Sunday 15 December 2013

Player Profile: Logan Brown (2014 OHL Draft)



Logan Brown

Indiana Jr. Ice

Forward

6'5

Year of birth: 1998



Despite missing a considerable portion of the season due to injuries, all signs seem to indicate a return to form for Logan Brown. The 6’5 forward with the Indiana Jr. Ice has picked up where he left before his setback in October.

Last season with the St. Louis AAA Blues, Brown made an impact consistently in every aspect of the game. Perhaps the most underrated or unknown quality of his style of play is the dedication to two-way hockey.
Away from the puck, Brown has a strong work ethic, dedicated forecheck, and overall defensive awareness in all three zones. Brown was frequently used and excelled at killing penalties due to his positioning and size which effectively suffocated puck advancement, particularly in close with the carrier.  Brown’s use of his size is exemplary, using his long reach and tenacity to win puck battles.

Brown has a powerful stride which swallows ice and his reach is maximized again in combination with good speed to gain access to the puck first and shield it once obtained. With puck possession, Brown’s decision making is astute and his execution swift. Brown uses his vision to find players through a crowded neutral zone yet, he is capable of gathering speed in the defensive zone and carrying the puck up the middle of the ice into high percentage shooting areas and has done so several times throughout games. 

In the offensive zone, Brown can surprise with a toe drag or once again use his wing span and leverage to cut in from the boards to the home plate area. Brown regularly quarterbacked the powerplay with the Blues last year and effectively distributed the puck from the point.

Logan Brown projects as a power forward and is, in the author’s opinion, the top OHL eligible forward from the 1998 age group.



416musings@gmail.com
Twitter: @416_musings

Sunday 25 August 2013

Top 200+ OHL eligible 98s to look for in 2013/2014 (Preseason List)



Introduction

The following compilation is an extension of the preseason top prospects list released in June, 2013. The majority of the 200+ skaters plus goaltenders were evaluated over the same time frame and as a result, the same top 48 skaters and 5 goaltenders are listed along with another 165 skaters and 4 additional goaltenders, all unranked.

One of the purposes for this early list is for it to serve as a resource for the scouting and player representation community before the official start of the minor midget season.

Notes:

*A conservative approach to evaluating goaltenders was chosen and they may be an underrepresented subset.

*Several players listed will represent new clubs in the 2013-2014 season. However, since not all player    movement has been made official, their 2012-2013 teams are listed to maintain consistency.

*Player rankings are in constant fluctuation with prospects sliding up and down. The initial list released in June is a snapshot of a particular period and could look very different once the 2013-2014 season is underway.

*As with any prospects list released this early, and especially one covering an age group not viewed by many at the time of publishing, oversights and omissions are inevitable.

Prospects

The following unranked lists identifies the top 222 OHL eligible minor midget players (213 skaters and 9 goaltenders) born in 1998.

Skaters
The first list (previously posted) is comprised of:
48 skaters with top 40 potential (33 Canadians, 13 Americans, and 2 dual nationals*)
31 forwards and 17 defencemen

