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OHL Top 40 prospects for the 2006 Entry Draft
Written by: HF Staff on 06/14/2006 
Team: Peterborough Petes
Height: 6’4 Weight: 210 lbs. Shoots L – Final CSS ranking: 2nd
Staal had a great year, leading the Petes in a way that has clearly demonstrated his ability as a power forward. The puck seemed to follow him, and he consistently showed that he had the drive necessary to get it to the net. Jordan will be the third Staal brother to be drafted into the NHL. The fourth and final Staal brother Jared was drafted by the Sudbury Wolves last month, 11th overall. Jordan credits the family’s outdoor rink that the four brothers played on and the support of their parents for creating a powerful hockey family.
Staal started turning into a scorer during the playoffs last year and he has not stopped scoring since. He notched 28 goals and 40 assists and 69 penalty minutes in 68 games this regular season and in the OHL playoffs he scored ten goals and added six assists in 19 games. With scouts looking on, however, Staal didn’t have a very noteworthy Memorial Cup, registering just one assist, but the entire Petes team struggled and there were times when Staal displayed brilliant skill and creativity with the puck.
The big Petes center spoke with Hockey’s Future at the Memorial Cup and said that he will be working hardest on increasing his strength in the offseason.
Asked how he has improved most this season , he said “I think my skating, I’ve gotten a lot faster from last year. Even my shot has gotten a little bit harder, but besides that everything overall has just gotten a little faster.”
For a big man, Staal is a wonderful stick handler who cycles the puck well, and so he is ideal for power play duty. His natural ability could make him look nonchalant to some, but he often comes out on top in one-on-one battles. He has the potential to be a dominant power forward in the NHL one day and is projected to play as a first-line center.
Earlier in his OHL career there were some fears that he takes a night off from time to time, but he quickly dispelled those concerns this year as he was dominant game after game. He brings the complete package of scorer, playmaker, and is defensively responsible at the same time.
2. Bryan Little, C
Team: Barrie Colts
Height: 5’10 Weight: 195 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 7th
Given the recent success of so many small and fast players now that clutch-and-grab hockey has been reduced, there is a lot more room in the NHL for a small forward and talented forward like Little, and he’s at the head of the class of this year’s small forwards from the OHL.
In three years with Barrie he has notched 112 goals and 123 assists in 190 games including a career-high 42 goals and 67 assists in 64 games this year. The former OHL Rookie of the Year award winner has improved statistically each year.
He is also a great playoff performer. This year he scored eight goals and 15 assists in 14 games, and in his two previous playoff appearances Little had ten goals and six assists in a total of 16 games played, so this year’s playoff point per game average of 1.64 has left scouts drooling. He also added two assists in this year’s OHL All Star Classic.
Little continually brings the crowd to its feet with his explosive rushes. He dominates with his playmaking ability, quick feet, and cannon-like shot, and he continually shifts the momentum of the game with his seemingly boundless energy. Little works out relentlessly and has a strong build which allows him to mix it up physically. Barrie steamrolled over the favored Brampton Battalion in the playoffs and Little was one of the biggest reasons.
The native of Cambridge, Ontario is a proven game-breaker for his Colts team, of which he is the captain. When an opponent tries to shift the momentum of a game Little often seems to turn it back around with his ability and work ethic when he steps on the ice. His explosive speed even appears intimidating to opponents at times. Players of his stature have not usually gone high in the draft, but this year could prove to be precedent-setting. For someone with so much offensive upside, Little can play defense and his plus/minus stats attests to that.
3. Chris Stewart, RW
Team: Kingston Frontenacs
Height: 6’1.5 Weight: 228 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 8th
Stewart had an outstanding sophomore year for the Kingston Frontenacs in 2005-06. He registered 87 points (37 goals, 50 assists) in 62 regular season games, while maintaining a plus/minus of +19. Named as a top CHL prospect for the upcoming draft, Stewart was invited and participated in the Jan. 16 CHL Top Prospects' Skills Challenge and game in Ottawa. He continued to broaden his exposure when he was named an Eastern Conference All-Star later that month. Stewart played in the Feb. 1 All Star Classic in Belleville, ON and contributed two goals to the East’s 9-3 overwhelming victory against the Western All-Stars. Stewart continued to show his offensive prowess for Kingston in the playoffs, scoring the game-winning goal in the Fronts first game against Sudbury.
After giving up the sport at age 14, Stewart fought his way back into game shape over the last two seasons. The younger brother of Florida Panther prospect Anthony Stewart, Chris has started to emerge out from under his brother’s shadow. As each month passed his stock has risen as scouts began to notice what a great talent he is. Stewart is a big power forward who is a strong skater, is hard to knock off the puck and is not afraid to get physical when it is necessary (118 PIM this season). He has great hands for a big man and plays in all situations. Stewart’s size, physicality, and soft hands, combined with excellent work ethic, make him a force to be reckoned with. One area of concern for Stewart was visible to scouts at the draft combine, and that was a body fat level that is too high.
4. Bobby Sanguinetti, D
Team: Owen Sound Attack
Height: 6’1” Weight: 174 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 12th
The 6’1 Trenton, NJ native is the prototype defenseman for the new-breed NHL.
With outstanding skating and puck-handling abilities, Sanguinetti is a dynamic force on the blue line with equal skill in moving both north/south and east/west. His play this year earned him an invite to the Top Prospects Game and to the All Star Classic. He followed up a solid 2004-05 rookie season that saw him net 24 points in 67 regular season games with a breakout year of 14 goals and 51 assists this season, which put him at almost a point-per-game pace in 68 games with Owen Sound.
While Sanguinetti stepped up into a prominent role for a strong Attack blue line corps, the young defensemen realizes that he needs to improve aspects of his game.
“I’ve got to improve my speed and I’ll be working on that this summer,” he said. “I think the new style of game is good for a player like me and I look forward to taking the next step.”
