OHL Prospect Profile: Isaac Enright

– Isaac Enright –

Pembroke Lumber Kings (HEO) | Right Defence | 2019 OHL Draft Eligible

Cobden, Ontario | 6-foot, 170-pounds | February 8th, 2003

Isaac Enright has shown consistent improvement throughout the course of the 2018-19 season, finding his groove and playing to his strengths against older competition in the HEO. An intelligent two-way defenceman, Enright ranks second in points amongst 2003-born HEO defencemen and was recognized with an invitation to compete for Team Ontario at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Related: Check out Prospect Pipeline’s 2019 OHL Draft Rankings.

Further to the point, Enright was given the opportunity to play in five Jr. A games this year, the maximum number allowed for a U16 player, with the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings. Enright is a smooth-skating defender who uses his sense and vision of the ice to remain one step ahead of the competition. Displaying solid offensive upside, Enright provides an intriguing profile for an OHL career.

Strengths:

• Skating
• Sense & Decision Making
• Offensive Instincts & Upside

Aside from the offensive numbers that jump off the sheet, Enright has showcased a multitude of traits that forecast very well towards a smooth transition into major junior hockey. His mind is one of his greatest assets, processing plays instantaneously and making wise puck and positional decisions. Enright understands when to join the rush and when to hold his position, and also shows impressive instincts as for when to pinch from the blue line.

Related: Don’t miss out on any of our 2019 OHL Prospect Profiles.

Moreover, his skating ability is off the charts. An effortless skater, Enright can reach top speeds in a matter of a few strides and is able to stop, start, and change directions in a flash. This talent allows him to easily stay with opponents on the rush and effectively eliminate the center lane. On the breakout, Enright can fire effective two-line passes, or rush the puck through all three zones with confidence.

Area of Improvement:

• Strength & Physicality Below the Dots

If there’s one area within Enright’s nearly complete game which could use some perfecting, it would likely be in his strength and physicality below the dots. As with a number of up-and-coming defencemen in this era of hockey, Enright is exceptionally smart with his body and stick positioning, effectively disrupting passing lanes and eliminating time and space without massive body checks.

With that said, if Enright hopes to continue to be as successful in his OHL career, he would be greatly benefit from some added lower-body strength. This would allow him to stand up better against bigger and stronger opponents, as well as to eliminate players along the boards and behind the net.

Future Potential:

Isaac Enright has all the makings of an effective defender for the OHL level and beyond. He checks all the boxes in terms of essentials, including impressive sense, intelligence, and decision making, as well as effortless skating and intriguing offensive upside. He has played amongst older competition all year long, providing effective and reliable defending in all situations of the game.

In all, Enright projects very favourably to the OHL level. As a mobile, two-way defenceman, Enright has displayed tremendous potential all over the province this year, and shouldn’t last long at the 2019 OHL Draft. He currently projects as a fringe second or early third round pick for the OHL Priority Selection.

2019 NHL Draft: 5 Overlooked OHL Prospects

The 2019 NHL Draft will boast one of the strongest prospect classes in recent history — a reality which has overshadowed a number of incredibly promising young players.

In particular, there are a number of prospects playing within the Ontario Hockey League this season whose play has been wrongly overlooked for far too long. Whether it be a lack of stature, inconsistent production, or simply a misinterpretation of an individual’s skill-set, the OHL features an arsenal of talented prospects eager to make an impact at the NHL-level.

If undervalued throughout the course of the 2018-19 season and in the days leading up to the 2019 NHL Draft, these five prospects listed below could come to be known as major draft-day steals in the years to come.

Billy Constantinou

2018-19 Team: Niagara IceDogs

OHL Draft Selection: 2017 (Round 2, 36th Overall)

The Niagara IceDogs are an impressive team within the OHL this season, and are led by an impressive 2019 NHL Draft eligible defenceman in Billy Constantinou. A smooth skating, puck-moving defender, Constantinou plays a stellar two-way game and can be counted upon to influence the outcome of any given game at both ends of the ice.

