In the 2012 OHL draft on Saturday the Belleville Bulls needed to address a weakness, The Power Play. They felt that Niki Petti could be part of the solution selecting the The Southern Tier Admirals Forward with their 1st round pick ,10th overall.
This is a break down on the Bulls selections as we see them.
1st Rd 10th Overall - Niki Petti - Southern Tier Admirals
The Scouting report on Niki Petti is that he has a boat load of offensive talent. He put up 40 goals and 45 apples in 57 games last season for his home town Southern Tier Admirals based in Welland. His skating is off the chart and should show up well on the big ice at the Yardman. He could be the best manufactured skater in the draft. Bulls chief scout and Assistant GM Barclay Branch went as far as to call Petti the Best Pure Skater next to 1st overall selection Conner McDavid. Its safe to say he can skate.
He sees the ice very well and believes one of his strengths is his vision to the weak side saying that he feels the big ice in Belleville will help his game and that's a skill he can translate on to the ice. GM George Burnett was quoted as saying that Petti was "through the roof about becoming a Belleville Bull. He has above average puck skills and can handle the biscuit well under pressure. He's dynamic with the ability to score and create chances.
Petti is ready to help the power play and he has the tools to work down low behind the goal line off the half boards or in front of the net. Not the biggest guy at 5'11" 175lbs but he can bring a physical game and he plans to. He plans to hit the weights this summer with the hope of becoming stronger more flexible and as efficient as possible.
I think this was the smart pick by the Bulls, it gives them an element their lacking and have been for awhile.
2nd Round 31st Overall- Daniel Desousa - Toronto Marlboros
This might turn out to be a huge steal for the Bulls with almost all mock drafts having Desousa going in the 1st round. In Desousa the Bulls get a hard-hitting defense man with flair. He is smart and skilled defensively, the OHL scouting report called him a defence man that players dislike playing against and is the type of player who can play in any situation, playing at his best on the PK and against the other teams top lines. His offensive skill set is also a big draw. Daniel loves to rush the puck and with a stride like his he should also benefit from the the large ice.
3rd Rd 52nd Overall- Michael Cramarossa - Toronto Marlboros
The brother of Bulls player Joesph Cramarossa Michael brings a big game presence, above average skill set, and he is a great two way guy. He plays a smart game and can mix it up physically. I know his skill set will fit real nice in the system that the Bulls run.
4th Rd 70th Overall- Chad Heffernan - Peterborough Minor Petes
This was an other strong pick for the Bulls. Heffernan is a good working, tough, consistent power forward. He works the puck to the net, cycles well down low and is a nice complementary player. He will be a fan favorite. Chad enjoys the physical side of the game and uses his size to dominate play. He hits hard but has the skill to be a complete player. Heffernan's stepfather is retired NHL veteran Steve Larmer
5th RD 90th Overall- Nik Coric - York Simcoe Express
Coric is a flashy puck handler who has speed to burn and can make very intelligent plays at top speed. He is a gifted play maker who makes his whole team better. With his explosive speed he gets a lot of breakaways.”
6th Rd 112th Overall- Hayden Lavigne - Toronto Young Nationals
The only goalie the Bulls drafted. Lavigne At 6' 3" is a big goalie who is both athletic and technical. He separates himself from other goalies his age using strong positioning, consistently challenging and making saves outside the blue paint.
7th Rd 132nd Overall- Andrew Ming - Eastern Ontario Wild
Ming has the intangibles to compete in the OHL, he is gritty, tough, and a hard worker who puts team interests ahead of his own. He is the brother of Kitchener Ranger Eric Ming.
9th Rd 172nd Overall- Brody Morris - Quinte Red Devils
Brody plays for the Quinte Red Devils and is a big, stay at home type defence man. he is tough to beat out of the corners. He will do whatever it takes to win, like block shots, and battle for pucks. Nothing flashy, he just moves the puck up the ice.
10th Rd 192nd Overall- Daniel Barnes - Toronto Red Wings
Barnes is a smart D man, has good vision and positioning away from the play
11th Rd 212th Overall- Connor Cobbold - Ottawa Valley
Cobbold is the wild card according to scouts, because the prospect plays a "roller-coaster" style game that sees him shine on one night and underwhelm on another. His brother Spenser Cobbold plays for the Mississauga St. Mikes Majors
12th Rd 232nd Overall- Trent Shore - Ajax Pickering
A nasty, physical defence man. You won't get much offence out of him, but unlike a lot of kids in this age group, he loves to play physical, he knows his role and plays it well.
13th Rd 252nd Overall- Joe Wegwerth - Brewster Bulldogs
Wegwerth is built like a tank at 6-2 and 205 pounds, and has skill to back it all up. Real good chance he will play for the USA NTDP.
14th Rd 272nd Overall- Mark Price - Peterborough Minor Petes
Mark Price could become a very good power forward in the OHL. His greatest attributes are his great hands and he's tough in the corners. He's a big body who comes out with the puck.
15th Rd 292nd Overall- Jacob Panetta - Quinte Red Devils
Panetta is the Captain of the Quinte Red Devils. Jacob is a great athlete. He was the smallest player the Bulls drafted and will have to work his but off to play in the OHL. It says here that he knows that and will.
15th Rd 295th Overall- Colton Keuhl - Ottawa Valley
He played a few games with the Jr.A Gloucester Rangers.
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