The young rearguard, while blessed with offensive gifts, is responsible in his own zone and is rarely caught out of position. He has a knack of knowing when to jump into the play for an offensive chance without compromising his ability to get back on defense. Sanguinetti has a frame that could stand to have a few more pounds of muscle. Lean and almost lanky in person, the defenseman has a couple of years’ worth of growth left in him, which should hold him in good stead for progressing to the next level.
5. Cory Emmerton, C/LW
Team: Kingston Frontenacs
Height: 5’11.5 Weight: 177 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 10th
The young forward has played a lot of hockey this season – and for good reason. With a stellar 90-point season paced with 64 assists, Emmerton has shown that he’s a prospect with elite playmaking skills that go a long way to make those around him better.
It’s no secret that Bobby Hughes’ elevated draft potential has been aided by Emmerton’s ability to feed his teammates. That’s why Emmerton has been a welcome addition to any elite team that he’s been invited to. Emmerton was a member of the Canadian Junior Under-18 squad in addition to participating in the CHL Canada-Russia Challenge series in 2005. He also received an invite to the CHL Top Prospect game and he displayed his offensive prowess in all instances.
While his offensive potential was hinted at with a 17-goal, 21-assist performance last season in his rookie year, few expected Emmerton to almost triple his offensive production this season. A talented playmaker with offensive flair and a nose for the net, Emmerton is the type of forward that makes those around him better. He has a knack for finding the open man, or hitting a teammate in full-stride for an offensive chance.
He has elite playmaking and passing skills and is solid on his skates. He could benefit from some extra attention on the defensive side of the game, but he projects to challenge for the OHL scoring title should he remain in the league next season, and could be a solid point-producer for years to come at no matter what level he plays.
6. Nick Foligno, LW
Team: Sudbury Wolves
Height: 6’0 Weight: 188 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 19th
If pedigree was all it took to get an invite to the NHL, then the son of Mike Foligno would already have his ticket punched. However, the 6’0, 188-pound center has worked hard to step out of the long shadow that his father – who also serves as his coach in Sudbury – has cast over him.
Foligno combines an ability to put the puck in the net with the willingness to get his nose dirty and do the hard work in the corners. Born in Buffalo, New York, Foligno has continued the family legacy in Sudbury. His father was a standout player for the Wolves before making his own jump to the NHL. He returned to coach in Sudbury and brought his son aboard. But instead of living off a sense of entitlement, the younger Foligno has shown the willingness to roll up his sleeves and lead his team both off and on the ice.
After a solid rookie season in which he scored 10 goals and 28 assists in 65 games, Foligno had a coming out of sorts in the 2004-05 playoffs when he ramped up his production and scored five goals and five assists in 12 games. He continued that momentum into this season, averaging better than a point-per-game en route to a 70-point season in 65 games. He’s combined a familiarity with getting to the net (10 goals in year one, 24 in year two) with a familiarity with the penalty box. In two seasons, the young forward has racked up 257 penalty minutes, in large part due to his proficiency at getting into the corners and in front of the net.
Not a huge goal scorer, Foligno is nonetheless a rugged forward with some skill who is not afraid to put his body in jeopardy in order to engineer a scoring chance. Apparently the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
7. Ben Shutron, D
Team: Kingston Frontenacs
Height: 5’11.5 Weight: 186 lbs Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 16th
Shutron has great vision and gets the puck out of the zone very well often with his accurate passing ability. However a drawback is that he gets beaten to the puck on one-on-ones too often and ends up taking too many penalties because of it (134 penalty minutes).
The Ottawa, Ontario native scored ten goals and 29 assists in 67 games for the Frontenacs. Offensive-minded defensemen who can get the puck out of their end are in high demand and he will likely end up being selected near the middle of the second round. Shutron was named to the 2004-05 Second All Rookie Team and won a gold medal with Team Canada at both the Under-17s and Under-18 squads.
Shutron is definitely benefiting from no red line, as he takes advantage of the long passes. Shutron loves to join in on the rush, is a great stick handler, and has a really good shot from the point. For a man his size he is fairly physical but he also has potential as a power play point man. He does some impressive things offensively with his rushing and passing. Occasionally he panics and then his decision-making gets him in trouble. Shutron will need to develop more upper body strength if he wants to have any longevity in the NHL.
8. Mike Weber, D
Team: Windsor Spitfires
Height: 6’2 Weight: 199 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 34th
Weber is a big, strong, and mobile defenseman who has the kind of size and physical play that coaches want. Earlier in junior he concentrated on defense, but lately he has became more offensive, ending up as the second leading scorer on the Spitfires among defensemen.
He scored five goals and added 21 assists in 68 games this year as he became a real go-to guy for the Spitfires. In a year when so any teams are looking for defensemen, Weber may go earlier than his ranking suggests.
Weber surprised a lot of people winning the hardest shot in the Top Prospects Skills competition. Weber has a winning work ethic, taking no prisoners every shift and says the strength of his game is that he keeps it simple. He makes a lot of tape-to-tape passes out of the zone and he can be very nasty at times claiming his territory in front of the net. Weber dishes out some crunching body checks and amassed 181 minutes in penalties. The native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania played against the opponents’ best players often and paired with Mitch Maunu. They proved to be one of the most physical twosomes in the league.
9. Bobby Hughes, C
Team: Kingston Frontenacs
Height: 5’10.5 Weight: 170 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 25th
The Richmond Hill, Ontario native blossomed in his third season with the Kingston Frontenacs, refining his goal-scorer’s touch and reminding everyone why he was such a highly prized early draft pick when he came into the league at the age of 16.
Hughes already had a pair of impressive seasons under his belt before the 2005-06 campaign kicked off. He wowed scouts and fans alike with 11 goals and 27 points in his rookie season – showing the ability to drive to the net. He steadily improved the next year with 17 goals and 38 assists in 66 games last year. This year, playing on the team’s top line, the 18-year-old center bettered his two-year goal total with 35, adding 40 assists.
