Deep Thoughts • 05/02/2020
Deep Thoughts Sudbury Star - February 5th 2020 - Elite Local Hockey talent
Deep Thoughts
With
Mark Seidel
The point of this column however is that despite our challenges, the North has a long list of successful Players and I wanted to highlight a few very young players who don’t get a lot of publicity.
Dario Beljo – Komoka Kings(GOJHL) Beljo is a London Knights draft pick who is tearing up the GOJHL while playing in Southwestern Ontario. Beljo is leading his team in scoring with 47 points in 37 games while being very responsible defensively despite just being 17 years old. It is still yet to be determined whether his future lies in the OHL or the NCAA but either way, he has a very bright future
Max McCue – London Knights(OHL) Max was selected in the 2nd round of the 2019 OHL Draft by the powerful London Knights & has already played 25 games for them. It is very rare for a 16-year-old, 2nd rounder to play at all in London but Mark Hunter is very pleased with Max’s growth this year. Max has made the most of his opportunities & has already scored his 1st goal & is being touted as a solid selection in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Chase Lammi – Kemptville 73’s(CCHL) Chase spent last year playing in the NOJHL where he secured an NCAA Scholarship to St. Lawrence & has since moved to play in the Ottawa Junior League. After watching him play a couple weeks ago, I can tell you that nobody will ever outwork him & the Coaches in Kemptville are very encouraged about his offensive upside. Lammi recently played in the CJHL Top Prospects game.
Chase Stillman – Sudbury Wolves(OHL) Although Stillman played his whole Minor Hockey career in Peterborough, we will still claim him because he played his most formative year in Sudbury as a Minor Midget. Stillman has put up great numbers with the Wolves & has played much higher in the lineup than most expected for a 16-year-old. His secondary scoring for the Wolves has been a blessing & he will be a solid selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Zach Giroux – Rayside Balfour Canadians(NOJHL) Zach was selected by the Flint Firebirds in the 3rd round in 2019 & he has played very well for both Rayside & Flint over the 1st half. The younger brother of Saginaw star, Damien Giroux, Zach has shown an ability to put up points & compete on every shift. He will be a full time Firebird next year & they expect him to become an offensive catalyst for them.
Bradley Brunet – Espanola Express(NOJHL) Brunet was a selection in the 2019 OHL Draft by the Niagara Icedogs & after a very impressive Training Camp, he decided to play in the NOJHL in Espanola. Bradley is a physical specimen with an ability to score & despite the Express being an older team, he has fit in nicely & scored some big goals. Niagara is in a full rebuild so Brunet should go into next year’s camp with a spot open for him for the 2020/21 season.
Hunter Brazier – Kemptville 73’s(CCHL) Much like Lammi, Brazier had a great rookie season in the NOJHL last year & is now playing in the CCHL. His offensive instincts have been very impressive & he is a key scoring option for the 73’s. Hunter has had some NHL Draft interest & recently played in the CJHL Top Prospects game & played very well.
Cameron Walker – Espanola Express(NOJHL) Walker was a 9th round selection by Kingston in the 2019 OHL Draft & he has jumped right into junior hockey & made a great impression. His ability to skate and work tirelessly while still contributing offensively is something that the Frontenac’s have taken notice of. Like others on this list, he is only 16 but has shown that the OHL or the NCAA should be in his future.
Jack Matier – Ottawa 67’s(OHL) Matier is a SSM kid that was taken by the Ottawa 67’s in the 1st round of last year’s OHL Draft. The big right shot defenseman has played in every game for the 67’s & despite the veteran-laden back end for the powerful 67’s, he is fitting in & continuing to get better. Ottawa will be graduating 5 Defensemen next year so Jack will have a great opportunity to showcase himself for the 2021 NHL Draft.
Oliver Smith - Rayside Balfour Canadians(NOJHL) Oliver was drafted in the 9th round by Barrie in 2019 & he has already proven to be of great value for the Colts. Having only played his allowable 5 games, he has made a huge impression on the Colts management because of his early play in the OHL & his exceptional performances with Rayside. The 16-year-old has already hit 20 goals in the NOJHL & will be a big part of Rayside’s playoff run this year & Barrie’s future starting in 2020/21.
