Aydar Suniev – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #13

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:39:55 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 13th (May 2025 - 11th)
GM: Craig Conroy Hired: May 2023
COACH: Ryan Huska Hired: June 2023

The Calgary Flames continue to benefit from the impact of a stellar 2024 draft, which injected 10 new prospects into the system—four of whom landed in McKeen’s top 200. Even with a slight dip in our rankings, Calgary’s pipeline remains one of the strongest assets in GM Craig Conroy’s rebuild, combining high-end talent with promising depth.

Leading the charge is Zayne Parekh, the first OHL defenseman in over a decade to hit the 100-point mark, a feat last achieved by Ryan Ellis. Parekh capped his draft-plus-one season with a one-game NHL call-up, scoring his first goal on a net-front deflection. Ranked fifth among McKeen’s defensive prospects, the dynamic right-handed blueliner looks poised for a prolific NHL career.

The 2025 draft brought further reinforcements, with Calgary adding two significant pieces to its prospect core: Cullen Potter and Cole Reschny, who now sit second and third in the organizational rankings behind Parekh.

The AHL’s Calgary Wranglers are teeming with talent ready to challenge for NHL jobs. Rory Kerins, William Strömgren, Jeremie Poirier, Samuel Honzek, and Hunter Brzustewicz all made notable strides, with Kerins, Honzek, and Brzustewicz already getting NHL minutes.

In junior, Jacob Battaglia broke out with a 90-point season in 68 games for the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), cementing himself as a forward on the rise. Meanwhile, 2024 second-rounder Andrew Basha looked primed for a breakout WHL season before injuries slowed his draft-plus-one campaign.

With Parekh nearing NHL readiness, multiple AHLers pushing for roster spots, and a steady stream of junior standouts on the horizon, the Flames’ prospect system remains a cornerstone of their rebuild. If Conroy can continue to balance patient development with timely opportunities, Calgary could see its next competitive window arrive sooner than expected.

Calgary Flames Top-15 Prospects

1 - Zayne Parekh

The first OHL defender to hit the 100-point mark since Ryan Ellis did over a decade ago. That’s a pretty significant accomplishment, especially when you consider all the talent that has passed through Ontario during that time. It’s a testament to Parekh’s skill and vision. Few control the offensive blueline the way that he does. In the same way that Lane Hutson has taken the NHL by storm with Montreal, Parekh consistently creates offence; he routinely escapes pressure to get pucks on net or to the middle of the ice thanks to the way his feet work in sync with his hands. Parekh has taken a positive step forward as a defensive player too. He’ll never be mistaken for Chris Chelios, but he’s worked hard to become tougher to play against and he only needs to be passable in the defensive end given what he can do with the puck. No offence to Mackenzie Weegar or Rasmus Andersson, but this is Calgary’s power play quarterback sooner, rather than later.

2 - Cullen Potter

Fewer prospects were more fun to watch than Arizona State’s Cullen Potter this past season. Bursting on the NCAA scene with his exhilarating speed, stick skill, and shot, Potter proved his doubters wrong and had a successful freshman year in college despite his size. Due to the role he filled on the Sun Devils’ power play and in transition on five-on-five, Potter will only see an increase in points and overall offensive power in a bigger role in Tempe next season. Combining all of his offensive upside with his relentless motor in all three zones of the ice, we had no choice but to rank him as the Flames’ second-best prospect, notably ahead of Cole Reschny, who was drafted ahead of him. When talking about his NHL upside, it is imperative to bring up that Cullen Potter is just a shade under 5-foot-10, so it will be more of an uphill climb for him to be a mainstay in Calgary. There will also need to be some rounding out in his offensive game, specifically in his passing game. However, after examining the full package, Cullen Potter looks like a potentially special prospect for the up-and-coming Calgary Flames.

3 - Cole Reschny

The newest top prospect in the organization's pipeline, Reschny made all kinds of sense as Calgary's target with their first pick in the 2025 draft. Not only is he a true center, which filled the biggest hole that the organization had in their prospect pipeline, his high character and blue collar, rural, Western Canadian roots fit the identity of what they’re trying to build. There were some questions about him starting to bubble up in the scouting community after a slower start than expected last season, but he silenced all critics with a phenomenal finish as Victoria’s go-to forward. After two impressive seasons in the WHL it's a smart choice by him to now be heading to the NCAA, especially when you consider that all the extra training time should help him improve his skating ability, which would then in turn allow him to unlock another level to his game. There's a lot to like about Reschny, and he should be a core piece of the Flames roster in due time.

4 - Samuel Honzek

This season was the most relatively healthy that Honzek was able to stay over the last few years, and that's probably the most important 2024-25 takeaway for him. Despite what his modest point totals thus far in his career might suggest, his toolbox is overflowing: he has size, he skates well, he can shoot, he can handle the puck, and he can make plays at a high level. More willingness to engage physically would be preferred but isn’t a necessity. The challenge has always been that he needed more time and experience than other top prospects to get better at blending everything together, especially when he was starting to get regular reps playing center instead of wing, and those long-term plans have been repeatedly disrupted by injuries. Luckily for the Flames, they have accumulated enough young depth at forward that they can afford to be patient with Honzek while hoping that everything eventually starts to click for him sooner or later.

5 - Matvei Gridin

After being selected 28th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft, Matvei Gridin left the USHL to join the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL. In his debut season, he posted 79 points in 56 games, ranking fifth in league scoring and first on his team. Gridin was also able to tally 17 points in 16 playoff games, leading the Cataractes once again. Unfortunately, his team lost to the Oceanic in an intense seven game series. The Russian winger has been one of the QMJHL’s most dominant players, showing why the Flames used a first-round pick on him. Gridin is a highly talented and flashy player, especially when carrying the puck at speed. Standing at 6-foot-2 and with ridiculous top speed, puck abilities and offensive tools, Gridin brings a complete offensive potential. That said, as he progresses in his career, he will need to find other ways to be an efficient player, especially off the puck. Improving this while maintaining his special offensive talent could turn him into a solid middle six winger. Having signed his entry level contract, Gridin could see AHL time as early as next season.

6 - Hunter Brzustewicz

The Flames were flush with promising young left-shot defencemen in the AHL this season, which made it easier for the right-shooting Brzustewicz to play important minutes. And it's not like he didn't earn that ice time, either. Much like when he was playing with Kitchener in the OHL, he did a great job for the Wranglers as a confident, heads-up defender who could safely protect the puck while also opening things up offensively from the attack blueline. His strong play even led to him making his NHL debut, which was also fully earned. While he's not nearly as effective without the puck, stemming from his average size and average mobility, he has made a lot of progress throughout his first year as a pro and things are clearly trending in the right direction on that front. Expect Brzustewicz to play a bigger role in the organization next season, which could also include more call-up duty to the NHL.

7 - Jacob Battaglia

Calgary’s 2024 selections out of Ontario look terrific thus far, with Battaglia being another player who took a huge step forward this past season. The big winger is such an intelligent player. Few players are as good as he is at working the wall in the OHL and he has the playmaking chops to take advantage of the extra time he creates through his protection skill. His pace of play really improved too, although his power and speed will need to continue to improve in order for him to be as dynamic at the higher levels. It’s important to note that Battaglia should not be miscast as a power forward, despite his size. Physicality isn’t likely to ever be a huge part of his game; he’s more of a high IQ, finesse player who just happens to have the size to be an asset down low and in the cycle. At this point, Battaglia’s improvement as an offensive player suggests that he could be capable of being a top six support winger for Calgary in the future.

8 - Henry Mews

Perhaps lost in the Zayne Parekh hype was the outstanding draft plus one year that Henry Mews had in the OHL, split between Ottawa and Sudbury. Mews finished the year third in defenceman scoring and second in power play assists. He’s dynamic and talented in his own right and has the potential to be a great option behind Parekh in the future, as a puck mover and power play quarterback. In a perfect world, both defenders can slot into Calgary’s top four, paired with more stable defensive players. Like Parekh, Mews plays a higher risk offensive game that can come with turnovers; it’s a tradeoff you have to live with. However, like Parekh, he has worked hard to be more assertive physically this year and his play in his own end has been more stable because of it. Refining his decision making further is a need, but Calgary has to be happy with his progress thus far. Taking advantage of the new eligibility rules, Mews will play for the Michigan Wolverines next year, hoping that the NCAA can help him refine his defensive abilities.

9 - Étienne Morin

Étienne Morin was the first defenceman drafted out of the QMJHL in 2023, at 48 overall by the Calgary Flames. In his draft year, he tallied 72 points in 67 games, ranking third among QMJHL defencemen and tying for first on his team. He was also able to score 17 points in 12 games in the playoffs. Since then, Morin’s production has dipped below a point-per-game pace in consecutive seasons. While his game has rounded out, it is surprising to see that such a talented offensive defenceman has not ran through the QMJHL, given his heavy usage on a strong Moncton team. His defensive game, especially the breakouts and the decision making, has developed, as he was relied upon a ton by the Wildcats in their dominant season, but visibly at the expense of his offence. Questions remain about his physical game, and the skating and mobility concerns noted in his draft year are still present. Morin will likely play in the AHL next season, and a lot of questions will be answered regarding his projection for the rest of his career. Morin will need to rekindle his offensive spark from his draft year going forward, as ultimately, he is an offensive defenceman.

