Carson Cameron (D, R, 6’1″, 180, Peterborough Petes, 06/27/2007)
Game Grade: B-
What is he? Standing at 6’1″, 180 pounds Cameron is a slightly below average sized right shot defenseman who as a 2007 is averaging 21:33 of total ice time per game during his rookie OHL season. He is playing substantial special teams minutes averaging 2:34 on the power play and 2:38 on the penalty kill. He is also showing excellent strength as he is averaging ten 50/50 puck battles per game and winning 54% of them.
Awareness – He finished -2 and was on the ice for three goals against and unfortunately his decision making was a direct result in all of them. The first goal against occurred on a puck retrieval where Cameron blindly threw the puck up the strong side to a waiting F2 who passed it to his linemate alone in the slot. The second goal against occurred after he activated down the right dot-lane into the rush. On the play he shot for a rebound and then decided to go to the net front to be a screen. After bouncing around the puck ended up on the stick of the North Bay defenseman who fired a pass up the middle for a breakaway. The third goal against came after Cameron fell for a fame curl and drag snap shot and was walked on a 1 on 1 play.
Skating – Above average forwards acceleration but showed little problems with slamming the breaks and then setting his gap during defensive transition. He has a bit of an inside edge glide with a some hip wiggle that impacts his efficiency.
Vision & Poise – Consistent hard flat passes that were on the tape. Does not telegraph to his intended target. Attempted a team high 35 passes completing 31. He is completing 88% of his passes this season.
Compete – He battles and works throughout his shift winning nine of thirteen 50/50 puck battles, For the season he is winning 54% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Physicality – Not a banger but certainly does not avoid contact as he is willing to take a hit to make a play. Averaging 0.46 hits per game while is on the receiving end of 1.09 hits per game.
Offensively – Consistent hard passes that are easy to handle, moves without the puck looking to be an outlet or to create open ice for his teammates. For a defender he is having and excellent offensive rookie season ranked #43 in points among OHL defensemen and first among rookie defenders.
Defensively – Is still learning not to wander and puck watch. His offensive instincts lead him to attempting to pick off passes which can get him caught going the wrong way. At -35 has the worst plus / minus among Peterborough defensemen.
Intangibles – Has been a captain at lower levels and played for Canada White in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. His offensive capabilities are going to keep NHL eyes on him.
Special Teams – Consistent power play option.
Potential – With improved defensive awareness, skating mechanics and a more efficient glide Cameron has the offensive skills to be a transition creator in professional hockey. Defensively he must learn to be more patient away from the puck.
William Haley (D, L, 6’1″, 177, Peterborough Petes, 10/15/2005)
Game Grade: C+
What is he? Haley is a direct steady defensive minded slightly below average sized left shot defender who was drafted in the first round of the 2022 Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL U18 Priority Draft an #13. He plays a strong simple game.
Awareness – Understands what he is and tries to stay out of trouble as much as possible. With that said on his first shift of the game he fired the puck off an opposing forwards shinpads at the redline which lead to a partial breakaway. He was -2 on the game and both goals against highlighted how he is hyper focused on the puck with first coming after his partner fired a puck up the strongside wall into coverage but on the play he followed the pass and left the slot wide open. On the second goal against he failed to recognize that his partner activated into the rush staying deep in the offensive zone. and exposing the middle for a breakaway.
Skating – Average skater with a forward lean and a bit of heel kick.
Vision & Poise – Is at his best when he goes with his first decision and keeps it simple.
Compete – Consistent high effort and compete. Won five of seven 50/50 puck battles and is winning 56% of his 50/50 puck battles this season.
Physicality – Is not an overly physical player who did not have a hit in this game and is averaging 0.35 hits per game this season. Will engage and shooting clear lanes.
Offensively – Limited
Defensively – His workman like attitude and ability clear shooting lanes are plusses but he will need to learn to scan the ice more and stop being so hyper focused on the puck to move up the depth chart.
Intangibles – He is a U18 OHL Priority draft pick who is carving out a consistent role.
Special Teams – Penalty killer who’s overall game will improve with better ice scanning.
Potential – We do not view him as a potential NHL draft pick
Liam Ladds (D, R, 6’2″, 163, Peterborough Petes, 10/28/2007)
Game Grade: B-
What is he? Standing at 6’2″, 163 pounds Ladds has an NHL frame on an October 2007 body. He is a right shot defenseman who is still growing into his body and getting comfortable with his length. He takes pride in the defensive side of the game and as he gains strength, power and coordination we feel the physical element of his game will blossom.
