Matt Duchene Flying High but Still Under the Radar

As we all wait to hear John Tavares' name called at the NHL Entry Draft there is another skilled forward from the Ontario Hockey League who can steal the spotlight in June.

Matt Duchene is among the top five draft-eligible players and can potentially crack a pro lineup as early as next season. The Brampton Battalion centreman has enjoyed two productive seasons in the OHL and is in the midst of leading his team to a Memorial Cup berth in May.

The 2008-09 Preliminary Rankings by Central Scouting had Duchene ranked second to only Tavares in the North American skaters category. And while Tavares was drawing all the attention with his World Junior MVP and all-time OHL scoring record Duchene quietly put up 79 points in 57 games with the Battalion, who finished the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference.

Duchene is 5'11", 190 pounds and hails from Haliburton, Ontario. Since his debut in 2007 he has had the opportunity to play two full seasons with NHL draftees Cody Hodgson and Evgeni Grachev. There's no question that those two individuals have helped Duchene improve his game as well as maturing on and off the ice.

One NHL scout has already gave praise to Duchene: "Will Duchene overtake Hedman or Tavares? I don’t know. Quite honestly I’m glad I’m not in that position. I think Duchene could put up some serious numbers in the NHL someday.”

Judging by Duchene's statistics he can distribute the puck as well as he can shoot it. He has had back-to-back 30 goal campaigns in the OHL and has doubled his rookie assist totals as a sophomore. Surprisingly, his best asset would have to be his speed.

Duchene, 18, has yet to represent Canada at the international level. He suited up for Team Ontario at the 2007 Under-17 tournament and picked up 10 points en route to a gold medal.

In his two total seasons in Brampton he has 61 goals and 68 assists in a total of 121 games. Coach Stan Butler loves what Duchene brings to the table, but wishes he would shoot the puck more often instead of making the perfect pass.

Many would say that John Tavares is the measuring stick in regards to the first overall selection at this year's draft. However, the one thing Tavares needs to have any sort of success in the NHL would be to improve his skating. As Tavares puts up incredible numbers in junior, there's no guarantee that he could do the same at the pro level with mediocre skating abilities.

Duchene could potentially top Tavares, or even edge out Victor Hedman as a possible second-overall selection. One thing that could solidify a top-two spot would be to have a strong playoff, which Duchene looks to have started on the right track. He and Tavares both have eight points though Duchene has played one less game.

The final verdict will come down to who can be the better playoff performer. Tavares—who is in his fourth OHL season—has had virtually little success in the post-season, while Duchene's first playoff experience ended in five games last season.

If his skill isn't enough to make him a bonafide point-producer, his work ethic alone will get him a spot on any NHL roster in the future. He may not make the jump to pro next season, but has as good of a shot as anybody coming up in the draft.

Both teams who have the opportunity of selecting first and second will be salivating at the thought of players like Tavares and Hedman potentially joining their organization.

But for those who don't finish that low, Duchene will prove to be a great consolation prize.