Defensemen usually don’t get the praise that they rightfully deserve. They battle hard, game in and game out, and are seldom rewarded. That’s why I have composed a list of (in my opinion) the top ten rearguards in the OHL (in no particular order). I stress that this is my opinion. I know some people won’t be happy that I have left out Guelph’s Kevin Dallman and his 26 points. But I feel that there is more to a defenseman than points. I have an “honourable mention” list of players that I thought of putting on, but just didn’t have the room for them. Enjoy, and pick apart my list all you want. The first five are below, and the next five will be posted tomorrow.
Mark Popovic (6’1″ – 194lbs) Mark is one of the most skilled d-men in the entire league. He is the unquestionable leader on the Majors hockey club. After a terrific camp with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, he was sent back the the “O” for more seasoning. He is rounding out his game very well. His skating and his offensive skills are top notch. He is an excellent puck mover that needs to work on gettingmore physical in front of his net. But nonetheless, Mark plays a terrific all-around game.
Malcolm Hutt (6’0″ – 195lbs) Malcolm is probably the most underated defenseman in the OHL. While he is in the top ten in d-man scoring, that is not his calling. Malcolm is an exceptional defensive player who makes a great first pass. Two words used most often to describe Malcolm are “solid” and “dependable”. He rarely makes mistakes, and while he is not flashy, he makes up for it with solid defense and a commitment to helping his team win each and every game.
Tim Gleason (6’0″ – 200lbs) What else can be said about Gleason that people don’t already know. The 2001 first round pick of the Ottawa Senators is back on track, after last years dissapointing playoffs. Gleason is known for his tremendous skating and physical ability. His rocket from the point and flashy skating are a big reason for his 18 points in 18 games so far this season. Gleason also is one of those players that is just naturally tough. He doesn’t have to fight that much, but if he takes his gloves off. Watch out!! As he showed earlier this year, as he dismantled then Sudbury Wolves sophmore Adam Keefe. Gleason has the potential to be an elite level rearguard at the next level.
Matt Coughlin (6’3″ – 200lbs) The Belleville Bulls captain definitely isn’t flashy. He isd one of the defenseman that gets the job done on grit and leadership. Matt is a great skater for his size, and he is very physical in front of the net. Even though he has only 5 points this year, he is the leader on the Bulls defense, and has arguably been their best defenseman this season. A fan favourite in Belleville, Matt has really come into his own this season. The only bad thing is that it is his last in the Ontario League. As he is an over-ager.
Cole Jarrett (5’11″ – 195lbs) Cole has steadily improved in each and every season since his rookie year in the 99-00 season. Cole is now one of the premier offensive defenseman in the entire league. The older brother of Missisauga’s star center Patrick Jarrett, is on fire with 20 points in 18 games, and is a magnificent +14. Cole is not only an offensive d-man though, as he is very steady in his own zone, and is not afraid to take the body. My prediction (although not very bold) is that he will lead all blueliners in scoring next year, and will finish top 5 this year (barring an unforeseen injury).
Michael Jacobsen (6’1″ – 210lbs) Mike is a very talented defenseman who is in his fifth and final year in the OHL. After playing for four sucessful seasons in Belleville that saw him win an OHL championship, he was shipped off to Sudbury at the beginning of the year, and was then promptly shipped to Owen Sound. Mike is one of the more talented defensemen in the “O”. He was in the top ten in d-man scoring in each of the past two seasons, and I have no doubt he will be back in there when he gets comfortable with the Owen Sound system. His 6 points in 11 games isn’t necessarily bad, but he is capable of much more. He has however improved his defensive game quite a bit over the summer. Look for him to be somewhere in the AHL next year.
Libor Ustrnul (6’5″ – 230lbs) Libor is one of the giants on the blueline. His one assist in 13 games proves what he is not, and that is an offensive defenseman. What Libor is, is an excellent stay-at-home blueliner who is regarded as one of the, if not the toughest in the Ontario Hockey League. Libor is as dependable as they come on the blueline as indicated by his +16.
Libor can routinely be seen laying out the opposing teams players with crunching bodychecks, and this year is no different. He, along with Cole Jarrett, form to be Plymouth’s 1-2 punch on the blueline. He should be in the NHL after a couple years of seasoning in the minors, as he is very raw.
Steve Eminger (6’2″ – 205lbs) Steve Eminger has almost unnoticably become the best all-around blueliner in the OHL. There would have been a lot more media on Steve if he were drafed last year, with his 1983 born counterparts (Tim Gleason, Jason Spezza, Chris Thorburn, Brendan Bell, Stephen Weiss, Derek Roy,etc) but because of a late birthday, his draft year was pushed back unitl 2002. He still goes unoticed. One of the best skating defenseman I have seen in a long time, very smart and physical when he needs to be.
Steve plays in every situation imaginable, even strength, power play, penalty kill, four-on-four. You name it, he does it. Gets the job done night in and night out, and he will no doubt be a steal come draft day. Everyone is talking about Jay Bouwmeester, Trevor Daley, Joni Pitkanen, Anton Babchouk, Ryan Whitney, and Duncan Keith as the top d-men. But no mention of Steve Eminger. He has quietly collected 14 points in 18 games and he has gone unoticed. One of the most underated players I have seen in a long time.
Paul Ballantyne (6’3″ – 200lbs) Paul is the heart and soul of the Soo Greyhounds. Although there may be more offensively talented d-men (Trevor Daley, Dustin Van Bellagoie), none of them put forth the effort that captain Paul Ballantyne does. He was rewarded last year for his tremendous play with a spot on the all-star team. And he will no doubt be back there this year.
Carlo Colaicovo (6’1″ – 188lbs) Carlo is another d-man in the mold of Mark Popovic. He isn’t tremendous at any aspect of the game, but he is solid all-around. Great in his own end, as he led the league in +/- lsat year, and good offensively also (15pts/18gms). Likes to pinch in from the point, and is a good power play quarterback. I liken him to Dallas Stars defenseman Darryl Sydor. They both play a similar game. Good offesively and defensively, and physical when they have to be.
Honourable mention: Kevin Dallman, Trevor Daley, Fedor Tjutin, Jay Harrison, Chris Campoli, Agris Saviels, and Tim Branham.
