6-3 final for London in this game. One of the most entertaining and fastest games we have viewed this season. Kitchener and London came into the game as two of the hottest teams in the Ontario Hockey League and are both with a few points of the first place in the West Conference lead. The first period of the game was frantic action – end to end and high compete with very few whistles. A number of prospects played well in the high paced game. Write-ups on the 2020 draft eligible players from both teams can be found below.
Kitchener Rangers Draft Eligible
19 Joseph Serpa (played, was not a factor)
20 Isaac Langdon (played, was not a factor)
25 Declan McDonnell (was a factor, see report)
26 Ville Ottavainen (was a factor, see report)
37 Donovan Sebrango (was a factor, see report)
55 Reid Valade (was a factor, see report)
Donovan Sebrango (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B+) Defense
No change to our ranking with Sebrango in this viewing. He is a solid B to B+ defender with high compete and has fast enough feet to make plays in all zones of the ice. The second year defender continues to show excellent development playing in a top pair role for the Rangers. The Rangers have been the one of the hottest team in the OHL since December and Sebrango has been a key in their success. Sebrango’s game is evolving as his decision making improves and his focus on defensive one on one’s improves. He is pushing the pace less frequently and more focused on defense than earlier viewings, but is still not afraid to lead or join the attack. An excellent skater, Sebrango matched up well defensively 5 on 5 vs London’s top line. He managed his gap well and forced turnovers in all zones of the ice. In one of the fastest games viewed this season he showed a presence on most shifts and good decisions with the puck in transition. Game Grade: B
Reid Valade (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B-) Forward
Reid a speedy right winger with decent touch and a willingness to get to the net. Valade has progressed this season and has moved into a position in the top 6 forwards on a veteran Rangers team. He has the speed to play with older more skilled forwards and is developing with his puck management and offensive IQ as he gains more experience at the OHL level. Valade is on track to double his offensive output from his rookie season and should easily reach the 20 goal plateau in his second season. We like his board play and ability to get pucks moving in transition. He is strong on his feet with a sturdy base and is not easily knocked off pucks with his low center of gravity. A high compete, reliable winger on both sides of the puck – he continues to play in important defensive situations for the Rangers and presents a two way threat while killing penalties. A player we see with excellent offensive potential later in his junior career as his confidence grows. Game Grade: C+
Declan McDonnell (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
The first year winger for the Rangers is starting to heat up with 6 goals in his previous 4 games coming into the game against London. He has not been on our draft list at all this season, but his game is definitely improving. An underrated forward in our view as he has quietly put up 19 goals and 19 assists in his first 57 games in the Ontario Hockey League. McDonnell’s improvements in his physical strength are most notable. He plays a prickly game and is becoming more difficult to knock off the puck as the season progresses with his development in his core strength and overall confidence. Early in the season he played in a top 6 forward role for the Rangers and struggled in our view with quicker veteran players. As the season progresses he has found a niche spot on one of the best third lines in the province. He has been showing much better in a more rigid grinding game vs the free wheeling play on the Rangers top lines. His offensive IQ and prickly demeanor are causing fits for 5-6 D-men on opposing teams. An interesting thing to note, 60+% of his goals have come since New Years Day in the last 8 weeks. Game Grade: C+
Ville Ottavainen (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B-) Defense
The big bodied right shot defender continues to show development in his pace and foot speed as the season progresses. The first year OHL defender’s game is developing as he better understands the pace and adjusts. He continues to make smart decisions with the puck. He plays a simple, steady game in transition with good crisp passes and a heads up game in his own end. He showed good puck decisions and poise under pressure and doesn’t always look for the wrap around on the breakout. At 6’4″, Ville has great size and length but needs to continue to develop his pace and foot speed to close gaps on opposition players. Defensively, his gaps on the defensive side of the puck need to be tighter. Offensively, an increase in his overall pace would help engage more frequently in the two way game. Game Grade: C+
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Game Evaluation: Paul O’Hagan