Chatham-Kent Prospects Gearing up for the OHL Draft
Chatham-Kent Cyclones 2011 Minor Midgets
After a strong draft year featuring Seth Griffith, Dane Fox, and Kyle Hope, the Chatham-Kent Cyclones organization was shut out in 2010 from the OHL Priority Draft. This season, the organization again has several prospect, but none that would be considered a sure thing to be drafted.
A few players who moved to the Cyclones organization this season at the Major Midget level were selected last season including Michael Verboom (London Knights, Round 15) who led his AAA league in scoring this season, as well as goalies Chris McCullough (London Knights, Round 15), Hunter Johnson (Erie Otters, Round 10), and Cody Trowell (Sarnia Sting, Round 14). Each of these players moved to the Chatham-Kent Cyclones organization from other centres.
Ironically this year, the highest ranked draft prospect in the Chatham-Kent Cyclones organization, comes from this Major Midget team, rather than the Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team, whos draft year it is. After being cut by the Minor Midget team, forward Jay Ritchie is projected to go between rounds 6-10 in the upcoming draft. Standing 6’2″, the slender forward scored 4 goals and 9 assists in 34 games with the Major Midget team this year.
From the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget team, several players have been on the draft radar all season including goaltender Justin Pratt, and forwards Macks Holmes and Blake Rutckjy.
Pratt kept the Cyclones in the majority of games this year and has been praised by scouts for this quick reflexes and his competitive nature. One OHL scout told the CKSN that without Pratt, the Minor Midget Cyclones would have had no chance this season.
Up front, small but skilled forwards Macks Holmes and Blake Rutckjy also received significant attention from scouts this season. A regional scout described Holmes as an extremely skilled player, who make smart decisions with the puck. Holmes led his team in regular season scoring with 7 goals and 12 assists in 26 games. In their final game of the season, several scouts from the same OHL teams made repeat visits to watch these Cyclones players.
Although these players have found their way onto the OHL draft radar this season, none are sure fire picks. The 2011 OHL Priority Draft is filled with talented players from across Ontario and the United States. The draft will be held online on May 6.
Next year, the Minor Midget team features promising forward Steven Beenackers, as well as Kellen Kaniecki, Tyler Udvari, Bayden Seliga, and goaltender Eric Stewardson.
The following year, the Chatham-Kent Cyclones feature their most promising age groups in years with standout forward Trent Fox and Drew Marlatt already hitting scouts’ radars, as well as stud goaltender Brendan Johnston.