AJ Favot – Espanola Express(NOJHL) AJ was a selection by the Niagara Icedogs in the 2018 OHL Draft & he is showing why that was a good pick with his play in Espanola. Most 17-year-old Defensemen struggle against 20-year old’s in the NOJHL but AJ has not only been a stalwart for the Express, they have also made him an Assistant Captain which speaks to his character, poise & ability. As mentioned earlier, Niagara is rebuilding & a defender like Favot should interest them next year.
Josh Kavanagh – Peterborough Petes(ETAHL) Kavanagh was a key defenseman for last year’s Sudbury Minor Midgets & despite a broken wrist, he was selected by the Peterborough Petes in the 5th round & it is already paying dividends. The Petes encouraged Kavanagh to play Major Midget in Peterborough while practicing with the OHL squad & it has been a recipe for success. Josh has already played in 7 OHL games & has scouts interested for next year’s NHL Entry Draft.
Mitchell Martin – Rayside Balfour Canadians(NOJHL) Mitchell was a 4th round pick by Kitchener last year & has become a key player for the surging Rayside Balfour team. Blessed with great size and skill, Mitchell is averaging over a point a game in the feisty NOJHL & his overall game has really improved and thus I expect he will be playing in the OHL next year as a regular for the Rangers.
Ben Gaudreau – Sarnia Sting(OHL) Gaudreau is a North Bay kid that went 7th overall to the Sarnia Sting & has had a number of phenomenal performances for the Sting. The OHL has proven to be extremely challenging for 16-year-old Goalies over the years but Ben has shown why he is the future in Sarnia & a Top Prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Devon Savignac – Blind River Beavers(NOJHL) Savignac was an 9th round selection by North Bay in the OHL Draft last year & thus was heavily recruited by the Blind River Beavers after a strong OHL Training Camp. Savignac has stepped into the powerful Beavers lineup & become a reliable scorer with 21 goals already. Along with his finish, he is an electric skater that should be part of the rebuilding Battalion next year.
I’m sure I’ve missed a few Players but I wanted to highlight a few of those that are playing around the province & excelling while still having Northern Ontario roots. As I mentioned earlier, I think the AAA system has to be rectified in Sudbury but in spite of that, this list shows that we still produce elite hockey talent in God’s country.
Those are my Deep Thoughts…
With
Mark Seidel
The point of this column however is that despite our challenges, the North has a long list of successful Players and I wanted to highlight a few very young players who don’t get a lot of publicity.
Dario Beljo – Komoka Kings(GOJHL) Beljo is a London Knights draft pick who is tearing up the GOJHL while playing in Southwestern Ontario. Beljo is leading his team in scoring with 47 points in 37 games while being very responsible defensively despite just being 17 years old. It is still yet to be determined whether his future lies in the OHL or the NCAA but either way, he has a very bright future
Max McCue – London Knights(OHL) Max was selected in the 2nd round of the 2019 OHL Draft by the powerful London Knights & has already played 25 games for them. It is very rare for a 16-year-old, 2nd rounder to play at all in London but Mark Hunter is very pleased with Max’s growth this year. Max has made the most of his opportunities & has already scored his 1st goal & is being touted as a solid selection in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Chase Lammi – Kemptville 73’s(CCHL) Chase spent last year playing in the NOJHL where he secured an NCAA Scholarship to St. Lawrence & has since moved to play in the Ottawa Junior League. After watching him play a couple weeks ago, I can tell you that nobody will ever outwork him & the Coaches in Kemptville are very encouraged about his offensive upside. Lammi recently played in the CJHL Top Prospects game.
Chase Stillman – Sudbury Wolves(OHL) Although Stillman played his whole Minor Hockey career in Peterborough, we will still claim him because he played his most formative year in Sudbury as a Minor Midget. Stillman has put up great numbers with the Wolves & has played much higher in the lineup than most expected for a 16-year-old. His secondary scoring for the Wolves has been a blessing & he will be a solid selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Zach Giroux – Rayside Balfour Canadians(NOJHL) Zach was selected by the Flint Firebirds in the 3rd round in 2019 & he has played very well for both Rayside & Flint over the 1st half. The younger brother of Saginaw star, Damien Giroux, Zach has shown an ability to put up points & compete on every shift. He will be a full time Firebird next year & they expect him to become an offensive catalyst for them.
