November 16, 2021
The Sting won a tight game 4-2 and were led by goaltender Ben Gaudreau, who made a number of quality saves in this game. The bulk of the offense in this game came on the powerplay. There were a number of draft eligible players in this game and a handful were reviewed below.
Sarnia Sting
| Maxim Namestnikov | Sarnia Sting | OHL | L | C | 5’8″ | 174 | Sarnia Sting | 2020 | Royal Oak, MI | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
Max is an undersized forward who had a strong night offensively with a goal and two assists. His goal was outstanding, beating Brochu in tight top shelf on a direct shot. He carried the puck with confidence through the neutral zone and played a strong give and go game on the cycle. After a slow start to his OHL career Max has been heating up for the Sting. Max was held pointless in his first 5 games but has 9 points in his last 8 games. He has good pace to his play and can make plays at top speed. Max is not afraid of the more physical play in the OHL and uses his body well to protect pucks on the attack. Defensively, he needs to continue to improve in his zone as the young forward sometimes gets lost with a heavy cycle. His size (5’7, 173lbs) will be a question mark but he will be interesting to watch develop as he fills out and develops his core strength. If he continues to have productive nights offensively and manages pucks this well on the powerplay he will put up good offensive numbers in his first OHL season. Grade: B+
| Ryan Pryce | Sarnia Sting | OHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 181 | Barrie Colts | 2020 | Toronto, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Pryce is a big bodied left shot defensive defender who has improved his skating since we last viewed Ryan in U16 AAA. Ryan plays good minutes for the Sting on the backend early in his OHL career. He killed penalties effectively and was used in a number of key situations for the Sting in this tight game. He moved pucks quickly in transition and displayed a heavy shot from the point when given the opportunity. Pryce is not a two way threat yet but is a solid defender with his size and length. He was effective tonight with his length and reach. He managed his gap on the defensive end of the ice. He was effective at breaking up plays in all zones of the ice and used his body well. He is a physical presence for the Sting in the defensive zone. Pryce was most effective when he kept the game simple and moved pucks quickly in transition. He did have a handful of loose plays/errant passes for turnovers in this game. If he continues to develop this side of his game he will continue to play important minutes for the Sting. Grade: C+
Sarnia 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.
London Knights
| Ruslan Gazizov | London Knights | OHL | L | F | 5’11” | 187 | London Knights | 2021 | Novy Urengoy, RUS | 2004 | 2021-2022: B |
Gazizov is a new addition to the Knights and was playing in his 5th game in Sarnia tonight. He has adjusted to the OHL well and was close to 2 points per game in his first 4 games. He moves the puck very well and shows strong offensive instincts. He played on London’s top line tonight and generated consistent offense in this game. He had a number of quality scoring chances both 5 on 5 and on the powerplay. He is an excellent passer but needs to shoot the puck. He is passing in good shooting areas. Much of this is due to confidence and playing with new linemates. Gazizov is a player to watch as he adjusts to the pace and physical play in the OHL. He has good upside offensively already and has only played a handful of games at this level with his new teammates. Grade: B
| Isaiah George | London Knights | OHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 194 | London Knights | 2020 | Oakville, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
George is a strong skating and mobile defender who has the potential to play a two way game. He moves pucks effectively and was most effective when he played a simple game on the offensive side of the puck. George can carry the puck in transition and made a number of quality rushes in this game. George was confident with the puck and did not panic under the forecheck. George was used in all defensive situations for the Knights. He killed penalties effectively and used his speed to tighten the gap on opposition forwards. George does need to develop his defensive intensity in his zone. He has good size and the ability to close the gap on opposing forwards. He could really benefit with more defensive bite in his game. Grade: B
| Brody Crane | London Knights | OHL | L | LW | 5’11” | 181 | London Knights | 2020 | Union, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
Crane showed some good offensive instincts in this game and generated a handful of quality chances 5 on 5. He played a good give and go game and made a number of smart passes to create offense for his linemates. He generated pace through the neutral zone and showed an ability to take defenders on one on one. Crane missed an A1 opportunity where he used his pace well to beat a defender and showed a quick, heavy shot off the bar. He is crafty and passed the puck well both on the backhand and forehand. Crane showed good confidence with the puck early in the game and had 2-3 quality chances early in the game. As the game progressed and turned into 5 on 4 play Crane did have the opportunity to generate much offense in the second half of the game. Crane is a player on our radar now and we will check back with him to see if he continues to create quality offensive chances. Grade: B-
| Colton Smith | London Knights | OHL | R | LW | 6’2″ | 207 | London Knights | 2020 | Hershey, PA | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Colton Smith, this big strong left winger has been near the rookie goal scoring lead all season. He plays on London’s first powerplay unit and is most effective with the extra man. He gets to the net well and competes hard for loose pucks in the scoring areas. He is strong on his stick and was difficult for opposition defenders to handle in and around the net. During 5 on 5 situations he played a pedestrian game and never really generated offense or a consistent, sustained cycle in this game. Smith needs to continue to work on his pace in the transition game. Most of his offense comes from his net drive, strong play, and length but his not scaring anyone yet with his pace. He is a player who has the potential to light up the scoresheet if he improves his overall footspeed. Grade: C+
London 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