This season the Leafs have 10 prospects playing in the CHL (8 in the OHL, 2 in the WHL, and 0 in the QMJHL). This thread will be used to keep track of their progress throughout the season. Hopefully I'll be able to update it about once every week or so, but I'm known to get pretty lazy with this come mid-season so who knows. If anyone sees any interesting articles about some of our prospects feel free to share them here.
Introducing our 2011-2012 CHL prospects:
Ontario Hockey League
Like Frattin, McKegg also scored at a high rate in his respective league. The third-year OHL forward established himself as a dominant force as he led the Erie Otters in scoring with 49 goals and 43 points in 92 games - which was good for eighth in scoring league wide.
While his offensive contributions can't be ignored, he also has his flaws when it comes to overall consistency. A shoddy playoff performance didn't shake the opinions of his critics either, scoring only five points in seven games.
Unable to play in the AHL due to age restriction, it's almost certain the McKegg returns to the OHL, where he'll once again captain the Otters. He'll be looked on to crack the 100 point plateau, and continue developing into an overall force at the junior level. He'll also have one last chance to crack Canada's U20 team.
Three spots after picking Biggs at the 2011 NHL Draft, the Leafs selected low-maintenance defender Stuart Percy.
Percy projects as a complementary defenseman who can be used in a variety of different situations. He's unlikely to ever be a team's top-pairing defenseman, but he could very well be the necessary glue player that helps a team win championships.
He'll spend the next few seasons going through the basic maturation process of the OHL, and will look to continue to take steps in developing into a strong two-way defender. With graduations to a few of Mississauga's veteran defenders, Percy is in a prime position to take a leadership role.
Rounding out the top 20 is 2011, 3rd round pick Josh Leivo. Leivo debuts at the 20th spot due to his projected potential as a top-nine forward. While he's a bit of a wildcard at the moment due to his small sample size of success, Leivo has some natural tools at his disposal that make him an intriguing prospect. He's shown some offensive upside, but it's his physical tools that show promise. He has a ton of room to grow, and he already knows how to use his 6'2 frame well.
He'll look to build on a good rookie-season and will have an opportunity to take a primary role with the Wolves as veteran offensive-forwards Eric O'Dell (WPG) and Mike Lomas graduate.
The 6'2, 216lb forward was once a highly touted OHL prospect, being selected 10th overall by the Erie Otters in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. After a solid rookie campaign, Broll was dealt at the OHL deadline to the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds in an effort to land the Otters more offensive punch.
At this point, Broll is very much a project pick. In terms of sheer strength, he's arguably the strongest in the OHL. Due to his skating, size, and untapped skill he could be a steal in the draft if all the tools come together. If he's unable to establish the offensive side to his game, he still projects as a solid bottom-six player due to his physical attributes.
While not overly big Carrick is surprisingly strong on his skates and noticeably physical. He has great two-way ability and is fearless on the ice. Offensively, Carrick can be very dangerous with the puck both in scoring and playmaking. Consistency is an issue as he tries to be a multi-purpose forward which at times makes parts of his game suffer. Carrick is at his best when he plays a simple, yet energized two-way game. He?s very willing to drop the gloves, with any size of fighter. His strong work ethic bodes well for future success.
Crescenzi protects the puck well in the offensive zone and is not easily intimidated. He only managed eight goals and four assists last year on a loaded Kitchener squad, but this season he should see his point and ice time totals increase. He has good awarness at both ends of the ice, is good in the face-off circle and is capapble of playing in all situations. He moves well for a player of his size, but attention to skating (primarily in his first step) will aid his transition game over the next few seasons. At 6'5 and only 200lbs, Crescenzi would do well to add significant strength to his frame to make his physical game more effective.
Olden is a player with great size, but at the moment is extremely lanky. He moves very well for his size and is a dangerous offensive threat that can lineup at any forward position. For all his offensive success, he also is a very capable two-way forward. Areas of improvement for Olden include adding significant strength and weight to his frame, and improving on his shot which should become more powerful as he matures.
At 6'2 and 200lbs, Sparks has the necessary physical attributes and technical skills needed to play the Allaire style. He plays the angles well and uses his massive frame to cover the net. While he fought the puck at points this season, he was also a rookie netminder so an adjustment was expected.
