OHL 2017-18 Season Preview: Eastern Conference

The Bobby Orr Trophy is up for grabs again this year, and there are several teams vying for the crown

Mississauga Steelheads

Division: Central

Coach: James Richmond

2016-17 Record: 34-21-13

Key Additions:

Thomas Harley (D Vaughn Kings Minor Midget, Merrick Rippon (D, Kitchener Rangers), Albert Michnac (LW, Guelph Storm), Emanuel Vella (G, Owen Sound Attack), Keean Washkurak (C, Waterloo Wolves Bantam AAA)

Key Departures:

Spencer Watson (C, Overage Graduation), Stefan LeBlanc (D, Overage Graduation), Matthew Mancina (G, Overage Graduation), Vili Saarijarvi (D, Overage Graduation)

Spencer Watson (C, Overage Graduation), Stefan LeBlanc (D, Overage Graduation), Matthew Mancina (G, Overage Graduation), Vili Saarijarvi (D, Overage Graduation)

The Mississauga Steelheads earned the title of Eastern Conference Champions last season, after sweeping the Peterborough Petes in OHL playoffs.

A significant victory, as the Petes had both finished on top of the Eastern Conference in regular season play, one spot ahead of the Steelheads, and swept their two opponents prior.

Getting to that pedigree for the Trout was an impressive feat in and of itself, as the team was in the basement of the league as late in the season as Dec. 4, 2016.

Toppled in the finals by the stacked Erie Otters led by Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, and Travis Dermott, the Steelheads were within only one goal, in four of the five contests.

Despite seeing some crucial players graduate or get drafted into the NHL, in the case of Owen Tippett, Michael McLeod, and Nicolas Hague, the Steelheads new crop of players will look to repeat the success of last season.

Top Players:

Owen Tippett (RW) – 60 GP / 44 G / 31 A / 75 PTS / 36 PIM / +24

Michael McLeod (C) – 57 GP / 27 G / 46 A / 73 PTS / 49 PIM / +28

Nicolas Hague (D) – 65 GP / 18 G / 28 A / 46 PTS / 107 PIM / +22

Ryan McLeod (C) – 68 GP / 9 G / 33 A / 42 PTS / 36 PIM / +12

Merrick Rippon (D) – 59 GP / 8 G / 25 A / 33 PTS / 64 PIM (Ottawa Jr. Senators)

Jacob Ingham (G) – 31 GP / 2.69 GAA / .907 SV% / 2 SO

The nucleus of the Steelheads 2017-18 roster will hinge on what NHL clubs decide to do with the OHL club’s best players.

Tippett was selected 10th overall in the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers, after leading the Steelheads with 44 goals and 75 points in 60 games last season. The right winger was fifth in goal scoring across the entire OHL.

Losing a player like Tippett would certainly be felt by the Steelheads, particularly with secondary scorer Michael McLeod potentially joining the New Jersey Devils organization, Spencer Watson graduating, and their most reliable defenseman in Nicolas Hague possibly moving on with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The departure of these players, however, would still leave the Steelheads with valuable options on the roster, including Ryan McLeod, the younger brother of Michael. He was selected third overall in the 2015 Priority Selection draft by the Flint Firebirds, before being traded to Mississauga.

The youngest of three hockey brothers, McLeod put up 9 goals and 33 assists in the regular season, and was third in team scoring during the playoffs, with 5 goals and 15 assists in 20 games played.

Newly acquired defenseman Merrick Rippon led all rookie defensemen in points last season with the Ottawa Jr. Senators, and will look to solidify his spot on the blue line for Mississauga.

Finally, goaltender Jacob Ingham will seek to build off his 2016-17 campaign where he posted 17 wins for the Steelheads in his first OHL season.

Should the mainstays of Tippett, McLeod and Hague return for another season, this team should rightfully be called a contender once again, though, should they not, the roster will be serviceable enough for yet another playoff berth.

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Posted: Sep 23 2017 6:45 pm
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