With a few of the Jackets CHL prospects being sent back in the first round of cuts, I though it was time for my preview of the Jackets 9 CHL prospects and again, I’ve got some help from my various sources around the leagues.
Blake Siebenaler-Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
2014-15 Stats 68GP 6-24-30 -16 24PIM
Blake was one of the top rookie dmen in the OHL last season finishing three points behind teammate Vince Dunn. For insight on Blake, I’ll turn things over to The Voice of the IceDogs Rob Mawhood:
“When you think of Blue Jackets prospects no one might be more intriguing then 18-year old Blake Siebenaler.
The Fort Wayne, Indiana native was selected in the third round (77th overall) by Columbus in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. However, that’s where the normalcy of the pick ends.
You see Siebenaler was drafted as a defenceman but only began patrolling the blue line three years ago. In fact when he was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) by the Niagara IceDogs in the 15th Round (some sixth rounders don’t crack line ups), Head Coach and General Manager Marty Williamson thought Blake was a forward trying to play defence. Williamson knew the raw talent was there but could he mould that into regular playing time.
Fast forward 12 months and there’s no doubt where Siebenaler belongs. As a smooth skating, puck handling defenceman. So much so in fact he’s being compared to NHL Hall of Famer Paul Coffey.
Siebenaler’s rookie numbers were quite impressive. He led the IceDogs defence corp in goals scored with six and finished with 30 points in 68 regular season games, to go along with one goal and three helpers in seven playoff games.
Williamson admits by the end of the 2013-14 campaign Siebenaler was highly relied upon and more importantly trusted as an OHL blueliner.
Blake hopes to take his first pro camp with the Blue Jackets into his second season in Niagara where he’ll likely anchor the powerplay. And if the preseason with the IceDogs is any indication, Columbus and its fans will be more then pleased with the third round pick. Entering rookie camp in Traverse City, Michigan – Siebenaler led all Niagara scorers with three goals in just two exhibition games.
From a forward, to 15th round selection in the Ontario Hockey League, to a third round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in just three years. Blake Siebenaler will definitely be one to watch in the coming years.”
Sonny Milano-Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
2013-14 Stats 68GP 29-58-87
Sonny was originally set to fulfill a dream and attend Boston College but as you can tell since he’s in this preview that didn’t come to pass. Sonny decided to fast track his hockey career and will be heading to Michigan to play for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. Sonny put up big numbers playing with the US Development program, tying the program’s season assist record and tying for 4th all time behind Phil Kessel, Patrick Kane and Andy Hilbert. Keith Dotson who writes for The Whalers on the Moon site shares his thoughts:
“Sonny Milano comes to the Plymouth Whalers as a man among boys. In three games, Milano has shown that the time needed to adjust to the OHL will be short. Seeing time on the power play, penalty kill, and even strength, Sonny has been utilized as a playmaker, someone who sets up plays, pulls extra defenders on him and opens up his teammates to get in scoring position. With his puck handling skills already amazing fans, teammates and coaching staff this preseason, expect him to see on the ice and the scoresheet often this season.”
Nick Moutrey-Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
2013-14 Stats 68GP 15-26-41 +13 82PIM
Nick just missed matching his career high that he set his draft year with a goal and an assist less but he is expected to take on a bigger role this season. For Nick, I’ll turn things over to Cory Butzin, the Spirit’s beat writer for The Saginaw News and MLive.com.
“Nick Moutrey is a big, physical power forward for the Saginaw Spirit who really came into his own last year in his third Ontario Hockey League season. At 6-foot-3, 208-pounds, Moutrey has the size and temperament to battle against the boards and, if necessary, without the gloves for Saginaw. He’s spent time working with former Detroit Red Wing Aaron Downey to improve his conditioning, and it paid off tremendously last season. He showed an impressive burst for a guy his size and provided energy for the Spirit on the forecheck. Nick is primarily a physical presence, but he can chip in on the offensive end with more than 40 points in each of the last two seasons. As he’s grown and matured, he’s shown the ability to take on bigger roles. Even with the added responsibilities, Moutrey still improved his rating to a career high plus-13 after finishing plus-2 and minus-12 in his first two OHL seasons. With the graduation of Justin Kea to the American Hockey League, Moutrey is going to see a bigger role on special teams and as a defensive stopper. He’s also going to be a veteran leader for a young Saginaw team.”
