By Steve Fitzsimmons /
The Ontario Hockey League season is almost at the half way mark. Now is a good time to take a look at both the biggest surprises and the biggest disappointments so far.
Biggest Surprises
1. The #1 Kitchener Rangers
Most OHL pundits felt the Kitchener Rangers were going to be a very good team. But nobody predicted they would be number one in the CHL Top 10 and almost unbeatable. Their top line of Justin Azevedo, Nick Spaling and Matt Halischuck are all in the top 10 in league scoring and have combined for 58 goals and 109 assists.
Their defence core, led by Yannick Weber, has been very stout and impressive. Add in the good play from their rookie goalie tandem of Josh Unice and Mavric Parks and the Rangers are looking dominant.
Coach/GM Peter DeBoer is always trying to improve his club. Adding Owen Sound captain Scott Tregunna for draft picks was a great move.
This team is looking like they will earn their own Memorial Cup berth and maybe win it, instead of just being the hosts.
2. The come-uppance of the Spitfires
For a team that was second last in the OHL last season, ahead of only Erie, they have come a long way in a short time to be contenders. Getting a top-flite keeper in Michal Neuvirth from Plymouth was a shrewd move. Coach Bob Boughner and GM Warren Rychel have brought their valuable hockey knowledge and a solid system to the team and it’s working well. Nobody thought this club would be third in the OHL in points. F Bradley Snetsinger and C Joshua Bailey have risen to be among the league’s top 20 scorers with their play.
3. Shawn Matthias rises to elite status
Belleville’s C Matthias was a good player in the OHL last year, with 73 points. Expectations were that he would probably improve this year. But to be fourth in OHL scoring with 56 points through 30 games and be on pace to almost double last year’s output is downright shocking.
4. Jack Combs the scorer
Saginaw C Jack Combs has impressed this year with his new found scoring prowess. After registering only 60 points in 169 career games, Combs has found his stride this year with 18 goals and 43 points through 29 games. That ranks him in the top 20 league scorers. Pretty lofty company for a career grinding forward.
5. Pither better late than never
Guelph Storm C Luke Pither was a high OHL draft choice, fourth overall of the Kingston Frontenacs in 2005. The thinking was he would become an elite level forward and a high NHL choice. It didn’t materialize in his first two years. After forgettable 13- and 28-point efforts in his first two seasons and not getting drafted at all in the 2007 NHL Draft, Pither is finally putting it all together and restoring his former lustre. In 31 games, Pither has 11 goals and 34 points and is playing with passion, enough so for NHL Central Scouting to list him among the OHL’s top prospects for the 2008 Draft. That’s almost unheard of for a player passed over in his draft year.
Honorable Mentions
Matt Carter, OS, Brandon Buck, Gue, Brad Snetsinger, Wsr, Eric Tangradi, Bel, Justin Hodgman, Erie
Biggest Disappointments
1. Dale Mitchell, Oshawa Generals
RW Mitchell was a confident and productive player with the Oshawa Generals last season, registering 43 goals and 80 points. Enough so that the Toronto Maple Leafs selected him as their third round pick in the 2007 draft. That player has disappeared. Mitchell has lacked finish around the net this year, with only 4 goals and 19 points in 28 games so far. Many felt he was poised to crack the 100-point plateau entering the season, but perhaps the pressure of being a Leafs pick in their back yard is wearing on him. His current pace is for a tepid 46 points. That’s great if you’re a grinder, but not so much if you score for a living.
2. The Erie Otters
For a team that was hoping to rise out of the basement of last season, this year has been very frustrating. Many thought they could challenge for a play-off spot with their new additions. After looking decent early, they proceeded to lose 17 games in a row. Players they had counted on to improve over last season haven’t. The poster boy for frustration could be LW Jordan Skellett. Thought to be in line for a huge offensive year, Skellett has been ordinary, with 12 points in 28 games. He’s not alone. Except for C Justin Hodgman, nobody has played up to his potential. With Robbie Ftorek at the helm, they are starting to win some games, but have a huge hole to climb out of.
3. yves Bastien, Peterborough Petes
The Petes LW was the centerpiece player in the Steve Downie trade with Kitchener last season. Probably the fastest skater in the OHL, Bastien put up 14 goals and 34 points last year. Some improvement was thought to be possible, but Bastien has regressed badly in his third OHL season. With only three goals and six points in 30 games, that is not good enough for his skill set.
4. Tony Romano, London Knights
The RW was expected to contribute offensively after being a scoring ace for the majority of his career. Coming over from Cornell University, many felt New Jersey’s 2006 sixth round pick would be poised for 30 goals and 70 points. Romano hasn’t been anything close to a difference maker, with only 13 points in 31 games. Had GM Mark Hunter thought this production is what he would get, he probably wouldn’t have bothered signing him.
5. Michael Pelech, Mississauga St. Mikes
LW Pelech showed great potential last year, chalking up 12 goals and 35 assists in 65 games. It was thought he would progress significantly this year into a point-a-game player or better. He has good skill and size, but has only 16 points in 30 games. His team really could use him to step up his play offensively.
Dishonorable Mention
Mike Duco, Kitchener, Mark Katic, Sarnia, The Kingston Frontenacs, Aaron Snow, Sarnia. |