(1) Mississauga Steelheads
HC James Richmond
GM James Richmond Season 1
Top Returning score: Owen Tippett 44-31-75
2017 1st round pick: Cameron Gaylor
Key Additions
Albert Michnac - Import pick played last year with Guelph before having his rights rescinded.
Merrick Rippon - Highly covered '00 born Dman. Refused to commit to Kitchener. Played last year in the CCHL
Key Subtractions
Spencer Watson - Completely changed the direction of this team last year when he joined the lineup
Vili Saarijarvi - One of the best puck moving D in the league last year. Will be a huge hole to fill.
Stefan LeBlanc - Vet OA Dman whose minutes will be missed.
Reasons to be optimistic
The Steelheads seem to have finally found themselves a goalie in 2016 2nd round pick Jacob Ingham. A top 4 goalie in the Eastern Conference will give this team the confidence to take chances on offence knowing they have Ingham back there to shut the door.
Reasons to be pessimistic
This team struggled last year till Watson and Saarjarvi were healthy. Can they fill the void left by these two who have now moved on from the OHL?
It is very plausible that Michael McLeod sticks with the New Jersey Devils. That would be a huge blow to the offence as he was one of the best forwards in the league in the 2nd half of the season last year. While depth wise they are in a better position this year than last year it would still be a tough loss to swallow.
After years of medicrioty having a HC and GM in the dual role the Steelheads had a chance this summer to make a splash when it was announced James Boyd was leaving. Instead of making a progressive move like snagging Greyhounds director of scouting Victor Carniero the Steelheads gave the GM role to their head coach James Richmond who will now hold both titles. Hopefully the results will be different this time but if I were a Steelheads fan I would be frustrated by this move.
Important Twitter Follows
@IainMissiNews Offers great coverage of the Steelheads for Mississauaga.com
(2) Peterborough Petes
HC Jody Hull
GM Mike Oke season 5.5
Top Returning Scorer: Matthew Timms 11-52-63
2017 1st round pick: Nick Robertson
Key Additions
Gleb Babinstev - Import pick will be counted on to transition quickly to OHL life as his minutes will be needed on the blueline
Hunter Jones - OJHL all prospect team. Will help form the best Duo in the league with Dylan Wells
Key Subtractions
Steven Lorentz - OA grad forward whose offence will be missed
Kyle Jenkins - OA Dman whose offence on the backend will be missed
Brandon Prophet - Efficient penalty killer and leader of the Petes blueline
Matt Spencer - Never developed into the true #1 that was expected but was still an above average defender in the OHL
Nikita Korostelev* - Dont shut the door so fast. Plausible he comes back and would be instant OA of the year candidate.
Reasons to be Optimistic
The Petes return the top goalie in the Eastern Conference as well as 7 of their top 10 scorers from last years team. Their defense is young but littered with intriguing options that should be able to grow this season.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
Lost both assistance coaches from last years team so while they return the same HC and GM for the 5th full season it will be a rebuilt staff. They are returning a lot of young players last year who will be looking to take the next "step" this season and there is always the unknown in players like that.
Important Twitter Follows
@Petes_updates Petes fan who offers great angry coverage of the team.
(3) Oshawa Generals
HC Bob Jones
GM Roger Hunt
Top Returning Scorer: Domenico Commisso 19-44-63
2017 1st round pick: Mitchell Brewer
Key Additions
Mitchell Brewer - Teams 1st round pick last year helped Georgetown in the OJHL playoffs as an affiliated player at 15.
Nico Glass - One of the top incoming import selections should help solidify the Gens blueline.
Key Subtractions
Jeremy Broduer - Top OA goalie in the league last year helped Gens exceed expectations.
Medric Mercier - Came over from the Greyhounds and led all OA Dmen in goals last season.
Reasons to be Optimistic
This team was young last year and expected to battle for one of hte final playoff spots. Instead they took control of the conference early, Sold their top players and peak prices so they are now loaded with assets to be contenders for the next 3 seasons and still finished 3rd in the conference last year and got 2 rounds of playoff experience for their young roster.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
Bob Jones is temporary out as head coach while he deals with a health issue. The top coach in the eastern conference the most important thing right now is that he returns to full health. Outside of that this team has lots of depth and you have to wonder if there is enough ice time to go around to properly develop these players as they look to peak over the next 3 seasons
Important Twitter Follows
@generalsupdates Another fan update account. While biased towards the Gens this account genarally offers well thought out opinions.
