The Ontario Hockey League's regular season has come to a conclusion, and the quest for the J. Ross Robertson Cup along with an automatic bid into the CHL's Memorial Cup playoffs will commence this Thursday. Some teams are stacked with veterans who want nothing more than to play for the Memorial Cup before they leave their Junior careers behind them. Other squads are loaded with young, draft-eligible players who would like to use the playoffs as a way to boost their stock before the NHL Entry Draft in June. Whatever the case, every team wants to be the club standing at center ice as OHL champs at the end of the playoff grind. Here's a brief look at all of the match-ups in the 2012 OHL Playoffs:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
[1] NIAGARA ICEDOGS vs [8] OSHAWA GENERALS
Regular season record: 44-18-0-3
Players to watch:
Andrew Agozzino - The IceDogs's points leader (88 pts in 67 games) is in his 5th season with Niagara and 3rd as captain. Agozzino went undrafted, and a strong playoffs to match his spectacular regular season could intrigue several NHL clubs into signing him.
Jamie Oleksiak - This D-man was selected 14th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2011 Draft, and split the 2011-12 season between Saginaw and Niagara. Look for Oleksiak to be strong at both ends of the ice in his OHL playoffs debut.
Regular season record: 31-30-4-3
Players to watch:
Scott Laughton - Draft eligible this summer, with 53 points in 63 games. Laughton is projected to go somewhere in the 2nd round in most rankings. He'll boost his stock significantly if he has a good showing in the postseason.
Nicklas Jensen - Drafted 29th overall by the Vancouver Canucks, the Denmark native had a solid regular season that the Generals hope will translate into postseason production.
[2] OTTAWA 67'S vs [7] BELLEVILLE BULLS
Regular season record: 40-20-5-3
Players to watch:
Tyler Toffoli - The LA Kings' prospect finished the season 2nd among all of the OHL in points. See if his tear continues through the playoffs.
Cody Ceci - His position in the draft rankings has skyrocketed since the start of the season, and could continue to rise with a good postseason.
Petr Mrazek - The Czech keeper and Detroit Red Wings prospect was spectacular for his country in the WJC. If he can put on a show like he did then, his postseason performance will be can't-miss goaltending.
Regular season record: 35-32-1-0
Players to watch:
Daniil Zharkov - Once considered a mid-to-late 1st round pick in this upcoming draft, his interest among NHL teams has plummeted over the past four months. The skilled Russian needs to have a good showing to become a top prospect again.
Malcolm Subban - The top North American goaltending prospect in the 2012 draft... that is all.
[3] BARRIE COLTS vs [6] MISSISSAUGA ST. MICHEAL'S MAJORS
Regular season record: 40-23-3-2
Players to watch:
Mark Scheifele - One of the best overall players in the OHL, the Winnipeg Jets 1st round selection in last year's draft will be a force to be reckoned with.
Notable Injury:
Tanner Pearson - Finished 3rd in the OHL in points, broken right fibula in season finale.
Regular season record: 33-28-1-6
Players to watch:
Riley Brace - The '92 birth year had by far the best season of his OHL career, posting 82 points in 65 games. He finished the year leading his team in points, 34 tallies ahead of the runner-up.
Trevor Carrick - 2012 draft eligible, this rookie will have his stay-at-home defense style tested under playoff intensity, something NHL scouts will be very interested in.
[4] BRAMPTON BATTALION vs [5] SUDBURY WOLVES
Regular season record: 36-22-3-7
Players to watch:
Sam Carrick - The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect led the Battalion with 67 points, but can he lead a very balanced Brampton offensive attack through the playoffs?
Patrik Machac - The rookie center proved to be a valuable piece of Brampton's offense during the season. He's not draft eligible until 2013, but it's never too soon to start impressing.
Regular season record: 36-26-4-2
Players to watch:
Michael Sgarbossa - Led the entire OHL in points (102 in 66 games). Traded twice in his Junior career, let's see how he handles being "the guy" during the playoffs.
