[February 7th] OHL Weekly Ramblings

[Dean Youngblood]

February 7th Weekly Ramblings




- Erie Otters' forward Brett Thompson has been named the OHL Player of the Week after recording 6 goals (including two game-winners), 2 assists and a plus-5 rating in just two games.

- Check out the OHL Prospect Online Article thread for all the latest stories and player-focused articles floating around the net.

- The Sarnia Sting are in a terrible free fall. The Sting blew two 3-goal leads to Plymouth over the weekend to lose both games. They are currently 1-8-1 over their last ten games. Not surprisingly, GM/Head Coach Dave MacQueen has been relieved of his duties and replaced by ex-NHLer (and former Sting) Trevor Letowski.





- Since we are talking about my hometown Sting, I should mention that Yakupov continues to impress me with not only his scoring (on pace to beat Stamkos' rookie scoring record of 42 goals) but he continues to post impressive plus-minus numbers in these blowout games. Here is a quick breakdown of last week's games:

• In Sarnia's 6-5 loss to Plymouth on Thursday night, Yakupov potted two goals, one assist and was even on the night.
• In Sarnia's 6-3 loss to Mississauga on Friday night, Yakupov scored one goal, two assist and was plus-2.
• In Sarnia's 7-3 loss to Plymouth on Saturday night, Yakupov posted one goal, one assist and an even rating.

In three weekend games, Sarnia was outscored 19-11 and Yakupov factored in on 8 of Sarnia's 11 goals. Now that is damn impressive!

- The Toronto Maple Leafs decided to loan prospect Jerry D'Amigo to the OHL's Kitchener Ranger last week which bodes well for his development. D'Amigo wasn't producing at the AHL level like he was expected to. Jerry recorded one goal and one assist in each of the weekend games (2G, 2A, 4P total) he played.

- 2011 Draft Eligible forward Gabriel Landeskog returned to the Kitchener Rangers lineup for the first time since suffering his ankle injury in the WJC. The Rangers' captain recorded one assist in the two games since returning.

- Check out the OHL's latest Radio edition as Terry Doyle interviews 2011 Draft Eligible forward Matt Puempel of the Peterborough Petes and 2012 Draft Eligible forward Nail Yakupov. Listening to Yakupov's english is pretty funny but he has definitely improved since coming over to Canada this past summer.

- Strome is closing the gap in the OHL scoring race. Strome who is currently ranked 19th by the Central Scouting Services will most definitely be drafted much higher than his current ranking. That is a gaurantee. After recording 8 points this week, Nail Yakupov jumps from 5th to 3rd in OHL points and still leads all rookies.

Leading Forward Scorers (as of Feb 7th)
1. Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa) - 44G - 43A - 87P (LAK)
2. Ryan Strome (Niagara) - 26G - 56A - 82P (2011 Draft Eligible)
3. Nail Yakupov* (Sarnia) - 39G - 39A - 78P (2012 Draft Eligible)
4. Shane Prince (Ottawa) - 22G - 56A - 78P (2011 Draft Eligible)
5. Jason Akeson (Kitchener) - 17G - 61A - 78P (undrafted)
*denotes Rookie

Leading Defensemen Scorers (as of Feb 7th)
1. Ryan Murphy (Kitchener) - 19G - 44A - 63P (2011 Draft Eligible)
2. Ryan Ellis (Windsor) - 17G - 45A - 62P (NSH)
3. Dougie Hamilton (Niagara) - 11G - 35A - 46P (2011 Draft Eligible
4. Josh McFadden (Sudbury) - 11G - 35A - 46P (2011 Draft Eligible)
5. Jesse Blacker (Owen Sound) - 10G - 36A - 46P (TOR)

As always, I will post any news that pops up in the next week.

Feel free to comment, make requests or post any news that you come across relating to the OHL.

[Dean Youngblood]

I just came across this article on Top Prospect D Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara Ice Dogs. The article covers quite a bit of his OHL Top Prospects Game participation but also touches on his lacademics.

A couple of my thoughts:
- Dougie Hamilton deserves to be ranked in the Top 10 (Ranked 7th by CSS) and it's good to see him there
- Hamilton should be the second dman drafted (after Larsson) simply because he has the full toolbox and makes a less risky pick than say a Ryan Murphy
- Dougie was named the OHLs Top Academic Talent as he posted a 98 percent average. Smart Kid with a good head on his shoulders. Teams will LOVE This.