Markus Soberg-Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
2013-14 Stats(with Frolunda J20 Team)
J20 SuperElit Sodra 27GP 16-10-26 +10 28PIM
J20 SuperElit Top 10 18 5-7-12 +8 12PIM
Markus is coming over to North America after the Windsor Spitfires selected him in the CHL Import Draft this summer. Markus was one of the main options for the little Indians last year and is expected to do the same in Windsor where he will possibly play on a line with Islanders 2014 1st round pick Josh Ho-Sang. Here’s a quote from Spitfires’ Coach Bob Boughner:
“He’s going to be grouped in that top six and he’s going to get an opportunity on the power play, so I expect him to make an immediate impact, along with a guy like Luke Kirwan.”
Boughner also believes the transition for Markus will be quick and Markus believes playing in the smaller rink will help him earn a contract from the Blue Jackets. Markus will also get a chance to represent his country in the World Junior Championships Division 1.
Julien Pelletier-Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
2013-14 Stats 67GP 25-25-50 -8 28PIM
Julien Pelletier was one of the QMJHL’s top rookies last year and the Screaming Eagles are expected to possibly take over the Q’s Maritimes division after being dominated by the Saint John Sea Dogs and Halifax Mooseheads for the past five seasons. For help with Julien, I’ll turn things over to “The Voice of the Screaming Eagles” Patrick McNeil:
“Just how good can Julien Pelletier become?
“He has the potential to play on the top two lines in the NHL”, says his coach in Cape Breton, Marc-André Dumont,
That assessment is an indication of Pelletier’s progression in a short period of time. Drafted into the QMJHL as a 16 year old before the 2012-13 season, the young forward did not make the Screaming Eagles full time roster. Instead he saw periodic call up duty, playing seven games in major junior, while spending the bulk of the year captaining his midget club in Gatineau. He notched 43 points in 34 games in his final season in midget, and continued to produce offensively when making the next step to major junior. Pelletier led the QMJHL in scoring among North American born rookies last season.
Perhaps it’s fitting that the man teammates call “Pelts” finished with the same amount of goals and assists last season, as his offensive game is equal parts finishing and play making. A player with high hockey intelligence and creativity, Pelts also has an excellent wrister and a tendency to find the top corner of the net. Dumont describes him as “a power forward with an NHL shot.” Cape Breton’s coach juggled his lines quite a bit last season so Pelletier had an opportunity to play with a variety of different players. Due to the Eagles’ forward quality he was considered to be among the third trio on the depth chart but did often see time on the power play, where he scored 11 of his goals. Drafted out of midget as a centreman, Pelletier was employed last season on the wing.
Julien found himself playing with potential first rounder Evgeny Svechnikov and Carolina draft pick Clark Bishop at the end of the exhibition campaign, but it’s anyone’s guess as to whom he will start the regular season with. With the departures of a number of veteran forwards Julien can expect to find himself consistently in the top six on an Eagles team that will still have a potent offense. Cape Breton finished in ninth place in the 18 team QMJHL last season and is expected to take a step forward this year. The competition, however, will also be tougher. Last season three of the five worst teams in the league were Maritime Division clubs, including Olivier LeBlanc’s Saint John Sea Dogs. Most of the Eagles’s rivals are also expected to improve, which could make goals harder to come by with a schedule that sees 44 of 68 games played in the division.
Entering his 18 year old Pelletier will be expected to progress. Dumont says the sophomore forward can be “intense, very reliable, high tempo” but wants to see those qualities from him on a more consistent basis. Of course such a critique is not uncommon for players following their rookie season in major junior. Already, with just one year of QMJHL hockey under his belt, Pelletier has already given fans in Cape Breton- and now Columbus- reason to be excited.”
Olivier LeBlanc-Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
2013-14 Stats 56GP 7-26-33 -13 58PIM
Olivier LeBlanc was the Jackets 7th round pick and is the only player selected in 2014 who wore a letter last year when he served as an assistant captain with the Sea Dogs. For thoughts on Olivier we have the Editor of Station Nation and the possibly psychic Jamie Tozer:
“The Saint John Sea Dogs were pretty bad last year. But, just like many bad teams, they did have some quality players that showed plenty of promise.
One of those players was defenseman Olivier LeBlanc, a seventh-round draft choice of the Columbus Blue Jackets in this summer’s NHL Draft. LeBlanc was a standout in his rookie season in Saint John in 2012-13 and continued to develop this past season.
Going into the 2013-14 campaign, LeBlanc was expected to see plenty of playing time and be used in just about every situation. But as the season went along, and injuries on the backend started to become an issue, LeBlanc seemed to be used even more.
Saint John’s defense was fairly young and inexperienced last season. The fact that veteran d-man Michael Abbott played in just 22 games due to injury while import Jurij Repe played in just 49 (the QMJHL season is 68 games) didn’t help things, either. LeBlanc, in just his second QMJHL season, anchored the defense on most nights.
