Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Report

Since Brian Burke took over the helm of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008, he has steadily collected himself a growing cupboard of prospects. As everyone is well aware of, he likes to build himself from the back end out. He started turning the Toronto Maple leafs franchise into a respectable team in terms of prospects where in the previous decades we have been ridiculed of terrible drafting along with giving away our assets of draft choices in trades. Although many people believe we have a great strength in goaltending and defense, we are just starting to see forwards making an impact throughout the junior level.

Although we have 7 players throughout the junior ranks playing at over a point per game average, we will look at the three players that are making a difference to their respective clubs. We can only hope that they may in fact, one day suit up for our Blue & White.

Bradley Ross – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game	PIM	+/-
11	7	11	18	1.64	19	-2

Playing for the third place team in the Western Conference in the WHL, Bradley Ross is starting to show his offensive flare to go along with his tenacious physicality. Ross is often compared to players such as Steve Ott, Darcy Tucker, and Cal Clutterbuck. However, he was sent back to the WHL to provide leadership and hone in his offensive instincts before he makes the move to the professional level.

Ross is a prototypical “Brian Burke” type player who will hit, fight, back up teammates and more importantly provides leadership. Last night Ross and the Portland Winterhawks hosted the Saskatoon Blades. Ross registered 2G, 2A and playing to an even rating in a 7-6 Final.

Playing with skilled players such as Ty Rattie (STL), Ryan Johansen (CLB), Nino Niederreiter (NYI), and Sven Bartschi (CAL), Ross will look to provide that toughness along with the leadership and offense that Portland will need to make another playoff run in the 2011-12 WHL season. 

Josh Nicholls – Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game	PIM	+/-
10	6	7	13	1.30	8	1

A Member of the Saskatoon Blades, Josh Nicholls is a huge wildcard prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Playing for the 2^nd place team in the WHL and being given a bigger role on the team, Nicholls has been on fire and leads his team in Goals, Assists, Points, and Points Per Game. Last night the Blades took on the Winterhawks in a shootout. Unfortunately, they fell 7-6 but Nicholls was named first star of the game for registering 4G, 2A; the 4 goals were all scored consecutively for his team, and were scored in the 2^nd and 3^rd periods. Nicholls looks to continue his hot streak when he and the Saskatoon Blades take on the Tri-City Americans.

Greg McKegg – Erie Otters (OHL)

Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game	PIM	+/-
7	2	8	10	1.43	6	-8

Playing for the last place team in the OHL, and suffering a minor concussion last week, McKegg has shown why he is the captain of the Erie Otters and why some consider him to be a steal in his draft year. Although he has not played since last Wednesday, he still leads his team in Assists, Points, and Points Per Game; followed closely by another Leafs prospect Sondre Olden.

The Erie Otters are the 4^th lowest scoring team in the OHL, they are eagerly expecting his return. It is unlikely that they will make the playoffs this year, but after a 49-goal campaign, he will be looking to make an impression for his graduation to professional hockey. It is expected that McKegg will return to the Otters lineup in the next 7-10 days.

Written by: Torrey Duckworth
Edited & Posted by: John Davis