Feb 03, 2010 - 04:30 AM

By Brian McNair

OSHAWA -- Tony DeHart is and will continue to do his best filling in for Calvin de Haan while he's out with a shoulder injury.

But, boy, would he rather have de Haan back there on the Oshawa Generals' blue line with him.

DeHart, who will replace de Haan at the Ontario Hockey League's All-Star Classic in Kingston tonight, will also try to fill the void left in Oshawa now that de Haan is out for the season after surgery for a torn labrum.

And, while DeHart has done an excellent job improving his offensive game, the absence of de Haan was painfully obvious to him and the rest of the team on the weekend, when the Generals were swept convincingly by the Ottawa 67's, 6-0 in the nation's capital Friday and 6-2 Sunday at the General Motors Centre.

"They just made it look easy, made us look pretty dumb," DeHart said of dominance shown by the 67's, the top team in the OHL's East Division. "It's pretty embarrassing getting beat like that on home ice.

"After Friday night's game, you'd think we'd come out a little stronger, a little more ready for them, and would want to battle more."

In the absence of much positive from the weekend, DeHart at least has been recognized for a fine season with his inclusion in this week's all-star festivities.

The 19-year-old is actually producing at a better pace than de Haan this season, with a career-high 36 points in 50 games, including six goals.

DeHart, who grew up playing in the St. Louis area and fondly recalls winning a Silver Stick championship in Whitby in his minor midget year, has been a pleasant surprise since being acquired from the London Knights last season.

Not only has his game improved by leaps and bounds, but he's starting to develop some leadership qualities, according to his coach and general manager, Chris DePiero.

"He's a quiet guy, but he's got leadership qualities because he cares," said DePiero. "I think that's the biggest area we see the evolution, to be able to be one of the leaders on the team."

DeHart couldn't say enough about de Haan's contributions to the team, but said he will do what he can to step up all aspects of his game while his partner is out.

"It's going to be tough to replace him," said DeHart. "I've learned a lot from him playing with him over the last two years, so I think I'm ready."