Midseason Alliance Top 25 Player Rankings
Sorry a bit for the delay in posting this. Family sickness followed by my own sickness has hampered how much I wish to sit in front of a computer screen.
Nevertheless, we have made it to 2023 and so far (knock on wood) have had an uninterrupted hockey season to show for it. As we head into the final couple months of the regular season, things are shaping up and settling in the standings. London continues to hold the top spot while we have a revolving cast of Windsor, Waterloo, Huron-Perth and Lambton flipping around the 2-5 slots.
We also have quite the battle for the final playdown spots as well as Hamilton, Brantford, EMC, Cambridge and Chatham are all neck and neck in the standings. Should make for some very interesting and intense games down the stretch.
Looking at the 07 players in the Alliance, this has the potential for one of the best showings early in the draft that the Alliance has seen for some time. I can see a pathway where four or five Alliance skaters go in the opening round. Last year had three Alliance names called in the 1st round and before that you have to go back to the 99 birth year when another three names were called.
Making this list was not an easy one and I will put out the same thing I do every year. On average, anywhere from 40-45 Alliance skaters get selected in the OHL Draft. Some players not listed will hear their name called, some won’t. Some on this list may also not hear their name called. This is just one man’s opinion and the beauty of scouting is that everyone’s opinions will differ. If they didn’t, we would just list out 301 names and they would slot to the corresponding team.
But without further ado, here is my current top 25 Alliance players this year.
Ryan Roobroeck (London Jr. Knights) – Should be no surprise with this one. I’ve been singing Roobroeck’s praise all season long and he deserves it. He has the size, shot and skating that every team looks for. He’s able to use his length in the offensive zone to create laneways and is dangerous to score from any area. Factor in that he is a late birthday and won’t turn 16 until later September and he is the top 07 prospect currently playing minor hockey in Ontario. I’ll double down on that statement.
Brady Martin (Waterloo Wolves) – Martin could very easily be a top 5 or even top 3 pick in the upcoming draft. He has a knack for scoring big goals and is an absolute workhorse. His ability to fight off contact and maintain puck control is very impressive. As is his ability to seemingly create scoring chances out of nothing. Martin will make a team very happy come April.
Jack Nesbitt (Lambton Jr. Sting) – Probably not 3rd ranked in the Alliance from the outset, but Nesbitt has made a big jump from his U15 season. He obviously has the size at 6’4”, but it is his junior ready shot that makes him an interesting prospect. Not only does he have the shot, but the willingness to shoot from anywhere and have a good amount of success doing so. As always with a player his size, the skating will be of focus. Nesbitt reminds me of Isaac Ratcliffe when he played with the Jr. Knights and I think he can transition into a good power forward at the next level.
Parker Snelgrove (London Jr. Knights) – A real fun player to watch who players with a high energy, Snelgrove has found success in many different realms of his game. He has formed quite a connection with linemate Aiden Young and Snelgrove can play the part of either the great playmaker or the finisher. Snelgrove also tends to have great puck control down low and he may be one of the better skaters in the loop. He has consistently been one of London’s best skaters this year and is one my candidates as someone who could sneak into the opening round.
Ethan Weir (London Jr. Knights) – Weir has had a very interesting season. There was obviously lots to look forward to after the success he saw playing U16 last season and while he has had a good year, the consistency hasn’t exactly been there. Maybe overshadowed playing alongside Roobroeck, Weir has had some off nights. Should Weir simplify his game more and go back to driving the net and shooting more, it would remind me of the Weir I saw last season.
Carson Harmer (Huron-Perth Lakers) – Harmer is another Alliance prospect who I think shows the possibility of making that jump to junior next season. Harmer is a hard nosed centre who plays a very physical game, Harmer also has the speed and stick handling to be a threat on each and every shift. Some of the best hits I’ve seen this season have been from Harmer. Harmer has a great shot and his edgework down low makes him very difficult to defend. One of the harder decisions was leaving him out of my top 5. He could very easily be in there come year end.
Evan Bradacs (Brantford 99ers) – Bradacs I feel like is in a similar situation to a former 99er in Gavin Bryant. An extremely talented player who may just be a bit under the radar because of the team he is on. Bradacs is very creative with the puck and finds his teammates in unique ways. Can put the puck in the net and always seems to be in on the play. Another player who should hear their name day one.
Cameron Arquette (Sun County Panthers) – A personal favourite of mine to watch this season, Arquette is electrifying and just all over the ice. His speed is fantastic and his ability to stick handle at that top speed makes him hard to defend. Has been the offensive backbone for Sun County this year and is another player I feel is going a bit under the radar as the focus has been on the likes of Roobroeck and Martin.
Aiden Young (London Jr. Knights) – The player who has jumped up my board the most this season is probably Young. His skating and shot are much improved compared to what I saw of him last season. His acceleration coming around to the top of the circle allows him to get a lot on his shots. Much like linemate Snelgrove, Young can play multiple roles on a line and plays well in all situations.
Colin Slattery (Huron-Perth Lakers) – Slattery is a player who has opened my eyes through the year with his vision and playmaking ability. While able to put the puck in the net, Slattery’s forte is his work down low and in the corners and how he attracts additional defenders allowing his linemates to create scoring chances. Defensively, Slattery is also very capable in his own end and able to withstand contact even without being a towering player.
Owen Knight (Lambton Jr. Sting) – One of the best pure goal scorers in the loop. Can make something out of almost nothing.
Reyth Smith (Windsor Jr. Spitfires) – Another skater who has excelled this season. Listed at 6’2”, Smith has shown a goal scoring knack to go along with his size.
Braedon Clark (London Jr. Knights) – First defender on my board, Clark is sound in his own end and quietly has one of the better point shots in the league.
Brendan Gerber (Waterloo Wolves) – Game has improved as the season has gone on, Gerber is showing signs of the player who led Kitchener at U15 with his head down style of play.
Matteo Villardi (Sun County Panthers) – While Arquette has the speed and flair, Villardi has shown to be capable of leading an offense on some nights.
Hunter Soloman (Waterloo Wolves) – Just turned 15 a few weeks ago, Soloman is a big physical defender with developing offensive skillset.
Connor Miller (Windsor Jr. Spitfires) – Slower pace than a season ago, but has shown flashes of his offensive capabilities. Could see a big explosion in the 2nd half.
Ryan Gosse (Hamilton Huskies) – Smaller forward but has shown good offensive instincts and a can do ability in most situations.
Lucas Laprise (Chatham-Kent Cyclones) – The straw that stirs the drink of the Cyclones offense, Laprise is developing into a better player with each viewing.
Dax Vader (Huron-Perth Lakers) – Vader always seems to be the one scoring the timely goal. Very good skater who is difficult to defend.
Jordan Visneskie (Huron-Perth Lakers) – Plays a power forward game and does his best work below the goal line. More finish would be ideal to see.
Jack D’Arcy (Cambridge Hawks) – Good mobile defender who uses his body well. Offensive game continues to grow.
Isaac Truman (Lambton Jr. Sting) – Third piece of the top line in Lambton. Has been quietly putting up some really good numbers this season.
Colsen Joyce (Elgin-Middlesex Canucks) – Best goal scorer on a struggling offensive team, Joyce has creativity and shows a variety of ways to create chances.
Jordan Charron (Cambridge Hawks) – Forward with great speed, Charron has the shot to score more goals. Wit his speed, an increased defensive role could go a long way.