Thanks for checking out this year’s edition of our 1st Round OHL Mock Draft. As always, the OHL Draft is difficult to project as some of the top players bypass the OHL to take the NCAA path, while other players may not report to certain teams due to location, personnel, or other concerns their families may have. The draft has been moved up this year as well and will now take place on Saturday April 7th, 2012.

This year’s OHL Draft has a very strong crop of ’96 eligibles in addition to ’97 YOB Connor McDavid who was granted exceptional status by the Ontario Hockey Federation. This is not a ranking and is a mock draft that is based on team needs and the players available at each “pick” as we moved through our mock. Some honourable mentions who could certainly warrant 1st round consideration include Spencer Watson (London), Andrew Abbou-Assaly (OTT) and a number of Americans who have NCAA opportunities.

Some notes to make with regards to the draft order. Kingston will have the 9th pick as compensation for Max Domi not reporting last year while Niagara will receive the 20th pick as compensation for Adam Bateman not reporting. With regards to the ties in the standings, Owen Sound will pick 8th over Belleville as a result of having less wins. Plymouth and Niagara tied in points, wins, and head-to-head, so Plymouth will receive the 19th pick as a result of having a worse goal differential than Niagara.

1. Erie Otters – LC Connor McDavid

HT: 5.11 | WT: 170 lbs. | Toronto Marlboros MM

After being given exceptional status by the OHL, Newmarket, Ont. native Connor McDavid will be at the forefront of the Otter’s rebuild. McDavid is without a doubt, the top player in Minor Midget this season and will be an impact player from Day 1. While not physically overwhelming, McDavid is a dominating offensive force who is equally effective in the offensive zone or off the rush. He’s a tremendous skater with great acceleration and agility, which helps him avoid a lot of body contact due to his elusiveness. With the franchise’s future in doubt, McDavid will go a long way towards not only helping the Otters stay in Erie, but leading the team back to relevance.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Stephen Harper (12)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Chris Marchese (11)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F David Broll (10)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Greg McKegg (2)

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2. Kingston Frontenacs – RD Roland McKeown

HT: 6.01 | WT: 180 lbs. | Toronto Marlboros MM

While Josh Ho-Sang may seem like a good fit for the Fronts, passing up on a franchise defenseman would be a major mistake, especially for a team that is thin on the blue line. McKeown is a throwback defenseman who looks like more of a “rover” than a traditional defenseman. His dynamic skating ability and solid all-around game make him an intriguing player whose style is reminiscent of former #2 pick Michael Del Zotto. McKeown is a character kid who will be a huge component of the Fronts resurgence next year.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Max Domi (8)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Alex Gudbranson (10)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Alan Quine (2)
2008 1^st Round Pick: D Erik Gudbranson (4)

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3. Peterborough Petes – RC Eric Cornel

HT: 6.02 | WT: 175 lbs. | Upper Canada Cyclones MM

Cornel doesn’t have the same level of hype as some of the other players in the draft, but make no mistake; he may very well be the top 96 when it’s all said and done. Playing on a team that lacked the natural talent many of the top MM teams have, Cornel was dominant all season and was an offensive force despite teams keying in on him. Cornel has great size and has an intriguing combination of skating ability and offensive creativity. Cornel has tremendous hockey sense and is very dangerous off the rush or during offensive zone pressure. He does a great job of finding open teammates and also has a strong ability to generate his own scoring chances. It will be interesting to see where Peterborough sees him fitting in on their roster – either at centre or on the wing – but he’s going to be an impact player in the OHL at 16 and will be a great piece of the Petes resurgence next year.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Nicholas Ritchie (2)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Slater Koekkoek (7)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Matthew Puempel (6)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Ryan Spooner (5)

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4. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – LC Robby Fabbri

HT: 5.10 | WT: 155 lbs. | Mississauga Rebels MM

After an extremely disappointing season in the Soo, the Greyhounds need to reload quickly to capitalize on a limited window of opportunity with 19-year-olds Nick Cousins, Ryan Sproul, and Andrew Fritsch. With ties to the area, Fabbri should have no issues with reporting to the Soo and will add an offensive punch to a lineup that struggled to score at times. As one of the elite players of the crop, Fabbri is a tremendous offensive talent who has explosive speed and the ability to make plays at high speed. He makes up for a lack of size by competing hard and never taking a shift off. His exciting style of play and positive demeanour should make him a fan favourite in the Soo.

