( Above Photo Credit:   Terry Wilson / OHL Images )

By: Mark Allred                     Follow Me On Twitter @BlackAndGold277

Yesterday the Ontario Hockey Leagues Oshawa Generals named forward Jack Studnicka team captain for the upcoming 2017-18 campaign. The 6′-1″ 174-pound center was the 53rd selection of the Boston Bruins at the National Hockey league Entry Draft held in Chicago. Illinois in June of this year.

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Last season with the Generals the 18-year-old Tecumseh, Ontario Canada native appeared in 64 games posting 18-34-52 numbers which were far better than his 26 points in 62 games he totaled in 2015-16 as an OHL rookie. His play in the post season has also got better with zero points in five games as a rookie to 15 points in 11 games in the spring of this year.

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The new Generals Captain reminds me of the way David Backes plays his game as the veteran forward has a knack to get to the top of the crease and be a nuisance screening the opposing goaltender. From the many scouting reports I’ve read on the young player is he seems to excel in his development when he’s given more responsibility and can clearly be seen in his year-to-year stats. With the upcoming OHL season, I believe Jack will pass his career high of last season with a little bit of swag from being an NHL drafted player and a lot of hard work with his commitment to his Generals team for at least another two seasons. He’ll be eligible for the American Hockey League at the age of 20, so anytime in the OHL from now until then to continue his development will only benefit him as a player and the NHL Bruins organization if and when he’s ready to transition his game to the highest level of hockey in the world. .

Dominic Tiano who covers the Ontario Hockey League for the OHLWriters.me website had some very interesting insight when he wrote a Player Profile on Studnicka back in March of this year and can be read in full HERE.

Below are some quotes from Tiano’s article that I thought we important to pass along for the interest factor for those who what to know about tomorrow’s stars today. I also highly recommend you follow Dominic on all available social media outlets.

I don’t believe Studnicka is an offense first player, which I see tagged to him plenty. He puts as much attention to detail on the defensive side as he does on the offense. He plays in all situations and takes key faceoffs for the Generals. He’s quietly become the Generals’ top face off man at 53%. It’s his extremely high compete level that makes him pay attention at both ends.

Studnicka has good size – although adding bulk will be key for him. He is an excellent skater who has an explosive first step and decent top end speed who can change direction with ease. He possesses very good vision with high quality playmaking skills with an ability to set up his teammates. His shot is underrated in my opinion. His release is deceptive and accurate and he puts every shot on goal with a purpose.

Studnicka can be elusive in the offensive zone. He can break away from coverage almost undetected and put himself into scoring positions. He has very good puck skills and strong possession skills. Although he needs to add some muscle, he will not shy away from the hard areas. Once he gets stronger, it will become an area where he wins more often than he loses because of it – and his work ethic.

https://youtu.be/x2tCITkrB5M