10 - Andrew Basha

It surely must have been a frustrating year for Basha, who missed the majority of his season due to injury. On the bright side, he did get back into the lineup just in time to help Medicine Hat clinch their WHL title and take part in the Memorial Cup, though he was clearly not fully healthy for any of those games. To some degree, bangs and bruises come with the territory of his game. He plays fast and hard, with a fiery focus and intense competitiveness that few others can match. The real appeal with him, though, is how well he can still handle the puck and make plays when he's zooming around the ice with pace and purpose. Despite the health setback, Basha will likely force his way up to the NHL eventually in some capacity, and the homegrown Calgarian has what it takes to become a local fan favourite. He’s eligible to play in the AHL for2025-26 but could also go back to the Tigers for his overage season if it’s deemed to be the best thing for his long-term development.

11 - Aydar Suniev

Suniev is a skilled playmaker with an electrifying quality about him thanks to his heavy shot and passing ability. Having now spent two years in the NCAA, where he was above a point per game in his final season, he’ll now make the jump to the AHL to refine his overall game. The Flames may have a diamond in the rough if he can refine his overall game.

12 - William Stromgren

Stromgren is a deft stickhandler that possesses a hard shot, often breaking down defenders one-on-one in the AHL. He has the size, mobility, and skill to potentially crack an NHL top six, but his quickness will need to continue to improve. Entering his third pro season in North America, he will look to crack the Flames’ lineup out of camp.

13 - Jeremie Poirier

Poirier is a physically strong puck moving defenseman. Although not the fleetest of foot, he uses smart angles and his larger frame to win puck battles and track oncoming attackers. In addition, he can aggressively seek out offensive chances. With three AHL seasons now under his belt, he seems poised to challenge for NHL duty in the near future, but how well he adjusts to the NHL speed will ultimately determine his upside there.

14 - Rory Kerins

Kerins is a scrappy forward who isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas, often battling through traffic and contact to find a close-range chance. With 33 goals in the AHL last season, the question now becomes whether he can translate that production to the NHL level. Now entering his fourth pro season, he could be primed to make the leap to Calgary.

15 - Luke Misa

Misa is a quick and crafty forward coming off two strong seasons in the OHL where he put up 80-plus points. He’s headed to Penn State in the fall, where he’ll have an opportunity to build on his under-sized frame. He could be a guy that carves out a career as a high IQ depth forward with some skill, with upside to play above that.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #11 Calgary Flames – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 28 May 2025 12:23:23 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Calgary Flames Defenseman Zayne Parekh (89) takes his “Rookie Lap” before his first NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings versus the Calgary Flames on April 17th, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire)

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Calgary 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #9

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 18:00:53 +0000

_{VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) in net during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 9th (Previous Rank - 12th)
GM: Craig Conroy Hired: May 2023
COACH: Ryan Huska Hired: June 2023

Thanks to a recent trade haul that saw the Flames inject four of their top 15 McKeen’s ranked prospects into the system, Calgary has clawed their way into the top 10 of our prospect rankings.

This surge is highlighted by Zayne Parekh (ranked 27th), one of the most dynamic defencemen the organization has seen in years. Parekh exemplifies the modern-day offensive defenceman and carries tremendous potential as a future NHL powerhouse. He’ll return to his Saginaw Spirit team, fresh off a Memorial Cup victory as tournament hosts. Alongside Parekh, Calgary added key names like Matvei Gridin (186th), Andrew Basha (205th), and Henry Mews (249th) who all show promise as potential future NHL’ers.

The Flames graduated just one prospect in 2023-24 (Connor Zary), but that list is set to grow significantly within the next year. Four of the club’s top six prospects will push for spots on the main roster, and most are likely to succeed. Dustin Wolf, ranked 20th overall and the third-ranked goalie at McKeen’s, will likely be making the biggest impact. With Jacob Markstrom now out of the picture, there is a starting job to apply for, and he’ll battle Dan Vladař for that role. He’ll be joined by Matthew Coronato (56th) and Jakob Pelletier (96th) as hopefuls looking to crack the Flames’ roster.

On the rise is 2023 first-rounder Samuel Honzek (81st), who will begin his professional rookie campaign alongside the recently acquired Hunter Brzustewicz (199th). Both are considered big pieces to the Flames’ future and will have the opportunity to develop one step away from their ultimate goal in the NHL. Additionally, Jérémie Poirier (160th), Yan Kuznetsov, and forward William Strömgren continue to make strides with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.

The retooling process is just beginning in Calgary, but with a healthy flow of young talent and four first-round picks over the next two years, GM Craig Conroy has positioned the Flames to bolster their roster significantly over the coming seasons.

Calgary Flames Top-15 Prospects

1. Dustin Wolf

Dustin Wolf's rookie season wasn't the anticipated breakthrough season that many expected. After a stellar NHL debut in 2023, his 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. A 0.923 save percentage in the AHL is decent, but not quite his previous dominance. At times throughout the season, we saw flashes of brilliance, but consistency eluded him. Questions arose. Was the pressure of the backup role a factor? Did the increased competition expose weaknesses? While the jury's still out, Wolf did show glimpses of his star potential and still remains a top goaltending prospect in the world. He’s extremely athletic and focused, his puck tracking is extremely impressive, and he’s continued to mature over the years as a calm and composed netminder. The 2023-24 season served as a reality check for Wolf. The path to NHL stardom is rarely linear. How he responds to this adversity will be a major storyline heading into next year.

2. Zayne Parekh

Zayne Parekh had a record-breaking season as an 18-year-old OHL defender, surpassing even stars like Ryan Ellis, Drew Doughty, and Alex Pietrangelo at the same age. His performance earned him the title of top defender in both the OHL and CHL. Despite being injured in the playoffs, he bounced back to help the Saginaw Spirit win the Memorial Cup, showcasing his resilience. Parekh is an exceptionally creative player with a high hockey IQ and vision, making him a reliable offensive threat. His lateral movement and edgework allow him to navigate the offensive zone with ease, while his defensive stick work is an underrated aspect of his game. However, concerns about his slight frame and average first-step acceleration have kept him just outside the top ten rankings. While he occasionally cheats for offence, his potential is undeniable. As Parekh matures, he could develop into an elite offensive defenceman, with tremendous upside from the back end.

3. Matthew Coronato

Matthew Coronato didn't disappoint in his much-anticipated rookie season with the Flames. While not quite cracking the Calder Trophy conversation, he solidified his reputation as an offensive weapon. The 2021 13th-overall draft pick’s speed and puck handling created havoc for defenders throughout the season. He wasn't afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas either, using his frame to protect the puck and win board battles. He plays a very confident game and loves to drive the play. He also shows off a quick, hard shot that he can get off from anywhere on the ice. Questions remain about his defensive consistency, but his offensive contributions were undeniable. Coronato's strong rookie campaign suggests a bright future in Calgary. He's already a legitimate NHL contributor, and further refinement in his defensive game could elevate him into a top six role. Flames fans have a lot to be excited about with Coronato on their wing.

4. Samuel Honzek

The Flames' first rounder in 2023, Samuel Honzek had a 2023-24 season defined by inconsistency. A pre-season injury delayed his WHL return, and while he looked electric upon returning (seven points in five games), his production dipped significantly afterward. The World Juniors offered a bounce-back (three goals, one assist), but consistency remained the biggest issue for the prospect. Despite leading the Giants in scoring last year, Honzek finished the 2023-24 season with a pedestrian 31 points in 33 games. Questions linger about his ability to adapt to a new role (center) and translate his offensive dominance to the pro level. However, flashes of brilliance and a strong showing at the World Juniors offer a glimmer of hope. Development will be key for Honzek, and the Flames will be closely monitoring his progress this season. His future remains uncertain at this point though.

5. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier's 2023-24 campaign was a season of flashes and frustrations. An upper-body injury delayed his NHL debut, limiting him to just 13 games with the Flames in a season many thought he would stick with the big club. While he managed a goal and three points, the limited sample size makes a full evaluation difficult. However, glimpses of the skilled winger Flames fans were excited about did emerge. He’s such an intelligent player who helps drive his team’s pace and play. He always keeps his foot on the gas and makes opponents rush decisions, forcing turnovers. The question remains: can he translate those flashes into consistent NHL production? Pelletier's development hinges on staying healthy and earning a more permanent role with the Flames. If he can improve his defensive awareness, a breakout season could still be in the cards in the near future.

6. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier's 2023-24 campaign was derailed by a skate laceration just four games into the season with the Calgary Wranglers. The promising defenceman, known for his offensive instincts, was sidelined for months while recovering from surgery. Poirier finally returned to the lineup in March, but his impact was limited. In his 23 games, he managed three goals and 10 assists, a decent output considering the long absence. However, questions remain about his conditioning and overall effectiveness. The Flames' defensive shakeup at the trade deadline opened a potential window for a permanent NHL call-up that never materialized. Despite the lost season, Poirier's talent is undeniable and the improvement he’s shown since being drafted hasn’t gone unnoticed. He makes fewer and fewer mistakes, showcasing the offensive instincts and transition ability that had him earning first-round discussion in his draft year. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining if he can recapture his pre-injury form and establish himself as a future NHL contributor.

