For those that don't know the Alliance well outside the London team. Huron-Perth should put together a respectable performance.
Watch out for #17 Jacob Middleton. I've been watching him play since last October. He is very likely the second best defenceman available for this draft behind Roland McKeown for the Toronto Marlboros. There have been moments where he has looked like the best. He has had a little struggle with consistency, but he's never seemed to have trouble getting up for big games, and every game here is big.
Also, #14 Garrett James. He has been flying under the radar forever. I really think he's one of the better players no one is talking about. Dangerous with the puck, but already has a frame that NHL scouts would be intrigued by at 6'2" - 185lb. He played for Canada at the Youth Olympic Games and did well. (Middleton btw is about 6'3" - 185lb.)
Great post. I'm a big fan of both as well and look forward to hearing how they play.
Just for those curious about the makeup of the American entries.
Detroit Little Ceasars Selects - Little Ceasaers, Honeybaked, Chicago Young Americans, One kid from Colorado, Compuware, Team Illinois.
Elite Hockey - Mid Fairfield, Little Flyers, New Jersey Rockets, Rochester Jr. B, New Jersey Titans, Suffolk Junior B, Central Penn. Jr. B, Long Island Gulls, Michigan Warriors, Jersey Hitmen Jr. B, New York AppleCore Jr. B.
TPH Thunder - Little Flyers, Ohio Blue Jackets, TPH, Orchard Lake St. Mary's Michigan, Florida, Team Maryland, NPI Leafs.
Always very interesting to see how these American select teams look. Just based on the amount of guys Elite Hockey has that played Jr. B, I'm guessing they should at the very least be competitive. Can't wait to see what these teams have in store for us!
Was at the OHL cup tonight, and it was clear that the GTHL is far superior than the other leagues. As I have indicated, there will be 3-4 teams from the G in the semis.
Vaughan easily defeated Hamilton, the OMHA finalists. Hamilton's best player was James.
Sun County looked bad against a lazy Don Mills team with a bad goalie. No one on Sun County impressed.
Best game of the night was Rangers and Rebels. Was impressed with the usual suspects from Rebels, and Mcleod, Gomes and Bennett stood out for Rangers.
Southern Tier lost Schmaltz early in the 2nd period with hit from behind penalty, but if he was still there, it wouldnt have helped. He was ineffective. Petti had some sudden bursts, butt was very ineffective.
McDavid looked like a star as usual, and Benett had some nice rushes. Mckeown, solid as a rock, and so did Lindo and Cramarossa play hard. Ho Sang, as usual, would do his figure eights, and twirls, and make blind passes, and at the end, all for not. Why doesnt he just play the game? He plays on the 2nd PP line for a reason.
As expected, Josh Ho-Sang, Connor McDavif were downright filthy out there. I haven't watched the Marlboros play live this year but I felt as though they had a rough game from a team perspective. Maybe someone that is more familiar with them can confirm this. But, the team looked sloppy for most of the game ...except when Ho-Sang or McDavid had possession
I was VERY impressed with McKeown (future Stud) on D as well as Jaden Lindo and Bennett.
I bounced around between the two rinks but I will share some players who stood out to me
North York Rangers:
F Matt McLeod (outstanding)
D DiTomaso (moved the puck up well but lacks that extra push)
F bennett (silky smooth mitts)
Mississauga Rebels:
D Fabbri (skilled but he'd be even berrer if he utilized his teammates more)
F Bourne (big, nice shot and good skater for his size)
F Miller (smart player: knows where to go)
F Alvaro (worked the powerplay nicely and has good puck protection skills for a smaller player)
Don Mills Flyers:
D Garcia (smart steady dman with a good accurate shot)
F Saliture (very good shot but would like to see more drive)
F Llekys (non-stop skater with good skating, puck and shooting skills. Their best player tonight)
Southern Tier:
D Felker (big defender with a good reach and stick. Made the simple plays)
G. Janzen (kept his team in it with big saves)
Vaughan Kings:
F Dal Colle (He's blessed with the hockeys players package - size, speed and soft hands. Going to be good)
F Sadowy (question his finesse skills but the kid is a great skater and tireless worker)
F Brack (BIG strong kid with a nice touch)
D Duchesne (probably one of the more impressive kids tonight. Steady dman with good wheels and smart)
F Stevens (he had several shifts where he absolutely dominated. Very crafty and elusive and works the cycle well)
G Hackett (shutout well deserved. No real flaws, plays the puck well too)
Hamilton Jr Bulldogs:
F C.Murphy (got knocked around a lot but his intelligence and offensive skills made his linemates better)
F James (He was really the only player doing anything. Worked hard and took the body nicely. Good board work too)
I wish I could see some more of this hockey as I was very entertained. Its crazy the number of scouts in attendance. Well worth the drive from Sarnia - might return later in the week
]Ho Sang, as usual, would do his figure eights, and twirls, and make blind passes, and at the end, all for not. Why doesnt he just play the game? He plays on the 2nd PP line for a reason.
