The OHL and the NHL Draft: Round 1
7 Rounds, over 50 player write ups and countless words, the 1st wrapup for the 2012 NHL Draft is finally complete. Players selected include Nail Yakupov, Alex Galchenyuk, Cody Ceci and Tanner Pearson.
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: Radek Faksa
Radek Faksa / Kitchener Rangers / Centre / 6’3″ / 202 / Jan. 9th, 1994
Write Up
This year was my first year seeing Radek Faksa live. Drafted 22nd overall to Kitchener in the 2012 CHL Import Draft, Faksa quickly became one of the top draft eligible player in the Ontario Hockey League. In my initial viewings, I loved his willingness to play a physical, aggressive brand of hockey, despite the fact that it was his first year in the League. He quickly adjusted to the North American style, and despite a few hiccups in regards to discipline, really found his niche with the Rangers. He may be a prime example of how important it is for some imports to come to North America in their draft year. Had Faksa stayed in Trinec, I’m not sure if he would have had the same level of coaching and development that he had this year in Kitchener.
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.
Kitchener Rangers – 2012 NHL Draft Eligible’s
Brandon Lesway / Right Wing / 5’10″ / 170 / Mar. 24, 1994
Lesway is a hard working forward who shows some good potential. He has played well in his first year in the OHL, but has some room to grow in a few areas of his game. Not on the NHL Draft radar at this time.
Curtis Meighan / Centre / 5’11″ / 181 / Mar. 27, 1994
Meighan is an intelligent centre that shows good puck skills. He has played well this season after spending a year in the CCHL in Ottawa. He has played more of a depth role with the Rangers, but shows enough tools to be a smart two way OHL forward. He is not on the NHL Draft radar at this time.
Matia Marcantuoni / Left Wing / 6’0″ / 196 / Feb. 22, 1994
Click Here to Read His Complete Profile.
Radek Faksa / Centre / 6’3″ / 202 / Jan. 9, 1994
Click here to read his full profile
Faska has played extremely well this season, and should be one of the first OHL players selected at the NHL Draft. His biggest asses is his ability to read the play in the offensive zone. He is also very strong down low and along the boards, and one of the better board players for the Rangers. His combination of size and puck skills are quite impressive. He projects out as a top 6 forward at the next level, and should be a top 15 selection at the NHL Draft.
Evan McEneny / Defence / 6’2″ / 202 / May. 22, 1994
Incomplete. McEneny injured his knee in the early part of the season, and did not play a game this year for the Rangers. He does have some interesting potential, and could be a re-entry candidate.
Stephen Midensky / Defence / 6’1 / 170 / Apr. 15, 1994
Midensky is a free agent signing out of the Markham Waxers program. He played sparingly throughout the year, and although he shows good potential, at this point he is not on the radar for the NHL Draft.
Max Iafrate / Defence / 6’2″ / 220 / Mar. 28, 1994
Iafrate had a strong season with the Rangers. The previous season in Plymouth, he struggled with finding his role, and was often a healthy scratch with the Rangers. This year, he focused on playing a more aggressive and smart defensive game, and he blossomed with the Rangers. He still has some positional hiccups, and struggles at times with his decision-making, but the raw potential is there. Projects out as a smart defensive defenceman at the next level, and should be a top 4 round draft pick for the NHL draft.
