OHL Western Conference Preview - Part 1

Andrew Harvey is an avid hockey enthusaist with a background in scouting and talent evaluation. He offers a first look at the Western Conference in the Ontario Hockey League.

Windsor Spitfires

After winning the Memorial Cup last season, Windsor has managed to put together an even stronger team this year. With the addition of Cam Fowler on the power play and blueline and Richard Panik up front, goals will not be hard to come by. It is also expected that Ryan Ellis and Taylor Hall will build even more on their excellent starts to their OHL careers.

There are a few key losses in Rob Kwiet, Andrei Loktionov and Dale Mitchell - but young players Jesse Blacker, Austin Watson and rookie Michael Whaley are more than capable of filling those roles. Many expect Windsor to challenge London’s all time record from 2005; but unless a replacement is found for the underwhelming goaltending of Josh Unice, they will not match that feat. Anything short of first in the league and a Memorial Cup repeat would be a disappointment.

Prediction: First in Western Conference

London Knights

London will be a very tough team to keep off the score sheet and even tougher to battle against in the corners. On paper the Knights are a different looking team than in years past, but they are still a Dale Hunter team and should finish top 4 in the West. The defense has taken a hit this year with the loss of John Carlson and the expected loss of Michael Del Zotto; and to a lesser extent Kevin Montgomery and Vladamir Roth who decided to head back to the Czech Republic. Hunter will heavily lean on Steve Tarasuk to log big minutes on the blueline.

Up front exists the usual London firepower. Nazem Kadri is expected to battle for the league lead in points. Big years are also expected out of Phil Varone, Phil Mcrae and Justin Taylor. Also look for Jared Knight to build on a strong rookie campaign. The loss of Trevor Cann in net is huge as well but Michael Hutchinson is more than capable of taking the reigns. Though not the strongest team on paper, London is always tough to play and should compete to win the Midwest Division which despite the prediction, is fully up for grabs this season.

Prediction: First in Midwest Division, 2nd in Western Conference

Guelph Storm

Guelph comes in to the season lacking depth but boasts a very strong top 6 forward and top 4 defensive lineup. However, there are huge questions in net. Cody St. Jacques has yet to prove he can be a legitimate starter in the league and backup Matt Hoyle (who left Harvard for Guelph) could contend for the starting job until mid season when number 1 goalie Brandon Foote returns from a hip injury.

Matt Kennedy, Peter Holland, Taylor Beck and Michael Latta provide a ton of offense up front and the defense led by Corey Syvret and Adam Comrie is potentially the best in the league.

Guelph is a tough team with plenty of firepower up front but unless Foote returns earlier than expected they likely wont be able to take the Midwestern Division.

Prediction: Second in the Midwest Division, 3rd in Western Conference

Kitchener Rangers

The Rangers are the wild card on the OHL this year. With so many new faces - and high profile ones at that - the Rangers could find themselves anywhere from 2nd to 8th in the conference. Goals will not be hard to come by with second-year standout Jeff Skinner leading the charge and raising his NHL draft position with every passing game. Joining him up front are returning players Jason Akeson and Chris Mackinnon. Throw in the mix highly touted additions Jeremy Morin and Gabriel Landeskog and you have a lethal group of top 6 forwards.

Defense is a question right now, especially until Columbus Blue Jackets first rounder John Moore is returned. As of right now Captain Dan Kelly and Swedish import Patrik Andersson lead the way. Behind those two and Moore is a group of mix and match young players with little experience. Major minutes will need to be logged by the top 3 for the Rangers to succeed.

In net, new addition Brandon Maxwell is expected to be the number 1...but OHL veteran Mavric Parks may have something to say about that. Without strong goaltending the Rangers will not succeed this year.

Prediction: Third Midwest Division, Fourth Western Conference

Erie Otters

Looking to build on an excellent season last year, Erie is playing wait and see on a few key players who will make or break the season. Jaroslav Janus, the impressive import goalie, is still at Tampa Bay camp. Offensive star Ryan O’Reilley is still with the Avalanche and is expected to make the team for at least the start of the season.

After the losses of Luke Gazdic and leading scorer Justin Hodgman, the Otters are expecting big things out of younger players Andrew Yogan and Greg Mckegg as well as returning veteran Zack Torquato. Mitch Gaulton and Tyler Hostetter are expected to lead the backend offensively, but there are major question marks after Gaulton, Hostetter and veteran shut down man Paul Cianfrini.

Without Janus, the Otters are relying on the underachieving Shane Owen and rookie Ramis Sadikov who is likely to take the brunt of the games. All coach Robbie Ftorek can do right now is hope for the return of Janus and O'Reilley or goals will be hard to come by and hard to keep out.

Prediction: Fourth Midwest Division, Fifth Western Conference

Owen Sound Attack

The Attack are a decent team all around on paper but still have some question marks. Joey Hishon is as much of an offensive sure thing as there is in the league but beyond him and Garrett Wilson the offense wont come easily unless a few things fall into place. Bobby Mignardi his hoping to regroup from a disappointing season and the jury is still out on Mike Lomas and Steven Shipley, though a lot is expected from them this season. Potentially the Attack should have a potent top 6 but have yet to prove they can put it all together during a game.

On the blueline, rookie Geoff Schemitsch is expected to do big things along with returning player Milan Doczy. Beyond the two of them there is not much to get excited about.

In net Scott Stajcer is hoping to build on his good numbers from last year…and he will have to as the Attack do not have a capable backup.

Prediction: Fifth Midwest, Sixth Western Conference