Erie Otters winger Stephen Harper stood 128th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, which was released Wednesday. Harper, 18, slid 90 spots down the list after being picked 38th in the midterm rankings released in January. He had 18 goals and 38 points in 67 games this season after totaling 24 goals and 35 points in 63 games as a rookie in the 2011-12 OHL season.
Otters winger Nick Betz, 17, doesn’t appear in the final rankings after standing 106th among North American skaters on the midterm list. He had four goals and 12 points in 44 games this season. He missed two months of the season’s opening half recovering from an appendectomy.
Defenseman Seth Jones (Portland, WHL) and goaltender Zachary Fucale (Halifax, QMJHL) top the list among North American skaters and goaltenders, respectively. Sault Ste. Marie defenseman Darnell Nurse and Ottawa center Sean Monahan rank among the top five skaters, while Mississauga’s Spencer Martin ranks fifth among goaltenders. The Finnish-born duo of Aleksander Barkov and Juuse Saros top the list of European skaters and goaltenders, respectively. The NHL Entry Draft is set for June 30 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Erie Otters center Connor McDavid will play for his native Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 team at the IIHF U18 World Championship, which runs from Thursday through April 28 in Sochi, Russia. McDavid, 16, the OHL’s rookie of the year who had 25 goals and 66 points in 63 games this season, will be joined by 10 other OHL players on the 23-player roster – goaltender Spencer Martin (Mississauga), defensemen Chris Bigras (Owen Sound) and Roland McKeown (Kingston) and forwards Nick Baptiste (Sudbury), Sam Bennett (Kingston), Jason Dickinson (Guelph), Hunter Garlent (Guelph), Zach Nastasiuk (Owen Sound), Nick Ritchie (Peterborough) and Carter Verhaege (Niagara).
Canada begins the tournament Thursday at 10 a.m. against Slovakia, followed by games against Germany (Saturday at 4 a.m.), Switzerland (Monday at 4 a.m.) and Sweden (Tuesday at 4 a.m.). Medal-round play begins April 25 and is capped by the gold-medal and bronze-medal games April 28.

Victor Fernandes unveils his predictions for the OHL playoffs:

Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Belleville def. No. 8 Mississauga, 4-1
No. 2 Barrie def. No. 7 Kingston, 4-0
No. 6 Niagara def. No. 3 Oshawa, 4-2
No. 4 Brampton def. No. 5 Sudbury, 4-2
Semifinals
No. 1 Belleville def. No. 6 Niagara, 4-2
No. 2 Barrie def. No. 4 Brampton, 4-1
Finals
No. 1 Belleville def. No. 2 Barrie, 4-3

Western Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 London def. No. 8 Saginaw, 4-0
No. 2 Plymouth def. No. 7 Sarnia, 4-1
No. 3 Owen Sound def. No. 6 Sault Ste. Marie, 4-1
No. 5 Guelph def. No. 4 Kitchener, 4-3
Semifinals
No. 1 London def. No. 5 Guelph, 4-1
No. 2 Plymouth def. No. 3 Owen Sound, 4-2
Finals
No. 2 Plymouth def. No. 1 London, 4-3

League finals
No. 1W Plymouth def. No. 1E Belleville, 4-2

- Victor Fernandes

Victor Fernandes unveils his predictions for the 2011-12 OHL season:

REGULAR SEASON

Eastern Conference

East Division

1. Oshawa

2. Ottawa

3. Peterborough

4. Kingston

5. Belleville

Central Division

1. Niagara

2. Mississauga

3. Sudbury

4. Brampton

5. Barrie

Western Conference

Midwest Division

1. London

2. Kitchener

3. Erie

4. Owen Sound

5. Guelph

West Division

1. Plymouth

2. Saginaw

3. Sarnia

4. Windsor

5. Sault Ste. Marie

PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Niagara def. No. 8 Kingston, 4-0

No. 2 Oshawa def. No. 7 Sudbury, 4-2

No. 3 Mississauga def. No. 6 Brampton, 4-1

No. 4 Ottawa def. No. 5 Peterborough, 4-1

Semifinals

No. 1 Niagara def. No. 4 Ottawa, 4-0

No. 3 Mississauga def. No. 2 Oshawa, 4-2

Finals

No. 1 Niagara def. No. 3 Mississauga, 4-2

Western Conference

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Plymouth def. No. 8 Owen Sound, 4-2

