This year’s NHL Draft class surely does not lack any talent, especially from the Ontario Hockey league. Since we’re in the second half of the hockey season, I decided to look at my top ten draft-eligible prospects from the Ontario hockey league. Now, this list can certainly change, but why not have some fun here and look at some names that I can’t wait to see take that next step and hopefully find their way into the National Hockey League.
1. LW, Colby Barlow, Owen Sound
Let’s start with my number one Ontario Hockey League prospect right now, Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack. Colby Barlow is a 17-year-old left-winger from Orillia, Ontario, and was drafted 8th overall in the OHL Priority Selection in 2021. Before being part of the Owen Sound Attack, Barlow had strong success in Toronto’s GTHL, being a member of the Toronto Marlboros. The 17-year-old forward is currently projected to be a top-10 pick too many, and after watching Barlow myself, I can certainly see why. Now, Colby is more of a modern-day straight-line forward. Some have concerns about his mobility and skating, but Barlow’s ability in the offensive zone is far too great to pass up. This season with Owen Sound, Barlow is projected to score fifty-six goals and forty-two assists for ninety-eight points in sixty-five games. My favorite aspect of Barlow’s game is how he can contribute offense in many ways. Whether driving the net or using his strong shot, Barlow has all the tools to be successful at the pro level.
2. C, Calum Ritchie, Oshawa Generals
The second name on my list here shouldn’t be a surprise, Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals! Ritchie has certainly been one to watch for this season. The 18-year-old center packs an elite wrist shot and comes with some size. Playing down the middle this year for the Generals, some believe Calum is the best draft-eligible prospect from the OHL. The Brampton, Ontario native is currently projected to score thirty goals and forty assists for seventy points in sixty-eight games, according to EliteProspects.com. My favorite aspect of Calum’s game is his strong puck-handling ability and his passing. A strong team player that should fit into any offensive system at the next level. Ritchie is currently projected to be an early to middle first-round pick.
3. D, Oliver Bonk, London Knights
The third prospect on my list is London Knights defenseman, Oliver Bonk. Now Bonk hasn’t had the most traditional road of a ‘top prospect,’ but man, has he been that good this season. The right-handed defenseman comes with good size and is a real threat offensively. This season with the Knights, the 18-year-old is on pace for fourteen goals, thirty assists for forty-four points in sixty-seven games, according to EliteProspects.com. Although the gap between Bonk and the rest of the defensemen in this class is narrow, I still think Oliver has a lot of tangibles scouts are looking for. With a good reach, and ability to defend at a high level, the floor on Bonk is pretty high for a late first-round pick. I’ve noticed the only negative about Oliver Bonk’s play is his lack of physicality. Given Bonk’s size and attributes, if he can add that next step in his performance, I think Bonk could be a real elite prospect.
4. C, Luca Pinelli, Ottawa 67s
The next prospect on my list is Ottawa 67s forward Luca Pinelli, the 17-year-old forward from Stoney Creek, Ontario, who is a dynamic forward who skates well and has a good shot. Pinelli’ is a bit undersized, coming in at 5’9″, but boy, can he play. With the modern game relying more on speed and agility, there’s tons of room for players as dynamic as Pinelli. This season the 17-year-old center is on pace for thirty goals, forty-two assists for seventy-two points in sixty-seven games, according to EliteProspects.com. When watching Luca, my favorite part of his game is how he can take even the worst of opportunities and turn them into dangerous ones. Using his skating, there was a certain play where Luca received the puck on his backhand, then changed the shot angle using his edge work for a beautiful shooting opportunity that resulted in a goal. Pinelli is a player I’m incredibly high on, and I look forward to seeing how he progresses moving forward.
