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Created: Monday, 11 February 2019 15:40
Moving towards the exciting stretch drive of the Minor Midget AAA season, we’ve returned with an OHL Draft feature series that has been popular with our subscribers. Inside the Scouting Notebook provides an opportunity for each of our area scouts to weigh in on several players from their regions. We asked them to highlight players in three separate categories (see below) and speak to the type of player they are. New this year is each player’s “Rankings Stock” which denotes in which direction the player is currently trending
The TOP PERFORMER from your region who you consider to have been the top player in the league to this point of the season.
A PLAYER TO WATCH from your region who has continually impressed with each viewing and received consideration to be your top performer in his own right.
A PERSONAL FAVOURITE who has grabbed your attention despite not being someone who has received the attention that some of his peers have.
Participating in this first part which features the Alliance, SCTA and U.S. regions are Director of Scouting Andrew Sykes and SCTA scout Ryan Stacey.
Part 2 will feature the GTHL, ETA, HEO/Ottawa and Northern Ontario regions.
In order to read the entire article please subscribe. Once subscribed you can follow the Inside The Scouting Notebook - USA, Alliance, SCTA - Part 1 link to view the article. It can also be accessed from the Tournament Report section
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Created: Wednesday, 06 February 2019 15:48
Connor Lockhart
Kanata Lasers #93, Ottawa Ambassadors #12
Position: C
Shoots: R
January 21, 2003
5’9”, 165 lbs
Kanata, ON, CAN
Connor Lockhart is a dynamic center with a whole arsenal of offensive weapons at his disposal. His most noticeable attribute is his skating, which is as good as it gets at this level. He has elite acceleration in his first few strides, and he can get up to top gear quickly. He is constantly creating space for himself with his speed, either by separating from defenders who challenge him or convincing them to back off and give him room to operate[...]
To read the entire profile please subscribe. Once subscribed you will be able to access the Connor Lockhart - Kanata Lasers profile and all of our 2019 OHL Draft Player Profiles in the Premium Content section.
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Created: Wednesday, 23 January 2019 16:52
TheScout.ca presents our Mid-Season 2019 OHL Draft Rankings. It includes a Top 100 Skater Ranking and well over 200 honourable mentions. Also included is a Top 10 Goalie Ranking and 50+ honourable mentions.
In order to view the complete ranking, please subscribe. Once subscribed, access them in the Premium Content section, or follow this link - Mid-Season 2019 OHL Draft Ranking.
Note: players in red denotes an NCAA comittment
Top 100 Skaters
1. (1) Shane Wright, C, Don Mills Flyers
Wright has taken his game to even greater heights which is hard to believe. He is an astonishing talent who will be granted exceptional status to the OHL, and you’d be foolish to bet against him taking home OHL Rookie of the Year honours as a 15-year-old.
2. (3) Brandt Clarke, D, Don Mills Flyers
Clarke jumps to #2 due to the overall impact he has from the backend. Can generate offense almost instantly thanks to his incredible elusive edges and innate sense for finding space. Great finisher as well.
3. (8) Mason McTavish, C, Pembroke Lumber Kings
Leading goal-scorer and point-getter in the HEO and it makes perfect sense because McTavish is equal parts great goal-scorer and passer. Shooting and passing attributes are pro-calibre. Wants the puck and is driven to be a difference-maker.
4. (7) Connor Lockhart, C, Kanata Lasers
Lockhart’s placement here has him as the third ranked center in the age group in our opinion, albeit in a close ongoing battle with fellow HEO competitor Mason McTavish. Dynamic skater and scorer with awesome energy and enthusiasm. Fans are going to love watching this kid play. Quick release and pin-point accuracy makes him an assassin of a shooter.
5. (2) Brennan Othmann, LW, Don Mills Flyers
Holding his ground as our top-ranked winger, Othmann is a goal-scoring marvel. One of the best shooters and finishers we’ve seen in recent years, but also has great passing awareness and vision. Plays with jam and brings a studious passion to the game, on top of being a first-class teammate.
6. (4) Roman Schmidt, D, Don Mills Flyers (Boston University)
A monster in terms of his stature and his dominance on the ice. Controls the game and says “here you go, have more time with the puck” to his forwards. Ability at both ends of the ice is already impressive and the scary thing is he can still get a lot better.
7. (9) Sasha Pastujov, RW, Compuware 16U (University of Notre Dame)
The immensely skilled Pastujov was tournament MVP at Silver Stick where his Compuware 16U team knocked off Don Mills in a memorable championship game. A nightmare for opponents on the power-play with his lightning quick hands and exceptional passing vision and skill.
8. (6) Dylan Duke, C, Compuware 16U (University of Michigan)
There are some who prefer Duke over his linemate Sasha Pastujov. An intelligent 200 ft. center who impacts all three zones and is a difference-maker from his first shift to his last. Plays with punch and purpose.
9. (22) Jeremy Wilmer, C, North Jersey Avalanche 16U (Boston University)
A dynamo of an offensive player with superior edges leading to high-end creativity and dangling. Diminutive in stature (5’7”) but can get wherever he we wants on the ice due to his tremendous agility and explosiveness and then follows with a great playmaking sense.