NAME2012-2013 CLUBPOSITION
Michael McLeodToronto MarlborosF
Joseph MizziToronto MarlborosF
Jeremy Smith Toronto MarlborosD
Victor MeteToronto Jr. CanadiensD
Adam MascherinToronto Jr. CanadiensF
David ShermanToronto Jr. CanadiensF
Travis BarronToronto Jr. CanadiensF
Cole CandellaToronto Jr. CanadiensD
Brandon SaigeonHamilton Jr. BulldogsF
Nicholas CaamanoHamilton Jr. BulldogsF
Jacob BuchHamilton Jr. BulldogsF
Griffin Luce* (dual national)Elgin Middlesex ChiefsD
William BittenOttawa Jr. 67’sF
Tye FelhaberOttawa Valley TitansF
Eddie SchulzHalton HurricanesF
Tyler NotherHalton HurricanesD
Chris PaquetteKingston Jr. FrontenacsF
Samuel DunnCentral Ontario WolvesD
Matt HotchkissClarington TorosF
Keaton MiddletonHuron-Perth LakersD
Mitchell MendoncaSouthern Tier AdmiralsF
Nicholas PrestiaSouthern Tier Admirals F
Matt BarnesBarrie Colts AAAD
Liam GillandersNorth York RangersD
Nicolas SicolySoo ThunderF
Dayton KentPeterborough Minor PetesF
Riley StillmanPeterborough Minor PetesD
James AllenPeterborough Minor PetesF
Givani SmithMississauga SenatorsF
Zachary MagwoodCambridge HawksF
Logan StanleyWaterloo WolvesD
Jack HanleyWhitby WildcatsD
Jonah GadjovichWhitby WildcatsF
Johnathan AngMarkham WaxersF
Logan Brown* (dual national)St. Louis AAA BluesF
Ty FarmerSt. Louis AAA BluesD
Luke MartinSt. Louis AAA BluesD
Max JonesDetroit CompuwareF
Keenan SuthersDetroit CompuwareF
Keegan HowdeshellDetroit CompuwareF
Kyle BloomDetroit CompuwareF
Jacob ChychrunDetroit Little CaesarsD
Nick PastujovDetroit HoneybakedF
Nick McKeebyDetroit HoneybakedD
David MelarigniTeam ComcastD
Timmy GettingerCleveland BaronsF
Dante PaleccoNJ Avalanche U16F
James SanchezChicago Young AmericansF

The second list of skaters identifies an additional 165 prospects to look for in the upcoming season. 


