1. Aidan Hughes (G) – Sarnia Legionnaires (GOJHL) – April.10.1999 – 6’3, 240 – London, Ontario
26 GP – (10-11-2) – 3.39 GAA – 0.899 Save % – 0 SO
Hughes is a big, athletic butterfly style goaltender with impressive mobility and tremendous upside. The towering netminder shows strong rebound control, along with the ability to corral shots, preventing second chance opportunities. An imposing figure, that moves well laterally, Hughes covers the lower half of the net extremely well, although he tends to play deep in his net, which turns him into more of a puck blocking goaltender, relying on his size to be effective. Hughes moves fairly well in the net and plays his angles well, however improvements could be made in his post to post movements as he can lose his net, and get caught needing to make desperation saves. The London native plays his angles well, displays excellent poise between the pipes and brings a strong work ethic along with tremendous competitiveness to the table. While still some what raw, despite a fairly strong season with GOJHL’s Sarnia Legionnaires Hughes does possess intriguing pro potential and could very well rival Windsor’s Michael DiPietro as the OHL’s top ’99 born goaltender.
2015 – 2nd Round – 34th Overall
2. Quinton Hughes (D) – U.S. National Under 17 Team (USDP) – October.14.1999 – 5’8, 157 – Orlando, Florida
44 GP – 7 G – 16 A – 23 PTS – 20 PIM
A highly mobile and extremely smart defender, Quinton Hughes possesses immense upside, despite his designation as an undersized defensemen. Hughes boasts a large and versatile skill set, although his best attribute is argubably his skating. Displaying strong four-way mobility, an explosive first stride, strong edges and elite straight line speed, Hughes shows an uncanny ability to not only lead the offensive attack as a puck carrying defensemen, but skate the puck out of danger in the defensive zone. A player who gains the offensive zone with relative ease, Hughes looks to create as soon as he gains entry to the offensive zone. A player who displays excellent patient in possession, Hughes has an ability to show offensive creativity will still make quality decisions with the puck and limits his turnovers. Boasting high end puck skills, Hughes displays quick hands and strong puck control along with deceptively strong puck protection skills and an ability to make a crisp and accurate outlet pass. Arguably at his best in possession, Hughes is extremely poised, handles a forecheck with relative ease and isn’t easily rattled. Offensively, Hughes can create from the back end as he shows the ability to create shooting lanes with high end foot speed and shifty body movements. A player who is tough to contain due to his combination of speed and skill, Hughes injects himself into the offensive attack appropriately. In his own zone Hughes shows impressive awareness, along with strong positional player. A stick on puck defender for the most part, Hughes possesses an active and effective stick along with strong contain due to his elite hockey sense and high end foot speed. A high end talent, should Hughes come to the OHL he would have an immediate impact.
2015 – 3rd Round – 49th Overall
3. Luke Kunin (C) – University of Wisconsin (NCAA) – December.4.1997 – 6’0, 196 – Chesterfield, Missouri
27 GP – 13 G – 10 A – 23 PTS – 26 PIM – -8
Currently toiling with the University of Wisconsin, rumors swirled earlier this season that Luke Kunin was on the verge of joining the Sarnia Sting. While that didn’t happen there is still reason to believe the versatile offensive threat could end up in Sarnia next season. A consensus first round pick in the upcoming NHL draft, Luke Kunin combines a high level hockey IQ with a strong and consistent compete level and intriguing offensive attributes to ply his trade as an intriguing offensively gifted forward. A player who battles hard, Kunin shows a tenaciousness in puck pursuit along with an aggressiveness on the forecheck that allows him to force turnovers and turn them into scoring chances. Kunin displays a level of offensive creativity in possession however he is undoubtedly a shoot first forward with a high end, high velocity shot. A player who effectively finds soft spots in defensive zone coverage’s, Kunin is near lethal in the scoring area’s due to his quick release and elite shot. Displaying above average puck skills, along with quick hands and strong puck protection abilities, Kunin can thrive in high traffic areas and does possess a level of tenacity to his game. While his skating isn’t elite, its more than adequate, as the 6’0, 196 foward gets around the ice well and can play with a solid pace to his game.
