Deep Thoughts • 21/07/2021
Deep Thoughts for Sudbury Star - July 21st 2021 - Northern Players for NHL Draft & State of Sudbury Hockey
DEEP THOUGHTS
The 2021 NHL Entry Draft
Chase Stillman – The son of 2-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman & a star for the Sudbury Wolves should be a 2nd round pick on Saturday morning. His willingness to do everything like block shots, fight, finish checks & play hard has endeared him to teams across the NHL. He also has some offensive ability that will allow him to play up and down an NHL lineup. Players like this help teams win Stanley Cups as evidenced by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Benjamin Gaudreau – The Corbeil resident was a 1st round pick of the Sarnia Sting and recently backstopped Team Canada to the Gold Medal at the World Under 18 championships in Plano, Texas. His mental strength, technical ability & athleticism should see him selected in the 2nd round of the Draft. Both Jesper Wallstedt & Sebastian Cossa will go before him, I’m not convinced that Gaudreau doesn’t end up being better. He has all of the tools to become an NHL starter & those guys don’t grow on trees.
Red Savage – The son of former NHL star & Sudbury native, Brian Savage, Red is a prototypical 2-way Centreman that has tremendous leadership qualities. He recently captained Team USA at the World Under 18 Championships & played well for the undermanned Americans. He projects to be a perfect 3rd line Centre in the NHL & he will have time to develop as he is headed to his Dad’s alma mater at the University of Miami/Ohio with his older brother Ryan. Bloodlines, character & hockey IQ make him a very low risk selection.
Max McCue – The Sudbury born & raised McCue was a 2nd round pick of the Knights & like every other first year player in London, he didn’t play much at all but Mark/Dale Hunter love the kid & expect big things when the OHL returns to play in October. He has an edge to him that is paired with skill and reminds me of a bigger Brendan Gallagher. I think he will be a 3rd/4th round pick on Saturday but if he slips to the 5th round, I expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to scoop him up. I love the player because that physical presence & hockey IQ are hard to find. Just ask the Detroit Red Wings about Tyler Bertuzzi.
Jack Matier – The SSM native was taken in the 1st round by the Ottawa 67’s & didn’t get much opportunity in the 19/20 season because of the veteran laden blueline they iced but his play at the recent World Under 18’s raised a few eyebrows. He is a physical specimen with his 6’06 218 lb. frame & his excellent defensive play are the traits that NHL teams know they need to win in the playoffs. Like McCue, I expect him to go in the 3rd or 4th round with the possibility of sliding into the 5th. A tremendous young man that will get every ounce out of his potential.
Jacob Holmes – The Soo Greyhounds 1st round pick in 2019 was the reliable defender with some offensive upside, Jacob Holmes. He showed the ability to make plays & defend well in his pandemic shortened rookie season in the Soo. Those traits combined with good skating and a 6’02 frame are all things that excite teams & I’d expect him to be a 4th round selection.
Joe Vrbetic – The North Bay Battalion goaltender strikes an imposing figure in the net at 6’6 and a quickness that is usually found in smaller goalies. He started his junior career with the Powasson Voodoo of the NOJHL & brought that League to its knees before moving on to the Battalion. It only takes 1 team to like him but I’d expect he is a 4th/5th round pick on Saturday.
The Rest – There are a number of players that have northern connections that I really hope are selected but because of the cancelled season in 20/21, it will be tough because of a lack of exposure. If they are not selected, I fully expect them to have BIG seasons in the OHL this year & get the NHL Scouts attention for the 2022 Draft. These players include:
Mitchell Martin(Kitchener Rangers), a big kid with sneaky hands and a pro shot that dominated goalies in the NOJHL;
Landon McCallum(Sudbury Wolves), Wolves 1st round pick in 2019 that plays hard, isn’t afraid & competes on every shift;
Oliver Smith(Barrie Colts), a hard-working 2 way player that scored a lot in Rayside but really impressed in his 5 game callup to Barrie
Nick Degrazia(Rayside Balfour), really got the Scouts attention at the 2019 World Junior A Championships for Team Canada East
Marc Boudreau(Soo Greyhounds), a prototypical power forward that kept getting better before the season ended in March 2020
Josh Kavanaugh(Peterborough Petes), an offensive defenseman that impressed when he was called up by the Petes in 2020
Zach Giroux(Flint Firebirds), the brother of Minnesota Wild prospect Damian Giroux is small but very crafty & skilled offensively
UPDATE: The State of AAA Hockey – The feedback from my last article about ways to improve AAA hockey in Sudbury was overwhelming. I got so many calls, texts, emails & encouragement that I am very reassured that there is an appetite in this City to do things better as we go forward. The morning after the article was printed, I was contacted by both Nickel City Hockey Association & the Sudbury Minor Hockey Association & both agreed that this City can do better. Unfortunately, that was the last contact I’ve had with either group & in the interim, they’ve named all of their AAA coaches & the status quo has remained. We are only months away from the 2021/22 season and to expect massive changes quickly is not realistic so I remain hopeful that the groups can get together to improve the situation for the players going forward. Change is hard to accept and slow to implement but I think everyone knows it is needed.
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.
