Cloutier\u2019s game does not stop at his relentlessness, as he is a great skater who can get up and going quickly and is shifty with his stick handling. Once he is in the offensive zone, he has a strong shot that translated well on the Spirits\u2019 second power-play unit this season. He finished the season fourth among rookies in the OHL in points, tallying 47 (23 goals, 24 assists). With the Spirit likely to rely on him more next season with players like Igor Chernyshov, Michael Misa, and Zayne Parekh<\/a> possibly moving on, there is a good chance he becomes a player many get to know well, and he should easily outdo his NHL Central Scouting rank.<\/p>\n 4. Carson Cameron, Defenceman, Peterborough Petes<\/p>\n Carson Cameron was a bright spot for the last-place Peterborough Petes this season. Cameron may not light the world on fire with his offensive production, but that is not his calling card. He plays a fundamentally sound defensive game, is constantly active, and is always looking for ways to make an impact in his zone, whether by making a play on the puck or positioning himself in the right spot to occupy a passing or shooting lane.<\/p>\n His hockey IQ and vision are top-notch as a defenseman, and this does help translate into his offensive game. Cameron is a good puck mover, making strong first-pass plays from the defensive zone to help lead a breakout or a rush for his teammates. His skating and puck handling are strong enough to help him lead a rush when he has the lane. With the defensive game that he already has in his arsenal, mixed in with the potential for him to develop his offensive game, Cameron could become a third-pair shutdown defenseman at the NHL level and be higher ranked by some organizations than he is by NHL Central Scouting (137th among North American skaters). <\/p>\n 3. Lev Katzin, Centre, Guelph Storm<\/p>\n One of a handful of players who made the jump from United States junior hockey to the OHL, Lev Katzin<\/a> did so after leaving the United States Hockey League (USHL) to play for the Guelph Storm<\/a> during the season. While he did not play a full season with the Storm, Katzin made a major impact while in the lineup. He has a high motor and brings plenty of energy to the game, and is very creative with the puck on his stick.<\/p>\n Related: THW\u2019s 2025 NHL Draft Guide <\/a><\/p>\n One of the biggest question marks about Katzin is if his game can translate to the next level due to his size. He is a bit undersized, but he is strong enough with the puck on his stick to protect it and not put himself in a vulnerable position. After a strong showing at the Under-18 World Junior Championships (WJC) with Canada and tallying the third-most points among all OHL rookies while playing almost 20 games fewer than the players ahead of him, Katzin could fly under the radar in June\u2019s draft and end up being a steal for an NHL organization.<\/p>\n 2. Filip Ekberg, Right Wing, Ottawa 67\u2019s<\/p>\n A first-round selection by the Ottawa 67\u2019s in the 2024 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft<\/a>, Filip Ekberg showcased his game as well as he could given the circumstances with the 67\u2019s. There are many who were a bit taken aback by Ekberg\u2019s usage by head coach Dave Cameron, but even with that, Ekberg played admirably. His hands and vision headline his game. He has top-notch stickhandling, and his vision helps him become a strong playmaker with the puck on his stick. <\/p>\n Ekberg<\/a> also haas a very strong shot that makes him even more of a weapon in the offensive zone. After a strong showing for Sweden at the U-18 WJC, with 18 points in just seven games, Ekberg\u2019s draft value could rise, and he could outshine his 178th ranking by NHL Central Scouting.<\/p>\n 1. Owen Griffin, Centre, Oshawa Generals<\/p>\n A player whose draft value continues to rise, jumping from 197th among North American skaters in Central Scouting\u2019s midterm ranks to 70th in the latest rankings, Owen Griffin<\/a> took full advantage of the opportunity given to him this season with the Oshawa Generals. Playing on a team with Calum Ritchie, Colby Barlow, and Beckett Sennecke, Griffin got to play with some top talent and showed what he can do with such players around him.<\/p>\n A hard-nosed player who does whatever his coaches ask of him, Griffin generates offense with his willingness to go to the dirty areas of the ice and then uses his playmaking ability to find a teammate or find a shooting lane for himself. The detail-oriented two-way centre rode a strong regular season into the OHL Playoffs, where he put up the sixth-most points by an Under-18 player in an OHL postseason since 2000. He tied Sam Gagner<\/a> on that list with 29 points, while also leading the Generals in goals with 16. Griffin\u2019s overall game, mixed in with his offensive development this season, makes him a majorly underrated player heading into this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n Plenty of Underrated Talent From the OHL<\/p>\n While the big names like Michael Misa, Porter Martone, and Matthew Schaefer garner a lot of the attention at the top of this year\u2019s draft class from the OHL, the aforementioned players could end up being potential gems in the mid-to-late rounds.<\/p>\n Sign up for our NHL Prospects & Draft Substack newsletter<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"2025](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2025_NHL_Draft_OHL_Und-1200x724.jpg\")
Owen Griffin and Filip Ekberg (The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n![\"Substack](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Substack_Banner_Prospects-1-1200x122.jpg\")
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