New Rookie Class

The rookie of the year award came down to the wire last season, with five players eclipsing 50 points on the campaign. Only one player was able to eclipse the 60 point threshold, and that was Emms Family Award winner Blake Murray of the Sudbury Wolves. It was the first time a member of the Wolves won the award since Benoit Pouliot back in 2004-2005, and only the third time ever the award went to the big Nickel.

With that strong rookie class graduating to second year players in their NHL draft year, the OHL welcomes a new class of first year players who look poised to give last year's crop a run for their money. What we're trying to figure out is who is the next Blake Murray of the group. Murray wasn't the #1 pick, he wasn't even in the top 5 in fact. Going 7th overall, he was an unlikely candidate to steal the crown, so that gives way to anyone being able to walk away as the rookie of the year.

10. 

G, Tristan Lennox - Windsor Spitfires

He's gonna see plenty of ice time with the Spit, could even earn the starting gig as a rookie. His pedigree is there, they selected him very high in the priority draft. All the conditions are in place for Lennox to be the next great 4 year starter in the OHL.

9. 

C, Jean-Luc Foudy - Peterborough Petes

Coming in with a lot of expectations to live up to the family name, Foudy has already seen himself dealt across the OHL from Barrie to Peterborough. In the liftlock city, he'll be able to nestle out a bottom six role that could increase as he gains coach Wilson's trust.

8.

C, Evan Vierling - Kingston Frontenacs

He's an interesting case, drafted a lot lower than other names you'll find on this list, but will be afforded a chance to play with some tremendously talented players right out of the gate. If Kingston goes the way of the rebuild, Vierling could find himself the #1 center on this squad.

7. 

LW, Will Cuylle - Hamilton Bulldogs

The second player drafted in the top that was promptly dealt, as rumors began to surface that he would not report to the Erie Otters. He's physically the most mature player in the rookie class outside Byfield, and with the Bulldogs staking a lot on his development, if he gets going early could be a real candidate for ROTY.

6. 

LW, Cole Perfetti - Guelph Storm

Playing on a line with fellow rookie Marco Rossi, Perfetti is going to have to adapt quickly to the league and the game, as the Storm are hoping for a quick turnaround from their rebuild. He's got the skillset to be a generational talent, and NHL scouts will be glued to him whenever he's on the ice.

5. 

G, Ukko Pekka Lukkonen - North Bay Battalion

Considered the best goaltender in the league, the Finnish import is going to play the lion share's of starts for North Bay. What UPL has going against him is the fact that a goalie has never won ROTY, although goaltender of the year may be the more realistic outcome for him.

4.

LW, Jacob Perreault - Peterborough Petes

The son of underrated career NHLer Yanic Perreault, Jacob has more of a marksman skillset that makes him one of the more deadly players in this rookie class with the puck on his stick. He's got the potential to be a 30-40+ goal scorer in this league, and riding shotgun with Akil Thomas and Nick Robertson should afford him many opportunities to make good on that potential.

3. 

C, Quinton Byfield - Flint Firebirds

Byfield is a man playing among boys, even as a rookie. He's got the physical tools to be the next Rick Nash, a physical power forward with the game-breaking talent. Byfield's challenge this year will be putting the Flint Firebirds on his back, and carrying them out of the basement they occupied to draft him.

2.

C, Marco Rossi - Guelph Storm

Manning the center spot with fellow gifted rookie Cole Perfetti on his wing should see Rossi dominate this season. The young Swiss import already looks like one of the league's top centers in a few preseason games, and don't be surprised if he's the first Swiss born player to take home the ROTY, and the first non-North American since Nail Yakupov.

1. 

D, Jamie Drysdale - North Bay Battalion

Looks absolutely poised and comfortable on a second pairing in North Bay, he's going to be the PPQB that gives teams nightmares. He may not go goal for goal with players populating this list, but in terms of being the most valuable player to his team, Drysdale has future captain written all over him and could follow in Ryan Merkley's footsteps who won ROTY just two years ago.