May be too early for some but whoever knows the age group please give some insight into the extremely early top 96s for next year.
Aaron Ekblad (SunCounty), Joshua Ho-Sang (Marlies), Jon Duchesne (Marlies), Rob Fabbri (Rebels), Michael Dal Colle (Kings), Brook Hiddink (Elgin), Roland McKeown (Marlies)
Just to name a few.
So I saw Ekblad for the first time last night and I was very impressed. I also overheard a couple OHL scouts say it was one of his weaker games so I was shocked. First thing I noticed was his size, it's hard to believe he's a year younger than his competition because he just towers over everyone. His skating is exceptional. Not just straight line speed, but he's extremely agile as well. He's still raw but he has all the tools to succeed. He was out there every other shift and never seemed to get tired.
for sure, definitely a stud for next years draft. Cant see him going anywhere but first unless HoSang or Dal Colle can grow to be around 6'2 and continue to develop their games
When there's kids like Ekblad, Ho-Sang and Duchesne that could be first rounders this year if their birth certificate just read 1995 as opposed to 1996, that's pretty special.
If Ho-Sang was eligible for the draft this year he'd be the most skilled player in the draft, IMO. Which is incredible for someone playing up a year.
It might be a little early, but I noticed a comment regarding a player in the North, Hargrave as a good prospect for 2012 ohl draft. OMHA championship tournament is this weekend as the gthl finals are going on. Rebels vs. Marlies finals looks like Rebels are in charge with Fabri leading the team. Marlied have some good players but are looking tired.
In the omha's Welland should have a good go with Learn playing for them--he is a great players and will be considered next season. York Simcoe express are the former 5x champs and look like either they or whitby will battle welland. Whitby has a good couple prospects.
Express are led by Young(i believe barrie kid) and dermott on the point. They are smaller players but are very skilled.
Any other comments on the 96 age group? Seems to be a strong group.
I agree this is a year too young to do this as many things will change--players grow, some lose interest, late developing etc. Its always fun to take a long-out look to see if any or some make the leap. Its tough to see all games in ontario, I have seen many omha games this year and will offer the following:
-Healy Barrie
-Dietrich Barrie
-Cramarossa markham
-Garcia markham
-Young york simcoe
-Dermott york simcoe
-Coric york simcoe
-Clark whitby
-Valardi kingston
-taylor york simcoe
-Heffernan Peterborough
I was able to catch 5 games of the OMHA Bantam tournament this past weekend. IMO there was some strong players, but the teams generally did not seem too deep.
Hamilton probably had the most balanced team and they did end up winning. No superstars IMO but a team with balanced attack and good team D. They now get the ticket to Thunder Bay.
Peterborough surprised many getting in through the relegation game and getting to the finals. Heffernan big fwd was strong on the puck. Goaltending by Declement was great and from what the Peterborough parents were saying, he had been having some tough games lateley so good for him for stepping up.
Express had some tough luck courtesy of deflected pucks into their net and a couple of questionable calls. Galen has wonderful hands but lacks speed. Dermott is a terrific puck moving D man and has lots of potential.
Welland has one big fwd(sorry didnt get his name) but he is highly skilled, albeit not a fast skater--he does protect the puck very well. They had some tough luck between the pipes.
Speaking of 1996 kids from the Alliance (Ekblad), isn't there another under-age kid playing in the Alliance for Elgin? How does he rate?
I imagine your talking of Hiddink? He looked really good this weekend and over the season has had flashes of being Elgins #1 threat.
If he falls out of the 1st next year I would be suprised (although a lot can change over one year)
Nah, but OMHA Clarington's Mitchell Burghardt is a skilled player. Dunno if he'll get drafted high, but he does a lot on a team with not much help. Not only is he good at hockey, but hes a Team Ontario Lacrosse player. Guys a machine.
Nah, but OMHA Clarington's Mitchell Burghardt is a skilled player. Dunno if he'll get drafted high, but he does a lot on a team with not much help. Not only is he good at hockey, but hes a Team Ontario Lacrosse player. Guys a machine.
Lindo, Ho-sang, Hiddink and Duchesne all played well during the Ohl cup showcase. They all have potential. There are some real good high end prospects that will come out of this draft.
macinnis out of St. Louis is very good as is Ballantrae from Florida and Jones from California(might be phoenix)...not positive.
it will be interesting to see how next year pans out and where these guys are going?
macinnis out of St. Louis is very good as is Ballantrae from Florida and Jones from California(might be phoenix)...not positive.
it will be interesting to see how next year pans out and where these guys are going?
If they are from California then they probably are not OHL eligible, unless they are from an OHL protected state.
I have no idea just yet who the top 96 americans are, have not had the opportunity to really look at the age group, however i am excited to see them.
Last edited by Tigers1992: 03-28-2011 at 06:21 PM.
my bad, yes you are correct. I think Ballantrae is from Michigan...not sure if that gives him ohl option. California kid is not eligible.
thanks for the correction
This kid for Compuware,,,, chatfield is a really good player,,,,, seen him for the first time in silver sticks and he really stood out. Look for him to be a prospect for the Ohl soon.
This kid for Compuware,,,, chatfield is a really good player,,,,, seen him for the first time in silver sticks and he really stood out. Look for him to be a prospect for the Ohl soon.
