Selecting players for any draft for any sport is a crap shoot at the best of times. But when most of the top players that are available have missed significant time, what do you do?
This isn't just an OHL problem, but has been almost a plague of sorts throughout the CHL this season. With players like Alex Galchenyuk, Ryan Murray, and Martin Frk, we at least have last year to look at, the latter two already making their return. Galchenyuk is rumored to be coming back as early as March. but does he really need to to solidify himself as a top 10 or top 5 pick? I suppose one would like to see how his knee responds.
Nail Yakupov has missed time at different points in the season but that hasn't stopped him from topping just about every ranking from NHL Central Scouting to the blogger in his mother's basement. This guy is just pure gold and if he didn't play another game this season, would probably still be tops on most lists.
Malcolm Subban seems to be another that hasn't had his rankings hurt with the time he's missed. In fact, I would say its been even more solidified with the fact the Belleville Bulls just can't seem to buy a win when he's not playing, proving even more so, how valuable he truly is.
Where it does get tricky is further down the list. What do you do with a Matia Marcantuoni who's been plagued with injuries this season and is now out for the year? Ditto with Slater Koekkoek. What about Jarrod Maidens who's missed the last two months with a concussion? How much does that influence your decision not to select him?
I really liked Adam Pelech's chances this year of showing what he can do, but he to missed the first two months of the season, and although he's played extremely well for Erie since his return, how many people are going to notice when he's playing in Erie? Granted, with Dane Fox and others there, scouts will get a look at him but did his stock drop before the puck did on the season?
This has to be one of the worst draft classes for injuries to the top players in recent memory. One things for certain: NHL teams will get their money's worth from their scouts in June. Question is: will they make the right choices? It's almost a guessing game right now.
Here's a look at some of the injuries to players that were projected in the first round or just looking in. I've shown my rankings of the players back in October and January for comparison. It should be noted that in the case of Nail Yakupov and Olli Maatta and their injuries in December, that part of that time was at the World Junior Championships and where the injuries occurred.
Showing posts with label Slater Koekkoek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slater Koekkoek. Show all posts
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Another Down With An Injury - Slater Koekkoek Done For The Season
The Peterborough Petes have announced that defenseman Slater Koekkoek will have season ending shoulder surgery on January 20, 2012.
Koekkoek suffered the injury in a game on November 27 versus the Windsor Spitfires and hasn't seen action since then.
In 26 games Koekkoek has 5 goals and 13 assists for 18 points and is a minus 7 with 17 penalty minutes.
Koekkoek was ranked 8th overall among OHL draft eligible players in the NHL Central Scouting's preliminary list and second among defensemen behind London'd Olli Maatta.
And although Koekkoek will miss the CHL Top Prospects Game where the top 40 players get to showcase themselves for the draft, it shouldn't hurt his chances too much as he has a season and a half under his belt to go along with Team Canada at the IIHF World U18 and the NHL Research and Development Camp.
Best wishes go out to Slater and we hope for a speedy recovery.
Koekkoek suffered the injury in a game on November 27 versus the Windsor Spitfires and hasn't seen action since then.
In 26 games Koekkoek has 5 goals and 13 assists for 18 points and is a minus 7 with 17 penalty minutes.
Koekkoek was ranked 8th overall among OHL draft eligible players in the NHL Central Scouting's preliminary list and second among defensemen behind London'd Olli Maatta.
And although Koekkoek will miss the CHL Top Prospects Game where the top 40 players get to showcase themselves for the draft, it shouldn't hurt his chances too much as he has a season and a half under his belt to go along with Team Canada at the IIHF World U18 and the NHL Research and Development Camp.
Best wishes go out to Slater and we hope for a speedy recovery.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
3 Stars For Week Ending November 13, 2011
The three stars for the week ending November 13, 2011 are :
1st Star - Malcolm Subban - Belleville Bulls : Subban is the first player to win the honors in back to back weeks and he's doing it returning from injury. He led the Bulls to two shootout wins. He stopped 25 of 28 shots in a 4-3 victory. He followed that up with a 32 save performance in a 2-1 win over Oshawa in which he also stopped all 6 Generals shootout shooters.
