Team Orr enters the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on the heels of six straight victories dating back to 2011. Captained by Halifax Mooseheads standout Nico Hischier, Team Orr will play under the guidance of QMJHL coaching legend Guy Chouinard.
Here’s a look at their roster for tonight’s matchup.
(G) ALEX D’ORIO – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) [8]
D’Orio describes himself as: Calm, technical, aggressive, focused
NHL Central Scouting says: Excellent quickness and athleticism – great balance and crease management skills – very quick feet and pads – good glove hand quickness – very good game preparation; consistently focused and determined – quick to challenge and has strong legs for post challenges or quick lateral movements – very good following play and tracking pucks through traffic – controls rebounds very well- ultra-quick reflexes and excellent recovery skills– very good breakaway skills – positional and angle play is excellent for size; stays square to the shots and plays to top of the crease area – solid pro potential.
(G) MICHAEL DiPIETRO – Windsor Spitfires (OHL) [7]
DiPietro describes himself as: Determined, motivated, athletic, leader, fast
NHL Central Scouting says: Very quick. flexible and athletic; uses those skills in most areas of his game – very assertive style of play – has explosive leg drive to be effective when reacting to shots or recovering for a rebound – excellent work ethic ( a never give up attitude ) – possesses “cat like” quickness with his glove hand – very strong stance and plays the top of the crease setting square to the shots – plays very low in his crouch and tracks the puck well – excellent lateral quickness; very quick and efficient post to post play to prevent the wraparound attempt – stands out with his athleticism, high end skills and desire.
(D) NICOLAS HAGUE – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) [11]
Hague describes himself as: Competitive, smart, leader, selfless, committed
NHL Central Scouting says: At 6’6” he is a rare breed because he is such a multidimensional hockey player – can quarterback the power play; his one timer is heavy and accurate – very good hands and puck moving game for a defenseman; solid game at offensive blue line – composed under pressure, doesn’t panic with the puck and makes good decisions with the puck in all zones – moves very well for his size – has excellent reach & stick to puck technique which makes it difficult for forwards to beat him wide or one on one – good understanding of positional play – solid two way game.
(D) JACOB PAQUETTE – Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) [90]
Paquette describes himself as: Strong, defensive, physical, aggressive, calm
NHL Central Scouting says: Poised defender who plays effectively in all zones – plays a strong positional game utilizing a good stick and body position to eliminate opposing players from the play – possesses a physical element to his game and is concentrated on making opposing forwards earn each and every opportunity – makes efficient plays under pressure and is able to drive possession by executing smart passes advancing the puck.
(D) MARKUS PHILLIPS – Owen Sound Attack (OHL) [62]
Phillips describes himself as: Smart, skilled, relentless, leader, team-first
NHL Central Scouting says: Gifted fluid skater who is able to control the play with his mobility and puck skills – possesses good offensive instincts and ability to join the attack making him very difficult to neutralize – good ability to utilize skating ability to limit time and space of opponents as well as having good strength to separate his man from the puck – capable wo-way defender who has the skill and attributes to impact in all three zones.
(D) EEMELI RASANEN – Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) [57]
Rasanen describes himself as: Patient, creative, hard to play against, aggressive, offensive
NHL Central Scouting says: Big and strong defenseman who uses his size and reach effectively to make himself hard to play against – an effective physical presence who looks to eliminate his opponents at every opportunity – demonstrates a powerful shot from the point making him an asset to his team’s power-play – very good first pass instincts enabling him to transition the puck quickly and start his teams attack – effective skill-set allows him to play and be trusted in every situation.
(D) CONOR TIMMINS – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) [26]
Timmins describes himself as: Competitive, smart, efficient, versatile, all-around
NHL Central Scouting says: Highly intelligent defender with good vision and offensive instincts – reads the play extremely well – passing ability allows him to be constant threat in his team’s transition game – very poised under pressure and quick to process the game and capable to make the high percentage plays while being checked – has the ability to run the power-play and demonstrates the skill to get his hard, accurate, shot through from the point with consistency.
(D) JUUSO VALIMAKI – Tri-City Americans (WHL) [9]
Valimaki describes himself as: Hard-working, confident, two-way, hockey IQ, loves winning
NHL Central Scouting says: High end dynamic offensive d-man – top five in defenseman scoring in the WHL and highest among first year draft eligible players – very good skater with speed, quickness and mobility – good offensive instincts and skills to lead and join the rush – ultra quick transition game – excellent on-ice vision and play making ability – capable to make those end to end rushes and generate scoring chances.
(C) SASHA CHMELEVSKI – Ottawa 67’s (OHL) [38]
Chmelevski describes himself as: Vision, IQ, skilled, driven, competitive
NHL Central Scouting says: Highly gifted center with deceptive offensive ability and instincts – possesses high-end puck skills and very quick and clever in one on one situations – displays good vision with the puck and is able to execute skilled plays in traffic – high hockey IQ and ability to anticipate the play make him a central figure in his team’s offensive attack.