Really?
Would love to hear some more opinions from those who were in attendance.
Didn't like chewers analysis of Ho-Sang? It was my first game watching him live so I was obviously VERY impressed with his basic skills. Elite. He definitely needs to do less razzle-dazzle and make the easy play. There were times were he looked a bit foolish trying to do too much. Nonetheless, his talent is impressive
South Tier had Singh in net, not Janzen. Singh actually played well for once, spends too much time on his knees and looks like a fish out of water half the time but I have to say he was a large reason the marlies "only" scored 5. He robbed McDavid and kept him from getting the hat trick.
Still wouldn't take him, many other more viable options out there in nets.
Don Mills Flyers:
D Garcia (smart steady dman with a good accurate shot)
F Saliture (very good shot but would like to see more drive)
F Llekys (non-stop skater with good skating, puck and shooting skills. Their best player tonight)
I watched a good chunk of this game on TV and I have to agree with Ilekys...the kid was everywhere. I was also impressed with Foss..good nose for the net.
Last edited by PhlyerPhanatic: 03-14-2012 at 08:57 AM.
Didn't like chewers analysis of Ho-Sang? It was my first game watching him live so I was obviously VERY impressed with his basic skills. Elite. He definitely needs to do less razzle-dazzle and make the easy play. There were times were he looked a bit foolish trying to do too much. Nonetheless, his talent is impressive
Hey Dean, is contradiction your middle name. LOL
You say he impressed you very much, but then you go on to say "needs less razzle-dazzle and make the easy play"....."were times where he looked a bit foolish trying to do too much."
YOU CONDEMNED HIS PLAY MORE THAN ME. BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
You say he impressed you very much, but then you go on to say "needs less razzle-dazzle and make the easy play"....."were times where he looked a bit foolish trying to do too much."
YOU CONDEMNED HIS PLAY MORE THAN ME. BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
No contradiction isn't my middle name - that'd be strange
Last night was the first time I caught Ho-Sang live in action so I was "impressed" with his game abilities - superb skater and can handle the puck on a string. That's what I was impressed with when I posted first
In saying that, I agreed with you that his fancy play didn't really lead to much. I think he'd be more effective if he made one/two plays and then passed off to a teammate or drove the net. He rarrely passed up the puck too. I don't blame gim since he's clearly a confident player but these types of players can become even more dangerous by utilizing teammates or simplifying the game at times. He'll need to learn that balance
Deadly skills though so I can see why there's a lot of excitement for this kid (and that's why I was impressed)
No contradiction isn't my middle name - that'd be strange
Last night was the first time I caught Ho-Sang live in action so I was "impressed" with his game abilities - superb skater and can handle the puck on a string. That's what I was impressed with when I posted first
In saying that, I agreed with you that his fancy play didn't really lead to much. I think he'd be more effective if he made one/two plays and then passed off to a teammate or drove the net. He rarrely passed up the puck too. I don't blame gim since he's clearly a confident player but these types of players can become even more dangerous by utilizing teammates or simplifying the game at times. He'll need to learn that balance
Deadly skills though so I can see why there's a lot of excitement for this kid (and that's why I was impressed)
But if he gets rid of the razzle dazzle and spins, then he is no longer Ho Sang. Just like Ryan Murphy had to tone it down tremendously, he became a good dman but not as spectacular as in his MM days.
As expected, Josh Ho-Sang, Connor McDavif were downright filthy out there. I haven't watched the Marlboros play live this year but I felt as though they had a rough game from a team perspective. Maybe someone that is more familiar with them can confirm this. But, the team looked sloppy for most of the game ...except when Ho-Sang or McDavid had possession
I was VERY impressed with McKeown (future Stud) on D as well as Jaden Lindo and Bennett.
Don Mills Flyers:
D Garcia (smart steady dman with a good accurate shot)
F Saliture (very good shot but would like to see more drive)
F Llekys (non-stop skater with good skating, puck and shooting skills. Their best player tonight)
I wish I could see some more of this hockey as I was very entertained. Its crazy the number of scouts in attendance. Well worth the drive from Sarnia - might return later in the week
Just watched Nats beat DMFs.. Lotta talk about DMF players but the game I watched it was the Smith brothers and the Nats goalie - Potter that stole the show.
But if he gets rid of the razzle dazzle and spins, then he is no longer Ho Sang. Just like Ryan Murphy had to tone it down tremendously, he became a good dman but not as spectacular as in his MM days.
Trying to pick a fight? I'm certainly not.
In no way did I say that he needs to get rid of his spins, he just might (key word) need to pick his spots better to best utilize this skill set. From the one game I watched (very small sample size) he played to the perimeter to much for my liking.
Again, Ho Sang has awesome skills but he'll need to learn when and how to use them playing against tougher competition next season.
Noticed on the on-line game sheet Jordan Adessi is listed for the Vaughan Kings. Good for him, tough to be out all season at least he gets some games in here....got a tripping penalty to boot!