With the potential turnover to Guelph's roster due to graduations, Sparks may have the reigns turned over to him if Brandon Foote doesn't return. Either way, Sparks will have to prove he's capable of handling the starting duties of an OHL club next season.
Western Hockey League
A player who relishes in getting under players skin, Brad Ross has shown he can also contribute some offense along the way. Ross has the makings of a strong complementary forward who may see top-six duty due to his ability to infuriate opponents and keep the pace with the highly-skilled forwards.
Since his draft year in 2010, Ross has continued to do what he does best - stir up the opposition. Over the past two years, Ross has accumulated 374 penalty minutes. He's also improved offensively, scoring 31 goals in 67 games and tallying 69 points. While penalty minutes will always be the largest numbers on Ross's stat line, he'll need to avoid costly penalties that hinder his team.
Josh Nicholls impressed a ton this season after he nearly double his point totals from a year ago. The 19-year-old forward finished second on the Saskatoon Blades with 34 goals, and 53 assists for 87 points in 71 games. While he was on a Blades team that had its fair share of talent, it also spoke to Nicholls ability to produce amongst his peers.
Is this a blip in the radar? Or an indication of Nicholls actual ability? It may be too soon to tell, but this year should be a good indicator as a handful of players from the 2010-11 Blades team graduate.
Player profiles courtesy of HockeysFuture.com
Introducing our 2011-2012 CHL prospects:
Ontario Hockey League
| Greg McKegg Team: Erie Otters Position: Centre Shoots: Left Height: 6'0 Weight: 195lbs Drafted: 3rd round, 2010 HF Rank: 8th |
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Like Frattin, McKegg also scored at a high rate in his respective league. The third-year OHL forward established himself as a dominant force as he led the Erie Otters in scoring with 49 goals and 43 points in 92 games - which was good for eighth in scoring league wide.
While his offensive contributions can't be ignored, he also has his flaws when it comes to overall consistency. A shoddy playoff performance didn't shake the opinions of his critics either, scoring only five points in seven games.
Unable to play in the AHL due to age restriction, it's almost certain the McKegg returns to the OHL, where he'll once again captain the Otters. He'll be looked on to crack the 100 point plateau, and continue developing into an overall force at the junior level. He'll also have one last chance to crack Canada's U20 team.
| Stuart Percy Team: Mississauga St. Michaels Majors Position: Defence Shoots: Left Height: 6'1 Weight: 193lbs Drafted: 1st round, 2011 HF Rank: 10th | 
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Three spots after picking Biggs at the 2011 NHL Draft, the Leafs selected low-maintenance defender Stuart Percy.
Percy projects as a complementary defenseman who can be used in a variety of different situations. He's unlikely to ever be a team's top-pairing defenseman, but he could very well be the necessary glue player that helps a team win championships.
He'll spend the next few seasons going through the basic maturation process of the OHL, and will look to continue to take steps in developing into a strong two-way defender. With graduations to a few of Mississauga's veteran defenders, Percy is in a prime position to take a leadership role.
| Josh Leivo Team: Sudbury Wolves Position: Left Wing Shoots: Right Height: 6'1 Weight: 185lbs Drafted: 3rd round, 2011 HF Rank: 20th | 
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Rounding out the top 20 is 2011, 3rd round pick Josh Leivo. Leivo debuts at the 20th spot due to his projected potential as a top-nine forward. While he's a bit of a wildcard at the moment due to his small sample size of success, Leivo has some natural tools at his disposal that make him an intriguing prospect. He's shown some offensive upside, but it's his physical tools that show promise. He has a ton of room to grow, and he already knows how to use his 6'2 frame well.
He'll look to build on a good rookie-season and will have an opportunity to take a primary role with the Wolves as veteran offensive-forwards Eric O'Dell (WPG) and Mike Lomas graduate.
| David Broll Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Position: Left Wing Shoots: Left Height: 6'2 Weight: 231lbs Drafted: 6th round, 2011 HF Rank: NA | 
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The 6'2, 216lb forward was once a highly touted OHL prospect, being selected 10th overall by the Erie Otters in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. After a solid rookie campaign, Broll was dealt at the OHL deadline to the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds in an effort to land the Otters more offensive punch.