The 18-year old Quebec City native finished the year with a solid seven goals and 26 assists in 56 regular season games, good for fifth in team scoring. Six of his seven goals came on the power play.
Saint John missed last year’s post-season but did earn the right the select first overall in May’s QMJHL Entry Draft. The Dogs picked 16-year old Luke Green with the top pick, a defenseman who is expected to make an immediate impact on the team’s backend.
The entire Sea Dogs roster got an overhaul this off-season. New general manager Darrell Young traded or released plenty of players from last year’s basement dwelling squad and replaced them with acquisitions, free agents, and draft picks.
While LeBlanc will likely still be the cornerstone of Saint John’s backend – and very likely a member of the team’s leadership group – the additions of Green (already considered a top 2016 NHL prospect), Jakub Zboril (a top prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft), Adam Bateman (an OHL castoff), and a others should take some of the pressure off him.
LeBlanc won’t make the Blue Jackets this season. In junior, he’ll see a significant amount of ice time again and will continue to develop. While he may never be a top one or two d-man in the NHL, the potential to be a depth defensemen is certainly there.”
Peter Quenneville-Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2013-14 Stats 44GP 21-31-52 -11 10PIM
Peter Quenneville is one of the few CBJ prospects that’s already back with his CHL team as he was returned to the Wheat Kings after Traverse City. For his thoughts on Peter we have Rob Henderson who covers the Wheat Kings for the Brandon Sun:
“Peter Quenneville left Quinnipiac University five games into his freshman season and joined the Brandon Wheat Kings after a trade with the Prince George Cougars. Slowed by an ankle sprain at the time of his arrival, Quenneville had an inconsistent start in Brandon (11 points and a plus/minus of minus-15 in his first 14 WHL games). Playing on a line with his younger brother, John, early on, Quenneville later found his form on the right side of a line with Czech import Daniel Nejezchleb and two-way centre Tim McGauley, finishing as Brandon’s leading scorer in points per game (1.18). Quenneville missed 10 games late in the regular season with another ankle injury, which appeared to both him in the playoffs as he missed another game and was limited to four points in the eight contests he played.
Quenneville’s best attributes are his hockey sense and a hard shot, with a very quick release. He is not an aggressive player, but doesn’t shy away from contact. While not overly gifted physically, he returned to the Wheat Kings in August as one of the best-conditioned players in the team’s fitness testing. Should he be returned by the Blue Jackets for a second WHL season, he projects to be one of the top offensive weapons on a team blessed with scoring talent and is expected to be one of the club’s dressing room leaders.”
Oliver Bjorkstrand-Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
2013-14 Stats 69GP 50-59-109 +44 36PIM
Oliver last year led the entire Columbus organization in scoring and could very well doing it again. Scott Sepich is a freelance WHL writer who shares his thoughts on Oliver:
“Last season, Oliver Bjorkstrand was one of just three players in the Western Hockey League to score 50 goals (he had exactly 50). However, he was the only one in the trio under the age of 20.
He followed up his standout regular season, which also included 59 assists, by leading the league in playoff goals with 16 in 21 games.
This year, at age 19, Bjorkstrand figures to be the favorite to be the WHL’s top goal scorer, though he’s set to miss about six games while playing for Denmark at the world junior tournament over the holidays. In the preseason, he played on a line with Winnipeg Jets prospect Nic Petan, who has racked up 233 points in the last two WHL seasons, and 2015 draft prospect Paul Bittner, who’s projected as a first-rounder.
Though Bjorkstrand is mostly known for his offensive ability and doesn’t play with much of a physical edge, he’s become increasingly willing to win puck battles along the boards and is developing the strength to hold off bigger defenders. Still, at just 168 pounds, he’ll need to add some more heft to be able to hold his own in the NHL.”
Dillon Heatherington-Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
2013-14 Stats 70 GP 6-29-35 +24 63PIM
Dillon is the Jackets top defensive defenseman prospect and is going into a big year with hopes to make Canada’s World Junior Team. He also hopefully will be earning a contract from the Jackets. For his thoughts on Dillon I’ll turn things over to “The Voice of the Broncos” Shawn Mullin:
“2013-14 was an interesting season for Dillon Heatherington. After spending two seasons forcing the Broncos to give him more and more opportunity despite his young age, Heatherington suddenly found himself as the elder statesman of a talented young Broncos blue line. In his 16-year-old season it was a slow build before the big minutes came. His second season picked up where he left off in a pairing with veteran #1 Reece Scarlett and earning more ice time with his overall game. Scarlett’s poise and years of experience in the “deep end” playing against the other team’s best players allowed him to serve as a very strong mentor for Heatherington who stepped into a top pairing role and never let it go. Scarlett moved on to the pro ranks as a 20-year-old and in only his third season Heatherington was annointed the leader of Swift Current’s back end. There was a lot of hype for the talent on the blue line for the Broncos and yet at the same time to start the season they didn’t have a defenceman over the age of 18. That meant Heatherington came into the season with the most experience and most responsibility of anyone.
