than with a fresh young group of talented players, especially from the OHL. The OHL is
represented very strongly in the 2000 draft. The OHL has a mix of fine young defenseman to go
along with some outstanding forwards. Here is a profile on the top youngsters from the OHL
looking to make it big in the 2000 NHL draft.
BRAD BOYES
Height/Weight: 6’0 168
Position: Center
Birthdate: April 17, 1982
Mississauga, Ontario
Current stats: 54 points in 51 games in Erie
HF Comments: Erie Otter’s young sniper Brad Boyes is currently having a fantastic season with the
Otters as a 16 year old, and has also earned himself a spot on Ontario’s Under 17 team. His
excellent vision and ability to make a play out of anything has made him one of the most
dangerous players in the OHL in the offensive zone. Sounds too good to be true? Boyes has some
weaknesses simply because of his inexperience. His skating will need to improve in order for him
to dominate on both ends of the ice. The native of Mississauga has already been mentioned as a
‘magician with the puck.’
NIKITA ALEXEEV
Height/Weight: 6’5 194
Position: Right Wing/Center
Birthdate: December 27, 1981
Murmansk, Russia
Current stats: 31 points in 54 games in Erie.
HF Comments: Boyes teammate in Erie, Nikita Alexeev is also projected to be a high pick in the 2000
draft. Alexeev has played reasonably well, gaining somewhat of a reputation as a power forward
which is very rare for a european. He will have to step up his play for the draft as he still has
many areas in his game that he needs to elevate. His skating is very good and his best strength
is his size (6’5, 194). The biggest weakness with Alexeev is his stickhandling. He has not been
dominant on any side of the ice this year, scoring most of his goals from around the net via
rebounds. Alexeev has what most scouts drool over, size and skating ability. His other aspects of
the game will have to improve in order for Alexeev to be a high pick in a very talented class of
draftees.
LOU DICKENSON
Height/Weight: 6’2 170
Position: Center
Birthdate: August 15, 1982
Orleans, Ontario
Current stats: 38 points in 52 games in Mississauga. (-46, ouch)
HF Comments: The Mississauga Ice Dogs have had a rough season. Sporting the worst record by far in the
CHL and allowing an astounding 360 goals in 57 games spells out disaster. Mississauga have had
very few brightspots on their first campaign, one of them being their 1st round draft pick, Lou
Dickenson. Lou possesses great speed and an incredible vision on the ice. The 6’2 170 pound
native of Orleans has the ability to put up some big numbers in the league, having the
experience of playing on a poor team and shouldering much of the offensive burden. His
playmaking ability is one of the best in the draft and his puck-handling skills are excellent.
He tends to shy away from any physical play, something he may have to develop. Dickenson has
potential written all over him, he will surely be a very high pick in the 2000 draft.DARRYL BOOTLAND
Height/Weight: 6’1 187
Postion: Right Wing
Birthdate: November 2, 1981
Schomberg, Ontario
Current stats: 39 points in 56 games with St.Mikes and Barrie
HF Comments: Darryl Bootland gives the 2000 Draft a very rugged, physical player with an excellent
scoring touch. His leadership qualities are second to none and he can really fire up his team
when they need it most. His physical play makes him very strong in the corners and difficult to
knock off the puck while he is most dangerous around the opposition’s net. Bootland has the
ability to make an impact in the NHL. He is a quality digger with quite a knack for the back
of the net which will make him a popular candidate come draft time in 2000.CHRIS EADE
Height/Weight: 6’2 191
Position: Defence
Birthdate: April 20, 1982
Buckshot Lake, Ontario
Current stats: 6 points in 38 games with the Cents.
HF Comments: Possibly one of the weaker areas of the 2000 draft will be on the blue-line, but a few
of the players in the draft would be willing to make the above statement false. One of those
players is North Bay Centennials’ rookie Chris Eade. Eade is a big, solid defenceman that can
easily be recognized as a guy that you would not play against due to his physical play and
tremendous strength. His aggressiveness in front of the net makes any team’s power play a
nightmare and his domination in the corners also strikes fears into the opposition. His skating
is very good and his puck-handling skills are excellent. He has potential in the offensive
aspect of the game as well. He owns a very powerful shot and his vision to pinch and jump into
the play is exceptional. His leadership qualities are starting to show as well.Eade will
definitly be one of the top defenceman chosen in the 2000 draft.
