The North Bay Battalion embarks Friday night on an Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection unlike any other.
With the coronavirus pandemic having curtailed minor midget play throughout Ontario, OHL clubs have the challenge of 15 rounds of picks starting at 7 p.m. having had the benefit of limited viewing of potential recruits.
“This year has certainly had its challenges when it comes to evaluations, but I feel like it’s been a productive process for our staff,” general manager Adam Dennis said as the Battalion made final preparations.
“We’ll take some of the new things we’ve learned and carry them into our process in future years. With the lack of five-on-five hockey, we’ve really tried to focus on a player’s character. We feel it’s the best predictor of future success and something that could easily be figured out during this unique year.”
Three rounds are to be conducted Friday night via the web before the process resumes at 9 a.m. Saturday for the fourth through final rounds.
North Bay received the 11th first-round pick in the lottery. The selection process will feature a snake format, with the order reversing in each round.
See related: Prospect Pipeline Top 60 Prospects
“Overall, I think it’s a deep group, and the feeling is that we can get a player who can step in and contribute right away,” said Dennis.
“With that in mind, we’ll be approaching the first pick with eyes wide open.
“There are a number of players that we covet and believe could be there at pick 11, but we need to see how things shake out in front of us. I wouldn’t say we’re stuck on a forward or a defenceman. We want the best person available.”
According to our sources, here are some players who the Battalion may consider with pick 11:
Angus MacDonnell - Toronto Marlboros - In addition to his high-end puck skills and natural abilities throughout the ice, Angus MacDonell possesses one of the most valuable traits which a young prospect can boast — work ethic. Equally dangerous on the lacrosse field, MacDonell sets the pace which each passing game and has developed into a natural leader who can motivate his team by example with ease. Capable of playing a sound two-way game, MacDonell can influence the game at both ends of the ice and has the high-end skill necessary to propel his team forwards. - Prospect Pipeline
Alex Pharand - Sudbury Nickel City Sons Yet another player to emerge from northern Ontario of late is Alex Pharand — a talented young forward who possesses a scorer's touch and an impressive level of consistency within his game. Boasting good size, Pharand has continued to prove himself as a calculated and intelligent young player. Capable of finding open areas of the ice, Pharand can sneak into scoring positions and make his opposition pay dearly if not adequately defended. - Prospect Pipeline
Carson Rehkopf - Toronto Jr Canadiens (GTHL)e dynamite Toronto Jr. Canadians, Carson Rehkopf will emerge as one of the most skilled and pure goal scorers in the 2021 OHL Draft class. Rehkopf boasts elite puck skills, pulling defenders towards him before slipping the puck through or around them with ease. With good size, he uses his long reach to protect the puck and make quick lateral movements to fool goaltenders on breakaways. Rehkopf also displays an elite wrist shot with excellent accuracy, with which he can beat goaltenders on clean shots. Rehkopf was also awarded with the Alex Pietrangelo Award as Jr. Canadiens Player of the Year. - Prospect Pipeline
Nick Sima - Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL) - A big, speedy power forward with a goal scorer’s touch, Nick Sima of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens is ready to bring his offensive talent to the next level. - Ontario Hockey League
The Battalion, which started the week with 20 picks, further reduced its allotment to 16 with the trade Wednesday of the Kingston Frontenacs’ 12th-round selection to the Mississauga Steelheads for their 12th-rounder in 2024.
On Tuesday, the Troops sent three choices this year to the Saginaw Spirit for a total of four from 2022 to 2024.
North Bay holds its own first-round pick this year, the Sarnia Sting’s second-rounder and the Oshawa Generals’ and Battalion’s picks in each of the third and fourth rounds. Without a fifth-rounder, the Troops have one pick in each of the sixth through 15th rounds, including the Kitchener Rangers’ spot in the 10th.
Follow BayToday's coverage of the Ontario Hockey League draft Friday night and throughout the day on Saturday