NAME2012-2013 CLUBPOSITION
Troy WilliamsThunder Bay KingsD
Avery SiauThunder Bay KingsF
Bradley Belisle Thunder Bay KingsF
MacKenzie MacMillanNickel City SonsF
Joel GrandboisNickel City SonsF
Zachary SenecalSoo Greyhounds AAAF
Daniel CicchiniSoo Greyhounds AAAD
Jacob KendrickOttawa Jr. 67sF
Alex WayOttawa Jr. 67sF
Joey LarcherOttawa Jr. 67sF
Jacob HouldOttawa Jr. 67sF
Etienne VivashOttawa Jr. 67sD
Owen GrantOttawa Valley TitansD
Sam MeisenheimerOttawa Valley TitansF
Cameron WelsfordOttawa Senators AAAD
Zach PoirierUpper Canada CyclonesF
Owen GuyUpper Canada Cyclones F
Cole CarterEastern Ontario WildF
Mitchell MartanWhitby WildcatsF
Mark StefflerWhitby WildcatsD
Zack PearsonPeterborough Minor PetesF
Jake O'DonnellClarington TorosD
Chase St. AubinClarington TorosF
Greg ThomasQuinte Red DevilsD
Cody SmithQuinte Red DevilsF
Colin Tonge Kingston Jr. FrontenacsF
Jack VargaYork Simcoe ExpressF
Cameron MorrisonYork Simcoe ExpressF
Ryan DaSilvaYork Simcoe ExpressF
Cameron MacSweenYork Simcoe ExpressF
David PearceBarrie Colts AAAD/F
Bray CrowderBarrie Colts AAAD
Mack FalconerBarrie Colts AAAF
Lucas ChiodoBarrie Colts AAAF
Cameron SearlesSouth Central CoyotesF
Kyle ThomasSouth Central CoyotesF
Darius DimitriadisSouth Central CoyotesF
Greg SmithSouth Central CoyotesF
Kyle LinneyNorth Central PredatorsD
Alex WilliamsonCentral Ontario WolvesF
Liam MorganAjax Pickering RaidersF
Reade MacInnisAjax Pickering RaidersD
Kyle HunterMarkham WaxersD
Justin CmuntBuffalo RegalsF
Austin OsmanskiBuffalo RegalsF
Dawson ShackeltonHamilton Jr. BulldogsD
Owen BurnellHamilton Jr. BulldogsF
Matthew TimmsHamilton Jr. BulldogsD
Peter FalivenaSouthern Tier AdmiralsF
Reid YochimSouthern Tier AdmiralsD
Kyle LangdonSouthern Tier AdmiralsF
David D'agostinoNiagara North StarsD
Rylee St. OngeNiagara North StarsF
Latrell HarrisNiagara North StarsF
Connor BunnamanGuelph (Jr. Storm/Gryphons)F
Giordano FinoroGuelph (Jr. Storm/Gryphons)F
Sean AllenGuelph (Jr. Storm/Gryphons) D
Tyler BilesGuelph (Jr. Storm/Gryphons)F
Nick MainprizeGuelph (Jr. Storm/Gryphons)F
Noah CameronGuelph (Jr. Storm/Gryphons)F
Bailey NewtonHalton HurricanesD
Jacob MillerHalton HurricanesF
Bailey MolellaBrampton 45sF
Jack JacomeBrampton 45sF
Jake PayetteBrampton 45sD
Nicholas StucklessBrampton 45sF
Josh MathiesonBurlington EaglesD
Chris CudekBurlington EaglesF
Jordan CaskanetteGrey-Bruce HighlandersF
Collin ZettlerGrey-Bruce HighlandersD
Craig McCormackOakville RangersF
Will MacQueenOakville RangersF
Nicholas PiccirilloNiagara Falls RivermenF
Mac HollowellNiagara Falls RivermenD
Alex DiCarloNiagara Falls RivermenF
Blake CoffeyToronto MarlborosD
Cliff PuToronto MarlborosF
Will HunterToronto MarlborosD
Matt CairnsToronto MarlborosD
Kyle MaksimovichToronto MarlborosF
Jake HarrisToronto MarlborosF
Taylor RaddyshToronto MarlborosF
Justin BennettDon Mills FlyersF
Anthony ModugnoDon Mills FlyersF
Fedor RudakovDon Mills FlyersF
Nicholas AlvaroMississauga RebelsD
Nicholas SalamonMississauga RebelsF
Cole EvansMississauga RebelsD
Austin IrvineMississauga RebelsD
Jordan KyrouMississauga RebelsF
Michael KelaiditisMississauga RebelsF
Brandon YeamansMississauga RepsF
Kyle PottsMississauga RepsF
Julian FlorindiMississauga RepsF
Jason DipernaMississauga SenatorsF
Matt DannerMississauga SenatorsF
Mitchell ByrneToronto Jr. CanadiensD
Drake RymshaToronto Jr. CanadiensF
Kevin HancockToronto Jr. CanadiensF
Christian CannataToronto NationalsD
Michael PezzettaToronto NationalsF
Cordell Bujold-AbuToronto NationalsD
Nicholas RomeroToronto NationalsF
Francesco LucaVaughan KingsD
Reagan O'GradyVaughan KingsD
Ben HawerchukToronto TitansF
Lucas MizziToronto TitansD
Jake SterritToronto TitansD
Connor HallCambridge HawksD
Liam MeladyHuron Perth LakersD
Jared NashHuron Perth LakersF
Nathan HamerKitchener Jr. RangersF
Nick DelyzerChatham-Kent CyclonesF
Levi TretaultChatham-Kent CyclonesF
Dane Johnstone Elgin Middlesex ChiefsF
Carson MonizElgin Middlesex ChiefsD
Ryan Van RoestelElgin Middlesex ChiefsF
Carter McCormickElgin Middlesex ChiefsD
Nicholas MainellaSun County PanthersD
Anthony SalinitriWindsor Jr. SpitfiresF
Franco SprovieroLambton Jr. StingF
Noah TookeLambton Jr. StingF
Jarret MarksLambton Jr. StingF
Connor HillLondon Jr. KnightsF
Ryan MacLeodBrantford 99ersF
Chase CampbellWaterloo WolvesF
Andrew HeibeinWaterloo WolvesD
Joshua BrightHamilton HuskiesF
James GreenwayShattuck St. Mary'sD
Clayton KellerShattuck St. Mary'sF
Graham McPheeShattuck St. Mary'sF
Adam FoxLong Island GullsD
Evan WisockyLong Island GullsF
Chris GrandoLong Island GullsF
Matt Jakubowski Hamburg HawksF
Marcus DickersonTeam ComcastF
Nolan JonesTeam ComcastF
AJ DrobotTeam ComcastF
Cam DineenTeam ComcastD
Zach SollowSt. Louis AAA BluesF
Trent FredericSt. Louis AAA BluesF
Chris ConwayPittsburgh Penguins EliteD
Nicky CaprioChicago MissionF
Hugh McGingChicago MissionF
William KnierimChicago MissionF
Dominick MerschChicago MissionF
Alec MahalakDetroit CompuwareD
Shaun BilyDetroit HoneybakedF
Luke CowanDetroit HoneybakedF
Cole GallantDetroit HoneybakedF
Ryan BederkaDetroit HoneybakedD
Igor LarionovDetroit HoneybakedF
Mitch EliotDetroit HoneybakedD
Ben GleasonDetroit HoneybakedD
Noah LaLondeDetroit HoneybakedF
Mitchell LewandowskiDetroit HoneybakedF
Jonathan PenslerDetroit Little CaesarsD
Collin AdamsDetroit Little CaesarsF
Tom ParrottinoDetroit Little CaesarsF
Jake SuttonDetroit Little CaesarsD
Sam FieldNJ Devils AAAF
Brendan LessNJ Devils AAAD
Justin WhitedIndiana Jr. IceF
Ethan StahlhuthIndiana Jr. IceF
Bryant GunnIndiana Jr. IceD

