The kids were all at camp this weekend, so I have nothing to report on, but gosh darn it I was so excited for the OHL season to start I wrote one of these anyway. So below are the players that could end up back in the CHL this year. I’ll pull them off one by one as the placement announcements come in. In the meantime, we can see how their teams are doing.
For European prospects, Katya has you covered on the weekend, you can read this week’s right here.
Ontario Hockey League
Mitch Marner (F) / JJ Piccinich (F) / Nicolas Mattinen (D)
London Knights
1-1-0-0
We’ll most likely see Piccinich and Mattinen in London, neither has a contract yet, but Marner is the ultimate question mark. If he’s not staying in the NHL, I expect him to be one of the last cuts made.
Sept 21: @ Sarnia Sting
L 4-1 - Did Not Play
Sept 23: vs Erie Otters
W 6-2 - Did Not Play
Stephen Desrocher (D)
Kingston Frontenacs
0-2-0-0
Desrocher will be back in Kingston as well. He’s eligible for the Marlies, but is without a contract. If he gets cut soon, I’ll catch up with him at the Frontenacs vs IceDogs game on the 30th.
Sept 23: vs Barrie Colts
L 2-1 - Did Not Play
Sept 24: @ Hamilton Bulldogs
L 7-2 - Did Not Play
Jeremy Bracco (F)
Kitchener Rangers
1-0-0-0
Bracco could also be a Marlie, could be a Ranger, but 99% a Marlie. If he gets back to the OHL, he’ll be part of a Rangers squad that is expected to go far this year.
Sept 23: vs Flint Firebirds
W 4-2 - Did Not Play
Travis Dermott (D)
Erie Otters
0-2-0-0
A possible overager as well (man, we’ll be short on OHL prospects this year), Dermott is ready to step up to the Marlies, so after Leafs camp he’ll most likely be at Marlies camp, so if he ends up in the O again, it’ll be a few weeks.
Sept 22: @ Windsor Spitfires
L 4-1 - Did Not Play
Sept 23: @ London Knights
L 6-2 - Did Not Play
Nikita Korostelev (F)
Sarnia Sting
2-0-0-0
One that will be back for sure, the ‘97 birthday is ineligible for the AHL this year. The Sting are getting picked as a contender this year, and Nikita would be a huge asset.
Sept 21: vs London Knights
W 4-1 - Did Not Play
Sept 23: vs Owen Sound Attack
W 3-2 - Did Not Play
Keaton Middleton (D)
Saginaw Spirit
0-3-0-0
The new pick will be back on the Spirit blueline as early as this weekend after spending this past one in Halifax.
Sept 21: @ Flint Firebirds
L 4-0 - Did Not Play
Sept 23: @ Guelph Storm
L 5-1 - Did Not Play
Sept 24: vs Guelph Storm
L 2-1 - Did Not Play
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Dmytro Timashov (F)
Shawinigan
1-1-0-0
The Cataractes would love to have him back but it’s almost guaranteed he’s Marlies bound.
Sept 23: vs Victoriaville Tigres
L 4-3 - Did Not Play
Sept 24: vs Chicoutimi Sagueneens
W 3-2 - Did Not Play
Martins Dzierkals (F)
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
1-0-0-1
Returning after Leafs camp, Dzierkals will help the Huskies either run for a second QMJHL championship or be a huge deadline asset to trade and restock for the future.
Sept 22nd: vs Blainsville-Broisband Armada
W 3-2 - Did Not Play
Sept 23rd: vs Sherbrooke Phoenix
L 4-3 SO - Did Not Play
Western Hockey League
Adam Brooks (F)
Regina Pats
1-0-1-0
The Bobby Clarke trophy winner will be looking to build off a 120 point season and make up for an early playoff exit.
Sept 23: vs Prince Albert Raiders
L 4-3 OT - Did Not Play
Sept 24: @ Prince albert Raiders
W 4-2 - Did Not Play
Jack Walker (F)
Victoria Royals
0-2-0-0
The F/D came off a PPG+ season in the dub and wants to establish a role and have a dominant final season in the WHL.
Sept 23: vs Prince George Cougars
L 3-1 - Did Not Play
Sept 24: vs Prince George Cougars
L 5-1 - Did Not Play
Andrew Nielsen (D)
Lethbridge Hurricanes
1-1-0-0
More than likely a Marlie, Nielsen will be missed in Lethbridge, his help in setting up plays from the back end (the dreaded secondary assist) was a gift to Hurricanes forwards.
Sept 23: vs Medicine Hat Tigers
W 4-2 - Did Not Play
Sept 24: @ Medicine Hat Tigers
L 9-3 - Did Not Play
NCAA
The NCAA hockey seasons begin the first weekend of October, so hang in there smarty pants hockey fans.
Joseph Woll (G)
Boston College Eagles
Woll will be the starter for BC this year, and hopefully he’s just as lonely in his end of the rink as he was at the Leafs draft day party.
JD Greenway (F)
Wisconsin Badgers
Greenway will be a freshman at Wisconsin, so low numbers this year aren’t a sign of trouble.
Dominic Toninato (F)
U-Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
Toninato is the new captain of the Bulldogs, and after putting up 0.5PPG he needs to step up his offensive game to stick with the Leafs post-college.
Dakota Joshua (F)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Joshua enters his second year at Ohio State and after a fantastic freshman season (17 points in 21 games), Joshua looks to get more ice time and up those numbers.
Nolan Vesey (F)
Maine Black Bears
We didn’t get his brother, so...see ya never Nolan.
Leave a note in the comments any thoughts you have on what to include. I’m going to try and work in more highlights, the OHL is stepping up it’s game in that area big time, so wait and see what that brings. NHLe isn’t the most accurate, but would anyone want to see that chart come back? It’s fun to do and track on my end.
Working through looks with the new format and new editor we have, so share some thoughts, and we’ll be back next Monday, hopefully with some actual games played.