Awareness – He played a defensive minded game and kept things simple. There were a few times when we feel his gap was too soft but as he matures and his confidence grows we feel he has the foot work to surf and play tighter.
Skating – At this point he is still gaining the lower body strength to play hard through a full shift with his hips low and his knees over his toes but he has an easy glide and smooth pivot. As a late 2007 he has long runway for off ice development.
Vision & Poise – he dos not look to do anything special or make the highlight reel. Instead he moved the puck to his forwards as quickly as possible. If he did not have a passing lane Ladds moved his feet to create one or gained the redline for a dump in.
Compete – He is willing to battle, pin his man to the wall and clear shooting lanes but he is still gaining the strength required to consistently control the game defensively. Tonight he won four of twelve 50/50 puck battles and for the season he is winning 54% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Physicality – Looks to engage and initiate contact but is still gaining the strength needed to play the way he likes to play. Had two hits in this game with one being a beautiful open ice hit that stood his man up knocking him onto his back. We feel this is a glimpse into what we will be consistently seeing in the future. This year he is averaging 0.42 hits per game.
Offensively – Is at his best when he goes with his first option and does not look to over complicate things.
Defensively – Has the mindset to be defender who plays nightly versus the other team’s top offensive players.
Intangibles – Hardnosed kid who will stick up for his teammates and defend his crease,
Special Teams – With added and consistent details he can be a top penalty killing option.
Potential – His weight room commitment and dedication will take him where we feel he can play which is a middle pairing defender whose job is to make the opposing team’s top offensive players lives miserable.
Grayden Strohack (D, L, 6’3″, 193, Peterborough Petes, 06/09/2006)
Did not play
Dylan Woulds (D, L, 6’1″, 198, Peterborough Petes, 03/28/2006)
Did not play
Zachary Bowen (G, L, 6’3″, 181, Peterborough Petes, 04/25/2005)
Did not play
Nico Addy (RW, R, 6’4″, 213, Peterborough Petes, 08/17/2007)
Game Grade: C+
What is he? Standing at 6’4″, 215 pounds Addy is a massive August 2007 who is still learning how to use his body to consistently play impactful hockey. We know it’s in him and we have seen him do it but we feel that being such a large human at such a young age his mindset is still catching up to him.
Awareness – He is still learning what he is as a player. There are times when we can see he still feels it is in his best interest to try to dangle the puck through an opponent’s feet rather than being a bulldozer who destroys.
Skating – He shows a deep knee bend with a bit of a heel kick. The knee bend is what we care about. The stride efficiency can be worked on and improved as he gains core strength.
Vision & Poise – He is not a dangler but still has some youth hockey dangling tendencies.
Compete – We liked how he stopped on pucks and back checked into the low slot. We also feel like him winning 60% of his 50/50 puck battles is a matter of when, not if. Tonight he won two of eleven 50/50 puck battles and for the season he is winning 47% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Physicality – He has all of the requirements to be an intimidating force but is still learning how to be that player on a shift by shift basis. He had zero hits tonight and is averaging 0.87 hits per game this season.
Offensively – Is still learning how to be a force below the tops of the circles and in front of the net. This year he has attempted 117 total shots with only 13 of those coming from the low slot, 11 of them being on net and only one resulting in a goal. The intriguing and best part about the lone goal, Addy got pissed off knocking two opponents down in the corner and then beat them to the crease. If he can play with that intimidation and rage he has a chance to have a career.
Defensively – He hustled into the low slot while backchecking. That’s not going to win him a Selke but it will help him earn the coach’s trust.
Intangibles – August 2007 who is 6’4″, 215 pounds.
Special Teams – Continuous work on his hand eye coordination and he has everything needed to be a power play #1 net front presence.
Potential – The intriguing and best part about the lone goal he has scored from the top of the crease, Addy got pissed off in the corner knocking two opponents on to their asses in the corner and then beat them to the crease. If he can play with and harness that intimidation and rage he has a chance to have an NHL career.
Joseph Cadorin (LW, L, 5’11”, 161, Peterborough Petes, 03/29/2007)
Game Grade: C
What is he? The 2007 Cadorin a below average sized left shot left wing who is still gaining the strength needed to be an impactful player in the OHL. At lower levels he showed a knack for finding the quiet scoring areas in the offensive zone and for getting under the skin of his opponents. We have no doubt these traits are still inside of him but he just needs a dedicated off season in the weight room.
Awareness – He was -2 in this game with neither goal having much to do with him. We still think back to him finding the quiet areas in the offensive zone and know there is some offensive instincts and awareness inside of him.
