Ottawa 67s 2024 25 Season Thread Part Iii

[sirius67fan]

The big thing we don’t know is the downfall of the USHL. Is it accurate or is it considerably overhyped? There are a lot of players “supposedly” moving away from the USHL. If that does happen, then it will motivate others that are at least open to playing in the CHL to come here.

But, I am not entirely sure that will happen. Yes, the USHL will lose some players but if the NCAA starts to skew a little older, then the players that would leave the USHL for the NCAA at 18 and 19 will likely leave a year later wth the NCAA skewing older.

The reality is, we don’t know what the fallout is truly going to be and then how it will impact the CHL. This is sort of a tester year AND on top of all that, we will have multiple age cohorts all scrambling to come to the CHL at the same time. We don’t know what they is going to look like either. In a normal year, we ar looking at integrating draft picks. Now we are looking at integrating draft picks from multiple drafts as well as potential free agent signing inns of older players.

I don’t think anyone has a really strong grasp on what will happen.

All I can say is if you listen closely to the interview with James Boyd, he intimates that he has been talking to players. One of the big things he said in the interview was that players that were getting reasonable ice time last year weren’t coming mid-season last year. They are more open/likely to come to start the year in September. That suggests guys are coming. How many? Dunno. But he wasn’t talking about guys in Tier II Jr A. he was talking about USHL. How do I know? He signed a bunch of the Tier II guys which is why we have so many ‘07s! Those guys can come up and down with ease. It is the USHL guys and NCAA commit guys he is referring to.

So, I imagine if he drafted a player like Zielinski, he talked to him and has a sense of him coming. Also, keep in mind that the teams have to app.y to add the older players to the draft list. They can only add 3-5 players per team. So, it is not like they can jsut spam the draft list with names. IF they add a name, it is because they have a sense he may report. So, I imagine Ottawa had spoken to Zielinski prior to drafting him.

Regarding Brady, he is a RHD. That may be enough to keep him around. It may come down to how capable Johnson is. But, with injuries etc, I think they will keep the vet D-Man. HE likely isn’t worth all that much.

I agree there must have been talks with Zielinsky so I'm 80% sure he'll sign. Can you explain further about " teams have to apply to add older players to the draft list" Wasn't aware of this and thought any undrafted player regardless of age could be drafted? Also wouldn't it be a giveaway to other team if you work to get a kid over and then have to telegraph your intention?

 

[sirius67fan]

I went through the 67's drafts from 2022-2024 and took note of players already committed to college, and the year EP has them enrolling. Would be nice to get a couple of these guys on board.

Draft	Rd	Pick	Player	Position	Commitment	Year
2022	4	70	John Parsons	G	Providence	25-26
2022	5	90	Caton Ryan	LW	Cornell	25-26
2022	9	170	John McNelis	LW	Boston U	25-26
2022	12	230	Matthew Souliere	LW	Princeton	26-27	*10 games with 67's in 24-25
2023	7	142	Cole McKinney	C	Michigan	25-26
2023	8	162	Asher Barnett	D	Michigan	26-27
2023	9	182	Ryan White	D	Providence	26-27	*8 games with 67's in 24-25
2024	5	93	Thomas Vandenberg	C	Providence	27-28
2024	8	156	Brayden Krawczyk	C	UMass	27-28
2024	12	233	Lucas Zajic	RW	Wisconsin	26-27

Good list. I believe the younger Barnett was also drafted in 2024.

 

[InTheValley]

Good list. I believe the younger Barnett was also drafted in 2024.

Yeah, he just hasn't committed anywhere yet. Hopefully it's Ottawa!

 

[OMG67]

I agree there must have been talks with Zielinsky so I'm 80% sure he'll sign. Can you explain further about " teams have to apply to add older players to the draft list" Wasn't aware of this and thought any undrafted player regardless of age could be drafted? Also wouldn't it be a giveaway to other team if you work to get a kid over and then have to telegraph your intention?

I am sure @OHL4Life can provide additional details but player eligibility is restricted to the U-16 group. If a player falls outside that group, teams need to add the player to the list to make them eligible. Technically speaking, players that are not playing U-18 and are not on another teams protected list are free agents and can sign anywhere. So, after a certain date (June 1?), Zielinski can technically sign with any team he wants. To get ahead of that, teams can enter them into the draft as eligible players and then be aggressive and draft them. It gives them a lot more rights and wiggle room to sign the player as opposed to trying to negotiate with the player while he is talking to multiple other teams.

 

[OMG67]

Yeah, he just hasn't committed anywhere yet. Hopefully it's Ottawa!

McKinney would be the big prize. Vandenberg would probably be #2 with the Barnett boys sliding in at #3 and #4.

