The last part of my Season Preview I will take a stab at predicting the playoff results as well as this years award winners. Remember though that Predictions like records are meant to be broken or in this case wrong. Lets face it to many variables in predicting the OHL from Injuries to Trades to development of teenagers.
First a recap of how I think the conferences will finish for a more in depth look I have links up top to my Conference Previews
East
(1) Mississauga - Picked them last year if I keep picking them I am bound to be right
(2) Peterborough - If they get Korostolev back they will be dangerous.
(3) Oshawa - Young core that is exciting and won a playoff round last year. Very deep.
(4) Hamilton - Not confident with this pick. Vet D returns but they struggled last year
(5) Kingston - Great goalie, one of the best pair of imports and developing offensive talent.
(6) Barrie - Have a trio of young electric Russians. Can they score their way to a playoff spot?
(7) Niagara - Burgeoning talent but how quickly can young D overcome lose of Mantha and Haydon?
(8) Ottawa - Pair of '98s and '99s lead the offence with a well regarded group of young D
(9) Sudbury - Moved a fair bit of young talent. How far can Sokolov and Levin take this team?
(10) North Bay - The East is better than last year but I dont think North Bay is.
West
(1) Sault Ste Marie - I feel this team is better than last years team was in September.
(2) Owen Sound - McNiven will be a tough loss to over come but they are deep at F and D
(3) London - Team is deep enough where Kooy can develop and not worry about being shell shocked
(4) Kitchener - Mascherin and Stanley are nice pieces. Can the rest of the roster come along?
(5) Flint - I'll admit this is very bullish. Young D needs to develop quickly. Can Forrest steal games?
(6) Guelph - A lot hinges on Popovich. If they pick up Raaymakers they could flirt with home ice.
(7) Sarnia - Love their depth at C. Fazio is underappreciated. Question is do they sell?
(8) Windsor - Dipietro is the best goalie in the league. 2 NHL 1st round picks up front
(9) Saginaw - LOTS of young talent coming in but leading returning scorer only had 47 points.
(10) Erie - Has the talent now to finish as high as 6th but they have to sell dont they?
Playoff Predictions
Based on my predicted (best guess) regular season finish
East
Mississauga over Ottawa
Peterborough over Niagara
Oshawa over Baarrie
Kingston over Hamilton
Mississauga over Kingston
Oshawa over Peterborough
Mississauga over Oshawa
West
SSM over Windsor
Owen Sound over Sarnia
London over Guelph
Kitchener over Flint
SSM over Kitchener
Owen Sound over London
SSM over Owen Sound
SSM over Mississauga
Award Predictions
Red Tilson Award (MOP)
1) Nick Suzuki - Huge numbers on a top team
Jordon Kyrou - Can he carry the Sting to a high playoff seed or does he get traded
Dylan Wells - Top goalie on a top team. Petes success depends on him
Conor Timmins - One of the best players on the best team in the league
Jason Robertson - Leading returning scorer from the Eastern Conference
Owen Tippett - Top NHL draft pick is a year older and bigger. Ready for jump in production
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
1) Nick Suzuki - Plenty of talent around him to put up big numbers once again
Jorodn Kyrou - Does he finish the year in Sarnia?
Jason Robertson - Teams will gameplan for him.
Adam Mascherin - No Bracco to help pad stats early
Ryan Moore - Being an OA means no WJC threat. Can he take advantage of the extra games?
Matthew Strome - Has the IQ and puck skills to create offence and capitalize on chances
Max Kaminsky
1) Victor Mete - Best D in the league but can he put up the points to win the award?
Conor Timmins - 2nd among OHL D in ES points last year. Now he gets PP time.
Matthew Timms - Should continue to pile on points as Petes #1 D
Ryan Merkley - Growing pains in year 1. Roster is older and more talented in year 2. Watch Out!
Nick Hague - A lot depends on McLeod coming back but all around game is strong
Logan Stanley - In convo with Mete for top 19 year old D. Will voters over look offence?
Goaltender of the Year
1) Dylan Wells - Best 19 year old goalie in league playing on strong team in the weaker conference
Jeremy Helvig - Best OA goalie in the league has had a strong 2 year run.
Michael DiPietro - Best goalie in the league but does he have the talent in front of him to pad stats
Jacob Ingham - Was a revelation for Steelheads last year can he keep it up?
Mathew Villalta - The crease is his. No doubt he can get over his bad start in the playoffs.
Overage Player of the Year
1) Ryan Moore - No longer has Sherwood but they young Firebirds are a year older which will help
Jeremy Helvig - Top 3 goalie in the league will have a chance to carry a team
Garret McFadden - Will be overshadowed by Merkley but will have a chance at a career year
Sam Miletic - Hard for OAs to put up big numbers in London with their young talent but Miletic can
Matt Luff* Dont think he comes back but if he does he will put up lots of points
Other must read OHL Season Previews
From Brock Otten at OHL Prospects Blog
West Preview
Awards Preview
Also on Brock's blog you can find his preseason Top 30 for the NHL draft and a great Import draft recap.
Awards Preview
Also on Brock's blog you can find his preseason Top 30 for the NHL draft and a great Import draft recap.
From Josh Brown at the Waterloo Record
From Matt and DJ from @IcedogsThisWeek
From OHLFanBoys Podcast
Not an article but their 2 hour season preview podcast
Ryan Pyette from the London Free Press
Offers his insight with his Season Preview
Doug Graham from the Whig Standard
Offers his insight on the Eastern Conference
Ryan Pyette from the London Free Press
Offers his insight with his Season Preview
Doug Graham from the Whig Standard
Offers his insight on the Eastern Conference
Some must follow OHL twitter Accounts that didnt fall under any particular team.
OHL Prospects Blog @BrockOtten
OHL Fan Boys Podcast @ohlfanboys
Host Steve @stevemclean88
Host Brian aka the toast @Toast84
For your Draft Pick Data base needs @WriteMattWilson
The Venerable @NaitSayger
For your OHLdraft needs @TheScoutdotca
Head Scout the scouting worlds Earl of Essex @Asykes_7
SCTA Scout great opinions poor choice of team fandom @Stewbucs
Last but not least @msconduct one of the best the league has to offer. Writes for dobber hockey and recrutes.
A new OHL podcast from Matt and DJ of Icedogs this week and their producer Sawyer. @OHLtothepoint
Another great podcast to follow along with is @AroundtheOHL hosted by Jake Jeffery @AOHLjake
Bulldogs Radio colour man Louis Butko @TSN_LouisB has a great OHL radio show on TSN 1150 in Hamilton
Finally for all your coverage south of the border dont forget to give a follow to OHL Pucks & Stripes @OHLPucks
A new OHL podcast from Matt and DJ of Icedogs this week and their producer Sawyer. @OHLtothepoint
Another great podcast to follow along with is @AroundtheOHL hosted by Jake Jeffery @AOHLjake
Bulldogs Radio colour man Louis Butko @TSN_LouisB has a great OHL radio show on TSN 1150 in Hamilton
Finally for all your coverage south of the border dont forget to give a follow to OHL Pucks & Stripes @OHLPucks
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