2013 – 12th Round – 229th Overall
4. Colton McKenna (LW) – Buffalo Jr. Sabres U16 (T1EHL U16) – August.17.1999 – 6’2, 181 – Buffalo, New York
32 GP – 14 G – 9 A – 23 PTS – 57 PIM
Colton McKenna is an intriguing, bid bodied forward with a versatile skill set and developing two-way capabilities. A player who boasts a long and powerful stride, McKenna boasts intriguing straight line speed for a big bodied forward. A player who moves North/South extremely well, McKenna can become fairly shifty and elusive in possession when he combines his speed, skating abilities and puck skills. A player who displays quick and impressive hands, McKenna boasts strong puck control along with strong puck protection abilities which often shine brightest on his net drives and when taking the puck to high traffic areas. A player who by know means is deterred by the high traffic and gritty areas of the ice, McKenna actually excels in the afformentioned areas, using his physical attributes to his advantage. Arguably at his best in possession, as he likes to create offensively while dissecting the opposition, McKenna displays a high end shot that combines an excellent release with strong accuracy and high velocity to catch goaltenders flat footed. A player who can be very tough to contain due to his foot speed, size and skill, McKenna not only displays a nose for the net but has become more aggressive and has begun to inject himself physically on a more consistent bases. A somewhat underrated prospect who went in the eighth round of the 2015 OHL Draft, McKenna should push for a roster spot in Sarnia next season.
2015 – 8th Round – 149th Overall
5. Kelton Hatcher (D) – Honeybaked U18 (HPHL U18) – April.19.1999 – 5’11, 157 – Haddonfield, New Jersey
22 GP – 0 G – 2 A – 2 PTS – 6 PIM
The son of Head Coach Derian Hatcher make know mistake, this kid belongs in the OHL and the Sting where very justified in their selection of him in the fourth round of the 2015 OHL draft. Plying his trade with the Honeybaked U18 team, Kelton Hatcher is a throwback to the old school, rugged style of defensive defensemen. While he’s still growing in filling out his frame, Hatcher displays a high end compete level, brings a consistent effort and can be very tough to play against. While he doesn’t exactly have the mean streak of his father, he does engage physically and makes opponents nights tough. A player who skates fairly well, Hatcher keeps his game simple as his strength is in his own zone. A player who shows a willingness to clog the shooting/passing lanes and block shots, Hatcher effectively clears the net front, shows and active and effective stick and impressive contain. The puck skills are there, and while they may not be elite, they get the job done, with that being said there certainly is room for improvement. Hatcher projects to be a stay at home defender who could argubably become a second pairing defender with some intriguing pro potential. Look for Hatcher to push for a roster spot in Sarnia next season.
2015 – 4th Round – 69th Overall
6. Matthew Cassidy (RW) – Team Comcast 18 U (AYHL 18U) – May.31.1999 – 6’0, 170 – Medford, New Jersey
21 GP – 15 G – 14 A – 29 PTS – 58 PIM
Matt Cassidy is an intriguing, versatile offensive threat with some impressive upside to his game. A pure offensive threat who produced at over a 2.0 point per game pace during his minor midget season, Cassidy has continued to rack of the points this season, showing an ability to play the role of playmaker and goal scorer. Cassidy is blessed with strong vision and impressive playmaking abilities, along with a level of offensive creativity. With that being said Cassidy shows patience in possession and makes good decisions, rarely turning pucks over. However Cassidy does lack some strength and can be knocked off the puck with relative ease, which needs to improve for him to make an impact at the next leave. A player with quick and strong hands, Cassidy also possesses an impressive shot that comes off a quick release and boasts impressive accuracy. The Medford, New Jersey native boasts impressive straight line speed, along with strong change of pace and direction abilities, which can make him some what shifty and elusive in possession, however there is room for Cassidy to improve his skating abilities. With an offensive skill set that has allowed him to produce over the past few seasons, if Cassidy can translate that ability to the OHL he could be a huge steal as a 12th round pick.
2015 – 12th Round – 229th Overall
7. Graham McPhee (LW) – U.S. National Under 18 Team (USDP) – July.24.1998 – 5’11, 172 – Bethesda, Maryland
40 GP – 7 G – 4 A – 11 PTS – 20 PIM
Committed to Boston College for the 2016-2017 season Graham McPhee would be an excellent “Get” for the Sarnia Sting if he chose to forgo his NCAA commitment and join the OHL. A versatile offensive threat that combines a dynamic playmaking skill set with elite hockey sense and a high compete level, McPhee brings a high level of skill and consistency to the table. With two-way capabilities, McPhee is equally effective in possession as he is away from the puck. A player who make strong decisions in possession, McPhee sees the ice well and shows high end play making skills, while showing an ability to do everything he does well at a high pace. While McPhee may be a more of a playmaking winger, he does show an excellent nose for the net, along with with an ability to get to the high traffic areas. A net front presence, McPhee works the half boards and cycle extremely well, displaying his strong puck protection skills as he powers past opponents off the half boards and out of the corners. A player who is extremely tough to knock of the puck, McPhee can play a heavy game for a player of his size. McPhee shows a willingness to engage physically and certainly has an edge to his game. A player who is aggressive on the forecheck, McPhee uses his speed, hockey sense and physicality to force turnovers, creating offensive opportunities for himself and teammates. While not a natural goal scorer, McPhee does show a nose for the net and a deceptively good shot. A player who would be much higher in the Sting Prospect rankings, if not for his NCAA Commitment.
