Now into the final month of 2019, Ontario’s Minor Midget leagues are crossing the halfway point of their respective regular seasons, and have now competed in five of the season’s major tournaments.
The month of November offered two more major showcases to take in, and offered yet another look into the depth and talent of this year’s OHL Priority Selection. A trend with this year’s OHL Draft class has been the emergence of an impressively strong American group, who have been giving Ontario teams a run for their money at each of the major tournaments thus far.
November Recap
- 2019 OHL Battle of the Border
In a battle between some of USA’s and Ontario’s top Minor Midget teams, Detroit Honeybaked and the Chicago Mission were the lone undefeated teams through a series of games without the usual tournament playoff breakdown. In the end, it was the United States who came away victorious over Ontario by a combined points score of 34-17.
The top scorers included Max Namestnikov (5-3–8) and Frank Nazar (3-5–8), each of Detroit Honeybaked, followed behind by teammate Cole Spicer (5-1-6) and the Chicago Mission’s Carson Walters (3-3-6).
- 2019 Whitby Silver Stick
In one of the season’s premier tournament’s, it was much of the same story, with teams from the USA having a run of success once again. Through the round robin, only Detroit Honeybaked, Detroit Compuware, and the Buffalo Jr. Sabres came away with perfect 4-0-0 records. Those same three teams remained present in the semi-finals, joined by the Quinte Red Devils.
In the final, Honeybaked had their way once again, rolling over Compuware to a 7-0 victory. In all, Honeybaked rolled to a combined 7-0-0 record with 43 goals for and just 8 goal against.
The top three offensive leaders were once again from Honeybaked, with Nazar (8-7-15), Namestnikov (6-7-13) and Van Sickle (6-6-12) leading the charge. All top-10 scorers were from American teams, while Sam Alfano (5-4-9) of the Southern Tier Admirals was the leading Canadian scorer.
- League Action
In the GTHL, the Jr. Canadiens (15-1-1) have slightly widened the gap between themselves and the competition. The Nationals (14-3-3) and Marlboros (13-3-3) remain in a tight battle for the second seed, with the Titans (11-5-3) and Reps (11-6-2) not far behind.
The ETA continues to be paced by the front-running Quinte Red Devils (17-2-2) and York Simcoe Express (17-3-3), but a couple dark horses in the Whitby Wildcats (11-4-3) and Richmond Hill Coyotes (10-4-6) are holding their own as well.
In the SCTA, the Southern Tier Admirals (16-1-1) continue to hold the reigns, but two red-hot teams in the Niagara North Stars (11-2-5) and Oakville Rangers (10-6-3) remain serious contenders as well, while the Burlington Eagles (12-9-2) hit a rough patch in November.
The battle at the top of the Alliance remains as tight as ever, with both the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs (15-0-6) and Waterloo Wolves (17-2-3) remaining as promising as ever. With that said, the Hamilton Huskies (16-4-2) were the league’s hottest team in November and are proving that they won’t go down without a fight.
3 Players to Watch
By now, Ty Nelson’s immense skill and on-ice presence are recognized all across the province. Wearing an “A” for Ontario’s top-ranked Minor Midget team, the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Nelson is a natural leader in and off the ice, and consistently has a tremendous influence on the outcome of JRC games.
Patrolling the blue line with poise and confidence, Nelson is a constant difference-maker at both ends of the ice. A fluid skater, he isn’t afraid to rush the puck through the neutral zone himself, and has the speed necessary to get back into position on the defensive side of the play.
Maintaining a low center of gravity allows Nelson to play a much stronger game than one would expect given his physical size. He’s very hard to knock off of the puck, and is equally effective when erasing opponents into the boards. Further, Nelson has shown the ability to be a quick and creative playmaker in the offensive zone too, establishing an elite two-way game.
Despite not suiting up for one of Ontario’s top teams, Bryce McConnell-Barker hasn’t let that slow down his chase to be a first round pick at the 2020 OHL Draft. Pacing the London Jr. Knights offence, McConnell-Barker has scored nearly triple the goals of any of his teammates, with an astounding 26 goals in just 24 games.
Leading the Alliance in both goals and points, McConnell-Barker has proven to be a dynamic offensive force in all situations, and has continued to build on his arsenal of tools. Boasting impressive sense of the ice and a wicked shot, McConnell-Barker can burn opponents with his combination of shifty skating, creative hands, and nose for the net.
Using a strong stride and a balanced lower-body, McConnell-Barker protects the puck with ease by using his frame to shield opponents from the puck and utilizes a long reach to keep the puck out away from opponent’s stick reach. He displays a solid net drive and isn’t afraid to go into the tough areas in order to score the dirty goals.
