Deep Thoughts • 20/03/2019
Deep Thoughts Twiiter - March 20th 2019 - OHL Predictions reviewed & OHL Draft names
Deep Thoughts: Welcome to another Deep Thoughts which represent my PERSONAL views & don’t reflect ANY Organization that I work with! This edition will have thoughts from all around the hockey world among other things & it is LONG so unfollow if you don’t want them.
DT: In complete transparency, I have to re-visit my pre-season predictions for the OHL & discuss my errors. These were my thoughts on the West on August 28th.
1. London 2. Saginaw 3. Kitchener 4. Windsor 5. Owen Sound 6. Guelph 7. Sault Ste. Marie 8. Sarnia 9. Erie 10. Flint
DT: In the East, these were my opinions before pre-season, warts and all: Eastern Conference 1. Niagara 2. Ottawa 3. Oshawa 4. Hamilton 5. Barrie 6. Peterborough 7. Sudbury 8. North Bay 9. Mississauga 10. Kingston https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/local-sports/seidel-top-storylines-heading-into-the-ohl-season
DT: The biggest mistake that I made was with the Soo Greyhounds. I completely under-estimated the group that Kyle Raftis put together & the great job that John Dean has done. I expected them to sell off Hollowell, Frost, Howdeshell & Villalta & I was wrong.
DT: You would think I would know the Sudbury Wolves pretty well but I was dead wrong on a 7th place finish. I knew Ukko Pekka Luukonen was a good prospect but I completely whiffed on how good he would be & Cory Stillman made them the hardest working team in the League.
DT: I thought that Barrie would be much better than they finished up because I’m a huge fan of Dale Hawerchuk as a coach & I expected Maksim Zhukov to really solidify their goaltending. They moved Zhukov out & it turned out well b/c it gave Jet Greaves a chance to shine.
DT: Windsor was disappointing for me because I completely expected all of their young players to take the next step this year & it really didn’t happen. I will say that I knew Will Culye would be great but I never foresaw the incredible future of Jean-Luc Foudy.
DT: James Richmond did an incredible job in Mississauga despite selling off McLeod & Tippett & I would never have expected a 5th place finish with that group but guys like Washkurak, Schwindt & Carter did a great job & the coaches were a big part of that.
DT: I’m happy that my expectations were met for Saginaw & Ottawa. I could never have foresaw the moves that both the Spirit & the 67’s would make but I had faith in both GM’s, James Boyd & Dave Drinkill to piece it together for great seasons.
DT: I have to be completely honest in Deep Thoughts & I’d love to raise a controversy in my OHL playoff predictions but I can’t go against any of the favorites because of the disparity in points & the newer trend of top teams loading up & lower teams selling. Maybe in the 2nd round!
DT: I read/listen to a lot of CHL coverage & I have to ask. Where's the probing, agitating & critical journalist gone? Today it's mostly propaganda pieces without any hard questions/legitimate Inquiry or criticism. Maybe the Paul Fixter-Peter Riucci blowup ended it but its needed!
DT: I’m not looking for Geraldo Rivera-type investigative reports from local broadcasters & media but simply the willingness to challenge teams. Why didn’t a trade work out? Why can’t the team get out of a rut? Something…but instead we get pom pom’s and fanboys…Sigh
DT: Many hockey vets expect that Kyle Dubas will acquiesce to Babcock if the Leaf’s go out early this year. I’m telling you that it won't happen. Kyle is open to new ideas but he believes in his vision of how to win a Cup & that isn’t changing. Babcock will be gone before Dubas.
DT: Shane Wright put on a clinic at the OHL Cup & is certainly justified to gain Exceptional Status because he will be a star in Kingston but I really wish Adam Fantilli had applied as well. This kid is 11 months younger than Wright & I’m excited to watch them compete in the years to come.
DT: It seems that Fantilli may be going to Shattuck St. Mary’s next year which will bring every NCAA school into the picture just like the denial of Exceptional Status for Matthew Savoie has seen him commit to the University of Denver but I expect both to still play in the CHL.
DT: I don't want to discuss @NOHAHockey players b/c of the @OHLGoldCup but I will say our 2 Goaltenders were amazing. Jake Marois was outstanding & was a star vs.. Kitchener. For me, Ben Gaudreau is the best Minor Midget goaltending prospect that I’ve seen in 26 years. Period.
