2019 OHL Draft Review - Barrie Colts #OHL

Brandt Clarke; Photo Credit: OHL

2019 OHL Draft Review – Barrie Colts

By: Ryan McArthur (Twitter: @ryanpmcarthur)

Round #1, 4^th overall

Brandt Clarke, Don Mills Flyers (GTHL), RD/R, 6-1, 177, 02-09-2003

Statistics: 35 goals and 78 points for 113 points in 73 games played

Ryan McArthur’s pre-draft ranking: 2^nd

SIGNING ALERT - Brandt was signed by the Barrie Colts

Analysis: The Barrie Colts crushed this pick by getting the second-best player in the draft at fourth overall. The offensively gifted defenceman is oozing with skill and is very creative in the offensive zone. His stick handling and deceptive dekes/dangles are unmatched in this draft class. Clarke pushes the pace offensively and plays a responsible defensive game as well. Brandt is always on the right side of the puck and dominates in the defensive end with excellent positioning. And talk about gap control! Brandt can close gaps the size of the Grand Canyon in a beat!

Clarke was the top defenceman at the OHL Gold Cup and tied for first overall in tournament scoring with 8 points (3G & 5A). He also led the defence corps for Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games this year, winning a silver medal in the process. Clarke racked up trophies this season with the Don Mills Flyers. They did not lose a game in regulation and the only blemish to their record this season was a tough loss in the finals of the Silver Stick Tournament to Compuware. Barrie Colts fans should be very excited about this selection and the team was lucky to see his name on the board when they selected fourth overall.

Brandt Clarke has been selected fourth overall by the Barrie Colts. Clarke is a 6’1”, 177 lbs. right shot defenceman. In 2018-19, he recorded 35G & 78A for 113 points in 73 games. Clarke was the best defender available in the draft by a large margin and my 2nd ranked prospect. pic.twitter.com/Sntfcfus0W

— Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) April 6, 2019

Welcome to the Barrie Colts Brandt Clarke!!! pic.twitter.com/LFASXVXeoH

— Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) April 6, 2019

Round #2, 24^th overall

Ryan Del Monte, Toronto Nationals (GTHL), C/R, 5-10, 149, 04-03-2003

Statistics: 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points

Ryan McArthur’s pre-draft ranking: 14^th overall (USNTDP adjusted ranking 10^th)

Analysis: To say I was happy after seeing Barrie’s first two selections would be a massive understatement. After taking the 2^nd best player in the draft at 4^th overall, the Colts stepped up and selected the 10^th best player at 24^th overall. Del Monte could have the best hands in the entire draft class. His moves are flat out stunning, and he can deke the jock strap off many OHL defenseman right now. In terms of pure skill, Barrie could have nabbed the most skilled forward in Del Monte and the most skilled defenceman in Clarke. Ryan has a commitment to Harvard University and there could be some recruiting work to be done, but I’m hearing Barrie is on the inside track to recruit Del Monte.

Del Monte was the MVP of the GTHL All-Star Game in December. The offensive capabilities of this player are mind-blowing and he could battle for an OHL scoring title one day. It's worth noting that Del Monte has been hurt since the Toronto Marlies Holiday Classic at the end of 2018. It's a good thing that Colts management identified him early and stepped up and made this selection based on viewings from early in the season.

Ryan Del Monte scored two stunning goals at the GTHL Top Prospects Game. Del Monte is a Harvard commit who is a top prospect for the OHL Priority Selection. @RyanDelMonte2 @HarvardMHockey #OHLDraft pic.twitter.com/4RVA3qv2HS

— Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) December 22, 2018

Welcome Ryan Del Monte to the Barrie Colts! Del Monte was my 10th ranked prospect once the USNTDP guys are adjusted out. He was the MVP of the GTHL Top Prospects Game. What a steal by Colts management! Del Monte is a 5’10, 149 lbs. right shot centre oozing with skill and talent! pic.twitter.com/zcbzUaAP4g

— Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) April 6, 2019

Round #3, 45^th overall

Jacob Frasca, Mississauga Senators (GTHL), C/R, 6-3, 179, 03-19-2003

Statistics: 20 goals and 10 assists for 30 points

Ryan McArthur’s pre-draft ranking: 79^th overall (USNTDP adjusted ranking 74^th)

Analysis: Frasca has a big frame and possesses a ton of raw talent. He is a very strong kid that dominated at times on the ice during his minor midget year. Jacob has a high compete level and pushes the pace as a strong pivot who plays well in all areas on both ends of the ice.

He won the OHL Gold Cup with GTHL Blue. Colts fans should be happy about this pick and what he brings to the team in the future. When Frasca was being introduced to the media at the Barrie Colts post-draft press conference, I thought he might be being introduced as a new assistant coach. The kid looks very mature as a 16-year-old and should be a physical force right away and especially in the future.