Johan Mattson - It will be interesting to see if Sudbury's top tendy will hold down the fort well enough for the Wolves' high-powered offense to do their work on the other end of the ice; such a combination could result in a deep, deep run for Sudbury.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
[1] LONDON KNIGHTS vs [8] WINDSOR SPITFIRES
Regular season record: 49-18-0-1
Players to watch:
Andreas Athanasiou - The über-skilled winger has slowly climbed up the draft rankings this year. Clutch scoring in the postseason could help him even more going into this summer's draft.
Jarred Tinordi - This Montreal Canadiens prospect is one of the top up-and-coming blue liners the U.S. has to offer. We'll see if London's captain help push his teammates to a championship?
Regular season record: 29-32-5-2
Players to watch:
Kerby Rychel - The 17-year old finished the season with 74 points, a major improvement over the 21 he got the year before. Maybe he'll also improve over the six points in 18 playoff games he had last year, too.
[2] PLYMOUTH WHALERS vs [7] GUELPH STORM
Regular season record: 47-18-2-1
Players to watch:
Stefan Noesen - Led his team in points with 82 and was a point-per-game player in last year's playoffs. The Ottawa Senators' 2011 late-1st round pick looks to lead his team to a league championship.
JT Miller - Selected 15th overall by the New York Rangers in 2011, the playoffs are where players like Miller thrive. Guys who are gritty, fearless, and have enough skill to finish typically make a huge impact in postseason play.
Regular season record: 31-31-2-4
Players to watch:
Matt Finn - Touted as a mid-1st round pick in this summer's draft, Finn's two-way defensive abilities will be key if Guelph wants any chance of upsetting the Whalers.
Scott Kosmachuk - This right winger will use the playoffs as an opportunity to bring his draft stock back up, after sliding a bit during Febraury/March.
[3] KITCHENER RANGERS vs [6] OWEN SOUND ATTACK
Regular season record: 42-24-1-1
Players to watch:
Radek Faksa - After a spectacular rookie season, he's considered among the best players avaliable in the 2012 draft. The rook's playoff showing will mean a lot to NHL scouts, though.
John Gibson - The Anaheim Ducks' 2nd round pick last year has had a solid rookie year for Kitchener, but his team will be counting on him between the pipes if they want to win an OHL title.
Regular season record: 32-29-3-4
Players to watch:
Jarrod Maidens - This is a player who should definitely utilize the postseason to increase his draft stock. Currently seated around the mid to late-2nd round, a big impact could mean a big boost in rank.
Notable absence:
(Captain) Mike Halmo - To serve 8 games left on suspension from hit delivered to Sarnia's Nail Yakupov.
[4] SARNIA STING vs [5] SAGINAW SPIRIT
Regular season record: 34-27-2-5
Players to watch:
Alex Galchenyuk - Only played 2 regular season games due to injury suffered in the preseason. Everyone knows Galchenyuk has loads of talent, but the injury may hurt his draft stock. The postseason is the perfect opportunity to prove he belongs at the top.
Notable injury:
Nail Yakupov - Still no timetable for return for the player expected to go #1 overall at the 2012 NHL entry draft.
Regular season record: 33-27-1-7
Players to watch:
Brandon Saad - Once projected as a top five pick in 2011, he fell all the way to the 2nd round. He bounced back with a great camp with the Chicago Blackhawks, a strong season in the OHL, and now maybe a shining postseason?
Jake Paterson - One of the top North American goalie prospects heading into the 2012 draft. Paterson will have to stand tall in the face of Galchenyuk and (healthy) Yakupov if Saginaw wants to win in seven games.
Ottawa may have gone 4-5-0-1 in their last 10 games of the regular season, but the talent oozing all over the 67's roster will prove to be too much for anyone else in this tournament. It certainly will not be an easy ride to the OHL title, but Petr Mrazek and the Ottawa 67's are The Hart of Hockey's pick to be OHL Champions and earn themselves an opportunity to play for the coveted Memorial Cup.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
[1] NIAGARA ICEDOGS vs [8] OSHAWA GENERALS
Regular season record: 44-18-0-3
Players to watch:
Andrew Agozzino - The IceDogs's points leader (88 pts in 67 games) is in his 5th season with Niagara and 3rd as captain. Agozzino went undrafted, and a strong playoffs to match his spectacular regular season could intrigue several NHL clubs into signing him.