Skating – He shows average straight line speed and acceleration. Added strength training and explosive plyometrics will help.
Vision & Poise – He looks to make tape to tape passes whenever possible but there are times when he telegraphs his intentions. Tonight he completed five of seven passes and for the season he is competing 80% of his passes.
Compete – He works hard but added strength and conditioning will allow him to compete for a full 0:45 second back to back to back shifts. Tonight he won two of six 50/50 puck battles and for the season he is winning 50% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Physicality – He is willing to play an abrasive game but (again) added strength, explosiveness and conditioning will allow him to impact the game more consistently. He had two hits in this game and is averaging 0.65 hits per game.
Offensively – Has been very quiet during his rookie year with 1 goal and 1 assist through 52 games.
Defensively – Moves his feet on the backcheck into the low slot.
Intangibles – He can play an annoying abrasive game.
Special Teams – He has the mindset to be a penalty killer or a bumper on the power play but needs to get stronger and more explosive.
Potential – We’ve said it repeatedly here but he needs to gain strength, power and explosiveness to capitalize on being middle of the lineup pest in professional hockey.
Brennan Faulkner (LW, L, 5’11”, 159, Peterborough Petes, 12/28/2005)
Game Grade: C
What is he? Faulkner is a late 2005 who is playing in his rookie OHL season after being drafted #6 overall by Peterborough Petes in the OHL U18 Priority Selection Draft.
Awareness – Simple and straight forward. Tries to do the simple play over and over.
Skating – Average acceleration and agility.
Vision & Poise – Tonight the simple play allowed him to complete 6 of 8 passes and for the season he is completing 82% of his passes.
Compete – Won six of eight 50/50 puck battles and is winning 53% of his 50/50 puck battles this season.
Physicality – Not a banger but will work to set picks for his teammates and is willing to take a hit to make a play.
Offensively – He had 58 points in 47 games last season in the GOJHL.
Defensively – Works to be where he is supposed to be.
Intangibles – As a U18 Priority Selection we like his attitude and compete.
Special Teams – Possible penalty killer and second unit power play in the OHL.
Potential – We do not view him as an NHL draft pick at this point.
Braydon McCallum (C, R, 5’10”, 176, Peterborough Petes, 05/03/2006)
Game Grade: B
What is he? McCallum is a below average sized right shot forward who leaves no doubt that he played in the game. He finishes his hits. He is a conversationalist. And he is genuinely entertaining to watch play.
Awareness – He plays on the edge but is aware of what he is doing and why he is doing it. So far this year he has earned 128 PIMs and has drawn 159 penalties. We love that.
Skating – He shows an almost bowlegged skating posture with long fluid strides and an easy glide. He has the posture, stride and recovery that will allow him to get faster as he gains weight and strength.
Vision & Poise – He makes the passes that need to be made. Usually nothing extraordinary but he can consistently make the 10′-15′ pass. Tonight he completed 12 of 17 passes and for the season he is completing 79% of his passes.
Compete – High compete, high effort player.
Physicality – Averaging 1.58 hits per game.
Offensively – Creates offense through puck movement and attacking the crease. Has attempted 202 shots so far this season with 89 coming from inside the belly of the house. All of his goals have come from below the hashmarks and inside of the face-off dots.
Defensively – His effort and compete allow him to be impactful defensively.
Intangibles – He plays on the edge and draws penalties.
Special Teams – Is used as a primary power play guy and on the penalty kill. His penalty kill time on ice would be higher but he spends time in the box.
Potential – Middle six antagonist who is loved by his hometown fans and loathed by opposing fans. Time and commitment in the weight room will tell just how high he can play.
Brody Partridge (C, L, 5’11”, 180, Peterborough Petes, 09/14/2006)
Game Grade: C
What is he? Standing at 5’11” Partridge is a below average sized left shot center who plays a direct straight forward game. After being selected in the 13th round at 249th overall in the 2022 OHL Draft, he has turned himself into fourth line center for the Petes.
Awareness – Played a simple defensive minded game that kept him out of trouble.
Skating – Showed a forward leaning shoulder beyond his toes skating posture that limits his glide and efficiency.
Vision & Poise – He used the walls as much as possible competing 2 of 4 passes versus North Bay and is completing 70% of his passes on the season.
Compete – Partridge works hard and keeps his feet moving throughout his shifts but at this point he is still developing the strength needed to be a shutdown forward or center that coaches can turn to for important defensive zone face-offs. Tonight he won one of six 50/50 puck battles and for the season he is winning 43% of his 50/50 battles.
