OHL Players Still Going Through NHL Training Camps

Here is a rough list of the eligible OHL players that are still going through main camps with their respective NHL teams. The list consists of players who could possibly be staying with their NHL teams or who are/could be assigned to the AHL affiliate of their NHL club. This list is complied to the best of my knowledge; if I have missed anyone, email me jeff.blay@intheoradio.com  

Alex Burmistrov, F - Atlanta Thrashers (Barrie Colts)

Kyle Clifford, F - LA Kings (Barrie Colts)

Zac Rinaldo, F - Philadelphia Flyers (Assigned to Phantoms AHL) (Barrie Colts)

Alex Pietrangelo, D - St. Louis Blues (Barrie Colts)

Stefan Della Rovere, F - St. Louis Blues (Assigned to Peoria AHL) (Barrie Colts) 

Jeff Skinner, C - Carolina Hurricanes (Kitchener Rangers)
Jeremy Morin, F - Chicago Blackhawks (Kitchener Rangers)

Ryan Ellis, D - Nashville Predators (Windsor Spitfires)

Taylor Hall, F - Edmonton Oilers (Windsor Spitfires)

Cam Fowler, D - Anaheim Ducks (Windsor Spitfires)

Greg Nemisz, F - Calgary Flames (Windsor Spitfires)

Andrei Loktinov, F - LA Kings (Windsor Spitfires)
Zach Kassian, F - Buffalo Sabres (Windsor Spitfires)

Nazim Kadri, C - Toronto Maple Leafs (London Knights)

Mike Hutchinson, G - Boston Bruins (London Knights)
Tyler Seguin, C - Boston Bruins (Plymouth Whalers)

Ryan Spooner, C - Boston Bruins (Peterborough Petes)

Shawn Lalonde, D - Chicago Blackhawks (Assigned to Rockford AHL) (Belleville Bulls)

Tyer Beskorowany, G - Dallas Stars (Assigned to Texas AHL) (Owen Sound Attack)

Erik Gudbranson, D - Florida Panthers (Kingston Frontenacs)

OHL Top Scorer Projections for 2011

Projected Top Scorers for the 2011 OHL Season

By Jeff Blay

Here are some of my picks for top scores (or potential 50 goal scorers) for the 2011 season. Keep in mind these are picks of players who are guaranteed to play a full season with their respected OHL clubs. Players like Jeff Skinner, who could potentially stick with their NHL clubs are not included in this projection. These are either up and comers, guys who are ready to take on a more offensive role then they have in previous years, or guys who will earn more ice time allowing them to up their point totals. This is simply a list of guys I think will have impact seasons for their teams; some guys may be left out that you may think will have great season's, but this list is mainly for goal scorers who could potentially reach 50 or guys who will have 80 or more total points. Email your picks or suggestions to jeff.blay@intheoradio.com

Taylor Beck
Current Team: Guelph Storm
Draft Status: Selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 70th overall in 2009.

Taylor Beck was not talked about enough last season as he found himself living under the shadows of the Hall/Seguin battle for the scoring title. Beck, the 19-year-old Niagara native scored 39 goals and 54 assists to come third in the OHL scoring race last season. After going through the main camp with the Nashville Preds, Beck was returned to Guelph in what I suspect will be his last OHL season. Beck could easily win the scoring title and has the ability to score 50 this year. 

Justin Shugg 

Current Team: Mississauga St. Mike’s Majors

Draft Status: Selected by the Carolina Hurricanes fourth round, 105 overall in 2010.

After winning back to back Memorial Cups with the Windsor Spitfires, the Niagara Falls native is looking for the three-peat as he joins the top-ranked St. Michael’s Majors and is expected to be one of the top-offensive producers. Shugg has the potential to be a Dany Heatley type player, getting an even ratio of goals to assists, this guy can pass and shoot like no other. With 39 goals and 40 assists last season with Windsor, his potential to score 50 this season is even more reasonable as he is now on a team where his role will be similar to Taylor Hall’s with the Spits last season. Majors’ playmakers such as Devante Smith-Pelly and Casey Cizikas will look for Shugg to be their number one target.

Jared Knight

Current Team: London Knights

Draft Status: Selected by the Boston Bruins second round, 32^nd overall in 2010.

