In existence since 1974, the OBHA continues the next phase in ranking the top 25 teams heading into the 2016 campaign and 42nd year producing the North American Ball Hockey rankings for 5 on 5 indoor version of the sport via reports from the scouting staff and without further ado……
The Top 25 North American Ball Hockey rankings (based on club teams and not all star team/pick ups for events):
1) Montreal Red Lite
• Best Players – Yannick Labonte, Carl Ghilarducci, Kevin Kuczmarski
• X-Factor – Nelson Vargas Dias – the mantle has been passed to the centre who plays much bigger than his slight frame and has a wonderful understanding of his defensive game
2) Metro Orangemen
• Best Players – Paul Zarnett, Chris Cerqueira, Ricardo Pires
• X-Factor – Chris Creador – ‘the leader’, from a young age, the team has always followed this multi talented defenceman who often controls the play with end-to-end rushes and leads by example
3) Boston Saints
• Best Players – Luke Jones, Ricky Masterprieto, Matt Gilchrest
• X-Factor – Sean Ferguson – he is a legit first line center with size, experience, and knowledge and has competed at the international level where he was a strong supporter to the team
4) North York Hitmen
• Best Players – Dave Clark, Jonathan Puliccichio, Jonathan Poirer
• X-Factor – Victor Azevedo – he is a shut down defenceman with offensive flair and with his size/speed and can alter the tempo of the game as he glides effortlessly around the floor
5) Brampton Express
• Best Players – Shawn Hannon, Fred Pereira, Tony Monteiro
• X-Factor – Matt Tremblett – Mr. Everything for this team as they continue to find themselves in transition and attempting to find balance between veterans and youngsters
6) Leominster Americans
• Best Players – CJ Holman, Korey Wilson, Jorden Senecal
• X-Factor – Mike Defazio – is a core piece to a defensive unit that can lead a gifted group that can grab hold and become leaders
7) Leominster Blackhawks
• Best Players – Bobby Housser, Cody Warila, Mike Colcord
• X-Factor – Josh Merchant – loaded with skill and speed and he carries a lot of load off the top scorers making him a dangerous and valuable player on this long time powerhouse
8) Penn Hill Arsenal
• Best Players – Bill Sullivan, Justin Dunnivan, Ryan Crossey
• X-Factor – Goaltending is where the team seems to fall just short and they need their goalies to come up big as the forwards and defence to be there in the big games
9) Pittsburgh Gods
• Best Players – Steve Gregory, Rick Zimmick, Chris Liebers
• X-Factor –the sum of their parts is much greater than the individual accomplishments and this is their strength, but also biggest weakness as the shortage of the ‘go to guy’ in big games is the teams greatest need
10) Team Manitoba
• Best Players – Max Desjardins, Dylan Kelly, Kevin Marchuk
• X-Factor – Dustin Kelly – the go to guy for the ‘Big M’, he can play in all facets and is relied upon to lead the team offensively which proves difficult when others can’t match his skill set
11) Newfoundland Blackhorse
• Best Players – Scott Bray, Marcus Power, Jeremy Bishop
• X-Factor – Terry Ryan – he continues to lead by example and is bringing along the next generation of players and is still utilized by the coaches on the power play in front of the net
12) Montreal Black Knights
• Best Players – Yannick Tifu, Guillaume Gelinas, Maxime Brideau
• X-Factor –Olivier Pierre Girouard & Mythia Moisserou – both goalies are counted on to keep the team in the games as they transition to younger players
13) Quebec Sports Elite
• Best Players – Kevin Gauthier, Kevin Lamothe
• X-Factor – the team comes from a 3 on 3 version of the sport so how quickly they adapt to the 5 on 5 game is key, but we know they will play a fast one-two quick transition game at a high speed and skill
14) St. Catherines War Pigs
• Best Players – Eric Tardif, John Rorison
• X-Factor – Bram Leggat – underrated netminder that has a tremendous amount of pressure on him as he must keep the opposition under two goals against every game in order to grab wins
15) Vaughan Red Wings
• Best Players – Phil Varone, Anthony Luciani, Sammy Renda
• X-Factor – Frankie Giustini – potentially the best goal scorer the game has seen in the past decade if he plays inspired, but he proves to be his own greatest challenge
16) Belleville Msagro
• Best Players – Denver Greer, Patrick Geen, Kevin Bailie
• X-Factor – try to find that chemistry to match the individual talent from a group that is built from players throughout their league program against teams that play together all year long
17) Niagara Rebels
• Best Players – Joey Barbas, Mike Barbas, Josh Barbas
• X-Factor –taking one step forward and two steps back is what this group must fight against and continue to build the chemistry they seem to have lost the last few years
18) Edmonton Savages
• Best Players – Tim Barlow, Tony Brar, Scott Holben
• X-Factor – this team needs to find that extra gear as they seem to have dominated the province of Alberta and need to find the next gear to compete against the best teams
19) Vancouver Falcons
• Best Players – Marcel Lafortune, Jesse Churchwell, Chris Sirovyak
• X-Factor – Smitter Kaila – multi talented and all purpose player who while playing at the top level is teaching the next core of young players
20) New Jersey Supreme
• Best Players – Jonny Ruiz, Steve Zimmerman, Eric Zimmerman
• X-Factor –Tommy Ruiz – explosive, but can’t do it himself and the team lacks offensive production from secondary scoring which costs them in crucial games
21) Penetanguishene Blazers
• Best Players – Matthew Paul, Jacob Robitaille, Brian Valentine
• X-Factor – try to find the right mix of players from a small league to raise their game and play on the big stage against the best
22) Buffalo Fusion
• Best Players – Chris Haynes, John Petito, Matt Esposito
• X-Factor – Danny Schlegel – another natural goal scorer that must find that next gear as the games get bigger and defenses tighten up
23) Edmonton Whalers
• Best Players – Jeff Reinprect, Jessi Stahn, Shaun Myskiw
• X-Factor – the team needs to raise their level of play outside of the Province of Alberta in order to move up the rankings
24) Saint John Most Wanted
• Best Players – Andrew Stewart, Brad Tesink, Riley Craft
• X-Factor – Mackenzie Kierstead – how he develops into the number one centre role will be key in the coming years and how he matures into a two way centre and the defensive side of the floor
25) Richmond Hill Falcons
• Best Players – Daniel Ponce, Peter Angioella, Robert Angioella
• X-Factor – attempting to find consistency amongst their core and strong goaltending will be the biggest challenge to this group as they attempt to take the next step
The rest of the best…..
| 26) Quebec Levis | 27) Barrie Flyers | 28) Calgary Phantoms |
| 29) Fort Mac Snafu | 30) London Tigerjacks | 31) Montreal Generals |
| 32) Calgary Pitbulls | 33) Montreal Machine | 34) Ottawa Godfathers |
| 35) Saskatoon Buffalo |
To get pre-registered for the 2016 Players Championship where $20,000 will be up for grabs
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before March 15 as only 16 teams will be confirmed.