Hughes has compensated for his lack of height with phenomenal strength. Not content to be an offensively gifted player on the fringes, Hughes is a beast to knock off his feet and can hold his own against bigger, stronger defenders.
Hughes is a two-time member of the Ontario Under-17 Team at the World Hockey Challenge and he was also a participant in the Top Prospect game. Questions remain as to whether Hughes is a product of the talent that he plays alongside in Kingston or a catalyst in allowing that talent to blossom, but his development this season has allayed any fears that he may not be a top-flight prospect.
10. Cal Clutterbuck, RW
Team: Oshawa Generals
Weight: 5’10.5 Weight: 196 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 24th
Clutterbuck just completed his third OHL season and has improved in each one. Originally drafted in the first round by the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors at the 2003 OHL Priority Draft, Clutterbuck was traded to the Oshawa Generals halfway through the 2004-05 season.
He adjusted well to the trade and, in 27 games with Oshawa last season, Clutterbuck tallied 18 points. This season he matured even further, carrying more team responsibilities as alternate captain and achieving the best offensive production of his junior career. In 66 games with the Generals in 2005-06, Clutterbuck registered 68 points (35 goals, 33 assists). Seen as a top prospect in the OHL, Clutterbuck also participated in the CHL Top Prospects game and skill competition in January in Ottawa. After playing very well in the game, Clutterbuck increased his already high stock.
A player with a great work ethic, and an agitator by nature, Clutterbuck spent most of the last two seasons on checking lines. In March, he was named the second best body checker in the Eastern Conference of the OHL in an OHL coaches’ poll. It is no secret that Clutterbuck played on one of the teams with the worst win/loss record in the OHL, where a very negative plus/minus was the norm for its players. Although Clutterbuck’s rating of –17 was no different than his teammates, his plus/minus combined with the high number of minor penalties he took (139 PIM) is worrisome. That is particularly the case because Clutterbuck took only three fighting majors all season. He has third or fourth line potential in the NHL, but he will have to play a more disciplined game to get there.
11. Matthew Corrente, D
Team: Saginaw Spirit
Height: 5’11.5 Weight: 189 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 35th
Corrente was drafted second overall by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2004 OHL Priority Draft and so there were very high expectations placed on the talented defenseman in his rookie season, and he had a little trouble adjusting to the level of play. In 2004-05, Corrente accumulated a respectable 15 points in 62 games, but maintained an abysmal plus/minus of -38. With one OHL season under his belt, Corrente came into 2005-06 more prepared. He doubled his offensive production (30 points in 61 games), and more importantly was solid in his own end. This was reflected in his +3 plus/minus rating for the season. Corrente was chosen to participate in the 2006 CHL Top Prospects game in Ottawa in January and performed well in both the skills competition and the game itself. His shot was one of the hardest of all the prospects, and he was one of the fastest skaters.
Corrente played for Team Canada in the U-18 World Junior Championships in April where he did not tally any points, but played a very big physical game. Despite his moderate size Corrente plays a big, tough game. This season his total penalty minutes were a hefty 172.
The combination of Corrente's shot, speed, and toughness, as well as improved play in his own zone, will make him a very attractive selection in the upcoming NHL draft. He is expected to be picked in either the second or third round.
12. Jamie McGinn, LW
Team: Ottawa 67s
Height: 5’11.5 Weight: 179 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 42nd
McGinn is smart and well-coached by Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Kilrea. McGinn is not flashy and he makes the most of the abilities he possesses.
McGinn scored 26 goals and 31 assists in 65 games for the offensively-challenged 67s. He started off his OHL career slowly and was shuffled around from line to line a lot. He really started to produce when he started to play with Logan Couture. He showed up and was the best forward on the 67s in last year’s Memorial Cup run, and a lot has been expected of him since.
He played for Team Canada at the U17s, and won a gold medal with Team Canada in the Under-18s. McGinn brings incredible energy to just about every shift, and is one of those players with the ability to turn the momentum of a game around. He cycles the puck really well which is important in today’s game. With so much offensive upside, he still does penalty-killing work, so he is an all-around player. His lack of size will not hamper him too much, as he is very physical for his size. He won the fastest skater in the Prospects Skills competition.
13. Luke Lynes, C/LW
Team: Brampton Battalion
Height: 6’0.5 Weight: 195 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 48th
Lynes was the leading scorer for the Battalion early in the year while Wojtek Wolski (COL) was up with the Avalanche. He is underrated because he used to just be known as a fighter and only became a goal scorer this season. He tripled his goal production this year, tallying 34 goals and 28 assists in 65 games. Coach Stan Butler consistently moved Lynes up to play with Wolski and Luch Aquino, and he answered the challenge by producing consistently at a point a game pace.
In the playoffs he notched two goals and six assists in 11 games. Lynes doesn’t have a lot of flash and his skating is only adequate, but he plays a lot bigger than his size and is the type of player who can shift the momentum of a game, as he brings a lot of energy.
The Battalion’s third choice in 2004, this American-born forward will probably be one of those players that teams wish they had ranked higher. What will probably keep him out of the first few rounds is his average skating skills.
14. Oskar Osala, LW
Team: Mississauga IceDogs
Height: 6’4 Weight: 217 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 54th
Osala, who is a native of Finland, was selected by the Mississauga IceDogs in the first round of the 2005 CHL Import Draft. Previously a member of Sport Vaasa (Mestis) Men’s 2nd Division, Osala also played on the 2005 Under-18 Finland National Team, the Five Nations Cup, as well as in the 2005 Under-18 World Junior Championships.
Expected to be a speedy, two-way player for the Ice Dogs this year, Osala had a slow start. After a lackluster October through December, however, Osala picked up his game as the season went along. With 43 total points and a plus/minus of –19 over the entire season Osala’s defensive performance was somewhat disappointing. But it is worth noting that in the month of March, he tallied 12 points in nine games with a plus/minus of +3. This performance was sufficient to attract the attention of the OHL, which in late April named him to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team. Additionally the IceDogs awarded Osala with a trophy for team Rookie of the Year.
