Brandon Caputo
@BCaputo_AGM
David Pickering/OHL Images
The 2024 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo provided us with many moments of high skill and excitement, showcasing young talent from all over the world coming together to be a part of this six-team tournament that spanned over four days at Buffalo’s Harborcenter.
The Columbus Blue Jackets replaced the Montreal Canadiens at this year’s installment but the other five teams were returnees from last year, which included the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and the host Buffalo Sabres.
Below is a list of the Top 10 players (who currently or at one-point dawned Ontario Hockey League jerseys) that stood out from the pool of 150 plus players competing out on the ice hoping to make a good impression on the teams that drafted and or made them camp invites, giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills while dawning NHL team jerseys.
1. Avery Hayes
Pittsburgh Penguins
Brantford/Hamilton Bulldogs and Peterborough Petes alumnus
3 games played, 5 goals, 2 assists
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The 21-year-old Michigan native and former two-time OHL champion appeared in only 29 games with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season due to injury but started his 2024-25 season off on the right foot. Hayes developed quite the early chemistry with Rutger McGroarty, the talented NHL first round pick recently acquired from the Winnipeg Jets, who was also his roommate for the week.
Hayes potted a pair of goals in the opening game vs Boston, including an assist on McGroarty’s goal before a quiet second game that finished with him sealing it with the empty net goal. Hayes went out with a bang by potting a hat-trick in the final game vs Buffalo, including Pittsburgh’s first three goals of the contest before setting up Rutger McGroarty for the Penguins eight and final goal on route to their 8-5 victory and a perfect 3-0 record on the week.
He has always shown a scoring knack around the net and looks to make an impact on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton or at worst case Wheeling this season. He spoke to us during the tournament about really taking pride in becoming a more well-rounded and reliable player in all three zones, which he definitely showed this weekend. Hayes was by far the most productive player this tournament with ties to the OHL.
He heads into his second year of pro hockey with major momentum coming out of this tournament.
2. Chase Stillman
New Jersey Devils
Peterborough Petes and Sudbury Wolves alumnus
3 games played, 4 goals, 1 assist
Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Chase Stillman has an OHL Championship under his belt with the Peterborough Petes in 2022-23 and has the status of being a first round selection for New Jersey in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and showed why there are high hopes for him entering his second season of pro hockey. Stillman played 54 AHL games with the Utica Comets last season, with the speed of the game being the biggest adjustment that he said this week was the most difficult thing for him in getting used to that level.
The Devils from New Jersey absolutely dominated the Ottawa Senators in their tournament opener with a convincing 9-1 victory, which Stillman contributed a sharp angle goal and a primary powerplay assist as part of the success. The OHL Champion then followed that up with a multi-goal performance, one even strength and the empty net dagger against Buffalo, which was a sold-out Harborcenter crowd for Sabres FanFest earlier in the day. The Devils 2021 first rounder finished off his tournament with a breakaway goal in their final game vs Boston before leaving the game for undisclosed reasons.
Stillman finishes the tournament with four goals and one assist, showing he has the potential to take a step in his second season of pro hockey under Utica head coach Kevin Dineen, who he praised in our chat with him earlier in the week.
Quite the coincidence that former Peterborough Petes and OHL championship teammates reign supreme this weekend atop the standouts with OHL ties this weekend. Now it is time to look at the rest of the notables.
3. Luca Del Bel Belluz
Columbus Blue Jackets
Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and Sarnia Sting alumnus
3 games played, 1 goal, 3 assists
Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Del Bel Belluz isn’t the only member of this list who dawned the Blue Jackets crest this weekend as they had a strong showing for the most part. The former Steelheads and Sting forward was Columbus’ second round selection in 2022 and played 58 games with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters last season in his first year of pro hockey, recording 31 points over that span.
In the Prospects Challenge, Del Bel Belluz showcased his playmaking ability by potting an assist in Columbus’ opening game vs Buffalo, which eventually ended in defeat. He followed that, however, by scoring the overtime winner during 3on3 play against the Boston Bruins, intercepting a pass from the Bruins defender leading to the goal. Del Bel Belluz capped off his tournament by helping on both of Pano Fimis’s goals, on route to victory in their final game vs Ottawa.
