1. Cayden Primeau (G) – Philadelphia Revolution (EHL) – August.11.1999 – 6’2, 179 – Voorhees, New Jersey
25 GP – (13-5-0) – 2.01 GAA – 0.947 Save % – 5 SO
A big bodied, athletic netminder that covers a lot of net. Cayden Primeau is arguably one of the top goaltending prospects outside of the OHL. Toiling with the Philadelphia Revolution of the EHL, Primeau has taken on the starters role, recording some impressive numbers as a sixteen year old. Boasting impressive physical attributes Primeau displays impressive athleticism between the pipes, a butterfly style netminder, Primeau is a pure puck stopper relying on quick reflexes and strong positional play. A goaltender who moves well laterally, Primeau tracks the puck extremely well, fights through traffic and plays his angles well. While the young netminder has several intriguing traits to his game, his rebound control, while improved from last season, still needs some work as you still see some juicy rebounds pop out. While Primeau is committed to Northeastern University for the 2017-2018 season, the intrigue of a solid young club and an unclaimed number one goaltending position heading into the 2016-2017 season may yet lure Primeau to the OHL.
2015 – 5th Round – 89th Overall
2. Jake Harris (LW) – Toronto Patriots (OJHL) – April.10.1998 – 5’9, 165 – Toronto, Ontario
42 GP – 18 G – 22 A – 40 PTS – 14 PIM
Enjoying a breakout offensive campaign in his second season in the OJHL, a move from the North York Rangers to the Toronto Patriots has worked wonders for the diminutive winger. While somewhat undersized, Harris does not let his size deter him. A speedy winger with high end offensive skills, Harris consistently looks to create. Boasting an explosive first step and separation speed along with quick hands and strong puck control, Harris becomes very shifty and elusive in possession. A player who shows excellent on ice awareness, Harris anticipates the play well and uses his high end hockey IQ to excel in all three zones. In possession Harris displays intriguing vision and playmaking skills, becoming a dual threat in the offensive zone as a playmaker and a scorer. With an uncanny nose for the net, Harris also shows an impressive ability to find soft spots in defensive zone coverage’s. Boasting strong edges and deceptively good puck protection skills, Harris has an ability to role off checks and drive the net with authority. While undersized, Harris still shows a willingness to get to the high traffic areas and has an effectiveness off the cycle and off the rush. Showing a tenaciousness in puck pursuit and an aggressiveness on the forecheck, Harris has an excellent compete level and work ethic. While not formally committed to an NCAA program, Harris has yet to decide if he’ll join the Steelheads or take the NCAA route.
2014 – 10th Round – 185th Overall
3. Aidan McFarland (LW) – Napanee Raiders (EBJCHL) – April.5.1999 – 5’11, 203 – Quinte West, Ontario
32 GP – 23 G – 22 A – 45 PTS – 20 PIM
Currently producing at well over a point per game pace with the Napanee Raiders of the Empire B Junior C league, Aidan McFarland combines a heavy, power forward style of game with some intriguing offensive traits that allow him to thrive at the offensive end of the rink. A player in the mold of a power forward, McFarland displays a knack for finding the back of the net. A player who lacks explosiveness in his stride, McFarland does become difficult to contain off the rush once he reaches his top gear. McFarland shows strong puck protection skills along with a willingness to play in and through traffic, which allow him to excel off the rush and on net drives off the cycle. McFarland’s heavy style of game along with strong puck protection skills, allow him to thrive below the goal line and off the cycle. With an impressive ability to find soft spots in defensive zone coverage’s, McFarland can be lethal in the high percentage scoring areas, as he possesses a high end shot that comes off a quick release and shows impressive accuracy. Competent in his own zone, McFarland could show more attention to detail as he can get caught flat footed and puck watch at times. With a willingness to engage physically and strong offensive attributes, McFarland does show upside as a complimentary top six winger. However his foot speed and lack of explosiveness may make it tough for him to thrive in the OHL in the role of a top line point producer.