Osala has a lot of skills (i.e., skating, shooting, size), but had a slow start because of the need to adjust to the North American game. He began to really show off his skills late in the season and is expected to vastly improve in 2006-07. Osala has a great shot and has the ability to play an excellent two-way game. If not for his slow start this season, he would have been a sure second round pick.
15. Matt Beleskey. LW
Team: Belleville Bulls
Height: 5’11.5 Weight: 202 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 46th
A former member of the Ontario Junior A’s Collingwood Blues, Beleskey began his OHL career with the Belleville Bulls in 2004-05. In his rookie junior season, Beleskey tallied 23 points (10 goals) in 68 games. Most notably though, he accumulated 118 PIM. Considered a highly talented aggressive player, Beleskey was invited to Team Canada’s Under 18 Summer Development Camp last summer. Unfortunately, while practicing he injured his knee colliding with another prospect and was forced to sit out the beginning of this season.
Named a Bulls alternate captain despite his injury, Belesky did not begin his 2005-06 season until the middle of October, which was almost a full month earlier than expected. After Beleskey had an excellent offensive month in December (registering 15 points in nine games), he was named to play in the January Top Prospects Game where he performed very well. Although Beleskey's play later in the season was somewhat uneven, and at times too undisciplined, he registered 40 points (20 goals) in 61 games in the regular season.
Additionally, despite being injured at the Summer Development Camp last August, Beleskey was chosen to represent Canada in the Under-18 World Championships in Sweden. The team leader in penalty minutes in the tournament (37 PIM), Beleskey had one assist in seven games.
Beleskey has a good shot and hands, but needs to work on his skating.
16. Theo Peckham, D
Team: Owen Sound Attack
Height: 6’1.5 Weight: 216 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 65th
The 6’1, 216-pound defenseman has good size as well as the mean streak that makes opposing forwards weak in the knees. A member of the imposing Owen Sound Attack blue line corps, the Richmond Hill, Ontario native has shown a willingness to throw his big frame around since the day he stepped into the OHL as a late-round draft pick.
Peckham’s offensive production isn’t going to turn anyone’s heads – one goal and ten points in his rookie year followed by six goals and nine assists in his sophomore season – but his penalty minutes are certain to make anyone step up and take notice. Peckham followed his robust rookie total of 209 minutes with 236 PIM this year. But what makes Peckham more than just a glorified goon is his ability to pick his spots. He rarely takes a dumb penalty that’s going to cost his team. He’s solid positionally and has improved upon his transition game.
The rugged rearguard can be counted on to not do too much. He knows his limitations and isn’t going to try to be something he’s not capable of. He’s smart with the first pass and won’t pinch in unless there’s a clear opportunity with limited risk. He stepped up his play in the 2005-06 OHL playoffs against the London Knights, visibly growing in confidence and ability even though the Attack succumbed to the defending Memorial Cup champions.
Size-wise, Peckham is NHL-ready today, but he needs to work on his skating, speed, and transition game. He’s not going to be an offensive star, but he has the potential to be a prototype for the new model of enforcers – the ones that can drop the gloves when needed, but won’t hurt their team when they’re on the ice.
17. John Armstrong, C/RW
Team: Plymouth Whalers
Height: 6’2 Weight: 188 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 51st
Armstrong has been a steady presence on the ice for the Plymouth Whalers over the past two seasons. Plymouth's first round selection in the 2004 OHL Priority Draft, Armstrong is a playmaker first and foremost. In his rookie season (2004-05) he played in 52 games and tallied 19 points. He improved his offensive production this season, registering 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 65 games. But that increased production took its toll, as his plus/minus slipped from +1 last season to -18 this year.
The big center was invited to play in the CHL Top Prospects game in January and he really showed well at the event. A member of the winning team during the game, Armstrong also performed well in the skills competition. His slap shot was registered at over 90 mph, and he was one of the faster skaters of the prospects.
Armstrong's size and puck handling skills make him an excellent prospect in this draft. However, it is hard to predict where he will be chosen. Some pundits expect him to be selected at the end of the first round, others in the third.
18. Shawn Matthias, C
Team: Belleville Bulls
Height: 6’3 Weight: 211 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 62nd
Matthias was a late round pick in the 2004 OHL Priority Draft, as such it was surprising that he made the Belleville Bulls as an under-aged player. Used to being a top star with his Minor Midgets team (he had a 31-goal season with the Mississauga Senators Minor Midgets in 2003-04), in his freshman OHL season the big center only tallied two points (one goal) in 37 games. After a slow start last fall, Matthias really progressed as this season went along. With 34 points in 67 games, and a seven-game scoring streak in January, Belleville counted on Matthias more and more as the season wore on.
In April, Matthias played for Canada in the Under-18 World Junior Championships in Sweden, where he scored one goal in seven games. However, Matthias played his best hockey all season in the playoffs for the Bulls, leading the team with three goals in their first round series which was lost against the Brampton Battalion.
Matthias is used to being overlooked and then working hard to shine. As the 2005-06 season went along, he looked like he was getting more and more comfortable in an offensive role for the Bulls. He can skate and handle the puck, but he still needs to work on his two-way play. Never one to shy away from hard work, Matthias is considered to have NHL potential.
19. Michael Caruso, D
Team: Guelph Storm
Height: 6’2 Weight: 191 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 55th
The 17-year-old Caruso has the size and frame that scouts love and he still has plenty of time to grow and fill out. He’s progressed nicely in his draft-eligible year – enough so that even brighter things are forecasted for the Mississauga, ON native.
Caruso had a non-descript rookie season with the Storm, playing in 56 games with three points to his credit. But this season, he continued to refine his defensive presence while playing a more active role in the offensive transition game, to which his 15 assists attest. However, offensive production will likely not be part of the package that scouts are looking at when they consider the lanky defenseman. After all, one goal in two seasons does not a Bobby Orr make.