I think the focus needs to be on Vandenberg and Zielinski. I highly doubt McKinney will forego NCAA this year. The Barnett’s might but I doubt it. Krawczyk is a possibility but I am not sure if he will be impactful enough this season as a 17 year old.

 

[OHL4Life]

I am sure @OHL4Life can provide additional details but player eligibility is restricted to the U-16 group. If a player falls outside that group, teams need to add the player to the list to make them eligible. Technically speaking, players that are not playing U-18 and are not on another teams protected list are free agents and can sign anywhere. So, after a certain date (June 1?), Zielinski can technically sign with any team he wants. To get ahead of that, teams can enter them into the draft as eligible players and then be aggressive and draft them. It gives them a lot more rights and wiggle room to sign the player as opposed to trying to negotiate with the player while he is talking to multiple other teams.

basically what you said. only eligible players automatically are 09s from ontario, if you want to draft an 08 from anywhere (other then U18 Ontario, they have their own draft), then they needed to be added. teams have 5 adds.

for what its worth, i dont think zielinski is coming today from what ive been told.

 

[OMG67]

basically what you said. only eligible players automatically are 09s from ontario, if you want to draft an 08 from anywhere (other then U18 Ontario, they have their own draft), then they needed to be added. teams have 5 adds.

for what its worth, i dont think zielinski is coming today from what ive been told.

So that’s a wrinkle I wasn’t aware of. So we even need to add the ‘09 American kids that are in our territory?

With respect to Zielinski, the one strategic move there could be to trade him so that could enter into the mix as well.

 

[beastintheeast]

I agree there must have been talks with Zielinsky so I'm 80% sure he'll sign. Can you explain further about " teams have to apply to add older players to the draft list" Wasn't aware of this and thought any undrafted player regardless of age could be drafted? Also wouldn't it be a giveaway to other team if you work to get a kid over and then have to telegraph your intention?

it will be interesting to see with Zielinski he is one of the top scorers coming back to his USHL team. We also know that the NHL scouts those teams as well.

I would hope that there had been talk but again there are going to have to be promises made i think by DC for him to sign. I can;t see a kid that would be second line at worst in the USHL coming here with no guarantee that they will get major ice time and will be on a top line.

As to the USHL, it is here to stay. It may look different, but it is still going to be one of the major Junior leagues in North America. If nothing else, it is a place for the NDTP to play and have their players play as well as giving American kids a chance to play at a top level on their way to the NCAA. It makes no sense to can the league. If some want to leave, ok but fill in with others.

Shorter I think he will be USHL-bound, at least for this year. I do not see parents moving him up here to play CCHL which is probably on par with USHL.

I have mo issue with Johnson coming up as long as he is not the number 7 or 8 D. I think if he seemst obe getting minimal minutes they need to send him down in a hurry but I agree that playing with Marelli may not be a bad thing.

 

[beastintheeast]

USHL players vs OHL

I think it is going to be interesting to see who gets what. Gys like Zielinski and Vandenberg know what they have in the USHL it is going to be up to Boyd and Cameron to make the right promises to bring them here.

The USHL draft is also going to be interesting as we are going to see where people slot in with the teams.
For example the Shorters if Trevor is a high draft pick and the team is willing to bring his brother, then I think they will stay in the USHL closer to home at least for this year.

One thing I wonder is how much time NCAA scouts are going to spend at CCHL games now that they can sign at the OHL level. Also will it take away from enrolment in the CCHL by players that want to go the NCAA route.

Someone please confirm but I saw on the Niagara thread that OHL teams are on the hook for U.S. university costs per year played. That is a hell of a lot more expensive than CIAU.

 

[OMG67]

USHL players vs OHL

I think it is going to be interesting to see who gets what. Gys like Zielinski and Vandenberg know what they have in the USHL it is going to be up to Boyd and Cameron to make the right promises to bring them here.

The USHL draft is also going to be interesting as we are going to see where people slot in with the teams.
For example the Shorters if Trevor is a high draft pick and the team is willing to bring his brother, then I think they will stay in the USHL closer to home at least for this year.

One thing I wonder is how much time NCAA scouts are going to spend at CCHL games now that they can sign at the OHL level. Also will it take away from enrolment in the CCHL by players that want to go the NCAA route.

Someone please confirm but I saw on the Niagara thread that OHL teams are on the hook for U.S. university costs per year played. That is a hell of a lot more expensive than CIAU.

I really feel like you oversimplify things in this regard.

No one gets promises. The only promise they get is if they earn the ice, they will get it. No OHL team promises anything else and if they do, they are lying.

