The OHL is one of the best development leagues in the world when it comes to NHL players, with a huge portion of the best players in the league coming from the Ontario ranks. While being the best of the best at the junior ranks doesn’t by any means guarantee success in professional hockey, it is still a nice stepping stone on the way. Today, the OHL released their first, second and third All-Star teams for 2017-18, and they include quite a few interesting NHL prospects.
First Team All-Stars:
LW Boris Katchouk, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Tampa Bay Lightning, 44th overall, 2016)
C Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Philadelphia Flyers, 27th overall, 2017)
RW Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia Sting (St. Louis Blues, 35th overall, 2016)
D Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads (Vegas Golden Knights, 34th overall, 2017)
D Evan Bouchard, London Knights (2018 draft eligible)
G Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires (Vancouver Canucks, 64th overall, 2017)
Second Team All-Stars:
LW Sam Miletic, Niagara IceDogs (undrafted, signed with Pittsburgh Penguins)
C Aaron Luchuk, Barrie Colts (undrafted, signed with Ottawa Senators)
RW Taylor Raddysh, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Tampa Bay Lightning, 58th overall, 2016)
D Sean Durzi, Owen Sound Attack (2018 draft eligible)**
D Conor Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Colorado Avalanche, 32nd overall, 2017)
G Jeremy Helvig, Kingston Frontenacs (Carolina Hurricanes, 134th overall, 2016)
Third Team All-Stars:
LW Adam Mascherin, Kitchener Rangers (Florida Panthers, 38th overall, 2016)*
C Gabriel Vilardi, Kingston Frontenacs (Los Angeles Kings, 11th overall, 2017)
RW Jason Robertson, Kingston Frontenacs (Dallas Stars, 39th overall, 2017)
D Cam Dineen, Sarnia Sting (Arizona Coyotes, 68th overall, 2016)
D Joey Keane, Barrie Colts (2018 draft eligible)**
G Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Los Angeles Kings, 72nd overall, 2017)
*Expected to re-enter draft if unsigned by Florida
**Went undrafted in first year of draft eligibility
So the Canucks have two really good goalie prospects?
6 years. Both gone. One will have a 12yr contract that “sucks”. The other will be an all-star on another team