2008-09 CHL Prospects

NHL Equivalencies:

1. Mikhail Stefanovich 21-11-32
2. Joel Champagne 11-17-28
3. Chris DiDomenico 9-19-28
4. Dale Mitchell 12-13-25
5. Robert Slaney 10-13-23
6. Greg Scott 9-12-21

Overagers will score about 22 % of their junior total, compared to 29 % for those 19 and younger, so Slaney and Scott's numbers took more of a hit.

I've seen Stefanovich listed as a centre at most places, but he usually played right-wing and only took 16 faceoffs all year (winning only 3!).

Keep an eye on Joel Champagne, a big-bodied centreman known for his two-way skills and physical play. He is excellent in the faceoff circle, winning 60.2 % of his draws, and thrived offensively after he was traded to the PEI Rockets and given a bigger role. Champagne hasn't been signed to a contract by the Leafs and has been playing preseason games for the Rockets, so it seems quite likely that he will spend another year in junior before turning pro.

DiDomenico will sit out until January, according to this recent article in the Telegraph-Journal, as he waits for his leg to fully recover. DiDomenico suffered a broken thigh bone during the QMJHL playoffs way back in May, on a hit along the boards during an icing. He was having a great playoffs, too, until the hit, having scored 4 goals and 31 assists for 35 points in 15 games.

Power-Play Production

1. Slaney: 18 PPG - 17 PPA - 35 PPP, 43.2 % of total points
2. Scott: 9 PPG - 19 PPA - 28 PPP, 36.8 %
3. DiDomenico: 9 PPG - 17 PPA - 26 PPP, 44.1 %
4. Stefanovich: 12 PPG - 11 PPA - 23 PPP, 30.3 %
5. Champagne: 8 PPG - 10 PPA - 18 PPP, 29.5 %
6. Mitchell: 11 PPG - 5 PPA - 16 PPP, 23.6 %

And on the flip side of the special teams coin, Greg Scott led the Western Hockey League in short-handed scoring with 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points, and another Leafs prospect, 2009 1st round draft pick Nazem Kadri, scored 10 short-handed points (5 goals - 5 assists) to lead the Ontario Hockey League as well.