The question of OHL vs USHL is what their goal is and which league they feel will give them what they need. The OHL is a pathway to the NHL. The USHL is the pathway to NCAA….generally speaking. The OHL is a much higher competitive league. The average CHL team would slaughter the average USHL team. So, yes, a player like Zielinski may get 1st or 2nd line ice in the USHL. But, 4th line OHL players would get the same in Tier II JrA but they still play OHL!

There are some team by team decisions based on where they fit into the depth chart but if depth chart is an issue in Ottawa during a rebuild season, where they hell would they play on a team like London? And, if a player cannot rise above the 3rd line in Ottawa, but would be a 1st or 2nd line player in the USHL, the USHL is even worse than I thought!

 

[BarberPole9]

 

[beastintheeast]

I really feel like you oversimplify things in this regard.

No one gets promises. The only promise they get is if they earn the ice, they will get it. No OHL team promises anything else and if they do, they are lying.

The question of OHL vs USHL is what their goal is and which league they feel will give them what they need. The OHL is a pathway to the NHL. The USHL is the pathway to NCAA….generally speaking. The OHL is a much higher competitive league. The average CHL team would slaughter the average USHL team. So, yes, a player like Zielinski may get 1st or 2nd line ice in the USHL. But, 4th line OHL players would get the same in Tier II JrA but they still play OHL!

There are some team by team decisions based on where they fit into the depth chart but if depth chart is an issue in Ottawa during a rebuild season, where they hell would they play on a team like London? And, if a player cannot rise above the 3rd line in Ottawa, but would be a 1st or 2nd line player in the USHL, the USHL is even worse than I thought!

I agree iwth you but I just do not see a player coming here to sit on the bench or play 4th line when they have a chance to play more minutes and be more in front of scouts in the USHL

I think also the team's mindset may have a gbit to dowith it. If, for instance, Zielinski is an offensive player that likes an offensive style, I am not sure they would fit in on this team.

Time will tell all we can do is wait and see what happens

 

[OMG67]

I agree iwth you but I just do not see a player coming here to sit on the bench or play 4th line when they have a chance to play more minutes and be more in front of scouts in the USHL

I think also the team's mindset may have a gbit to dowith it. If, for instance, Zielinski is an offensive player that likes an offensive style, I am not sure they would fit in on this team.

Time will tell all we can do is wait and see what happens

The scouts know the USHL is a poor league by comparison. The scouts scout based on watching “tools” not number of minutes or number of points.

As with any other recruiting conversation, the management and coach shows the proper respect to the player by telling them what they think of the player and where they feel he fits into the lineup. But, ultimately, the player has to earn it. “Based on what we scouted, we see you starting on 3RW. If you work hard and continue to grow like we expect you to grow, you will get added responsibility. If you have a tough time adjusting to the OHL, we’ll be patient and out you in better situations to gain success and confidence.” THAT is the conversation. The conversation is not, “If you sign with us we will guarantee you will play in the top 6 all season.”

 

[beastintheeast]

The scouts know the USHL is a poor league by comparison. The scouts scout based on watching “tools” not number of minutes or number of points.

As with any other recruiting conversation, the management and coach shows the proper respect to the player by telling them what they think of the player and where they feel he fits into the lineup. But, ultimately, the player has to earn it. “Based on what we scouted, we see you starting on 3RW. If you work hard and continue to grow like we expect you to grow, you will get added responsibility. If you have a tough time adjusting to the OHL, we’ll be patient and out you in better situations to gain success and confidence.” THAT is the conversation. The conversation is not, “If you sign with us we will guarantee you will play in the top 6 all season.”

I amnot sure i would classify it as a poor league it still has had some stars drafted. It is a different mindset in that league. It is more geared towards the national program.

I agree the conversation goes based on what we have seen; we see you starting at 3RW is in line with my thoughts. You are not going to convince a kid to come and give up USHL by saying We see you on the 4th line

Itis going to be interesting to see who Boyd can sign and who he can't as wellas who shows up at camp.

Do we have names for teh development camp yet

 

[OMG67]

I amnot sure i would classify it as a poor league it still has had some stars drafted. It is a different mindset in that league. It is more geared towards the national program.

I agree the conversation goes based on what we have seen; we see you starting at 3RW is in line with my thoughts. You are not going to convince a kid to come and give up USHL by saying We see you on the 4th line

Itis going to be interesting to see who Boyd can sign and who he can't as wellas who shows up at camp.

Do we have names for teh development camp yet

I didn’t say they would send the message that he would be 4th line. IF a player like that is 4th line as a 17 year old, our RW depth much have improved tremendously overnight. Again, you are trying to find a way to hook in a negative where it doesn’t exist. Stop doing that. It isn’t productive at all.