No. 2 London def. No. 7 Erie, 4-2

No. 6 Windsor def. No. 3 Saginaw, 4-3

No. 5 Sarnia def. No. 4 Kitchener, 4-2

Semifinals

No. 1 Plymouth def. No. 6 Windsor, 4-2

No. 2 London def. No. 5 Sarnia, 4-3

Finals

No. 1 Plymouth def. No. 2 London, 4-2

League finals

No. 1E Niagara def. No. 1W Plymouth, 4-2

Shawn Waskiewicz - Dave Brown (Contributed/Erie Otters)

The Erie Otters, celebrating their 15th season of play in the Ontario Hockey League, have announced the hiring of Dave Brown as Assistant Manager of Hockey Operations. The announcement was made by Otters General Manager Sherwood Bassin.

As Assistant Manager of Hockey Operations, Brown will be responsible for scouting the Ontario Hockey League, coordinating player development and evaluation. Brown joins the Otters staff after serving with the Mississauga/Niagara IceDogs organization from 2003 to 2010, the last five seasons as General Manager.

With Brown at the helm, the IceDogs reached the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, including a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference in 2007-08. Before becoming an OHL executive, Brown ran the Tier II Junior A Milton Merchants during the 2002-03 season and the Brampton Capitals from 1999 to 2002. The Capitals won the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League West championship in 2000 and 2002 under Brown’s watch.

“I am honored that Mr. Bassin has given me this opportunity,” Brown said. “I am proud to be part of an organization that has great core values and treats their players, parents, staff and fans well. I am happy to join the Erie Otters and their classy operation.”

Additionally, Assistant General Manager Shawn Waskiewicz has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Otters until 2013. Waskiewicz has served as Assistant General Manager since September 2008, and has been with the club for nine seasons. “I’m proud to be a member of the Otters family,” Waskiewicz said. “There’s significant potential with the core group of young players and future renovations of Tullio Arena.”

- From Erie Otters news release

Check out video featuring interviews following the 2011 Memorial Cup bid presentations, which were held on Wednesday in Toronto. The interviews include David Branch, CHL president and OHL commissioner; the selection committee and officials from the four Ontario teams and cities – Barrie, Kingston, Mississauga and Windsor.

While you’re here, watch video from Canada’s Rogers TV on how the selection committee chooses the annual tournament’s host site.

Ontario Hockey League playoff previews

Conference finals (best-of-seven series)

Western Conference

No. 1 Windsor Spitfires vs. No. 3 Kitchener Rangers

Season records: Windsor 50-12-1-5, Kitchener 42-19-4-3

Season series: Tied 2-2

Players to watch: Windsor – LW Taylor Hall (9 goals-7 assists-16 points, 5 power-play goals), D Ryan Ellis (2-14-16), C Adam Henrique (6-4-10), RW Dale Mitchell (6-4-10), RW Zack Kassian (2-8-10); Kitchener – C Jeff Skinner (12-8-20), LW Chris MacKinnon (4-16-20), LW Jeremy Morin (8-5-13, 5 PPG), RW Gabriel Landeskog (7-9-16), RW Jason Akeson (5-10-15)

Playoff recap: Windsor def. No. 8 Erie 4-0, def. No. 4 Plymouth 4-0; Kitchener def. No. 6 Saginaw 4-2, def. No. 2 London 4-3

Outlook: The Spitfires’ offense has been potent as usual. But defense and goaltending have been strong, as the Spitfires have allowed 16 goals in their eight wins. That makes them even more dangerous.

Prediction: Windsor in 6 games

Series schedule

Game 1 – Thursday at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.

Game 2 – Saturday at Kitchener, 7 p.m.

Game 3 – Sunday at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.

Game 4 – Tuesday at Kitchener, 7 p.m.

