Jakob Chychrun of Sarnia, Michael McLeod of Mississauga, and Logan Brown of Windsor will represent Team OHL at the CHL Canada-Russia Series.
Team OHL will compete against the Russian National Junior Team in Game 3 of the series in Owen Sound on Nov. 12. Game 4 will be played in Windsor on Nov. 16. The series also includes two games in the Western Hockey League prior to both OHL games, and ends with two games hosted by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Chychrun is the top-ranked defenseman and second overall in Future Considerations’ October ranking for the 2016 NHL Draft.
“He has a real shot at making Canada’s World Junior squad this December,” said Daniel Deschenes, an Ontario-based scout for Future Considerations. “Chychrun is no stranger to international competition having represented Canada at the U17 tournament in 2014 as an underage player. He’s a strong skating defenceman with excellent defensive and offensive skills. He picks his spots, moving the puck exceptionally well thanks to his ability to dish crisp passes on the rush and his vision to see these lanes develop.”
According to a coaches poll conducted by Sportsnet Magazine, Chychrun was named the top NHL Draft eligible prospect in the Ontario Hockey League. He has one goal and six points in 10 games for the Sting this season.
McLeod, ranked 21st, has one goal and nine points in 10 games for the Steelheads this season.
He also helped Canada to a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial in August.
“McLeod is showing his playmaking ability playing as the Steelheads first line center,” Deschenes said. “A well deserved honor to be named to the roster, McLeod is poised for a an offensive outburst this year with a starring role in Mississauga. He is taking on a leadership role and building off his rookie season and constantly impresses me with his ability to thrive in pressure situations and his commitment to the defensive game. Except a solid showing in Owen Sound from the 17-year-old.”
Brown has 10 assists and 11 points in nine games for the Spitfires.
A dual citizen, the 17-year-old Brown competed in the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in September.
“The hulking forward has taken a big step in his game and was a standout at last month’s All-American Prospects Game,” Deschenes said. “He uses his size to his advantage to muscle his way to the net and get into the right lanes for a pass. A fluid skater with great hands in tight, Brown handles the challenges of the game like a premier prospect. Yet to choose Canada or the USA internationally, it would not surprise me if Brown plays a strong game in Windsor and cements his name in the minds of Hockey Canada for future U20 tournaments.”