7. Matvei Gridin

Matvei Gridin, a Russian prospect, took an uncommon path by moving to North America early, playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. After a solid first season, he broke out in 2023, leading the league in points and earning a spot at the University of Michigan for the upcoming NCAA season. At 6-foot-1 and 182 pounds, Gridin has good size and a well-rounded skill set, but his offensive abilities, particularly his shot, stand out. His hard, accurate shot can surprise goaltenders, and his creativity and unpredictability make him a dangerous offensive player. He often leads zone entries and is relentless in his pursuit once in the offensive zone. However, his off puck play outside the offensive zone remains inconsistent and will need improvement, especially in his own end. Despite this, Gridin’s intelligence and quick decision-making make him a very promising prospect.

8. Hunter Brzustewicz

Hunter Brzustewicz is a mobile and intelligent defenceman with high upside. Acquired this past season from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm deal, the defender easily becomes one of the most exciting prospects in the system. He excels at reading plays and anticipating opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. Brzustewicz's vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point, although he’s more likely to find a pass, hence his OHL-leading 79 assists in 2023-24. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. With continued development, Brzustewicz has the potential to become a top four defenceman and a key contributor on the Flames blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender makes him an exciting prospect in the Flames' pipeline.

9. Andrew Basha

Andrew Basha’s game is built on quickness—quick reads, decisions, footwork, and puck plays. Basha’s speed allows him to navigate through traffic while keeping the puck glued to his stick, often dazzling spectators. He’s also effective in regaining possession, whether on the forecheck or in his defensive zone and quickly transitions into creating scoring chances. Despite his smaller stature, Basha plays with an edge, fearlessly battling bigger defenders for position or taking hits to make plays. While Basha had a standout season, it’s important to note that he has a late 2005 birthday and is in his third WHL campaign, putting him ahead in development compared to his draft-class peers. Scouts agree he has NHL potential, but opinions vary on his long-term upside. Will he be a top six scorer or settle into a bottom six, energy role? The Flames hope that it will be the former.

10. Henry Mews

Mews was one of the most debated prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, known for his inconsistent defensive play and decision-making. Having only recently transitioned to defence, he shows flashes of brilliance but struggles with consistency, often varying from dominant to frustrating even within the same game. Despite these challenges, Mews possesses significant upside. He's highly skilled with the puck, excels in transition with his speed and edgework, and shows potential as a powerplay quarterback due to his scoring instincts. However, his decision-making falters under pressure in the defensive zone, leading to turnovers. His physical engagement is inconsistent, and his defensive game suffers from a lack of intensity and elite size. Mews embodies the "boom/bust" label—if he refines his game, he could be a major point producer from the back end. If not, his NHL future remains uncertain.

11. Etienne Morin

Drafted 48th overall by Calgary in 2023, Morin's season with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats saw a dip in offensive production, with 12 goals and 49 points in 58 games. Despite this, his shot generation improved, and his vision and confidence with the puck are notable. While he shows defensive promise, especially in board battles, inconsistency and struggles defending the rush remain concerns. His development will depend on refining his offensive instincts and adapting to the pro game.

12. Aydar Suniev

Aydar Suniev’s freshman year at UMass highlighted his offensive potential, with 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games. Drafted by Calgary in the third round, he impressed with his shot and skillful hands. However, his skating, while not a liability, doesn’t fully match his offensive tools, and consistency was an issue. Suniev’s future depends on improving his skating and maintaining his production; if he succeeds, he could be a steal for the Flames, but skating limitations could cap his NHL ceiling.

13. Cole Schwindt

While not a breakout year, Schwindt showcased his potential with strong skating and puck protection. However, his offensive consistency and decision-making need improvement, as he was sometimes dominant but also disappeared at times. At 22, he has room to grow and briefly played with the Flames, earning no points in four games. This NHL experience could drive him to improve. Schwindt’s future depends on addressing these inconsistencies and regularly displaying his offensive skills; success in these areas could lead to a full-time role with Calgary.

14. Rory Kerins

Rory Kerins has been on a steady trajectory since the Flames drafted him in 2020, making selecting him at 174th overall look like some stellar scouting for Calgary. He’s coming off his first full season in the AHL, where he showed off his balanced offensive talent with 16 goals and 16 assists. He can tend to disappear at times, and his off-puck play is somewhat lacking, but he’s still trending the right way.

15. William Stromgren

The Flames drafted Stromgren for his potential as a dominant winger, flashing exceptional talent at times. However, his play has been inconsistent, oscillating between hot and cold, with his best performance coming during his draft year. Despite mixed results in the seasons since, Calgary signed him to an entry-level contract, hoping he'll develop into a top six NHL scoring threat, allowing him time to grow within the system.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #12 Calgary Flames – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Josh Bell — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 18:00:58 +0000

VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) in net during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

The Calgary Flames had to make a tough decision on their direction this season, after coming into the year hoping to take a step forward with a solid, veteran group, and a new general manager in Craig Conroy, and coach in Ryan Huska. Conroy made the call to start breaking this group up, making some massive trades this season, moving Noah Hanafin, Chris Tanev, Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Tyler Toffoli. But in doing that, he’s added Yegor Sharangovich, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, Artem Grushnikov, and Daniil Miromanov, on top of a plethora of draft pick, including two first rounders.

They have a gem in goalie Dustin Wolf, #13 on McKeen’s list and the third-ranked goalie. He did make the jump to the NHL this season, looking like he could stick next season. Connor Zary also graduated to the NHL and Matthew Coronato looks to be following right behind. They have an opportunity at the draft to build a solid foundation for many years to come. They have five first-round picks over the next three drafts and eight in the first four rounds in the 2024 draft. They also have some promising pieces in Jakob Pelletier, Samuel Honzek, and Jeremie Poirier, on top of the players they’ve added via trade over the past year. The Flames were very active this season on the trade market and remain in the rumour mill, in particular around the future of goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who could well be on the move. Leading up to the 2024 NHL Draft and free agency, keep an eye on this team as they continue to stockpile future pieces.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Dustin Wolf	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	`19(214th)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
2	Matthew Coronato	RW	21	5-10/183	Calgary (AHL)	`21(13th)	41	15	27	42	19
					Calgary (NHL)	`21(13th)	34	3	6	9	4
3	Samuel Honzek	LW	19	6-4/186	Vancouver (WHL)	`23(16th)	33	10	21	31	18
4	Jakob Pelletier	LW	23	5-9/170	Calgary (AHL)	`19(26th)	18	5	7	12	10
					Calgary (NHL)	`19(26th)	13	1	2	3	2
5	Daniil Miromanov	D	26	6-4/200	VGK-Cgy (NHL)	T(VGK-3/24)	24	3	4	7	8
6	Jeremie Poirier	D	21	6-1/196	Calgary (AHL)	`20(72nd)	23	3	10	13	22
7	Hunter Brzustewicz	D	19	5-11/185	Kitchener (OHL)	T(Van-1/24)	67	13	79	92	24
8	Etienne Morin	D	19	6-0/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	`23(48th)	58	12	37	49	31
9	Cole Schwindt	RW	23	6-2/182	Calgary (AHL)	T(Fla-7/22)	66	14	22	36	31
10	Aydar Suniev	LW	19	6-2/198	Massachusetts (HE)	`23(80th)	36	12	13	25	25
11	Rory Kerins	C	22	5-10/175	Calgary (AHL)	`20(174th)	54	16	16	32	8
12	William Stromgren	LW	20	6-3/175	Calgary (AHL)	`21(45th)	68	7	20	27	16
13	Yan Kuznetsov	D	22	6-4/209	Calgary (AHL)	`20(50th)	63	5	8	13	27
14	Parker Bell	LW	20	6-4/192	Tri-City (WHL)	`22(155th)	59	33	31	64	38
15	Ilya Solovyov	D	23	6-3/208	Calgary (AHL)	`20(205th)	51	5	10	15	34
					Calgary (NHL)	`20(205th)	10	0	3	3	4

1. Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Dustin Wolf's rookie season wasn't the anticipated breakthrough season that many expected. After a stellar NHL debut in 2023, his 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. A .923 save percentage in the AHL is decent, but not quite his previous dominance. While some nights in the season we saw flashes of brilliance, but consistency eluded him. Questions arose. Was the pressure of the backup role a factor? Did the increased competition expose weaknesses? While the jury's still out, Wolf did show glimpses of his star potential and still remains a top goaltending prospect in the world. He’s extremely athletic and focused, his puck tracking is extremely impressive, and he’s continued to mature over the years as a calm and composed netminder. This season served as a reality check for Wolf. The path to NHL stardom is rarely linear. How he responds to this adversity will be a major storyline heading into next year.