DT: Don’t sleep on Luke Hughes from Little Caesars. He doesn’t have the hype or the refined game yet that his brothers had but this kid has the tools to become very special. He is committed to the U of M but I’d be making the calls. #JimandEllenNeedMoreKids
DT: Some other kids that really jumped up in the OHL Cup include Lawson Sherk(HAL), Daniel Michaud(QRD), Alex Atwill(TBK), Justin Ertel(TRW), Edward Moskowitz(DMF), Nolan Dann(TRW), Griffin Jurecki(DLC), Justin Wu(MIS) & Josh Rosenzsweig(TRW)
DT: OHL Award Winners In My Opinion Outstanding Player: UP Luukonen – Led his team to a 4th place finish after being 20th last year & their record without him shows how valuable he was. Top Defenseman: Bode Wilde– A 2000 birthdate that jumped in & led the Spirit from the back end
DT: Top Goalie: UP Luukonen–See Above. Top Rookie: Cole Perfetti–Led the league in rookie scoring & edged out Marco Rossi but was an offensive catalyst. Top Coach: Andre Tourigney–This 67’s team was built for next year but led them to dominate league. Best in game adjustments.
DT: Top Overager: Justin Brazeau – He scored 61 goals & 2nd in scoring in a defensive system. Top GM: James Boyd – Got deals done without taking off his roster or the future. Top NHL Draft Prospect: Phil Tomasino – Fast, skilled, offensive & is rising in rankings like a rocket
DT: Not sure about shakeups in staff in the OHL but I expect a few. There may be a couple teams sold which would mix things up, a few guys will go pro & a few owners are rumbling about making changes because of poor performance. #TheCarouselSpins
DT: Pay attention to some of the NCAA signings that have happened or will happen including Joel Farabee, Dante Fabbro, Cole Makar, Chad Krys, Jake Oettinger & Joseph Woll because the Goalies will go to the AHL next year but I expect the skaters to jump right into the NHL
DT: I understand that there is a huge amount of attention paid to the undrafted NCAA Free Agents but I can never get too excited because I’ve seen these players get signed & become non-impactful. There are exceptions but generally they become small pieces to the puzzle.
DT: I love my home city of Greater Sudbury b/c it has the best people in the world but these potholes are EMBARRASSING. I travel to a lot of cities both north & south of Sudbury & they don’t have anywhere close to this problem. #GetItRight #DontBlameTheColdWeather
DT: In complete transparency, I have to re-visit my pre-season predictions for the OHL & discuss my errors. These were my thoughts on the West on August 28th.
1. London 2. Saginaw 3. Kitchener 4. Windsor 5. Owen Sound 6. Guelph 7. Sault Ste. Marie 8. Sarnia 9. Erie 10. Flint
DT: In the East, these were my opinions before pre-season, warts and all: Eastern Conference 1. Niagara 2. Ottawa 3. Oshawa 4. Hamilton 5. Barrie 6. Peterborough 7. Sudbury 8. North Bay 9. Mississauga 10. Kingston https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/local-sports/seidel-top-storylines-heading-into-the-ohl-season
DT: The biggest mistake that I made was with the Soo Greyhounds. I completely under-estimated the group that Kyle Raftis put together & the great job that John Dean has done. I expected them to sell off Hollowell, Frost, Howdeshell & Villalta & I was wrong.
DT: You would think I would know the Sudbury Wolves pretty well but I was dead wrong on a 7th place finish. I knew Ukko Pekka Luukonen was a good prospect but I completely whiffed on how good he would be & Cory Stillman made them the hardest working team in the League.
DT: I thought that Barrie would be much better than they finished up because I’m a huge fan of Dale Hawerchuk as a coach & I expected Maksim Zhukov to really solidify their goaltending. They moved Zhukov out & it turned out well b/c it gave Jet Greaves a chance to shine.
DT: Windsor was disappointing for me because I completely expected all of their young players to take the next step this year & it really didn’t happen. I will say that I knew Will Culye would be great but I never foresaw the incredible future of Jean-Luc Foudy.
DT: James Richmond did an incredible job in Mississauga despite selling off McLeod & Tippett & I would never have expected a 5th place finish with that group but guys like Washkurak, Schwindt & Carter did a great job & the coaches were a big part of that.
DT: I’m happy that my expectations were met for Saginaw & Ottawa. I could never have foresaw the moves that both the Spirit & the 67’s would make but I had faith in both GM’s, James Boyd & Dave Drinkill to piece it together for great seasons.
