The 2013-2014 Ontario Hockey League season has barely just started but out of the gate we have a few surprises popping out in terms of point leaders. The Erie Otters, Niagara IceDogs, Guelph Storm and Kingston Frontenacs keep their fire power ahead of the rest of the league and notched into the top 10. This top 10 list is up to date as of October 24th.
1. Connor Brown, Erie Otters – 29 points in 13 games. (11 goals and 18 assists)
A right winger out of Toronto, Ontario, Brown was selected in the 6th round of the 2012 entry draft by his hometown Maple Leafs. He’s currently in his third OHL season with Erie and is looking to be on pace to be a point a game player. His strong hockey sense keeps him in the loop to set up teammates on promising plays. One more year in junior should help him tremendously as he’ll most likely turn pro next year.
2. Brendan Perlini, Niagara IceDogs – 26 points in 12 games. (12 goals and 14 assists)
A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, but born in Guilford, England, this left winger will be eligible for next year’s NHL draft. Currently in his third OHL season, (second with Niagara, first OHL season with Barrie.) he actually spent some of his early junior career in England with the Guilford Flames of the EPL. He was cut from this year’s Team Canada squad at the Ivan Hlinka tournament but don’t count him out. A hard shot keeps him on the scouts radar. I see him being selected in at least the top 20 at the draft.
3. Carter Verhaeghe, Niagara IceDogs – 25 points in 12 games. (10 goals and 15 assists)
Sitting one point below his fellow teammate Perlini, Veraeghe is in his third season with the IceDogs and was drafted in the third round by Toronto last year. (Catch the pattern here? Toronto is deep with prospects. Could end up scary.) Veraeghe ended up being fourth in points with the IceDogs last season and stuck a gold medal under his belt with Team Canada’s Under 18’s. An even better year this year could do tremendous things for his professional career. His stock keeps rising and Toronto could possibly have a secret weapon on their hands.
4. Sergey Tolchinsky, Soo Greyhounds – 24 points in 12 games. (11 goals and 13 assists)
I love Tolchinsky and I’ve been following his story for a bit of time now. He went undrafted in this year’s draft but was offered walk on tryouts with both the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. Impressing the Canes brass enough to earn himself an entry level contract. He spent the first bit of the OHL season at the Canes camp which put a dent into his points but don’t except that to hurt anything. He’ll be up in the show very soon.
5. Brock McGinn, Guelph Storm – 23 points in 13 games. (13 goals and 10 assists)
Guelph is a team that is stacked with talent. Case in point being the rescheduling of their home opener due to too many players being away at NHL training camps. Carolina grabbed McGinn in the second round of the 2012 entry draft and signed an entry level contract. He even suited up for a few games with the Charlotte Checkers, the Canes AHL affiliate last season. Quick hands, hard shot and great hockey sense make McGinn an asset for Carolina.
6. Connor McDavid, Erie Otters – 23 points in 13 games (5 goals, 18 assists)
Being touted as the next Sidney Crosby (and in a current Sportsnet article, even BETTER then Crosby), McDavid has some big shoes to fill. He’ll fill them alright. This kid is the real deal. He won’t be eligible to be drafted until 2015 so he plenty of time to impress even more people with his play. He was one of three players who has been given “exceptional status” in the OHL in order to play at age 15. He was named to the First All-Rookie team and won the OHL’s Rookie of the Year last season. Just wait, the next time I comprise this list, he’ll be closer to the top.
7. Dane Fox, Erie Otters – 22 points in 13 games (13 goals and 9 assists)
Fox is Erie’s third entry into the top 10. This 20 year old is currently undrafted and is in his 6th OHL season splitting his career between Erie and the London Knights. He had attended the 2012 prospect camp for the New York Rangers but became injured which made his year suffer. However at full health for this season, Fox seems to be back in fine form which is good news for the Otters and their deep lines.
8. Scott Kosmachuk, Guelph Storm – 22 points in 13 games. (13 goals and 9 assists)
As the property of the Winnipeg Jets, Kosmachuk is in his third year with the Storm and has made appearances in the past 3 playoff runs for the Storm. He achieved a player of a week honor last season by notching 6 goals and 2 assists in 3 games and ended the campaign as Guelph’s top scorer. Expecting to turn pro next year, scouts are ranking him as a solid 3rd or 4th liner and they’re will be plenty of teams, being it AHL, ECHL, or NHL, looking for that depth.
9. Henri Ikonen, Kingston Frontenacs – 21 points in 9 games (6 goals, 15 assists)
Yeah, you read that right. 15 assists in 9 games. This Finnish phenom missed the beginning of the season as he was away at Tampa Bay’s training camp. Never missing a beat however, he suited himself back up into the Fronts lineup and became a powerhouse. With a solid line of players on his side on whichever line he plays on, Ikonen will move himself up in the rankings quite quickly. Expect him up in Tampa next year.
10. Sam Bennett, Kingston Frontenacs – 20 points in 10 games (10 goals, 10 assists)
Another part of Kingston’s deadly trio of draft eligible players, Bennett already has two Team Canada golds under his belt and continues to play his game at a high level. A strong hockey sense on the ice, knowing where his teammates are at all times is something that keeps him in the running to go in the top 10 at next year’s draft and help the Frontenacs to return to the top of the OHL and possibly send them to the Memorial Cup.
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