
Tournament: Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game.
Jack Ivankovic (G, L, 5’11”, 178, Brampton Steelheads, 05/22/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Jack didn’t allow a goal in the time he played, after he came into the all-star game, mid-period (second) until the game played out in the overtime period. Jack was more assertive than we have seen him play, in a long time this season, and the results speak for themselves. Jack , for this observer was the best player in this game, as he made numerous players on the Team West shake their heads after Jack robbed clear point blank shots and even a break-away save on Michael Misa when the game was tied. Jack would flourish if given a good defence to play behind.
Nolan Jackson (D, L, 6’1″, 190, Ottawa 67s, 01/02/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Nolan plays a safe, stick checking style of play, followed by good body positioning defence. Nolan will most likely start to get more bravado to his play in the next year or so and hopefully show off his good offensive instincts that he was showing when he played in his draft season as the captain of a good Barrie U 16 team. When the transformation takes place and Nolan commits 100 % to what he is capable of doing, then we will see what Nolan is all about. This will not take place until Nolan believes in himself, makes the commitment and willingness to leave the safe environment and take a walk on the wild side.
Ethan Czata (F, L, 6’0″, 157, Niagara Icedogs, 05/29/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Ethan was very noticeable in this game and not for the usual point production in goals and assists as usual expected. Ethan was actually doing what most players were not even considering. Playing defence. What a concept. Ethan was playing hard and sometimes assertively in the physical department, in all three areas of the ice, back checking and playing responsibly probably because many of his line mates were not even thinking of playing defensively. Believe it or not many of the NHL scouts want to see this side of play first as scoring usually comes from creating turnovers. Ethan has definitely improved this side of his game and for this his chances of getting drafted early in this upcoming NHL draft just improved immensely as we already know that Ethan can score(18 goals & 26 assists) this season for the high scoring Ice Dogs.
Carson Cameron (D, R, 6’1″, 193, Peterborough Petes, 06/27/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Carson played against the top players in this all-star game and did his best to play a two way game, when his defensive partners had no real intentions of consciously doing the same thing.Carson had an impressive game and even took on one of the tougher guys for the West team(Jack Nesbitt) who was taking liberties with his keeper late in the game. Carson is a stand up guy that will continue to get nastier when he gets his man strength and will eventually have the last laugh.
Aiden Young (LW, L, 5’10”, 182, Peterborough Petes, 04/18/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Aiden was playing on a line that was clicking for the entire game and appeared to be very comfortable together as the puck was moving as fast as these players could keep up. Aiden sees the ice very well and makes great passes, sometimes taking a hit to free a team mate, that has a better chance to advance the puck, was on display on this day. Aiden can and will play at the next level, either the NCAA and then the Professional game to follow. High skill game with a very high hockey IQ. Two assists tonight.
Filip Ekberg (LW, L, 5’10”, 166, Ottawa 67s, 04/14/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Filip just kept it simple and didn’t jeopardize the team in any manner by doing selfish things or getting caught cheating in his responsibilities. The tendency to try to do too much is always present in these types of all-star games and Filip didn’t fall into this trap. I liked his poise and decisions made when he did handle the puck and especially was impressed with his defensive positioning when he didn’t have the puck.
Jake O’Brien (C, R, 6’2″, 175, Brantford Bulldogs, 06/16/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Outside of Jake’s still developing physical stature we continue to see the elite, subtle small plays that he makes to put him way above the other top players in this draft. When describing Jake, words like subtle keep jumping out at me and this is why I use it when trying to describe such a unique player. Similar comparative adjectives( Fine, Overnice,Precise,Elusive,Hairsplitting). Complex and understated. These words also come to mind when describing Jake O’Brien. We don’t see anyone that plays like Jake as he is one in himself. It’s just a joy to watch this player evolve and we never know what he is going to do. Can’t imagine his opponents looking forward to playing against Jake. This observer has seen no match in this OHL group. Lest we forget that he is still morphing into something rare indeed.
Kashawn Aitcheson (D, L, 6’2″, 200, Barrie Colts, 09/21/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: Kashawn had freedom to roam and join into the rush, on the offensive side of the play, or so it appeared in this all-star game. Having watched Kashawn play numerous times this season, it almost appeared as though he was trying too hard to make things happen and he seemed to be just a bit overzealous in his attempt to be noticed offensively. This approach didn’t seem out of sorts, for the most part because Kashawn was playing on a team of very good players that understood what Kashawn was attempting to do on the offensive rush. All in all Kashawn was a plus +1 on the night and did show off his skating speed, strength on the check and good heavy physicality to anyone that wanted to play that style.
Josh Avery (C, L, 6’0″, 172, Brantford Bulldogs, 01/30/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Josh is a very good skater especially in the North/South direction and was used on the PK but unfortunately was on for a couple of goals. Josh just has to chalk this up to experience and pick himself up, as we all need to fall in order to learn, which I think will be the case with this talented defence first style player.
Owen Griffin (C, R, 5’10”, 160, Oshawa Generals, 04/08/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: We think that Owen has the potential to play professional hockey and if tonight’s game was an indication of what he can do at the speed of play that he and his line mates were playing at then where he gets drafted is just what the NHL teams have to figure out. Owen is an instinctively quick thinker and his hands respond to his quick attacking style of play. It just took Owen a bit of time to adjust to the different atmosphere and he is settling in quite nicely. Now that Owen has been moved to his true position, at centre he will need to balance getting stronger while maintaining his attacking speed of play.