2011 1^st Round Pick: D Darnell Nurse (3)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Gianluca Curcuruto (14)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Daniel Catenacci (1)
2008 1^st Round Pick: D Brock Beukeboom (18)

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5. Windsor Spitfires – RC Joshua Ho-Sang

HT: 6.00 | WT: 162 lbs. | Toronto Marlboros MM

After eclipsing 100 points with the ’95 Toronto Marlies a year ago, not many would have envisioned that Josh Ho- Sang would slip all the way to #5. This season, however, has been a bumpy ride at the best of times with concerns about teamwork, attitude, and coachability all coming into play. While these concerns are valid, there is no denying the sheer offensive talent that Ho-Sang possesses. Ho-Sang is one of the top skaters in the draft and his stickhandling and shooting ability rival that of NHL players. The big question mark with Ho-Sang will be whether or not he can learn to be a team player in the OHL and maximize his potential.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Jordan Maletta (13)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Grant Webermin (20)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Austen Brassard (20)
2008 1^st Round Pick: D Cam Fowler (17)

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6. Guelph Storm – LW Jared McCann

HT: 6.00 | WT: 165 lbs. | London Jr. Knights Gold MM

McCann had a great year after coming over to London and was the Alliance’s player of the year. He’s a very strong skater and is especially dynamic off the rush where he utilizes his acceleration and speed to generate scoring chances. McCann competes hard and is not afraid to play a physical game and mix it up in the corners – although he will need to add some strength in order to play this style at the OHL level. If you’re looking for some concerns with McCann, something to note is that he lacks some of the natural creativity you might expect from a high-end forward and seems to be more comfortable generating scoring chances off the rush.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Hunter Garlent (10)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Matthew Finn (12)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Carter Sandlak (11)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Cody McNaughton (12)

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7. Oshawa Generals – D Jacob Middleton

HT: 6.03 | WT: 185 lbs. | Huron-Perth Lakers MM

The Generals have lacked a dominating force on the defensive end for a few years now, and they will look to rectify that problem by adding one of the true blue-chip defensemen in the draft. Middleton is an impressive player who will be ready to make an impact as a Top-4 defenseman out of training camp. With great natural size, Middleton is a very strong skater and is very adept at leading the rush. He moves the puck very efficiently and displays a strong ability to identify passing lanes and make good decisions. He is effective in defensive zone coverage and his physical style of play will allow him to play against OHL forwards as a 16-year-old. Offensive upside is there, but Middleton will probably be eased into that role as he gets his feet wet.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Cole Cassels (16)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Scott Laughton (3)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Boone Jenner (4)
2008 1^st Round Pick: G Kevin Bailie (16)

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8. Owen Sound Attack – LW Sam Bennett

HT: 6.00 | WT: 165 lbs. | Toronto Marlboros MM

Assuming Middleton is off the board at this point, the Attack have no choice but to draft the best player available rather than selecting a defenseman out of positional need. Bennett is a great pickup at 8 and as a York-Simcoe product (prior to the Marlies), he should have no issues reporting. Bennett went unnoticed at times this season on a strong Marlies team, but there’s no denying the fact that he has all the tools to be a strong offensive player in the OHL. Bennett is a strong skater with good size who is very opportunistic and always seems to get into the right places. He has a good shot and displays strong finishing ability and should be able to contribute immediately.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Zach Nastasiuk (20)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Jarrod Maidens (4)
2009 1^st Round Pick: D Curtin Crombeen (9)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Steven Shipley (3)

