make plays at top speed and carry the puck through the neutral zone to make plays off the rush. Liam has a heavy shot, will drive the net for rebounds and competes all over the ice to help his team. He’s a player that has moved up the rankings since the start of the season and has a very high ceiling.

Raine’s OHL player comparison: Josh Bloom (Saginaw Spirit)

Justin Huynh (D) – Mississauga Senators (GTHL)

OHL Central Scouting says: Justin is a very mobile defender that moves extremely well in all directions.  He has a very stocky build which makes it very hard to knock him off pucks in corner battles.  He isn’t afraid to join or even lead a rush when the opportunity arises as he picks his spots very well.  He is a heads up player that moves the puck well and usually makes the simple and safe play.  Defensively he is very reliable, rarely getting beat one-on-one. Justin is a smooth skating defender that fits the way the game is played today.

Raine’s OHL player comparison: Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion)

Braedyn Rogers (D) – Quinte Red Devils (OMHA-ETA)

OHL Central Scouting says: Braedyn is a very versatile defenceman that plays well in all three zones.  His skating ability allows him to beat forecheckers and break the puck out easily, and he doesn’t hesitate to jump into the rush or lead it because of his quickness.  He reads the play well on the offensive blue line and makes very good decisions with the puck.  He is one of the best two-way defenders in the ETA, understands his position and does a good job using his skating ability to defend. Braedyn takes the body on a regular occasion.

Raine’s OHL player comparison: Jack Thompson (Soo Greyhounds)

Marek Vanacker (F) – Brantford 99ers (ALLIANCE)

Marek is a big power forward that missed some time at the beginning of the year due to injury, but has come back and really made an impact on his team.  He has very good hands in and around the net, a quick release and can get the puck up quickly when needed. He protects the puck well in the offensive zone and is hard to handle down low. He has a powerful stride and moves very well for his size, could improve on his ten-foot game and get off the mark better but his overall speed is good.  Marek has the potential to be a very effective player at the OHL level.

Raine’s OHL player comparison: Ethan Keppen (Flint Firebirds)