2015 – 4th Round – 65th Overall
4. Matthew Titus (RW) – Kemptville 73’s – May.15.1999 – 6’1, 165 – Stittsville, Ontario
36 GP – 5 G – 9 A – 14 PTS – 12 PIM
Matthew Titus is a rangy two-way forward that combines impressive physical attributes with an abundance of skill and strong skating abilities. Displaying strong four-directional mobility, Titus possesses a long and fluid powerful stride that allows him to cover large amounts of ice in minimal strides. With impressive straight line speed, Titus also shows impressive edge work and strong change of pace/direction abilities. Tenacious on the forecheck, Titus shows a willingness to engage physically on a consistent bases. A highly intelligent winger, Titus shows impressive on ice awareness and strong anticipation abilities, often getting to where the puck is going to be, before it gets there. Arguably at his best in possession, Titus shows strong puck protection skills and deceptively good hands to excel off the rush and below the goal line. Using his size to his advantage, Titus also works the corners and half boards with success, while thriving off the cycle at times. With deceptively good vision, Titus can also create offensive for his teammates, although that aspect shined a little brighter during his minor midget season than this year with Kemptville. With strong puck skills, impressive physical attributes, strong mobility and high end hockey sense, expect Titus to push for a roster spot next season with Mississauga.
2015 – 6th Round – 103rd Overall
5. Darcy Walsh (C) – Gloucester Rangers (CCHL) – February.6.1999 – 5’9, 152 – Gloucester, Ottawa
28 GP – 1 G – 5 A – 6 PTS – 9 PIM
Darcy Walsh is a diminutive, yet highly skilled, offensive minded forward with elite hockey sense. Walsh shows impressive skating traits, combining intriguing speed with strong change of pace/direction abilities that allow him to become shifty and elusive in possession. Offensively speaking Walsh can be lethal in the scoring areas, displaying a quality shot that comes off a quick release and possesses impressive accuracy. Boasting impressive 1 on 1 abilities, Walsh is arguably at his best in possession as he not only can dictate the pace of play but also displays high end vision and intriguing playmaking skills. Displaying quick hands and above average puck control, Walsh shows deceptively good puck protection skills despite a lack of size/strength. Walsh shows no hesitance to get to the high traffic areas, rather thriving off the cycle and out of the corners as he uses strong edge work and an impressive first step to drive past defenders into quality scoring areas. A strong positional player that shows a willingness to take a hit to make a play, Darcy Walsh plays with impressive pace, is competent in his own zone and displays intriguing offensive traits. Walsh may still choose the NCAA route, however currently uncommitted, he certainly boasts a skill set that would allow him to challenge for a roster spot in Mississauga next season.
2015 – 7th Round – 127th Overall
6. Alex Way (LW) – Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL) – January.20.1998 – 5’8, 165 – Ottawa, Ontario
46 GP – 10 G – 15 A – 25 PTS – 26 PIM
Amidst a breakout out campaign with the CCHL’s Ottawa Jr. Senators, the diminutive winger has quietly opened some eyes thus far this season. Way fired home thirty goals in thirty games during his minor midget draft year and looks to have found similar offensive touch this season. Receiving quality top six minutes and power play time, Way has shown his ability to create offensive time and time again. A speedy winger with strong skating abilities, Way is arguably at his best in possession as he becomes a dual threat. Showing intriguing vision and noteworthy playmaking skills, Way sees the ice very well. When you combine his strong release and accurate shot, Way’s versatility offensively is appealing. With an ability to create space with his speed and puck skills, Way show’s and ability to be shifty and elusive in possession. Tough to contain, Way looks as though his offensive abilities may allow him to make the next step in his hockey career. However Way is the type of player who needs to play in a top six role to enhance his effectiveness.
2014 – 9th Round – 165th Overall
7. Ryan Wells (D) – Toronto Nationals Midget “AAA” (GTHL) – August.18.1999 – 5’10, 175 – Mississauga, Ontario
Statistics Unavailable
A smooth skating defenseman, with intriguing two-way capabilities, Ryan Wells shows strong mobility along with high end hockey sense. Wells is a defender who relies on his high end skating ability to thrive, as he displays an impressive first step along with a fluid stride and above average speed. Strong in possession, Wells sees the ice extremely well, making a crisp and accurate first pass while also showing the ability to thrive as a puck carrying defender that can gain the offensive zone with relative ease. Offensively speaking Wells shows and uncanny ability to create shooting and passing lanes and often gets his shot through from the point. While he the left shooting defenseman doesn’t exactly boast a rocket from the back end, he gets his shot through and on net. Capable of running a power play, Wells foot speed is often most notable when he walks the offensive blue line to create shooting lanes and in his own zone when escaping the forecheck. While Wells won’t wow you on either side of the puck, he displays intriguing upside as a two-way defenseman that keeps his game simple, while still making noteworthy contributions on both sides of the puck. Well’s fifteenth round selection is due to the fact he’s undecided on whether he will choose the OHL route or the NCAA route.
