Windsor Spitfires’ rebuilding gets traction: OHL Burning Questions

With the OHL season beginning next week, BTN taking an early look at each team in reverse order of last season's standings.

Windsor Spitfires

In 2011-12 — 29-32-2-5, 65 points, eighth in Western Conference. Lost 4-0 to London in first round of playoffs.

Final Dynamic Dozen ranking — 14th OHL, 39th CHL.

Drafted — D Patrick Sieloff (Calgary Flames, second round, from the U.S. national team development program), LW Ben Johnson (New Jersey Devils, third), C Brady Vail (Montreal Canadiens, fourth), C Michael Clarke (Colorado Avalanche, fifth), D Nick Ebert (Los Angeles Kings, seventh).

Draft watch* — C Kerby Rychel is a projected first-round pick in the 2013 NHL draft; RW Jordan Maletta and D Adam Bateman were the highest draft picks out of minor hockey among the Spitfires' five 17-year-olds.

1. Will they, by the end of the season, be on schedule to contend in 2013-14?

Windsor essentially accepted the cost of staying in contention in 2010-11 — shedding some of the older players from its back-to-back championship teams, retaining others such as Ryan Ellis — meant deferring their rebuilding. It is fair to say they probably didn't progress to the extent GM Warren Rychel and coach Bob Boughner projected last season, winning just 22 times in regulation and finishing with a minus-45 goal differential. Other franchises could say having that result with so many young players was progress, but the Spitfires have the bar set much higher. Kerby Rychel busted out with a 41-goal season and his fellow '94-borns, particularly Johnson, Vail and Clarke, all made progressed.

But this is probably the year for Windsor, now that the Taylor Hall era is fading farther into memory, to really start fresh. There is ample talent among their 16- through 18-year-olds, particularly with first-rounder Josh Ho-Sang and third-round find Ryan Verbeek. Finishing in the 35-win range and being in the black for goal differential seem like reasonable benchmarks.

2. How will goalie Jaroslav Pavelka fare in his second full season in North America?

There would have been no playoff hockey in Windsor last season without Pavelka. While adapting to smaller ice and a new lifestyle (and being traded), he held up well against regular 35- to 40-shot workloads. His scrambly style might not put him on the cover of goaltending instructional videos, but it's probably close to how most fans imagine they would play goal if blessed with the skill for it.

There is a tendency for European goalies in the CHL to really see a spike in their performance in their second season. Kitchener's John Gibson is likely the league's top netminder and the Western Conference boasts six other NHL-drafted netminders and one free-agent signing, but Pavelka could be its most entertaining strong goalie.

3. How high will Kerby Rychel be drafted next June?

BTN's own Kelly Friesen says Rychel could break into the top 10, although as a third-year junior who turns 18 before Jan. 1, he will subject to heavier scrutiny than other, more projectable youngsters. It is, at this point, tough to imagine him dropping below the 15th through 18th slots, since some GM jumps up to make a safe pick. Rychel plays a sound game, can get his shot away (41 goals last season) and has NHL size at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. His pedigree as the son of a former NHL grinder whom he nows play for also attests that he's probably well ahead of the curve in understanding what it takes to go from junior to pro.

(* First-time eligible players)

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.