The 2009 OHL Priority Selection will be conducted online on Saturday May 2. Each week leading up to the OHL Priority Selection, we will take a look at five of the top minor midget players available this season.
Matthew Puempel, Sun County Panthers – Left Wing, 6’1”, 185 lbs.
Puempel (pictured) is a very smart, honest and creative hockey player. He plays a very quiet but effective game, consistently putting up points while making those players around him better. He possesses excellent physical tools and skills but plays a surprisingly unselfish game. He possesses a pretty effective stride, and has the ability to use a top gear when he needs it.
“Puempel is constantly reading the game and anticipating where the play and the puck will be,” said OHL Director of Scouting and Player Development Rob Kitamura. “He just seems to be one of those players who is always around the play. He makes quick decisions and distributes the puck to his linemates effectively.”
Dougie Hamilton, St. Catharines Falcons – Defence, 6’1”, 165 lbs.
Hamilton, the younger brother of Freddie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs, is an all around effective defensemen who has steadily improved his game since the start of the season. He possesses a solid set of physical tools including better than average puck handling skills.
“When the opportunity arises, Hamilton is quick to carry the puck out of his zone,” Kitamura said. “He is more apt to move it to an open man up the ice once he draws pressure. He also shows that he has good vision and can deliver a tape to tape pass through the seam to a forward who is stretching the play in the neutral zone. He defends by working to establish good defensive positioning and using his reach and body positioning to take away shooting and passing lanes.”
Justin Thomas, Jr. Canadiens – Left Wing, 6’2”, 205 lbs.
Thomas is a power forward with good skating ability. He protects the puck well and goes strong to the net. Thomas has a good, hard shot and can make some good moves on the fly. He has the ability to make plays at top speed.
“Thomas has legitimate size, his hands are quite good and skates well considering his physical stature,” Kitamura said. “When he is on his game, moving up and down the wing, finishing checks and playing hard he can be a dominating player. He works to get himself open and uses his size effectively along the walls and in the corners. He has the potential to be a very effective player at the next level.”
Anthony Camara, Mississauga Senators – Left Wing, 5’11”, 175 lbs.
Camara is an up and down, hard-nosed winger who plays a very effective game. His strength is his competitive, physical play but he also shows the potential to be productive offensively. He keeps his game pretty honest, and he competes on a consistent basis.
“He isn’t very flashy but his play does play a pretty big role in the success of his hockey club,” Kitamura said. “He has the look of a player that you need to be successful. He works hard to get back into his own zone to support the play defensively. He gets on the wall to give his defensemen a passing option and he makes smart decisions when he gets the puck. Camara is at his best from the top of the circles down in the offensive zone. He uses his size effectively, forechecking with a purpose.”
Jeremy Gottzmann, Burlington Eagles – Centre, 5’8”, 140 lbs.
Gottzmann is a highly skilled centerman who competes in all three zones. He missed a considerable amount of the early portion of the season with a wrist injury but after his return, Gottzmann was his team’s most productive offensive player. He competes more than expected for a player of his physical size, showing no hesitation finishing checks at battling in all the tough areas.
“Gottzmann is always moving his feet supporting the puck and the play,” Kitamura said. “He also shows the ability to handle the puck and makes plays at top speed. He shows no hesitation playing in traffic, and loves to attack defenders one-on-one. At times it is if his desire to put the puck in the net overrides his concern for self preservation.”
Click here to watch the 2009 OHL Priority Selection Draft Preview Show
