February 22, 2012
Posted in Ontario Edition, Junior A
BY SAM LASKARIS /
The Canadian Junior Hockey League might end-up doubling the number of its players selected in the NHL Draft this year.
Seven CJHL players were chosen in the 2011 draft staged in Minnesota.
As for this season, 15 CJHL players were on the Central Scouting mid-term rankings released in January. It remains to be seen though how many of them will actually be taken at this year’s draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh from June 22 to 23.
Those on the mid-term rankings included five Junior A players from Ontario.
Three of these players toil in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. They are forwards Devin Shore and Drake Caggiula, who are starring for the Whitby Fury and Stouffville Spirit, respectively, and Toronto Lakeshore Patriots’ defenceman James De Haas.
A pair of blueliners from the Central Canada Hockey League - Christian Weidauer (Carleton Place Canadians) and Mac Weegar (Nepean Raiders) - were also on the mid-term rankings.
DEVIN SHORE
Shore, 17, played with the poise of a seasoned veteran instead of a rookie, which he was with the Fury, this season. He earned 58 points, including 29 goals, in 41 games. Shore, who has committed to attend the University of Maine, made his share of headlines this past November. He was named the MVP of the World Junior A Challenge in Langley, B.C., where he guided Team Canada East to a silver medal.
DRAKE CAGGIULA
Caggiula, who has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of North Dakota, was not expected back for a second season in Stouffville.
After a 45-point rookie season as a 16-year-old, Caggiula started this year in the United States Hockey League with the Iowa-based Des Moines Buccaneers.
Upon returning to Stouffville, he added another dimension to the offensive-minded Spirit, with 34 points in 25 games.
JAMES DE HAAS
This 6-3, 200-pound rookie rearguard has been a standout for the Patriots.
De Haas was the team’s top scoring defenceman, earning 30 points, including 10 goals in 45 regular season matches.
De Haas had already committed to attend New York’s Clarkson University before he had played a single Junior A game.
De Haas might return to the Patriots for another year of grooming before heading to the NCAA ranks.
CHRISTIAN WEIDAUER
Weidauer, who is almost 6-3 and weighs 185 pounds, has become an NHL prospect thanks to his solid play in his sophomore season with the Canadianas.
He was on pace to more than double the 22 points he had as a rookie with Carleton Place, last season. He had 39 points in his first 51 games, this season. Weidauer will return to Carleton Place for another year before heading off to Niagara University on a scholarship.
MAC WEEGAR
Despite being a defenceman, Weegar has added some offensive flair to the Raiders this season, where he has been averaging more than a point per game. Weegar, who is 5-11 and 183 pounds, had earned 49 points, including 12 goals, in his first 48 matches.
But he won’t be around the CCHL much longer as he’s agreed to step-up and join the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads, next season.
Previous Story:
Central Canada Hockey League
Next Story:
RBC Cup update
Comments
No comments have been posted yet.
Add a Comment