Chatham-Kent’s Top Hockey Prospects: November Update

CKSN’s continues to monitor and rank the top 15 non-pro Chatham-Kent players in our prospectus style reports. With the season a third gone, players are starting to find their niche, and it’s time for young players to really hit their stride.

The list is compiled tapping into a variety of sources, including local coaches, scouts, and media.

To the bottom of our list, we’ve also added “players to watch,” in no particular order, who were on the cusp of our list this month. Next week, CKSN will be publishing an update to our Top 10 Women’s Hockey Prospects.

Here are CKSN’s Top Chatham-Kent Hockey Prospects, November 2014 edition.

15. Drew Marlatt (GOJHL, Lambton Shores Predators) – Chatham, 1997 – Marlatt scored in bundles last season, but hasn’t transferred that to Junior B with Lambton Shores. Instead of the OHL, Marlatt may be better suited aiming for the college route. A strong second half in the GOJHL could still see him offered a call up to the Windsor Spitfires.

14. Jake Reed (CCHL, Carleton Place Canadians) – Chatham, 1997 – He’s baaack. After returning from an illness, Reed jumped into the lineup with the EOJHL’s Perth Blue Wings, a last place Junior B team up North. He then got recalled to Carleton Place, and scored his first goal. The blueliner is a multi-year project, but with the NCAA as his goal, he has done exactly what he needs to, stick it out through ups and downs at the Junior A level, to remain a prospect to be watched.

13. Nolan Gardiner (GLJCHL, Wheatley Sharks) – Tilbury, 1998 – Hasn’t scored much, but that isn’t Gardiner’s game. He needs to focus on being a physical presence and shutting down his opponents. His development is still on track, but will likely need a stop in Junior B next season before he is OHL ready.

12. Kyle Hope (OUA, Windsor Lancers) – Blenheim, 1993 – What the heck is Hope doing back on this list you might ask? Well, after making his AHL debut last year, finishing his OHL career, and signing a new AHL contract, Hope decided to step back to the amateur ranks. He can be a pro, if he chooses, when his OUA career ends, which means, he technically remains a prospect.

11. Blayne Oliver (OJHL, Trenton Black Hawks) – Blenheim, 1995 – Oliver has been playing a huge role on Canada’s top ranked Junior A team. He’s producing points, and has multiple game stars to his name. If Oliver’s performance this season doesn’t get him noticed by an NCAA team, then school’s aren’t looking.

10. Ross Krieger (GLJCHL, Dresden Kings) – Pain Court, 1998 – Krieger continues to light up the Great Lakes league, climbing into the top 10 in league scoring. We say it over and over, he should be in Junior B, and he would be producing there as well. Two hat tricks in the last two weeks, what more does this kid have to do before a team at a higher level scoops him up?

9. Brendan Johnston (OHL, Windsor Spitfires) – Port Lambton, 1997 – Johnston has had limited starts in Windsor. As the season progresses, he’ll need to seize those opportunities, or run the risk of staying on the bench. Unlikely to be an NHL pick this year, Johnston has the luxury of being a goaltender, which means longer development is expected, and the pro door is never closed.

8. James McEwan (OHL, Guelph Storm) – Chatham, 1997 – McEwan has been in and out of the Guelph Storm lineup. He scored his first OHL goal, but needs to build from that. McEwan won’t be high on any NHL list this season, but as a rookie, he simply has to keep getting better. Think Patrick Watling. Same path, and Watling is now a pro.

7. Brendan Harrogate (GOJHL, LaSalle Vipers) – Chatham, 1998 – After returning from his ankle injury, which sidelines him a month, Harrogate started to produce instantly in Junior B. LaSalle is known as a prospect factory for the OHL, and Harrogate is developing on schedule. He’s OHL bound next season as long as his work ethic and commitment to improving his 200-foot game continues.

6. Levi Tetrault (GOJHL, Chatham Maroons) – Pain Court, 1998 – Steady, positionally strong. This has been Tetrault’s calling card. Playing in Chatham’s top four, he’s receiving lots of ice, and has produced some offense as well. Tetrault’s one area of improvement? He needs to get physical. He has fantastic stick positioning, which allows him to effectively angle his opponents, but once he gets them there, Tetrault needs to finish.

5. Brady Campbell (NCAA, University of Maine Blackbears) – Blenheim, 1992 – After winning the OHA’s Top Prospect honour, Campbell looked poised to make an instant offensive impact with the Maine Blackbears. That hasn’t happened yet. This season, Campbell has played only 2 of Maine’s 10 games. Luckily, Campbell is still a sophmore, and the NCAA is designed to develop players at a glacial pace. Will Campbell play pro hockey someday? He’ll need to start producing.

4. Trent Fox (OHL, Erie Otters) Thamesville, 1997 – Fox has started to produce, and with the NHL scouting frenzy arriving to watch his Erie Otters every game, Fox will undoubtedly peak the interest of certain teams with his offensive upside and skill set, not to mention his professional size at six-foot-two. A potential late round NHL prospect.

3. Brady Pataki (OHL, Sudbury Wolves) – Wallaceburg, 1998 – Pataki isn’t going to score much this year, but when you watch him play, you see the raw potential. A big frame, who creates space, hits, and as a 16-year-old, doesn’t look out of place in the OHL. With a late birthday, his 2017 NHL status is another huge bonus.

2. Joseph Raaymakers (OHL, Sault Ste. Marie Gryhounds) – Chatham, 1998 – Getting protected starts, it’s hard to read Raaymakers top end potential. Everyone agrees he’s a future OHL starter. Missing the World U17 rosters this month was a hit, but he remains on NHL scouting radars. He has proven he can be a difference maker, but much like most young prospects, needs to find consistency.

1. Travis Konecny (OHL, Ottawa 67s) – Clachan, 1997 – For the first time in this lists existence, we considered dropping Konecny from top spot. He’s slumped out of the gate, but remains a high end NHL prospect that will be a top two round NHL draft pick this year.

Players To Watch: Dede Cato, Ty Jackson, Brett Hope, Nick Delyzer, Blair Derynck.