Jamie Oleksiak - This D-man was selected 14th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2011 Draft, and split the 2011-12 season between Saginaw and Niagara. Look for Oleksiak to be strong at both ends of the ice in his OHL playoffs debut.
Regular season record: 31-30-4-3
Players to watch:
Scott Laughton - Draft eligible this summer, with 53 points in 63 games. Laughton is projected to go somewhere in the 2nd round in most rankings. He'll boost his stock significantly if he has a good showing in the postseason.
Nicklas Jensen - Drafted 29th overall by the Vancouver Canucks, the Denmark native had a solid regular season that the Generals hope will translate into postseason production.
[2] OTTAWA 67'S vs [7] BELLEVILLE BULLS
Regular season record: 40-20-5-3
Players to watch:
Tyler Toffoli - The LA Kings' prospect finished the season 2nd among all of the OHL in points. See if his tear continues through the playoffs.
Cody Ceci - His position in the draft rankings has skyrocketed since the start of the season, and could continue to rise with a good postseason.
Petr Mrazek - The Czech keeper and Detroit Red Wings prospect was spectacular for his country in the WJC. If he can put on a show like he did then, his postseason performance will be can't-miss goaltending.
Players to watch:
Daniil Zharkov - Once considered a mid-to-late 1st round pick in this upcoming draft, his interest among NHL teams has plummeted over the past four months. The skilled Russian needs to have a good showing to become a top prospect again.
Malcolm Subban - The top North American goaltending prospect in the 2012 draft... that is all.
[3] BARRIE COLTS vs [6] MISSISSAUGA ST. MICHEAL'S MAJORS
Regular season record: 40-23-3-2
Players to watch:
Mark Scheifele - One of the best overall players in the OHL, the Winnipeg Jets 1st round selection in last year's draft will be a force to be reckoned with.
Notable Injury:
Tanner Pearson - Finished 3rd in the OHL in points, broken right fibula in season finale.
Regular season record: 33-28-1-6
Players to watch:
Riley Brace - The '92 birth year had by far the best season of his OHL career, posting 82 points in 65 games. He finished the year leading his team in points, 34 tallies ahead of the runner-up.
Trevor Carrick - 2012 draft eligible, this rookie will have his stay-at-home defense style tested under playoff intensity, something NHL scouts will be very interested in.
[4] BRAMPTON BATTALION vs [5] SUDBURY WOLVES
Regular season record: 36-22-3-7
Players to watch:
Sam Carrick - The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect led the Battalion with 67 points, but can he lead a very balanced Brampton offensive attack through the playoffs?
Patrik Machac - The rookie center proved to be a valuable piece of Brampton's offense during the season. He's not draft eligible until 2013, but it's never too soon to start impressing.
Regular season record: 36-26-4-2
Players to watch:
Michael Sgarbossa - Led the entire OHL in points (102 in 66 games). Traded twice in his Junior career, let's see how he handles being "the guy" during the playoffs.
Johan Mattson - It will be interesting to see if Sudbury's top tendy will hold down the fort well enough for the Wolves' high-powered offense to do their work on the other end of the ice; such a combination could result in a deep, deep run for Sudbury.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
[1] LONDON KNIGHTS vs [8] WINDSOR SPITFIRES
Regular season record: 49-18-0-1
Players to watch:
Andreas Athanasiou - The über-skilled winger has slowly climbed up the draft rankings this year. Clutch scoring in the postseason could help him even more going into this summer's draft.
Jarred Tinordi - This Montreal Canadiens prospect is one of the top up-and-coming blue liners the U.S. has to offer. We'll see if London's captain help push his teammates to a championship?
