Belleville Bulls rebound with help from 2005 eligibles

One of the biggest surprises during the first half of the 2004-05 OHL season has been the dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of the Belleville Bulls. Last season the Bulls finished with the worst record in the league by recording only 15 wins, missing the postseason for the first time in 22 years.

Only 13 veterans from the 2003-04 team were scheduled to return to the fall opening camp, which would make this season’s Bulls team even younger than the team of the previous season.

Despite these potential problems, the 2004-05 team charged out of the gate. With the first half of the season completed, the Bulls are second in the East Division with a 16-13-4-2 record.

There have been many factors that have contributed to the turnaround. Below are a few of the on-ice factors.

Trades – The team has been very aggressive on the trading front. So far, Belleville has made six trades with five different teams in order to bring 12 new players into the lineup. To swing these trades the Bulls have moved both players as well as future draft picks. According to Coach Burnett, the common theme in these trades for Belleville has been the acquisition of more experience and depth. Several examples illustrate the success of these trades: center Evan Brophey has increased his points per game from 1.00 at Barrie to 1.45 at Belleville, center Conner Cameron has increased his points per game from 0.11 at Toronto to 0.38 at Belleville, defenseman Wes Cunningham has increased his points per game from 0.17 at Owen Sound to 0.38 at Belleville, and winger Jeff Leavitt has increased his points per game from 0.13 at Windsor to 0.46 at Belleville.

Goaltending – Goaltender Eric Tobia was the MVP of the team last season. This season he continues to perform well. His save percentage has risen (from .898 in 2003-04 to a current .913), while his GAA has dropped (from 3.69 to 3.12). Further, rookie goalie Kevin Lalande has put up some impressive numbers as well, posting a 2.36 GAA, a .930 save percentage, and one shutout in 15 games played. His save percentage is the third best in the league, and his stats place him ahead of all rookie goaltenders in the league.

Leadership, Character, and Role Players – The team has no superstars; its success depends instead upon a good mix and combination of players. Marc Rancourt, the captain, leads the team in scoring (43 points), followed by Evan Brophey (42 points), Cody Thornton (28 points), and Andrew Maksym (24 points). Matt Kelly and Jeff Leavitt provide grit. Forward Evan Brophey leads in the plus/minus category with an overall +7. The overagers are: Eric Tobia, Marc Rancourt and Pat Sutton. There is one import player, Martin Novak, and three 1988 birth year players selected by Belleville in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection. These are John Hughes (1^st pick overall), Matt Belesky (2^nd round), and Shawn Matthias (6^th round). All three underagers are playing and contributing.

The Bulls remain one of the youngest teams in the league. Eight players are in their OHL rookie season, and two-thirds of the team is 18 years of age or younger, which positions the Bulls for several more strong showings in the coming seasons. The youthfulness of the team also means that there will be several Belleville players under consideration for the next NHL Entry Draft.

There are seven Bulls players with 1987 birth years eligible for the next NHL Entry Draft. These are goalie Kevin Lalande, forwards Scott Baker and Ryan Berard, and defensemen Wes Cunningham, Bobby Davey, Geoff Killing, and Steve Spade. Also, import player Martin Novak plus Evan Brophey have 1986 birth dates.

Of the Bulls who are draft eligible, Kevin Lalande will end up drawing the most attention between now and the next draft.

“He has had an outstanding first half. He is poised, confident, and performing very well,” said Coach Burnett. NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary ranking has him ranked as second among OHL goalies. But if he continues to play well, he may very well be ranked first when Central Scouting releases its OHL mid-term ranking.

Also under the spotlight is 1986 birth player Evan Brophey. “He is strong, skates well, has skill, competes hard, and has pro attributes,” said Coach Burnett. Although Brophey was passed over in last spring’s draft, he has a late (December 3^rd) birthday, he has good size (6’2, 190 lbs.) and this season he has demonstrated both a scoring touch and sound defensive play. NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary ranking has him ranked as 16^th among OHL skaters eligible for the next NHL Entry Draft.

According to Coach Burnett, three Bulls prospects currently under the radar are defensemen Geoff Killing and Bobby Davey, and forward Andrew Maksym. A good second half will raise their stock as well.

The team’s one previously drafted player is Ryan Rorabeck, taken by Carolina in the ninth round of the 2003 Entry Draft. He has had injury troubles, sidelined by a shoulder injury during most of November and December, but scored in the first two games upon returning from disability. In the second half of this season it will be important for him to stay healthy.

And when the next NHL Entry Draft takes place, several more Bulls will undoubtedly join Rorabeck amongst the ranks of NHL drafted prospects.

Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.