Could the Oshawa Generals get ‘Lindros 2.0’ at #1 in OHL draft?

Will a power forward from the small northern Ontario community of South Porcupine go number one in tonight’s OHL entry draft? Or will the Oshawa Generals go off the board and choose someone else to lead the next generation of junior hockey with the first pick?

Only Generals GM Roger Hunt and his staff know the answer but junior hockey fans in Oshawa are invited to a team-organized watch party at a downtown watering hole Friday night to find out for themselves, with the festivities getting underway at 6 p.m.

The expectation by many fans was that 15-year phenom Kade O’Rourke was going to be granted exceptional status and chosen with the first overall pick by Oshawa was dashed on April 28 when Hockey Canada surprisingly denied his request.

Oshawa Generals GM Roger Hunt

It’s possible the Generals had their heart set on someone else anyway with some scouts saying the team is set on drafting Tanner Adams, a forward from South Porcupine who played this season with the Hill Academy prep school.

Some are calling the big centre a “throwback” to early 2000s hockey. “He would fit in Oshawa like a glove,” was one comment. “Lindros 2.0,” was another.

High praise indeed, considering Eric Lindros, at 6’4” and 225 pounds was a man among boys when he broke in with Generals a few generations ago and led the team to the 1990 Memorial Cup.

At 6’1” and likely 200 pounds by training camp, Adams is not quite the Big E, but it seems he plays like him, with 88 points in 52 games for the Hill Academy prep school, plus another six goals in four games at the OHL Cup, the same tournament that also showcased O’Rourke’s talents.

“He has the ability to display skill through contact and take over games,” said one scout of Adams. “Built for the big moments,” said another.

Timmins Rock coach Brandon Perry, who had Adams for a three game call up this past season, called Adams “exceptional, probably the best player I have ever coached.”

Paul O’Hagan, Neutral Zone’s Ontario Scouting Director and the master behind the OHL Top 500 draft list the organization puts together, has defenceman Drew Daley of Shattuck St. Mary’s – another prep school – at number one, with Adams right behind him.

John Tavares

The last time Oshawa had the number one selection in the draft was 2005 when they selected John Tavares – himself granted exceptional status, though they have selected as high as two in 2021 (Calum Ritchie) and 2006 (Michael Del Zotto).

Two other players besides Tavares are still plying their trade in the NHL from the 2005 draft: Drew Doughty (#5 to Guelph) and Logan Couture (#12 to Ottawa).

“Come on out for a fun-filled night and watch the Gens make the first overall selection,” the team said on their socials, citing prizes and a chance at the “first-ever replica” for the first overall pick.