Regular season record: 29-32-5-2Players to watch:
Kerby Rychel - The 17-year old finished the season with 74 points, a major improvement over the 21 he got the year before. Maybe he'll also improve over the six points in 18 playoff games he had last year, too.
[2] PLYMOUTH WHALERS vs [7] GUELPH STORM
Regular season record: 47-18-2-1
Players to watch:
Stefan Noesen - Led his team in points with 82 and was a point-per-game player in last year's playoffs. The Ottawa Senators' 2011 late-1st round pick looks to lead his team to a league championship.
JT Miller - Selected 15th overall by the New York Rangers in 2011, the playoffs are where players like Miller thrive. Guys who are gritty, fearless, and have enough skill to finish typically make a huge impact in postseason play.
Regular season record: 31-31-2-4
Players to watch:
Matt Finn - Touted as a mid-1st round pick in this summer's draft, Finn's two-way defensive abilities will be key if Guelph wants any chance of upsetting the Whalers.
Scott Kosmachuk - This right winger will use the playoffs as an opportunity to bring his draft stock back up, after sliding a bit during Febraury/March.
[3] KITCHENER RANGERS vs [6] OWEN SOUND ATTACK
Regular season record: 42-24-1-1
Players to watch:
Radek Faksa - After a spectacular rookie season, he's considered among the best players avaliable in the 2012 draft. The rook's playoff showing will mean a lot to NHL scouts, though.
John Gibson - The Anaheim Ducks' 2nd round pick last year has had a solid rookie year for Kitchener, but his team will be counting on him between the pipes if they want to win an OHL title.
Regular season record: 32-29-3-4
Players to watch:
Jarrod Maidens - This is a player who should definitely utilize the postseason to increase his draft stock. Currently seated around the mid to late-2nd round, a big impact could mean a big boost in rank.
Notable absence:
(Captain) Mike Halmo - To serve 8 games left on suspension from hit delivered to Sarnia's Nail Yakupov.
[4] SARNIA STING vs [5] SAGINAW SPIRIT
Regular season record: 34-27-2-5
Players to watch:
Alex Galchenyuk - Only played 2 regular season games due to injury suffered in the preseason. Everyone knows Galchenyuk has loads of talent, but the injury may hurt his draft stock. The postseason is the perfect opportunity to prove he belongs at the top.
Notable injury:
Nail Yakupov - Still no timetable for return for the player expected to go #1 overall at the 2012 NHL entry draft.
Regular season record: 33-27-1-7
Players to watch:
Brandon Saad - Once projected as a top five pick in 2011, he fell all the way to the 2nd round. He bounced back with a great camp with the Chicago Blackhawks, a strong season in the OHL, and now maybe a shining postseason?
Jake Paterson - One of the top North American goalie prospects heading into the 2012 draft. Paterson will have to stand tall in the face of Galchenyuk and (healthy) Yakupov if Saginaw wants to win in seven games.
HART OF HOCKEY PICKS TO WIN
EASTERN CONFERENCE
NIAGARA over Oshawa, 4-1
OTTAWA over Belleville, 4-2
BARRIE over Mississauga, 4-3
SUDBURY over Brampton, 4-2
BOBBY ORR TROPHY (Eastern Conference Champs)
OTTAWA 67's
WESTERN CONFERENCE
LONDON over Windsor, 4-0
PLYMOUTH over Guelph, 4-0
KITCHENER over Owen Sound, 4-2
SARNIA over Saginaw, 4-3
WAYNE GRETZKY TROPHY (Western Conference Champs)
LONDON KNIGHTS
J. ROSS ROBERTSON CUP (OHL Champions)
OTTAWA 67's over London, 4-2
Ottawa may have gone 4-5-0-1 in their last 10 games of the regular season, but the talent oozing all over the 67's roster will prove to be too much for anyone else in this tournament. It certainly will not be an easy ride to the OHL title, but Petr Mrazek and the Ottawa 67's are The Hart of Hockey's pick to be OHL Champions and earn themselves an opportunity to play for the coveted Memorial Cup.
