OHL GMs on 2 scouting trails
Five current Ontario Hockey League players who performed at various midget levels in Sault Ste. Marie are examples that it does not necessarily matter where — or if — you are drafted.
Of the five, Windsor Spitfires goalie Mario Culina and Sudbury Wolves forwards Darian Pilon and Drake Pilon made it to the OHL as free agents without ever being drafted. Meanwhile, Erie Otters defenseman Owen Headrick is a 14th-round pick from the 2013 OHL draft and Guelph Storm blueliner Nolan Makkonen is a 9th-round selection from the 2015 draft.
Suffice to say that all five can be categorized as late developers and/or sleepers. Which makes the OHL’s decision to introduce the first-ever under-18 draft to go along with the annual under-16 draft in April all the more meaningful.
In short, the under-18 draft not only gives new hope for selection to previously-bypassed players but gives teams another shot at the late-developing midget prospects.
Meanwhile, 23 AAA midget teams took part in a tournament in Peterborough on the weekend and a host of OHL general managers and scouts were there including GMs such as Kyle Raftis of the Soo Greyhounds, Barclay Branch of the Sudbury Wolves and George Burnett of the Flint Firebirds.
As Burnett told HockeyNewsNorth.com when asked what is keeping him busy these says he replied: “On the scouting trail. Trying to be prepared for both draft days that are fast approaching.”
To be sure, it’s a case of double duty for OHL GMs as they prep for the new under-18 draft on Wednesday, April 12 that will follow the under-16 draft that is slated for Saturday, April 8.
OHL commissioner David Branch provided his take on the advent of the new under-18 draft.
“Midget hockey in Ontario features hundreds of talented players who continue to develop their game,” said Branch. “Working with our minor hockey partners, the under-18 draft will serve to assist in the continued growth of midget hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their overall hockey development.”
Eligibility for the 2017 OHL under-18 draft includes all players born in either 1999 or 2000 who are not currently on an OHL team’s protected list and who are carded on an Ontario-based AAA midget hockey team.
The under-18 draft will be capped at four rounds with all OHL teams required to draft four players.
Meanwhile, the new under-18 draft stands to open up new OHL opportunities for several 1999 and 2000 birth-year players with the Soo Greyhounds of the Great North Midget Hockey League.
Carded members of the Greyhound midgets with 1999 or 2000 birth dates who have been bypassed at previous under-16 OHL drafts who are eligible for the 2017 under-18 process include goalies Garrett Boyonoski, Ryan Cook and Drew Gregory, defensemen Bradon Caruso, Nolan Ford, Josh Rouleau, Kelly Quevillon and Steven Bellini and forwards Noah Boman, Caleb Wood, Owen Shier, Parker Morgan, Tyler Sayers, Nik Gervasi, Tyler Nott and Jesse Soltys.
PHOTO: Soo Greyhounds defenseman Nolan Ford. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
Just remember players… Keep your NCAA option open too many kids getting drafted below the top 5 draft play maybe parts of one or two seasons before being let go. The number one pro hockey free agent market is the NCAA, oh and not to mention you get a great education.
Also, keep in mind the OHL offers a great education package when your junior career is over. Options are good.