Ottawa 67s 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[ScoutLife4]

NHL GM’s often make it out to a few games to watch there prospects

No he will not be back

Often eh?
I'm in 5 scout rooms a week and this was the first one i've this this season.
I may see 1-2 GM'S a season in OHL arenas i wouldn't call that often.
Much more often at AHL games yea.

 

[AGranderson]

Often eh?
I'm in 5 scout rooms a week and this was the first one i've this this season.
I may see 1-2 GM'S a season in OHL arenas i wouldn't call that often.
Much more often at AHL games yea.

Can confirm they usually make it out to see there top prospects often they do not even enter the scouting rooms they like to be under cover

 

[NoQuit67s]

Looking forward to seeing what impact the return of Stonehouse will have on the team.
More than likely, if anything, it will impact opposing team's preparation versus the 67s as they will have to emphasize discipline and limit retaliation situations.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Can confirm they usually make it out to see there top prospects often they do not even enter the scouting rooms they like to be under cover

Weird that they would think being out with 3-6K fans would be staying undercover when they can go to the media room / box see 10 people and stay low key lol.

 

[OMG67]

With respect to GM’s in arena’s, there are multiple reasons why you would see it. First, and probably the most common, is the GM is travelling with the team and is currently in the area so they make a pitstop to see a couple of their prospects. Calgary was in Montreal on Nov 5 (Tuesday). They are in Boston tonight. This aligns with him being in Kingston on Wednesday morning.

Ottawa is an NHL city so we would see a lot more GM’s in our rink than others would because it is an easy viewing when dates align with prospects they want to see, whether they are top prospects for the upcoming draft or their own prospects.

 

[ScoutLife4]

With respect to GM’s in arena’s, there are multiple reasons why you would see it. First, and probably the most common, is the GM is travelling with the team and is currently in the area so they make a pitstop to see a couple of their prospects. Calgary was in Montreal on Nov 5 (Tuesday). They are in Boston tonight. This aligns with him being in Kingston on Wednesday morning.

Ottawa is an NHL city so we would see a lot more GM’s in our rink than others would because it is an easy viewing when dates align with prospects they want to see, whether they are top prospects for the upcoming draft or their own prospects.

I can count on 1 hand how many NHL GM'S i've seen at OHL games in the last 5-6 years.
They must be out mingling with the fans as @AGranderson mentions.
Just seems incredibly strange to me that they would be.

 

[ohloutsider]

I can count on 1 hand how many NHL GM'S i've seen at OHL games in the last 5-6 years.
They must be out mingling with the fans as @AGranderson mentions.
Just seems incredibly strange to me that they would be.

Seen lots of GM's at games. Usually more so in February, March and April. Scouts indicated that they are recommending certain players so GM's want to see them closer to their last games and closer to the NHL draft before these kids hit their lists. And yes seen them in the crowds and around the back of the house.

 

[OMG67]

I can count on 1 hand how many NHL GM'S i've seen at OHL games in the last 5-6 years.
They must be out mingling with the fans as @AGranderson mentions.
Just seems incredibly strange to me that they would be.

Again, Ottawa is an OHL city. When I was going to games, I would see GM’s often enough to suggest it is relatively common. Keep in mind, it usually coincided with a Sens game the night before or after when that team was in town.

If the GM is actually scouting, many of them will sit in the top corners for the right views. Whether they head to the media room between periods is another story I wouldn’t be able to comment on.

 

[BarberPole9]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854568292003860990

 

[dirty12]

I can count on 1 hand how many NHL GM'S i've seen at OHL games in the last 5-6 years.
They must be out mingling with the fans as @AGranderson mentions.
Just seems incredibly strange to me that they would be.

depends on teams home schedule, I think. There are often enough gms in NB Thursdays

 

[ScoutLife4]

Crazy how often you guys are seeing them
I seen lots of AGM'S and Scouting directors but very rarely a GM.

 

[dirty12]

Crazy how often you guys are seeing them
I seen lots of AGM'S and Scouting directors but very rarely a GM.

I would not recognize one wearing team apparel, or care to. During NB telecasts, I often hear Theberge say he spoke to ...earlier, and there are ...taking in the game today to watch ...

 

[frontsfan67]

I don’t pay as much attention to gms and all that attending games as I used to but when Lawson crouse was in kingston I saw I believe it was dave tallon at the time multiple times at the games. Since I haven’t paid too much attention.

 

[44 95 plus tax]

I've see GMs at CJHL games....

 

[AGranderson]

Crazy how often you guys are seeing them
I seen lots of AGM'S and Scouting directors but very rarely a GM.

Guess you learned something today.

 

[AGranderson]

With BS back tomorrow what does our forward group look like, Korbler is another 7-10 days away from a return if it’s not the school day game it will be next weekend. I’m hearing talks of Amidovski being sent down to Collingwood possibly as well

 

[BarberPole9]

With NCAA commits already jumping ship from the USHL to CHL teams, I thought it would be good to take a look at the potential 67’s draft picks that would be candidates for signing in Ottawa:

2008 - C Thomas Vandenberg (Cedar Rapids - USHL) commit to Providence College 2027-28
2008 - D Abe Barnett (USNTDP) no Commitment
2008 - RW Jaxon Williams (Carolina jr Hurricanes) no Commitment
2008 - RW Lucas Zajic (USNTDP) Commit to U of Wisconsin 2026-27

2007 - C Cole McKinney (USNTDP) Commit to U of Michigan 2025-26
2007 - D Asher Barnett (USNTDP) Commit to U of Michigan 2025-26
2007 - D Ryan White (Surrey Eagles - BCHL) Commit to Providence College 2025-26

2006 - LW John McNelis (Sioux Falls - USHL) Commit to Boston U 2025-26

I doubt the USNTDP kids would jump ship to the OHL. Also, there are a lot of players set to start their NCAA term in 2026-27. I think Vandenberg is the only true possibility. Jaxon Williams is also a possibility but I am not sure what his status is. He is pretty small and still playing AAA in Carolina. Worth watching but I am not sold at this point.