Much like many of my other choices, Jared Knight is a player who was waiting for the exit of other superstars such as Nazim Kadri to get more ice time and pressure to be the leader of his team. Knight notched 36 goals last year for the London, and with the team losing their captain Justin Taylor as well as the aforementioned Kadri, Knight will be looked upon this year to be their top offensive player. Just 14 goals away from 50 last season, Knight has that scoring touch that will only improve now that he has entered into the spot light.

Andrew Agozzino

Current Team: Niagara IceDogs

Draft Status: Free Agent (was invited to the Tampa Bay Lightning rookie camp this past summer)

Although undrafted, Andrew Agozzino could very well be one of the hardest working players and natural leaders in the OHL today. He led the IceDogs in scoring last season with 37 goals and 29 assists; Agozzino is within reach of 50 this year. Why? He was just 13 shy last season with a much more shallow depth of scoring. The additions to the IceDogs this season will provide secondary scoring to take the pressure off the top contributors in Agozzino, Alex Friesen, and Freddie Hamilton. With a redefined blue-line and a greatly enhanced depth chart of playmakers, Agozzino will have a much better chance of being set up this year no matter who he is on the ice with. Agozzino seems to have the ability to score at will; his shot is extremely accurate and his hockey sense always puts him in the right place at the right time, Agozzino will be in the scoring leader’s race this season.

Brett Thompson  

Current Team: Sault St. Marie Greyhounds

Draft Status: Free Agent

Size is not an issue for Brett Thompson. Standing at 5 foot 9, and weighing in at 163 Lbs, Thompson managed to score 42 goals and chip in with 23 assists last season for the Greyhounds. Thompson is a pure goal scorer, and being just 8 shy of 50 last season, Thompson could very well reach the marker this season. The Greyhounds team lost big gun and over-ager Jordan Nolan this season, but with a plethora for returning players, scoring should be no issue in Sault St. Marie. With Brock Beukeboom quarterbacking the power play, Thompson will be the number one target on the Greyhounds offense.

Gabriel Landeskog

Current Team: Kitchener Rangers

Draft Status: Free Agent

This Swedish sensation had a solid rookie season for the Rangers in 2009-10. Although his point total was just 46 last season, Landeskog is shaping up to have a breakout season this year. After an impressive pre-season campaign, Landeskog has proven he has the ability to put pucks in the net and be counted upon as a top offensive player for the Rangers. Landeskog was an early pick for me during the pre-season, and I was re-assured when he kicked off the regular season with a hat-trick against the Saginaw Spirit. Watch out for Landeskog this season.

Matt Puempel

Current Team: Peterborough Petes

Draft Status: Eligible 2011

He was named OHL Rookie of the Year last season after scoring 33 goals and 31 assists with the Peterborough Petes. Puempel is back again and after gaining experience last season, could be ready to up his totals and lead the Petes in scoring. Puempel could end up being one of the top OHL prospects for the 2011 NHL Draft. Another natural scorer Puempel is, and will be in the races for the scoring title this season should he avoid a sophomore slump.

Tyler Toffoli

Current Team: Ottawa 67’s

Draft Status: Selected by the Los Angeles Kings second round, 47^th overall in 2010.

Tyler Toffoli is a superb all around player. His ability to both set up plays and find the back of the net is evident in his play. 37 goals, 42 assists, and a clutch playoff performer for the 67’s last season, Toffoli will have another great season and could reach 50 while playing on this explosive 67’s team, but his passing ability is so strong that he could very well pull a Joe Thornton and notch more assists than goals. Although he has the ability to score, Toffoli is one of those players who looks to make the perfect pass as often or more often than he looks for the perfect shot.

Michael Latta

Current Team: Guelph Storm

Draft Status: Selected by the Nashville Predators third round, 72^nd overall in 2009.

Like teammate Taylor Beck, Latta was selected by the Preds in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Latta is a huge offensive juggernaut for the Guelph Storm, with 33 goals and 40 assists last season, Latta could be the top scorer for the Storm should Beck stick with the Predators this season.

Greg McKegg

Current Team: Erie Otters

Draft Status: Selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs third round, 62^nd overall in 2010.

After an impressive training camp with the Leafs this pre-season, Greg McKegg will be one of the strongest players on the Erie Otters team. With last season’s totals of 37 goals and 48 assists for 85 points, McKegg has only improved his game over the summer, and could very well up his total by 13 goals this season to reach the 50 point mark. Although the Otters offense is questionable for this season, McKegg will surely be the go-to guy for Erie’s play makers. He and Anthony Luciani could make for a dangerous power play, and both players could potential close in on the 50 goal marker.