DT: I have to be completely honest in Deep Thoughts & I’d love to raise a controversy in my OHL playoff predictions but I can’t go against any of the favorites because of the disparity in points & the newer trend of top teams loading up & lower teams selling. Maybe in the 2nd round!
DT: I read/listen to a lot of CHL coverage & I have to ask. Where's the probing, agitating & critical journalist gone? Today it's mostly propaganda pieces without any hard questions/legitimate Inquiry or criticism. Maybe the Paul Fixter-Peter Riucci blowup ended it but its needed!
DT: I’m not looking for Geraldo Rivera-type investigative reports from local broadcasters & media but simply the willingness to challenge teams. Why didn’t a trade work out? Why can’t the team get out of a rut? Something…but instead we get pom pom’s and fanboys…Sigh
DT: Many hockey vets expect that Kyle Dubas will acquiesce to Babcock if the Leaf’s go out early this year. I’m telling you that it won't happen. Kyle is open to new ideas but he believes in his vision of how to win a Cup & that isn’t changing. Babcock will be gone before Dubas.
DT: Shane Wright put on a clinic at the OHL Cup & is certainly justified to gain Exceptional Status because he will be a star in Kingston but I really wish Adam Fantilli had applied as well. This kid is 11 months younger than Wright & I’m excited to watch them compete in the years to come.
DT: It seems that Fantilli may be going to Shattuck St. Mary’s next year which will bring every NCAA school into the picture just like the denial of Exceptional Status for Matthew Savoie has seen him commit to the University of Denver but I expect both to still play in the CHL.
DT: I don't want to discuss @NOHAHockey players b/c of the @OHLGoldCup but I will say our 2 Goaltenders were amazing. Jake Marois was outstanding & was a star vs.. Kitchener. For me, Ben Gaudreau is the best Minor Midget goaltending prospect that I’ve seen in 26 years. Period.
DT: Don’t sleep on Luke Hughes from Little Caesars. He doesn’t have the hype or the refined game yet that his brothers had but this kid has the tools to become very special. He is committed to the U of M but I’d be making the calls. #JimandEllenNeedMoreKids
DT: Some other kids that really jumped up in the OHL Cup include Lawson Sherk(HAL), Daniel Michaud(QRD), Alex Atwill(TBK), Justin Ertel(TRW), Edward Moskowitz(DMF), Nolan Dann(TRW), Griffin Jurecki(DLC), Justin Wu(MIS) & Josh Rosenzsweig(TRW)
DT: OHL Award Winners In My Opinion Outstanding Player: UP Luukonen – Led his team to a 4th place finish after being 20th last year & their record without him shows how valuable he was. Top Defenseman: Bode Wilde– A 2000 birthdate that jumped in & led the Spirit from the back end
DT: Top Goalie: UP Luukonen–See Above. Top Rookie: Cole Perfetti–Led the league in rookie scoring & edged out Marco Rossi but was an offensive catalyst. Top Coach: Andre Tourigney–This 67’s team was built for next year but led them to dominate league. Best in game adjustments.
DT: Top Overager: Justin Brazeau – He scored 61 goals & 2nd in scoring in a defensive system. Top GM: James Boyd – Got deals done without taking off his roster or the future. Top NHL Draft Prospect: Phil Tomasino – Fast, skilled, offensive & is rising in rankings like a rocket
DT: Not sure about shakeups in staff in the OHL but I expect a few. There may be a couple teams sold which would mix things up, a few guys will go pro & a few owners are rumbling about making changes because of poor performance. #TheCarouselSpins
DT: Pay attention to some of the NCAA signings that have happened or will happen including Joel Farabee, Dante Fabbro, Cole Makar, Chad Krys, Jake Oettinger & Joseph Woll because the Goalies will go to the AHL next year but I expect the skaters to jump right into the NHL
DT: I understand that there is a huge amount of attention paid to the undrafted NCAA Free Agents but I can never get too excited because I’ve seen these players get signed & become non-impactful. There are exceptions but generally they become small pieces to the puzzle.
DT: I love my home city of Greater Sudbury b/c it has the best people in the world but these potholes are EMBARRASSING. I travel to a lot of cities both north & south of Sudbury & they don’t have anywhere close to this problem. #GetItRight #DontBlameTheColdWeather
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