The OHL is one of the best breeding grounds for hockey talent. While the league has its big star names, there are always some under-the-radar players that start to gain traction in the latter half of the season. The 2019-2020 season is no different.
Multiple OHL players could find themselves drafted a lot higher than expected which would be due to their play leading up to the cancellation of the regular season. Below is a list of four NHL eligible players who are on the rise across the OHL.
The postseason would have been a great opportunity for many of these prospects to put their talents on display, however, due to the novel coronavirus, the OHL playoffs were ultimately cancelled. Regardless, now is as good a time as ever to highlight some players who had great years and may find themselves drafted higher than originally anticipated.
Brett Brochu
The London Knights rookie goaltender has seemingly come out of nowhere this season and has taken the OHL by storm. In 42 games this season, Brochu has recorded 32 wins while adding to that only six losses. He ranks second in SV% at .919 and had the OHL’s lowest GAA with 2.40 this season.
The 2019-2020 season marks Brochu’s first season playing major junior. He made the big jump all the way from Junior C last season which is quite an impressive feat. Brochu has been essential to his team’s conference-leading campaign this year and would definitely have been a name to keep an eye out for through the OHL playoffs.
With only a few games left in the regular season, Brochu is currently tied with Jacob Ingham and Cedrick Andree for the league lead in wins with 32. Due to his stellar play in a relatively high-scoring league, Brochu made a case for himself to win the OHL Goaltender of the Year award. Not only that, but in the same season, he made a strong case for the Rookie of the Year award.
Although he ultimately fell short of both awards, his strong play between the pipes certainly validated consideration. He finished the season with the highest GAA in the league and was named to the First-All Rookie Team.
James Hardie
James Hardie just cannot seem to stop scoring goals and it’s time that everyone starts to take notice. The Mississauga Steelheads forward has the sixth most goals amongst draft-eligible players (overagers not included) in the OHL with 34 tallies. His 34 goals are higher than some of the top NHL draft-eligible players from the OHL this season. That includes Quinton Byfield and Brochu’s teammate, Antonio Stranges. Hardie, a native of Innisfil, has taken massive leaps in his development this season as the winger has quickly merged as one of the Steelheads’ most reliable players. Not only does he create chances, but Hardie also finds himself involved in numerous scoring chances when he takes to the ice.
Evan Vierling
The 2018 second overall pick by the Flint Firebirds at the OHL Priority Selection is really starting to find his game in Barrie. Vierling has been a great addition to the Barrie Colts after being acquired at the OHL trade deadline. In 27 games with his new staff and teammates, Vierling has recorded 32 points which is a big improvement from his production in Flint.
It’s not just his point production that has changed since joining the Colts. Vierling’s overall game has improved in Barrie and he is beginning to look like the player he was expected to be when the Firebirds drafted him. Vierling was just a few points away from matching his point total during his entire tenure in Flint.
He even managed to do so in less than half a season spent in Barrie. His play during the year’s second half has surely garnered much attention and improved his draft stock as the draft gets closer.
Martin Chromiak
Martin Chromiak is one of the OHL’s newest members since joining the league from overseas back in January. Chromiak joined the Kingston Frontenacs and immediately fit right in alongside rookie sensation Shane Wright. Alongside the Canadian centreman, Chromiak has seamlessly transitioned to the North American game after playing in Europe.
While Wright has certainly helped Chromiak adjust to the OHL, Chromiak has also been very important for the Kingston sensation that is Shane Wright. The two players complement each other very well and as a result, have been the driving forces behind Kingston’s push for a spot in the playoffs. Chromiak’s adjustment to the North American game was going to be very important for NHL scouts to see his levels of adaptability and decide on if they should draft him.
Chromiak has clearly proven to scouts that he is capable of playing in North America and deserves to be selected at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In his 28 game long OHL career, Chromiak has been producing at a rate above a point-per-game. He’s done with 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points. To make his rookie season even more impressive, due to his strong play, he was named to the Second All-Rookie Team despite only playing half a season in Kingston.