The OHL Central Division took a major step back last season.
Two years ago, every team except for the Sudbury Wolves was over .500, and made the playoffs. Three of the four made it past the first round.
Last season, the only team over .500 was the Mississauga Steelheads, and while they were one of the better teams in the OHL, the Central Division did not pull its weight as a whole.
This season will be for re-tooling for the division. The jump back to glory for perennial late playoff teams like Barrie and North Bay may be a season or two away.
Sudbury has a chance to again grab second place in the Central Division, but with some major changes to the Wolves from last year — including bringing in a new coach — that second-place finish might require more work.
First, here’s a look at the Pack:
Sudbury Wolves
2016-17 record/standing: 27-34-7-0
Regular season finish: 6th in Eastern Conference, 2nd in Central Division
Playoff result: Lost 1st round to Oshawa Generals
Head Coach: Cory Stillman
2016 first-round pick: Blake Murray, 7th overall
Predictions: 3rd in Central Division
And what about the Pack’s rivals:
Barrie Colts
2016-17 record/standing: 17-44-6-1
Regular season finish: 10th in Eastern Conference, 5th in Central Division
Playoff result: Missed playoffs
Head Coach: Dale Hawerchuk
First round draft pick: Ryan Suzuki, 1st overall
Predictions: 4th in Central Division
Thoughts
The Barrie Colts have a system, if you’re not going to win it all, finish near the bottom and work your way up. Fans in Barrie will see a much better team this year, but that’s not saying much, based on their record from a year ago. Lucas Chiodo took massive strides for a 15th-round pick last season, finishing second on the team in scoring. Barrie will have some dangerous second year players like Kirill Nizhnikov, Jaeden Peca and others, but those players will have to carry them through the season. Ryan Suzuki will be fun to watch and will be for years to come. The Colts will make the playoffs, but it won’t be a great team for another season or two.
North Bay Battalion
2016-17 record/standing: 24-38-4-2
Regular season finish: 9th in Eastern Conference, 4th in Central Division
Playoff result: Missed playoffs
Head Coach: Stan Butler
First round draft pick: Brandon Coe, 3rd overall
Predictions: 5th in Central Division
Thoughts
The Battalion are going to be a bit younger, but pretty much all of their weapons are returning. Cam Dineen had an injury plagued season, playing just 29 games, so expect him to have a big bounce back. Justin Brazeau was a nice surprise in his second season and Julian Sime got a lot of work in net. The good thing about a losing season is you get to see what you’ve got for the future. The Battalion may be on the outside looking in once again and after their streak of 14 straight appearances came to an end last year a new streak of missing may be in the cards.
Mississauga Steelheads
2016-17 record/standing: 34-21-6-7
Regular season finish: 2nd in Eastern Conference, 1st in Central Division
Playoff result: Lost in OHL final
Head Coach: James Richmond
First round draft pick: Jack Hughes, 8th overall and Thomas Harley, 14th overall
Predictions: 1st in Central Division
Thoughts
The word is out, Mississauga is a really good team, blessed with a roster loaded with NHL draft picks. This team has some unfinished business even if top players Owen Tippett and Michael McLeod don’t come back. This team is loaded with talent and should win the Central and have eyes on an OHL final appearance again. The Wolves were able to play this team tough for the most part last season and that rivalry should be a fun one to watch this year.
Niagara Ice Dogs
2016-17 record/standing: 23-35-6-4
Regular season finish: 8th in Eastern Conference, 3rd in Central Division
Playoff result: Lost in 1st round
Head Coach: Billy Burke
First round draft pick: Philip Tomasino, 5th overall
Predictions: 2nd in Central Division
Thoughts
The Niagara Ice Dogs are now two years removed from an OHL final birth and last year was a rebuild year. But they were able to get back into the playoffs and gain some valuable experience for their youth. That youth will be led by Akil Thomas, who had 48 points as a rookie. Two of their top three scorers are back and this team should return to the playoffs as a top five team in the Eastern Conference.