2014 – 9th Round – 161st Overall
8. Zach Ribau (C/LW) – Mississauga Chargers (OJHL) – February.15.1998 – 6’2, 203 – Oakville, Ontario
49 GP – 6 G – 4 A – 10 PTS – 2 PIM
Ribau is an aggressive forward with strong physical attributes and a deceptive amount of untapped skill to his game. A player who stands 6’2 and weighs in just over 200 pounds, Ribau uses his intriguing size to his advantage, dominating below the goal line at times. Arguably at his best below the offensive zone hash marks, Ribau works the cycle and half boards with effectiveness, showing intriguing foot speed and strong puck protection skills as he drives off opponents and out of the corners with power and determination. A net front presence, Ribau shows a willingness and effectiveness in the gritty, high traffic areas of the ice, along with deceptively good hands in tight. Ribau has made some excellent improvements as far as his skating goes since his minor midget season, as he displays a powerful and fluid stride that allow him to generate above average speed. While he may lack an explosive first step, Ribau is able to generate speed fairly quickly which allows him to get around the ice well. Tenacious in puck pursuit, Ribau shows an aggressiveness and a willingness to engage on the forecheck, which often results in him forcing turnovers and being able to create offensive opportunities. In possession Ribau does lack a level of offensive creativity, however he does have some deceptive playmaking skills and does show improving vision, which have made Ribau a more versatile two-way threat. A potential wildcard to crack the Sting lineup next season in a fourth line depth role.
2014 – 12th Round – 221st Overall
9. Franco Sproviero (D) – Sarnia Legionnaires (GOJHL) – July.1.1998 – 5’9, 160 – Sarnia, Ontario
37 GP – 4 G – 38 A – 42 PTS – 73 PIM
Franco Sproviero is an undersized, offensive minded defensemen who plays a very appealing style of game. A player who displays good mobility and impressive foot speed, Sproviero excels in possession as he displays the ability to excel as a puck rushing defensemen. Sproviero sees the ice extremely well and boasts strong playmaking skills with the ability to create offensive from the back end. Despite his capabilities as a puck carrying defender, Sproviero also displays and ability to make a crisp and accurate first pass. While Sproviero may be undersized he shows a level of tenaciousness and aggressiveness to his game, but isn’t overly physical. A player who sometimes tries to do much, which leads to turnovers, if Sproviero could refine his game a little on the defensive side of the puck without taking away from his offensive game, he could develop intro a very intriguing piece for the Sting.
2014 – 8th Round – 141st Overall
10. Ryan Porter (D) – Whitby Fury (OJHL) – February.6.1998 – 5’9, 155 – Whitby, Ontario
45 GP – 1 G – 15 A – 16 PTS – 30 PIM
Another undersized, offensive minded defensemen, Ryan Porter displays a little more of a two-way game then fellow prospect Franco Sproviero. A player who boasts strong foot speed and ample mobility, Porter shows an ability to make a strong first pass along with the capability to gain the offensive zone as a puck carrying defender. Porter sees the ice well and makes good decisions in possession, limiting his turnover, while increasing his effectiveness. In the offensive zone Porter shows the ability to create shooting lanes with shifty body movements and head fakes, while also possessing a deceptively strong point shot that he gets on net. Defensively speaking Porter closes gaps well and defends well as a stick on puck defender, however he can lose puck battles and get beat on net drives by stronger opponents due to his lack of size and strength. While Porter possesses intriguing hockey sense, strong skating ability and some two-way capabilities, he essentially projects as a bottom pairing defender at the OHL level.
2014 – 7th Round – 121st Overall
NCAA Commitments
Mitch Eliot (D) – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – Committed to Michigan State University for the 2016-2017 Season
Quinton Hughes (D) – U.S. National Under 17 Team (USDP) – Committed to the University of Michigan for the 2018-2019 Season
Graham McPhee (LW) – U.S. National Under 18 Team (USDP) – Committed to Boston College for the 2016-2017 Season
Written By: Mike Mackley (@Macker61)
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Scouting Reports by: Mike Mackley
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