A player like that will likley get 2RW or 3RW depending on how he fits in with whomever is the centre. Keep in mind that 3RW and 2RW on next year’s team is basically the same 5 on 5. His production would determine his special teams minutes.

The USHL skews younger. The best 19 year olds are playing NCAA and they don’t have OA’s. Quite simply, the league is nowhere near as quality in overall maturity and talent across the board. Do players get drafted out of the USHL? Of course they do. They are drafted as 17 year olds. Those 17 year olds turn 18 and the best ones play NCAA that year. The only NCAA guys that get drafted are usually late birthday guys. Most of the higher end guys are actually drafted out of the USNTDP that plays out of that league. There aren’t a lot of guys that get drafted out of the USHL outside of Chicago and USNTDP. Only 21 guys last year from the USHL that weren’t Chicago or USNTDP. And most of those guys were back half of the draft. It really isn’t a proving ground for the NHL pool of prospects. The primary goal of those in the USHL is to continue to prepare for NCAA hockey, get an education, and see what happens. IT is no different than the kids in the OHL that get drafted in the middle rounds. Get some years in, see what happens and go to school after on the CHL dime.

 

[OMG67]

IMO, this is the perfect place for Zielinski. He will get a fair shot at middle 6 minutes. If he performs, he will get 1st unit special teams as well. He is in the backyard of an NHL team. This is his draft year. He will get scouting attention and a lot more hockey development opportunities off ice than he’d get in the USHL. If he has NHL aspirations, playing in the OHL is far better. He can still skip over to the NCAA after two seasons if it isn’t going as planned.

I cannot understand for the life of me why a kid would go play in Iowa or Nebraska when they can play at a much higher level in the OHL, get more exposure and still play NCAA. It is almost senseless. I understood the NCAA vs CHL discussion of years past but now you can do both. It seems like a no brainer if you are a good player. MAYBE if you are an American kid you go play USHL for a year as a 16 year old. It is a more suitable league for 16 year olds if I am being completely honest. But if you break out int hat league as a 16 year old, why would you play in that league as a 17 year old and not properly test yourself? It is the same discussion about the elite 19 year olds in the OHL. They are barred from playing AHL where they would be better suited for development so they waste away for a year in the OHL unchallenged. Zielinski is committed for 2027-28. Is he really going to play USHL for two more seasons? Seems crazy to me.

 

[dirty12]

I amnot sure i would classify it as a poor league it still has had some stars drafted. It is a different mindset in that league. It is more geared towards the national program.

I agree the conversation goes based on what we have seen; we see you starting at 3RW is in line with my thoughts. You are not going to convince a kid to come and give up USHL by saying We see you on the 4th line

Itis going to be interesting to see who Boyd can sign and who he can't as wellas who shows up at camp.

Do we have names for teh development camp yet

With CHL players now eligible to play NCAA, less of the limited full ride scholarships will be available for USHL players.
If good enough for the 4th forward line or bottom pair defence, why not play a higher level of hockey and receive a year of tuition and compulsory fees?

 

[sirius67fan]

To come back to Mews. I know there's been rumours he was unhappy in Ottawa ( maybe true) and there was some questions about his attitude early in the year ( including by me). However the more I think about it I think he did Ottawa a solid by being honest about his intentions ( and we now know it wasn't just posturing). Very interesting interview on tsn 1200 where he made good points
1- he had shown ncaa interest before being drafted by Ottawa
2- he feels he needs to get stronger physically and the ncaa gives him more time to do that ( less games more gym time)
3- gets to play against older players
4- more years to get ready for nhl
All good points imo!

So all in all sounds like a rationally taken decision for his career.
Whether he was unhappy with Ottawa/DC or not ( we'll likely never know for sure) it sounds that by being honest with his intentions he gave Ottawa a chance to get a decent return( although granted not up to his true value). So I think the kid deserves more respect than perhaps we've given him.
Best of luck in Michigan Henry!

 

[SidSixpointSeven]

To come back to Mews. I know there's been rumours he was unhappy in Ottawa ( maybe true) and there was some questions about his attitude early in the year ( including by me). However the more I think about it I think he did Ottawa a solid by being honest about his intentions ( and we now know it wasn't just posturing). Very interesting interview on tsn 1200 where he made good points
1- he had shown ncaa interest before being drafted by Ottawa
2- he feels he needs to get stronger physically and the ncaa gives him more time to do that ( less games more gym time)
3- gets to play against older players
4- more years to get ready for nhl
All good points imo!