What a team does get with Caruso is a blueliner who displays maturity well beyond his years. A player who works hard on every shift, has excellent skating ability, and plays smart and, with another couple of years at the OHL level to round out his game, the upside for Caruso could be big.
In the new version of the NHL, skating is at a premium and Caruso is solid in that department and that will only get better with practice and dedication. He does need to improve upon the physical aspect of his game and needs to put on a few more pounds on a frame that can more than accommodate it.
20. John Degray, D
Team: Brampton Battalion
Height: 6’4 Weight: 204 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 68th
Teams like large defensemen and DeGray is big, although he does not always play up to his size. He is a special defensive player who can play effectively against the other team’s best. He needs to improve his speed to be a good player in the faster than ever NHL.
DeGray comes in ahead of James Delory, because he’s so good defensively. It’s perhaps noteworthy that a defenseman who had as much ice time as DeGray got did not score a single goal all season.
Early in the year, DeGray was listed as ranked 11th overall by ISS but his lack of offense has toned down his ranking. Nevertheless with his tools, he could surprise a lot of people. He is almost impossible to go around with his huge reach and superior positioning. He played in the Canada-Russia CHL challenge and also played for Team Canada at the Under-17s. Teams know exactly what they are going to get with DeGray which is a solid defensive-minded defenseman who can kill penalties, and who will be solid with possibilities of becoming a real anchor. DeGray is somewhat reminiscent of Adam Foote early in his career, although DeGray is two inches taller and not quite as physical as the NHL stalwart.
21. Ryan Daniels, G
Team: Saginaw Spirit
Height: 6’1 Weight: 205 lbs. Catches: L – Final CSS ranking: 5th
The rookie goaltender took his opportunity with the Saginaw Spirit this season and ran with it, earning a nomination to the 2005-06 OHL All-Rookie team for his play between the pipes for the Michigan-based OHL franchise. Daniels also received an invite to the 2006 CHL Top Prospects game and didn’t allow a goal in the 27 minutes that he played.
The Scarborough, Ontario native saw significant action as a backup to starter Francois Thuot. Playing in 26 games Daniels posted a 16-10 record behind a 4.13 GAA and a .889 save percentage this season. The season prior, Daniels only appeared in seven games, posting four losses that weren’t offset by any wins.
Daniels is in the same boat as several draft-eligible goaltenders who often find themselves on the bench in favor of older, more seasoned goaltenders in the CHL. However, he’s taken advantage of the opportunities he’s been given, showing flashes of outstanding play that leap off from a solid foundation. This was most evident at the start of the season when he had five straight wins and was named the OHL Goaltender of the Month for October with a 1.57 goals against average, and a stellar .955 save percentage. However, following October his performance dipped somewhat.
Daniels is fundamentally sound and will have an opportunity next season to take a more prominent role in the Spirit’s fortunes.
22. Harrison Reed, RW
Team: Saginaw Spirit
Height: 6’0.5 Weight: 178 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 71st
After a cup of coffee with the London Knights last season, Harrison Reed found the full pot in Sarnia much more to his liking and he responded with a breakout rookie season.
Reed played a handful of games with the Knights during the run-up to the Memorial Cup. After six scoreless regular season games and four playoff contests where he netted a total of one assist, Reed moved down the 402 to Sarnia, the Knight’s long-time rivals, and started filling the net. Reed finished the season with 26 goals and 24 assists for the Sting, but in part due to the team’s poor performance, he still finished the season with a -31 plus/minus rating.
The 6’0, 178-pounder still has some growing to do, but his ability to fill the net bodes well for his long-term prospects. Playing on a bad team Reed was a standout on the ice, even though he had to fight through extra attention from opposing forwards. His prowess in the offensive zone is noted, as is his strength on his skates, and his nose for the puck. However defensive deficiencies can’t be denied and Reed doesn’t always make a beeline for his own zone. That’s a part of his game that will definitely have to be addressed to progress to the next level.
23. Aaron Snow, LW
Team: Brampton Battalion
Height: 6’0 Weight: 199 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 79th
Snow had a breakout year in 2005-06 and quadrupled his point total last season, notching 30 goals and 38 assists in 68 games. He saw power play duty and became a much better all around player playing with Wolski and Aquino. Snow has great wheels and is a coach’s dream in that he can play offense and score, and he is versatile enough to play on a checking line and shut down the other team’s best players.
Snow was a big part of a killer Battalion power play and tallied 11 and 17 with the man-advantage, and on the penalty-killing unit he scored four short-handed goals. Snow has all the tools to one day be a well-rounded second line NHL player. There is a lot room place for small forwards 6’ and less, especially ones like Snow who can play PP or PK and is not afraid of the rough stuff. He played for Team Canada at the Under-17s.
Snow also played well in the Under-17 championships and was one of the scorers for his team. With Snow, teams know what they are going to get which is a scorer who plays hard every night and is defensively responsible as well as being a natural athlete.
24. Ryan McDonough, C/W
Team: Saginaw Spirit
Height: 5’9 Weight: 183 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 102nd
A small player has to be special to make it even if he has exceptional wheels and can score. McDonough has lightning speed and is very explosive and has always been a gunner. He was minor midget scoring champion and is good on faceoffs and the power play. McDonough uses his superior vision of the ice to setup his teammates for great scoring chances and that offensive ability is evident in his team-leading 88 points (39 goals) in 68 games.
His main weakness is his defensive play. McDonough will probably go in the late rounds by a team hoping to find another Martin St. Louis (who was not drafted). McDonough looks a lot like Corey Locke who was great at faceoffs and continues to score goals in bunches and doesn’t get a chance to play in the NHL because of his size. This year with the emergence of several small players, it will be easier for McDonough to get to the NHL and to prove himself once he is there.
