Maple Leafs Prospects in the CHL: Season Storylines

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Another season of major junior hockey is underway in the QMJHL, with action set to begin in the OHL and WHL next week. A handful of Leafs prospects graduated from the junior ranks last season, including Jesse Blacker, Kenny Ryan, Jerry D’Amigo and Jamie Devane. There’s an outside chance those players could return to the OHL as overagers, but expect them all to suit up with the Marlies this season.

Nevertheless, there are a number of Leafs prospects that remain in the CHL, including some 2011 draftees like Stuart Percy and Josh Leivo, along with a European player who should play a prominent role in the OHL. Let’s take a look at three CHL storylines for Leafs fans to follow this season:

The Best in the West

Once again this season, the Leafs have two prospects in the Western Hockey League, and both are worth keeping a close eye on as the year progresses. Brad Ross, a 2nd rounder in 2010, will return to the Portland Winterhawks for his age-19 season. After two seasons with similar offensive output (68 points in his draft year, 69 last season), his production this year will be interesting to follow. Has he been riding the coattails of top-5 picks Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter? If they make the jump to the NHL this year, Ross will be counted on to pick up the slack. If they’re both back, he might score a million goals.

Josh Nicholls is another to watch. The Saskatoon Blades pivot shocked many in putting up 87 points last season; not bad for a 7th round pick. The Blades, though, were in full-out go-for-it mode, acquiring Brayden Schenn mid-season for a run at the championship. Can Nicholls repeat, or was he the beneficiary of his surroundings?

Both Nicholls and Ross (particularly if Johansen and Niederreiter don’t return) could find themselves on new teams mid-season. Both are likely in their final year of junior, and would be sought after by competitive teams to round out a championship lineup.

First Round Pick, Own Backyard

It’s been a while since the Leafs have had one of their first round picks playing junior right in the neighbourhood. By my estimation, you have to go back to 1995 and Jeff Ware, and he was all the way in Oshawa. That changes this year, as 25th overall selection Stuart Percy will patrol the blueline for the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. This is a draft pick I wasn’t happy with, as Percy has low upside. However, consensus seems to be that he has good hockey sense and can generate some offense by simply making the smart play. Those tools will get him to the NHL, even if they don’t necessarily make him a top-4 defenseman like you would hope for from a first round pick. If you’re in the GTA, make tracks for the Hershey Centre and let us know how he looks, won’t you? Check out their schedule.

Erie Indiana

Two of the prospects that Leafs fans should be watching most closely in the OHL conveniently play on the same team. Greg McKegg led the Erie Otters in scoring last year with 92 points, and will certainly be in the hunt for the OHL scoring title throughout this season. Sondre Olden was drafted out of Sweden, but was picked up by the Otters in the CHL Import Draft this summer. Both were 3rd round choices in the 2010 draft, and will lead the Otters’ attack as 19-year old players. McKegg is on Hockey Canada’s radar for this year’s world junior tournament, while Olden was a leader for Norway at last year’s tournament when they were relegated to Division I. Ontario-based Leafs fans should make every effort to check out the Otters whenever they get a chance. Take a look at their schedule.

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All told, the Leafs have ten prospects playing in the CHL, and that’s not including any rookies that may be signed after attending camp on a tryout. Personally, I’m hoping Garrett Clarke gets inked so that I have someone to watch in the QMJHL, which is currently devoid of Leafs content. For further reading on the Leafs’ prospects, take a look at some write-ups that were done over the summer, here and here. I’ll post updates on all the CHL prospects’ progress periodically through the season, and you can also follow me on Twitter for CHL and Leafs talk.