Slater Koekkoek - Peterborough Petes : Koekkoek is really beginning to pick up his game. In Just 2 games last week, the Defenseman scored once and added 5 assists and also took part in the Subway Super Series for Team OHL.
Nail Yakupov - Sarnia Sting : It wasn't a typical offensive week for Yakupov, scoring just once and adding 2 assists in two games. But what caught most of our eyes is everything else he brings to the table, his skating, physicality, shot, you name it, he has it. Yakupov also took part in the Subway Super Series for Team Russia.
As always, you can find previous weekly winners and those that voted on them by clicking the 3 stars tab at the top of the page.
1st Star - Malcolm Subban - Belleville Bulls : Subban is the first player to win the honors in back to back weeks and he's doing it returning from injury. He led the Bulls to two shootout wins. He stopped 25 of 28 shots in a 4-3 victory. He followed that up with a 32 save performance in a 2-1 win over Oshawa in which he also stopped all 6 Generals shootout shooters.
Slater Koekkoek - Peterborough Petes : Koekkoek is really beginning to pick up his game. In Just 2 games last week, the Defenseman scored once and added 5 assists and also took part in the Subway Super Series for Team OHL.
Nail Yakupov - Sarnia Sting : It wasn't a typical offensive week for Yakupov, scoring just once and adding 2 assists in two games. But what caught most of our eyes is everything else he brings to the table, his skating, physicality, shot, you name it, he has it. Yakupov also took part in the Subway Super Series for Team Russia.
As always, you can find previous weekly winners and those that voted on them by clicking the 3 stars tab at the top of the page.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Seven to watch: Top OHL prospects for 2012 Draft
The top Ontario Hockey League prospect for the 2012 NHL Draft is an offensive dynamo from the Sarnia Sting, with a string of solid defensemen next on the list.
It's a story reminiscent of the 2008 Draft, when Sarnia center Steven Stamkos was the league's best prospect, ahead of a list of blueliners that included Guelph's Drew Doughty, Peterborough's Zach Bogosian and Niagara's Alex Pietrangelo.
This year, the top player available is Nail Yakupov, who spent last season breaking Stamkos' Sarnia records.
In his first season in the OHL, the 5-foot-10 1/2, 189-pound right wing led all first-year players with 49 goals and 101 points, topping Stamkos' franchise rookie record of 92 points, set in 2006-07.
Full list and story on nhl.com
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It's a story reminiscent of the 2008 Draft, when Sarnia center Steven Stamkos was the league's best prospect, ahead of a list of blueliners that included Guelph's Drew Doughty, Peterborough's Zach Bogosian and Niagara's Alex Pietrangelo.
This year, the top player available is Nail Yakupov, who spent last season breaking Stamkos' Sarnia records.
In his first season in the OHL, the 5-foot-10 1/2, 189-pound right wing led all first-year players with 49 goals and 101 points, topping Stamkos' franchise rookie record of 92 points, set in 2006-07.
Full list and story on nhl.com
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
OHL Announces 2011 SUBWAY® Super Series Rosters
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Ontario Hockey League and the Ottawa 67’s and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds hockey clubs today announced the rosters for Team OHL that will compete against Team Russia in the 2011 SUBWAY® Super Series.