25. James Delory, D
Team: Oshawa Generals
Height: 6’4.5 Weight: 212 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 73rd
It’s hard to say how far Delory’s size and physical play will carry him in the draft, given that he has lost some of his early promise once he was given more responsibility on the weak Oshawa team after being nominated for the top CHL Rookie of the Year award in 2005.
The towering Delory is a cruncher who keeps the front of the net clear. He has also become known as a good fighter who can take care of himself against the best fighters in the league. He is a bit of a project to just upgrade his overall skill level but several teams will be willing to undertake this project given his size.
Delory played for Team Canada at the Under-17s. This year, by taking some chances on the offensively-challenged Generals, Delory multiplied his offensive stats five times over, scoring six goals and adding 26 assists in 67 games. DeLory can fight and will keep the front of the net clear, and he’ll likely go near the middle of the draft.
26. Steve Mason, G
Team: London Knights
Height: 6’3 Weight: 186 lbs. Catches: R – Final CSS ranking: 9th
Appropriately, this prospect toils behind a mask as the powerful London Knights’ backup goaltender, and much of his potential is shrouded in mystery. He played Junior B hockey for nearby Petrolia, Ontario in 2004-05 before making the Knights this season. Playing behind Buffalo prospect Adam Dennis (BUF) for the defending Memorial Cup champions, Mason endured prolonged stretches riding the pine – especially during Dennis’ record-setting consecutive games played stint, and rarely got to strut his stuff during games.
However, Mason’s size and potential have scouts excited about his long-term prospects more so than several established draft-eligible starters. He’s been aggressively scouted during practices and facing one of the CHL’s most powerful offenses in practice has provided him with an adequate foil to showcase his abilities.
Mason, who played in 12 games this season and posted a record of 5-3 with a 2.00 GAA and a .931 save percentage, which is all the more remarkable considering he was shelled in early-season starts prior to Dennis’ return. He buoyed his draft status with a superlative performance in an emergency relief role in this year’s OHL Championship versus the Peterborough Petes. And while the team may have lost, Mason was certainly not the reason, keeping the Knights in each game he played in.
Mason’s confidence and mobility are good, and while he needs to work on all aspects of his game, there’s not one component that isn’t solid. With more work anticipated next year as the team’s starter, Mason will finally get to show off in games what he has in practice.
27. John Hughes, C
Team: Belleville Bulls
Height: 5’9 Weight: 175 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 70th
Hughes has been a star since bantam hockey, and it was no surprise when he was chosen first overall in the 2004 OHL Priority Draft by the Belleville Bulls. He had a fine freshman season in 2004-05, scoring 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 60 games but he was not the go-to player as he had been in midget hockey. This year much more was expected of Hughes, and at first, he did not deliver. In fact, he was a healthy scratch for several early season games because his efforts were not up to par. The benching appeared to have been a wake-up call, as the diminutive center for the Bulls really lit up the lamp late in the season. In total, Hughes was the Bulls leading scorer in 2005-06, registering 82 points (28 goals, 54 assists) in 66 games.
During the team’s playoff run against the Brampton Battalion, Hughes accumulated five points in six games. Hughes' efforts this season were recognized by the OHL's Eastern Conference coaches, who named him the best stick handler in the conference.
Hughes' play is developing rapidly, and he gained confidence in his new role as the team’s playmaker. He has an excellent shot and good wheels, but needs to give a consistent effort every night as well as working on his on-ice decision-making if he expects to be an effective pro. Despite Hughes’ small stature, he is a legitimate prospect, who is expected to be chosen in the mid to late rounds of the draft.
28. Nathan Martine, D
Team: Mississauga IceDogs
Height: 6’0.5 Weight: 213 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 127th
Martine is a big, tough defenseman, who was chosen by the Barrie Colts in the first round of the 2004 OHL Priority Draft. In 2004-05, Martine put up some good numbers for his freshman season, scoring 15 points (three goals) in 48 games.
This past season, Martine divided his time between the Barrie Colts and the Mississauga Ice Dogs. In January, he became a part of a five-man trade between the teams and in Mississauga he took on a new role. Prior to the trade, Martine had 15 points in 41 games, with a plus/minus of -5. After he was traded, Mississauga sought to have him score more goals and take more of a tough guy role. Although he did increase his points per game (Martine tallied 13 points in 28 games), his plus/minus dropped drastically to -23, and he accumulated 82 PIM.
A defenseman who likes to hit, Martine's new role as team fighter and a source of offense from the blue line for Mississauga needs to be tempered with some solid defensive zone coverage. Martine can occasionally produce offensively, and if he can be a threat while being tough and defensively solid he will be successful at the next level. However, he has not convincingly shown enough of those skills to date.
29. Keaton Turkiewicz, RW
Team: Windsor Spitfires
Height: 5’10.5 Weight: 190 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 105th
Although the Sudbury Wolves selected Turkiewicz in the third round of the 2004 OHL Priority Draft, the team did not sign him until March 2005. In 2004-05 Turkiewicz played for the Burlington Cougars Junior A team of the OHA's Western Conference. While a member of the Cougars Turkiewicz scored 21 goals and added 18 assists for 39 points in 49 games. After playing in 39 games for the Wolves in 2005-06 (and registering 18 points) Turkiewicz was traded to Windsor in early January 2006. While with the Spitfires this season, he tallied 15 points (eight goals) in 27 games. Turkiewicz played on Windsor's second line along with Ryan Garlock and Bradley Snetsinger. He also found time on the power play.
The winger seems to have found his game in 2005-06, and may be on his way to developing into a fine offensive player. He had three points in seven playoff games.
30. Trevor Solomon, D
Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Height: 6’2 Weight: 182 lbs. Shoots: L - Final CSS ranking: 135th
Solomon was traded from the Sarnia Sting seven games into the 2005-06 season. With the Sting he had two assists and once with the Greyhounds Solomon had four goals, ten assists, and was a +5 rating on the year. His offensive production dipped from the 2004-05 season when he had 22 points for the Sting.