There are quite a few teams in the top 10 that need defensive help like Hamilton (Edmonton, New Jersey, Boston, Buffalo and Columbus) and it won't be a surprise when one of these squads draft him.

[Dean Youngblood]

Adding more from Sportsnet's Patrick King

Ontario Hockey League

Hot team: Owen Sound Attack

The Attack overtook the Saginaw Spirit for first in the Western Conference standings after a big week. Owen Sound won its last seven straight and nine of the last 10 games. The Attack defeated some of the teams they're in direct competition with during the streak in Windsor, Kitchener and Saginaw.

Cold team: Saginaw Spirit

If it's true a team can be measured by the way it plays down the stretch, then the Spirit is in trouble. Saginaw dropped its last five straight games and has won just two of the last 10. One of the big criticisms was a relatively quiet trade deadline following the acquisition of John McFarland. One can't help but wonder if this team peaked.

Game of the week: Owen Sound Attack vs. Saginaw Spirit, Friday

The Spirit's previously comfortable lead for top spot in the Western Conference evaporated and now the team is in danger of relinquishing first place in the West Division. Owen Sound, meanwhile, is proving its mettle with a red-hot end of January and beginning of February. Next week will present the Attack with several tough tests with road games in Windsor, Saginaw then Plymouth. The Spirit can't afford to lose a four-point game against Owen Sound now that the Attack leads the conference standings. Expect a statement game, one way or another.

Canadian NHL teams' OHL prospects:

Jarred Tinordi, Montreal (London) - drafted 22nd overall in 2010
Tinordi picked up assists in back-to-back games against Kingston and Belleville last week. He was a minus-2 in London's 4-0 loss to Ottawa on Sunday. It was the second week in a row where Tinordi had two assists. He has nine on the season.

Greg McKegg, Toronto (Erie) - drafted 62nd overall in 2010
McKegg broke out of a mini-slump with a pair of assists in back-to-back wins for the Otters. He hasn't scored since his hat-trick in London on Jan. 28, a four-game goal-less drought. McKegg is just 19 points shy of tying his season-high point total of 85.

Alex Friesen, Vancouver (Niagara) - drafted 172nd overall in 2010
Friesen continued inching his way towards his career season of 60 points set last season. He picked up an assist in Niagara's 6-2 win over Sault Ste. Marie, giving him 53 on the season.

[Dean Youngblood]

Fantasdtic wrap up of the coaching change in Sarnia by Terry Doyle

http://loosepucks.com/index.php/2011...ange-in?blog=3

[Dean Youngblood]

DY coming in with some more ramblings for the week.


- Congrats also to coach Stan Butler, who coaches his 1,000th OHL game tonight. Coach Butler was Canada's head coach at 2001 & 2002 WJC. BUtler will be only the 4th coach to do so in OHL history.

- Recently fired Sarnia Sting coach, Dave MacQueen, was 4 games away from coaching in his 1000 game. MacQueen sits at 996 games coached.

-Alex Galchenyuk Sr, father of the 1st overall OHL pick, has joined Trevor Letowski as Assistant COach of the Sarnia Sting.

- Struggling Spitfire goaltender and Dallas Prospect Jack Campbell get's a visit from the Stars' goalie coach to try and help. Video here

- Jerry D'Amigo has 7 points (2G, 5A) in his first 3 OHL games. D'Amigo has already reached half of what he had (14points) in 41 AHL games

- The OHL has announced it's Top 10 Minor Midget Rankings for the annual showcase tournament. It is here that scouts find the next gems for the OHL.

Each of the last three players selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft are OHL and OHL Cup graduates including Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, John Tavares of the New York Islanders, and Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers.

[Wfactor]

- Jerry D'Amigo has 7 points (2G, 5A) in his first 3 OHL games. D'Amigo has already reached half of what he had (14points) in 41 AHL games

I'm happy to see D'Amigo producing in the OHL, I'm actually really intrigued by him as a leafs fan

[Dean Youngblood]

Check out the Top 5 OHL Plays of the Week.

#1 - Ryan Spooner's goal is ridiculous.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/v...ce0212a6159937