The Class of 2009 are on the ice at NHL training camp, which means it is due time to look ahead to the draft class of 2010.
Having already produced the top pick in the National Hockey League draft the last three years, the Ontario Hockey League is once again looking like a scout's haven with a bumper crop of top-end talent.
From the projected first overall pick, Windsor's Taylor Hall, to the silky smooth, puck-moving Erik Gudbranson of the Kingston Frontenacs, this year's class of draft eligible players comes with plenty of excitement.
"You kind of saw it with (Canada's) under-18 team (in August)," said Marty Williamson, head coach of the Barrie Colts. "The majority of the guys they counted on were OHL influence. That sure shows well for our league."
Hall has long since been considered the front-runner for the 2010 draft but could have competition for the first overall billing from several other suitors, most notably his new teammate, Cam Fowler. Plymouth's Tyler Seguin and Sudbury's John McFarland could also find themselves in the top five, making this one of the most OHL-heavy drafts in recent memory.
"It just goes a long way in saying what kind of talent this league's attracting and we do have some of the best players in the world," Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner said. "I would expect that first round, especially top 15 picks, would be heavy Ontario Hockey League."
Sportsnet.ca prepares you for the upcoming Canadian Hockey League season with 20 of the most highly-touted prospects for the 2010 NHL draft with exclusive commentary from head coaches around the league.
Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
Known for his dynamic speed and scoring ability, Hall is a game-breaker who wants the puck on his stick in the dying moments of a close game.
"There's not too many guys that hunt loose pucks down and win puck battles like Taylor," Boughner said. "He exposes other teams with his speed and they have to key on him so much that it sort of makes the players around him better because they have to respect him. He's an all-around great player with great speed."
"I think he's probably better (than people say)," said Robbie Ftorek, head coach of the Erie Otters. "I would expect him to progress along as a No. 1 pick."
Cam Fowler, Windsor Spitfires
Fowler joined the Spitfires after having previously decided to go to the NCAA.
"I think he skates faster backwards with the puck than most guys skate forward without the puck," said Mike Vellucci, head coach and general manager of the Plymouth Whalers. "He's an exceptional skater and his vision is very good on the ice. It will be a test for him to see how he handles the physical part of the game in the OHL this year."
The Kitchener Rangers originally held his rights but he became property of the Spitfires when they picked him in the first round of the 2008 OHL priority selection.
"He's just a guy that controls the pace of the game," Boughner said. "He moves the puck very, very well and if he doesn't like what he sees he can turn it around and sort it out. He brings the game to his pace.
"It's going to take him time to adjust to the OHL a bit but after he's been to every arena and done his thing I think he's going to be fighting Taylor Hall for the No. 1 spot," Boughner concluded.
John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves
McFarland was the first overall pick in the 2008 priority selection and has developed a reputation for his scoring touch. He was also named captain of Canada's summer under-18 team that won gold in the Czech Republic.
"John's just a pure goalscorer," said Boughner, who was also the head coach of Canada's summer under-18 team. "He's a guy the players gravitated towards and he was very vocal in the room and he wanted to be that leader. He's going to have a big year in Sudbury for sure and he's a guy that's just explosive."
"John's as gifted a forward I've seen in a long time," Kitchener Rangers head coach and general manager Steve Spott said. "He can beat you in several different ways: his speed, his shot, great hockey sense -- he is the full package. He's going to be a very, very high pick next summer."
Tyler Seguin, Plymouth Whalers
Seguin emerged as one of the best OHL players in the second half of last season on a line with Chris Terry. Although Terry is now gone, Seguin's offensive talent is not underestimated and he could become a lottery pick in next summer's NHL draft.
"Seguin's a very good player," Ftorek said. "He's got size, he's got strength, he's got a great shot and great vision. He has all the tools and I think he's always going to be a great player."
"You can see him being a top five pick, easily," Boughner said. "His skating is unbelievable, his vision, he distributes the puck, he's a great passer."
"I like everything about his game and that's what makes him, I think, the No. 1 pick next year," Vellucci added. "He reminds me a lot of Steve Yzerman. He's definitely offensively gifted but he's responsible in his own end… I think his overall package is second to none."
Erik Gudbranson, Kingston Frontenacs
Gudbranson was one of the brightest points in an otherwise disappointing season in Kingston a year ago. Drafted fourth overall by Kingston in the 2008 priority selection, Gudbranson played with poise beyond his years and was a valuable member to Canada's gold medal winning summer under-18 team.
"Once he gets used to his size he's going to be scary," Boughner said. "He just does everything well: he shoots the puck with a cannon, moves the puck, his vision's great, his feet are getting better all the time. Another guy that's going to be a can't miss NHLer."
"He's an outstanding defenceman," Williamson said. "(He has) a great hockey IQ for the game. Just does everything well. Can be physical if he wants to, can do everything, will be a high, high NHL pick. He's just a real special player that (Kingston head coach) Doug Gilmour's got there in Kingston."
Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats
The first overall pick in the 2008 Québec Major Junior Hockey League draft, Gormley was trusted with quality minutes in Moncton last season. He grew as the season progressed and was a key component to Canada's gold medal winning summer under-18 team.
"Brandon's one of my favourite players," Boughner said. "He's amazing at whatever he does. Offensively, defensively, leadership off the ice, he's a great kid in the dressing room. It's a crazy name to associate with a young guy but he reminds me of Nik Lidstrom. He just does everything well. He passes the puck excellent, he can be your power-play guy, he can be your shut down guy, and I can't say enough good things about Gormley. He was one of my favourite guys over there."
Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars
After just one season in the Western Hockey League, Connolly is known as one of the purest offensive players in the league. His play on a subpar team last season earned him rookie of the year honours and coaches rave about his approach to the game. Connolly's play after veteran Dana Tyrell was injured last season proved he is a special talent.
"He actually got better (after Tyrell's injury) and I think that says a lot about him as a player and as a person," Kelowna Rockets head coach Ryan Huska said. "When a 16-year-old is able to do that you really do expect a lot of good things from him as he gets older and I think that's why everybody considers him to be a lock to be a high pick."
"I think he's got great puck skills, good vision on the ice, he's a natural scorer, and he's very confident with the puck," added Mike Johnston, head coach and general manager of the Portland Winterhawks.
Nino Niederreiter, Portland Winterhawks
Niederreiter joins the Winterhawks after being selected second overall in the Canadian Hockey League import draft. He enjoyed a solid pre-season and should develop into a consistent threat with the young Winterhawks.
"He's a physical force for a Euro and he's got good puck skills, big body and skates very well," Johnston said. "He'll be a guy a lot of scouts will watch early. I'm not sure how high-end his scoring's going to be but he does skate so well and handles the puck so well that once he gets confident I think he's going to be a real force in the league because he's such a big body. He's a real good player."
Jordan Weal, Regina Pats
Weal wasted little time introducing himself to the hockey world last season. The rookie forward was named the WHL's player of the week in the first week and could be on pace for another big year after a solid under-18 tournament with Canada and pre-season with Regina.
"Jordan Weal had a lot of responsibility as a 16-year-old player with Regina," Brandon Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. "He's never going to be a big player but this year we've played them twice in the pre-season and he certainly looks like he's filled out and has better size and strength than what he had last year. I expect he'll be one of the more dynamic offensive players in the Eastern Conference."
"He challenges people one-on-one and you have to be at the top of the game to stop him," said Lorne Molleken, head coach and general manager of the Saskatoon Blades. "He's a real interesting player to watch because of his skill level."
"He's a hard working guy, nose for the net, not the biggest guy but his skating and his hockey sense make up for it and his compete level," Boughner said. "I expect him to fill the net out there in the West."
Stanislav Galiev, Saint John Sea Dogs
The Russian sniper is expected to lead the new-look Sea Dogs in their bid to once again become contenders. Galiev, the first overall pick in the CHL import draft, played last season in the United States Hockey League for the Indiana Ice.
"From what I've heard he's ranked in the middle of the first round and that's pretty high for a kid coming from Russia," Saint John head coach Gerard Gallant said. "He's a good, skilled hockey player and he's going to fit in with his teammates very well. We're not going put any added pressure on the kid, we have some good veterans and they're going to lead the way and hopefully he'll help our team. When you help your team win then you go higher in the draft so I'm sure he'll be a good player for us."
Mark Pysyk, Edmonton Oil Kings
Pysyk became the first draft pick in Oil Kings modern history when the expansion team selected him third overall in the 2007 WHL bantam draft. In just one season with the Oil Kings, Pysyk was one of his team's top players and combines his dynamic skating with excellent hockey sense.
"He played probably more minutes than anyone on our team as a 16-year-old," said Steve Pleau, Edmonton's head coach. "Defence is an extremely tough position to make the transition from one level to the next. He did it with ease."
"Mark Pysyk has taken on a lot of responsibility on his team as a young player," McCrimmon said. "He was their best defencemen I think a lot of nights last year as a 16-year-old and certainly in terms of poise and offensive instincts a very, very good player."
"I would classify him as a defensive defenceman," said Boughner, who used Pysyk in a defensive role on Canada's summer under-18 squad. "He doesn't make many mistakes in his own end. I don't see him as having a ton of offensive upside but he doesn't need to, he knows what he is and he's very good at it. He plays within himself and he's very effective doing it."
"I think if we push him we can get some offence out of him and that's the hopes that he can continue to grow and with experience become better and better," Pleau concluded.
Austin Watson, Windsor Spitfires
Watson didn't play much on the Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires last season but could have a breakout as a sophomore. He uses his size well to protect the puck and is a very defensively responsible forward.
"He'll have a lot to prove this year because he didn't play much at all last year," Vellucci said. "It will be an adjustment for him to get more ice time this year but I'm sure he is a high prospect."