(LW) ALEX FORMENTON – London Knights (OHL) [24]
Formenton describes himself as: Dedicated, passionate, fast, smart, determined
NHL Central Scouting says: First year player in the OHL with excellent NHL speed & quickness – combination of size, speed & skill make him a dangerous offensive threat – his speed can be a difference maker on the play which defenders learn to respect – brings a consistent work ethic and plays a strong puck pursuit game – competes consistently & effectively with his skills and assets in all situations to earn extra ice time.
(C) MORGAN FROST – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) [29]
Frost describes himself as: Skilled, deceptive, smart, creative, vision
NHL Central Scouting says: Smart and skilled center with very good offensive hockey sense – excellent vision and anticipation to quickly take advantage of opportunities – creative with the puck to set up plays and generate scoring chances – very good puck skills to execute passes in traffic and while being checked – heads up game to evade checking pressure and consistent two way effort.
(C) CODY GLASS – Portland Winterhawks (WHL) [8]
Glass describes himself as: Creative, versatile, dynamic, smart, leader
NHL Central Scouting says: Highly skilled center with game breaker ability – NHL speed and quickness make him a dangerous scoring threat – excellent play maker with top end puck skills – leads his team in goals, assists and game winning goal – -top 10 in WHL in points, and is the top point getter for ’99 born players – creates scoring chances almost every shift with his deceptive quickness and smarts.
(C) NICO HISCHIER – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) [2]
Hischier describes himself as: Speed, quickness, playmaker, two-way, smart
NHL Central Scouting says: Elite prospect with excellent hockey sense – able to make plays with speed and accuracy – top five in goal scoring and points as a first year player in the QMJHL – complete player that competes at both ends of the rink – excels at finding open teammates and creating open ice for himself – excellent vision and playmaking skills as well as ability to score – strong puck possession game & competitive game to be a difference maker every time he’s on the ice.
(RW) KOLE LIND – Kelowna Rockets (WHL) [21]
Lind describes himself as: Goal-scorer, responsible
NHL Central Scouting says: Very good offensive player with game breaker ability – strong skater with an extra gear to quickly pull away on the play – leads his team in goals, assists and game winning goals – very good offensive instincts to be open on the play – NHL shot with an quick release – power play specialist as a precise passer with excellent vision and timing to generate scoring chances.
(C) STELIO MATTHEOS – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) [23]
Mattheos describes himself as: Competitive, hard-working, creative, two-way, heavy
NHL Central Scouting says: Displays a strong two way game – can play a physical game finishing checks with authority causing turnovers and a finesse game with quick offensive instincts to generate scoring chances – strong skater with a good burst of speed driving to the net and getting to pucks first – displays good play making and finishing abilities –leads his team in power plays goals – developing a strong leadership style and is a reliable ‘go to’ player on his club this season.
(LW) NIKITA POPUGAEV – Prince George Cougars (WHL) [18]
Popugaev describes himself as: Speed, character, shot, pass, hungry
NHL Central Scouting says: Good package of size, skills and smarts – excellent vision with hockey sense to support teammates and make good choices on the play – utilized in all situations and plays the point on the power play at times – unselfish game with the puck – responsible to play a solid two way game – vision and thought process often a step ahead of teammates – competes with his skills and assets – doesn’t like to lose a battle in any situations and plays to win.
(C) MICHAEL RASMUSSEN – Tri-City Americans (WHL) [6]
Rasmussen describes himself as: Hard-working, smart, physical, strong, responsible
NHL Central Scouting says: Excellent combination of size and skill – can play a power forward type of game using his size and strength to advantage – moves well for a big man and is effective at always being on top of the play – excellent play making ability recognizing opportunity and setting up in offensive zone – possesses a natural goal scorer’s touch and can score in a variety of ways -smart game with and without the puck; always an option for his teammates – among the league leaders in goals and power play goals.
(C) NATE SCHNARR – Guelph Storm (OHL) [32]
Schnarr describes himself as: Leader, passionate, dedicated, responsible, accountable
NHL Central Scouting says: Very intelligent two-way player who reads the ice quickly – capable of playing multiple positions and all situations – utilizing his size and skating ability to have an impact in all three zones – very poised with puck possession game and is able to make plays at top speed – very good awareness away from the puck and demonstrates a capacity for finding open areas in the offensive zone – NHL shot asset and shoot with authority.
(LW) MATTHEW STROME – Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) [19]
Strome describes himself as: Smart, big, strong, aware, competitive
NHL Central Scouting says: Strong power offensive game with a natural scorer’s touch and finishing ability – great hands and shot which he gets away quickly and with authority – leads his team in goals scoring and points – Outscored both older brothers in his OHL rookie season – strong game down low in puck battles and in one on one play – one of the best in this Draft class in puck protection – size and skill assets make it tough for opponents to check him – smart offensive instincts to always get himself in the right spot at the right time and always is a scoring threat.
(RW) KAILER YAMAMOTO – Spokane Chiefs (WHL) [17]
Yamamoto describes himself as: Hard-working, respectful, responsible, caring, happy
NHL Central Scouting says: Dynamic undersized offensive player with exceptional speed and quickness – leads his team in goals, assists and game winning goals – leading scorer on his team last year as an underage by almost 20 points – excellent vision and play making ability and able to make the plays at top speed – smart competing with his skills and assets and consistently produce offense – Spokane, WA native who plays alongside his older brother (Keanu) and was taught to skate by the mother of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson.