(4) Hamilton Bulldogs
HC John Gruden Year 2
GM Steve Staios Year 2
Top Returning Scorer: Mathew Strome 34-28-62
2017 1st round pick Connor McMichael
Key Additions
Owen Burnell - Former Greyhounds draft pick could never crack the soo lineup. Signed with Hamilton after toiling in the GOJHL
Arthur Kaliyev - Only 16 but a huge coup by the Bulldogs to get such a well regaurded US born player to commit
Jake Murray - One of the top alliance players his draft year should help fill a depth role this year for the Bulldogs before becoming a leader in his 18 year old season.
Key Subtractions
Cole Candella - Van draft pick moved to SBY to clear room for younger D mildly surprising
Michael Cramarossa - Team leader in assists played in all roles for the Bulldogs
Niki Petti - Teams #1 center last year battled injures but was still their 2nd best forward all year.
Dawson Carty - OA goalie came over from Kitchener to solidify the team in net
Matt Luff* Kings pick could be back as an OA but has the AHL option. Offensive leader of the team last year.
Reasons to be Optimistic
This team has a veteran blueline with 3 '97s and 3 '98s. Mind you I expect some to be moved to open up playing time for the finally healthy Reilly Webb (huge fan) and the burgeoning talent in '00 Riley McCourt. The wealth of veteran expierience gives this Bulldogs team options
Reasons to be Pessimistic
This is a team whos time to compete is now and it looks like they swung and missed on their import selection. Things may change as Ikonen is a Montreal Canadians draft pick and the Bulldogs owner has a minority share in that franchise but as the season starts it sure looks like a missed oppertunity.
How will this team create offence without Matt Luff (assuming he is in the AHL) and Niki Petti? This team was hard to watch last year without these two players and it something they will need to get over quickly.
Important Twitter Follows
@KristhayesRuns the bulldogs blog Reckless Restraint
@RCDuthie Play by Play man on the Bulldogs Cable 10 broadcasts
(5) Kingston Frontnacs
HC Jay Varady 1st year
GM Darren Keily 1st year
Top Returning Scorer Jason Robertson 42-39-81
2017 1st round pick Cody Morgan
Key Additions
Bryan Laureigh: The NJ native is a FA signing out of the Shattuck St. Mary's program in Minnisota.
Paul Larabie: 2015-16 HEO player of the year. Spent last season in the CCHL with the Nepean Raiders
Key Subtractions
Stephen Desrocher - OA defender soaked up a lot of minutes for the Fronts
Reasons to be Optimistic
Jeremy Helvig is returning for this OA season which gives the Fronts a top 3 goalie. This team is also returning the highest scoring player in the Eastern Conference who will be entering his 18 year old season. Their 2 import picks Nyman and Rasanen will be starting their 2nd season in the leagues so there should be little to no cultural adjustment which is often over looked in import picks.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
It's Kingston they always seem to find a way to disappoint. More seriously however this team had trouble scoring last season and you have to wonder if those problems will be solved by just relying on the growth of their younger players?
Important Twitter Follows
@dougout47 Doug Graham from the Whig Standard sets the standard for Fronts Coverage.
(6) Barrie Colts
HC Dale Hawerchuk
GM Jason Ford
Top Returning Scorer: Lucas Chiodo 22-31-53
2017 1st round pick Ryan Suzuki
Key Additions
Leo Lazarev - OA goalie came over from Ottawa. a much needed improvement in net.
Andrei Svechnikov - Heavy favourite for rookie of the year.
Alexey Lipanov - Tampa Bay draft pick should put up huge numbers
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Key Subtractions
This team stunk last year nobody will really be missed
Reasons to be Optimistic
They have argubaly the most dynamic import duo in the leauge. Both players should have no problem topping a point per game this season and a pair of 80+ point seasons is not out of the question.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
This team lacks depth in a bad way. Outside of the 2 Russians there isnt much on this team offensively. This is a team that finsihed in last place last year and just doesnt have the base of talent that even some others have.
Important Twitter Follows
@GenePereira1 Covers the Colts for the Barrie Examiner and is also a colour commentator on their Rogers TV broadcasts
@VeryBarrieColts A great Barrie Colts centric blog
(7) Niagara Icedogs
HC Billy Burke 1st season
GM Joey Burke 1st season
Top Returning Scorer
2017 1st round pick
Key Additions
Elijah Roberts - Skilled defender in need of a change of scenery. Could really take off with the Ice Dogs.
Zach Shankar - OA from North Bay should soake up leveraged minutes to help insulate young blueliners
Philip Tomasino - 1st round pick could be the highest scoring '01 in the OHL this year.
Key Subtractions
Ryan Mantha - OA defenceman had a career year last year. His minutes will be missed.
Aaron Haydon - Versatile OA who spent his entire 5 year career in Niagara.