Anthony Luciani

Current Team: Erie Otters

Draft Status: Free Agent

This over-ager is surely the heart and soul off the Otters team. After coming off of a 38 goal season, Luciani will work hand in hand with McKegg to boost this Otters offense. He and McKegg could both potentially reach 50, and both will be counted on to produce offensively for this young Otters team.

Most Improved Pick:

Alex Aleardi
Current Team: Plymouth Whalers
Draft Status: Free Agent

After scoring just 15 goals and 17 assists last season with the Belleville Bulls, Michigan native Alex Aleardi comes into the new season with a change of scenery, playing with Michigan's own Plymouth Whalers. With a 1992 birthday, Aleardi has been the hottest player in the OHL to start the 2010-11 season as he has notched back to back hat-tricks and 7 goals in the last three games played. If Aleardi can keep up the hot start, he could very well make his case at being one of the OHL's elite. 

ICEDOGS BLACK AND WHITE GAME OFFICIAL ROSTER

TEAM BLACK:

29 Mark Visentin
30 Alex Sakeropolus

2 Dominic Crnogorac
4 Milan Doudera
5 Matt Chiarantano
6 Brandon Scott
7 Jeff macPherson
9 Andrew Agozzino
11 Shayne Rover
12 Myles Doan
14 Andrew Howes
15 Paul Thompson
16 Jeff Heard
17 Jamie Lewis
18 Ryan Strome
19 Johnson Andrews
20 Mike Casale
21 Michael Hasson
22 Adam Wilcox
26 Matt Petgrave
28 Matt Baldassarra

Coaches:
Billy Burke
Dylan MacEachern

Team White:

29 John Chartrand
30 Mike Galliardi

2 Jesse Graham
7 Mike Schwindt
8 David Iacono
9 Matt Alexander
10 Billy Lovatsis
11 Joel Wigle
12 Joel Forestell
13 Freddie Hamilton
14 Billy Jenkins
15 Andrew Shaw
17 Ryan Kinsella
18 Max Lamontagne
20 Jason Shaw
21 Jamie Tyaminsky
22 Andrew Fritsch
23 Mitchell Theoret
24 Nik Knezic
25 Dylan Wood
27 Dougie Hamilton

Coaches:
Mike van Ryan



Scratches:

16 Dylan MacEachern
8 Alex Friesen

LEAFS TRADE - JAN. 31/10

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made another gutsy move, much like the Kessel deal, by acquiring defenseman Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and Keith Aulie for Matt Stajan, Nick Hagman, Ian White and Jamal Mayers. Stajan, Hagman and White were listed in the top 5 point-getters for the Leafs this season, Stajan with 41 pts, Hagman with a team-leading 20 goals and 33 points, and White with 26 points on the back-end.

So far, Phaneuf has been having a career low season, with 10 goals, 12 assists, and a +3 rating, the only consistency is his penalty minutes (49), but they have been mostly minor penalties. White has 9 goals, 17 assists, and 29 penalty minutes with a +1 rating. Similar? I think so... Phaneuf has a better track record, but has struggled this year, most notably being left off the Team Canada Olympic roster. Brian Burke has taken a huge gamble on this one. Like the Kessel trade (giving up possibly either Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, or Cam Fowler, plus 2011's 1st rounder), Burke has put faith before reason.

Although near the same age, Phaneuf has been a key part of the Flames for longer than White has been an impact player in the NHL. However, White, 25, still has many years to develop and in my opinion, and has been one of the most consistent players for Toronto's back end this year, next to Tomas Kaberle.

And we're only comparing these two players there - lets not forget Hagman and Stajan, both huge contributors to the Leafs power play and first-hand scoring this year. With them gone, a massive onus will be put on Phil Kessel - Oh, wait, there already has been, and Kessel has produced the mere equivalent of a secondary scorer (17G, 16A, -4). This may however allow young guns in Tyler Bozak and Viktor Stahlberg to get a chance to prove themselves, but I still have a major concern as to where Toronto will produce their offense for the remainder of the season with these key contributors traded away.

Mayers is a decent 4th liner able to contribute an average of 10 points per season plus a few handfuls of fight majors, but he asked for a trade and was no significant loss to the Leafs. I'd be surprise if he even cracks Calgary's roster for consistent playing time.