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9. Kingston Frontenacs (Compensation Pick) – LC Michael Dal Colle

HT: 6.02 | WT: 178 lbs. | Vaughan Kings MM

After picking up the best defenseman in the draft, Kingston will look up front for a forward who can play on the Top 3 lines next season. While things are less bleak with the additions of Ryan Kujawinski, Billy Jenkins, and Trevor Morbeck, there is still a need to add some secondary scoring. Dal Colle is a bit of an enigma at times, as he has unquestionable talent, but it doesn’t seem like the drive is always there. When he’s on, Dal Colle is a magician with the puck and is extremely dangerous from the hashmarks in. Skating is a bit of an issue as he will need to dedicate time to improving his first few steps, but his style would compare to a poor man’s John Tavares – which is still pretty darn good.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Max Domi (8)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Alex Gudbranson (10)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Alan Quine (2)
2008 1^st Round Pick: D Erik Gudbranson (4)

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10. Belleville Bulls – C Brook Hiddink

HT: 5.11 | WT: 185 lbs. | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs MM

Belleville continues to lack natural offensive talent and will be looking to add a forward who can contribute offensively next season. Hiddink is a very good skater and should excel on the big ice at Yardman Arena. While slightly undersized, Hiddink is a competitive player who works hard and does the little things well. Hiddink has strong vision and has good hockey sense which will help him make up for a lack of size at the OHL level. Hiddink may be a stretch as a Top 10 pick, but he had very little to work with this season and still managed to be a dynamic offensive player.

2011 1^st Round Pick: D Jordan Subban (5)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Brendan Gaunce (2)
2009 1^st Round Pick: G Tyson Teichmann (18)
2008 1^st Round Pick: D Stephen Silas (19)

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11. Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – RW/LW Jaden Lindo

HT: 6.01 | WT: 190 lbs. | Toronto Marlboros MM

Lindo would be a great fit for James Boyd’s system as he is an extremely hard working forward who understands how to play the game in all three zones. Lindo is physically ready for the OHL and is a very good skater which should allow him to play in the Top 9 right out of training camp. He’s not as offensively polished as some of the other forwards in this crop, but Lindo has tremendous determination and through his willingness to win battles, he creates scoring opportunities as a result of his work ethic and drive. Lindo has been rising all season and if he continues to improve at this clip moving forward, he could be a big-time steal in this draft.

2011 1^st Round Picks: G Spencer Martin (18), F Scott Teskey (21)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Nick Ebert (17)
2009 1^st Round Pick: D Stuart Percy (15)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Devante Smith-Pelly (8)

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12. Saginaw Spirit – D Dylan Di Perna

HT: 6.01 | WT: 170 lbs. | Mississauga Rebels MM

With a couple of defensemen set to graduate and most of their 2011 picks spent on forwards, Saginaw will look to add a quality defenseman with their 1st round pick in 2012. While the 1st round is a little light on defensive talent, Di Perna is a quality defenseman who projects to be a player who can contribute at both ends of the ice. Defensively he is very solid and is rarely caught out of position. Di Perna also shows good offensive upside and should be a player who is more than capable of quarterbacking a powerplay. If Di Perna can find a way to be more consistent and avoid making poor decisions, he should be a very good defenseman in the OHL and someone with strong NHL upside.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Nick Moutry (15)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Justin Kea (13)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Anthony Camara (14)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Brandon Saad (10)

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13. Sarnia Sting – D Patrick Sanvido

HT: 6.06 | WT: 220 lbs. | Guelph Storm MM

Sanvido is far from polished, but he has as much upside as anyone in the draft. The 6-foot-5 defenseman is a tremendous skater and has the projectable skills that could make him a top pairing defenseman throughout his OHL career. Sanvido is extremely strong and will have absolutely no issues with the physical transition to the OHL. He is more than willing to engage physically and will be use his size as an asset at the next level as well. Sanvido’s offensive game has a lot of room to grow, and his decision making is very average at this point. Sanvido will probably have some growing pains adjusting to the speed of the OHL, but if he can put it all together, he will be a great pick for Sarnia.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Ryan Kujawinski (4)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Alexander Galchenyuk (1)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Brett Richie (12)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Gregg Sutch (11)