Goaltenders
The 5 goaltenders identified in the June, 2013 post are listed along with 4 additonal prospects.


NAME2012-2013 CLUB
Zachary MooreNiagara North Stars
Joeseph RaaymakersChatham-Kent Cyclones
Olivier LafreniereYork Simcoe Express
Jack LafontaineDon Mills Flyers
Zach WeirLondon Jr. Knights
Liam DevineGuelph (Jr. Storm/Gryphons)
Tyler JohnsonBuffalo Regals
Joseph WollSt. Louis AAA Blues
Mike LatorellaDetroit Honeybaked


416musings@gmail.com
Twitter: @416_musings

Saturday 10 August 2013

Player Profile: Adam Mascherin (2014 OHL Draft)

Adam Mascherin

Vaughan Kings

Forward

5'9, 166 lbs

Year of birth: 1998

The offensive catalyst for the 1998 Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Adam Mascherin will bring a multi-faceted skill set to the Vaughan Kings. Mascherin possesses average start-up speed and his first step quickness will need work but he remains very dynamic on his skates due to a powerful stride and excellent edge work, and has the ability to rush the puck from his own end into the attacking zone up the middle of the rink. Much of Mascherin's offensive success stems from the ability to bypass checkers using edges and top flight speed through the neutral zone in order to create scoring chances from high percentage areas. In addition to fine edge work in full flight, a few other components are in play. Mascherin is of modest height but is very strong on his skates and uses that strength to drag the puck along with opposing players into the home plate area. Mascherin protects the puck well and that allows him to dynamically evaluate options in the offensive zone. Mascherin is particularly effective down low where he relies on his keen vision to create plays using precise passes, resulting in shots on net. Mascherin has a strong sense for offence, plays with a physical edge, and can finish efficiently both in close and from the top of the circle. Adam Mascherin will represent Ontario in the Allstate All-Canadians game.


416musings@gmail.com
Twitter: @416_musings

Player Profile: Jeremy Smith (2014 OHL Draft)

