After another incredible year of Alliance minor midget hockey came to an abrupt end this year. While the decision to cancel hockey during an incredibly difficult time in society, you have to feel for those players who had worked all year to get to the OHL Cup, only to have that opportunity taken from them so quickly.
With that said, the 2004 born class in the Alliance has represented themselves quite nicely amongst the teams in Ontario. In the final OHL Cup rankings that were released, Alliance champions the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs found themselves sitting in 3rd while finalist Hamilton Huskies were in the top 10 and the OHL Cup bound Waterloo Wolves were tagged as an honourable mention.
Looking ahead to the OHL Priority Selection, the 04 group is poised to replicate the results seen last season by the 03 class. On average, about 40 players are selected from the Alliance in the priority selection. Sometimes those numbers are a bit skewed based on when players are taken but from a total stand point, I’d expect to be around that point again this year.
In total, I have 41 players listed in the rankings below. It should be noted, I’d be absolutely shocked if 41 players from the Alliance were selected and it was the exact players from this list. I fully expect that there will be some players taken who I did not have listed, much like there will be players that I felt should hear their name called that won’t. That is the beauty of the scouting process.
Here is the list that I have compiled following the Alliance season. Below are some further analysis and details.
A Rating | ||
Player | Team | Position |
Gavin Bryant | Brantford 99ers | Forward |
Justin Dezoete | Hamilton Huskies | Forward |
Liam Eveleigh | Waterloo Wolves | Defense |
Hunter Haight | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs | Forward |
Bryce McConnell-Barker | London Jr. Knights | Forward |
Brady Stonehouse | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs | Forward |
B Rating | ||
Player | Team | Position |
Wyatt Adkins | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs | Defense |
Carter Coombs | Huron-Perth Lakers | Forward |
Jacob Couchie | London Jr. Knights | Forward |
Riley George | Hamilton Huskies | Goalie |
Gavin Grundner | Windsor Jr. Spitfires | Forward |
Austin Harper | Lambton Jr. Sting | Forward |
Josh Hoover | Lambton Jr. Sting | Defense |
Beau Jelsma | Brantford 99ers | Forward |
Cory Jewitt | Huron-Perth Lakers | Forward |
Evan Klein | Waterloo Wolves | Forward |
Noah Morneau | Windsor Jr. Spitfires | Forward |
Cedricson Okitundu | Waterloo Wolves | Defense |
Boe Piroski | Sun County Panthers | Goalie |
Andy Reist | Waterloo Wolves | Forward |
Dylan Roobroeck | London Jr. Knights | Forward |
Cole Sheffield | London Jr. Knights | Goalie |
Koen Taves | Sun County Panthers | Defense |
Patrick Thomas | Hamilton Huskies | Forward |
Owen Van Steensel | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs | Forward |
Zander Veccia | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs | Forward |
Tyson Wassink | Hamilton Huskies | Defense |
C Rating | ||
Player | Team | Position |
Maddox Amaral | Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs | Forward |
Kyle Caron | Cambridge Hawks | Forward |
Luke Fritz | Huron-Perth Lakers | Forward |
Ryan Gagner | Chatham-Kent Cyclones | Forward |
Kian Harron | Kitchener Jr. Rangers | Defense |
Ty Higgins | Waterloo Wolves | Defense |
Landen Hookey | Lambton Jr. Sting | Forward |
Jacob Julien | Chatham-Kent Cyclones | Forward |
Collin Mackenzie | Waterloo Wolves | Goalie |
Matthew Mayich | Hamilton Huskies | Defense |
Ben Oliver | Kitchener Jr. Rangers | Forward |
Antonino Pugliese | Hamilton Huskies | Forward |
Danny Scott | Huron-Perth Lakers | Defense |
Cristobal Tola | Hamilton Huskies | Forward |
When it comes to the top spot in the Alliance this year, I think that title belongs to Bryce McConnell-Barker. His combination of size, speed and skill has made him a force to be reckoned with this year. While the offensive capabilities have always been there, you saw a steep progression in his physical game as the year went on. As he found the ability to use his size better, his play progressed even further.
While McConnell-Barker should be the first Alliance name called in my mind, he may not be the only Alliance skater taken in the opening round. Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs forward Hunter Haight has all the tools to make that step to the next level. Haight’s creativity made him a nightmare for defenders to go one-on-one against and he always found himself in open areas for his teammates to find him.
Another player you will want to keep an eye out for early is Brady Stonehouse. A tireless worker on both sides of the ice, Stonehouse is a player that you love to have on your team, but hate to play against. His battles in front of the net were a spectacle this season and even after getting hacked, chopped and dropped, he still got up with a smile on his face. Stonehouse shouldn’t take long to become a fan favourite wherever he lands at the next level.
The OHL Priority Selection is still scheduled for April 4th with everything getting underway at 9am. Check back with AllianceHockeyScout.com for full coverage of the Alliance players who are selected throughout the day.