Player Profile: Nikita Korostelev (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)

Nikita Korostelev
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
Forward
Year of Birth: 1997

Nikita Korostelev is testament to the range of improvement that can occur from the Bantam age group to Minor Midget. Korostelev seemed out of place at times last year playing with the 1996 Vaughan Kings but seems to have discovered how to better utilize his strengths as a forward. Not the fastest skater on the ice, nor the most agile, Korostelev has good balance making it difficult to separate him from the puck. Innate hockey sense allows Korostelev to visualize puck advancement along the length of the ice and this somewhat offsets his limited speed. Time spent on the power play is highly efficient as Korostelev uses one touch passes and rapid execution to move the puck while wielding a powerful one-time slap shot from the top of the face-off circle.  A right-handed shooter, his wrist shot and snap shot may be the hardest in the age group making him effective in open ice, yet Korostelev will not shy away from going to the slot or creating his own space. Korostelev displays strong puck skills, retrieving the disc from his feet and shielding it well in traffic while attempting near 90 degree turns into the slot to place a shot. Not surprisingly, Korostelev likely has one of the higher scoring chances / shift ratios among his peers. Improvements to his edges and 1^st steps will likely vault Korostelev to the next level. Korostelev will find success at the next level lined up alongside a strong playmaking centre.

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Player Profile: Travis Konecny (2013 OHL Draft)

Travis Konecny
Elgin Middlesex Chiefs
Forward
Year of Birth: 1997

The most consistently physical of the top tier skilled forwards from Ontario. Konecny is also the most engaged, from shift to shift, of the upper echelon. While his penchant to hit in all three zones may not translate at the junior level due to the limitations of his frame, the rest of his skill set does. An asset in tight checking games, Konecny possesses very quick hands and feet which allow him to disarm opponents in a stealthy manner, contributing to his defensive strength - an underrated aspect of his profile. Konecny anticipates the flow of the game very well and combines his speed, advanced puck skills, and a quick release to create scoring opportunities. His acceleration is fluid and among the best in the age group and is clearly evident when Konecny deliberately comes to a complete halt while face to face with a defender, only to fake one way, and speed by in another direction with no chance of being caught. The ability to find a second gear and strong edge work makes Konecny even more dangerous through the neutral zone as his vision of the ice permits him to skate up the middle through traffic as well as around defenders down low. The skill and the grit, which is a large part of Konecny’s impact in the game, makes him a truly unique prospect for the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

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Player Profile: Sean Day (Detroit Compuware)

Sean Day
Detroit Compuware
Defence
Year of Birth: 1998

Sean Day appears to have distinguished himself from a very talented age group of US based talent. While often standing out in games against players a year older, it remains difficult to gauge the breadth of his advanced development.

How far ahead of the curve is Sean Day? What is his potential? The problem in answering questions like these is attached, in my opinion, to the lack of challenge presented to Day thus far.

In terms of size, Day fits in at the minor midget level and can play physical within shifts as the need arises, opting to effectively neutralize his assignment by pinning them against the boards. Defensively, Day is positionally sound and remarkably efficient using the appropriate technique for the situation. Perhaps the most immediate eye-catching aspect of Day’s play is his skating which can be considered elite for age groups higher than the one he currently plays at. Day is a fluid multi-directional skater and makes it look truly effortless. The practical upshot of this comes into consideration when it connects with his very high hockey sense – resulting in Day having to merely glide or coast into position while others around him race to do the same with the contrast being stark. Not surprisingly, Day plays a poised game, even to the point of giving the impression that he is playing with a younger age group.

Day executes crisp tape to tape passes but can comfortably rush the puck from one end of the ice to the other just as well, often times controlling the pace of the play around him. Day sees the ice well and also sees plays before they develop, akin to those who have mastered their level of competition. Strong stick handling skills allow for deft puck movement in tight quarters and especially in front of the opposing net. Also dangerous on the power play, minimal stick movement allows Day to shoot from the point while reducing tracking time for goaltenders.

The lack of trying competition for Day limits the scout’s ability to compare him accurately to his peers. The question to be asked, however, is how high do we have to look to find Sean Day’s ceiling?

Based on performance, Sean Day should have very little difficulty receiving OHL exceptional player status should he apply.

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Player Profile: Michael Davies (2013 OHL Draft)

Michael Davies
Southern Tier  Admirals
Forward
6’1, 195 lbs
Year of Birth: 1997

A player with game-breaking prowess, Davies plays his best hockey in up tempo affairs. While Davies can bring the puck to the net straight up centre ice using speed and puck skills, he is just as comfortable zig-zagging through the offensive zone, protecting the puck in the process. In shooting range, Davies can unleash a quick and heavy shot. A physical aspect to his game is largely apparent as Davies regularly engages in board play and will use his dense frame to throw impactful hits. Davies keeps his feet in constant motion and skates with a low centre of gravity, making attempts to strip him of the puck virtually futile. Davies would benefit from utilizing his teammates more often on rushes but he is still an offensive threat every time he approaches the offensive zone.