― John F. Kennedy; June 26, 1963
Those are my Deep Thoughts for July…
Mark Seidel
The 2021 NHL Entry Draft
Chase Stillman – The son of 2-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman & a star for the Sudbury Wolves should be a 2nd round pick on Saturday morning. His willingness to do everything like block shots, fight, finish checks & play hard has endeared him to teams across the NHL. He also has some offensive ability that will allow him to play up and down an NHL lineup. Players like this help teams win Stanley Cups as evidenced by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Benjamin Gaudreau – The Corbeil resident was a 1st round pick of the Sarnia Sting and recently backstopped Team Canada to the Gold Medal at the World Under 18 championships in Plano, Texas. His mental strength, technical ability & athleticism should see him selected in the 2nd round of the Draft. Both Jesper Wallstedt & Sebastian Cossa will go before him, I’m not convinced that Gaudreau doesn’t end up being better. He has all of the tools to become an NHL starter & those guys don’t grow on trees.
Red Savage – The son of former NHL star & Sudbury native, Brian Savage, Red is a prototypical 2-way Centreman that has tremendous leadership qualities. He recently captained Team USA at the World Under 18 Championships & played well for the undermanned Americans. He projects to be a perfect 3rd line Centre in the NHL & he will have time to develop as he is headed to his Dad’s alma mater at the University of Miami/Ohio with his older brother Ryan. Bloodlines, character & hockey IQ make him a very low risk selection.
Max McCue – The Sudbury born & raised McCue was a 2nd round pick of the Knights & like every other first year player in London, he didn’t play much at all but Mark/Dale Hunter love the kid & expect big things when the OHL returns to play in October. He has an edge to him that is paired with skill and reminds me of a bigger Brendan Gallagher. I think he will be a 3rd/4th round pick on Saturday but if he slips to the 5th round, I expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to scoop him up. I love the player because that physical presence & hockey IQ are hard to find. Just ask the Detroit Red Wings about Tyler Bertuzzi.
Jack Matier – The SSM native was taken in the 1st round by the Ottawa 67’s & didn’t get much opportunity in the 19/20 season because of the veteran laden blueline they iced but his play at the recent World Under 18’s raised a few eyebrows. He is a physical specimen with his 6’06 218 lb. frame & his excellent defensive play are the traits that NHL teams know they need to win in the playoffs. Like McCue, I expect him to go in the 3rd or 4th round with the possibility of sliding into the 5th. A tremendous young man that will get every ounce out of his potential.
Jacob Holmes – The Soo Greyhounds 1st round pick in 2019 was the reliable defender with some offensive upside, Jacob Holmes. He showed the ability to make plays & defend well in his pandemic shortened rookie season in the Soo. Those traits combined with good skating and a 6’02 frame are all things that excite teams & I’d expect him to be a 4th round selection.
Joe Vrbetic – The North Bay Battalion goaltender strikes an imposing figure in the net at 6’6 and a quickness that is usually found in smaller goalies. He started his junior career with the Powasson Voodoo of the NOJHL & brought that League to its knees before moving on to the Battalion. It only takes 1 team to like him but I’d expect he is a 4th/5th round pick on Saturday.
The Rest – There are a number of players that have northern connections that I really hope are selected but because of the cancelled season in 20/21, it will be tough because of a lack of exposure. If they are not selected, I fully expect them to have BIG seasons in the OHL this year & get the NHL Scouts attention for the 2022 Draft. These players include:
Mitchell Martin(Kitchener Rangers), a big kid with sneaky hands and a pro shot that dominated goalies in the NOJHL;
Landon McCallum(Sudbury Wolves), Wolves 1st round pick in 2019 that plays hard, isn’t afraid & competes on every shift;
Oliver Smith(Barrie Colts), a hard-working 2 way player that scored a lot in Rayside but really impressed in his 5 game callup to Barrie
Nick Degrazia(Rayside Balfour), really got the Scouts attention at the 2019 World Junior A Championships for Team Canada East
Marc Boudreau(Soo Greyhounds), a prototypical power forward that kept getting better before the season ended in March 2020
Josh Kavanaugh(Peterborough Petes), an offensive defenseman that impressed when he was called up by the Petes in 2020
Zach Giroux(Flint Firebirds), the brother of Minnesota Wild prospect Damian Giroux is small but very crafty & skilled offensively
UPDATE: The State of AAA Hockey – The feedback from my last article about ways to improve AAA hockey in Sudbury was overwhelming. I got so many calls, texts, emails & encouragement that I am very reassured that there is an appetite in this City to do things better as we go forward. The morning after the article was printed, I was contacted by both Nickel City Hockey Association & the Sudbury Minor Hockey Association & both agreed that this City can do better. Unfortunately, that was the last contact I’ve had with either group & in the interim, they’ve named all of their AAA coaches & the status quo has remained. We are only months away from the 2021/22 season and to expect massive changes quickly is not realistic so I remain hopeful that the groups can get together to improve the situation for the players going forward. Change is hard to accept and slow to implement but I think everyone knows it is needed.
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.
― John F. Kennedy; June 26, 1963
Those are my Deep Thoughts for July…
Mark Seidel
Sports. Stories. Honesty. Unbiased.
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