Craig Button: Christmas Mock Draft

With weeks left until Christmas morning where families will be unwrapping presents under the tree, OHL scouts are mere months away from the OHL draft where they will be unboxing their newest stars under the bright lights of the draft floor.

There's been something of a debate who should go #1 overall, and as of December, that debate has all but been settled. The OHL is expected to grant Shane Wright exceptional status to play as a 15 year old, and that makes him a clear cut favorite right now. There's been arguments in other players' favors, but right now, if I'm drafting first overall, I know who I'm taking.

The dust has settled a little bit and we're halfway through the regular season, so what was once just a shot in the dark for rankings and mock drafting is becoming more of a science. Without further interruption, let's get right to it.

20th. Ethan Del Mastro (D)

The Generals have gone all in this season, and the honey pot will be quite depleted when their current core ages out, so adding a big, mobile blueliner to the backend to start the cogs turning on the rebuild is very much a Generals type move.

19th. Danny Zhilkin (C)

The 67's too have sold off a lot of their youth, but they're poised for a two year window to win, and if they can add a kid capable of taking some tough faceoffs and getting in on the scoring sheet, they'd be all the better off.

18th. Tucker Robertson (LW)

He may not look like big package but he plays like a bulldog off his chain on the ice. Tucker has the kind of non-stop motor and high character that the Hunters love, and with his ability to crash the net and score the ugly goals he'll be a fan favorite.

17th. Braeden Kressler (C)

The undersized forward is a complementary player on the ice, and playing with some of the Spirits bigger scorers, he's got the potential to be a top player in the OHL. Needs to add some size but has a high hockey IQ and a wicked wrister.

16th. Jack Matier (D)

Merry Christmas Colts fans, you just got one of the most physical blueliners in the draft. He's a man playing among boys, and can impose his will in front of the net. He's not a flashy player, he's not a highlight reel goal scorer but he's the kind of guy Dale Hawerchuk is going to love having out there when the game is on the line.

15th. Ryan Winterton (RW)

He's got skills for days, and isn't afraid to show it on the ice. Winterton is capable of assuming a top six role right out of the gate, and Windsor is going to need an influx of offense next season. I expect him to be a late riser this season, I doubt he falls to 15.

14th. Francesco Arcuri (C)

He's got top line center potential, but may need a season or two to really hit his stride. Niagara has a rich history of taking skilled pivots and turning them into superstar OHLers, and with Arcuri's pedigree, NHL scouts are already learning to pronounce his name.

13th. Connor Lockhart (C)

On paper, he's probably the second most skilled player in the OHL draft, and luck has it that he falls all the way to the big bad London Knights. What he lacks in size he makes up for in skill, and if Lockhart gets comfortable with the puck, he could take over the OHL.

12th. Paul Christopoulos (D)

The smooth skating, puck-moving blueliner might not have the flashy name other defensemen do in this draft, but he's a guy that quietly impacts the game in a big way. Capable of eating minutes and a workhorse in the transition game, he's the kind of guy every team needs.

11th. Deni Goure (C)

Just on the cusp of being a top ten pick, Goure doesn't have the tools a lot of other players have, but makes up for it with sheer effort and heart. He's got future captain written all over him, and with a strong competitive core, he's going to learn from some real stars next year.

10th. Jacob Holmes (D)

A team that has some punch on forward and was probably hoping to be in the mix for Gaudreau, however landing a top pairing potential blueliner in Jacob Holmes is nothing to scoff at. He's got a shot that can find the net, and can hold his own defensively.

9th. Brennan Othmann (LW)

The Sarnia Sting have been on autopilot most of this season but recently found their GM and have seemed to get a plan in place. They could finish a lot lower than 9th if they do sell off, however landing a kid with huge potential like Othmann is a must-pick if you're Sarnia.

8th. Brett Harrison (C)

Not the flashiest player by any means, but he's a sure fire NHL type prospect, someone who will be a captain in the OHL. He's got that veteran presence even as a rookie, and can be the leader a young team like the Steelheads need to guide them back to the glory land.

7th. Ethan Burroughs (RW)

He's got flash and a mix of sandpaper that teams love, and with new coach Ted Nolan looking to make his mark in the league again, he's the perfect first year forward to build a line around. Burroughs is all heart and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty to score goals.

6th. Chase Stillman (RW)

Much like his father, Stillman is a dynamic scorer with the puck on his stick. He might not be the playmaker on the ice, but he's the perfect trigger man to finish off give and gos. He's got an endless motor and a high hockey pedigree.

5th. Benjamin Gaudreau (G)

The best goalie that Kitchener has seen between the pipes since John Gibson, this is a slam dunk pick that other teams are going to be kicking themselves for not making. He's a day one starter, and has the potential to be one of the best to ever play in the OHL.

4th. Francesco Pinelli (C)

Oozes skill whenever he steps over the boards, the Fronts need a future star to pair with Vierling and this 1-2 combo up the middle definitely makes teams take notice. Pinelli can be the next superstar of this league if he continues his rise up the rankings.

3rd. Brandt Clarke (D)

The team might be more desperate for a scoring forward, but what the Attack really need is a leader, and you can't pass up on Clarke at this position. He can be what Aaron Ekblad was for the Colts during their rebuild, an anchor that will elevate his teammates around him.

2nd. Mason McTavish (C)

McTavish made it as about an exciting as he could in the race for #1, but he's settled with being the consensus number two pick. He benefits from being coached by NHL veteran Mike Babcock, and the Wolves might not be in the basement long if Mason can impose his will on the game.

1st. Shane Wright (C)

Well that's a wrap folks, Shane Wright is the best prospect in the OHL and the Bulldogs are the worst team in the OHL; a match made in heaven. A generational talent, the best we've seen in the league since McDavid, Shane Wright instantly becomes a star in Hamilton.