NHL Draft: OHL Countdown Prospects #10-6
Over the course of the week, Tyler Brenton will be sharing his Top 30 prospects eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft from the OHL. He will be counting down from 30 all the way to Connor McDavid.
10. Gustav Bouramman – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Born: January, 24th 1997 From: Stockholm, Sweden
Height: 6’0” Weight: 183 lbs
Position: D
Bouramman came to the OHL for his first season in 2014-15. He put up 5 goals and 39 assists in 67 regular season games with the Greyhounds. In 11 playoff games he scored a goal and 3 assists.
Bouramman is a solid puck-mover (get used to this word) and plays a smart, effective game. With the puck, Bouramman can skate the puck up in transition or also make a smart outlet pass. He doesn’t play a high risk game, nor does he expose himself defensively when in transition. He’s fair sized and plays well positionally in his own zone. Bouramman is pretty smart away from the puck and can read the play in his own zone. If he can get a little stronger, Bouramman may have the makings of a top 4 defenseman.
OHLProspects had this to say about Gustav Bouramman
"“Bouramman is a smart and slick offensive defenseman who had a very good first year in the OHL. The Swedish born defender finished 14th in the OHL in scoring from the backend this year. He’s not huge (6’0), but he makes very smart decisions with the puck. He is able to start the rush with a good first pass, but can also push the tempo by leading the rush out of the zone himself. His skating stride is very smooth and it aids him in a variety of ways. Despite being fairly slight, Bouramman does a great job of evading the forecheck by using his strong mobility. He rarely makes mistakes with the puck in his own end. That said, he isn’t the most aggressive player in jumping into the rush and isn’t a huge threat to score at this point in time. Defensively, he’s a solid stick defender who has pretty good positioning defensively. But he needs to add size and can be overmatched at times in front of the net (part of the reason why he was scratched towards the end of the Erie/SSM playoff series). While the physical tools aren’t incredibly impressive, the intelligence with and without the puck makes him a great candidate to be a point producer from the backend at the next level.”"
9. Mitch Vande Sompel – Oshawa Generals
Born: February, 11th 1997 From: London, ON
Height: 5’10” Weight: 183 lbs
Position: D
The highly offensive minded Vande Sompel scored 12 goals and 51 assists in 58 regular season games in his second OHL season. In 16 playoff games he scored 3 goals with 9 assists to help the Generals make the Memorial Cup, where he put up 2 assists in 4 games en route to a CHL championship.
One of many puck movers, Vande Sompel makes good decisions and doesn’t find himself out of position too often. He’s quick, shifty and can also make smart outlet passes. Not sure if he will ever find himself to be a defensive stalwart by any means but he has solid hockey sense in his own zone.He needs to get bigger and stronger to make it to the NHL. Vande Sompel projects as a powerplay aficionado.
LastWordOnSports.com said this about Mitch Vande Sompel
"“If Vande Sompel was two or three inches taller, I would rank him as a sure first round pick, however that size can be a detriment to defencemen at the NHL level and raises some question marks. If he can overcome it, he has the potential to be a solid second pairing defenceman who adds offence from the back end and can be a major weapon on the powerplay. Vande Sompel’s game is similar to former Devils and Red Wings defenceman Brian Rafalski, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on talent.”"
8. Travis Dermott – Erie Otters
Born: December, 22nd 1996 From: Newmarket, ON
Height: 5’11” Weight: 196 lbs
Position: D
In Dermott’s second OHL season, he scored 8 goals and 37 assists in 61 games. In addition, he scored 5 goals and 12 assists in 19 playoff games.
Dermott demonstrates a very intelligent game. He’s not big, but not small. Dermott’s skating is pretty strong and he can move the puck up ice well. He can play a physical game but also play a simple game. Dermott looks poised on the ice, sometimes even too calm. Overall he’s very well rounded and can contribute in all three zones. He likely projects as a mobile, puck mover on the back-end, who will see some powerplay time and potentially some time killing penalties.
LastWordOnSports.com said this about Dermott.
"“Travis Dermott has the potential to be a solid top four defenseman in the NHL. His size and strength can be improved going forward, and he can develop into an even better stickhandler to create more plays, but overall he’s got a well-rounded game that should take him far. He doesn’t have the high-end upside of some of the other defencemen in this draft, as I’m not sure he can ever be an elite player at the next level, but he should still be a solid contributor. His game is reminiscent of Kris Russell of the Calgary Flames, though this is a stylistic comparison and not one based on talent.”"
7. Rasmus Andersson – Barrie Colts
Born: October, 27th 1996 From: Malmo, Sweden
Height: 6’0” Weight: 212 lbs
Position: D
Spoiler alert: Andersson is the top rated defenseman on my list. In Andersson’s first OHL season. he scored 12 goals and 52 assists in 67 regular season games with the Colts. Also in 9 playoff matches, he scored a goal and 3 assists.
Andersson is a poised puck moving defenseman. He makes intelligent passes up ice, can play a strong offensive game and also possesses a blast from the point. There are some deficiencies to his game right now. His defensive game is still a work in progress. He still needs to become more physically engaged and work on reading the play better in his own zone. Also, his skating still leaves a little to be desired.
With his puck poise and offensive prowess, Andersson has the makings of a top 4 defenseman at the NHL level if he can get a couple kinks out of his game.
Here is TheHockeyWriters.com on Rasmus Andersson
"“You rarely notice Andersson defensively – in terms of defense, that’s a great thing. From the Colts games I’ve watched this season, I have seen him make a handful careless, but nothing he couldn’t recover from. Overall, Rasmus isn’t a risky player and will make the intelligent play to clear the puck rather than a few dekes to get around a forechecker. He also adds an element of truculence and throws his weight around quite a bit, often ending up with the puck. Andersson battles in the corners, along the boards, and in front of the net. To me he’s shown more potential than most people have given him credit for and could be one of the biggest sleepers in the draft.”"
6. Travis Konecny – Ottawa 67s
Born: March, 11th 1997 From: London, ON
Height: 5’10” Weight: 176 lbs
Position: C/RW
Konecny is one of the most skilled players in the draft. In his second OHL season, he was named captain of the Ottawa 67’s and scored 29 goals and 39 assists in 60 games. He also added 3 goals and 7 assists in 5 playoff games.
Konecny is highly talented and plays an intense, physical game. He’s on the small side, but makes up for that with his quick shot and ability to protect the puck. He’s strong on his skates. Konecny would be the perfect worker ant. He’s all out, all the time. I still expected more offensive output from him this season, so I’m left with a bitter taste in my mouth. I do love the effort he brings to the rink every game. He’s a battler and he leaves you cheering for him.
Could he be an offensive dynamo at the NHL level? He very well could be, however I’m still unconvinced as of right now.
Here’s what LastWordOnSports.com had to say about Konecny.
"“Konecny has the upside to be a top line centre in the NHL if his development goes extremely well and he reaches his ceiling. However it is more likely that he becomes a strong second line centre, with a good two-way game. He is also a natural leader, being named team captain at the Ivan Hlinka and with the 67s. His game is reminiscent of a mix of Zach Parise and Ryan Callahan though this is a stylistic comparison and not a talent one.”"
Check back on Tuesday for the final 5 prospects in the countdown.