The OHL released its annual coaches poll, and several Canucks prospects factored into the voting and made appearances near the top of their respective categories.

2017-18 #OHL Coaches Poll. Recognizing the Top-3 Western and Eastern Conference players across 20 different skill categories. RESULTS: https://t.co/Fp2E7wjJIs pic.twitter.com/oSfuPmE9RE — OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) March 15, 2018

Most notably, Canucks prospect and 2017 second-round draft pick, Jonah Gadjovich, came in first place in Western Conference voting for the hardest working player. Gadjovich also factored into the voting for who was the most dangerous in the goal area for the Western Conference, finishing in third place.

From the OHL’s press release: Jonah Gadjovich of the Owen Sound Attack was named Hardest Worker after finishing in third last season and second the year before, while teammate Jacob Friend was voted Best Body Checker a second straight season and also finished in the top three back in 2015-16.

Next up was Oshawa Generals defenceman and Canucks 2017 seventh-round draft choice, Matt Brassard, whom the coaches voted as the second-best offensive defenceman in the Eastern Conference. It’s no surprise to see Brassard figure into the voting. Brassard, 19, is enjoying a breakout campaign offensively, with 49 points (15 goals and 34 assists) in 66 games. He’s looking like quite the find by the Canucks scouting staff.

The Canucks have a strong presence in the voting from the crease. Michael DiPietro, whom the Canucks took with the 64th overall pick in the third-round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, earned first place honours as the best puck-handling goaltender in the Western Conference and third-place plaudits as the best shootout netminder as well.

If you noticed a consistent theme here, it’s that all of these prospects came from last year’s draft, undoubtedly the best by Canucks general manager Jim Benning and his scouting staff. Only time will tell what fruits their investments will bear, but the early returns, as exemplified by their OHL talents showing in the coaches poll in this instance, are encouraging.

You can find out about all these prospects and more as CanucksArmy looks to continue their Mid-Term Prospect Rankings to go along with closing out the Canucks season.