10. (5) Colby Saganiuk, C, Pittsburgh Penguins 16U
Marvellous skating pivot with tremendous low center of gravity explosiveness. Only American skater in our top 30 without an NCAA commitment.
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Created: Friday, 18 January 2019 15:13
Qualifiers Group A
Halton Hurricanes
Top players: Lawson Sherk, Ethan Burroughs, Jordan Adams, Brennan Kennedy, Calum Chau, Thomas Viveiros, Josh Vagenas, Matteo Drobac, Braedyn McIntosh
Halton has gone on a stellar run to close out the SCTA regular season and fought close with Niagara to the very end to come out on top. The Hurricanes play a likable brand of hockey with a strong core group, and noticeable frontrunners in Sherk and Burroughs, who bring smarts and execution to all areas of the ice. With the forward group in place, the success of this team will ultimately come down to the contribution from the backend and between the pipes. Drobac and McIntosh fight for the title of top goalie tandem in the region, and if production comes from Chau, Vagenas and the rest of the defensive core, the potential to make a run is very much real.
Niagara North Stars
Top players: Matteo Giampa, Nathan Zadorozny, Parker Hendsbee, Liam Shewdyk, TRent Swick (2004), Connor Federkow, Macgregor Armstrong, Owen Faris
Niagara held the position of the top team in the SCTA for much of the season but were pushed from the podium by the determined Halton Hurricanes. The stage is now set for the North Stars response. Very much a team effort, this team holds all of their players accountable and rely on production from all lines. The strength of this team is their two-way play with Hendsbee and Federkow leading the way for the forward and defence cores respectfully. However, the team will only go as far as the top line of Zadorozny, Swick and Giampa lead them. Watch for the line to create offensive zone spacing and turn up the heat as they look to lead the resurgence effort.
Oakville Rangers
Top players: Adam O’Marra, Brett Cowen, James Jodin, Owen Wilson, Noah Pak
Despite finishing 8th in the SCTA the Oakville Rangers are a tough team to play at times. The pesky top line, anchored by the stellar situational awareness of Adam O’Marra, is unpredictable and can produce if not taken seriously. Noah Pak is a strong candidate to steal some games and is a calming presence and technical-heavy backstop in the Oakville net. The real standout of their system comes in the form of two big defencemen in Owen Wilson and James Jodion. Although very different in their styles, they bring a unique blend of puck moving, offensive ability and defensive prowess and will be vital in turning the tides on the Rangers lower-standing finish.
Buffalo Regals
Top players: Joseph Blackley, Jared Mangan, Dominic Cassillo, Konrad Walberger, Cameron Kuntar
The Regals have had a rough year to this point, but are in no way an easy out. Starting off the season with a tie against the Toronto Marlboros in tournament play, the Regals can catch people off-guard. Heavily reliant on their three-man system of Blackley, Mangan, and goaltender Cameron Kuntar, the three players all are less impactful physically with smaller frames but they can make you pay through their technicalities, effort and natural ability. Dominic Cassillo is another shifty forward in the Buffalo arsenal and his 27 goals on the season show you just what this team is capable of. Although in tough, look for them to bring their top level to these games and attempt to turn their season around.
Brampton 45s
Top players: Andrew Whitton, Curtis Henderson, Eric Viveiros, Gaven Martin, Cameron Pack
Brampton had a tough finish to the season going winless in their last 10 games. Despite the results, some ability is present on this squad. Whitton and Henderson are two forwards who look to carry on the rush and possess the smarts and natural craft to find the back of the net quickly. Martin and Pack add an element of surprise and unpredictability from the back-end and will attempt to catch the opposition sleeping. The 45s face an uphill battle but have the ability to steal a few games if they can get the bounces.
Read more: 2019 SCTA Qualifiers Preview
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Created: Monday, 07 January 2019 17:18
Over the holiday break, TheScout.ca covered the massive 60-team Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic Tournament that saw the Don Mills Flyers take an exciting championship game over GTHL foe the Toronto Nationals. The incomparable Shane Wright scored the championship-winning goal for the Flyers who were pushed to the brink by the Nationals who came so close to pulling the upset despite missing a couple of top players. The Flyers and Nationals were joined by the Whitby Wildcats and a juggernaut team from Minnesota the Gentry Galaxy. Don Mills survived a classic matchup with Gentry in the semifinals to narrowly secure their place in the final.
The tournament, which for our staff acts as a launching pad to our Mid-Season Rankings, greatly helps to solidify our second instalment of rankings for the OHL Priority Selection.
Director of Scouting Andrew Sykes was joined by regional scouts Ryan Ferizovic and Jason Gray, as well as Zach Thompson who was making his debut with the team as a special contributor. Media Producer Zach Scribner was also in attendance taking pictures and conducting interviews.
Please subscribe to access the full report which includes or selections for the Top 25 Performers of the tournament and comments on 138 total players. Once subscribed follow the link to view the entire 2018 Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic Report.
