Carter, Smith score well in OHL coaches poll

Jeff Carter and Jordan Smith gained plenty of recognition as the Ontario Hockey League released the results of their coaches poll on Thursday.

Cater and Smith each received two category wins and were the only Soo Greyhounds to be named.

Carter was named as the western conference's smartest player and the player with the hardest shot. The Hounds captain also finished second in the best playmaker, best skater and best on faceoff categories. Carter placed third in the best shot category.

Smith captured top honours as the west's best body checker and best defensive defenseman.

Meanwhile, local product Chris Hulit of the Ottawa 67's captured the eastern conference honours as having the best shot. Matt D'Agostini of the Guelph Storm finished third in the most underrated player category.

The OHL Coaches Poll provides team coaches with the opportunity to recognize players in several skill categories within their own conference. The top three players in each category from the Eastern and Western Conferences are recognized.

Coaches vote for each category within their conference and are not permitted to vote for players on their team. Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

*** 2004-05 OHL COACHES POLL: WESTERN CONFERENCE

Most Under-Rated Player:

David Lomas, Windsor (33) Gerald Coleman, London (18) Matt D'Agostini, Guelph (12)

Most Improved Player:

Cal O'Reilly, Windsor (28) Ryan Parent, Guelph (24) Bobby Ryan, Owen Sound (13)

Smartest Player:

Jeff Carter, Sault Ste. Marie (32) * Michael Richards, Kitchener (25) Corey Perry, London (23)

Hardest Worker:

Adam Keefe, Kitchener (27) Brad Richardson, Owen Sound (24) Ryan Card, Guelph / Marco Caprara, Sarnia (10)

Best Playmaker:

Corey Perry, London (29) Jeff Carter, Sault Ste. Marie (26) Andre Benoit, Kitchener (20)

Most Dangerous in Goal Area:

Corey Perry, London (30) * Geoff Platt, Erie (20) Brad Richardson, Owen Sound (15)

Best Skater:

Geoff Platt, Erie (25) Jeff Carter, Sault Ste. Marie (22) Danny Syvret, London (13)

Best Shot:

Rob Schremp, London (34) Stefan Ruzicka, Owen Sound (24) Jeff Carter, Sault Ste. Marie (17)

Hardest Shot:

Jeff Carter, Sault Ste. Marie (43) David Lomas, Windsor (16) Marc Methot, London (9)

Best Stickhandler:

Corey Perry, London (41) * Bobby Ryan, Owen Sound (29) Marek Kvapil, Saginaw (9)

Best on Face-offs:

Michael Richards, Kitchener (40) Jeff Carter, Sault Ste. Marie (15) Brad Richardson, Owen Sound / John Mitchell, Plymouth (12)

Best Body Checker:

Jordan Smith, Sault Ste. Marie (35) Brandon Prust, London (28) Marco Caprara, Sarnia (14)

Best Defensive Forward:

Trevor Kell, London (37) Adam Keefe, Kitchener (21) Paul McFarland, Windsor (10)

Best Penalty Killer:

Michael Richards, Kitchener (45) **/* Danny Syvret, London (27) Ryan Parent, Guelph (9)

Best Offensive Defenceman:

Andre Benoit, Kitchener (45) ** Bryan Rodney, London (25) Andrej Sekera, Owen Sound (10)

Best Defensive Defenceman:

Jordan Smith, Sault Ste. Marie (30) Danny Syvret, London (29) Brian Lee, Erie (13)

() - voting points * - repeat winner ** - unanimous selection

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Most Under-Rated Player:

Ryan Oulahen, Brampton (20) Hunter Tremblay, Barrie (17) Julian Talbot, Ottawa / Darryl Boyce, Toronto (13)

Most Improved Player:

Evan Brophey, Belleville (21) Hunter Tremblay, Barrie (17) Greg Stewart, Peterborough / Ryan Wilson, Toronto (16)

Smartest Player:

Patrick O'Sullivan, Mississauga (37) Bryan Little, Barrie (25) Daniel Ryder, Peterborough (11)

Hardest Worker:

Ryan Oulahen, Brampton (20) Bryan Little, Barrie (16) Patrick Kaleta, Peterborough (15)

Best Playmaker:

Patrick O'Sullivan, Mississauga (36) Rob Hisey, Barrie (22) Liam Reddox, Peterborough (13)

Most Dangerous in the Goal Area:

Wojtek Wolski, Brampton (29) Bryan Little, Barrie (16) Radek Smolenak, Kingston (14)

Best Skater:

Jakub Petruzalek, Ottawa (21) Luch Aquino, Brampton / Cody Bass, Mississauga (16)

Best Shot:

Chris Hulit, Ottawa (19) Wojtek Wolski, Brampton (15) B.J. Crombeen, Barrie / Cody Thornton, Belleville / John Hecimovic, Mississauga (10)

Hardest Shot:

Anthony Stewart, Kingston (29) * Trevor Hendrikx, Peterborough (19) B.J. Crombeen, Barrie (15)

Best Stickhandler:

Patrick O'Sullivan, Mississauga (37) * Rob Hisey, Barrie (27) Liam Reddox, Peterborough (11)

Best on Face-offs:

Daniel Ryder, Peterborough (23) Patrick O'Sullivan, Mississauga (21) Ryan Oulahen, Brampton (15)

Best Body Checker:

Patrick Kaleta, Peterborough (24) Zach Stortini, Sudbury / Ryan Wilson, Toronto (22)

Best Defensive Forward:

Cody Bass, Mississauga (25) Ryan Oulahen, Brampton (21) Daniel Ryder, Peterborough (20)

Best Penalty Killer:

Ryan Oulahen, Brampton / Cody Bass, Mississauga (25) Colin Power, Toronto (12)

Best Offensive Defenceman:

Trevor Hendrikx, Peterborough (33) Mike Vernace, Brampton (32) Scott Hotham, Barrie (12)

Best Defensive Defenceman:

Kyle Quincey, Mississauga (31) Nathan McIver, Toronto (23) Bryan Young, Peterborough (11)

***