So all in all sounds like a rationally taken decision for his career.
Whether he was unhappy with Ottawa/DC or not ( we'll likely never know for sure) it sounds that by being honest with his intentions he gave Ottawa a chance to get a decent return( although granted not up to his true value). So I think the kid deserves more respect than perhaps we've given him.
Best of luck in Michigan Henry!

Time will tell, but given everything that's happened this sounds more like "damage control".

 

[coolhandluc44]

USHL players vs OHL

I think it is going to be interesting to see who gets what. Gys like Zielinski and Vandenberg know what they have in the USHL it is going to be up to Boyd and Cameron to make the right promises to bring them here.

The USHL draft is also going to be interesting as we are going to see where people slot in with the teams.
For example the Shorters if Trevor is a high draft pick and the team is willing to bring his brother, then I think they will stay in the USHL closer to home at least for this year.

One thing I wonder is how much time NCAA scouts are going to spend at CCHL games now that they can sign at the OHL level. Also will it take away from enrolment in the CCHL by players that want to go the NCAA route.

Someone please confirm but I saw on the Niagara thread that OHL teams are on the hook for U.S. university costs per year played. That is a hell of a lot more expensive than CIAU.

In reference to the OHL paying the US university cost, my understanding is that unless the player plays out their 19 year old season then their OHL contract is terminated. So in the case of Mews, the OHL teams would not be paying out anything for him. You always hear about exceptions to this. It wont matter much to Mews or other high end players because they will get full rides anyway.

 

[OMG67]

In reference to the OHL paying the US university cost, my understanding is that unless the player plays out their 19 year old season then their OHL contract is terminated. So in the case of Mews, the OHL teams would not be paying out anything for him. You always hear about exceptions to this. It wont matter much to Mews or other high end players because they will get full rides anyway.

This is accurate. They must play through their 19 year old season. Or, at least be available to do so.

 

[OMG67]

To come back to Mews. I know there's been rumours he was unhappy in Ottawa ( maybe true) and there was some questions about his attitude early in the year ( including by me). However the more I think about it I think he did Ottawa a solid by being honest about his intentions ( and we now know it wasn't just posturing). Very interesting interview on tsn 1200 where he made good points
1- he had shown ncaa interest before being drafted by Ottawa
2- he feels he needs to get stronger physically and the ncaa gives him more time to do that ( less games more gym time)
3- gets to play against older players
4- more years to get ready for nhl
All good points imo!

So all in all sounds like a rationally taken decision for his career.
Whether he was unhappy with Ottawa/DC or not ( we'll likely never know for sure) it sounds that by being honest with his intentions he gave Ottawa a chance to get a decent return( although granted not up to his true value). So I think the kid deserves more respect than perhaps we've given him.
Best of luck in Michigan Henry!

My sense is that Mews is the type of person that does not take personal accountability. The sheer fact that he feels he needs to play less so he can spend more time in the gym is a bit of a red flag. He will now need to take a full course load which will likely reduce his time available, not increase it.

That said, I do feel like the NCAA may be a good spot for him but all the best players typically turn pro so I am not sure how long it will be viable for him to stay there. He is an elite talent so it is just as likely his path could be OHL then AHL and end up in the same situation as a 21 year old. Considering that, I’m not sure this is all that much better.

Considering his past performance sauces, to me this sounds more like, “I am not developing as well as planned so it is an environment issue, not a me issue.” Meanwhile, tons of players have developed very well but for him, that path doesn’t work.

 

[44 95 plus tax]

So I assume Mews will go back in the draft next year if Calgary does not sign him. If he gets drafted again, it would be out of University. Would that mean he could then sign and be assigned to an AHL team in his 19th year? If out of the OHL, he would not be allowed to.

 

[OMG67]

So I assume Mews will go back in the draft next year if Calgary does not sign him. If he gets drafted again, it would be out of University. Would that mean he could then sign and be assigned to an AHL team in his 19th year? If out of the OHL, he would not be allowed to.

I don’t believe that’s how it works. As of now, if a player is drafted out of the USHL and then goes to NCAA, the NHL retains the players rights. I believe the same application will apply for CHL players. Drafted out of the CHL and heading to NCAA would mean the rights are held longer.

 

[leafs4life94]

I don’t believe that’s how it works. As of now, if a player is drafted out of the USHL and then goes to NCAA, the NHL retains the players rights. I believe the same application will apply for CHL players. Drafted out of the CHL and heading to NCAA would mean the rights are held longer.

That got my thinking of a funny hypothetical where he's not happy in Michigan and wants to sign his ELC. I imagine he'll be forced back to Sudbury/OHL but imagine if there's a loophole where because he's signed out of the NCAA he's eligible to go the AHL. They would close that super fast.