Neutral Zone had a scout in Hamilton on Saturday, November 20 th to watch the Sudbury Wolves visit the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Wolves, entering the game off a 4-2 win over Ottawa the night before, were facing a fresh Bulldogs squad. Hamilton had defeated the Peterborough Petes 10-6, in Peterborough on Thursday. The Bulldogs were relentless in this game, outshooting the Sudbury club 50-19 and winning the game by a 4-1 score.
HAMILTON
| Ryan Humphrey | Hamilton Bulldogs | OHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 174 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2019 | Northville, MI | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Humphrey played with a lot of emotion in this game and it really helped fuel his team. He had 6 shots on goal over the course of the game and seemed to be everywhere the puck was, especially in the offensive zone. His determination to win races and battles for pucks helped extend offensive zone time. He never seemed to give up on plays, bursting through containment to keep the play moving. He showed an elite level of awareness and ability to anticipate the flow of the play. His puck plays were consistent, positive and predictable for his teammates. He loved getting to the inside, and was consistently positioned at the front of the net, rewarded with several scoring chances off deflections, loose pucks and rebounds. His skating and determination gets him to where he needs to be. His edgework is adequate, but could use some development in transitional skating. The pattern of his play is constantly changing direction, growth in his ability to redirect himself without losing speed will really add to his impact. Grade B+
| Jonathan Melee | Hamilton Bulldogs | OHL | L | C | 6’1″ | 183 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2020 | Rockland, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Melee is a player worth monitoring over the course of this season. He has good size with room to grow. He showed quick feet, and it was helping on the penalty kill putting opposing players under pressure by shrinking the ice around them and using his stick to take away options. He showed a very good ability to anticipate the flow of the puck, as opposed to chasing or reacting to its movement. His puck skills were on display as he consistently pulled rimmed pucks off the dasher board and attempted next plays. Grade B
| Jorian Donovan | Hamilton Bulldogs | OHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 181 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2020 | Calgary, AB | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Donovan brings good size and a skill set that allows him to make an impact in games. A reliable puck mover, Donavan does an excellent job of scanning the ice prior to advancing the puck. If he sees open ice he is as confident in taking the puck and skating with it, as he is passing. His puck plays are quick and confident. He seems to have a high panic threshold; he recognizes his outlet options and rarely seems pressured into a panic play. He has a long, strong stride that is shown when he takes open ice with the puck or recognizes an opportunity to support an offensive attack. His edgework and mobility is above average, and is very capable of moving in 360 degrees effectively, depending on the requirement. His reads at the offensive blueline were excellent. He pinched down, held the line or accepted an exit depending on the play coming up the wall. Definitely a player to watch. Grade B+
SUDBURY
| Nolan Collins | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 192 | Sudbury Wolves | 2021 | Whitby, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Collins plays a simple, reliable game for the Wolves. He has an even disposition and calmly maintains good positioning in most situations. He processes the game well and recognizes “best play” options. He consistently provides his defensive partner with an outlet option and positions himself to be available for reverses or short passes to elude checkers. He will use his partner often as an outlet, changing the point of attack, rather than risk a low percentage pass ahead. He defends well, using his body position and stick blade to remain between the offensive threat and his goal. He is particularly effective in using his stick to generate puck separation from the opponent. He is not a physically dominant player but leans in on containment situations on the wall. His edge work requires development as an improvement in his mobility could go a long way to his growth as a defenseman that is hard to play against. Grade C+
| Payton Robinson | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 194 | Sudbury Wolves | 2019 | Burlington, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
First year OHLer is settling into a reliable defensive defenseman role with the Wolves. Robinson does a very good job of anticipating the overall play/pace of the game and positions himself to defend as required. He is very effective in using his stick blade to generate pressure points on his opponent, forcing them to change their path, eliminate their passing lanes or force them into puck separation. His puck skills are adequate . . . he uses short, quick passes/plays to move forward. Occasionally he will use his defensive partner as an out. He seems reluctant to jump into most offensive opportunities, at this point of his season, but certainly shows the skating ability and processing skills to contribute in that area, when the situation dictates. His mobility will require continued development, with a focus on balance and his edges. Grade C+
| Ethan Larmand | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | R | C | 5’11” | 181 | Sudbury Wolves | 2019 | Midland, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
Larmand is a late 2003 birth. He brings a high level of competitiveness and a work ethic to his game. He was utilized by his coach to defend a 3 vs 5 penalty kill and was very poised, while strategically positioning himself in shooting lanes to force a block or a different choice for the puck carrier. He showed quick feet, winning races to multiple loose pucks or closing in on opponents to forecheck. He makes very good use of his edges, able to change direction quickly, spin to protect the puck or cut to a better offensive lane. There is upside to this player. Grade B+
| David Goyette | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | L | C | 5’11” | 174 | Sudbury Wolves | 2020 | Hawkesbury, ON | 2004 | 2021-2022: C+ |
An above average skater with separation speed. Goyette’s quick feet and effort on pucks or backcheck gets him noticed immediately. His game is played at a higher pace than most, at least on this night. His game is played well in all three zones. He displayed commitment to defensive zone positioning, particularly down low, rarely getting caught on the wrong side of a pile. When he does need to recover positionally, he does so quickly. Goyette shows a keen ability to create offense. He uses his speed to find or create open space for himself, but also patiently allows others on the ice to get to openings where he can find them with an accurate pass. This player has tremendous upside. Grade B+
| Nicholas DeGrazia | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 181 | Sudbury Wolves | 2019 | Thunder Bay, ON | 2002 | 2021-2022: C |
Degrazia is a late 2002 birth and with the covid seasons, he deserves a longer, second look. He plays both power play and penalty kill minutes for the Wolves. He has some offensive skills that over a full OHL season may emerge and become consistent. His puck handling skills, particularly in traffic are very good. He is not the biggest body but does attempt to use his frame to shield the puck from opposing sticks. His board play tends to be reliable as he moves the puck to create a next play, most of the time. Despite a low amount of time in the offensive zone, he anticipates offensive plays well, funneling towards the net as a shot is directed there. His skating is adequate, but needs to develop quickness in transition situations. Grade C+
Evaluation: Murray Nystrom
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