Seek And Ye Shall Not Find

Looking for flaws in Connor McDavid?  Nothing to see here.  

Is Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters too good to be true?  He's too good, that's for sure. 

One OHL general manager feels the 3rd year forward could get 70 points in the NHL - this season.  He won't be 18 until January.  

McDavid has 8 goals and 25 points in his first 9 games.  If healthy, he'll get about 130 points this season and play a huge roll for Canada at the World Junior hockey tournament.  

Otters captain Connor McDavid got 1 goal, 2 assists vs. Knights on Oct. 18

He is a mix between Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg.  McDavid is two inches taller than Crosby and similar in hockey IQ.   While he may not have Forsberg's nasty edge, he might score more goals.  

"It's almost unfair that he's out there," says Erie Times-News writer Victor Fernandes. "He's that much better than anyone else.  I don't think there's anybody out there who can stop him or at least slow him down. This year, he is so much stronger and so if you can catch up to him, which doesn't happen often, you are not going to knock him off the puck."   

If there is a discouraging word about McDavid you can probably ignore it.  John Tavares and Aaron Ekblad were the last early OHL entrants who had their games picked over for three years.  No such thing will happen with McDavid.  He has everything to be a franchise player including leadership and  good character.  Jack Eichel of Boston University might win over the NHL scouts because, by all accounts, he too is a wonderful player.  But if that happens it won't be because of anything McDavid can't do.  Anyone looking for flaws is wasting their time.  You just won't find any. 

UN-ZERO

Antoine Bibeau stops Bo Horvat on a penalty shot in Memorial Cup opener.

This time, battle-conditioned beat well-conditioned.   
The Val d'Or Foreurs barely finished a game seven war in Quebec's eastern townships on Tuesday.  They marched into game one of the MasterCard Memorial Cup in London not having time to change anything about their game - or even think they might be tired after a last minute, game seven win vs. Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
The Foreurs used the same formula to beat the host London Knights 1-0 - a big goal by sniper Anthony Mantha (82 goals in 82 games played this year) and the goaltending of Antoine Bibeau (51 saves).  
The London Knights couldn't kick the rust off after a month long practise.  The Knights had energy and territorial advantages, but were missing the finish around the net.  


TURNING POINT

With the Knights trailing 1-0 in the third period when Max Domi hit Bo Horvat with a beautiful breakaway pass.  Horvat was hooked and a penalty shot was awarded.  Horvat tried to beat Bibeau high blocker side and the QMJHL playoff MVP made the save.  
The Knights pulled goalie Anthony Stolarz with just under two minutes remaining in regulation and had several more chances, but couldn't beat Bibeau, who was named the first star. 

"This was the Bibeau of the whole year," Mantha would say after the game. 

MANTHA 

Anthony Mantha showed why he is a grade-A NHL prospect.  His goal was a pure goal scorer's goal at  16:20 of the first period.  He sensed he had a step on Knights defenseman Brady Austin and in three strides was by Austin and able to take a pass on his backhand and cradle the puck AT FULL SPEED.  Mantha protected the puck by planting his left leg and made a powerful move to finish on Anthony Stolarz.  It appears Mantha has dedicated this year to answering any questions NHL scouts might have had about his compete level, consistency and speed - and he did it all on one play.  The Detroit Red Wings appear to have a gem with Mantha, taken with the 20th pick in 2013.  Ironically, for moving down to 20 from 18th, the Wings picked up an extra second-round draft pick.  They used that pick to select Guelph winger Tyler Bertuzzi, who was a key player in the OHL championship drive of the Guelph Storm this year with 10 goals in 18 playoff games. 

Anthony Mantha scores his 82nd goal of the season vs. Knights in Memorial Cup opener

The Trews open the MC Memorial Cup with live singing of "Highway of Heros" 

A HONEYBAKED DRAFT

London Knights draft room - April 5, 2014

London GM Mark Hunter (on phone) and staff. 

The London Knights think power forward Max Jones (Detroit Honeybaked) will one day where the green and gold.  When, doesn't really matter.

