The Western Conference looks to continue its domination after an uncharacteristic slip up by the conference in 2014-15. The Knights got them back on track last year and the lead a group of teams looking to continue the trend. The Steelheads are the runaway favourites in the east and have the assets to add the depth needed to challenge in the East. It will be an interesting year once again.
Before my season preview here are some links to a few others from around the league
Must OHL twitter Follows
I have a list of those I feel are most follow that are more connected to specific teams but here is a list that I find more leagiue wide
@BrockOtten the man behind OHLprospectsblog is arguably the best OHL blog on the internet. If you are reading this and have never been to his I just dont know what to say
@Naitsayger writer for Sportsnet does great work in putting junior hockey out there amidst all the noise of professional sports on their site.
@DominicTiano writes about NHL draft eligible players in the OHL for ohlwriters.me
@msconduct Kathryn Jean is one of the best out there. You can follow her for her vines and OHL highlights but it is here insight that separates her from everyone else.
@Thescoutdotca If you are interested in the OHL draft this is the account to follow and the website to subscribe to. Elite coverage with everything you need to know about the top minor midgets about to enter the league.
@rossyyoungblood Director of Scouting for thescout.ca offers great insight not just with minor midget players but with those currently in the league
@OHLfanboys the best OHL podcast around is another great follow along with their hosts @SteveMclean888 and Brian @toast84 (their interview of rob faulds last year was fantastic!)
Western Conference
The Western Conference is pretty
interesting to me as it is clearly broken up into 3 groups.
You have London, Windsor, Sarnia,
Kitchener and Sault Ste Marie who all have what it takes to win the
conference. They all have depth through their lineups and the high
end talent needed to push a team over the top.
Next you have Owen Sound, Saginaw, Erie
and Guelph who will be battling for the last 3 playoff spots. All 4
are at different stages of the jr hockey development cycle but on
paper are not quite there to compete for home ice.
Finally you have Flint. From the water
crisis to the ownership crisis they have an uphill battle. With
arguably the best coaching hire of the off season there is reason for
hope for this team. They will be hard pressed to push for 9th
this year but there is reason for hope.
1st London Knights
The reigning OHL and Memorial cup
champions will have plenty of roster turnover. Still they could
return Marner, Tkatuck and Juolevi or they could all play in the NHL.
Still the Knights have made some astute trades this off season and
have enviable depth throughout their lineup. Top to bottom you would
find many with as much talent as this team
Bold prediction.
Mitch Marner returns for his final
season in London. How many junior aged players have played a full
season under Mike Babcock? With Auston Matthews slated to have a
roster spot I have a hard time seeing a 2nd jr eligible
player suiting up all year for the Leafs especially with the likes of
Nylander, Kapanen and Brown ready to play full seasons.
Tradeable Draft assets
Over the next 5 seasons the London
Knights have 6 2nds and 7 3rds which is the most among Western
Conference contenders.
2nd Windsor Spitfires
IMO among the 5 contenders in the West
I feel the Spits have the most question marks. That said I feel that
with the team hosting the Memorial Cup this year they will be more
willing to Spend all assets needed to challenge for the West title
and win the Memorial Cup on home ice.
Bold Prediction
I don't feel this is that bold but
Michael DiPietro will win OHL goalie of the year this season.
Tradeable Draft Assets
4 2nds and 4 3rds over the next 5
seasons. Significantly less then London but more than the other 3
west contenders.
Must Twitter Follows
@WinstarParker Sports writer for the
Windsor Star who brings years of experience covering the Spits.
3rd Sarnia Sting
I really like the look of Sarnia. If
their big guns come back they have the high end talent to compete
with London. There are some questions in net but people forget that
even before the Graham trade was that Fazio helped lead the team to
the 3rd fewest goals against before the OHL trade
deadline.
Bold Prediction
Travis Konecney will be back for his 19
year old season. Chychrun will enjoy his healthiest season in the OHL
and Ruzicka will cement his spot as a top 10 pick for the upcoming
NHL entry draft.
Tradeable Draft Assets
Sarnia has 3 2nds and 4 3rds over the
next 5 seasons. If Konecny makes the NHL and does not return to the
OHL this year they will get some conditional picks returned to them
from Ottawa.
@Stingupdates A very good “update”
twitter account that offers all you need to know about the Sting.
4th Kitchener Rangers
No team has more depth between the
pipes then Kitchener. Opilka and Carty are top 10 goalies in the
league and if he had a starters job to shine and play everyday I feel
that Luke Richardson would be in the top 10 discussion by the end of
the season. While Kitchener did graduate lots of offense last season
they still have Adam Mascherin and 2015 1st round pick
Greg Miereles who played last year in the CCHL.
Bold Prediction
Miereles will win Rookie of the year
and Adam Mascherin will top 100 points this season.
Tradeable Draft Assets
The Rangers have 4 2nds and 3 3rds over
the next 5 drafts
Must Twitter Follows
@BrownRecord The best OHL report
without a doubt. His blog is fantastic with great insight into the
team and the league.
