Canada-Russia Series preview: OHL boasting speed

Mitch-Marner

Mitch Marner. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The OHL will play host to the middle portion of the 2015 Canada-Russia series beginning Thursday night in Owen Sound.

The league will resume play through the weekend before Windsor plays host Monday night. The schedule sets up well for Team Russia as the Red Machine will have the weekend off to enjoy the Toronto area.

Team OHL possesses the best record of any of the three CHL member leagues since the inception of the event in 2003. The dual roster has played a part in that and being the second league of three must have some impact.

The OHL has potential to provide five top notch players to Canada’s world junior team, but right now only the Kingston Frontenacs’ Lawson Crouse (FLA, 11th, 2015) is available.

Gold-medal winner Connor McDavid (EDM, first, 2015) is injured and cemented in the NHL, Sam Bennett (CGY, fourth, 2014) is technically eligible but is getting top-six minutes in Calgary, Jared McCann (VAN, 24th 2014) leads his team in goals and Robby Fabbri (STL, 21st, 2014) has been told he will remain with the Blues.

Team OHL possesses world-class speed with the likes of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds forwards Zach Senyshyn (BOS, 15th, 2015) and Blake Speers (NJ, 67th, 2015), Niagara IceDogs centre Vincent Dunn (STL, 56th, 2015) and London Knights star Mitch Marner (TOR, fourth, 2015).

Having said that, the speed burners are young and will have to battle the unwritten 19-year old rule for inclusion.

OHL record since series inception: 20-3-1

WJC returnees: Lawson Crouse (Kingston Frontenacs)

WJC non-returnees most likely to earn a camp invite

  1. Mackenzie Blackwood, G, Barrie Colts: Without a returning goalie from a year ago, the competition should be intense and Blackwood is a favourite to take at least one of the spots available.
  2. Dylan Strome, C, Erie Otters: If his boots can handle the big ice surface, his playmaking ability is undeniable.
  3. Mitch Marner, C, London Knights: Skating and skill are the two most coveted assets by Hockey Canada, and Marner excels in both areas.

OHL’s highest drafted players

  1. Dylan Strome, C, Erie Otters: Third overall (2015), Arizona Coyotes
  2. Mitch Marner, C, London Knights: Fourth overall (2015), Toronto Maple Leafs
  3. Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs: 11th overall (2015), Florida Panthers

What to watch for

  • A slick skating group that should consistently push the pace.
  • Youth to serve: There are more 1997- and 1998-born players on the roster for the Owen Sound game than there are 1996-born players. That’s an oddity when, traditionally, the WJC is a 19-year-old tournament.
  • The Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre epitomizes junior hockey. Fans are right on top of the players and the building is sold out.

    • Under the radar

    1. Spencer Watson, LW, Kingston Frontenacs: Watson is a pure goal scorer who proved he could do it in the summer. He’ll have to prove it again in this series to earn a December invite.
    2. Mitchell Stephens, C, Saginaw Spirit: Will miss the series due to injury, but he left a great impression in August which should be enough to get him a December invite.
    3. Michael Dal Colle, LW, Oshawa Generals: Got off to a rough start as the go-to guy in Oshawa, but has turned the corner.

    Interesting storylines

  • Due to the Thursday/Monday nature of the OHL portion of the series schedule, there’s a different roster for each game so as to ensure players aren’t playing too many games in too short a time.
  • Erie Otters defenceman Travis Dermott (TOR 34th 2015), Roland McKeown of the Kingston Frontenacs (CAR from LAK 50th 2014) and Nikita Zhuldikov were involved in a post-game handshake scrum in August. Will that fire get rekindled?
  • Niagara IceDogs centre Josh Ho-Sang (NYI 28th 2014) won’t be playing. He was invited to the summer camp, but his game isn’t complete enough to ease the fears of what might happen off the ice.

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