2015 – 15th Round – 285th Overall.
8. Ryan O’Connell (D) – St. Andrew’s College (CAHS) – April. 25.1999 – 6’0, 155 – Gloucester, Ontario
22 GP – 1 G – 12 A – 13 PTS – 4 PIM
Ryan O’Connell was one of the Ottawa Jr. 67’s top defenders throughout his minor midget season, showing impressive mobility, intriguing hockey sense and developing two-way capabilities. This season the left shooting defender has joined St. Andrew’s prep school and has continued to round out his game. A defender that see’s the ice well and makes a strong first pass, O’Connell uses his hockey sense along with sound positional play and an active stick to defend at an effective rate. O’Connell gets up ice well and continues to round out his two-way game.
2015 – 8th Round – 145th Overall
9. Tyler Kleine (RW) – New Hamburg Firebirds (MWJCHL) – November.23.1998 – 6’2, 161 – New Hamburg, Ontario
25 GP – 17 G – 12 A – 29 PTS – 28 PIM
Kleine is a sizable two-way forward with a developing offensive skill set that makes him a highly intriguing prospect. After beginning the 2015-2016 season with the highly touted Kitchener Dutchmen, Kleine was re-assigned to the New Hamburg Firebirds Junior “C” team where his offensive production as been appealing. Producing at over a point per game pace, the hulking winger has begun to show the intriguing offensive upside many believed he had in his draft year, despite producing just six points through 31 games. A hard working, heavy player, Kleine shows a willingness to engage physically while also boasting some despite vision and scoring abilities. Arguably at his best off the cycle and below the goal line, Kleine skates fairly well for a big bodied winger. Possession strong defensive instincts, the bump in Kleine’s offensive production, albeit at the Junior “C” level is intriguing. Kleine’s size, physicality, smarts and defensive zone awareness makes him an option to fill a depth role with the Steelheads next season.
2014 – 5th Round – 81st Overall
10. Mark Rozanov (C) – Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL) – July.14. 1997 – 6’2, 161 – St. Petersburg, Russia
38 GP – 26 G – 15 A – 41 PTS – 24 PIM
Mark Rozanov is an appealing prospect for one reason and one reason only, his offensive attributes. While Rozanov has developed other aspects of his game over the past couple of seasons, they still have not reached the level they need to be at to make consistent contributions at the OHL level. Rozanov struggles with his skating as he has he displays a short, choppy, pigeon toed stride that results in him needing several strides to get going, and hinders his stop and start ability. In his own zone the nicest way to put it is, he’s lost. Rozanov often is flat footed and puck watches or continuously circles, from the blue line to the hash marks, turning his back to the play, hoping to generate enough speed to take a pass in full stride, however it often leads to his check sneaking in from the point or creating an offensive opportunity. With all of that being said, Rozanov does boast intriguing offensive straight. Displaying slick hands and strong puck control, Rozanov sees the ice very well and excels in possession. With strong vision and playmaking skills you quickly understand why he’s able to produce offensively. Rozanov’s shot is his best attribute, as it comes with a quick release, pin point accuracy and a strong amount of velocity. A definite nose for the net, if Rozanov could ever correct his his stride and learn how to play away from the puck and in his own zone there might be something there. However being a ’97 birth year Rozanov will be in tight to make the Steelheads and be apart of their future. None the less he could be an option.
2015 – 9th Round – 165th Overall
NCAA Commitments
Cayden Primeau (G) – Philadelphia Revolution (EHL) – Committed to Northeastern University for the 2017-2018 Season
Written By: Mike Mackley (@Macker61)
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*Scouting Reports by Mike Mackley
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