5th Sault Ste Marie
Greyhounds
One of the youngest teams in the OHL
last season the Hounds just kept getting better and better. Led by
their first 4 draft picks from 2013 in Blake Speers, Colton White,
Zach Senyshyn and Hayden Verbeek. The hounds also had 3 players on
their roster from the 2014 draft picked by NHL teams this past June
to add to their depth. With goalie Joseph Raaymakers ready to take
the reins between the pipes the Hounds will be ready to push Windsor
and Sarnia for the West division title.
Bold Prediction
Zach Senysyhn becomes the 1st
hound in more then 20 years to hit the 50 goal mark and Bobby
MacIntyre continues the trend of recent Hounds players who earn FA
NHL contracts.
Tradeable Draft Assets
The hounds have 2 2nds which is 2nd
fewest in the Western Conference and 4 3rds over the next 5 seasons.
Must Twitter Follows
@Bradcoccimigilio Heads the sports
department at sootoday.com runs a live blog during Hounds games.
Great hockey mind and an even better writer.
6th Owen Sound Attack
The Attack aren't really good enough to
compete for home ice (although with Michael McNiven in net anything
is possible) but are too good to sell of assets. They have some
really intriguing '99 and '00 assets so their main goal this year
will be developing those so they can position themselves for 17-18
and '18-19.
Bold Prediction
After years of losing Matt Schmaltz
will finally tap into the talent that made him an 1st
round OHL draft pick. Look for 25+ goals and 50 + points.
Tradeable Draft Assets
9 2nds and 4 3rds
7th Saginaw Spirit
The Spirit really disappointed last
season. Some of their players who were expected to take the next step
took a step back. They have a solid top pair on the blue line in
Niemelainen and Middleton. Cormier has the talent to be one of the
top goalies in the league. The main question is can their forward
group put it all together. It seemed last season they were less then
the whole of their parts. If they can develop some synergy then we
could see the beginning of something special.
Bold Prediction
After a disappointing sophomore season
Tye Felhaber takes the next step and becomes a point per game player
and the offensive leader of the Spirit.
Tradeable Draft Assets
7 2nds and 6 3rds over the next 5
drafts.
8th Erie Otters
It will be interesting to see the
Otters this year with no Connor McDavid or Dylan Strome. Debrincat
will have to carry the offensive load but there is some help as Vania
Lodnia should be the next great Otter. With a trade for Troy Timpano
the Otters answered their goalie question with Williams graduating
but can Timpano find the promise he showed in minor midget?
Bold Prediction
No McDavid, No Strome, No Problem for
Debrincat. Debrincat will have his 3rd straight 50 goal
season and pass Robbie Schremp as the 2nd highest scoring
US born player in OHL history even without his 2 previous set up men.
Also Debrincat will be traded as Erie starts recouping some draft
picks.
Tradeable Draft Assets
0 2nd round picks 2 3rd
round picks
Must Twitter Follows
@goErieHockey Victor Fernandes writes
for the Erie Times-News and has a great blog on the Otters on
Goerie.com
9th Guelph Storm
After finishing last a year ago the
Storm will still face a battle to make the playoffs but have
intriguing options throughout the lineup with the likes of Giavani
Smith, Ryan Merkley and Nate Schnarr. If some of the teams ahead of
them start to sell at the deadline the young storm who should get
better as the year goes on could sneak in and steal a playoff spot.
Bold Prediction
Ryan Merkley will top the point total
Ryan Murphy put up in his rookie year (39) That said he will not top
Murphys 17 playoff points as a 16 year old.
Tradeable Draft Assets
11 2nd round picks 10 3rd
round picks.
Must Twitter Follows
@Saxononthestorm Tony Saxon covers the
Storm for GuelphToday and is one of the best in the business whether
it is breaking trades or offering insight into the team.
10th Flint Firebirds
Well on the bright side there is more
hope in Flint now then there was last year. Still I cant see them
finishing out of the basement. The big question is will they be able
to convince Jack Hughes to commit if they get the top pick. With Ryan
Oulahen as coach you know the young players in Flint will develop.
Bold Prediction
William Bitten will get traded (not the
bold part) but not to Ottawa.
Eastern Conference
Unlike the West there really isn't much
of a debate who the top team is. After Mississauga though things get
interesting from 2-7. from 8-10 though there should be an interesting
competition for the final playoff spot between Kingston, Barrie and
Niagara.
1st Mississauga Steelheads
Great highend talent and enviable depth
on the blue line Shouldn't have much issue with the rest of the East
but do they have the depth up front to role 3 or 4 lines against some
of the top guns from the West?
Bold Prediction
Sean Day will be moved at some point.
The team has the depth on the blue line to move him and the assets
they pick up will help them address their depth issues up front.
Tradeable Draft Assets
4 2nds and 5 3rds over the next 5
seasons
2nd Peterborough Petes
I know I know I know. Having the Petes
in 2nd is foolish as the Petes will likely do Petes things
and disappoint everyone. They have young developing talent up front.
A good mix of veteran and youngsters on defense. The big question is
if Dylan Wells can find some confidence in net. If he can watch out.
Bold Prediction
Dylan Wells will put up better numbers
then Matthew Mancina. With a starting job and consistent minutes
Wells will thrive.