Constantinou’s versatile yet lethal game is driving his value as a 2019 NHL Draft prospect. (Photo Credit: Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

A second-round choice of the IceDogs in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, Constantinou is quickly establishing himself as a quality NHL prospect this season. Scoring 13 points in his first 18 games played alongside a solid +9 plus/minus rating was an excellent start for Constantinou, who has been projected to be selected in the second-round of the 2019 NHL Draft.

Having already surpassed his previous career-high in points, Constantinou could rise into the first round of the NHL Draft if able to put forth a consistent effort this campaign.

Cole Mackay

2018-19 Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

OHL Draft Selection: 2017 (Round 5, 98th Overall)

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds nabbed Cole Mackay with the 98th overall choice in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, and it is safe to say that he has already surpassed any and all expectations placed upon him. Following an average rookie campaign with the Greyhounds in which he scored five goals and 14 points, Mackay has exploded out of the gate to begin his 2018-19 campaign.

Mackay has quietly become a driving force within the Greyhounds’ offence this season. (Photo Credit: Luke Durda/OHL Images)

With six goals scored and 20 total points in his opening 20 games, the former fifth-round choice is quickly cementing his status as a prospect to watch ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft. However, Mackay has been widely projected as a potential mid-round selection — a difficult reality to comprehend given his consistent lethality thus far this season.

Cole Schwindt

2018-19 Team: Mississauga Steelheads

OHL Draft Selection: 2017 (Round 4, 69th Overall)

While he isn’t the most lethal offensive player in the OHL this season, Cole Schwindt is quickly becoming one of its most consistent two-way forwards.

Although capable of contributing offensively, Schwindt’s value lays in his ability to defend within his own zone and shut down his opposition’s top attackers. Boasting a solid frame given his 6-foot-3 stature and 180-pound weight, Schwindt can physically dominate his opposition in his defensive zone before dislodging the puck owing to his active and accurate stick.

While his offensive game continues to grow, Schwindt’s defensive play can not be overstated. (Photo Credit: Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Somewhat similar to former Oshawa Generals star Anthony Cirelli given his sound 200-foot game, Schwindt could prove to be a steal if selected late in the upcoming 2019 NHL Draft. Having scored four goals and nine assists in his first 19 games played with the Mississauga Steelheads this season, Schwindt’s already impressive two-way play alongside his growing lethality could afford the native of Kitchener, Ontario a long and prosperous professional hockey career.

Nathan Staios

2018-19 Team: Windsor Spitfires

OHL Draft Selection: 2017 (Round 1, 17th Overall)

Nathan Staios was selected by the Windsor Spitfires in the first round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, yet he has flown largely under the radar to begin his first campaign of NHL Draft eligibility. A fiercely competitive defender, Staios plays a stellar two-way game defined by his pace as well as confidence with the puck. With the poise of a seasoned veteran, Staios sees the ice incredibly well and can navigate within it with relative ease.

Staios is a diminutive defender who boasts a whack of skill and potential. (Photo Credit: OHL Images)

Despite this glowing skill-set, Staios has been widely projected as a second-to-third round choice ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft.

While slightly undersized given his 5-foot-9 frame, Staios has the composure of a highly touted prospect and the raw talent to match. Although his start to the 2018-19 OHL season was somewhat slow offensively considering he scored just one goal in 19 games, Staios had already added seven assists — a rate of production much greater than that of his rookie season.

Keean Washkurak

2018-19 Team: Mississauga Steelheads

OHL Draft Selection: 2017 (Round 2, 30th Overall)

The departures of both Mike McLeod and Nic Hague this past offseason staggered the Steelheads, who saw two of their top offensive players ascend to the professional-level. Fortunately, Keean Washkurak — Mississauga’s second round choice from the 2017 OHL Priority Selection — has quickly made the most of the opportunities presented to him this campaign.

Washkurak’s speed and tenacity combine to make him a persistent two-way force. (Photo Credit: Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

With major minutes available, Washkurak has earned his place within the Steelheads’ top-six through consistent and lethal offensive play this season. Standing 5-foot-10 and 185-pounds, Washkurak’s electrifying style of play has been evident on a nightly basis — the native of Waterloo, Ontario has quickly become a two-way stalwart for the Steelheads.

Having recorded five goals and 17 points in his first 19 games played this season, Washkurak could sneak into the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft if able to maintain and improve upon his current level of play.