At this point, Broll is very much a project pick. In terms of sheer strength, he's arguably the strongest in the OHL. Due to his skating, size, and untapped skill he could be a steal in the draft if all the tools come together. If he's unable to establish the offensive side to his game, he still projects as a solid bottom-six player due to his physical attributes.
| Sam Carrick Team: Brampton Battalion Position: Centre Shoots: Right Height: 6'0 Weight: 207lbs Drafted: 5th round, 2010 HF Rank: NA | 
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While not overly big Carrick is surprisingly strong on his skates and noticeably physical. He has great two-way ability and is fearless on the ice. Offensively, Carrick can be very dangerous with the puck both in scoring and playmaking. Consistency is an issue as he tries to be a multi-purpose forward which at times makes parts of his game suffer. Carrick is at his best when he plays a simple, yet energized two-way game. He?s very willing to drop the gloves, with any size of fighter. His strong work ethic bodes well for future success.
| Andrew Crescenzi Team: Kitchener Rangers Position: Centre Shoots: Left Height: 6'5 Weight: 208lbs Drafted: NA HF Rank: NA | 
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Crescenzi protects the puck well in the offensive zone and is not easily intimidated. He only managed eight goals and four assists last year on a loaded Kitchener squad, but this season he should see his point and ice time totals increase. He has good awarness at both ends of the ice, is good in the face-off circle and is capapble of playing in all situations. He moves well for a player of his size, but attention to skating (primarily in his first step) will aid his transition game over the next few seasons. At 6'5 and only 200lbs, Crescenzi would do well to add significant strength to his frame to make his physical game more effective.
| Sondre Olden Team: Erie Otters Position: Left Wing Shoots: Left Height: 6'4 Weight: 180lbs Drafted: 3rd round, 2010 HF Rank: NA | 
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Olden is a player with great size, but at the moment is extremely lanky. He moves very well for his size and is a dangerous offensive threat that can lineup at any forward position. For all his offensive success, he also is a very capable two-way forward. Areas of improvement for Olden include adding significant strength and weight to his frame, and improving on his shot which should become more powerful as he matures.
| Garret Sparks Team: Guelph Storm Position: Goalie Shoots: Left Height: 6'2 Weight: 204lbs Drafted: 7th round, 2011 HF Rank: NA | 
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At 6'2 and 200lbs, Sparks has the necessary physical attributes and technical skills needed to play the Allaire style. He plays the angles well and uses his massive frame to cover the net. While he fought the puck at points this season, he was also a rookie netminder so an adjustment was expected.
With the potential turnover to Guelph's roster due to graduations, Sparks may have the reigns turned over to him if Brandon Foote doesn't return. Either way, Sparks will have to prove he's capable of handling the starting duties of an OHL club next season.
Western Hockey League
| Brad Ross Team: Portland Winterhawks Position: Left Wing Shoots: Left Height: 6'1 Weight: 183lbs Drafted: 2nd round, 2010 HF Rank: 12 | 
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A player who relishes in getting under players skin, Brad Ross has shown he can also contribute some offense along the way. Ross has the makings of a strong complementary forward who may see top-six duty due to his ability to infuriate opponents and keep the pace with the highly-skilled forwards.
Since his draft year in 2010, Ross has continued to do what he does best - stir up the opposition. Over the past two years, Ross has accumulated 374 penalty minutes. He's also improved offensively, scoring 31 goals in 67 games and tallying 69 points. While penalty minutes will always be the largest numbers on Ross's stat line, he'll need to avoid costly penalties that hinder his team.
| Josh Nicholls Team: Saskatoon Blades Position: Right Wing Shoots: Right Height: 6'2 Weight: 192lbs Drafted: 7th round, 2010 HF Rank: 19 | 
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Josh Nicholls impressed a ton this season after he nearly double his point totals from a year ago. The 19-year-old forward finished second on the Saskatoon Blades with 34 goals, and 53 assists for 87 points in 71 games. While he was on a Blades team that had its fair share of talent, it also spoke to Nicholls ability to produce amongst his peers.
Is this a blip in the radar? Or an indication of Nicholls actual ability? It may be too soon to tell, but this year should be a good indicator as a handful of players from the 2010-11 Blades team graduate.
Player profiles courtesy of HockeysFuture.com