Physicality – Although he works hard to be on the right side of the puck he is not a banger as he had zero hits in this game and is averaging 0.22 hits per game this year.
Offensively – Has scored goals at lower levels but in the OHL he is focused on keeping things simple and keeping his job. He had zero shots tonight and has just 32 shots in 60 games this season.
Defensively – Takes his job seriously trying to maintain net side positioning throughout his shift.
Intangibles – We love that he has turned being a 13th round OHL draft pick into being a valuable role player for the Petes.
Special Teams – With added strength and improved skating efficiency Partridge could become a penalty killer.
Potential – At this point we do not view Partridge as a potential NHL draft pick.
Caden Taylor (C, L, 6’2″, 186, Peterborough Petes, 03/31/2007)
Game Grade: B-
What is he? Standing at 6’2″, 186 pounds Taylor is a 2007 born left shot left wing with the frame, skating posture and acceleration that will have NHL eyes focusing on him throughout the rest of his junior career. Overall he is still growing into himself and gaining the shift to shift consistency that will be required for him to have a shot NHL career.
Awareness – Is still learning who he is as a player and understanding how to impose his will on his opponents. He is a 2007 so he is still young but we would like to see him play in straight purposeful lines with an added edge to his game.
Skating – Taylor has an athletic shoulder-knee-toe skating posture with a shoulder width base that will allow him to be both quicker, faster and more agile as he gains strength and weight.
Vision & Poise – He took the time to settle the puck down and make a firm flat pass. He had one turnover in his defensive grey area that was the result of him trying to one-touch a bouncing puck to his linemate in the right dot-lane. Tonight he completed twenty-one of twenty-three passes and for the season he is completing just 79% of his passes. We feel as he gains confidence and experience Taylor has the puck skills needed to make the pass.
Compete – He has an opportunity in front of him and good hard offseason of strength training and conditioning will lead directly to being an NHL draft pick if he wants it. Tonight he won three of seven 50/50 puck battles and for the season he is winning 43% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Physicality – Tonight he had zero hits and for the season he is averaging 0.19 hits per game. Adding the element of intimidation would add to his game. He also had a needless tripping penalty below the face-off dots in the offensive zone. With his speed we would have liked to see him move his feet rather than reaching in.
Offensively – He had two powerplay opportunities with one coming on a downhill backfoot snap shot from the left dot-lane that generated and a sweeping one-timer from below the right dot-lane that missed wide to the far side.
Defensively – Taylor has the skating agility, quickness and speed to play impactful 200′ hockey.
Intangibles – He has frame to be an NHLer.
Special Teams – He is currently used as a mid-wall or downhill shooting option on the powerplay but in professional hockey he will be a net front option. Again his agility, quickness and speed could allow him to be a penalty killer but he will need to add details.
Potential – Taylor has the genetics to be a top six forward in professional hockey and we feel his off ice commitment to his craft will dictate if he is playing those minutes in the NHL or at a different level.
Aiden Young (LW, L, 5’10”, 163, Peterborough Petes, 04/18/2007)
Game Grade: B
What is he? Standing at 5’10” the 2007 born Young is a below average sized left shot forward who looks comfortable playing in between the face-off dots.
Awareness – He had a few hurried puck decisions in the grey areas that led to easy puck retrievals for North Bay’s defenseman and one of those occurred on a 5 on 3 power play. But even after saying that we liked his puck management and feel with added OHL experience he will begin to use purposeful strong side chips.
Skating – He has quick feet, fluid strides and an easy glide.
Vision & Poise – He played the game with his eyes up scanning the ice before he received the puck or won the loose puck battle. He completed sixteen of eighteen passes and for the season he is completing 84% of his passes.
Compete – Tonight he was all over the puck winning five of eight 50/50 puck battles for 63% and on the season he is winning 48% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Physicality – Added strength and power will help his overall game as he is willing to engage and battle but he is not a physical presence as he is averaging 0.24 hits per game this season and he had zero hits versus North Bay.
Offensively – He has the first touch and ice scanning to be an offensive producer in the OHL and possibly beyond.
Defensively – Added strength, explosiveness and power will allow him to be an impactful in zone defender as he has the awareness to maintain net side positioning while battling.
Intangibles – He has been a captain at lower levels. He was a key part of the Owen Beck trade.
Special Teams – We feel he can be a mid-wall or bumper on a power play and use his offensive instincts to be on the penalty kill units.
Potential – Adding strength, power and explosiveness will obviously add to his speed which will give him opportunities to earn a role in professional hockey.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images