October 23, 2009 / via OHL.com /
NHL.com has reported in the past week that former OHL stars Michael Del Zotto of the London Knights, Matt Duchene of the Brampton Battalion and Ryan O'Reilly of the Erie Otters are all enjoying success in the young NHL season and are likely to stick with their NHL clubs all year.
Duchene was the third overall pick of the Colorado Avalanche in June and most considered him a lock to play in the NHL this season but O'Reilly was Colorado's second round pick and has had an impressive enough showing to give the Avalanche a pair of OHL stars to help their youth movement. Del Zotto also has a year of junior eligibility left but he has been a standout on the Rangers' blueline - especially on the powerplay - and is likely to stay in Manhattan this season.
"The decision that's been made is that right now they deserve to be in our lineup and remain in our lineup," Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said. "… At this point they've played every game, being used in different situations; Ryan has been used on the penalty kill, a defensive, checking role. Matt Duchene has been centering our second line and playing on the second power play."
Duchene scored his first NHL goal last Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings and has four points in eight games this season. He is averaging almost 17 minutes of ice time per game and despite being just 18, he has been one of the Avalanche's most dangerous forwards of late.
"As far as Matty's development, Matt is probably one of our leading chance-getters right now," Sacco said. "He's creating lots of chances not only for himself, but for his teammates. It was good to see him get that first goal (Saturday against Detroit). I know that he's been pressing a little bit, but he's going to provide us probably with some more offense. A guy... that has a lot of speed and pushes the opposition's defenseman back."
O'Reilly, the first overall pick in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, was a standout with the Otters during the past two seasons and many felt that he would be scooped up before the Avalanche took him with the 33rd overall pick. He is already demonstrating that his game exceeds his young age.
"Ryan, from a development standpoint, he's playing, close to 15 minutes a night right now," Sacco said. "He's playing on what I would call our third line, if you want to call it that. He's being used in our top penalty-killing unit, so we're going to work in that department with Ryan for him to understand his role, how he has to help our team. At the same time, offensively he has been putting up some points for us lately. What I like most about Ryan is his ability, his willingness to play 200 feet of the rink. He's a very smart player away from the puck for an 18-year-old kid."
Del Zotto, the second overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection in 2006, had an impressive training camp and nearly earned a spot on the Rangers' roster a year ago.
He leads all NHL defencemen with nine points in nine games this season and has scored three of his four goals on the powerplay.
"Forget about his skill and all the points he's put on the board, but it's the way he handles himself," Rangers' coach John Tortorella said. "I don't think he's afraid. I don't think he's afraid to make mistakes so it allows him to try to make a difference. That's pretty unique for a 19-year-old guy playing the toughest position in the game."
Players with junior eligibility can remain with their NHL clubs for 10 games before the first year of the three-year entry level contract kicks in. Once they are returned to their OHL club, they cannot be re-called to the NHL until their junior team's season is over.
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