MONTREAL – In 2007, Patrick Kane was selected first overall. In 2008, it was Steven Stamkos’ turn. This year, another player coming from the OHL was selected first overall, his name, John Tavares. It is the first time since 1979 that a league got to see three of it’s players selected first overall three years in a row. The last time it was done was from 1976-1979 when the OHA (Ontario Hockey Association) saw Rick Green (1976), Dale McCourt (1977), Bobby Smith (1978) and Rob Ramage(1979) being selected at that prestigious spot. As they did in 2008, with 46 players selected in the NHL Entry Draft, the OHL had a great draft in 2009 with 45 players selected. Windsor and Guelph had the best draft overall with five of their players selected. The main difference was that 11 skaters from the OHL were selected in the first round last year as opposed to seven this year. From the 2008 draft, four OHL players: Drew Doughty (LA Kings), Zach Bogosian (Atlanta Thrashers), Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis Blues) and Joshua Bailey (NY Islanders) made it directly to the big leagues. This year, three players have strong chances to imitate their peers. The first one is John Tavares. The Islanders need a new building and the best way to get it is to draft a player that will bring people in. A few years ago, JT was labelled as a generational talent a la Sidney Crosby. Sadly, he will never reach that plateau but he will still be an excellent player. Everybody knows that JT will never win the Selke award or become the fastest skater in the NHL, but he will be a star in the league and he has the potential to be a 40-50 goal scorer. Next season he should play on the first line with Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo which could become one of the best in the NHL in a few years. Islanders’ fans, be prepared, this kid might be the second coming of Mike Bossy. The second one taken was Matt Duchene who was selected third overall by the Colorado Avalanche. The last time the Avs drafted a player so early in the draft they were called the Quebec Nordiques, but luckily for them, it gave them the chance to select a player that has the potential to replace Joe Sakic. Duchene can do everything on the ice. He is a whiz with the puck, skates like the wind, has an extremely high hockey IQ, and is strong offensively and defensively. He just needs to get stronger. One thing is sure; you win with players like Duchene. He might not make it to the big league this year. One more year in major juniors can do him good. Look at what it did for his teammate, Cody Hodgson. Avs fan will fall in love with this kid. He is a real leader. With Duchene in an Avs uniform, the future looks a whole lot brighter. The third and last one on our list is Ryan Ellis. This kid was born to play on the power play. He sees the ice so well that he becomes a nightmare for the other team when he has the puck. Scouts were worried about his small stature but it should not be a problem. With time, he will get stronger and he already has a shot at the pros. With Ellis and Shea Weber on the point, Nashville will have one of the best power plays in the league. No one is able to predict the future but mark my words; Ellis is built for the new NHL and will be an elite player. Some teams will regret not picking him. Let’s take a look at how the draft for the OHL players. FIRST ROUND 1. (1st overall) John Tavares, C, New York Islanders (London Knights) 2. (3rd overall) Matt Duchene, C, Colorado Avalanche (Brampton Battalion) 3. (7th overall) Nazem Kadri, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (London Knights) 4. (11th overall) Ryan Ellis, D, Nashville Predators (Windsor Spitfires) 5. (12th overall) Calvin de Haan, D, New York Islanders (Oshawa Generals) 6. (13th overall) Zack Kassian, RW, Buffalo Sabres (Peterborough Petes) 7. (15th overall) Peter Holland, C, Anaheim Ducks (Guelph Storm) SECOND ROUND 8. (32nd overall) Ryan O’Reilly, C, Colorado Avalanche (Erie Otter) 9. (35th overall) Kyle Clifford, LW, L.A. Kings (Barrie Colts) 10. (37th overall) Matt Clark, D, Anaheim Ducks (Brampton Battalion) 11. (47th overall) Ethan Werek, C, New York Rangers (Kingston Frontenacs) 12. (57th overall) Taylor Doherty, D, San Jose Sharks (Kingston Frontenacs) 13. (58th overall) Jesse Blacker, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (Windsor Spitfires) THIRD ROUND 14. (68th overall) Jamie Devane, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs (Plymouth Whalers) 15. (70th overall) Taylor Beck, LW, Nashville Predators (Guelph Storm) 16. (72nd overall) Michael Latta, C, Nashville Predators (Guelph Storm) 17. (77th overall) Matt Hackett, G, Minnesota Wild (Plymouth Whalers) FOURTH ROUND 18. (92nd overall) Casey Cizikas, C, New York Islanders (Mississauga St. Mike’s) 19. (93rd overall) Alex Hutchings, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning (Barrie Colts) 20. (97th overall) Jordan Szwarz, RW, Phoenix Coyotes (Saginaw Spirit) 21. (104th overall) Marcus Foligno, LW, Buffalo Sabres (Sudbury Wolves) 22. (107th overall) Garrett Wilson, LW, Florida Panthers (Owen Sound Attack) 23. (112th overall) Lane MacDermid, LW, Boston Bruins (Windsor Spitfires) 24. (117th overall) Edward Pasquale, G, Atlanta Thrashers (Saginaw Spirit) 25. (120th overall) Ben Chiarot, D, Atlanta Thrashers (Guelph Storm) FIFTH ROUND 26. (125th overall) Cody Sol, D, Atlanta Thrashers (Saginaw Spirit) 27. (126th overall) David Kolomatis, D, Los Angeles Kings (Owen Sound Attack) 28. (131st overall) Matt Kennedy, RW, Carolina Hurricanes (Guelph Storm) 29. (140th overall) Scott Stajcer, G, New York Rangers (Owen Sound Attack) 30. (145th overall) Brett Flemming, D, Washington Capitals (Mississauga St. Mikes) 31. (147th overall) Phil Varone, C, San Jose Sharks (London Knights) 32. (148th overall) Michael Zador, G, Tampa Bay Lightning (Oshawa Generals) 33. (151st overall) Andy Bathgate, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (Belleville Bulls) SIXTH ROUND 34. (156th overall) Michael Pelech, C, Los Angeles Kings (Mississauga St. Mikes) 35. (160th overall) Corey Cowick, LW, Ottawa Senators (Ottawa 67s) 36. (162nd overall) Jaroslav Janus, G, Tampa Bay Lightning (Erie Otters) 37. (165th overall) Scott Timmins, C, Florida Panthers (Windsor Spitfires) 38. (166th overall) Scott Valentine, D, Anaheim Ducks (Oshawa Generals) 39. (168th overall) David Shields, D, St. Louis Blues (Erie Otters) 40. (170th overall) Daniel Maggio, D, New York Rangers (Sudbury Wolves) 41. (172nd overall) Eric Wellwood, LW, Philadelphia Flyers (Windsor Spitfires) 42. (176th overall) Tyler Randell, RW, Boston Bruins (Kitchener Rangers) SEVENTH ROUND 43. (186th overall) Jordan Nolan, C, Los Angeles Kings (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)44. (188th overall) Barron Smith, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (Peterborough Petes) 45. (197th overall) Kyle Neuber, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets (Mississauga St. Mike’s) Contact the author at michel.claveau@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.