Del Bel Belluz finished with one game-winning goal and three assists over the three days and helped Columbus achieve a respectable 2-1 record.
4. Brett Harrison
Boston Bruins
Windsor Spitfires and Oshawa Generals alumnus
3 games played, 3 goals, 1 assist
Richard T Gagnon/GettyImages
Brett Harrison was the Bruins third round selection back in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and also completed his first year of pro hockey in 2023-24, competing in 47 games with the AHL’s Providence Bruins.
Harrison was one of Boston’s few and far between bright spots with the forward core they assembled for this tournament. The former General and Spitfire started the tournament off strong with a goal and assist vs the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game that his Bruins would go on to lose 6-3. Harrison followed that up with a goal in their second game vs Columbus, which was the game-tying goal on a 3on1 rush. Boston would lose that game 3-2 in overtime but finished off their tournament with a win against a New Jersey team who came into the final game 2-0 on the week.
Harrison provided the dagger by stealing the puck and wristing a shot past the goaltender on the powerplay, giving Boston a 6-4 victory heading home.
5. Pano Fimis
Columbus Blue Jackets
Erie Otters formerly Niagara IceDogs
3 games played, 3 goals
Pano Fimis is the highest ranked current OHL player on this list and for good reason. Despite only being a camp invitee to this tournament for the Blue Jackets, Fimis showed that he belonged on this team by potting in a trio of goals in very limited playing time. Fimis started on either the third or fourth line in every contest but made the most of his opportunities, while also taking key faceoffs in both the offensive and defensive ends throughout the three games.
The former second overall selection in the 2020 OHL draft by the IceDogs has gotten better each season and really blossomed under the tutelage of long-time coach Stan Butler, being able to unlock the 200-foot game that people had envisioned for Fimis entering the league.
Fimis was quiet in the opening game before scoring the Blue Jackets opening goal in their second contest against the Boston Bruins, a game Columbus would win in overtime. Fimis closed out his tournament by potting a pair of goals for the Blue Jackets, including a beautiful shorthanded marker by going backhand forehand in tight. Columbus defeated the Senators 4-1 on the day and Fimis heads back down the interstate to Erie with a ton of confidence and momentum going into his overage season.
6. Cole Brown
New Jersey Devils
Brantford Bulldogs
3 games played, 3 goals
Sam Kasan/NewJerseyDevils.com
Cole Brown is the second ranked player on this list for players who are still currently playing in the Ontario Hockey League, only behind Pano Fimis for underaged strong showings. Brown opened his tournament by tipping in a shot in New Jersey’s opening game against Ottawa which made it a 4-0 game, on-route to their convincing 9-1 victory.
The 2023 sixth round selection in the NHL Entry Draft then recorded an empty net goal vs Buffalo in their second game, being rewarded on the scoresheet for a very strong two-way effort that helped them be victorious over a massive home crowd advantage for the Sabres. Brown then capped off his tournament by opening the scoring against Boston with a top shelf finish in tight on the Bruins goaltender. A high scoring 6-4 affair that the Devils would eventually fall victim to.
Brown, however, will return to his formidable Brantford Bulldogs club with a major boost after securing three goals in three games over this tournament. Major tip of the cap to the Toronto native this week.
7. Jack Beck
Pittsburgh Penguins
Soo Greyhounds and Ottawa 67’s alumnus
3 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
Despite very limited playing time in a bottom-six role for the first two games of the tournament, Jack Beck had himself a productive week with the opportunities he did earn. The 2021 sixth round pick by the Penguins was able to help lift Pittsburgh to an opening game victory against Boston with an assist, before potting a multi-point effort in their second contest versus Ottawa. Beck and the Penguins completed the perfect 3-0 tournament with an 8-5 win over Buffalo in the finale.
Beck was promoted to the second line for the final game and although he did not get on the scoresheet, he provided a solid two-way performance in what was a spirited contest with many scrums and big hits throughout. You can tell that Beck was coached by Dave Cameron during his time with the 67’s in the OHL with the way he shows a 200-foot responsible game. Not the flashiest player but finds a way to be productive. Beck heads into his first season of pro hockey with a good first impression at this tournament.
