Chatham-Kent Prospect Report: Offseason
Joseph Raaymakers makes a save with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL – Photo by Aaron Bell/ OHL Images
At the bottom, you’ll also find a watch list, which includes prospects who didn’t make our list, or aren’t eligible because they are not Junior aged.
We’ll complete an early season update once player movement has finished following training camps.
15. Ty Jackson – (OJHL, Trenton Black Hawks) – Wheatley, 1996 – Jackson plays with an edge, but needs to produce. In his first full OJHL campaign, he’ll have an opportunity to wow NCAA recruiters. His two way game can be underwhelming at times, but is exactly what every coach loves.
14. Blayne Oliver (OJHL, Trenton Black Hawks) – Blenheim, 1995 – After choosing to return to the OJHL rather than accept lesser NCAA offers, Oliver opens his final Junior campaign as a premiere defender in the league. Tough, competitive, and able to produce.
13. Kier Cumming (Unknown) – Chatham, 1999 – No lock to be the Chatham Maroons solo 16-year-old, Cumming may fall victim to past deals by the Maroons limiting their underage cards this season. If he’s in Junior C, the road gets longer for the Sudbury Wolves pick. Would benefit from packing up shop and heading to the NOJHL where Sudbury can keep a close eye, and where he’ll find tougher competition than Junior C.
12. Lucas Vanroboys (USHS, South Kent) – Thamesville, 1999 – Small and skilled, Vanroboys is taking the slow but steady development route. An OHL pick of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Vanroboys won’t come close to cracking that roster. He has NCAA potential, and could find himself as an NAHL or USHL draft pick this year.
11. Jake Reed (EOJHL, Perth Blue Wings/ CCHL, Carleton Place Canadians) – Chatham, 1997 – If he steps into Carleton Place, or another CCHL lineup this season, Reed will instantly become an NCAA prospect. Will it be a DI, or DIII offer? That remains to be seen. His ceiling will be impacted by where he lands this year.
10. Nolan Gardiner (GOJHL, LaSalle Vipers) – Tilbury, 1998 – Committing to the LaSalle Vipers so early in the summer, a team known for graduating players to the OHL and higher levels is a good sign for Gardiner. A good camp with the Ottawa 67s, the team who drafted him in 2014, and a good start in LaSalle could see the tough competitor playing spot duty in the OHL, and earning a full time position out of it.
9. Brady Campbell (NCAA, University of Maine) – Blenheim, 1992 – The clock is ticking on Campbell in Maine. A Junior scoring phenom, Campbell has yet to contribute offensively in the NCAA. A late bloomer to begin with, anything is possible from this sniper, who scored 40 goals in his final Junior season.
8. Ross Krieger (GOJHL Chatham Maroons) – Pain Court, 1998 – Playing in Chatham, he’ll draw instant attention from NCAA school’s this Fall if he produces. Extremely high hockey IQ, and a drive that surpasses most above him on this list, Krieger is at a critical point in his young career.
7. James McEwan (OHL, Guelph Storm) – Chatham, 1997 – Healthy and ready to go, McEwan will enter his sophomore OHL season with confidence, and a clean slate. He has an elite shot, and will look to make steps
6. Brendan Johnston (OHL, Windsor Spitfires) – Port Lambton, 1997 – Alex Fotinos is gone, meaning Johnston is currently the only veteran on the Spitfires’ roster. That doesn’t mean he won’t have competition, as OHL 2nd rounder Mike DiPietro is expected to challenge. Word is, Johnston is working harder than ever this offseason, and is ready to steal the show.
5. Brendan Harrogate (GOJHL, LaSalle Vipers/ Mississauga Steealheads, OHL) – Chatham, 1998 – Expected to sign with Mississauga of the OHL after leading LaSalle in playoff scoring en route to a Sutherland Cup berth as a 16-year-old, Harrogate still has room to develop in his 200-foot-game and compete levels. Undeniably, he can score, and he is dangerous in tight. His release and knack for scoring are tools OHL teams covet, meaning he’ll at the very least get a long audition.
4. Levi Tetrault (OHL, Guelph Storm) – Pain Court, 1998 – Positionally strong, Tetrault will meet early challenges in the OHL this season after being Chatham’s top defenseman on most nights as a 16-year-old last year. Tetrault played 9 games in the OHL last year, plus 2 in the playoffs. He’ll be a prospect to watch, and could attract NHL eyes, if he hasn’t already.
3. Brady Pataki (OHL, Sudbury Wolves) – Wallaceburg, 1998 – He’ll be expected to play a bigger role in Sudbury. Big, fast, and competitive, Pataki’s position on the Wolves’ depth chart will depend on his early output. Not NHL draft eligible until 2017, Pataki is still a project with huge potential.
2. Trent Fox (OHL, Hamilton Bulldogs) – Thamesville, 1997 – Undrafted, Fox will have to take the long way. A big season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL will go a long way toward that goal. Luckily, his brother Dane, is a prime example that being undrafted means nothing.
1. Joseph Raaymakers (OHL, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) – Chatham, 1998 – Invited to Canada’s U18 goaltending camp, Raaymakers remains among elite company. He’ll find himself again behind NHL pick Brandon Halverson in the Soo, but he possesses the drive, focus, and athleticism, that most NHL teams covet in a prospect.
Watch List: Ian Faubert, Blair Derynck, Nick Delyzer, Steven Beenackers, Brett Hope, Geoffry Vandenboorn, Brady Hogg, Zach Lindley, Kadin Ritchie, Tyler Hotham, Drew Vandehogen, Grant Spence, Eric Carter, Spencer Marcus, CJ Burgess, William Tetzlaff, Dede Cato, Kyle Dawson, Nolan Vandenboorn, Brendan Ritchie.