Jeremy Smith

Don Mill Flyers

Defence

5'10, 158 lbs

Year of birth: 1998

An adequate sized blueliner for the age group who should continue to grow, Jeremy Smith was the top defenceman on the 1998 Toronto Marlboros and made an impact on every shift. Smith plays a complete game in his own end bringing a physical element, puck possession skills, intelligence, and confidence to the table. His brand of physicality consists of both jarring hits and an aggressive presence along the boards and does not shy away from larger adversaries. Its not uncommon to see Smith acutely read plays to position himself at his own blueline, standing up forwards while neutralizing an attack. Incredibly poised with the puck on his blade, Smith not only remains calm under pressure, but thrives in those situations by catching opponents off guard by often drawing forecheckers and using their own momentum against them before advancing the puck. Smith has a powerful stride which allows him to access the puck first in the defensive zone and make safe recoveries. At the same time, Smith calmly and easily skates the well protected puck away from opponents and into the neutral zone using his agility. Smith appears very comfortable rushing the puck into the neutral zone or directing a mid-range pass to start an offensive attack but has the ability to sift through traffic to register a shot on net. Smith has a good shot from the point that finds the net and manoeuvres well in the offensive zone while holding on to the puck. Jeremy Smith will play for the Don Mills Flyers in the upcoming season and will represent Ontario in the Allstate All-Canadians game.


416musings@gmail.com
Twitter: @416_musings

Wednesday 5 June 2013

2014 OHL Priority Selection Preseason Top Prospects List

The following unranked lists names potential top 40 (rounds 1 and 2) OHL eligible minor midget players (skaters) born in 1998 as well as five goaltenders to watch for.

The first list (skaters) is comprised of:
48 prospects (33 Canadians, 13 Americans, and 2 dual nationals*)
31 forwards and 17 defencemen



NAME
2012-2013 CLUB
POSITION
Michael McLeod
Toronto Marlboros
F
Joseph Mizzi
Toronto Marlboros
F
Jeremy  Smith
Toronto Marlboros
D
Victor Mete
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
D
Adam Mascherin
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
F
David Sherman
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
F
Travis Barron
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
F
Cole Candella
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
D
Brandon Saigeon
Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
F
Nicholas Caamano
Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
F
Jacob Buch
Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
F
Griffin Luce* (dual national)
Elgin Middlesex Chiefs
D
William Bitten
Ottawa Jr. 67’s
F
Tye Felhaber
Ottawa Valley Titans
F
Eddie Schulz
Halton Hurricanes
F
Tyler Nother
Halton Hurricanes
D
Chris Paquette
Kingston Jr. Frontenacs
F
Samuel Dunn
Central Ontario Wolves
D
Matt Hotchkiss
Clarington Toros
F
Keaton Middleton
Huron-Perth Lakers
D
Mitchell Mendonca
Southern Tier Admirals
F
Nicholas Prestia
Southern Tier Admirals
F
Matt Barnes
Barrie Colts AAA
D
Liam Gillanders
North York Rangers
D
Nicolas Sicoly
Soo Thunder
F
Dayton Kent
Peterborough Minor Petes
F
Riley Stillman
Peterborough Minor Petes
D
James Allen
Peterborough Minor Petes
F
Givani Smith
Mississauga Senators
F
Zachary Magwood
Cambridge Hawks
F
Logan Stanley
Waterloo Wolves
D
Jack Hanley
Whitby Wildcats
D
Jonah Gadjovich
Whitby Wildcats
F
Johnathan Ang
Markham Waxers
F
Logan Brown* (dual national)
St. Louis AAA Blues
F
Ty Farmer
St. Louis AAA Blues
D
Luke Martin
St. Louis AAA Blues
D
Max Jones
Detroit Compuware
F
Keenan Suthers
Detroit Compuware
F
Keegan Howdeshell
Detroit Compuware
F
Kyle Bloom
Detroit Compuware
F
Jacob Chychrun
Detroit Little Caesars
D
Nick Pastujov
Detroit Honeybaked
F
Nick McKeeby
Detroit Honeybaked
D
David Melarigni
Team Comcast
D
Timmy Gettinger
Cleveland Barons
F
Dante Palecco
NJ Avalanche U16
F
James Sanchez
Chicago Young Americans
F


The second list (goaltenders) indicates five prospects who have stood out at their position during their major bantam season.



NAME
2012-2013 CLUB
Zachary Moore
Niagara North Stars
Joseph Raaymakers
Chatham-Kent Cyclones
Olivier Lafreniere
York Simcoe Express
Tyler Johnson
Buffalo Regals
Joseph Woll
St. Louis AAA Blues