8. Jacob Oster
Columbus Blue Jackets
Oshawa Generals
1 game played, 16 saves, 1 win
Being the only goaltender on this list, Jacob Oster only appeared in one game this week, with that being Columbus’ finale against the Ottawa Senators. The reigning Goaltender of the Year and Eastern Conference Champion with the Oshawa Generals, Oster was rock solid for the Blue Jackets, stopping 15 of the 16 shots he faced from an Ottawa team who was hungry to close out their disappointing tournament on a high, showcasing their best performance by far over the three days in this final contest. Oster is ranked third on this list among current OHL players who have not yet graduated.
Despite not being dressed for one of the games and being the backup for the other, Oster made the most of his one and only call to tend the twine for Columbus, going out on a high note with a win. Look for another big season for Oster as the 20-year-old returns to Oshawa for his final OHL season.
9. Evan Vierling
Boston Bruins
Barrie Colts and Flint Firebirds alumnus
3 games played, 1 goal, 1 assist
Boston Bruins
Evan Vierling was a late bloomer in this tournament but showed out on the final day for a Boston Bruins forward group, which previously mentioned, did not showcase much as far as standouts throughout other than fellow OHL graduate Brett Harrison.
Vierling cut down the wing and was able to fire off a perfectly placed wrist shot to even the game up for his Bruins squad at 2-2 before picking up the primary assist on Boston’s fourth goal, which was again the game-tying goal. Vierling’s Bruins would go on to be victorious in their finale against a strong New Jersey team, after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Columbus in game two.
The former 35-goal and 95-point man with the Barrie Colts was unexpectedly quiet through the first two contests but showed why the New York Rangers made him a fifth round NHL Entry Draft selection back in 2020, helping lift his now Boston Bruins organization to a tournament closing victory.
Vierling played with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization last season and split time with their ECHL and AHL affiliate. We will have to wait and see what type of role the Boston Bruins envision for him within the depth of their organization this 2024-25 season.
10. Ryan Humphrey
Ottawa Senators
Brantford/Hamilton Bulldogs, London Knights and Niagara IceDogs alumnus
2 games played, 2 assists
https://x.com/Senators
To be frank, the Ottawa Senators did not have a good showing at this tournament whatsoever so the fact that they had someone crack this Top 10 list is a positive in and of itself. Despite having some very talented OHL level players on their roster, it was a relatively younger roster compared to what most teams brought to this tournament.
Ryan Humphrey is an OHL Champion with the then Hamilton Bulldogs in 2021-22, known for his grit, tenacity and never give up attitude that made him a nightmare to play against, but beloved on and off the ice by any teammates he played with over his time.
Humphrey left the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs last season after 17 games to join the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. Given Humphrey’s past familiarity with Steve Staois; the now Ottawa Senators general manager who was once the Hamilton Bulldogs general manager during Humphrey’s time in the OHL, it’s no surprise that he earned an opportunity with Ottawa at this tournament, with Staios knowing what type of asset Humphrey could be to a very young and inexperienced tournament roster like they had.
To round out this list, Humphrey gets an honourable mention in the 10th spot due to being productive on by far the weakest team in the tournament. After being scratched in the opening game due to stitches on his hand, which he wanted to fight and play through but was held out for medical protocol reasons, was able to get in on the top line for their second game against Pittsburgh, earing a primary even strength assist.
In Ottawa’s final game versus Columbus, Humphrey was able to get on the scoresheet again by assisting on the Senators opening goal, which would be their only goal of the contest. After not being a part of their 9-1 blowout loss in the opener, Humphrey did what he does best by agitating and getting under the other teams’ skin while playing a hard 200-foot game, taking a penalty or two along the way.
The former OHL Champion was rewarded with a pair of points in the two games he played in the Prospects Challenge. The 21-year-old Michigan native is trying to earn himself a pro contract of some sort for 2023-24 and we will see if this showing was good enough to do just that.
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