Heatherington also started the season with the pressure of the NHL draft no longer on his shoulders. He was really motivated by the excitement of being picked in the second round by the Blue Jackets after climbing the rankings throughout his draft season. At the same time he was now surrounded by three young defenceman who would go on to be drafted themselves and Heatherington could help guide them through what the experience was like.
He admitted there was a learning curve in adding a leadership element to his game for the first time. It was also a learning curve in adjusting to a new partner who had a very different style. Heatherington was paired with Finland’s Julius Honka who brought his creative puck movement to the top pairing. There were some moments early in the season when it was apparent both guys were getting used to one another. Despite that adjustment and facing the other team’s best offensive weapons every night they consistently drove positive results. Heatherington finished with a team leading +24 which was a full 14 points higher than any other defenceman on the Broncos. His offensive numbers saw a steady uptake of 8 points from 27 to 35 despite never seeing the ice during the top power play unit. He was the definitive shut down defenceman for the team who would sometimes play almost all of a penalty kill and may have been the most effective 5 on 3 defender in the WHL. However, the successful power play tandem of Honka and Brycen Martin would sometimes see 75% of a two minute power play so Heatherington’s opportunitty to pad stats on a strong man advantage wasn’t as frequent. That doesn’t mean he can’t bring a good offensive element to the ice. Heatherington hs a strong first pass and such an effortless stride that he is able to rush the puck up the ice down the wing in a flash. He doesn’t dazzle with Erik Karlsson like creativity in those situations, but he get a team quickly out of trouble and into the right zone with a quick push. He also has a knack for quickly getting pucks from the point through traffic. Heatherington isn’t as likely to wind up for a big slap shot as some defenceman. His biggest weapon is a quick and accurate release that finds a hole or a stick on the way to the net.
As Heatherington has added some muscle to his frame and added some veteran experience he has become tougher and tougher to play against. There’s a little more of a controlled edge to his game. You don’t want to battle him in the corners or in front of the net. He can handle himself in a scrap and dish out a bit hit, yet his toughness is more on display during those little battles.
Assuming he makes his return to the WHL for his 19-year-old season I’m sure there would be a few goals on Heatherington’s mind. First among those goals would be helping the Broncos escape the first round for the first time this decade. To my eye the big man played well in the playoffs against Medicine Hat. However, he and the rest of his group were not able to out play Medicine Hat’s more veteran group on the blue line and were not able to contain the very dangerous top line for the Tigers in the deciding games. That certainly doesn’t all rest with Heatherington by any means, but it will serve as a strong motivator using the experience of two very tough first round losses in back-to-back years to push this group forward. Most of their defensive core should be back one year older, wiser and physically mature. The expectation is that the Broncos will have among the best blue lines in the WHL and Heatherington is the head of the snake. He will once again be called upon to shut down the best players in the WHL while serving as a leader on and off the ice.
For Heatherington coming back to the WHL is not so much about playing and experience a new role as it is honing his craft. He will still get the same big minutes against top competition he has had since his 17-year-old season, he will still anchor the penalty kill, he will still likely be called upon to work the second power play unit and will be the guy on the ice with the game on the line. That isn’t new. The challenge will be to incrimentally improve in every area enough so he is able to play that kind of tough minutes role in the pro game and so this Broncos team can live up to their potential in the playoffs.
The other big challenge on the horizon for Heatherington is a shot at Canada’s World Junior Championship roster. It’s always a big blow to be invited to the summer camp and not get a shot at the team itself come December. It wasn’t the first time Heatherington’s talents were overlooked for a Hockey Canada opportunity. The Calgary product didn’t even make his U17 team before eventually helping Canada to a gold medal as one of the top defemcen on the U18 team. Now he has been through a second summer orientation camp for the U20 club and has his eyes on achieving a dream to represent his country over Christmas in Montreal and Toronto. The key for Heatherington will be to continue his steady growth in the kind of shut down role he is meant to play. It’s harder to get headlines when you aren’t putting up eye popping numbers. Heatherington’s game isn’t going to be flashy. Instead he has to continue being a rock that pushes the river in a positive direction for the Broncos and the type of player no coach ever has enough of.”
There you have it folks. The OHL prospects got going Wednesday, while the QMJHL and WHL have been playing for a few weeks. I’ll be back soon with a preview of the Jackets 4 NCAA prospects along with our first recap coming in October.
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