So, really, the watch is on for Vandenberg. He’s an Ottawa kid. He does have the 2027-28 commit to Providence but if he delays that a year, he can play out his OHL eligibility. He was a top prospect for this past draft. I think a fair number of scouts had him in the 1st round. I am not too sure he woudl sign for this year after the holiday break but it is always a possibility. I think next year is more likely if it happens.

Brayden Krawczyk - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Brayden Krawczyk, 2008-02-14 Etobicoke, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the 16U AAA with Mount St. Charles Acad 16U AAA. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

You’re missing another intriguing player- last year’s leading scorer on JRC- Brayden Krawczyk. It looks like he recently left the BCHL for Mount St Charles u16. A 6’3” Center who can score.

 

[OMG67]

With BS back tomorrow what does our forward group look like, Korbler is another 7-10 days away from a return if it’s not the school day game it will be next weekend. I’m hearing talks of Amidovski being sent down to Collingwood possibly as well

There are a lot of variables right now. Will any of the 67’s protected US players committed to NCAA decide to join Ottawa and leave the USNTDP and USHL teams? The one I have circled is Vandenberg. But, if any of the UNTDP kids want a new lease on their career path, we could potentially see one of those kids. I think we have around four of them in the fold.

Additionally, any USHL kids not currently on protected lists can sign in Ottawa as well. It all comes down to how their transfer agreements work in their leagues but we’ve already seen USHL kids report to Flint and London recently. So, there shouldn’t be an issue.

This whole rule change could upset the balance in the league right now. What would Ottawa look like if they got all of McNelis, Abe Barnett, and McKinney? We also have Abe’s brother Asher that we drafted this year.

There are a lot of dominos about to fall I think. Whether it falls in Ottawa’s favour, who knows. This season is completely unprescidented.

Additionally, all of a sudden, teams may have big trade chips as well. Brantford traded for Malhotra’s rights from Kingston. All of a sudden, that may turn into a massive trade chip for them this year. So many unknowns where clearly talks have occurred for weeks behind the scenes.

Kitchener OA goalie, Parsons, committed to Clarkson for next season. How does that change the landscape for projected OA’s going into next year as well?

 

[OMG67]

Brayden Krawczyk - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Brayden Krawczyk, 2008-02-14 Etobicoke, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the 16U AAA with Mount St. Charles Acad 16U AAA. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

You’re missing another intriguing player- last year’s leading scorer on JRC- Brayden Krawczyk. It looks like he recently left the BCHL for Mount St Charles u16. A 6’3” Center who can score.

Good catch!

He would be ineligible to join Ottawa this year because he has to serve his one year ban for playing in the BCHL. But, definitely another great potential prospect.

This is the sort of thing I am talking about when trying to figure out the right path for Ottawa. He is an ‘08 not drafted in the 1st round so we cannot trade his rights this year but could next year or sign him. How do these players potentially factor into the equation?

 

[OMG67]

With MacK out, this would be the most likley lineup I think:

Pinelli - Foster - Houben
Gerrior - Dever - Horner
Ekberg - Whitehead - Stonehouse
Amidovski - Barlas - Kelly

 

[Vector Calculus]

With MacK out, this would be the most likley lineup I think:

Pinelli - Foster - Houben
Gerrior - Dever - Horner
Ekberg - Whitehead - Stonehouse
Amidovski - Barlas - Kelly

It really does change the look of the whole lineup. If Esh is still gone though maybe Horner plays D until he is back, even though the team (and I) like him better at forward.

 

[beastintheeast]

Because teh new rule takes effect on 1 aug I am not sure if the present group can commit to anything until then.

What it does do is remove the excuse at the draft tht I am committing to the NCAA.

I think Ekberg has to be at least 2nd line. He is a draft pick and needs to have the ice time. He is the top rookie this year in the league as well as 4th in points.

Putting him on the 3rd line no matter how you juggle them is crazy.

Iunderstand your idea of development but I think that we have to consider that there is ore of an upside to him playing second line with Dever adn Stonehouse.

I agree that I think Horner is going to be used at least in the short term as a D utl everyone gets back. Wemight see him opn forward but if he is gong to be floating between the 2 it is better to put him on a line that does not mater as much for long term chenistry

 

[OMG67]

Because teh new rule takes effect on 1 aug I am not sure if the present group can commit to anything until then.

What it does do is remove the excuse at the draft tht I am committing to the NCAA.

Anyone can commit. They just cannot join the NCAA team until Aug 1. PArsons already committed to Clarkson. That was announced this afternoon.

Also, players have already joined London and Flint from the USHL that have NCAA committments.

It is open season.

Only the BCHL players are not eligible for the CHL until next year.

 

[AGranderson]

I would say we lineup something like this once Korbler returns

Pinelli/Foster/Stonehouse
Gerrior/Dever/Horner
Barlas/Whitehead/Korbler
Houben/Ekberg/Kelly

Amidovski/Yani

Mayich/Eshkawogan
Marelli/Mews
Brady/Dietsch

Nelson
Conway

 

[AGranderson]

Tonight my guess would be

Pinelli/Foster/Houben
Gerrior/Dever/Stonehouse
Barlas/Whitehead/Kelly
Amidovski/Ekberg/Yani

Korbler- Injured

Mayich/Mews
Marelli/Horner
Brady/Dietsch

Eshkawogan- Team Canada

Nelson
Conway

Mackenzie- Scratched