I just thought I would share an article published about one of our GMHA alumni Andrew Claughton.
GMHA wishes you all the best Andrew!!
AN (EXTREMELY) EARLY LOOK AT THE TOP 2021 OHL DRAFT PROSPECTS
Posted on April 23, 2019 in Articles
OK, yes, I admit: it’s way too early to be looking at the top prospects for the 2021 OHL draft. Like, seriously, we’re discussing Grade 8 kids here.
But that’s what makes hockey scouting so much fun: you get to see how kids develop over a couple of seasons, not just one or two.
Last week, I put out a piece looking at 20 prospects for the 2020 OHL draft that caught my attention. A couple thousand people read the piece, which was shocking to me. Seriously, why do you guys care so much about guys not eligible for the NHL draft until 2022?
I’m fortunate enough that, through my job and through other opportunities, I get to watch top talent from an early age. For example, once I get back from the NHL draft combine at the end of May, I’ll be in Oakville for the Draftday Prospect Showcase in Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, where I do video for various tournaments. There’s also the World Selects Invitational coming in a few weeks, and while I won’t be at it, it’ll be a great opportunity to follow many of the top prospects you’ll read about below.
Let me be clear: once again: this is not a mock draft. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you took this as an actual draft listing. What I’m doing here is outlining prospects I’ve watched and written notes about over the past few months, while taking discussions I’ve had with scouts in consideration.
I don’t feel like wasting much more of your time, so here’s 15 prospects worth keeping an eye on for the 2021 OHL draft (and, ultimately, the 2023 and 2024 NHL drafts, too).
Andrew Claughton, G (York-Simcoe Express): Goalies are very tough to predict, but I liked what I saw from Claughton at the OMHA’s. Claughton has a very quick blocker and makes many spectacular glove hand stops and he moves very well from post to post. Claughton was very good in York-Simcoe’s semifinal contest against the Bulldogs, which the Express eventually lost and is typically among the top goalies at any given tournament. It’s early, but I like his development so far.
-Steve Ellis