Reasons to be Optimistic
They return the most underrated goalie in the OHL in Stephen Dhillon. They have a budding OHL super star in Akil Thomas. Maksimov looked fantastic since coming over from Saginaw at the trade deadline and they have an open OA slot to add to their lineup when needed.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
Both the GM and HC are the owners sons. This team was horrid last year and continually outplayed if not for the stellar play of Dhillon they likely would have been in the running for the 1st overall pick, this team is better than last years but how much growth has there been and what happens if Dhillon goes down with an injury? The backline still has a lot of questions marks, the Roberts acquisition helps but they need 2 or 3 guys to really step up.
Important Twitter Follows
@Icedogsthisweek Articles, TV, Podcasts Matt and DJ do it all
(8) Ottawa 67s
HC Andre Tourigny 1st year
GM James Boyd 1st year
Top Returning Scorer: Austen Keating 22-41-63
2017 1st round pick Graeme Clarke
Key Additions
Mitchell Hoelscher: played in 6 games for Ottawa last year. Was nearly a point per game player for the Elmira Sugar Kings as a 16 year old and was named a 2nd team all star in the midwestern conference.
Olivier Tremblay: OA goalie coming over from the QMJHL. Was stellar last year with Ryoun-Noranda in the last half of the year
Key Subtractions
Leo Lazarev - Veteran of 3 years his presence in the crease will be hard to replace
Artur Tyanulin - The highest scoring import in the East last year.
Reasons to be Optimistic
Have a strong pair of '98 (Barron, Felhaber) and '99 (Keating, Chmelevski) born forwards. Their head coach has a long history of success in the QMJHL.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
The defence still remains quite young although not with out bright spots like Hoefenmayer and Bahl. A lot of their success depends on the growth of this unit but there is a lot of growth potential. Is Lafreniere good enough to be a number 1 goalie in the OHL and if he faulters will Trembley be able to duplicate the late season success he had last season?
Important Twitter Follows
(9) Sudbury Wolves
HC Corey Stillman 1st year
GM Rob Papineau 1st year
Top Returning Scorer: Dmitry Sokolov
2017 1st round pick: Blake Murray
Key Additions
Cole Candella - development stalled under Gruden in HAM. Will thrive under Stillman and Smith
Nolan Makkonen - Young Dman from the Soo came over in the Lalonde trade
Zack Malik - Import pick son of former NHL Marek
Kyle Rhodes - Came over from Guelph. Has had a great preseason could be in for a career year
Key Subtractions
Owen Lalonde - 2016 2nd overall pick sent to Guelph after asking for a trade.
Alan Lyszczarczyk - Skilled forward should be in for a career year in Owen Sound
Kyle Copabianko - Will be hard to replace his PP minutes this season.
Reasons to be Optimistic
Barclay Branch is no longer the GM of this team. They have a new arena on its way. Matos is gone and in his place is former NHLer Corey Stillman and his associate coach is former Soo Thunderbirds HC Jordan Smith who has helped develop plenty of future OHLers with the Soo's Jr A team. If he can stay motivated Sokolov could have a real shot at 60 goals this year. There is talent on this roster. If they play a more disciplined style of hockey they could see a great improvement.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
2016 1st round pick Owen Lalonde asked to be traded. They are still in the Sudbury Arena which has its issues. This was one of the most undisciplened teams in the league last year finsihing near the top in fights, major penalties and suspensions. There is talent but not enough to fight back from these situations night after night.
Important Twitter Follows
@Ben_Leeson covers the Wolves for the Sudbury Star.
(10) North Bay Battalion
HC Stan Butler
GM Stan Butler
Top Returning Scorer: Brett McKenzie 29-38-67
2017 1st round pick Brandon Coe
Key Additions
Luke Burghart - Acquired from Guelph will help the offensive depth on the Battalion
Luke Moncada - Also came over from Guelph will be a nice extra body to have.
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Key Subtractions
Zack Shankar - Surplus OA who filled important minutes last year
Zach Porier - Former 1st round pick in need of a chagne of scenery
Mark Shoemaker - Surplus OA who filled important minutes last year
Brent Moran - When healthy he was good enough to make them a playoff team last year
Max Kislinger - Import from Germany was traded to open up a slot to draft an import that wont play for North Bay.
Reasons to be Optimistic
Their Jr A affiliate won the NOJHL title last year. They have a top 3 OHL draft pick playing for them and Cam Dineen should be healthy. They have a veteran defence corps that will hopefully help limit chances against.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
They had a top 7 import selection but he wont be playing in North Bay this season after trading an import to open up his slot. There goaltending duo isnt one that really instills confidence. This team was offensively challanged last year and things may not get any easier this season.
Important Twitter Follows
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