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14. Sudbury Wolves – D Jonathan Duchesne

HT: 6.02 | WT: 190 lbs. | Vaughan Kings MM

With extremely high expectations, Duchesne failed to show very much sign of improvement this year which is a concern to OHL teams. With that being said, the good news is that he likely wouldn’t have had any issue logging a regular shift in the OHL at age 15 with his style of play. Duchesne is a prototypical stay-at-home physical type defender. He has a man’s body and is an above average skater who has a powerful stride and good lateral ability. The concerns are that his upside may not be much greater than where he’s at now and his offensive game and decision making may never come around. His style is actually quite comparable to Justin Sefton’s and he could be a nice piece of Sudbury’s defense for the next 4 years as they look to fill some holes on the backend.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Nicholas Baptiste (6)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Matthew Campagna (5)
2009 1^st Round Pick: D Justin Sefton (5)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F John McFarland (1)

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15. Brampton Battalion – RW Brett Hargrave

HT: 6.04 | WT: 204 lbs. | Mississauga Rebels MM

Hargrave would be a good fit with the Battalion as he is a big body who projects to be a potential power forward with 30-goal upside. Hargrave was inconsistent throughout the season but showed flashes of dominance in his best games. Aside from his natural size, Hargrave has good mobility and can mix it up when he wants. He handles the puck well and has a good release and while his offensive game will take time to develop, he could develop into a very solid 1st liner in the OHL. Having him in the lineup would also be an enticing option for the Battalion who could build their forward corps around him and fellow power forward Brandon Robinson.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Brandon Robinson (7)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Marcus McIvor (9)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Barclay Goodrow (17)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Sam Carrick (15)

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16. Barrie Colts – RW/C Dante Salituro

HT: 5.09 | WT: 165 lbs. | Don Mills Flyers MM

Salituro is one of top snipers available in this draft and is a player who flat out knows how to score goals. He has an exceptional release and is extremely dangerous from the slot and around the net. Salituro does a good job of creating shooting lanes and never hesitates when he has an opportunity to get a shot off. Salituro is very undersized, so there will be a transition period as he adapts to the OHL, but if he is able to continue to improve his skating and strength, he should develop into a very good offensive forward at the OHL level.

2011 1^st Round Picks: D Aaron Ekblad (1), D Alex Yuill (22)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Kerby Rychel (21)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Ryan Strome (8)
2008 1^st Round Pick: D Ryan O’Connor (6)

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17. Kitchener Rangers – LW/RW Jeremiah Addison

HT: 6.00 | WT: 183 lbs. | Toronto Marlboros MM

When he’s on, Addison is a dominant forward who is on par with any of the high-end forwards in the draft. Like so many players at this age, however, Addison really struggles with consistency and is prone to going through lulls of 2-3 games where he is rendered ineffective. Addison is a strong forward who is a very good skater with dynamic ability off the rush. He does a good job of making power moves and can be difficult to stop when he’s in full motion. He has a good shot and has the ability to drive the net with authority which makes him such an intriguing player if he is able to find consistency and bring it every game.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Brent Pederson (14)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Matia Marcantuoni (18)
2009 1^st Round Pick: D Ryan Murphy (3)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Jeff Skinner (20)

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18. Ottawa 67’s - RW/LW Matt Schmaltz

HT: 6.05 | WT: 190 lbs. | Southern Tier Admirals MM

Schmaltz is far from being a sure thing, but his potential is very intriguing as he has all the tools to be an impact forward in the OHL, it’s just a matter of putting them together. With great size, Schmaltz is a very strong skater and can generate opportunities with his speed and ability to break down defenses. He loves to rush the puck and is most effective when he is willing to use his speed to move up and down the wing. While the potential is there, Schmaltz is still a project, but he’s the type of challenge that the 67’s have not been scared of in the past.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F David Perklin (17)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Sean Monahan (16)
2009 1^st Round Pick: D Cody Ceci (16)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Tyler Toffoli (7)