Barrie Colts select Jacob Frasca (centre from the Mississauga Sens) 45th overall. Frasca is 6’3” and 179 pounds. My USNTDP adjusted rank for him was 74th. Lots of raw talent and tools there. A bit of a project, but I love his potential. Another excellent pick by the Barrie Colts! pic.twitter.com/QjdlMhPzit

— Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) April 6, 2019

Round 5, 90^th overall
Vlad Dvurechenskii, North York Rangers (GTHL), LW/L, 6-4, 208, 06-18-2003

Statistics: 20 goals and 10 assists for 30 points

Ryan McArthur’s pre-draft ranking: 75^th overall (USNTDP adjusted ranking 71^st)

Analysis: Vlad is a player I identified very early in the year. There was a game I saw at Victoria Village Arena against the Don Mills Flyers (top team in Ontario) where he recorded two goals and at least one assist. He made a rush late in the game and almost completed the hat-trick by making a nice shifty move and wiring the puck off the crossbar. He is a big strong kid with tons of upside that shoots the puck with tremendous velocity. Vlad is of Russian dissent but was eligible for the OHL Draft as a domestic player since he played in the GTHL for the past two seasons. This is a very strong selection by Barrie Colts management and I’m very excited to see him try out for the team.

Round #5, 92^nd overall

Ansel Holt, Detroit Honeybaked 16U (USA), G, 6-3, 180, 02-21-2003

Ryan McArthur’s pre-draft ranking: not ranked

Analysis: Holt is the only goaltender selected by the Barrie Colts in the draft and is a player that I did not identify. Holt played in the top 40 tryouts for the United States National Development Program Team, which says a lot about his talent level. This is a very intriguing pick and Holt is an unknown to me currently. I’m very excited to see what he can do and hopefully we see him in a Colts uniform down the road. Ansel was selected in the in the ninth round of the USHL phase one draft by the Youngstown Phantoms.

Round #6, 107^th overall

Trey Zagrzebski, Stevens Point Area High School (USA), F/R, 5-7, 155, 01-03-2003

Statistics: 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in 24 games played

Ryan McArthur’s pre-draft ranking: not ranked

SIGNING ALERT - Trey was signed by the Barrie Colts

Analysis: Zagrzebski is another American player that I did not identify for the draft, since he played prep school hockey in Wisconsin. Barrie Colts Assistant GM Ike Rhodes has found strong American players in the past like Kevin Labanc. Labanc was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft (same round as Zagrzebski) and was an absolute bargain. Barrie hopes they have hit another home run with this selection and that could be the case. Zagrzebski had a great showing at Colts rookie camp and displayed excellent speed with a high skill level overall. Trey was selected in the ninth round of the USHL phase one draft by the Waterloo Black Hawks.

Highlights of Trey Zagrzebski, who was recently signed by the Barrie Colts. Trey played for Stevens Point Prep School in Wisconsin last season, where he racked up 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 27 games. Welcome to the Colts Trey!! #GoColtsGo #OHL @OHLBarrieColts pic.twitter.com/YqnR5Chy6u

— Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) May 26, 2019

Round #6, 108^h overall

Kai Greaves, Cambridge Hawks (Alliance), RD/R, 6-1, 177, 03-04-2003

Statistics: 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 33 games played

Ryan McArthur’s pre-draft ranking: 72^nd overall (USNTDP adjusted ranking 67^th)

Analysis: Kai Greaves is the brother of Barrie Colts netminder Jet Greaves and it’s evident that he possesses the same genes. He is a strong, athletic defender that is always on the right side of the puck. His natural athletic ability is abundant, and his skating is strong. This is probably the best value pick made by the Barrie Colts and his progression throughout the season makes me believe he has the ability to improve even more. He is responsible and well-positioned in the defensive zone and is very tough to play against below the dots. Greaves is a smart defender with offensive upside and could turn into a solid OHL defenceman.

Rounding out the 2019 OHL Draft for the Barrie Colts were:

Round #7, 127^th overall – Mark MacPhee, Ottawa Senators (HEO), C, 6-0, 169

Note: listed as an honourable mention on my list and solid all-round playmaking centre.

Round #8, 147^th overall – Thomas Stewart, Vaughan Kings (GTHL), RD, 5-11, 155

Round #9, 167^th overall – Oliver Smith, Mississauga Rebels (GTHL), LW, 6-0, 172

Note: MVP for GTHL Blue in the Championship Game at the 2019 OHL Gold Cup.

Round #10, 187^th overall – Blake Hall, Southern Tier Admirals (OMHA), 6-1, 172

Note: listed as honourable mention on my list and another solid all-round playmaking centre.

Round #12, 227^th overall – Ryan Cook, Guelph Gryphons (OMHA), LD, 6-1, 190

Note: listed as an honourable mention on my list and a strong defender with excellent skating ability.

Round #13, 247^th overall – Bryce Richardson, North York Rangers, RW, 6-0, 156

Note: listed as an honourable mention on my list and a smooth operating right winger with lots of skill.

Round #14, 267^th overall – Patrick Brown, Kitchener Jr. Rangers (Alliance), C, 5-11, 160

Round #15, 287^th overall – Matthew Sardellitti, Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL), RD, 5-9, 134

CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO MY PRE-DRAFT RANKINGS