Tradeable Draft Assets
9 2nds and 7 3rds
Must Twitter Follows
@Petes_Updates At the very least it is
enjoyable to watch him hate watch the Petes.
3rd Oshawa Generals
After an 8th place finish
last year and a Memorial Cup title the year before the Generals are
ready to take the next step. Look for them to add some players who
will help them next year as they are submitting a bid to host the
memorial cup in 2018. It is possible Vande Sompel gets moved to add
more draft picks to trade in their next push for a title but a
playoff round win or two may be more valuable to the young players on
this team.
Bold Prediction
Daniel Antropov will be the highest
scoring '00 born forward in the OHL this season.
Tradeable Draft Assets
4 2nds and 3rds over the next 5
seasons.
Must Twitter Follows
@GeneralsUpdates one of the better
“updates” twitter accounts. Always has great insight into the
Gens.
4th North Bay Battalion
While they have a huge hole to fill up
front with the graduation of Mike Amadio it should be noted that if
there is any coach that can win with questions on offense it is Stan
Butler. Moran should be primed for his best year in the OHL and Cam
Dineen is an absolute game changer offensively on the back end.
Bold Predictions
Brent Moran will finish with a save
percentage greater than .900 for the first time in his career. Has
never been above .891 before
Tradeable Draft Assets
5 2nds and 6 3rds
5th Hamilton Bulldogs
The Bulldogs found their elite top line
last year after Christmas with Matt Luff, Nick Petti and Matthew
Strome. Outside of the top line they are hoping for development and
players taking the next step. After battling injuries all season last
year Brandon Saigeon will be primed for his breakout after being
passed over in the NHL draft. Kaden Fulcher should have a big year
and pull away in the goalie competition.
Bold Predictions
Assuming he isn't involved in any trade
for Will Bitten, Reilly Webb will be the highest drafted Bulldog in
this Junes NHL Entry Draft. ( I know that may be more crazy than
bold)
Tradeable Draft Assets
6 2nds and 4 3rds over the next 5
seasons
Must Twitter Follow
@Rrestraint The Reckless Restraint blog
is a fantastically laid out and written blog with everything you need
to know about the Bulldogs.
6th Ottawa 67's
Lots of high end '98 and '99 born
talent up front but lots of '00 born talent on the back end. I could
see them adding another OA dman or a solid '97 born rearguard to help
insulate some of their younger guys.
Bold Predictions
Olivier Lafreniere will be the 67's
starting goal by the time the calendar flips to 2017.
Tradeable Draft Assets
7 2nd round picks and 6 3rd
round picks (they do have multiple conditional 2nd round
picks)
7th Sudbury Wolves
I love the talent they have in David
Levin who should see a big development jump in his sophomore season.
2016 1st round pick Owen LaLonde will be a special player
and will be one to watch when Sudbury visits your team.
Bold Predictions
Former London Knights FA pickup Ryan
Valentini will eclipse the 30 goal mark while finally finding regular
playing time for a whole OHL season
Tradeable Draft Assets
3 2nds and 6 3rds over the next 5
seasons
8th Kingston Frontnacs
Even though they traded their 2015 1st
round pick the Fronts have one of the best collections of '99 born
talent in the league. This team reminds me in some ways of the
2015-16 Soo Greyhounds. It may be a rebuilding year but this team has
the potential to be a dangerous match up in the 1st round
as a road underdog.
Bold Predictions
Crouse will be traded at the deadline
but the team will still make the playoffs and WILL pull off a 1st
round upset.
Tradeable Draft Assets
1 2nd 3 3rd round
picks over the next 5 seasons
9th Niagara Icedogs
A rebuilding year but they still have
the parts to push for a playoff spot if they don't sell some of their
assets to replenish their draft cupboard. High end young talent to
grow around with Hayden Davis and Ben Jones as well as 2016 1st
rounder Akil Thomas. Even if they miss the playoffs for the 1st
time since moving to Niagara the fans in St. Catharines will have a
fun team to watch grow.
Bold Predictions
With more ice time available Davis and
Jones will find more consistency in their games and at least one will
move in the the 1st round of the NHL draft.
Tradeable Draft Assets
0 2nd round picks 3rd
round picks over the next 5 seasons
Must Twitter Follows
@icedogsthisweek Matt and DJ have a
Icedogs show on TV cogeco once a week. They also write for Niagara
This Week.
10th Barrie Colts
After a year in which they had 0 1st
round picks on their team the Colts enter this year with 2 '00 born
1st round picks in Kirill Niznikov and Tyler Tucker. They
also have comp pick Jack McBain although he is currently unsigned and
playing the year in the OJHL. They have pieces on their roster that
are tradeable that will allow them to recoup some of their picks.
They have a good base to build upon with their '00 born talent so it
will be interesting to see what direction this team goes with.
Bold Predictions
Anthony Stefano in his OA season will
be on a 40 goal pace before being traded for draft picks.
Tradeable Assets
0 2nds 0 3rds over the next 5 seasons.
Must Twitter Follows
@verybarriecolts A very Barrie colts
blog is one of the better team blogs in the league. A go to place if
you are looking for more information on the Colts.
