Despite the fact that the North Bay Battalion has no NHL draft picks on its roster, did not stop coaches from identifying talent in the league’s Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2017-18 OHL regular season.
Forward Justin Brazeau was voted the most underrated player in the Eastern Conference.
Adam Thilander was recognized twice. He was voted the third best offensive defenceman in the East as well as garnering a tie for first in the vote for the top shootout shooter.
Jesse Saban was voted the best shot blocker in the Eastern Conference while veteran defender Riley Bruce tied for third in the East in the top defensive defenceman category.
Goalie Christian Propp was voted the third best shootout goaltender in the Eastern Conference.
The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.
The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference.
Players receive five points for a first-place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.
Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.
Most Underrated Player:
Eastern Conference:
1. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (34)
2. Linus Nyman, Kingston Frontenacs (21)
3. Brandon Saigeon, Hamilton Bulldogs (17)
Best Shot Blocker:
Eastern Conference:
1. Jesse Saban, North Bay Battalion (20)
2. Liam Murray, Kingston Frontenacs (19)
3. Connor Walters, Hamilton Bulldogs (18) – finished tied for third in 2016-17
Best Shootout Shooter:
Eastern Conference:
1. Aaron Luchuk, Barrie Colts (19)
1. Adam Thilander, North Bay Battalion (19)
3. Jason Robertson, Kingston Frontenacs (16) – finished third in 2016-17
Best Offensive Defenceman:
Eastern Conference:
1. Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads (45)
2. Matthew Brassard, Oshawa Generals (12)
3. Adam Thilander, North Bay Battalion (10)
Best Defensive Defenceman:
Eastern Conference:
1. Joey Keane, Barrie Colts (17)
2. Jacob Moverare, Mississauga Steelheads (16) – finished third in 2016-17
3. Riley Stillman, Hamilton Bulldogs (15)
3. Riley Bruce, North Bay Battalion (15)
Best Shootout Goalie:
Eastern Conference:
1. Jeremy Helvig, Kingston Frontenacs (31)
2. Kyle Keyser, Oshawa Generals (17)
3. Christian Propp, North Bay Battalion (12)
