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OHL reporter Ryan Pyette is taking questions about what’s happening on the ice, in the general managers’ suites and in the league office throughout the season. Have a question? Put it in the comment section below this story or email us at lfpnewsletters@postmedia.com
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Q: Who is the league’s most outstanding player?
A: I think Michael Misa in Saginaw. What he’s done to keep that Saginaw team in the mix a year after winning the Memorial Cup is special. Not putting him on the world junior team is even more glaring in that context – that team needed goals, and he doesn’t take many penalties. He’s in his third OHL year after being an exceptional player at 15, and it looks like he’s going to be one of the Top 4 picks in June’s NHL draft. He’ll be an outstanding NHL player. He came into the OHL with high expectations and he’s kind of met them.
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Q: Who is the top goalie?
A: Jackson Parsons in Kitchener. Nobody expected much out of Kitchener this year and he’s definitely been one of the best players in the league. He’ll also be one of the first guys to finish out his OHL career and will then go on to the NCAA (Clarkson University). I watch Kitchener play a lot and he’s the MVP most nights.
Q: Who do you pick as rookie of the year?
A: Ethan Belchetz on Windsor. He’s put up the points as the No. 1 overall pick. And he’s got some offensive talent around him so at 16 he’s not carrying a huge load by himself. He’s fit in nicely there. Next year, his NHL draft year, Windsor is going to be a powerhouse. They’ll be one of the best teams in the league. The OHL is always better when Kitchener, London and Windsor are doing well.
Q: And finally, who do you pick as coach of the year?
A: My guess at this stage is Jussi Ahokas in Kitchener because they’ve played at a very high level even after trading 50-goal scorer Carson Rehkopf at the start of the year. A lot of that is preparation. He gets everybody involved. Niagara is on the rise, too, so Bruce Boudreau’s son, Ben Boudreau, has to be in the running here. We all thought Barrie would take over the East but Niagara really strong. That franchise has turned it around and that can be a factor in the voting.
Q: Final question – who is winning the OHL championship?
A: I haven’t seen anyone who can beat the Knights. Oshawa has a chance if they get out of the East, maybe Barrie has the roster, maybe Brampton, too. I still think London is the clear favourite. Everybody in the league would pick London at this point. It starts from the net out and there’s nobody better.
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