OHL Coaches Poll Recognizes the Greatness of Leafs Prospects
By Jon Steitzer
8 years ago
The OHL coaches poll is a fun year end assessment of the top players in various categories. Over the past few years it seems like there has been a lack of Leafs in this and this largely because the Leafs have been have had one of the shallowest talent pools in the league. That’s not the case any longer, and the OHL Coaches Poll is now something to be excited about as Mitch Marner, Jeremy Bracco, and Travis Dermott all received some love from around the league.
The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference. Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote. Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner. This season all 20 OHL clubs are represented in at least one category.
The Leafs had winners in:
Best Playmaker:
Eastern Conference:
1. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (31)
2. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (26) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Michael Dal Colle, Kingston Frontenacs (12)
1. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (31)
2. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (26) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
3. Michael Dal Colle, Kingston Frontenacs (12)
Western Conference:
1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (35) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
2. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (27)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers (12)
1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (35) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
2. Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (27)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers (12)
Best Stickhandler:
Eastern Conference:
1. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (35) – finished first in voting in 2014-15
2. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (16)
3. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (15)
1. Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara IceDogs (35) – finished first in voting in 2014-15
2. Alex Nylander, Mississauga Steelheads (16)
3. Kevin Labanc, Barrie Colts (15)
Western Conference:
1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (43) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. William Bitten, Flint Firebirds (13)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers tied Blake Speers, Soo Greyhounds (11)
1. Mitch Marner, London Knights (43) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. William Bitten, Flint Firebirds (13)
3. Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener Rangers tied Blake Speers, Soo Greyhounds (11)
Best Offensive Defenceman:
Eastern Conference:
1. Rasmus Andersson, Barrie Colts (31) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa Generals (23) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
3. Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion (17)
1. Rasmus Andersson, Barrie Colts (31) – finished third in voting in 2014-15
2. Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa Generals (23) – finished second in voting in 2014-15
3. Cam Dineen, North Bay Battalion (17)
Western Conference:
1. Travis Dermott, Erie Otters (28)
2. Vili Saarijarvi, Flint Firebirds (21)
3. Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (20)
1. Travis Dermott, Erie Otters (28)
2. Vili Saarijarvi, Flint Firebirds (21)
3. Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (20)
It’s kind of interesting to see that Bracco and Marner did well in the same categories, and also nice to see that Dermott is such a highly touted defensive prospect.
Other categories that didn’t have a Leafs presence included: Most underrated player; Most improved player; Smartest player; Hardest worker; Most dangerous in goal area; Best skater; Best shot; Hardest shot; Best on Face-offs; Best body checker; Best shot blocker; Best penalty killer; Best defensive defenseman; Best puck handling goaltender; Best shootout shooter; Best shootout goaltender.
2016 Draft Class
Since the draft is a big deal around Toronto, it seems like it would be worth noting a few of the draft eligibles received recognition in the top 3 of certain categories as well.
Adam Mascherin– Most Improved Player, Best Shot, Hardest Shot
Matthew Tkachuk- Smartest Player
Michael McLeod- Hardest Worker
Alex DeBrincat- Most Dangerous in Goal Area, Best Shot
Sean Day- Best skater
Victor Mete- Best Skater
Jordan Kyrou- Best Skater
Alex Nylander- Best Shot, Best Stickhandler, Best Shootout Shooter
William Bitten- Best Stickhandler, Best Shootout Shooter
Mikhail Sergachev- Best Offensive Defenseman
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