A Look At OHL Prospects Past

Grayson Ladd with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones – Photo by Paul Kidd

After a number of years learning the scouting game at the grassroots level, you tend to look back on players that you have seen locally that have gone to have greater success at higher levels of Hockey. The longer you do this job, the more players you realize you’ve seen achieve great success.

Here is a look back at some of the players I’ve seen come through this neck of the woods where they are now:

Brett Brochu, G, 2017-2018, Chatham-Kent Cyclones – I haven’t seen a goalie before or since on the Cyclones that played more games than Brochu. A fierce competitor who never quit on a play, also doesn’t quit in chasing his Hockey career. Without a team after his Minor Midget days, he went onto a starter role for the Dresden Kings before getting his shot in the OHL for the London Knights. Starting 42 games and having a 2.40 GAA, it’s within reason to believe Brochu was on his way to a Rookie of the Year nod before this season was cancelled.

Grayson Ladd, D, 2016-2017, Chatham-Kent Cyclones – In a discussion with a highly respected director in this industry, I made mention that I would be surprised if Ladd wasn’t a first round pick based on his play. I was told that it’s a tough thing to say due to the strength of the Toronto area players. (Rightfully so, as I was still very new to this industry) To my surprise, Ladd went on to become the highest player ever drafted out of the Chatham – Kent area (at the time), going 13 overall to the Kitchener Rangers. Whenever I saw him play, the Cyclones looked like a different team when he was on the ice. His poise on the ice, seemed to change the dynamics of the game.

Deni Goure, F, 2018-2019, Chatham-Kent Cyclones – I first saw Goure during his Minor Bantam year. (I try to say 1 – 2 years ahead of the draft year as much as I can) It was a playoff game against the Hamilton Huskies and I saw a player absolutely dominate the game, scoring four goals in a short span. Intrigued, I came back for the next game. Another multi – goal game. This was a trend. Fast forward a year and his Major Bantam year was a very dominant year. His Minor Midget season opened up the eyes of the scouts for something I saw for a few seasons already, this player is special. A fantastic skater with an excellent release and an excellent two -way game, Goure went on to become the Alliance Player of the year and then broke the record that Ladd had set by becoming the highest player ever drafted out of CK, 10th overall by the Owen Sound Attack. Goure did what many players do at 16 years old aren’t able to and made his Major Junior Club and stayed the entire year. Expect big things for Goure going forward.

Brady Stonehouse, F, 2018-2019, Chatham-Kent Cyclones (Major Bantam) – While Stonehouse went on to major success this season as a part of the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, he was a dominant player before this with the Cyclones the year previously. A tremendous skater who battles for everything on the ice, Stonehouse plays an offensive style and can be physical when he needs to. Always involved in plays at both ends of the rink, Stonehouse continues to move himself higher onto draft lists with his consistent play. The leagues leading post – season scorer this year should land himself in a draft position this weekend.