The OHL and the NHL Draft: Round 3
My look at the OHL players selected in the 2012 NHL Draft continues with the 3rd round as we take a look at the New York Islanders selecting Adam Pelech, the Winnipeg Jets selecting Scott Kosmachuk and the Oshawa Generals selecting goaltender Daniel Altshuller, among others.
FINAL – Top 50 Ontario Player Rankings For The NHL Draft
Today I annonuce my final Ontario Hockey League Rankings for the 2012 NHL Draft. These rankings are based on over 120 in person viewings in rinks throughout Ontario. I have tracked the development and progression of these players over 6-8 live viewings stretched out over the course of the season. I do not take in other companies rankings or video to help with the rankings.
2012 NHL Draft Scouting Report: Adam Pelech
Adam Pelech / Erie Otters / Defence / 6’2″ / 210 / Aug. 16th, 1994
Write Up
Adam Pelech has had an interesting past few years. When I originally saw him playing his minor midget year with the Toronto Marlboros, he was a player that displayed some strong NHL level potential, but was more of a raw prospect. In his first year in Erie, he displayed some strong growth in his first year in the Ontario Hockey League. He took that year and had a strong Ivan Hlinka tournament, and was quickly being viewed as a potential top 20 selection for this years NHL Draft. This season things did not go as smoothly for Pelech, as he struggled with a wrist injury that took away half of his season right off the bat. When he returned, the Otters struggled with defensive depth, and Pelech was put in a position to be more of an offensive defenceman for the Otters, a role that really does not suit his skill set. He tried to do to much at times, which really effected his development and created some questions among the scouting community. I did not see him play live, reports are that he rebounded to have a pretty solid world under 18 championships, which should help his draft stock.
April 2012 NHL Draft Rankings for the Ontario Region
Final 2012 NHL Draft Rankings for players based out of the Ontario region this season.
These rankings are based on 5-10 in person viewings of every team this season, as well as the progression of these prospects over a three to four year period.
Erie Otters – 2012 Draft Eligible’s
Anthony Cortellessa / Left Wing / 5’10” / 180 / Feb. 15th, 1994
Cortellessa is a hard working forward who shows good intelligence. He is a good skater who always brings a strong complete level. He knows where to be and where to go, and anticipates the play well. Size and puck skills are questions moving forward.
Mitchell Eisenberg / 5’9” / 170 / Feb. 17th, 1994
Eisenberg is a skilled forward who shows good overall puck skills. He is elusive with the puck and shows good vision in the offensive zone. His size and lack of progression over the course of the season are question marks.
Connor Crisp / Centre / 6’2” / 220 / Apr. 8th, 1994
Outside of his famous afternoon in Niagara, Crisp is a bit of an unknown at this point. He entered the league as a high-end prospect with NHL level potential, but injuries have limited his development. Will not be on the radar at this point, but could be a re-entry candidate if he can stay healthy.
Connor Brown / Right Wing / 5’11” / 170 / Jan. 14th, 1994
Brown had a very successful season in Erie. He showed good intelligence, and has progressed well over the past 12 months. He has improved his overall puck skills and mobility. I still have concerns about his long-term offensive abilities, as well as his projectable upside. Will be a mid to late round draft selection.
Dane Fox / Centre / 6’0” / 185 / Oct. 13th, 1993
Fox was aided by a mid season trade to Erie. In London he saw limited ice time, but did show some good potential. Once he was in Erie, he was given more of an opportunity to play an offensive role, and shined. He plays a physical game and is willing to mix it up down low. He has under rated puck skills and shows some good vision in the offensive zone. He has a strong shot that he needs to use more often. Projects out as an aggressive top 9 forward with good long term upside.
Luke Cairns / Centre / 5’10” / 170 / May. 29th, 1994
Cairns is a forward who brings a good complete level. He is effective at playing a smart two way game, and always brings an honest effort. He has some good offensive abilities, and has improved over the past 12 months, but still has some real room to develop. He projects out as more of an OHL top 9 forward at this point, and is not on the NHL draft radar at this time.
Liam Maaskant / Defence / 6’3” / 205 / Mar. 10th, 1994
Maaskant is a physical, aggressive defenceman who shows some interesting potential. He is at his best battling down low and along the boards, and is effective at pinning opposition forwards out of the play. He is effective positionally in his own zone, and strong at controlling gaps in his own end. He has room to grow with both his mobility and puck skills, but the potential is there. Projects out as a bottom pairing defensive defenceman at the next level.
Troy Donnay / Defence / 6’7” / 185 / Feb. 18th, 1994
Donnay is a defenceman who shows strong long term potential. At 6’7/185, he brings a tool set that most scouts drool over. He skates very well and shows some untapped offensive abilities. At this point he is much more of a project then a finished product. He struggles with his decision making with the puck, as well as his positional play in his own zone, but its hard not to like what he could become once in a few years.
Adam Pelech / Defene / 6’2” / 210 / 1994
Click Here To Read The Complete Profile.
Pelech came into the year as a potential first round draft selection, but has struggled to live up to that billing. He has struggled with both injuries and trying to do to much, and really needs to just get his game back to where it was last year. He is being asked to play in every situation, including the powerplay, which may not be playing into to his skill set. He projects out as a strong defensive defenceman at the next level, and should still be a top 60 selection at the NHL draft.
2013 NHL Draft Eligible’s
Stephan Harper is a name to watch in Erie next season. He has all the tools that you look for in a potential north to south forward at the next level, and really has some untapped offensive abilities. If he is able to continue with his development and progress his offensive game, he could be a top 60 selection in the 2013 NHL Draft.
