The annual OHL Priority Selection is set to take place this coming Saturday and it's one of significant importance for the hometown North Bay Battalion, as they will be selecting third overall. The last time the Battalion franchise held the third pick was in the 2002 priority selection when they picked future NHLer Wojtek Wolski out of the St. Michael's Buzzers organization.
Wolski went onto establish himself as premiere OHL player before embarking on an NHL career with stops in Colorado, Arizona, New York, Florida and Washington. While it's unfair to suggest that any player in the draft will have the type of Ontario Hockey League career that Wolski had, Wolski is prime example of the type of franchise player a team can expect when they are selecting in the top three of the draft.
So who are some players the Battalion could target with their third overall selection this coming Saturday?
Philip Tomasino (RC) - Mississauga Rebels (GTHL) - Tomasino is an intelligent, two-way centre with a high end skill package. An elite skater, Tomasino possesses a fluid stride and above average speed which allowed him to wreack havoc on the opposition this season. Tomasino is a versatile offensive threat, boasting impressive vision and playmaking skills, along with the puck handling abilities to beat a check in 1-on-1 scenarios's and underrated but highly accurate shot. Reliable in his own zone, Tomasino plays in all situations and thinks the game at a high level.
Ethan Keppen (LW) - Toronto Nationals (GTHL) - Keppen is big bodied forward who plays a heavy, but skilled game. A player who is highly competitive, Keppen displays an above average shot with excellent velocity and accuracy to it. Keppen possesses impressive strength to his game and thrives below the goal line. A player with an impressive and versatile skill set, Keppen also possesses deceptively good hands and playmaking skills to his game. Keppen's strength and two-way capabilities make him a consistently strong presence.
Graeme Clarke (RW) - Toronto Marlboros (GTHL) - Clarke is highly skilled winger with an elite shot. Possessing arguably the most lethal shot in the draft, Clarke displays both a lightning quick release and strong accuracy to his shot. A player who oozes confidence in possession, Clarke shows impressive creativity and skill with the puck. Clarke does display underrated puck handling abilities and playmaking traits that are often overlooked because of his elite shooting abilities. A player who rode shotgun with Jack Hughes this season, Clarke certainly wasn't a product of Hughes success but an elite player in his own right.
Jamieson Rees (LC) - Mississauga Reps (GTHL) - Rees is an elite offensive talent with high end skill and a competitive edge to his game. A player who can simply take over games with his combination of speed, skill and determination, Rees is the type of player who can generate offense for himself and raise the level of those around him. Rees possesses the puck handling abilities to beat a check in 1-on-1 scenarios, a physical edge that makes him tough to play against and a scorers tough around the net. While slightly undersized by OHL standards, Rees has strong leadership qualities and could be a future OHL captain.
Brandon Coe (RW) - Toronto Nationals (GTHL) - Coe is a big bodied winger with elite skating abilities and good speed. Coe plays with a combination of skill and aggression and can be tough to play again. Coe create offense both in transition and off the cycle and possesses the versatility to both create offense as a shooter and playmaker. More of a pass first winger, Coe had the size, skill and skating abilities to make an immediate impact in the OHL.
Local Draft Content
Another area to watch on Saturday is how the local players will do in the draft.
This past season the North Bay Trappers Midget "AAA" squad had tremendous success, winning a bronze medal at the Ontario Hockey Federations Midget "AAA" championships. On that team was ten 2001 born players all eligible for the 2017 OHL Priority Selection and of those 10 we should expect a half dozen or more to be selected this weekend.
Payton Vescio (RD) - North Bay Trappers (GNML) - Vescio is an intelligent, two-way defender with intriguing physical attributes. A player who keeps his game fairly simplistic, Vescio thinks the game at a high level and makes consistently strong decisions both in possession and away from the puck. Vescio possesses impressive poise to his game, makes a strong first pass and can generate some offense from his point position. A player who possesses a rangy frame with a good skill package and hockey sense, Vescio should be the first local player selected in the 2017 draft.
Matthew Hardwick (RW) - North Bay Trappers (GNML) - Hardwick is a big bodied forward who skates well and possesses an intriguing skill package. Hardwick was a standout out performer for Team NOHA at the OHL Cup earlier this season, where he displayed a versatility at the offensive end that allowed him to thrive as both a shooter and a playmaker. Hardwick displays a fluid and powerful stride that allows him to generate good speed and underrated puck handling abilities that he utilizes to beat opponents in 1-on-1 scenarios. With an appealing package of size, strength, skill and skating ability Hardwick will make an OHL team very happy.
Kobe Seguin (LD) - North Bay Trappers (GNML) - Seguin is a stay-at-home defender with intriguing physical traits and an intelligence to his game. As the season progressed, Seguin showed developing two-way traits to his game, which will only make him more appealing as a prospect. Seguin shows excellent contain both in transition and in the defensive zone, neutralizing 1-on-1 situations very well, while showing a physical edge that makes him tough to play against. Seguin can make the simple skilled plays in possession, a good first pass and gets pucks on net from his point position in the offensive zone.
Ryan Mills (LC) - North Bay Trappers (GNML) - Mills is an undersized, two-way centre with an impressive compete level. Mills plays with an intriguing amount of energy to his game and doesn't let his size limitations play a factor. Mills generates good speed and makes himself an effective presence on both the forecheck and back-check, showing reliable play in all three zones. Offensively Mills shows impressive awareness and has the ability to create for his teammates with his underrated vision and playmaking abilities.
More Trappers to Watch - Cole Craft (RW), Jacob Peterson-Galema (LD), Joel Rainville (G), Sam Garagan (F), Ian Denomme (F) & Nick Wojick (F).
With minor midget "AAA" becoming so competitive in recent years, there are always players who decide to leave home for any number of reasons.
Out of town locals
This season North Bay native Zach Roy plied his trade with the Toronto Nationals of the GTHL. Roy lead his team to a first place regular season finish and an OHL Cup finals appearance. Roy was lights out for the Nationals throughout the OHL cup tournament and was a leading factor in the clubs success throughout the season. A goaltender who is technically sound and possesses all the attributes necessary to become a future OHL starter, Zach Roy could very well be the first goaltender selected in Saturday's Priority Selection.
Lucas Edmonds is another wild card as he played his minor midget season overseas in Sweden.
His mom and his father Randy Edmonds live in North Bay. Lucas' dad is a former coach of the North Bay Skyhawks and former professional coach in Sweden, and Lucas has a Canadian and Swedish passport.
The 5’11”, 180 forward is a skilled shooter who can make plays off the wing. Edmonds played in the GTHL with the Mississauga Rebels in Minor and Major Bantam on a line with Tomasino, but this past year he played his minor midget year in Frolunda under-16, with one of the top ranked teams in the country.
His limited views make him a unique prospect for this spring’s priority selection.
Hunter Foreshew is another North Bay area player who left the area.
The small but skilled forward played the 2016-17 season with the CIHA Academy Midget AAA team in Rockland, Ontario.
