NHL Draft-Eligible Prospects in the OHL Playoffs

With the second round well under way, here's a look back at some of the best (and worst) performances from all the draft-eligible prospects in the OHL.

It feels like the second round just started the other day, yet three series are already nearly over; the London Knights look like they’re on to their second sweep, while the Oshawa Generals and North Bay Battalion are set to accomplish their first. There are a ton of top draft prospects playing in those series, many of them in major roles.

But we’re not looking at them…yet.

Today, we continue what we started in the WHL by looking at all the draft-eligible prospects who were playing on teams that were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. After all, we know exactly what the extent of their impact on the team’s success was without fear of the information going out of date save for the few that will go on to play in the U18 World Championships (WJC), so we can draw much cleaner conclusions. I’ll also be sticking to the NHL’s Central Scouting registry for the “official” list of available prospects unless an overage or unlisted prospect is especially noticeable.

NHL Draft-Eligible Prospects in the WHL Playoffs

This time, we’re in the OHL, which generally puts up more draft-eligible talent, although the race is pretty close between the two leagues this season, especially when looking at the top end of the groups. However, while the OHL doesn’t have the same level at the top of this list, the big names were (almost) all performing at 100%, which is great news for the upcoming draft.

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Rising

Marek Vanacker (LW, Brantford Bulldogs)

There was arguably no 2006-born player more impressive in the OHL Playoffs than Marek Vanacker, who finished with the highest point total from an undrafted player who was eliminated from the playoffs in round one, putting up three goals and seven points and finishing second on the team in scoring. He also finished the regular season strong, registering just seven games without a point since the beginning of January. Add on his recognition from the OHL coach’s poll as one of the league’s most improved players and his selection to Canada’s U18 World Championship roster and you have a player who seems set to grab a late-round spot

Jett Luchanko (C, Guelph Storm)