Friday, November 12
Great all-round game for the Storm tonight as they carried the majority of the play. Guelph attacked with speed through the neutral zone and played a strong cycle game. They had a number of quality scoring chances 5 on 5. First year draft eligible goaltender, Noland Lalonde was Erie’s top player and give the Otters a chance to win with his 29 save performance. There were a number of draft eligible players in this game who performed well and are written up below.
Erie Otters
| Nolan Lalonde | Erie Otters | OHL | L | G | 6’1″ | 184 | Erie Otters | 2020 | Kingston, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Lalonde was Erie’s top player in this game tonight. He stopped 29 of 33 shots and gave Erie a chance to win. This rookie goaltender showed why he was one of the top goalies selected in the 2020 OHL draft. He played an aggressive game and tracked pucks well. Lalonde made a number of high quality saves moving side to side in his net and showed good athleticism under periods of sustained pressure from the Storm. He was confident in the net and challenged shooters every chance he had. He made a handful of spectacular saves but gave up a few he would like back. As he continues to improve his core strength he will improve his chances of giving up these weak ones. The goals that got through him tonight came after great saves where he did not have the legs to reset and get balanced in his net for the next shot. Grade: B+
| Brett Bressette | Erie Otters | OHL | L | F | 5’9″ | 161 | Erie Otters | 2019 | Midland, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Arguably Erie’s best offensive player in this game, Bressette scored twice and assisted on another. He had a handful of scoring quality scoring chances tonight and could have had a bigger night on the scoresheet with a little puck luck. He was one of only a few forwards who got going tonight for Erie and he was noticeable with his unselfish give and go game. He was noticeable on offense most of the game and generated scoring chances on the penalty kill, 5 on 5, and on the powerplay. Bressette is a 2003 birth year undersized forward who will need to put up consistent offensive nights like this in his second year of NHL draft eligibility. Grade: B+
| Spencer Sova | Erie Otters | OHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 186 | Erie Otters | 2020 | Windsor, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
Sova is a slick skating left shot defender who will be fun to watch develop in the OHL. Sova is mobile and balanced on his feet. Sova is not a physical defender but he uses his mobility well in the defensive zone to close on opposition forwards. He is composed with the puck and is most effective when he keeps the play simple and quick. He is a young defender who needs to continue to develop his defensive reads. He had a few difficult reads in this game tonight and was able to compensate with his mobility and footspeed. Sova has not found his offensive confidence yet. He has the ability to skate the puck on the attack and join the attack as a second wave option but does not have the confidence to do this yet. He has all the tools to be a two way defender in the OHL and we are anticipating strong development in his rookie season. Grade: B-
| Christian Kyrou | Erie Otters | OHL | R | D | 5’11” | 183 | Erie Otters | 2019 | Komoka, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Kyrou is a steady, dependable defender who competes on the defensive side of the puck. He plays in all key situations for the Otters and is a steady influence on a young Otters defensive group. Kyrou is not a big defender but has a solid base and low center of gravity already. He was effective in his own end in this game in compete situations and didn’t get into trouble hanging on to the puck. This late birthday 2003 defender showed some offensive upside in this game. He moved pucks quickly in transition. He adjusted well on the offensive blueline to get pucks through to the net and was composed on the powerplay for the Otters. Kyrou has not shown as a two way threat yet in his first full season but he is smart and plays a high IQ two way game. His offensive game should develop as he grows more confident in his all-round package. Grade: C+
| Owain Johnston | Erie Otters | OHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 185 | Erie Otters | 2019 | Toronto, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Johnston is a steady right shot defender who keeps the game simple and manages his defensive gap well. Johnston has developed physically and has improved length and reach in his game. These attributes were on display tonight as he competed hard in his zone and was effective in breaking up a heavy Storm cycle game. He showed a quick first step and an ability to read the play in the defensive zone. He broke up plays and distributed pucks efficiently. He is a late birthday 2003 defender who has improved significantly since our last viewings in his U16 season. Grade: C
Erie has a number of other draft eligible players on their roster. They were either out of the line up or did not show enough in this game to warrant write-up. We will review these players in future viewings and report on progress.
Guelph Storm
| Matthew Poitras | Guelph Storm | OHL | R | C | 5’11” | 172 | Guelph Storm | 2020 | Brooklin, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
Poitras is off to a great early start in his OHL career. He is producing nearly a point a game as a rookie. He is among the top scorers on his team and top rookie scorers in the league. His pace and speed game is noticeable on most shifts and he plays a high compete, 200 foot game. The Storm used Poitras in all situations tonight (PP, PK, and 5 on 5) and he was able to impose his will at times on veteran players on the Otters team. Poitras brings a high energy game to the Storm and at this point looks like he has the potential to play head to head against any of the top centers in the OHL. He is an average sized forward but is solid on his feet and difficult to knock off the puck on his net drive. As he matures and develops his physical strength Poitras has the potential to dominate with his all-round game. Grade: B+
| Jake Karabela | Guelph Storm | OHL | L | C | 5’11” | 170 | Guelph Storm | 2020 | Guelph, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
Karabela is another of the first year draft eligible skilled forwards in the Storm line-up. He is off to an early strong start to his OHL career. Karabela was buzzing all game with his puck pursuit and created a number of turnovers in all 3 zones. He played a responsible game in his zone and competed hard on the backcheck. Karabela showed good vision and touch around the net and made a number of quality passes in close to find teammates open in good scoring lanes. Karabela was rewarded for his efforts with a seeing eye goal created with his pace and energy. He is a player who is playing defensively above his age group right now. His attention to detail on the defensive side of the puck got him assignments late in a one goal game. He handled the pressure well and did not look out of place defensively when Erie pressed for the tie. Grade: B
| Danny Zhilkin | Toronto Marlboros U15 | GTHL | L | C | 6’2″ | 183 | Guelph Storm | 2019 | Missassauga, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: B |
Zilkin is off to a fast offensive pace this season and is among the Storm’s top offensive threats. This late birthday 2003 centerman has been consistent in producing points for the Storm early in the season. He was dangerous tonight particularly when the Storm were on the powerplay. Zhilkin manages the puck so well with the extra man and is a quarterback on the first powerplay unit. He is a two way threat with the extra man with his vision and a quick accurate shot. Zhilkin was a workhorse on the draws tonight and won more than his fair share of key faceoffs for the Storm. Zhilkin had a number of quality shots in this game but needs to continue to improve his net drive off the cycle. He generated most of his offensive chances on the rush and the powerplay. Grade: B
| Michael Buchinger | Toronto Jr. Canadiens U15 | GTHL | L | D | 6’0″ | 185 | Guelph Storm | 2020 | Markham, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
He is a young athletic defender who does many things well. Buchinger has the solid all-round skill set required as a modern day defender. He is mobile. He manages defensive gaps well and is confident in his ability to turnover pucks. This young defender played a top 4 defenceman role tonight and was competent defending older veteran Erie forwards. Buchinger also plays a composed game with the puck. Buchinger is a calming influence on the backend and plays good minutes already in his OHL career. He did not punish anyone with physical play but played the body efficiently. He competed for pucks and went into tough areas to compete in his zone. Buchinger is definitely a defender to watch as the season progresses and he adjusts to his first season in the OHL. Grade: B
Guelph has a number of other draft eligible players on their roster. They were either out of the line up or did not show enough in this game to warrant write-up. We will review these players in future viewings and report on progress.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Evaluation: Paul O’Hagan