Game 5 – April 22 at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.*

Game 6 – April 23 at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.*

Game 7 – April 25 at Windsor, 2:05 p.m.*

* If necessary

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Barrie Colts vs. No. 3 Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors

Season records: Barrie 57-9-0-2, Mississauga 42-20-4-2

Season series: Tied 3-3

Players to watch: Barrie – RW Bryan Cameron (8-5-13, 5 PPG), C Alexander Burmistrov (7-6-13, 2 PPG), D Alex Pietrangelo (2-9-11, plus-9 rating), C Luke Pither (5-8-13), RW Matt Kennedy (4-4-8); Mississauga – G Chris Carrozzi (5-1-1 record, 2.21 goals-against average, .925 save percentage, 1 shutout), LW Devante Smith-Pelly (6-6-12, 2 PPG), C Casey Cizikas (6-5-11), D Cameron Gaunce (0-10-10), LW Dustin Ekelman (4-2-6), LW Riley Brace (2-7-9)

Playoff recap: Barrie def. No. 8 Sudbury 4-0, def. No. 5 Brampton 4-0; Mississauga def. No. 6 Peterborough 4-0, def. No. 2 Ottawa 4-3

Outlook: The Colts survived a seven-game series against Ottawa despite not having RW Alex Hutchings at all because of a reported groin injury. With or without him, the Colts will win this series, too.

Prediction: Barrie in 6 games

Series schedule

Game 1 – Wednesday at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.

Game 2 – Friday at Mississauga, 7:30 p.m.

Game 3 – Saturday at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.

Game 4 – Monday at Mississauga, 7 p.m.

Game 5 – April 21 at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.*

Game 6 – April 23 at Mississauga, 7:30 p.m.*

Game 7 – April 24 at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.*

* If necessary

Vic’s picks

Semifinal record: 4-0

Postseason record: 12-0

Ontario Hockey League playoff previews

Conference semifinals (best-of-seven series)

Western Conference

No. 1 Windsor Spitfires vs. No. 4 Plymouth Whalers

Season records: Windsor 50-12-1-5, Plymouth 38-27-1-2

Season series: Windsor won 5-3

Players to watch: Windsor – LW Taylor Hall (6 goals-4 assists-10 points, 3 power-play goals), RW Zack Kassian (2-4-6), RW Dale Mitchell (2-4-6), D Ryan Ellis (0-6-6), D Mark Cundari (1-4-5); Plymouth – C Tyler Seguin (5-5-10, 3 PPG), C Phil McRae (6-5-11, 3 PPG), G Matt Hackett (3-1-0 record, 2.38 goals-against average, .940 save percentage), RW Ryan Hayes (4-7-11), C A.J. Jenks (2-6-8)

Playoff recap: Windsor def. No. 8 Erie 4-0; Plymouth def. No. 5 Sault Ste. Marie 4-1

Outlook: Windsor swept Erie despite inconsistent play from G Philipp Grubauer (4-0-0, 2.55, .896). He needs to be better. But the Spitfires are skilled enough to win this series without Grubauer at his best.

Prediction: Windsor in 5 games

Series schedule

No. 1 Windsor vs. No. 4 Plymouth

Game 1 – Thursday at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.

Game 2 – Saturday at Plymouth, 7:05 p.m.

Game 3 – Monday at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.

Game 4 – Wednesday at Plymouth, 7:05 p.m.

Game 5 – April 8 at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.*

Game 6 – April 10 at Plymouth, 7:05 p.m.*

Game 7 – April 12 at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.*

* If necessary

No. 2 London Knights vs. No. 3 Kitchener Rangers

Season records: London 49-16-1-2, Kitchener 42-19-4-3

Season series: London won 5-1

Players to watch: London – C Nazem Kadri (4-10-14, 2 PPG), C Daniel Erlich (5-4-9, 3 PPG), RW Jared Knight (5-4-9), D Steven Tarasuk (0-6-6, plus-4 rating), D Michael D’Orazio (1-3-4, +7); Kitchener – C Jeff Skinner (3-2-5), LW Chris MacKinnon (1-4-5), LW Jeremy Morin (3-1-4, 2 PPG), C Julian Cimadamore (3-1-4), D Dan Kelly (2-2-4)

Playoff recap: London def. No. 7 Guelph 4-1; Kitchener def. No. 6 Saginaw 4-2

Outlook: The Knights and Rangers could explode offensively in this series, given the talent and on-again, off-again goaltending on both sides. But Kitchener will prevail at the end of a long, hard-fought series.

Prediction: Kitchener in 7 games

Series schedule

Game 1 – Thursday at London, 7 p.m.

Game 2 – Friday at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.

Game 3 – Monday at London, 7 p.m.

Game 4 – Wednesday at Kitchener, 7 p.m.

