The OHL Priority Selection Draft is less than 48-hours away as teams prepare for the Draft on Saturday, May 7th. Scouts are working long hours to determine which minor midget player fits into their organizational plans the best. The 2011 OHL Priority Selection Draft is an opportunity for rebuilding teams to find the next franchise players while contending teams have a chance to stock their cupboards with quality depth players.
Yesterday, I tweeted the Soo Greyhounds newly appointed GM Kyle Dubas the following,
"Who are you taking 3rd overall? Sarnia wants to know haha".
Dubas response was a dandy,
"Definitely a forward...or a defenceman"
Ironically, Dubas' response was very fitting as this draft is headlined by just a few top forward prospects (Ritchie, Baptiste, Domi) but there seems to be a little more selection when it comes to top defensive prospects (Ekblad, Nurse, Subban, DeAngelo and Bateman). The middle portion of this draft will be used for adding depth players as the draft thins out quite a bit after the Top 10.
Performing a mock draft is always a difficult task and the opportunity for accuracy is almost non-existance. Initially my plan was to do a mock selection of just the top 10 but I became courageous and will include my €œbest guesses€ on the remaining ten picks of the first round as well.
Disclaimer: I will attempt to do my own OHL Mock Draft based on team needs and prospect reports I have read on these OHL eligible players. However, I must confess that I have not watched all of these kids play and in some circumstances I have only observed short internet clips/reviews of their play. It is difficult to find a lot of information on these young talented teens and this mock draft should not be taken too seriously. Beyond the Top 10-12 it becomes very difficult.
Enjoy!
Dean Youngblood's 2011 OHL MOCK DRAFT
1. Barrie Colts - Aaron Ekblad
(Defence, Sun County Panthers MM, 6'3", 180 lbs)
The Pronger-like defenseman just received "exceptional status" from the CHL so it would be hard to believe that the Barrie Colts would pass on this 1996-born steady franchise defenseman.
2. Peterborough Petes - Nicholas Ritchie
(Right Wing, Toronto Marlboros MM, 6'2", 195lbs)
Sarnia would not mind having Nicholas join his brother Brett in Sarnia but after Ritchie's fantastic Under-18 World Championship Tournament the Petes should gladly take the best forward available. Ritchie is a rare combination of great size, soft hands and above average skating.
3. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - Nicholas Baptiste
(Center, Ottawa Senators MM, 6'0", 180 lbs)
The Greyhounds will likely draft a forward after adding Curcuruto to their backend with their first round selection last season. Furthermore, the emergence of Ryan Sproul this past season has been a bonus for their defensive depth. Baptiste has experienced some injuries this past season but most scouts think he may be the most dynamic forward available this year. It will be interesting to see who Kyle Dubas selects with his first pick as an OHL GM.
4. Sarnia Sting - Darnell Nurse
(Defence, Don Mills Flyers MM, 6'3", 175 lbs)
The Sting desperately need help on defence. If Nurse is available at 4th overall, Sarnia will gladly take the smooth skating defenseman. Personally, I have Nurse as the third best player available after Ekblad and Ritchie. One thing is for certain, Sarnia will be getting a solid player to join star forwards Nail Yakupov, Brett Ritchie and Alex Galchenyuk. Sarnia's window for winning is closing as it's likely Yakupov could be the NHL's top selection in 2012.
5. Belleville Bulls - Jordan Subban
(Defence, Toronto Marlboros MM, 5'11", 165 lbs)
The Bulls organization has been very good to the Subban family. How could they pass up on drafting Jordan Subban? There is little chance they do. The young defenseman has similarities to his older brother PK but his upside is not quite as high. The Belleville Bulls would be reaching a bit if they drafted Jordan with the fifth overall selection but it is hard to see them leaving him on the board after drafting both PK and Malcolm in past drafts. Regardless of if Belleville selects Jordan at #5, he is a first round talent.
6. Sudbury Wolves - Jordan Maletta
(Right Wing, St. Catharines Falcons MM, 6'2", 190 lbs)
The Wolves would love to take hometown boy Ryan Kujawinski but I don;t think he is worth the sixth overall selection. Sudbury will see its top veteran forward leave this year (Foligno) and they will need to replace him. The Wolves play a gritty, aggressive, hardworking game and Maletta will fit in nicely in Sudbury.
7. Brampton Battalion - Bowie 'Bo' Horvat
(Center, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs MM, 5'9", 170 lbs)
The London Knights would love for Horvat to fall to them at 9th and I could see that happening but the Battalion need to add offense to their forward corps. Horvat was exceptional at the Canada Winter Games as Team Ontario's top scorer and has proved that tallying points is his specialty as he finished as the top scoring minor midget. Brampton has several options at this pick but I fully expect them to take a forward (Horvat, Cianfrone, or Maletta are all good options)
8. Kingston Frontenacs - Max Domi
(Center, Don Mills Flyers MM, 5'9", 160 lbs)
Domi has specifically stated that he intends to go the NCAA route; however, there is also strong speculation that Frontenac's GM Doug Gilmour wants to bring former-Leaf Tie Domi into Kingston's coaching mix. There will be one team that takes a flyer (pun intended) on Max Domi as he is a Top 5 talent in this draft. Is it too early at 8th overall for Kingston to roll the dice?
9. London Knights - Anthony DeAngelo
(Defense, Cedar Rapids USHL, 5'11", 165lbs)
The London Knights seem to always draft well. If Max Domi is available, there is a chance that the Hunter brothers snatch him up especially with their success at convincing Americans and NCAA-bound players to come to London to play (see Jarred Tinordi). However, if Domi or Horvat aren€™t available look for London to take another gamble on an offensive defenseman out of the USHL. DeAngelo has a few question marks surrounding him but he is a very good puck moving defenseman with good offensive skills.
10. Guelph Storm - Bryson Cianfrone
(Center, Toronto Marlboros MM, 5'9", 155 lbs)
The Storm need to draft a forward and that will happen since they could potentially lose their three top scoring forwards (Taylor Beck, Michael Latta and Peter Holland). Cianfrone was one of the leaders of the Marlboros' team and his dynamic play and offensive skills could be on display next year in Guelph.