Chatham-Kent’s Top Five Hockey Prospects

With a new hockey season beginning, dozens of Chatham-Kent hockey prospects are about to show their skills to scouts across the globe. To make this list of the Top Five Hockey Prospects in Chatham-Kent, the player must currently be an NHL free agent. For example, because Jason Missiaen is signed by an NHL organization and playing in their system, he is not eligible for the list, while Wes Cunningham, who is playing professionally, but still isn’t under the wing of an NHL organization, is eligible.

Here are Chatham-Kent’s Top Five Hockey Prospects, plus a few honourable mentions, and a few up and comers to watch in the not too distant future.

1. Seth Griffith: With the most skill out of any current Chatham-Kent player, Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith will undoubtedly find himself in the pro ranks in the near future. Many project Griffith to near, if not eclipse the 100-point mark this year in the OHL. After slipping through the cracks at last year’s NHL draft, the crafty forward was invited to training camp by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Griffith participated in a rookie camp and tournament with the Lightning before returning to the OHL’s London Knights. Griffith will be draft eligible again this season, or could continue to receive free agent invites to NHL camps.

2. Wes Cunningham: Last season, Cunningham was an ECHL all-star, and runner up for league’s top defenseman. The swift skating, puck moving defenseman could quickly find himself promoted to the AHL with a strong start to the season. Cunningham, who originates from Dresden, will again play for the Greenville Road Warriors. In 2008-2009, Cunningham saw spot action in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals. Watch for Cunningham to light up the ECHL this season…if he isn’t promoted.

3. Hokey Langan: If you thought this was a men’s only list, you were wrong. Langan might be higher on this list if she was in her senior year. A Junior at Ohio State, Langan is back to full health after an injury plagued season. In her freshman season, Langan topped the WCHA in scoring, winning rookie of the year honours, and second team all-star honours. Last season, although her production dipped slightly with her injuries, Langan still developed and was able to learn from her time off the ice. If Hokey Langan returns to her freshman form this season, watch for the brass of Team Canada’s National Team to come knocking and bring Langan to their evaluation camps.

4. Dane Fox: The sky is the limit for Thamesville’s Dane Fox. Fox plays a prototypical power forward game, and has the complete tool kit, however, his off ice issues will undoubtedly concern many NHL teams as they evaluate this year’s prospects. A late birthday, this year is Fox’s NHL eligible season. If he stays out of trouble, Fox could be a force to be reckoned with in the OHL and a valuable tool for the London Knights. Who knows, an NHL team could take a flier on Fox in the later rounds this June.

5. Brady Campbell: Although Campbell won’t hear his name called at the NHL draft anytime soon, the shifty set up man, who won a Sutherland Cup championship last season scoring more than a point per game for the Elmira Sugar Kings, looks to be a late developer and will undoubtedly spark the interest of several NCAA programs. Elmira is off to another hot start, and Campbell will get lots of looks from recruiters if he can maintain his production. Although the NCAA is a longer route to the pros, it may prove to be the correct route for Blenheim’s Brady Campbell.

Honourable Mention: Kyle Hope (OHL’s Oshawa Generals), Brett Hope (GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars), Tyler Roezler (Sweden, Vita Hasten).

Up and Comers: When it comes to up and comers, nobody is a sure thing, but the next few age groups of current Chatham-Kent Cyclones hockey players show some promise. In particular, the current Major Bantams, who are OHL draft eligible next year, have several prospects that look like they could break Chatham’s OHL draft drought. Forwards Trent Fox (Dane’s younger brother) and Drew Marlatt, along with defenseman Dede Cato, and goaltender Brendan Johnston all look like the real deal entering this key development year. This group has the best chance in years for Chatham-Kent to have multiple OHL picks. The current Minor Midget draft class, although without a sure fire pick, does have a number of players, that with good seasons, could hear their names called this spring including Steven Beenackers, Kellen Kaniecki, Tyler Udvari, Eric Stewardson, and Brayden Seliga.

Already There: In terms of hockey players competing at the highest level, Chatham-Kent’s top two players are without a doubt Ryan Jones and TJ Brodie. Jones (Chatham) scored 18 goals for the Edmonton Oilers last season landing himself another contract and a Masterton Trophy nomination. Brodie (Dresden), made the Calgary Flames out of training camp last season before being returned to the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat after 3 games in the NHL. Brodie was a scoring ace for the Heat, and earned himself an AHL all-star game appearance.