Bradley Brunet – Espanola Express(NOJHL) Brunet was a selection in the 2019 OHL Draft by the Niagara Icedogs & after a very impressive Training Camp, he decided to play in the NOJHL in Espanola. Bradley is a physical specimen with an ability to score & despite the Express being an older team, he has fit in nicely & scored some big goals. Niagara is in a full rebuild so Brunet should go into next year’s camp with a spot open for him for the 2020/21 season.
Hunter Brazier – Kemptville 73’s(CCHL) Much like Lammi, Brazier had a great rookie season in the NOJHL last year & is now playing in the CCHL. His offensive instincts have been very impressive & he is a key scoring option for the 73’s. Hunter has had some NHL Draft interest & recently played in the CJHL Top Prospects game & played very well.
Cameron Walker – Espanola Express(NOJHL) Walker was a 9th round selection by Kingston in the 2019 OHL Draft & he has jumped right into junior hockey & made a great impression. His ability to skate and work tirelessly while still contributing offensively is something that the Frontenac’s have taken notice of. Like others on this list, he is only 16 but has shown that the OHL or the NCAA should be in his future.
Jack Matier – Ottawa 67’s(OHL) Matier is a SSM kid that was taken by the Ottawa 67’s in the 1st round of last year’s OHL Draft. The big right shot defenseman has played in every game for the 67’s & despite the veteran-laden back end for the powerful 67’s, he is fitting in & continuing to get better. Ottawa will be graduating 5 Defensemen next year so Jack will have a great opportunity to showcase himself for the 2021 NHL Draft.
Oliver Smith - Rayside Balfour Canadians(NOJHL) Oliver was drafted in the 9th round by Barrie in 2019 & he has already proven to be of great value for the Colts. Having only played his allowable 5 games, he has made a huge impression on the Colts management because of his early play in the OHL & his exceptional performances with Rayside. The 16-year-old has already hit 20 goals in the NOJHL & will be a big part of Rayside’s playoff run this year & Barrie’s future starting in 2020/21.
AJ Favot – Espanola Express(NOJHL) AJ was a selection by the Niagara Icedogs in the 2018 OHL Draft & he is showing why that was a good pick with his play in Espanola. Most 17-year-old Defensemen struggle against 20-year old’s in the NOJHL but AJ has not only been a stalwart for the Express, they have also made him an Assistant Captain which speaks to his character, poise & ability. As mentioned earlier, Niagara is rebuilding & a defender like Favot should interest them next year.
Josh Kavanagh – Peterborough Petes(ETAHL) Kavanagh was a key defenseman for last year’s Sudbury Minor Midgets & despite a broken wrist, he was selected by the Peterborough Petes in the 5th round & it is already paying dividends. The Petes encouraged Kavanagh to play Major Midget in Peterborough while practicing with the OHL squad & it has been a recipe for success. Josh has already played in 7 OHL games & has scouts interested for next year’s NHL Entry Draft.
Mitchell Martin – Rayside Balfour Canadians(NOJHL) Mitchell was a 4th round pick by Kitchener last year & has become a key player for the surging Rayside Balfour team. Blessed with great size and skill, Mitchell is averaging over a point a game in the feisty NOJHL & his overall game has really improved and thus I expect he will be playing in the OHL next year as a regular for the Rangers.
Ben Gaudreau – Sarnia Sting(OHL) Gaudreau is a North Bay kid that went 7th overall to the Sarnia Sting & has had a number of phenomenal performances for the Sting. The OHL has proven to be extremely challenging for 16-year-old Goalies over the years but Ben has shown why he is the future in Sarnia & a Top Prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Devon Savignac – Blind River Beavers(NOJHL) Savignac was an 9th round selection by North Bay in the OHL Draft last year & thus was heavily recruited by the Blind River Beavers after a strong OHL Training Camp. Savignac has stepped into the powerful Beavers lineup & become a reliable scorer with 21 goals already. Along with his finish, he is an electric skater that should be part of the rebuilding Battalion next year.
I’m sure I’ve missed a few Players but I wanted to highlight a few of those that are playing around the province & excelling while still having Northern Ontario roots. As I mentioned earlier, I think the AAA system has to be rectified in Sudbury but in spite of that, this list shows that we still produce elite hockey talent in God’s country.
Those are my Deep Thoughts…
Sports. Stories. Honesty. Unbiased.
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