5. D, Hunter Brzustewicz, Kitchener Rangers
The fifth prospect on my list here is Kitchener Rangers defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz. Brzustewicz shows so many signs of being the complete modern-day hockey defenseman. The 18-year-old defenseman from Washington, MI, possesses great mobility and awareness in the offensive zone. He can make simple plays efficiently and is also strong on breakouts. Standing at 6’0″, he might not have the physical tangibles of an Oliver Bonk, but he makes up for it using his active stick and speed. Adding a prospect with this skill set can be potentially franchise-altering. I’d expect him to rise on draft boards as we get closer to the draft. This season according to EliteProspects.com, Brzustewicz is on pace for five goals, forty-nine assists, and fifty-four points in sixty-eight games.
6. LW/C, Carson Rehkopf, Kitchener Rangers
The sixth prospect on my list is center Carson Rehkopf of the Kitchener Rangers. The 18-year-old Barrie, Ontario native, is a player that packs a strong release with good size standing at 6’1″. Rehkopf is a versatile player who can easily play on the left wing or down the middle. Carson usually makes it count with a long reach and good mobility when given an opportunity. Rehkopf has been a player I enjoy watching, and I think he has the tools to succeed at the next level. Once he fully develops his game, it wouldn’t surprise me if Carson becomes one of the best players from this draft class. This season Rehkopf is on pace for thirty-one goals, twenty-nine assists, and sixty points in sixty-eight games, according to EliteProspects.com.
7. LW, Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves
The next prospect on my list is Sudbury Wolves Quentin Musty. The 6’2″ left-winger from Hamburg, New York, is one of the most intriguing first-round picks in the draft. After playing his youth career with the Buffalo Junior Sabres, Musty was selected first overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection by Sudbury. His unique blend of skill and size makes Musty a prospect that many scouts have their eyes on. Musty has good speed and can open up play in the offensive zone for his linemates. After watching the 18-year-old, it’s clear Musty has good awareness when on the attack, and it should translate well to the pro level. Quentin is projected to finish with twenty-one goals, sixty-three assists, and eighty-four points in fifty-six games, according to EliteProspects.com.
8. D, Beau Akey, Barrie Colts
The next name on my list is one of my favorite prospects in the draft, Barrie Colts right-handed defenseman Beau Akey. Beau possesses many tools you’d want in a modern-day defenseman, with strong transition ability and being able to make plays offensively. Beau is a prospect I wouldn’t be surprised sneaks into the first round. This season Beau’s on pace for eleven goals, forty-seven assists for fifty-eight points in sixty-six games, according to EliteProspects.com. The 17-year-old’s best quality is not only his transition play but also his ability to transition with the puck. Beau is a player with a very high ceiling and one that I project to flourish if drafted by the right organization.
9. C, Denver Barkey, London Knights
The next name on my list is London Knights center, Denver Barkey. The 17-year-old from Newmarket, Ontario, is a really intriguing prospect to keep an eye on in this year’s draft class. Barkey is a bit undersized, coming in at 5’8″, but he shows such unique qualities that no ordinary player can. Barkey is projected to go in the second round on most boards, well, for now at least. Barkey is a prospect I expect to shoot up draft boards as the year goes on. The left-handed center is arguably the best player I’ve seen in this OHL class in terms of weaving agility. His mobility and awareness in the offensive zone make Barkey a potential top-six player at the pro level. Barkey’s projected to finish the season with nineteen goals, forty-four assists, and sixty-three points, according to EliteProspects.com.
10. LW, Ondrej Molnar, Erie Otters
The next name on my list is a player I highly recommend hockey fans watch. Erie Otters left-winger Ondrej Molnar is a prospect I can’t talk highly enough about. Molnar is fast, agile, and strong; as a 17-year-old who’s only going to develop further, Ondrej is a prospect many teams should keep an eye on. Coming in a 6’0″ feet tall from Nitra, Slovakia, Ondrej Molnar is on pace for five goals, eighteen assists, and twenty-three points this season in forty games, according to EliteProspects.com. My favorite aspects of Molnar’s game is his ability to pick up on plays in the offensive zone and his passing ability. Molnar is a player that has the tangibles to take that next step and should be a real bargain going where projected right now.
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