There is new day dawning in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, as of the beginning the 2015-16 season. Almost all of the league's stars that were fixtures atop the scoring tables, those like Toronto's Anthony Repaci, Georgetown's Steve Hladin, Cobourg's Connor Armour, and Trenton's Brady Wiffen, as well as many others, are all gone. That does not mean that I expect a severe drop off in the league's quality, however, not at all. All it means is that a new breed is poised to infuse the league with their ability, and take leading rolls in their respective clubs.
With that in mind, here are some thoughts I have on the various team's outlooks heading into the new year.
I will start with the West Division.
Note: I have, of course, stuck to players that I am fairly confident will be back in the OJ next year.
All signs point to the continued upward trajectory of Jamie Caruso's excellent rebuild in Orangeville, and as such the Flyers look ready to take another big step forward in 15-16. The now 18-year-old Lucas Smilsky was nothing short of dynamite, showcasing some great speed and hands, and as a 97-birth year, led his club in scoring last year with 57 points (something not many 17 year olds do!). Look for him to keep getting better.
It will be interesting to see what Caruso will do with the departure of Ian Nichols, who anchored that top line, along with Smilsky and Connor Stack. Nevertheless, watch for James McLaughlin to take another huge step forward next year. He's well built and competes like a horse, but there is more skill for him to show as well. I do believe Stack is back too, while Derek Topatigh, himself just a 97 birth year, will compete for the title of best defenceman in the league, and is all-but certain in my mind to attract serious Division I attention.
I never know who is going where, or what is going on in Buffalo, but all I will say about the Sabres is that '98-birth year Justin Cmunt has a ton of potential, and I predict he will be an elite Jr. A scorer sooner than later. Union College seems to agree with me, and has already given him a commitment.
The post-Steve Hladin era in Georgetown will be interesting, and with fellow stalwarts Anthony Marra and Liam Clare gone, it will be interesting to see what direction Greg Walters and company will go. I have been a fan of Brendan Jacome for a long time, especially for his work ethic, and he will need to lead the new charge for the Raiders. Jacome's brother Jack also showed some flashes of brilliance, and looks to be an excellent Jr. A player in the near future, with perhaps a little more razzle-dazzle than his older brother. Walters always finds a way to attract top talent, so I expect a reload more than a rebuild at Alcott Arena.
With all due respect to Burlington and Milton, the only direction they can go is up. In the Cougars case, they do at least have a true star-in-the-making to build around in Jack Jeffers. The late 97-birth year forward must have garnered a lot of interest at last year's deadline, but in keeping the dynamic forward, the Burlington brass signalled to their fans that they do believe in the future. Their team was incredibly young last year, so they will have a ton of returnees, including their captain in Burlington's own Willy Paul, who as a 1996-born defenceman, was the old man of the corps last year.
The 1998-born defenceman Jonathan Schaefer was the most intriguing piece that the IceHawks rolled with last year, though it is unknown to me whether he is a serious contender to make the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League next year. If he is back, he has the dynamic skating ability and shiftiness to be a real exciting Junior 'A' player. Ryan Taylor is a 1996-born forward with a decent amount of ability as well, so he should put up some numbers next year too. The most valuable piece that the IceHawks currently possess, in my opinion, is Erie Otters prospect Cosimo Lazzarino in goal. His numbers don't reflect a great rookie campaign, but he is more than capable of being an excellent goaltender in this league.
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