2. Matthew Coronato, RW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Matthew Coronato didn't disappoint in his much-anticipated rookie season with the Calgary Flames. While not quite cracking the Calder Trophy conversation, he solidified his reputation as an offensive weapon. The 2021 13th-overall draft pick’s speed and puck handling created havoc for defenders throughout the season. He wasn't afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas either, using his frame to protect the puck and win board battles. He plays a very confident game and loves to drive the play. He also shows off a quick, hard shot that he can get off from anywhere on the ice. Questions remain about his defensive consistency, but his offensive contributions were undeniable. Coronato's strong rookie campaign suggests a bright future in Calgary. He's already a legitimate NHL contributor, and further refinement in his defensive game could elevate him into a top-six role. Flames fans have a lot to be excited about with Coronato on their wing.

3. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

The Flames' first rounder in 2023, had a season defined by inconsistency. A pre-season injury delayed his WHL return, and while he looked electric upon returning (seven points in five games), his production dipped significantly afterward. The World Juniors offered a bounce-back (three goals, one assist), but consistency remained elusive. Despite leading the Giants in scoring last year, Honzek finished the 2023-24 season with a pedestrian 31 points in 33 games. Questions linger about his ability to adapt to a new role (center) and translate his offensive dominance to the pro level. However, flashes of brilliance and a strong showing at the World Juniors offer a glimmer of hope. Development will be key for Honzek, and the Flames will be closely monitoring his progress next season.

4. Jakob Pelletier, LW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Pelletier's 2023-24 campaign was a season of flashes and frustrations. An upper-body injury delayed his NHL debut, limiting him to just 13 games with the Flames in a season many thought he would stick with the big club. While he managed a goal and three points, the limited sample size makes a full evaluation difficult. However, glimpses of the skilled winger Flames fans were excited about did emerge. He’s such an intelligent player who helps drive his team’s pace and play. He always keeps his foot on the gas and makes opponents rush decisions, forcing turnovers. The question remains: can he translate those flashes into consistent NHL production? Pelletier's development hinges on staying healthy and earning a more permanent role with the Flames. If he can improve his defensive awareness and stay healthy, a breakout season could still be in the cards in the near future.

5. Daniil Miromanov, D, Calgary Flames (NHL)

Miromanov's season started with a whimper, not a bang. A lingering injury kept him out until January, forcing him to prove himself in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. There, he flashed his offensive potential with six points in five games. The trade to the Calgary Flames in March offered a fresh start. While cracking the lineup consistently proved challenging, Miromanov did manage seven points in 20 games. However, his defensive struggles – a knock on him previously – were evident at times. Overall, Miromanov's 2023-24 was a season of transition. While glimpses of his offensive talent emerged, consistency and defensive refinement remain key questions. The Flames signed him to a two-year extension, suggesting they believe in his upside. Can he develop into a reliable NHL contributor next season? That's the burning question for the young Russian defenseman.

6. Jeremie Poirier, D, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Poirier's 2023-24 campaign was derailed by a skate laceration just four games into the season with the Calgary Wranglers. The promising defenseman, known for his offensive instincts, was sidelined for months while recovering from surgery. Poirier finally returned to the lineup in March, but his impact was limited. In his 23 games, he managed three goals and 10 assists, a decent output considering the long absence. However, questions remain about his conditioning and overall effectiveness. The Flames' defensive shakeup at the trade deadline opened a potential window for A permanent NHL call-up never materialized. Despite the lost season, Poirier's talent is undeniable and the improvement he’s shown since being drafted hasn’t gone unnoticed. He makes less and less mistakes, showcasing the offensive instincts and transition ability that had him earning first-round discussion in his draft year. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining if he can recapture his pre-injury form and establish himself as a future NHL contributor.

7. Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Hunter Brzustewicz is a mobile and intelligent defenseman with a high upside. Acquired this season from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm deal, the defender easily becomes one of the most exciting prospects in the system. He excels at reading plays and anticipating opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. Brzustewicz's vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point, although he’s more likely to find a pass, hence his OHL-leading 79 assists this season. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. With continued development, Brzustewicz has the potential to become a top-four defenseman and a key contributor on the Calgary Flames' blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender makes him an exciting prospect in the Flames' pipeline.

8. Etienne Morin, D, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Drafted 48th overall by Calgary in 2023, Morin spent the majority of his season with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats. While Morin's offensive production in Moncton dipped compared to his draft year (12 goals, 49 points in 58 games), his underlying shot generation improved. The season might be a bit of a disappointment after his breakout season a year ago, but the prospect still has impressive tools worth keeping an eye on. He loves to jump up in the rush and his vision stands out whenever he has the puck. He’s solid carrying the puck himself too, an area where his confidence has noticeably grown over the past year. While the defender shows some defensive prowess in his board battles and his stick-checking, he struggles in defending the rush. The jury's still out on Morin. The flashes of offensive potential are encouraging, but consistency remains a question mark. His development will hinge on refining his offensive instincts and adapting to the pro game.

9. Cole Schwindt, RW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

While it wasn't a breakout year, Schwindt showed flashes of his potential, particularly his strong skating and ability to protect the puck. However, questions about his offensive consistency remain. There were stretches where he looked like a dominant force, only to disappear at other times. His decision-making also needs refinement, with turnovers occasionally disrupting the flow of play. The good news: he is still young (22 years old) and has time to develop. He did see a brief stint with the Flames, registering no points in four games. This taste of NHL action could be a motivator heading into next season. Schwindt's future hinges on ironing out his inconsistencies and displaying his offensive prowess more regularly. If he can do that, a call-up to Calgary could become a reality.

10. Aydar Suniev, LW, University of Massachusetts (NCAA)

Aydar Suniev's freshman year at UMass was a showcase of his offensive potential. Drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round, Suniev wasted no time turning heads with his impressive shot and slick hands. He impressed with 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games, showcasing his ability to find the net and create for linemates. However, questions remain about his skating. While not a liability, it doesn't quite match his offensive tools. Consistency was also an issue, with stretches of dominance punctuated by quieter periods. Suniev's future hinges on refining his skating and maintaining his offensive production. If he can do that, he could become a steal for the Flames. But if skating limitations persist, his NHL ceiling might be a bottom-six role. This season was a promising start, but the next chapter will reveal whether Suniev can address his weaknesses and solidify his status as a future NHL contributor.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #17

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 11:22:01 +0000

Top 20 Calgary Flames Prospects

1. Dustin Wolf

Is there a better value pick in the past five NHL drafts than Calgary nabbing Wolf all the way down at 214th overall in 2019? After mercilessly shutting down the WHL for four straight seasons, he transitioned masterfully to the AHL without missing a beat, immediately establishing himself as one of the best goalies in the league — THE best goalie, actually, winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as top netminder in 2021-22 and again in 2022-23. It's very rare to see goalies of Wolf's size thrive in the NHL, but his technique, focus, composure, play tracking, and overall understanding of the position are all just so advanced that you cannot underestimate him. Had he been given the chance last season, would he have outperformed the two goalies ahead of him in Calgary's system?

2. Matthew Coronato

Coronato decided to turn pro after just two seasons at Harvard, and just in time, because the Flames desperately need more offensive injections coming in through their prospect pipeline. He's also a capable and committed off-puck player, which should give him a little more leeway for a roster spot in the NHL. He sees the ice and understands the game at an impressive level, while also playing at a consistently high pace, so he gets a lot of puck touches and drives a lot of possession even though he isn't overly fast. Coronato is very adept at the all-important ability of scoring wingers to optimize the positioning of the puck before firing, and the power and accuracy of his shots are already at a professional level. While some scorers have trouble understanding the difference between what works at lower levels and what works in the NHL, that shouldn't be a problem at all for Coronato.

3. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier is technically still a prospect by the guidelines being used here, but it's safe to say that he's not going back to the AHL soon, if ever again. It took him very little time at all to provide a necessary injection of quickness and offensive generation into Calgary's lineup, and he hasn't looked out of place at all in their top-six when given the occasional opportunity. His game is built around a razor-sharp hockey sense and top-notch pacing, which allow him to stay active in the play, strategically apply pressure, and then pounce on the small opportunities that open up. His motor just never seems to run out of gas, and as he gains more experience he's going to keep getting better and better at forcing opposing players into making costly mistakes. He's the type of guy who plays much bigger than his size and makes an outsized impact.

4. Samuel Honzek

Honzek was a revelation this past season. The package of tools and traits that he brings to the table is incredibly enticing. It's rare to find forwards with his size and reach who can also skate and control the puck like he can. He generates a lot of speed and power through his lower body, and even though his skating technique is a little stiff and upright it doesn't slow him down much. He isn't shy at all about shooting, and the puck comes off his stick with surprising quickness and unexpectedly little flex, but he's more of a natural playmaker than a goal-scorer, able to make sharp, tape-to-tape passes through tight gaps. He does a good job of protecting the puck out from his body when necessary, keeping it away from enemies as he tries to turn and block them with his huge frame. It would be nice, though, to see him use his size and strength more effectively, as he's something of a gentle giant right now. The best-case scenario for Honzek long-term is as a massive top-line forward who can play both a power game and a skilled game.