Matthew^Koprowski|
Grade: B+
Comments: Matthew came into the game cold, mid-period, and did what he was supposed to do, that being stopping the puck, in an all-star game where defence is at a premium. Matthew allowed two goals in this showcase half game and both goals were when Matthew was pushed back into his net, when his own defenders collapsed, practically into Matthews crease. The best part of Matthews performance was when he was given space outside of his crease in order to stay assertive and big in his net. These are the top scoring players in this game and when Matthew stayed on his feet until the shots came his way, he made the game look easy.
David Bedkowski (D, R, 6’4″, 208, Oshawa Generals, 12/07/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: David caught our eye right away, early in this all-star game, as he is first and foremost a big presence on the ice, who can skate in both directions very well. This player has been noted to use his reach to keep opposing players at bay and can be assertive when the situation is appropriate to play this style. In this game David was showing respect towards the other participants, for both teams and on the first offensive goal for his team, had a touch play off the boards, to the eventual goal scorer for his team, Romano, who buried his shot, past the team east goaltender, Egorov. David didn’t get much time on the special team PP and saw limited time on the PK, showing effectiveness. He did his job while marking his man on a goal scored by Moses in the first period, but a good tip-in by Moses nullified David’s strong positional coverage. This player is going to become a force in this league and was a good pick up in a trade with Oshawa by his present team, Owen Sound. As a late B.D. and a draft eligible player in this upcoming draft, David is a likely candidate to be selected by numerous NHL teams, due to his potential and willingness to play the professional style, two way game.
Jimmy^Lombardi|
Grade: B-
Comments: When we notice Jimmy playing at his best and most efficient two way style of play, it is just that. Plain and simple. Jimmy must be willing to put in the work and effort to cover the entire ice surface for every shift that he plays in every game that he plays. When Jimmy takes shortcuts and cheats he leaves himself open to big hits and then he becomes shy and backs off his usual great fore checking/play making creative game. When Jimmy gets back and plays like a third defender and provides an outlet pass to his team mates he is much more effective on his own side of the puck. Jimmy is a great skater and will learn from his mistakes quickly. Just too talented a player to fall off of the NHL lists.
Malcolm Spence (LW, L, 6’1″, 205, Erie Otters, 09/22/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: For this observer I have seen Malcolm play more effectively in the past when he was playing at a lighter weight class. We have seen in the past that when players become too bulky and don’t maintain their skating speed, they tend to get to the puck slightly later and therefore are having trouble getting pucks to the net and or getting shots blocked or tipped. This is what this observer was seeing when he played against like minded players in this game. Malcolm does play a high compete/skill game and will most likely be most effective playing at about 190 lbs. Just an opinion.
Cameron Reid (D, L, 6’0″, 195, Kitchener Rangers, 04/08/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Cameron was chosen as his team’s star of the game, and rightfully so, due to his stellar play, while playing as the set up guy twice, while playing on the PP. Cameron also assisted one other time when playing at even strength and he was only on for one goal against at 5 on 5. Cameron is appropriately assertive when boxing out most players, and in this type of all-star game setting, we are not going to be passing judgement on Cameron’s physicality score. Solid performance from a highly skilled player that has an IQ to match.
Brady Martin (C, R, 6’0″, 180, Soo Greyhounds, 01/01/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Brady was his teams most effective forward, that continues to give his all every shift, and, as previously mentioned has the understanding ,for himself, to compete at the next level of play,he must remain fast on his feet and not get too bulky or sluggish. Brady actually let up off the gas pedal when playing against his fellow competitors in this all-star setting, as he is usually much heavier on the body when checking. Scored a reflex goal when he tipped a shot in from Cameron Reid that most players wouldn’t have been able to connect on.
Jack Nesbitt (C, L, 6’4″, 185, Windsor Spitfires, 01/12/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Jack had a good game and because he understands where the gold is, was mining around the mother load in front of the opponents net. Jack understands that he must fashion his game like Corey Perry in order to start collecting the riches that come when you have a multifaceted game. We also think that Jack rides or toes the line when playing his rambunctious style and sometimes goes just a bit over this line. Respectfully speaking though, Jack isn’t trying to injure anyone deliberately. He is just a great big player with very good overall skills that are just starting to translate into their true potential. Can’t wait to see when Jack becomes a mature full grown man that will more than likely top out at 210-220 lbs and difficult to move from where he stakes his claim.
Michael Misa (C, L, 6’1″, 185, Saginaw Spirit, 02/16/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Michael was doing what he does which is play on the offensive side with the puck, finding time and space in all directions and attempting to score or set up mates if he doesn’t have any option to score. what I didn’t notice though was the quickness of feet, hands or instinctive play making the top players in the professional leagues have. Michael was stopped by Jack Ivankovic late in the game when he should have probably scored. Maybe it was an off night as we all sometimes have.
Luca Romano (RW, R, 5’11”, 178, Kitchener Rangers, 06/25/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: We’ll give Luca kudos for scoring one of the most impressive and top goals on the night, and for the rest of the game seemed to be on the ice for all four of his teams goals. Luca must have been doing something right. We can’t argue that Luca wasn’t a positive contributor on the night and we would like to see more play from him to make a better summation of his overall play.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images