"I can't wait to see this guy in his third year in the OHL," Boughner said. "I know he's going to be a real good player for us, he's going to get drafted, but in his third year when he starts growing into his size he's going to be a dominant player. We're expecting more from him production-wise."
Jeff Skinner, Kitchener Rangers
Skinner led the rebuilding Rangers in goals last season with 27 and could be on pace for a bigger year this time around. The Rangers surrounded Skinner with more offensive talent in the off-season and if pre-season is any indication Skinner could be a big-time point producer in his second season.
"He reminds me a lot of Mark Recchi at the same age," Spott said. "Jeff's a pure goalscorer; extremely smart, tough. He just plays the game the right way at both ends of the rink. I really believe the team that selects him is going to have a really good prospect because of the way he plays the game."
"He's a goalscorer and he's going to have to work on other parts of his game but what he does is he puts the puck in the net and that's hard to teach," Vellucci added.
Joey Hishon, Owen Sound Attack
Like Hall and Fowler, Hishon is a late 1991-birthdate, making him ineligible for the draft until 2010. Hishon is a pure offensive talent whose instincts around the goal should make him a top scorer this season.
"He's a guy that gives us trouble all the time; he finds ways to score against us," Boughner said. "His vision's his biggest strength. I think he has a great shot, great release, sees the ice very well. His skating is just ok but his hockey sense makes up for it."
"Joey Hishon is an outstanding talent," Vellucci said. "His hands are just incredible. He is slick and smooth and I think he's a definite, definite offensive power."
Calvin Pickard, Seattle Thunderbirds
Pickard is the younger brother of Nashville first rounder and former Tri-City goaltender Chet Pickard. All the younger Pickard did in his rookie season was establish himself as a starting goaltender in leading the Thunderbirds back to the playoffs. He has big-game potential and could be the first goaltender chosen in this summer's draft.
"He pushed the envelope in Seattle and they gave him a lot of starts because of it," Huska said. "We only see him a couple times but he always seems to play very well against us. Obviously there's some good bloodlines there because they seem to know what they're doing in the nets for sure."
Brendan Ranford, Kamloops Blazers
Many coaches think the Blazers are on the verge of turning a corner this season and Ranford would be one of the reasons why. His work ethic in all three zones is strong and he has a burgeoning offensive game. Ranford is the nephew of former NHL goaltender Bill Ranford.
"When we played against him in the playoffs last year he was one of their better players," Huska said. "He was consistent, he works hard all the time and I think with a year under his belt he'll really come into his own this year."
"He's a really smart playmaking center," Johnston said. "I think he's got good skills both ways and he distributes the puck really well. He has a little bit of competitiveness to him."
Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67's
He's the latest in a long line of Ottawa 67's with great pro potential. Toffoli should be given a much bigger role this season in Ottawa with some of the departures, most notably Logan Couture. Toffoli's hands in tight should be well on display this season as he could be one of the top scorers.
"I haven't seen a guy with those kinds of hands around the net in a long time," Boughner said. "I think the strength of his game is anything in the high slot area or the house. He has a quick release and he competed extremely hard for us at that under-18 tournament."
"I think he really showed himself at the under-18 tournament and how dominant he was with Seguin and McFarland," Williamson added. "Those guys are first-round type material and a real nice team in Ottawa. (Ottawa has) a real good balanced team and I think you'll see Toffoli have a big year."
Ryan Spooner, Peterborough Petes
A pure offensive talent, Spooner enjoyed a solid rookie campaign with the Petes, finishing third in team scoring behind Tony Romano and Zack Kassian. Spooner was another member of Canada's gold medal winning summer under-18 team and will be relied on to provide the bulk of the offensive load for the Petes this season.
"I think they're going to put a pretty good line together with him and Kassian to kind of protect him and I think Spooner will have a good year," Williamson said. "The thing that he might have is the matchups that you're definitely going to go after Spooner to shut him down."
Kevin Sundher, Chilliwack Bruins
Sundher will be relied on as a point producer in his sophomore season. His offensive imagination is elite, as is his skating and creativity. He should improve under new head coach Marc Habscheid.
"He's a very skilled, dynamic player that has great speed and with a year under his belt I think he'll be a dangerous player," Huska said. "You'll have to really be aware when he's on the ice."
"He had a mixed year last year - I think it went in and out all year for him," Johnston said. "His speed is a big asset for him as a player. He's very fast and as a center he can carry the puck and he can do a lot of things on his own because of his speed."
Charles Inglis, Saskatoon Blades
An absolute pest, Inglis should annoy his opposition even more this season where he is expected to emerge as an offensive weapon. Inglis thrives on the physical aspects of the game and isn't afraid of taking on much bigger players.
"He's a player that competes and plays for keeps every time he's on the ice," Molleken said. "He has some offensive upside too but he's the type of player that plays with sandpaper in his game and a real gritty player."
"He's a feisty kid who certainly showed a good skill level as a 16-year-old and played a lot of minutes on a good hockey team so you know he's someone to be reckoned with," Pleau concluded.