5. Connor Zary

Zary doesn't put up eye-popping point totals and rarely shows up in highlight reels, but the longer he plays for a team the better it gets, and that's not a coincidence. He's a two-way pivot who out-thinks and out-works the majority of his opponents, allowing him to be successful in spite of having average size on top of below average skating ability. When he does put up points it's usually through how well he understands systems and tactics, breaking down defensive structures by getting into the right positions and making the right decisions with the puck. He's less concerned with flashy dekes and passes, and more concerned with precision and consistency, which he accomplishes well. His off-puck play is built around superb positioning and anticipation. He should have a long career as a middle-six center.

6. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier had more than enough first-round skill in his draft year but slid down to the third round because his lacklustre decision-making and effort level often drove scouts crazy. But credit where credit is due, as he really grew to recognize those weaknesses and committed himself to getting them to a workable level. The overall package right now looks very promising, as he became a key piece on a top AHL team in his first year as a pro. He can quarterback a power play with the best of them and can be effective in transition with how elusive he is with his hands and feet. Poirier is trending in the right direction as an offensive defenseman and could become a truly dynamic NHLer one day in that niche if he is allowed to play to his strengths and is used in a system that can minimize his weaknesses.

7. Etienne Morin

It was quite the coming-out party for Etienne Morin last season in the QMJHL. He exploded by more than doubling his production as a draft eligible player. In 67 games, he scored 21 goals - leading the league among defenders - and added 51 assists for 72 points, leading to his selection in the second round by Calgary. As one might expect, Morin’s talents in the offensive end of the ice are what truly stand out. His vision is top tier, thanks to his constant scanning and his ability to seemingly know where everyone is on the ice. While the defender shows some defensive prowess in his board battles and his stick-checking, he struggles in defending the rush thanks to some skating inefficiencies. With improvements to his skating, Morin has the potential to become a bottom-four, offensive defender who could see some time on a second power-play unit. He may take an extra year or two to get there, but there’s strong potential here.

8. William Stromgren

The Flames used a pretty high draft pick on Stromgren because he occasionally flashes huge upside as a rangy, offensively dominant winger. He'll tease you with the odd play or shift where he looks like a truly exceptional talent. The problem is that he oscillates wildly between hot and cold, sometimes for long stretches. Even more perplexing, his best play at a professional level, to date, came during his draft year, while the two seasons since have been a mixed bag. That's a concerning sign since he has a lot of improvement left to make. However, he has already earned his entry-level contract because Calgary knows that there is still a chance that he one day becomes a legitimate top-six scoring threat at the NHL level. With other scoring wingers in the system providing him a buffer to continue his development, Stromgren will get as much time as he needs to marinate.

9. Cole Schwindt

Schwindt was an overlooked piece of the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau trade, but if he keeps developing like he has over the past few years then that will surely change. He somewhat surprisingly became a number one centre in Mississauga as an 18-year-old and really shined in that role, which is a good sign for how high his ceiling could still go. Luckily the COVID shutdowns didn't seem to stunt his growth too badly, as he hasn't looked out of place or overwhelmed since getting into the AHL. He is very athletic and toolsy, and has shown the ability to continue learning how to utilize those tools. Schwindt should find his way into the NHL role at some point as a player who can move up or down a lineup, play wing or centre, and chip in on both sides of special teams.

10. Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov has played in four different leagues in the past five seasons, with some international tournaments mixed in as well. Amazingly, all those changes of scenery don't seem to have hindered his year-over-year progression, as where he is right now is pretty much in line with his projection dating back to his draft year. He also got a Memorial Cup title out of it in 2021-22 with Saint John, which undoubtedly made his transfer to the QMJHL worth it. However, could he make even bigger gains if given a couple years of consistency with the Wranglers? There are no debates about what his game is or what he brings — he's a shutdown defender through and through — but he is a true specialist of that domain and could eventually become one of the better players in the NHL in that role.

11. Emilio Pettersen

Now is the time for this former Denver standout and Norwegian forward to claim a spot on the Flames. He is no longer exempt from waivers and the team has some openings in their forward group. The skilled playmaker is coming off his best season to date in the AHL.

12. Topi Ronni

Ronni is a solid two-way center that Calgary took in the second round last year. This season in Liiga, the Flames will be looking for him to improve his offensive contribution and earn more ice time playing against men with Tappara.

13. Aydar Suniev

Suniev is very much a long-term project, but one with terrific upside. He is incredibly skilled, but the skating needs to come a long way for the big winger to become an impact player at the highest level. His freshman year at UMass this season will be a huge test for him coming out of the BCHL.

14. Parker Bell

A hard working, power winger, Bell took huge steps forward this year with Tri-City of the WHL. The question is, where does he play this season? Calgary could sign him and have him play in the AHL or they could return him to the WHL for his OA year. Training camp performance likely dictates that outcome.

15. Arseni Sergeev

Sergeev is a big netminder who had a very good freshman year with UConn last year, splitting time in a platoon role. However, with new competition for the crease arriving via the transfer portal, pay attention to his playing time as it will greatly impact his continued development.

16. Rory Kerins

Injuries disrupted Kerins’ first pro season that saw him play mostly in the ECHL. However, the Flames have not given up on the former OHL star. Continuing to improve his skating is the key for him as he looks to become a full time AHL’er this year.

17. Ilya Solovyov

Solovyov continues to progress positively at the AHL level and with another good AHL year under his belt, he could put himself in contention for a roster spot with Calgary. The big defender impresses with his mobility and his defensive game has improved since his OHL days.

18. Jaden Lipinski

A big forward with the Vancouver Giants, Lipinski was a recent fourth round selection. He plays a traditional North/South power game from the middle and will be given every opportunity to play a larger role with the Giants this upcoming season in the WHL.

19. Cade Littler

Littler was drafted with the understanding that he would be a long-term project. He spent this past year repeating the BCHL level and will now spend next year in the USHL with Cedar Rapids before heading to North Dakota. Skating development is key.

20. Daniil Chechelev

Chechelev’s first two pro seasons haven’t really provided inspiring results as he has struggled to advance past the ECHL level. Ironically, he has been doing so on an AHL deal and has not yet earned an ELC. What the future holds for him is a bit of a mystery.

2023 NHL Combine: Part One – Fitness Testing Overview & Results

Chase Rochon and Joely Stockl — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 22:07:17 +0000

Another NHL Combine has come and gone in Buffalo, NY this past week. For the 106 invited players, it was a week full of 1-on-1 interviews with NHL teams, interviews with the media, and a variety of fitness tests. The fitness testing results mean more to some NHL executives than they do to others, but nonetheless it is always fascinating to see who finished atop the leaderboards in the fitness testing categories. The Combine is also the final opportunity for players to submit their height and weight, which is always an intriguing progression to monitor. The NHL Combine is the perfect precursor to the NHL Draft. It is some of these player’s first times meeting their competitors on the draft board, and it allows for these players to meet their future management of the team that drafts them in Nashville in just a few weeks.

Standouts

Nick Lardis of the Hamilton Bulldogs placed 1st in four categories: Vertical Jump, Squat Jump, No Arm Jump, & Pull Ups (15). This standout performance puts more eyes on the late riser, who arrived in Hamilton and tore it up through the second half of the season putting up 46 points in 33 games. Lardis has skyrocketed on many draft boards, including McKeen’s, as he finished 32nd overall and snuck his way into the tail end of the first round. He is a player that has certainly benefited from being the “go-to” player on the Bulldogs, and his success will hopefully lead into next season as the team moves to Brantford.

Another player from the OHL, Brad Gardiner also performed exceptionally well in the fitness tests. The two-way centre from the Ottawa 67’s finished in the top 10 in five of the categories completed on the weekend of the Combine, as well as in the Grip Strength test completed earlier in the week. Gardiner likely drew some more attention with this performance, as he was one of the later ranked players out of the 106 at the Combine (McKeen’s has Brad Gardiner ranked at 163rd).

Leading the results in the consensus “most difficult” category, the VO2 MAX, was Seattle Thunderbirds forward Nico Myatovic. In their media availability, nearly every player stated that the VO2 MAX was the hardest fitness test of them all. The VO2 MAX is a gruelling test of oxygen utilized during maximum effort. By winning in this category, Myatovic has likely gained some respect points from teams and players.

The tallest player at the Combine measured up at 6 '6.75”, and that was Czech goaltender Michael Hrabal. Hrabal is one of the top ranked goaltenders heading into the NHL Draft, and he was one of seven goalies invited to the Combine. Hrabal’s size is definitely a draw for some teams, as we see NHL goaltenders getting taller and taller each year.