"If he goes to the (U.S. development) program at 16, there's a learning curve anyway," said General Manager Mark Hunter.  "If it's the year after or the year after that, as long as we see him in a London Knights uniform."

The Knights use an established track record of producing NHL talent, a winning heritage and favourable location and arena as a way of sometimes turning the draft upside down.  Most pre-draft lists had Max Jones as one of the top five players available. The Knights selected him with the 18th pick in round one.  London followed by selecting defenseman Ben Gleason from the same Honeybaked organization.

Of course, elite U.S. born players have plenty of hockey options.  The Knights will now try to convince another elite hockey talent that Jared Tinordi, Pat Kane, John Carlson and others made the right choice by coming to play for the Knights.

 Click here for a Max Jones audio mash-up.  Voices include the announcement from the Ontario Hockey League, Knights head scout Lindsay Hofford, Max Jones and Knights GM Mark Hunter.

Zadorov Makes A Difference

6'5", feet apart and using his stick, Zadorov is tough to beat defensively 

Nikita Zadorov is the definitive junior hockey impact player.  

His return to the London Knights helped them to two impressive victories this weekend.   The Knights played their most complete game of the year in a 4-0 win over a hot Windsor Spitfire team. 

 

The 18 year-old defenseman from Moscow seems ready to heed instructions from the Buffalo Sabres to return to junior and 'dominate..'  

DEFENSIVE ZONE -  In his seven games in the NHL Zadorov has learned to play the game faster.  The puck is on his stick and gone, or it's carried out of trouble.  In front of the net, his size and increased strength give him the ability to handle any OHL forward.  His long frame and wingspan cuts off passing lanes and smother opposition forwards against the boards.  More than anything he takes pride in his plus/minus (plus 33 last season) 

NEUTRAL ZONE - Timing and technique are Zadorovs' specialties in the middle of the ice.  He is excellent at reading the play and knowing when to commit to a hit.  At the point of impact he usually has his elbows in and arms down.  He allows his natural strength to do the rest - with few penalties for high or late hits.  Knights assistant coach Dylan Hunter says he "lets the hit come to him..."  Naturally, forwards are less aggressive coming through the neutral zone.  

OFFENSIVE ZONE - Zadorov seems to have the most fun here.  The modern game requires the constant threat of a defenseman joining the rush to create a mismatch.  Zadorov's speed and puck handling skill allows him to do this with minimal risk.  It's the skill that has Mark Hunter occasionally dropping the name Larry Robinson.  Occasionally he will get caught up ice, but the benefits far outweigh the risk. 

Zadorov times a hit perfectly against OHL scoring leader Connor Brown

True Patriot Love - There Was Never More

Veterans pass by the London Knights bench on November 8th

The Remembrance Day ceremony has become one of the favourite occasions for London Knights fans.  
"It really chokes me up," said Walt Nowabranec, who is celebrating his 50th year watching London junior hockey. 

Many of the 9,046 were dressed in red.  When the lights dimmed and The Trews - Highway of Heros video started on the scoreboard video a hush came over the crowd.  This years parade of war veterans included the young and old - a 95 year-old from World War II and a recent returnee from Afghanistan.  Both the London Knights and Barrie Colts players applauded and banged their sticks.   The Knights Chris Tierney and Barrie's Aaron Ekblad shook hands with extra sincerity after the ceremonial face-off.  

The Knights will continue to honour the cities military history for the 2014 Memorial Cup.  The new logo includes a picture of Woolsley Barracks, the longtime home of troops in southern Ontario. 

Nikita Zadorov physical presence would help the Knights defense

On the ice, the Knights are still working on putting together 60 minutes of consistent hockey.  The good news for Knights fans is the peaks of dominant play are getting higher.  There were stretches against the Erie Otters, Guelph Storm and Barrie Colts where they looked as good as the OHL champs of the last two years.   There were also stretches where they have trouble with giveaways and clearing the puck out of their own zone.   Nikita Zadorov would certainly help but he remains with the Buffalo Sabres.  