The native of Sault Ste. Marie is a stay-at-home defensive specialist who does a lot of work killing penalties. Solomon is a very good skater who takes care of getting the puck out of his own end very well with crisp accurate passes.
Solomon has never been very aggressive and with his size he will need to do some working out to build up his body strength. He will also have to learn to play more physically if he wants to play in the NHL. Solomon can be classified as a project because of his lack of strength. All the same, Solomon definitely has the potential to be a fifth or sixth defenseman in the NHL.
31. Tom Sestito, LW
Team: Plymouth Whalers
Height: 6’4 Weight: 209 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 112th
Second-year left winger Tom Sestito was selected in the fifth round (93rd overall) in the 2003 OHL Draft. Sestito is a tough guy who improved his offensive output from 2004-05 where he tallied one goal and three assists in 35 games. In 2005-06, he scored ten goals and ten assists in 57 games and was named the Whalers Most Improved Player for the season.
Sestito models his game after Tie Domi the agitator, except that he brings a lot more size to his robust play. Sestito loves to play hard, finish his checks and he is a great fighter who amassed 176 minutes in the penalty box to help build his tough guy image. Sestito is a real agitator who takes great pride taking on the other teams’ best players and tough guys. He also loves crashing the net, and does that as often as he can.
He claims that one of the biggest highlights of his career was playing with his brother Tim last year. He looks like he has a chance at being a fourth line role player whose toughness brings energy to the team.
32. Andrew Fournier, C/LW
Team: Plymouth Whalers
Height: 5’11 Weight: 201 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 108th
Fournier has rebounded nicely from an Achilles tendon injury that abruptly put a stop to his season last year and forced him to miss the final half of that campaign. This year, he bounced back to score 23 goals and 16 assists in 67 games and has solidified himself as a hard-working prospect who can chip in with the odd goal while focusing on his defensive responsibilities.
Fournier got into a trio of games during the 2003-04 season with the Plymouth Whalers and was well on his way to establishing himself as a viable OHL’er during the 2004-05 campaign with six goals and nine assists in 34 games before the aforementioned injury knocked him out. This year he’s added offensive production but also shown a commitment to defensive responsibility, ending the year +5 overall. He also put aside any concerns regarding any residual effects of the tendon tear by participating in a total of 80 games including the playoffs, where he performed at almost a point-per-game pace with five goals and six assists in 13 games.
A little on the smaller side of the ledger at 5’11, Fournier has packed on 200 pounds on a solid frame. In addition to his offensive promise, he’s been a steady contributor to the Whalers’ penalty-killing unit and can be counted on defensively at key times. He is an opportunistic player who combines offensive spark with defensive responsibility and a commitment to ensuring that his own end is taken care of.
33. Michal Klejna, C
Team: Brampton Battalion
Height: 6’1 Weight: 175 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 74th
In 53 regular season games, Klejna scored eight goals and had seven assists in a predominantly defensive role. Klejna is a great skater who plays hard both ways but he needs improvement in going to the net, as he does well until he gets in close.
The Slovakian import player has good acceleration but he tends to try to stickhandle his way through the opposition way too much. Some have labeled Klejna as a selfish player because of his tendency to hold onto the puck too long.
Klejna proved to be one of the forwards who was around the puck a lot in the Brampton/Barrie playoff series, but he did not figure into the scoring much as he registered only one goal in eight games.
All of Klejna’s early training was in Europe and is still trying to adapt to the North American game. He has a fair amount of untapped potential and although his offensive numbers aren’t great, Klejna is effective in creating opportunities for his team.
34. Jesse Biduke, LW
Team: Oshawa Generals
Height: 6’0 Weight: 202 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 124th
Although the early part of his season was compromised by an injury, the 6’0, 200-pound winger from Whitby, Ontario was able to rebound appropriately and showed nice improvement over a solid, but unspectacular, rookie campaign after the Generals drafted him in the second round in 2004.
Biduke improved across the board, posting respectable offensive totals of 13 goals and 16 assists in 54 games. He’s a forward who scored this season in bursts – a couple here, a few there, and then would endure long stretches with no points. However, he improved his two-way play and was dependable in his own end, finishing the season -4 on a team that gave up almost 100 more goals than it scored and finished in last place in its division with only 18 wins.
With good size, decent hands, and good strength, Biduke can be an opportunistic finisher who will balance defensive play with the occasional goal-scoring burst.
35. Justin Donati, C
Team: Toronto St. Michael’s Majors
Height: 5’9 Weight: 175 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: Not ranked
Justin Donati was one of the last players picked in the 2002 OHL Priority Draft. Always in the shadow of his twin brother, Tyler, who was selected nine rounds higher than him, Justin was tenacious in his attempts to catch up. Both brothers joined their drafting team, the Oshawa Generals in 2003-04. Justin did not play as often as his brother, but he did show sparks of offensive abilities. Justin returned to the Generals in 2004-05 and had a good start to the season, registering 15 points in 14 games. However, both Donati brothers had problems with the team's management, and chose to leave the team and request a trade. All sorts of rumors abounded, but both Donatis wound up playing for the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, where no similar problems have arisen. Justin, particularly, flourished after the trade, accumulating 24 points in 29 games with the Majors in 2004-05.
It was no surprise when neither Donati was selected in the 2005 draft, as there were rumors about why they left the Generals and talk of attitude problems that filtered back to NHL scouts. This season, however, Justin Donati is hard to ignore. He seemed to have found a home in Toronto and had a breakout season. He ranked sixth in total points in the OHL this year, with 109 points (46 goals, 63 assists) and a plus/minus of +16 in 62 games. He was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team and scored two goals and one assist in the game. Additionally, he had eight points (five goals, three assists) in four playoff games this spring.
