The great ones – like Steven Stamkos played in the OMHA – and the #NextOnes like Quinte Red Devils Forward, Brady Gilmour and Josh Wainman of the Peterborough Jr. Petes will take to the ice at the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s Eastern AAA (ETA) Minor Midget Showcase in Orillia December 6 and 7.

Thirteen Ontario Minor Hockey Association teams from the Eastern AAA Minor Midget League will battle head-to-head in a series of games in front of pro, junior and university scouts at the West Orillia Sports Complex. The event is a preview of the top picks in next spring’s Ontario Hockey League and, in a few short years, the National Hockey League draft. The OMHA is a premier development league with 104 players drafted from 21 different teams at the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, including three first round picks. Recent Ontario Minor Hockey Association grads now in the National Hockey League include Steven Stamkos, Matt Duchene, Corey Perry and Cody Hodgson.

A list of players to watch, including Gilmour and Wainman are listed below. 
The weekend will also include the OMHA Eastern AAA Midget All-Star Game and Skills Competition. The inaugural Midget All-Star game was held in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize the hockey skills of Midget AAA players while providing a venue where these players could demonstrate their abilities. 

"The Ontario Minor Hockey Association has consistently developed bonafide prospects for the OHL year in and year out.” said Jason Ford, Barrie Colts General Manager & Head Scout.  “This type of setting with all of the teams in the league playing in one place allows us to evaluate the league as a whole, and saves us a lot of time moving forward.   This Showcase provides us with more information on players we are interesting in pursuing, and helps us pinpoint who we want to pay more attention to as the season goes on."

The participating clubs are the Whitby Wildcats, Clarington Toros, Peterborough Petes, Kingston Jr. Frontenacs, Central Ontario Wolves, Quinte Red Devils, Oshawa Generals, York Simcoe Express, South Central Coyotes, Barrie Jr. Colts, Ajax/Pickering Raiders, Markham Waxers, North Central Predators and NOHA.

“The Ontario Minor Hockey Association has a long and proud tradition of developing some of the top hockey talent in the world.” said OMHA President Rob Ring. “This event will be a step in identifying and developing the next crop of elite players in Ontario.”

The OMHA’s Showcase is also used to promote a path to post-secondary education for the athletes. Many OMHA graduates move on to attend and play at Ontario universities.

“The Ontario Hockey League offers student-athletes the best of both worlds when it comes to on ice development and opportunities in education,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “We look forward to the opportunity to meet so many of the OMHA’s great student-athletes and future stars of the OHL at these events.”

The OUA and OHL will host information sessions at the tournament to explain the pathways to junior hockey and university life. 

“Ontario University Athletics would like to welcome all players to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association AAA Showcase.  This is an opportunity for these exceptional athletes to showcase their talents while learning about the opportunities that exist for them beyond their junior playing careers. Ontario University Athletics would like to wish all players the utmost success as they pursue their academic and athletic goals,” said OUA Executive Director Bryan Crawford.

Partners for the 2014 OMHA ETA Showcase include Under Armour, Ontario University Athletics [OUA], Ontario Hockey League [OHL], Gatorade & Rogers TV.

Hunter has a lot of tools, thick and strong he gains space and wards off opponents. Has an edge to his game and due to his stature he has a very effective physical game. To compliment this, he has a high hockey IQ, makes good decisions, and has a good transition game. Displaying a good work ethic, he wants to make a difference every time he is on the ice.

The captain of his team, Davis leads by example and is the heart and soul of the team. He skates well and competes hard; plays with energy and displays a good two-way game. He has tremendous skills and a touch around the net.

Macauley might be one of the most physically effective players at this age group. He dominates the corners, hits hard, and he is very strong on his skates. When he wants to take the puck to the net it is hard for the opposition to stop him. He has a good compete level and skill level with the ability to make plays on a consistent basis. In a day-of-age in the game where puck battles and the subsequent puck possession and opportunities that come with it are so crucial, a player like Carson is highly valuable.

Tyler has a lot of upside. He has good size, skates well with a good stride and has a strong work ethic. Burnie possess a high skill level that allows him to handle the puck well and create offence for his team. He understands the game well and does a lot of little things well (chipping pucks out to teammates, supporting teammates, etc.). Once he fills out his big frame he is going to be a very effective player at the next level.