Zadorov is the 50th player in NHL history to play defense in the NHL at age 18.  20 have played more than 40 games.   While that is quite an exclusive club - the list has more Mickey Volcans than Bobby Orrs.  
The first defenseman to play in the NHL at age 18 was Frank "King" Clancy in 1921.  

Dakota Mermis celebrates overtime winner vs. Guelph Storm.

Knights Win vs. Erie, Sudbury

Bo Horvat scores vs. Erie Otters, Sunday Nov. 3

The London Knights played their most impressive game of the year against the Erie Otters on Sunday.  The Knights were passionate and physical against the Otters, who came into Budweiser Gardens having won 11 games in a row.   Bo Horvat and Brett Welychka each scored a goal and added two assists.  All the veterans of the past two Memorial Cup teams contributed to the wins. 

Horvat wins face-off vs. Sudbury Wolves 

     Max Domi had lightning in his legs all weekend.  He created two goals against the Otters with will and skill.  A heavy forecheck and great pass set up Chris Tierney.  A great pass through traffic on the power play resulted in Brett Welychka's key goal in the 2nd.

 Tim Bender arrived from Germany and wondered what all the fuss was about.  He played a regular shift and was steady moving the puck out of his own zone.  The Knights get another test in their next game when the high flying Guelph Storm come to Budweiser Gardens.

Knights defenseman Tim Bender

Lidstrom Junior

He is a legend in their minds. 

Olli Maatta is missed by the London Knights

19 year-old Olli Maatta is still a presence in the London Knights dressing room. 

  Bo Horvat recalls Maatta getting a speeding ticket the first day that he drove his new car.  He shrugged it off and rolled with the good-natured ribbing. 

 Chris Tierney remembers ordering the same sub sandwich at the same location at the same time before each playoff game. He says Olli loved his routines.  

 Trainer Doug Stacey remembers Maatta as one of the hardest working players he's ever seen.  He suggested Maatta  avoid taking punishing hits but Olli refused.  "He wanted to show everybody he wouldn't back down," remembers Stacey.   "He acted like a professional from the day he walked in here."  

Maatta (L) Jarred Tinordi and Scott Harrington (R) formed a big three under Rob Ramage

  Josh Anderson remembers Maatta scoring a huge shorthanded goal in Kitchener that led the Knights to a comeback from a two goal deficit against the Rangers in a playoff game.  

Maatta (2) scores SH playoff goal vs. Kitchener 

  "He was a warrior for our hockey club," Knights GM Mark Hunter told Mike Stubbs of Newstalk 1290 CJBK.  "Look at what he did.  He played his way past 7 one-way contracts." (to make the Pittsburgh Penguins).

Flying first class to Memorial Cup in Shawinigan

In two years, with Olli Maatta often leading the team in minutes played, the London Knights were 8-0 in playoff series.  During those 32 playoff wins, Maatta often made a big play near the end of the game that turned the result in favour of the Knights.  He was plus 25 in his first season with London. He followed that with 23 points in 19 playoff games.  

The 2nd trip to the Memorial Cup was highlighted by Maatta's performance against the Plymouth Whalers.  The huge Whaler forwards pounded him at every turn.  Maatta would not be intimidated.  He kept moving the puck out of harms way and battling the likes of Tom Wilson in front of the net.  

Mark Hunter eyes a future without Maatta 

His last seconds as a Knight were spent in front of the Portland Winterhawks net frantically trying to get the tying goal in a 2-1 loss.  He was named the Knights player of the game.  He seemed destined to captain the team to another Memorial Cup.  The fact that he is not in the London lineup has required a psychological adjustment for his former teammates.  An adjustment that's not yet complete.  On the ice he was Lidstrom-dependable.   He also had an easy smile.  No one ever took Olli Maatta for granted.  Universally liked by coaches, teammates and fans, Maatta's loss will take some time to overcome.

Justin Sefton and Doug Stacey help Maatta off the ice vs. Plyoouth

Maatta and Nikita Zadorov celebrate OHL championship