The OHL leg of the six-game series begins in Ottawa, ON, on Thursday November 10 at the J. Benson Centre before moving north to the Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Monday November 14. The series also includes two games in the QMJHL prior to both OHL games, and two games hosted by the WHL following the game in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.Team OHL Roster – Ottawa, ON – November 10, 2011
*Players competing in both gamesGoal (2):
Mark Visentin (Niagara IceDogs)Andrew D’Agostini (Peterborough Petes)
Defence (6):Cody Ceci (Ottawa 67’s)
Nathan Chiarlitti (Sarnia Sting)
Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs)*
Scott Harrington (London Knights)
Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough Petes)
Stephen Silas (Belleville Bulls)
Tyler Graovac (Ottawa 67’s)
Seth Griffith (London Knights)
Boone Jenner (Oshawa Generals)
Lucas Lessio (Oshawa Generals)
Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67’s)
Tanner Pearson (Barrie Colts)*
Matt Puempel (Peterborough Petes)
Brett Ritchie (Sarnia Sting)*
Mark Scheifele (Barrie Colts)
Ryan Spooner (Kingston Frontenacs)*
Ryan Strome (Niagara IceDogs)*
Christian Thomas (Oshawa Generals)
Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa 67’s)
Team OHL Roster – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – November 14, 2011
*Players competing in both gamesGoal (2):
Scott Wedgewood (Plymouth Whalers)JP Anderson (Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors)
Defence (6):
Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs)*Jamie Oleksiak (Saginaw Spirit)
Ryan Murphy (Kitchener Rangers)
Stuart Percy (Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors)
Matt Petgrave (Owen Sound Attack)
Ryan Sproul (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Forwards (13):
Riley Brace (Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors)Sam Carrick (Brampton Battalion)
Daniel Catenacci (Owen Sound Attack)
Nick Cousins (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Andrew Fritsch (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Freddie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs)
Mitchell Heard (Plymouth Whalers)
Greg McKegg (Erie Otters)
Tanner Pearson (Barrie Colts)*
Brett Ritchie (Sarnia Sting)*
Michael Sgarbossa (Sudbury Wolves)
Ryan Spooner (Kingston Frontenacs)*
Ryan Strome (Niagara IceDogs)*
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
2012 Draft Could Be About Defense
Every year, a player jumps out of nowhere to climb up NHL draft charts, or at least higher than expected. Think Mark Scheifele in 2011. Or Jeff Skinner in 2010.
In 2012, you could be looking at a defenseman to make that jump. Or Quite possibly a goaltender. The OHL hasn't produced a high profile goaltender in the last few years, at least in his draft year. Malcolm Subban (Belleville) and Daniel Altshuller (Oshawa) were the early favorites coming into the season but Matt Murray (Soo Greyhounds) has opened a lot of eyes through the first few weeks of the season.
While Subban has struggled and even given up starts, Altshuller has come as advertised and then some. But Murray has exceeded even his highest expectations.
But the biggest surprise could come from the defense. It is quite possible that we will see half a dozen defensemen taken in the first round, and that is from the OHL alone. Early favorites Nick Ebert (Windsor), Cody Ceci (Ottawa) and Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough) should be there.
It's the next tier where it gets interesting. Olli Maatta is starting to find his groove in London. Jesse Graham is struggling right now in Niagara but should rebound. Alex Gudbranson is in a tough situation in Kingston, where many expect them to finish last.
On the rise is Dylan Blujus who currently leads all defensemen in goals with 4 in 6 games. Matt Finn who is as pleasant a surprise as his Brampton Battalion, is tied for points with Ceci among first time draft eligible defensemen with 8 in 7 games.
One thing is for certain, NHL scouts will have their eyes full with these kids.
In 2012, you could be looking at a defenseman to make that jump. Or Quite possibly a goaltender. The OHL hasn't produced a high profile goaltender in the last few years, at least in his draft year. Malcolm Subban (Belleville) and Daniel Altshuller (Oshawa) were the early favorites coming into the season but Matt Murray (Soo Greyhounds) has opened a lot of eyes through the first few weeks of the season.
While Subban has struggled and even given up starts, Altshuller has come as advertised and then some. But Murray has exceeded even his highest expectations.
But the biggest surprise could come from the defense. It is quite possible that we will see half a dozen defensemen taken in the first round, and that is from the OHL alone. Early favorites Nick Ebert (Windsor), Cody Ceci (Ottawa) and Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough) should be there.
It's the next tier where it gets interesting. Olli Maatta is starting to find his groove in London. Jesse Graham is struggling right now in Niagara but should rebound. Alex Gudbranson is in a tough situation in Kingston, where many expect them to finish last.