The captain and leader of the team, Jake is an intriguing player. He couples a high compete level & physical game with a high skill level and the ability to generate offense. Like any good leader he is vocal and always supports his teammates

Somewhat undersized, Carson makes up for this with his work ethic and tenacity. He is not afraid to go into the dirty areas and battle for pucks. When the puck is on his stick he has the ability to generate offence quickly. 

Hancock is a complete hockey player. Possessing good size and a high compete level, he is as effective along the boards battling for pucks as he is with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. Conscious defensively, he is hard on pucks and limits opportunities for the opposition. He is fun to watch with the puck, his creativity and speed with the biscuit will get fans out of their seats.

Mcdermott, an offensive defenseman, skates well and has a very good transition game. He sees the ice well and is smart with the puck. He is also very effective on the power play.

Gonsalves is a very good skater that competes every time he is on the ice. Although not overly big, he plays a physical game and is always willing to battle for pucks. On the offensive side of the puck, he understands the game well and has a good skill level.

Big and strong, Doyle has a good physical game and likes to mix it up. He is strong on the puck and tough to play against. A natural winger, Doyle has been used on the backend and has been equally effective there.

The backbone of his team, Richardson compliments good size with, a good butterfly technique. He always squares-up to the shooters he faces, and follows the puck well. He is alert and competes. Teams will try to get him moving side-to-side in order to beat him, but his lateral movement is solid and he covers off his angles well.

Prucha is a rock on the backend for his team. Not overly flashy, he does not give up many opportunities for the opposition and has the ability to effectively transition the game back up the ice.  He understands the game well and limits his mistakes.

Ellwood is an offensive threat whenever he is on the ice. He possesses a complete skill level and he has the ability to get himself into goal scoring situations. Once he is there, he is very effective at putting the puck in the back of the net.

The beast of the backend for his team, Hanna is a physical presence and is not afraid to dish out punishment to the opposition. He has very good mobility for a player of his size and advances the puck effectively and efficiently. Quinn’s skill set is very high and he is effective on the power play especially when he gets his cannon of a shot on net.

Ralph is an electric player, who has high-end skill. His skating is superb and his acceleration with the puck is as good as any player at this age group. Dynamic and creative, along with a high compete level, he generates a lot of offence for his team.

The captain of his team, Wainman has the unique the ability to control the tempo of the game. Like a drummer keeping time for his band, Wainman can push the play or settle it down. He is smart, skilled, and very effective defensively.

Gilmour is an elite-level-talent. He combines high-end skill, a very good work ethic and an extremely high hockey IQ together. He might be the most offensively dangerous player in the OMHA this year and will no doubt have his name called early at the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

Brahaney has a very good all-around game. He has a strong skill level, elite hockey smarts, and does not give up much defensively. He has a very good transition game and competes hard every time he is on the ice.

McFarland dominates physically and gets up and down the ice well for his size. In addition to this he works hard every time he steps on the ice. His shot exceeds his age as he can shoot the puck like a 19 year-old who plays at the next level

The captain of his team, Amedeo is an offensive defenseman that generates a lot of opportunities from the backend. He is very effective on the power play either dishing to his teammates or getting pucks on net. His gap control is phenomenal, and as a result he does not give up much to the opposition

Champion plays on the edge and competes hard every shift. He thrives in the dirty areas and battles hard for pucks. With that being mentioned he is much more than this, as he has a great skill level and generates offence on a consistent basis.

Wisco competes very hard in the blue paint. He is alert and very quick, especially post-to-post. Partnered with the equally effective Ryan Baux, this tandem has the ability to take Whitby all the way to the OMHA finals being hosted by Quinte in March.

Franzin has a lot of tools in his arsenal. He is big & strong, has good mobility, and handles the puck very well. He is very aware and is smart with the puck. He has limitless poise and is rarely taken off his game.

Andonovski competes very hard, has a good physical game, and is very effective in the dirty areas. His skill level is very good and he understands the game well. He is vocal and is a very good leader on his team. One of the best all-around forwards in the loop.

Brown, a power-forward, hits like a Mack truck. He skates well, has good all-around skills and understands the game with the best of them. As a result, he is a highly sought after commodity and has lots of upside.

Ham is the captain and leader of this team. When the puck is on his stick he has the ability to transition into offence very quickly and efficiency. He may not be overly tall but he is thick and strong and as a result he is very tough to knock off the puck. He is smart, anticipates the play well, has an extremely good shot.