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19. Plymouth Whalers – C Dylan Larkin

HT: 6.00 | WT: 160 lbs. | Detroit Belle Tire U16

Larkin is committed to the University of Michigan, but there are whispers that the OHL could still be in play. With a great track record of developing forwards, Plymouth may be the team that can lure Larkin to the OHL and may be willing to make that risk as they’re looking for impact players who can help their team next year. Larkin still needs to fill out, but the talent is all there. He’s one of the better skaters in the draft which would be an asset to him next season. He does a good job of breaking down defenses with his speed and shows good vision and strong hockey sense offensively.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Mitchel Dempsey (11)
2010 1^st Round Pick: D Max Iafrate (15)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Garrett Meurs (13)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Tyler Seguin (9)

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20. Niagara Ice Dogs (Compensation Pick) – G Liam Herbst

HT: 6.04 | WT: 188 lbs. | Mississauga Rebels MM

With Mark Visentin graduating, it’s no surprise that Niagara would love to have Liam Herbst as the heir apparent. Herbst was outstanding with the Mississauga Rebels this season and saved the best for last with an outstanding performance at the OHL Cup. Herbst is a big goaltender who is positionally sound and shows a continued ability to make athletic saves. He has good rebound control and can make the big save when his team needs it. Herbst did go through stretches where he struggled, and he will need to work on improving his ability to square up. It should be also noted that his glove hand and blocker are not outstanding and he is prone to being beaten high.

2011 1^st Round Pick: D Adam Bateman (19)
2010 1^st Round Picks: D Jesse Graham (6), D Luke Mercer (8)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Lucas Lessio (7)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Freddie Hamilton (14)

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21. Niagara Ice Dogs – LW Damien Bourne

HT: 6.05 | WT: 200 lbs. | Mississauga Rebels MM

The Ice Dogs are fortunate to pick back-to-back and may be enticed by Bourne’s potential if he’s still on the board. Like Hargrave, Bourne had some great games this year, and also struggled to find an identity for much of the season. He’s got tremendous size, shows flashes of offensive upside, and has the tools that scream power forward, but just hasn’t been able to make it all work. Bourne may have a tough first year in the OHL, but if he is dedicated to improving his game, he’s got a chance to be a quality Top 6 forward with NHL upside.

2011 1^st Round Pick: D Adam Bateman (19)
2010 1^st Round Picks: D Jesse Graham (6), D Luke Mercer (8)
2009 1^st Round Pick: F Lucas Lessio (7)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Freddie Hamilton (14)

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22. London Knights – F Ryan MacInnis

HT: 6.03 | WT: 170 lbs. | St. Louis Blues U16

With a talented group of 94’s and 95’s, London can afford a risky pick with Ryan MacInnis, who is one of the premier talents in the ’96 crop. MacInnis is somewhat raw, but he’s got tremendous upside to be a big-time offensive forward. MacInnis skates well, sees the ice well, and is a very creative forward. He does a good job of buying time and finding passing lanes and will continue to improve in that regard. Physically he is still coming into his own, but he competes hard and demonstrates a willingness to finish checks. MacInnis still needs to find consistency, but if London can get him to report, he’ll only add to a wicked group of forwards that the Knights have stockpiled on their roster.

2011 1^st Round Pick: F Bo Horvat (9)
2010 1^st Round Pick: F Chris Tierney (19)
2009 1^st Round Pick: D Scott Harrington (19)
2008 1^st Round Pick: F Christian Thomas (13)

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Tags: 2014 nhl draft prospects, 2015 nhl draft prospects, Connor McDavid, Eric Cornel, Jared McCann, Josh Ho-Sang, OHL Draft, OHL Draft Rankings, Robby Fabbri, Roland McKeown