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twitter: @416_musings

Player Profile: Mitchell Stephens (2013 OHL draft)

Mitchell Stephens
Toronto Marlboros
Forward
Year of Birth: 1997

Speed and aggressive skating are two characteristics making Mitchell Stephens such a dynamic player. More impressive is his execution in full flight. Stephens possesses quick feet and elite acceleration on top of very good straight ahead speed. To his credit, Stephens takes a multi-faceted approach to maximizing his skills. Pure speed is used for tenacious forechecking and puck pursuit while offensive anticipation and acceleration allows Stephens to earn breakaway opportunities. A strong finisher with a wicked shot, Stephens will opt to shoot given the chance but his passing ability should not be underrated. Stephens anticipates the game well and seems to know where the puck will be at any moment in time. Very few players in the age group are able to dissect their way through the middle to create scoring chances as well as Stephens who uses vision and edge work to do so. Mitchell Stephens is one of the top forwards entering the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.


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Player Profile: Matt Spencer (2013 OHL Draft)

Matt Spencer
Oakville Rangers
Defence
6’2, 185 lbs
Year of Birth: 1997

Matt Spencer is a player who clearly stands out among the star-studded cast of the 97 Oakville Rangers. With added strength, Spencer should easily achieve pro-size for a defenceman. Puck rushing ability is impressive, especially for a player with his physical dimensions. In particular, the velocity with which Spencer can attack the offensive zone from his own blue line is eye-opening and often catches defencemen flat footed. Spencer plays a poised and physical game in his own end, managing and limiting opponents by taking away space and smothering them against the boards. Puck distribution and decision making from his own end is a work in progress, ranging from sharp to faulty, but Spencer usually advances the play with short range passes. One would have to give Matt Spencer consideration for being one of the best Ontario defencemen in the age grouping.


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Player Profile: Tyler Sensky (2013 OHL Draft)

Tyler Sensky

Compuware

Defence
5'11, 175 lbs

Year of Birth: 1997

Tyler Sensky is yet another prospect on the star studded defence corps of the 1997 Compuware squad. Although not overtly obvious as an offensive defenceman, Sensky's hockey sense and skating indicate that he may develop into one. A strong skater with a powerful stride, Sensky can very quickly take away time and space from opposing forwards. Sensky anticipates the offensive game very well and naturally plays an intelligent transition game. With the puck, Sensky has shown flashes of patient playmaking through several viewings. Tyler Sensky has not committed to a college program as of the posting date.

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Player Profile: Carson Gicewicz (2013 OHL Draft)

Carson Gicewicz

Nichols School

Forward

Year of Birth: 1997

Carson Gicewicz is a player whose potential reveals itself with every additional viewing. Gicewicz could be described as a physically engaging forward with skill. Athleticism seems engrained in his genes as his father is a former college football player and brother R.J, also at Nichols School, has been drafted into the USHL. Gicewicz has good size and likely has room to grow. Processing the game at a high speed gives Gicewicz palpable offensive instincts. Gicewicz has a powerful stride, good puck skills and a soft finishing touch. Viewings of him as a Buffalo Jr. Sabre seem to indicate a strong penchant for scoring key goals late in the game.

Updated Feb. 2013
With the Varsity Nichols squad, Gicewicz plays a key defensive role on almost every penalty kill while being one of the youngest players on the roster -  a fact that does not prevent him from persistently throwing hits with purpose. His vision and puck skills allows him to hit linemates with firm and accurate mid to long-range passes. Gicewicz has committed to St. Lawrence University.

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twitter: @416_musings

Player Profile: Nick Boka (2013 OHL Draft)

Nick Boka

Compuware

Defence

6'0, 174 lbs
Year of Birth: 1997

Nick Boka is yet another talented defenceman on a very solid back end for Compuware U16. Boka is dependable in his own zone, providing stable and well positioned support. Engaging in a physical brand of defence, Boka does very well for himself in puck battles along the boards and will throw his fair share of hits. Latent offensive potential should continue to develop has his skill set suits that branch of development. Boka has good mobility and reads the developing offensive situation allowing for successful transitions. In addition, an under-utilized shot  from the point is another tool Boka possesses. Nick Boka has committed to Michigan State University (2015).

Player Profile: Grant Gabriele (2013 OHL draft)

Grant Gabriele

Compuware

Defence

6'0
Year of Birth: 1997

One is immediately drawn to Gabriele as his advanced skating skills dictate attention. With an effortless glide, he is engaged at both ends of the ice and projects as a two-way defenceman at the next level. Gabriele not only uses his mobility to provide stable defensive coverage, but he also utilizes his quick feet to avoid checking when moving the puck up the ice. With puck possession, Gabriele shows patience and vision with his first pass. His skating also complements his puck skills and Gabriele has a decent shot. As of the posting date for this article, Grant Gabriele has not committed to a college.
 

Player Profile: Brendan Warren (2013 OHL draft)

Brendan Warren
Compuware
Forward
6'0, 170 lbs
Year of Birth: 1997

Warren has already gained adequate height to compete at the next level but his style of play gives the impression of a much larger forward. A powerful skater whose above average speed is often displayed through his dedication towards a two-way game. Warren's puck skills make him an offensive threat but that danger is multiplied by his hockey IQ, sensing the play before it develops. Warren will often delay discharging the puck, waiting until all the pieces are set before passing or unleashing a potent wrist shot. His innate ability to slow the pace of the game with puck possession is among the best in his age group. Brendan Warren recently committed to the University of Michigan (2015).