Fitness Testing Results (excluding Functional Movement Screen & Grip Strength)

Top 10 from each category;

VO2 Max

Nico Myatovic
Brad Gardiner
Bradly Nadeau
Beckett Hendrickson
Noel Nordh
Easton Cowan
Aram Minnetian
Paul Fischer
Axel Sandin Pellikka
Hunter Brzustewicz

Wingate Test

Noah Dower Nlsson
Danny Nelson
Tom Willander
Hunter Brzustewicz
Cameron Allen
David Edstrom
Brayden Yager
Tanner Molendyk
Samuel Honzek
Jonathan Castagna

Pull Ups

Nick Lardis- 15
Danny Nelson- 14
Bradly Nadeau- 14
Cameron Allen- 14
Connor Bedard- 14
Brad Gardiner- 13
Jaden Lipinski- 13
Nate Danielson- 13
Oliver Moore- 13
Denver Barkey- 12

Pro Agility (Right)

Easton Cowan
Jonathan Castagna
Brady Cleveland
Samuel Honzek
Scott Ratzlaff
Brandon Svoboda
Brad Gardiner
Beau Akey
Andrew Gibson
Hunter Brzustewicz

Pro Agility (Left)

Easton Cowan
Jonathan Castagna
Oliver Moore
Brandon Svoboda
Jayden Perron
Brad Gardiner
Ethan Gauthier
Beau Akey
Andrew Gibson
Bradly Nadeau

Bench Press (50% of Body Weight)

Axel Sandin Pellikka
Charlie Stramel
Mathieu Cataford
Lukas Dragicevic
Ryan Leonard
Cameron Allen
Jonathan Castagna
Bradly Nadeau
Brad Gardiner
Nate Danielson

Standing Long Jump

Charlie Stramel- 118”
Samuel Honzek- 117.5”
Cameron Allen- 117”
Tom Willander- 116.5”
Beau Akey- 116”
Nick Lardis- 114.5”
Maxim Strbak- 112.8”
David Reinbacher- 112”
Nate Danielson- 111.5”
Jayden Perron- 111”

Vertical Jump

Nick Lardis
Cameron Allen
Colby Barlow
Caden Price
Charlie Stramel
Nate Danielson
Jesse Nurmi
Beau Akey
Oliver Moore
Ethan Gauthier

No Arm Jump

Nick Lardis
Oliver Moore
Samuel Honzek
Jesse Nurmi
Colby Barlow
Cameron Allen
Jayden Perron
Jonathan Castagna
Nate Danielson
Charlie Stramel

Squat Jump

Nick Lardis
Jesse Nurmi
Colby Barlow
Nate Danielson
Jonathan Castagna
Cameron Allen
Tanner Molendyk
Noah Dower Nilsson
Oliver Moore
Tom Willander

Heights & Weights

Name Height /Weight

Beau Akey 6’0”/175

Cameron Allen 6’0”/192

Trey Augustine 6’1.25”/190

Denver Barkey 5’8.75”/155

Colby Barlow 6’0.5”/195

Connor Bedard 5’9.75”/185

Zach Benson 5’9.75”/170

Tristan Bertucci 6’1.75”/175

Carson Bjarnason 6’3.25”/190

Oliver Bonk 6’1.5”/180

Gavin Brindley 5’8”/168

Hunter Brzustewicz 5’11.75”/190

Luca Cagnoni 5’9”/182

Jonathan Castagna 6’2.25” /195

Mathieu Cataford 5’11”/190

Alex Ciernik 5’10.25”/174

Brady Cleveland 6’4.75”//210

Easton Cowan 5’10.5”/170

Andrew Cristall 5’9.5”/175

Nate Danielson 6’1.5”/186

Noah Dower Nilsson 5’11.75 “/185

Lukas Dragicevic 6’1”/194

Jakub Dvorak 6’5”/210

Dalibor Dvorsky 6’1”/200

David Edstrom 6’3”/185

Paul Fischer 6’1”/200

Drew Fortescue 6’1”/176

Adam Gajan 6’2.75”/180

Brad Gardiner 6’1”/184

Ethan Gauthier 5’11.5”/183

Andrew Gibson 6’2.75”/202

Terrell Goldsmith 6’4”/220

Kasper Halttunen 6’3.25”/215

Lenni Hameenaho 6’1”/185

Riley Heidt 5’10.5”/180

Beckett Hendrickson 6’1.5”/174

Samuel Honzek 6’3.25”/195

Michael Hrabel 6’6.75”/215

Larry Keenan 6’3.25”/186

Jesse Kiiskinen 6’0.25”/190

Rasmus Kumpulainen 6’2.75”/190

Nick Lardis 5’11”/168

Ryan Leonard 5’11.75 “/190

Kalan Lind 6’0.5”/158

Theo Lindstein 6’0”/185

Jaden Lipinski 6’3.75”/210

Dylan MacKinnon 6’2”/190

Matteo Mann 6’5.5”/230

Gavin McCarthy 6’1.5”/186

Ethan Miedema 6’4”/208

Aram Minnetian 5’11”/195

Martin Misiak 6’1.5”/200

Tanner Molendyk 5’11”/181

Oscar Fisker Molgaard 5’11.75“/166

Oliver Moore 5’11”/195

Etienne Morin 6’0”/180

Carsen Musser 6’4”/212

Quentin Musty 6’1.5”/200

Nico Myatovic 6’2.5”/180

Sawyer Mynio 6’0.5”/163

Bradly Nadeau 5’10.25”/160

Zach Nehring 6’2.75”/182

Danny Nelson 6’3”/212

Felix Nilsson 6’0.5”/187

Noel Nordh 6’1.5”/200

Jesse Nurmi 5’11”/168

Tyler Peddle 6’1”/204

Gabriel Perreault 5’10.75”/163

Jayden Perron 5’9”/166

Alex Pharand 6’2.5”/205

Emil Pieniniemi 6’2.25”/175

Luca Pinelli 5’8.75”/167

Aaron Pionk 6’0.75”/173

Coulson Pitre 6’0.75”/170

Caden Price 6’0.5”/190

Scott Ratzlaff 6’0.5”/175

Carson Rehkopf 6’2.5”/195

David Reinbacher 6’2.25”/194

Eduard Sale 6’1.75”/175

Axel Sandin-Pellikka 5’11”/180

Gracyn Sawchyn 5’10.75”/155

Zachary Schulz 6’1”/197

Jayson Shaugabay 5’9.25”/165

William Smith 5’11.75 “/180

Jakub Stancl 6’3”/202

Otto Stenberg 5’11”/185

Charlie Stramel 6’3”/222

Andrew Strathmann 5’10.75”/185

Maxim Strbak 6’1.25”/198

Aydar Suniev 6’1.5”/192

Brandon Svoboda 6’3.25”/209

Carey Terrance 6’0.25”/178

Jordan Tourigny 5’11.25”/165

Anton Wahlberg 6’3.25”/192

William Whitelaw 5’8.75”/175

Tom Willander 6’1”/180

Matthew Wood 6’4”/197

Brayden Yager 5’11”/170

Koehn Ziemmer 6’0.25”/210

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT – FINAL RANKINGS – TOP 224 Plus Honourable Mentions

McKeen's Scouting Team - Director of Scouting, Brock Otten — Sun, 28 May 2023 16:20:45 +0000

It’s that time! The McKeen’s scouting staff has finalized our final rankings for the 2023 NHL Draft ahead of the release of our draft guide in a few weeks. As per usual, our list runs 224 players deep to match the number of selections in the draft, but we have included over 300 players when you include our Honorable Mentions.

Much to the surprise of no one, Connor Bedard remains our top ranked player, as he has been all season long. In fact, our top three remains unchanged from our midseason rankings with Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson holding down the second and third spots, respectively. There has been one change in our top five with Will Smith leapfrogging Matvei Michkov into the fourth position following his dominant second half and U18’s.

Russian defender Dmitry Simashev remains our top ranked blueliner but has now moved into the top ten. His combination of size, mobility, physicality, and improving offensive skill set is going to be alluring to NHL teams and we feel that his upside is the highest in a weaker crop for defenders.

A trio of Swedish players are among our biggest risers from our midseason list, with Tom Willander, Anton Wahlberg, and David Edstrom all jumping up into the first round. All three were excellent in the second half of the season, which culminated with strong performances at the U18’s. Willander, in particular, has a huge fan in our Director of Scouting, Brock Otten. “If you were to ask me who my favourite defender in the draft class is, I’d probably say Willander. He rarely makes a poor play and I believe that we are underappreciating his potential as an NHL defender because of how efficient and safe his game can be. I would be shocked if he does not become a quality second pairing guy at the NHL level and I don’t think the other defenders ranked in the first have that same assurance,” said Otten.

Another massive jumper in our list is Hamilton Bulldogs winger Nick Lardis. 98th on our midseason list, Lardis now finds himself ranked just inside of our first round. His play with Hamilton, following a trade from Peterborough has vaulted him up draft boards, including ours. His combination of quickness and scoring ability gives him a solid projection at the NHL level.

Despite having two goaltenders inside of our first round at midseason (Carson Bjarnason and Michael Hrabal), we ended the year with none. Trey Augustine is now our top ranked netminder, ranked in the mid second round. However, Augustine, Bjarnason, Hrabal, and USHL Clark Cup MVP Jacob Fowler are all closely ranked in that range.

Look for the release of our 2023 Draft Guide in the next couple weeks. It will include all of our rankings and reports, a mock draft, a preview of the 2024 NHL Draft, and much more.

