skip navigation
Players

Which New Faces Appear in the Rankings?

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 12/19/17, 2:30PM EST

Share

Minor Midget and Midget AAA Top 5 Rankings Powered by Under Armour


Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa Photography

Teams are gearing up for the stretch run of the season. Here is the eighth edition of the OMHA Minor Midget and Midget AAA Rankings powered by Under Armour.

Minor Midget AAA Rankings

A busy couple of weeks before the holidays were filled with action-packed games from across the OMHA. The Rangers continued their blazing start to the season and no team has been able to notch a win against them. The Colts are right on their heels, losing just once in their last six games. The North Stars are keeping pace while the Express may have just turned the corner on their midseason blip. The Petes crack the top five, sitting atop their division and look to keep making noise.

Players to Watch

Luke Evangelista (Oakville Rangers) - An extremely reliable player when he has the puck. His decision making and ability to see the ice is top notch. Evangelista knows how to open up passing lanes, when to be patient, and when to be explosive. This make him one of the most dynamic players in his age group. He times his skating so that he gets the puck in full stride. With his confidence, his head is up reading defenders and more importantly seeing where his teammates are. Evangelista then lets his offensive instincts take over and he will creates prime scoring chances, which consistently get him on a score sheet.

Will Cranley (Peterborough Minor Petes) - An extremely reliable goalie who has the complete package. His size is optimal to be a puck-stopper as he covers the net well. Cranley couples this with a sharpness to the way he plays his game. His movements are crisp and controlled and this keeps his angles on point making him tough to beat. He seems to swallow a lot pucks, limiting rebounds and second chances. When the pressure mounts, his demeanor remains very calm and he never seems to get rattled. This approach allows him to be focused for the entire game and limits mistakes.

Midget AAA Rankings

A pair of wins by the Rangers keeps their winning streak alive. The North Stars notched a win and earned a pair of ties as well but it bumped them from the top spot. Markham keeps climbing while the Wolves dropped two games in a row, sending them to the fourth spot. The streaking Raiders, winners of six in the row, carry their momentum into an appearance on the rankings.

Players to Watch

Dawson Manning (Oshawa Minor Generals) - Manning is a steady two-way forward and a large part of the offensive production the Generals have seen so far this season. Manning does it all for the Generals; he can score big goals for his team when needed but more importantly he seems to always be used in key defensive situations. He is a true 200-foot type player who can be found giving 100% effort on both sides of the puck. His work ethic makes a lasting impression on anyone watching Manning for the first time and leaves you excited for his next shift.  

Ethan Cook (Southern Tier Admirals) - Cook has been one of the top SCTA goalies so far in 2017-18 and although the numbers are not reflected in his play, the Admirals have a chance to win every night that Cook stands inside the blue paint. He bases his game on above average positioning mixed with excellent rebound control. An underrated part of his game is how calm he is in the net. Looking at Cook, you would never know if the team is up with a comfortable lead or struggling to compete, he gives the same body language and confidence from puck drop until the final buzzer. Look for big things from Cook and a strong second half for the Admirals.


Like this article?

Share with your friends on Facebook and join the largest network of hockey parents.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The OMHA Minor Midget and Midget AAA Rankings powered by Under Armour are submitted by a group of scouts from the Ontario Hockey League and are released on a bi-weekly basis.

you may also like

Players
Players
Championships
Home Ice
Players
Players