Named by OHL coaches as the third best playmaker in the Eastern Conference, Donati's play is very deceptive, as he does not look strong on the puck, is not particularly good on faceoffs, and is generally not a player that stands out on the ice. However, he is always around the puck near the net, and he has very quick hands. He has no problem taking the punishment for placing himself near the crease, and can skate well enough to get back on defense to make the plays in his own zone. Somehow the puck always finds him, and he figures a way to put it past the opposing goalie. Donati is a sleeper pick to be drafted, but if picked in one of the later rounds, he may wind up being a real steal.
36. Devin Didiomete, LW
Team: Sudbury Wolves
Height: 5’11 Weight: 200 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 161st
The Sudbury Wolves recently voted Didiomete the most underrated player on the team. Known as a fighter who fills the enforcer role very well for his team, his other abilities are often overlooked. He started his OHL career in 2004-05, garnering 15 points (seven goals) in 58 games. This respectable rookie offensive production was accompanied by 113 PIM and a plus/minus of -2. Over the course of this season, he became a legitimate offensive threat. Didiomete's 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 60 games and an even plus/minus in 2005-06 was excellent. Additionally, Didiomete accumulated a whopping 202 PIM.
Didiomete has a passion for the game that is unsurpassed at any level. He plays hard on every shift and will sacrifice himself for his team any time it is required. As the Sudbury Wolves recognized earlier this month, Didiomete is very underrated. He should be a mid round pick, but is expected to go later. Still developing, Didiomete is a rare find as a fighter who can take care of his own end and score goals. Watch for him to exceed expectations.
37. Matt Halischuk, RW
Team: Toronto St. Michael’s Majors
Height: 5’11 Weight: 183 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 119th
Drafted by the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors in the second round of the 2004 OHL Priority Draft, he had a mediocre freshman season, collecting six points in 30 games in 2004-05. This year, Halischuk seemed much more at ease, and as the year went along, he grew into his offensive role with the team. Over the regular season, Halischuk totaled 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 61 games, but in March and April (including St. Mike’s short playoff run), he had eight points in eight games.
Halischuk is a good skater with soft hands, who plays a disciplined game. He is developing later than some of the other players his age, and it is hard to predict what the upper limit of his potential is. He still has a lot of developing to do, and therefore is a greater risk than some of the other players on our draftee list. It is likely that Halischuk will be selected in one of the later rounds of the NHL draft, and it is quite possible that the team that selects him will find a diamond in the rough.
38. Adam Perry, LW
Team: London Knights
Height: 5’10 Weight: 196 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 183th
Although playing for the same team that his older brother Corey did, the styles of play for these two forwards couldn’t be more different. While the elder Perry lit up the league, filling the nets with dazzling displays of raw talent, the younger sibling has carved a niche for himself on the high-flying forward with grit, willingness to absorb punishment, and a knack for scoring the so-called garbage goals. Perry has good size but there’s some room for him to add more bulk to his frame.
Perry saw limited action as a late-season call-up during the Knights 2004-05 Memorial Cup run. He played in 18 games, scoring three goals and two assists. However this season Perry took his game to the next level, benefiting in large part from the abundance of talent on the Knights’ power play and top two lines. Perry was willing to do the jobs that others shied away from, like taking abuse in front of the net and digging pucks out of the corners, and he was rewarded with a season that may be beyond his abilities.
Although Perry scored 27 goals en route to 73 points in 68 games, the Peterborough, Ontario native will be hard-pressed to repeat those totals without the likes of Rob Schremp (EDM), Dylan Hunter (BUF), and Dave Bolland (CHI) feeding him opportunities. On the flip side, those pucks didn’t find their way into the net by themselves, and Perry may be able to carve a niche out for himself as a gritty, front-of-the-net player who relies on hard work, physicality, and opportunism.
39. Dustin Jeffrey, C
Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Height: 6’1.5 Weight: 181 lbs. Shoots: L – Final CSS ranking: 188th
Not many people would relish a move from the big city to northern Ontario, but a trade from the Mississauga IceDogs to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds revitalized this 18-year-old winger and saw his performance improve over the last half of the year.
After languishing with the Ice Dogs and only posting six goals and nine assists in 30 games, Jeffrey caught fire in the Soo and added 12 goals and 11 assists in the last 39 games of the season. It was a rekindling of the passion that drove him to an impressive rookie campaign when he finished with 25 points paced by ten goals in 53 games.
The winger from Sarnia, Ontario has plenty of room – and time – to fill out his frame and add some muscle. He’s already shown a willingness to do the little things to take his game to the next level, but the fact that he’s got so much room to improve means that he has the potential to be a late-round sleeper. He’s displayed a nose for the net and the boost that a little extra weight could bring could transform Jeffrey from a nice player to a bruising power forward-type.
40. Matt Dias, RW
Team: Sudbury Wolves
Height: 5’10.5 Weight: 195 lbs. Shoots: R – Final CSS ranking: 167th
Under the old rules enforcement, the Sault Ste. Marie native probably wouldn’t be drafted at all. However, now the 5’10 forward becomes an attractive commodity to teams looking for a determined winger with some offensive upside.
Without the pressure of top-line checking that comes from playing behind Benoit Pouliot (MIN) and Foligno, Dias was able to chip in nicely with 18 goals and 16 assists in 57 league games. The 18-year-old was named the team’s top rookie and will be looked upon to build on his offensive numbers next season. He’s shown an ability to finish around the net and plays bigger than his generously listed stature.
As well, Dias chipped in on the power play and has shown some offensive creativity that could be enticing to the next level. His only drawback is his size, but with the increased freedom that smaller players are able to enjoy, Dias may be able to progress to the next level and could be an attractive late-round flyer.
Although not a sure thing, Dias has enough potential that he could turn out to be a decent late round find. He’s not a draft pick to bet the mortgage on, but he’s shown enough that a small investment could reap a good reward in the future.
Jason Menard, Marvin Miller, Leslie Treff and Glen Jackson contributed to this article. Copyright 2006 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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