Game 5 – April 8 at London, 7 p.m.*

Game 6 – April 10 at Kitchener, 7 p.m.*

Game 7 – April 12 at London, 7 p.m.*

* If necessary

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Barrie Colts vs. No. 5 Brampton Battalion

Season records: Barrie 57-9-0-2, Brampton 25-29-7-7

Season series: Barrie won 6-0

Players to watch: Barrie – RW Bryan Cameron (6-3-9, 4 PPG), C Alexander Burmistrov (5-4-9, 2 PPG), D Alex Pietrangelo (1-7-8, +6), C Luke Pither (3-4-7), RW Alex Hutchings (1-5-6); Brampton – LW Sean Jones (5-4-9, 3 PPG; former Otter), RW Scott Tanski (3-6-9, 2 PPG), C Cody Hodgson (3-4-7), G Patrick Killeen (4-3-0, 2.85, .895), D Matt Clark (2-4-6, +2)

Playoff recap: Barrie def. No. 8 Sudbury 4-0; Brampton def. No. 5 Kingston 4-3

Outlook: The defending conference champion Battalion survived a Game 7 battle with Kingston. But Brampton’s reign in the East will end quickly against the powerhouse Colts.

Prediction: Barrie in 4 games

Series schedule

Game 1 – Thursday at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.

Game 2 – Sunday at Brampton, 2 p.m.

Game 3 – Monday at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.

Game 4 – Wednesday at Brampton, 7 p.m.

Game 5 – April 9 at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.*

Game 6 – April 11 at Brampton, 2 p.m.*

Game 7 – April 12 at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.*

* If necessary

No. 2 Ottawa 67’s vs. No. 3 Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors

Season records: Ottawa 37-23-5-3, Mississauga 42-20-4-2

Season series: Mississauga won 4-0

Players to watch: Ottawa – RW Tyler Toffoli (5-2-7), LW Corey Cowick (5-1-6, 2 PPG, 2 short-handed goals), LW Anthony Nigro (3-2-5), C Cody Lindsay (0-5-5), D Tyler Cuma (0-4-4); Mississauga – G Chris Carrozzi (4-0-0, 1.50, .944, 1 shutout), LW Devante Smith-Pelly (4-1-5, 2 PPG), LW Dustin Ekelman (3-1-4), C Casey Cizikas (1-3-4), C Jordan Mayer (2-1-3), Blake Parlett (1-2-3, +2)

Playoff recap: Ottawa def. No. 7 Niagara 4-1; Mississauga def. No. 6 Peterborough 4-0

Outlook: The Majors are the perfect playoff team – hot goaltending, staunch defense and an opportunistic offense. Even with home-ice advantage, the 67’s don’t have enough of all three to win the series.

Prediction: Mississauga in 6 games

Series schedule

Game 1 – Thursday at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Game 2 – Friday at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Game 3 – Sunday at Mississauga, 4 p.m.

Game 4 – Tuesday at Mississauga, 7 p.m.

Game 5 – April 8 at Ottawa, 7 p.m.*

Game 6 – April 10 at Mississauga, 4 p.m.*

Game 7 – April 12 at Ottawa, 7 p.m.*

* If necessary

Vic’s picks

Quarterfinal record: 8-0

Postseason record: 8-0

Robbie Ftorek (Contributed/Erie Otters)

Erie Otters coach Robbie Ftorek was unsure if his team would survive the lengthy video review at the end of regulation of Monday’s game against Mississauga St. Michael’s. While video replay officials determined if Majors winger Devante Smith-Pelly scored before the end of regulation, Ftorek said assistant coach Peter Sidorkiewicz “and I weren’t as confident.”

A close friend of Ftorek, who attended the game with his children, told him the clock and horn didn’t appear to be in synch.

“They were counting it down – 10, 9, you know,” Ftorek said. “They got to 1 and they said, ‘The horn didn’t go off.’ They looked up and they saw they had counted down to where it was over. … We didn’t count it down.”

Replay officials determined time expired in the third period before the puck crossed the goal line, keeping the teams in a scoreless tie. After a scoreless overtime, defenseman Derek Holden scored the shootout’s only goal to seal the Otters’ 1-0 win.

“There was a little excitement at the end,” Ftorek said. “I’m glad the clock and the horn weren’t synchronized.”

- Victor Fernandes

The Windsor Spitfires will honor the late Mickey Renaud during a ceremony before tonight’s game against Mississauga St. Michael’s at WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario. The former Spitfires’ captain died 2 years ago today at the age of 19. Read more by clicking the link.