- Carson Christy
Carson Christy has quickly emerged as one of the premier prospects from the ETA, currently leading the league in both goals and points, including an eye-popping 26 goals in just 21 games. Although the Oshawa Jr. Generals have been unable to translate their dynamic offence into wins, sitting comfortably in the fifth seed, Christy has been a bright spot each and every night.
Featuring an electric release and pin-point accuracy, Christy is able to turn the momentum of a game with one flick of the wrist. Although not the smoothest skater out there, Christy can utilize his size and strength to lug the puck through the neutral zone and also showcases quick and creative hands which allow him to maneuver through traffic.
Christy also displays good instincts of the ice and is able to read the play one step ahead of his competition. One of the province’s elite goal scorers, it will be incredibly hard for OHL teams to pass up on Christy in the mid-late first round of the 2020 OHL Draft.
December’s Top-100
Without further ado, here are the top-100 prospects for the 2020 OHL Draft as of December. One trend that has developed so far this year is the emergence of a strong draft class from the U.S., with several first-round talents available. Whether they choose to play in the OHL or not will have huge impacts on how the draft unfolds come April. As the 2019-20 season progresses, we’ll continue to hyperlink personal player profiles to our monthly rankings, so be sure to follow along as the campaign unwinds.
| Rank | Player | Position | Team |
| 1 | Adam Fantilli | C |
Kimball Union Academy (Prep)
|
| 2 | Rutger McGroarty* | C |
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (HPHL)
|
| 3 | Ty Nelson | D |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 4 | David Goyette | C |
Selects Hockey Academy 15U (Prep)
|
| 5 | Lane Hutson* | D |
North Jersey Avalanche U16 (T1EHL)
|
| 6 | Kocha Delic | C |
Toronto Titans (GTHL)
|
| 7 | Pano Fimis | C |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 8 | Seamus Casey* | D |
Florida Alliance U16 (NAPHL)
|
| 9 | Devin Kaplan* | C |
North Jersey Avalanche U16 (T1EHL)
|
| 10 | Paul Ludwinski | C |
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
|
| 11 | Hunter Brzustewicz* | D |
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (HPHL)
|
| 12 | Dalyn Wakely | C |
Quinte Red Devils (ETA)
|
| 13 | Tyler Duke* | D |
Detroit Compuware U16 (T1EHL)
|
| 14 | Isaiah George | D |
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
|
| 15 | Cutter Gauthier | C |
Detroit Compuware U16 (T1EHL)
|
| 16 | Frank Nazar* | C |
Honeybaked U15 (HPHL)
|
| 17 | Cedrick Guindon | C |
Rockland Nationals (HEO)
|
| 18 | Bryce McConnell-Barker | C |
London Jr. Knights (Alliance)
|
| 19 | Max Namestnikov | LW |
Honeybaked U15 (HPHL)
|
| 20 | Carson Christy | C |
Oshawa Jr. Generals (ETA)
|
| 21 | Isaac Howard* | C |
Shattuck St. Mary’s U16
|
| 22 | Sam Alfano | RW |
Southern Tier Admirals (SCTA)
|
| 23 | Evan Konyen | C |
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (T1EHL)
|
| 24 | Aidan Castle | RW |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 25 | Donovan McCoy | D |
Quinte Red Devils (ETA)
|
| 26 | Andrew LeBlanc | C |
Southern Tier Admirals (SCTA)
|
| 27 | Zak Lavoie | C |
Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL)
|
| 28 | Devin Mauro | C |
Soo Greyhounds (GNML)
|
| 29 | Vinny Borgesi | D |
Selects Hockey Academy 15U (Prep)
|
| 30 | Alec Leonard | D |
Mississauga Reps (GTHL)
|
| 31 | Gavin Brindley | LW |
Florida Alliance U16 (NAPHL)
|
| 32 | Hunter Haight | C |
Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (Alliance)
|
| 33 | Matthew Poitras | LW |
Whitby Wildcats (ETA)
|
| 34 | Thomas Sirman | D |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 35 | Owen Van Steensel | LW |
Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (Alliance)
|
| 36 | Tai York | C |
Niagara North Stars (SCTA)
|
| 37 | Nicholas Moldenhauer | RW |
Toronto Titans (GTHL)
|
| 38 | Benjamin Bujold | C |
Kanata Lasers (HEO)
|
