Dickinson, Parekh and Mews Included in TSN Analyst Bob McKenzie’s Preseason Top-16 for the 2024 NHL Draft

September 15, 2023 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release

The approaching 2023-24 season is apparently the year of the draft eligible blueliner in the OHL, with several defenceman getting early attention from NHL Draft experts.

One such notable name in the hockey industry, TSN’s Bob McKenzie, has three OHL defenders slated within his preseason top-16 that was released on Thursday. Here’s a look at those three rearguards.

5. Sam Dickinson (London Knights)

A left-shot defenceman who stands in at 6-foot-3 and 204Ibs. as a 17-year-old, Dickinson was voted to the OHL’s first all-rookie team in 2022-23, recording 23 points (9-14-23) over 62 games. He was steady in the playoffs for London, registering eight points (4-4-8) over 21 contests as the Knights won a Western Conference title. The fourth overall pick of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Dickinson projects to play a big role on London’s back end this coming season as the Knights appear to be in the thick of things as a competitive force once again.

14. Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)

Parekh’s rapid rise to prominence in 2022-23 has him high on the NHL Draft radar before the drop of the puck this season. The right-shot rearguard turned heads across the hockey world with his 21 goals, a new OHL record by a 16-year-old defenceman, setting the stage for an outstanding playoff showing that included nine points (6-3-9) in 11 games. Parekh is going to see time in key situations for a Spirit team that will serve as hosts of the 2024 Memorial Cup.

16. Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s)

Another defenceman who joined both Dickinson and Parekh in winning gold for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer, Henry Mews is relatively new to the blueline, but excelled in the role as a rookie with Ottawa as he recorded 31 points (12-19-31) in 55 games. Mews, who spent much of his minor hockey career as a forward, has displayed keen offensive instincts and nows when to get involved in the play and activate on a scoring opportunity. Mews will join fellow 2006-born draft eligible defender Frankie Marrelli in playing a big role on the Ottawa blueline this season.

HM. Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)

Overlooked for Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup squad, Beckett Sennecke was among the most skilled rookie forwards in the OHL last season. Still growing, Sennecke looks to build-off his 20 goals and 55 points over 61 games in Oshawa with a Generals team that also features accomplished forwards in Colorado Avalanche first round pick Calum Ritchie and Minnesota Wild second rounder Rasmus Kumpulainen.

For Bob McKenzie’s full preseason 2024 NHL Draft list, visit TSN.ca.

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