On the rise is Dylan Blujus who currently leads all defensemen in goals with 4 in 6 games. Matt Finn who is as pleasant a surprise as his Brampton Battalion, is tied for points with Ceci among first time draft eligible defensemen with 8 in 7 games.
One thing is for certain, NHL scouts will have their eyes full with these kids.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
WHL defensemen among draft prospects to watch
Among the top players from the OHL are two players with the Sarnia Sting -- center Alex Galchenyuk (6-0, 185) and right wing Nail Yakupov (6-0, 190).
Yakupov, born in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, led the team with 101 points, including 49 goals (16 power-play goals) and 52 assists in 2010-11. Galchenyuk meanwhile had 31 goals, including 10 with the man advantage, and 83 points in 68 games.
Central Scouting's Chris Edwards also likes what he sees in Windsor Spitfires defenseman Nick Ebert (5-11, 195), a native of Livingston, N.J. In 64 games, Ebert had 11 goals and 41 points. Ottawa 67's defenseman Cody Ceci (6-1, 203), also an 'A List' player, was the only other 2012 draft-eligible player besides Murray to receive an invite to Team Canada's summer WJC evaluation camp.
Kitchener Rangers center Matia Marcantuoni (5-11, 185) also will command plenty of attention next season.
For the full story click here
For list of North American players click here
For list of European players click here
Yakupov, born in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, led the team with 101 points, including 49 goals (16 power-play goals) and 52 assists in 2010-11. Galchenyuk meanwhile had 31 goals, including 10 with the man advantage, and 83 points in 68 games.
Central Scouting's Chris Edwards also likes what he sees in Windsor Spitfires defenseman Nick Ebert (5-11, 195), a native of Livingston, N.J. In 64 games, Ebert had 11 goals and 41 points. Ottawa 67's defenseman Cody Ceci (6-1, 203), also an 'A List' player, was the only other 2012 draft-eligible player besides Murray to receive an invite to Team Canada's summer WJC evaluation camp.
Kitchener Rangers center Matia Marcantuoni (5-11, 185) also will command plenty of attention next season.
For the full story click here
For list of North American players click here
For list of European players click here
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Slater Koekkoek
6'2" - 183 lbs
D.O.B. : February 18, 1994
I must admit that I knew nothing about Koekkoek coming into the 2010-2011 OHL season but a fellow poster on HF Boards told me to keep an eye on this kid. And you got all you could expect from a 16 year old rookie and then some.
He put up 7 goals and 23 points in 65 games to go along with 67 penalty minutes. He was a minus 29, but don't let stats fool you. It was a pretty bad Petes team in 2010-2011.
Koekkoek is a smooth skating physical defenseman who can join the rush. He has a terrific shot that he gets off quickly and accurately. He's one of the hardest working players on the ice shift after shift. He has a good hockey IQ and is coachable - very important if you want to make the next level.
Koekkoek is also not afraid to drop the gloves when need be. He's the type of guy that would rather drop the mitts and fight his own battles than have his team mates sticking up for him.
All these attributes led Koekkoek to be selected for Team Canada at the IIHF World U-18 Championships with the likes of fellow defensemen Ryan Murray (2012), Ryan Murphy (2011), Scott Harrington (2011) and Cocy Ceci (2012), where he has put up a goal and an assist in 5 games heading into the medal round.
During the 2009-2010 season, Koekkoek played for the AAA Notre Dame Hounds where he notched 16 goals and 27 assists with 91 penalty minutes in 44 games. He followed that up with 3 goals and 4 assists in 13 playoff games.
He also played for the Hounds at the 2009 KIBIH Tournament where he scored twice and added 5 assists in 7 games. Koekkoek won a gold medal for Team Canada-Ontario at the WHC -17 championships in 2010 where he had a goal and 2 assists in 5 games.
2010-2011 was a troubling season for the Petes and if they are going to make any improvements for 2011-12 they are going to need to rely on Koekkoek even more and will require him to take the next step.
No doubt in my mind he'll be up to the task.
Koekkoek was named to the OHL's Second All Rookie Team.
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