As a subscriber, link to our full ranking with links to the player pages here - McKeen's Draft Rankings - You can download the ranking as an excel file as well.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	DOB	NATION	TEAM	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Connor Bedard	C	5-10/185	17-Jul-05	Canada	Regina (WHL)	57-71-72-143
2	Adam Fantilli	C	6-2/195	12-Oct-04	Canada	Michigan (B1G)	36-30-35-65
3	Leo Carlsson	C	6-3/200	26-Dec-04	Sweden	Orebro (SHL)	44-10-15-25
4	Will Smith	C	6-0/175	17-Mar-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	59-51-75-126
5	Matvei Michkov	RW	5-10/170	9-Dec-04	Russia	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	30-9-11-20
6	Zach Benson	LW	5-9/160	12-May-05	Canada	Winnipeg (WHL)	60-36-62-98
7	Dalibor Dvorsky	C	6-1/200	15-Jun-05	Slovakia	AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)	38-6-8-14
8	Ryan Leonard	RW	5-11/190	21-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	56-50-43-93
9	Dmitri Simashev	D	6-4/200	4-Feb-05	Russia	Loko Yaroslavl-Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	33-1-11-12
10	Matthew Wood	RW	6-3/195	6-Feb-05	Canada	Connecticut (HE)	35-11-23-34
11	Oliver Moore	C	5-11/185	22-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	60-31-43-74
12	Colby Barlow	LW	6-0/195	14-Feb-05	Canada	Owen Sound (OHL)	59-46-33-79
13	Nate Danielson	C	6-1/185	27-Sep-04	Canada	Brandon (WHL)	68-33-45-78
14	Axel Sandin Pellikka	D	5-11/180	11-Mar-05	Sweden	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	31-16-20-36
15	Daniil But	LW	6-5/200	15-Feb-05	Russia	Loko Yaroslavl-Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	32-18-14-32
16	David Reinbacher	D	6-2/185	25-Oct-04	Austria	Kloten (Sui-NL)	46-3-19-22
17	Eduard Sale	LW	6-1/170	10-Mar-05	Czech	HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)	43-7-7-14
18	Samuel Honzek	LW	6-3/185	12-Nov-04	Slovakia	Vancouver (WHL)	43-23-33-56
19	Mikhail Gulyayev	D	5-11/170	26-Apr-05	Russia	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	22-2-23-25
20	Lukas Dragicevic	D	6-1/190	25-Apr-05	Canada	Tri-City (WHL)	68-15-60-75
21	Gabe Perreault	RW	5-11/165	7-May-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	62-53-79-132
22	Otto Stenberg	C	5-11/180	29-May-05	Sweden	Frolunda (Swe J20)	29-11-15-26
23	Tom Willander	D	6-1/180	9-Feb-05	Sweden	Rogle (Swe J20)	39-4-21-25
24	Calum Ritchie	C	6-2/185	21-Jan-05	Canada	Oshawa (OHL)	59-24-35-59
25	Andrew Cristall	LW	5-9/165	4-Feb-05	Canada	Kelowna (WHL)	54-39-56-95
26	Gavin Brindley	C	5-8/165	5-Oct-04	USA	Michigan (B1G)	41-12-26-38
27	Bradly Nadeau	LW	5-10/165	5-May-05	Canada	Penticton (BCHL)	54-45-68-113
28	Anton Wahlberg	C	6-3/195	4-Jul-05	Sweden	Malmo (Swe J20)	32-14-13-27
29	Riley Heidt	C	5-10/180	25-Mar-05	Canada	Prince George (WHL)	68-25-72-97
30	Brayden Yager	C	5-11/165	3-Jan-05	Canada	Moose Jaw (WHL)	67-28-50-78
31	David Edstrom	C	6-3/185	18-Feb-05	Sweden	Frolunda (Swe J20)	28-15-13-28
32	Nick Lardis	LW	5-10/165	8-Jul-05	Canada	Pbo-Ham (OHL)	69-37-28-65
33	Kasper Halttunen	RW	6-3/205	7-Jun-05	Finland	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	27-0-1-1
34	Jayden Perron	RW	5-9/165	11-Jan-05	Canada	Chicago (USHL)	61-24-48-72
35	Oliver Bonk	D	6-2/175	9-Jan-05	Canada	London (OHL)	67-10-30-40
36	Quentin Musty	LW	6-2/200	6-Jul-05	USA	Sudbury (OHL)	53-26-52-78
37	Trey Augustine	G	6-1/185	23-Feb-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	28-1, 2.14, 0.925
38	Tanner Molendyk	D	5-11/185	3-Feb-05	Canada	Saskatoon (WHL)	67-9-28-37
39	William Whitelaw	RW	5-9/170	5-Feb-05	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	62-36-25-61
40	Ethan Gauthier	RW	5-11/175	26-Jan-05	Canada	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	66-30-39-69
41	Gracyn Sawchyn	C	5-11/160	19-Jan-05	USA	Seattle (WHL)	58-18-40-58
42	Carson Bjarnason	G	6-3/185	30-Jun-05	Canada	Brandon (WHL)	21-19, 3.08, 0.900
43	Aram Minnetian	D	5-11/190	19-Mar-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	61-7-24-31
44	Michael Hrabal	G	6-6/210	20-Jan-05	Czech	Omaha (USHL)	9-13, 2.86, 0.908
45	Jacob Fowler	G	6-1/215	24-Nov-04	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	27-9, 2.28, 0.921
46	Oscar Fisker Molgaard	C	6-0/165	18-Feb-05	Denmark	HV 71 (SHL)	41-4-3-7
47	Carson Rehkopf	LW	6-1/195	7-Jan-05	Canada	Kitchener (OHL)	68-30-29-59
48	Beau Akey	D	5-11/170	11-Feb-05	Canada	Barrie (OHL)	66-11-36-47
49	Danny Nelson	C	6-3/200	3-Aug-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	61-20-26-46
50	Etienne Morin	D	6-0/180	9-Mar-05	Canada	Moncton (QMJHL)	67-21-51-72
51	Felix Nilsson	C	6-0/175	22-Jun-05	Sweden	Rogle (Swe J20)	36-19-22-41
52	Maxim Strbak	D	6-1/205	13-Apr-05	Slovakia	Sioux Falls (USHL)	46-5-13-18
53	Jakub Dvorak	D	6-5/205	25-May-05	Czech	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	24-0-2-2
54	Carey Terrance	C	6-0/175	10-May-05	USA	Erie (OHL)	67-30-17-47
55	Jesse Kiiskinen	RW	5-11/180	23-Aug-05	Finland	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	31-20-23-43
56	Mathieu Cataford	C	5-11/185	1-Mar-05	Canada	Halifax (QMJHL)	68-31-44-75
57	Roman Kantserov	RW	5-9/175	20-Sep-04	Russia	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)	45-27-27-54
58	Tristan Bertucci	D	6-1/170	12-Jul-05	Canada	Flint (OHL)	63-11-39-50
59	Andrew Gibson	D	6-3/195	13-Feb-05	Canada	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	45-7-14-21
60	Caden Price	D	6-0/185	24-Aug-05	Canada	Kelowna (WHL)	65-5-35-40
61	Charlie Stramel	C	6-3/215	15-Oct-04	USA	Wisconsin (B1G)	33-5-7-12
62	Coulson Pitre	RW	6-0/170	13-Dec-04	Canada	Flint (OHL)	59-25-35-60
63	Adam Gajan	G	6-2/165	6-May-04	Slovakia	Chippewa Steel (NAHL)	19-12, 2.57, 0.917
64	Hoyt Stanley	D	6-2/185	4-Feb-05	Canada	Victoria (BCHL)	53-4-34-38
65	Andrew Strathmann	D	5-10/190	27-Feb-05	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	56-3-35-38
66	Hunter Brzustewicz	D	5-11/185	29-Nov-04	USA	Kitchener (OHL)	68-6-51-57
67	Luca Pinelli	C	5-8/165	5-Apr-05	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	67-29-34-63
68	Cam Allen	D	6-0/195	7-Jan-05	Canada	Guelph (OHL)	62-5-20-25
69	Tanner Ludtke	C	6-0/185	27-Nov-04	USA	Lincoln (USHL)	57-32-34-66
70	Theo Lindstein	D	6-0/180	5-Jan-05	Sweden	Brynas (SHL)	32-1-1-2
71	Koehn Ziemmer	RW	6-0/205	8-Dec-04	Canada	Prince George (WHL)	68-41-48-89
72	Carter Sotheran	D	6-3/195	26-Jun-05	Canada	Portland (WHL)	68-4-19-23
73	Arttu Karki	D	6-1/175	8-Dec-04	Finland	Tappara (Fin-U20)	36-13-26-39
74	Albert Wikman	D	6-0/190	10-Mar-05	Sweden	Farjestads (Swe J20)	43-2-10-12
75	Quinton Burns	D	6-1/180	14-Apr-05	Canada	Kingston (OHL)	54-2-27-29
76	Nico Myatovic	LW	6-2/180	1-Dec-04	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	68-30-30-60
77	Jeremy Hanzel	D	6-0/190	27-Feb-03	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	66-13-35-48
78	Easton Cowan	RW	5-10/170	20-May-05	Canada	London (OHL)	68-20-33-53
79	Juraj Pekarcik	LW	6-2/185	12-Sep-05	Slovakia	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	30-0-3-3
80	Denver Barkey	C	5-8/160	27-Apr-05	Canada	London (OHL)	61-22-37-59