My next question is, what will the Leafs have left to trade for some offensive power?

I called it with the Kessel trade, that it was not as great as everyone built it up to be, and that the Leafs would still lack a superstar sniper. Burkey is really risking his neck on this trade, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, Phaneuf will be an assest, but the Leafs should still be looking for someone who can score goals, and they have traded almost everything that other teams might be interested in away.

One person I know who will like the deal is Pierre McGuire - he will now get to say "Dion Phaneuf" on a much more regular basis, along with his classic "that's a double Dion!" line.

Where Burke did a fine job today was acquiring J.S. Giguere for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake. Originally the Leafs were supposed to get a 1st round pick out of the deal as well, but I guess the Ducks decided to learn from Burke's move with Kessel to not give away a 1st rounder on something that isn't a sure thing. (Although the Ducks do have two 1st round picks this year, one from Philly).

Giguere wants to play, and he will not get his wish in Anaheim. He could step his game up and become a starting goaltender for the Leafs, and is certainly worth giving up Toskala for. The BEST move out of the deal is dropping Jason Blake and his 4 Million/year contract. Wow, I can't believe a team would actually take that off the Leafs' hands. Blake was a secondary contributor, and although he scored 50 goals with NYI a few years back, it pains me every time I see Blake take the puck to the net on his own. He is the best I have seen at hitting the crest on the goalie's sweater.

Maybe this huge free-up in cap space will lead to Burke's next big move - signing soon to be free agent Ilya Kovalchuck... ?

- Jeff Blay

jeff.blay@hotmail.com

Marco Insam: A Profile on the Niagara Ice Dog's Forward

By: Jeff Blay

2009-11-24

For one Italian athlete, his dreams were never to play World Cup Soccer. Instead he spent most of his childhood lacing up his skates, taping his stick, and stepping out onto the rink. With hopes of one day playing professional hockey, 20-year-old Marco Insam is one step closer to his dream. Picked up by the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs, the Selva Gardena native is one of the few Italian-born players to make it into North American competitive hockey.

Insam was born in the small town of Selva Gardena in Northern Italy, and grew up around ski resorts and hockey rinks, and began taking skating lessons in kindergarten. His father was strongly involved in hockey with the Italian National team as well as the Olympic team, and moved his family to Milan as he took a General Manager/coaching position for a team located there. Marco’s decision to take hockey seriously was largely due to his father’s passion for the sport. Marco remembers hanging around the rink as a little kid when his father was coach of the National team. He grew up admiring the older Italian players, and dreamed of one day playing along side them representing his country.

Marco put in a solid effort as a young player in Italy, and made the choice to move to Canada to improve his hockey skills when he was only15. Marco attended a private school in Saskatchewan called the College of Notre Dame where he excelled on and off the ice, making his dream become reality.

Marco played for Italy in the U-18 world juniors, three times in the U-20 world juniors, and when he was just 18-yeard old, he made the senior team for the Quebec City World Tournament.

“It is a great experience to represent your country in the sport of hockey,” said Insam. “I got to play with a lot of old friends from back home, and it was nice to see them again.”

Insam said it was a difficult decision to leave his family at such an early age, but he now knows he made the right one. According to Insam, it is a complete different level of hockey in North America. It is home to the best junior leagues in the world (the CHL) and Marco hopes to play competitive hockey in North America as long as he can. Marco continues to get the support of his family from back home. His parents watch the IceDogs games over the internet, and his father still gives him tips about his play.

“It is really important to have the support of my parents and family,” he said. “I would not be here without them.”

Insam travels back to Italy at Christmas and over the summer, but comes back to Niagara in June to work out with teammates at the team facilities. His support here in Canada comes from his billets (the people who house him in Niagara during the IceDog’s season), his teammates, and in particular, the parents of teammate Reggie Traccitto.

“I am really close with Reggie and his parents,” said Marco. “They always help me out when I’m having a tough time, and give me good advice and support off the ice.”

Marco has enjoyed his tenure in the CHL, and says he could not have asked for a better organization to be apart of in the IceDogs.

“The IceDog organization really spoils us,” he said. “The new coaches this year are really good; a lot of them had experience in the NHL, so they really know their stuff.”

Being 20 years of age, Marco is in his last eligible year as an OHL player (otherwise known as an over-ager.) He plans to take his future career in hockey day by day, but his main goal is to stay in North America to continue his hockey career.

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