| 39 | Cameron Van Sickle | LW |
Honeybaked U15 (HPHL)
|
| 40 | Noah Van Vliet | D |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 41 | Jonathan Melee | C/LW |
Rockland Nationals (HEO)
|
| 42 | Nathan Poole | C |
Oshawa Jr. Generals (ETA)
|
| 43 | Michael Buchinger | D |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 44 | Mick Thompson | C |
North Jersey Avalanche U16 (T1EHL)
|
| 45 | Jackson Edward | D |
York Simcoe Express (ETA)
|
| 46 | Lorenzo Bonaiuto | LW |
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
|
| 47 | Zach Filak* | C |
Detroit Compuware U16 (T1EHL)
|
| 48 | Shawn Ramsey | D |
Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL)
|
| 49 | Joshua Hoover | D |
Lambton Jr. Sting (Alliance)
|
| 50 | Kyan Haldenby | LW |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 51 | Matthew Johanovic | D |
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
|
| 52 | Brody Crane* | C |
Buffalo Jr. Sabres 16U
|
| 53 | George Fegaras | D |
Richmond Hill Coyotes (ETA)
|
| 54 | Jack Piper | RW |
York Simcoe Express (ETA)
|
| 55 | Ryan McGuire | LW |
Burlington Eagles (SCTA)
|
| 56 | Hayden Simpson | C |
Toronto Titans (GTHL)
|
| 57 | Aidan Puley | LW |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 58 | Chase Pietila | D |
Honeybaked U15 (HPHL)
|
| 59 | Aaron Brown | D |
Quinte Red Devils (ETA)
|
| 60 | Evan Klein | C |
Waterloo Wolves (Alliance)
|
| 61 | Justin Varner | RW |
Honeybaked U15 (HPHL)
|
| 62 | Nicholas De Angelis | D |
Mississauga Senators (GTHL)
|
| 63 | Matthew DiMarsico | RW |
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (T1EHL)
|
| 64 | Chase Lefebvre | D |
North Bay Trappers (GNML)
|
| 65 | Cole Spicer | RW |
Honeybaked U15 (HPHL)
|
| 66 | Aaron Andrade | RW |
Toronto Titans (GTHL)
|
| 67 | Trent Swick | RW |
Southern Tier Admirals (SCTA)
|
| 68 | Jacob Lesser | LW |
Smiths Falls Bears (HEO)
|
| 69 | Chris Able | D |
Chicago Mission U15 (HPHL)
|
| 70 | Eli Sebastian | RW |
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
|
| 71 | Lleyton McLean | C |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 72 | Liam Eveleigh | D |
Waterloo Wolves (Alliance)
|
| 73 | Harrison Ballard | C |
York Simcoe Express (ETA)
|
| 74 | Max Seguin | LW |
Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL)
|
| 75 | Justin DeZoete | C |
Hamilton Huskies (Alliance)
|
| 76 | Jordan Karafile | C |
Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL)
|
| 77 | Ethan Best | D |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 78 | Jake Manfre | C |
Long Island Gulls U15 (AYHL)
|
| 79 | Jake Sederoff | LW |
Toronto Titans (GTHL)
|
| 80 | Michael Podolioukh | RW |
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)
|
| 81 | Cooper Matthews | LW |
York Simcoe Express (ETA)
|
| 82 | Madden Steen | D |
Guelph Jr. Gryphons (SCTA)
|
| 83 | Nathan Lewis | RW |
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (HPHL)
|
| 84 | Anthony Piccininno | C |
Toronto Titans (GTHL)
|
| 85 | Cole Bianchin | LW |
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (T1EHL)
|
| 86 | Wilson Farrow | D |
Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL)
|
| 87 | Lane Hinkley | D |
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
|
| 88 | Brady Stonehouse | LW |
Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (Alliance)
|
| 89 | Owen Mehlenbacher | C |
Buffalo Jr. Sabres U15
|
| 90 | Kalen Peterson | RW |
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)
|
| 91 | Noah Richard | LW |
Quinte Red Devils (ETA)
|
| 92 | Patrick Thomas | C |
Hamilton Huskies (Alliance)
|
| 93 | Sett Ursomarzo | RW |
Toronto Young Nationals (GTHL)
|
| 94 | Joshua Vogelsburg | C |
Mississauga Reps (GTHL)
|
| 95 | Zander Veccia | RW |
Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (Alliance)
|
| 96 | Owen Beck | RW |
Quinte Red Devils (ETA)
|
| 97 | Jorian Donovan | D |
Kanata Lasers (HEO)
|
| 98 | Jake Karabela | C |
Guelph Jr. Gryphons (SCTA)
|
| 99 | Nolan Collins | D |
Whitby Wildcats (ETA)
|
| 100 | Cédricson Okitundu | D |
Waterloo Wolves (Alliance)
|
Prospect Pipeline 