Teenage Drama

With the NHL season reduced to a sprint instead of a marathon, teams are trying to figure out if they are going to keep their 18-years on the roster or send them back to junior hockey. Here is a great breakdown by the New York Times of what teams face when they have to make that choice: Teenagers Pose Hard Choices.

OTWT NHL Mock Draft

It's draft time and here is OTWT mock NHL Draft. I think I get a couple right and a bunch wrong. 

1. Edmonton: Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

Filip Forsberg

2. Columbus: Filip Forsberg, RW, Sweden
3. Montreal: Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia (OHL)
4. N.Y. Islanders: Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
5. Toronto: Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec (QMJHL)
6. Anaheim: Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
7. Minnesota: Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
8. Carolina: Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
9. Winnipeg: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
10. Tampa Bay: Jacob Trouba, D, UNDP
11. Washington (from Colorado): Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Finland
12. Buffalo: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
13. Dallas: Oli Maatta, D, Finland
14. Calgary: Hampus Lindholm, D, Sweden
15. Ottawa: Zemgus Girgensons, C, USHL
16. Washington: Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
17. San Jose: Sebastian Collberg, RW, Sweden
18. Chicago: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

Brady Skeji

19. Tampa Bay (from Detroit): Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
20. Philadelphia: Brady Skeji, D, UNTDP
21. Buffalo (from Nashville): Malcom Subban, G, Belleville (OHL)
22. Pittsburgh: Thomas Wilson, RW, Guelph (OHL)
23. Florida: Thomas Herti, C, Czech
24. Boston: Brandon Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
25. St. Louis: Stefan Matteau, Center, USHL
26. Vancouver: Michael Matheson, D, USHL
27. Phoenix: Tanner Pearson, LW, Berrie (OHL)
28. N.Y. Rangers: Phillip DiGiuseppe, RW, Michigan
29. New Jersey: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa
30. Los Angeles (optional to Columbus): Ville Pokka, D, Fineland

It's draft time at the OTWT Headquarters

The MLB, NHL, and NBA drafts are right around the corner and the previews magazines are here.

Candian Cover Boy

For the last few months Canada has been centered on one debate Taylor vs. Tyler and last night the Edmonton Oilers, made their choice by selection Windsor Spitfire Taylor Hall as the #1 overall pick in the NHL Draft. The story was such big news it was on the front of many major newspapers across Canada.

The Windsor Star

Edmonton Sun
Calgary Herald

Edmonton Journal

Memorial Cup is here

The Memorial Cup starts tonight with the defending champion Windsor taking on the host Brandon. Its one of my favorite events and is always a great way to see the future of hockey. Rogers Sportsnet previews the fun.

Windsor: The Real Home of American Hockey

Cam Fowler

Most American hockey fans view Detroit as "Hockeytown," but maybe the true home of hockey is right across the border in Windsor. During the course of the last couple of years more and more young American hockey players have spurned college hockey and turned to the Windsor Spitfires.

Austin Czarnik

This year the roster features a bunch of American players including a possible top five American pick. Cam Fowler turned down the Gold Dome to play for the defending Memorial Cup Champions. The move has appeared to pay off for Fowler. He is joined on the roster by fellow Americans: Kenny Ryan, Craig Duininck, Saverio Posa. The roster also featured another another American earlier this year in Austin Watson, who was traded to Peterborough. Watson turned down the University of Maine to play for the Spitfires.

Next year, American World Junior Championship hero goaltender Jack Campbell has signed on to part of the American revolution in Windsor. Rumors are flying around that fellow U-18 team member

Austin Czarnik will take his shot in the OHL.

Both Windsor and the USA Hockey have benefited from the influx of Americans. For the Spitfires it gives them depth and an influx of quality players like Fowler. For USA Hockey it gives players great experience at the highest level in their age group. This experienced showed for Fowler during the WJC when he was the best players on the United States roster. If this continues maybe we should just remain Windsor, Canada "Hockeytown USA.""

Going Ole School: 1990 NHL Draft

YouTube is an amazing thing. While searching for something I came across this video of the 1990 NHL Draft. The names from this draft are pretty good from Brodeur to Tkachuk to Jagr. Another interesting thing to look at is the fashion and the almost mullet that some of the players have.

The Stars Come Out

Last night, the hockey world was focused on Windsor for the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. The game features the top players from the three Canadian junior hockey leagues: WHL, OHL, QMJHL. The game served as a coming out party for a couple of different players.

• Emerson Etem, Medicine Hat Tigers, forward: Coming into the game I did not know that much about Etem, but after the game I felt like he was someone that I should keep my eye on. He showed great speed every time he was on the ice. The California kid will be a key part of next years World Junior Championship team.
• Austin Watson, Peterborough Petes, forward (above in the red): The former Spitfire made a great return to his former town. He was great on the penalty kill and showed a lot of heart. Another kid that could be on next years United States World Junior Team.
• Stanislav Galiev Saint John Sea Dogs, forward: He has the best vision of anyone on the ice. The first time that I have seen him and loved him.
• Nino Niederreiter Portland Winterhawks, forward: Was awesome in the World Juniors Championships with the Swiss and again during the prospects game he was all over the place creating and driving defenders nuts.
• Ryan Spooner, Peterborough Petes, forward: Loved the energy that he brought to the game was all over the place at times.
• Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats, defense man: Solid. Solid in his own end, solid going forward. Will have a very long and successful career.