81	Martin Misiak	RW	6-2/195	30-Sep-04	Slovakia	HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)	29-1-9-10
82	Drew Fortescue	D	6-1/175	28-Apr-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	61-1-25-26
83	Felix Unger Sorum	RW	5-11/170	14-Sep-05	Sweden	Leksands (Swe J20)	42-10-36-46
84	Lenni Hameenaho	RW	6-0/175	7-Nov-04	Finland	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	51-9-12-21
85	Kalan Lind	LW	6-0/160	25-Jan-05	Canada	Red Deer (WHL)	43-16-28-44
86	Rasmus Kumpulainen	C	6-2/190	8-Aug-05	Finland	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	41-11-23-34
87	Alex Ciernik	LW	5-11/175	8-Oct-04	Slovakia	Sodertalje-Vasterviks (HockeyAllsvenskan)	25-3-9-12
88	Alexander Rykov	RW	6-0/175	14-Jul-05	Russia	Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)	20-4-7-11
89	Scott Ratzlaff	G	6-0/175	9-Mar-05	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	25-8, 2.15, 0.918
90	Yegor Rimashevsky	RW	6-3/200	1-Feb-05	Belarus	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	29-13-13-26
91	Jesse Nurmi	LW	5-10/165	7-Mar-05	Finland	KooKoo (Fin-U20)	41-21-29-50
92	Kaden Hammell	D	6-1/175	12-Mar-05	Canada	Kam-Evt (WHL)	67-8-18-26
93	Jayson Shaugabay	RW	5-9/155	4-May-05	USA	Warroad (USHS-MN)	31-33-63-96
94	Noel Nordh	RW	6-2/195	25-Jan-05	Sweden	Brynas (Swe J20)	38-13-14-27
95	Gavin McCarthy	D	6-1/180	2-Jun-05	USA	Muskegon (USHL)	42-8-19-27
96	Tyler Peddle	LW	6-0/195	28-Jan-05	Canada	Drummondville (QMJHL)	64-24-17-41
97	Francesco Dell'Elce	D	6-0/165	23-Jun-05	Canada	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	51-20-42-62
98	Timur Mukhanov	LW	5-8/170	17-Jun-05	Russia	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	31-4-4-8
99	Larry Keenan	D	6-3/185	15-Mar-05	Russia	Culver Academy (USHS-IN)	49-11-26-37
100	Emil Jarventie	LW	5-9/165	4-Apr-05	Finland	Ilves (Fin-U20)	21-8-11-19
101	Matthew Mania	D	6-1/180	11-Jan-05	USA	Sudbury (OHL)	67-10-28-38
102	Juha Jatkola	G	6-1/175	12-Sep-02	Finland	KalPa (Fin-Liiga)	20-11, 2.16, 0.903
103	Zach Nehring	RW	6-3/180	7-Mar-05	USA	Shattuck-SM (USHS-MN)	48-34-40-74
104	Austin Roest	C	5-9/175	22-Jan-04	Canada	Everett (WHL)	60-32-46-78
105	Hedqvist, Isac	C	5-10/165	22-Mar-05	Sweden	Lulea (Swe J20)	41-14-20-34
106	Stephen Peck	G	6-2/170	18-Jan-05	USA	Avon Old Farms (USHS-CT)	28GP, 1.26, 0.948
107	Yegor Klimovich	RW	5-9/160	14-May-05	Russia	Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)	36-19-30-49
108	Nikita Susuyev	RW	6-0/170	6-Feb-05	Russia	MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)	38-11-17-28
109	Ethan Miedema	LW	6-4/205	22-Mar-05	Canada	Wsr-Kgn (OHL)	68-20-32-52
110	Luca Cagnoni	D	5-9/180	21-Dec-04	Canada	Portland (WHL)	67-17-47-64
111	Jakub Stancl	LW	6-3/200	10-Apr-05	Czech	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	35-11-6-17
112	Aydar Suniev	LW	6-1/200	16-Nov-04	Russia	Penticton (BCHL)	50-45-45-90
113	Ty Henricks	LW	6-4/205	28-Jun-05	USA	Fgo-Mus (USHL)	47-9-10-19
114	Yegor Vinogradov	C	6-2/180	17-Apr-03	Russia	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	53-7-10-17
115	Yegor Sidorov	RW	5-11/180	18-Jun-04	Belarus	Saskatoon (WHL)	53-40-36-76
116	Will Vote	RW	5-8/155	22-Feb-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	60-16-29-45
117	Brandon Svoboda	C	6-3/210	4-Feb-05	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	59-16-10-26
118	Axel Landen	D	6-1/185	29-Mar-05	Sweden	HV 71 (Swe J20)	44-10-6-16
119	Alexander Hellnemo	G	6-2/180	5-Jan-04	Sweden	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	15-8, 2.32, 0.916
120	Nikita Nedopyokin	C	5-10/185	22-Mar-05	Russia	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	37-14-18-32
121	Brady Cleveland	D	6-5/210	1-Apr-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	54-0-6-6
122	Ondrej Molnar	LW	5-10/170	8-Feb-05	Slovakia	Erie (OHL)	34-4-15-19
123	Noah Dower Nilsson	LW	6-0/175	25-Apr-05	Sweden	Frolunda (Swe J20)	37-26-28-54
124	Jordan Tourigny	D	5-10/165	28-Feb-05	Canada	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	67-6-35-41
125	Cole Knuble	C	5-11/175	1-Jul-04	USA	Fargo (USHL)	57-30-36-66
126	Erik Pahlsson	C	6-0/170	9-Apr-04	Sweden	HV 71 (Swe J20)	46-26-37-63
127	Eric Pohlkamp	D	5-10/200	23-Mar-04	USA	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	59-16-35-51
128	Dylan MacKinnon	D	6-1/185	12-Jan-05	Canada	Halifax (QMJHL)	61-6-17-23
129	German Tochilkin	LW	6-2/180	24-Sep-03	Russia	Kunlun Red Star (KHL)	21-4-2-6
130	Jake Fisher	C	6-1/180	27-Mar-05	USA	Cretin-Durham Hall (USHS-MN)	29-34-29-63
131	Damian Clara	G	6-6/215	13-Jan-05	Italy	Farjestads (Swe J20)	17-17, 2.79, 0.903
132	Aiden Fink	RW	5-9/155	24-Nov-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	54-41-56-97
133	Bogdan Konyushkov	D	5-11/175	20-Dec-02	Russia	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	64-2-23-25
134	Yegor Zavragin	G	6-2/185	23-Aug-05	Russia	Mamonty Yugry (MHL)	11-6, 2.49, 0.920
135	Ty Halaburda	C	5-11/175	22-Apr-05	Canada	Vancouver (WHL)	66-21-16-37
136	Cole Burbidge	LW	6-1/160	26-Aug-05	Canada	Saint John (QMJHL)	68-19-31-50
137	Daniil Karpovich	D	6-3/210	6-Dec-04	Belarus	Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)	47-10-25-35
138	Andrei Loshko	C	6-1/175	7-Oct-04	Belarus	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	67-22-48-70
139	Beckett Hendrickson	C	6-1/175	24-Jun-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	51-13-21-34
140	Alex Pharand	C	6-3/205	1-May-05	Canada	Sudbury (OHL)	67-18-21-39
141	Zeb Forsfjall	C	5-9/170	16-Jan-05	Sweden	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	34-8-14-22
142	Joe Connor	C	5-9/170	31-Mar-05	USA	Avon Old Farms (USHS-CT)	28-21-23-44
143	Samuel Urban	G	6-1/195	1-May-05	Slovakia	Team Slovakia U18 (Svk2)	1-13, 4.51, 0.897
144	Mazden Leslie	D	6-0/195	15-Apr-05	Canada	Vancouver (WHL)	66-12-38-50
145	Maxim Fedotov	D	5-10/170	22-Jan-02	Russia	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	64-9-17-26
146	Joey Willis	C	5-10/170	14-Mar-05	USA	Saginaw (OHL)	68-15-29-44
147	Artyom Kashtanov	C	6-6/190	9-Dec-04	Russia	Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)	43-15-25-40
148	Angus MacDonell	C	5-9/180	11-May-05	Canada	Sar-Mis (OHL)	64-29-12-41
149	Konstantin Volochko	D	6-0/170	19-Jun-05	Belarus	Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk (MHL)	46-8-12-20
150	Hannes Hellberg	LW	6-0/175	19-Jun-05	Sweden	Leksands (Swe J20)	42-34-23-57
151	Carsen Musser	G	6-4/215	19-May-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	14-6, 3.07, 0.890
152	Yaroslav Tsulygin	D	6-0/160	19-May-05	Russia	Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)	44-0-2-2
153	Thomas Milic	G	6-0/180	14-Apr-03	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	27-3, 2.08, 0.928
154	Arno Tiefensee	G	6-4/190	1-May-02	Germany	Adler Mannheim (DEL)	13-10, 2.43, 0.910
155	Quinn Mantei	D	5-11/180	23-Apr-05	Canada	Brandon (WHL)	67-2-23-25
156	Matthew Soto	RW	5-10/180	31-Aug-05	Canada	Kingston (OHL)	54-15-27-42
157	Matt Copponi	C	5-10/165	3-Jun-03	USA	Merrimack (HE)	37-14-15-29
158	Vojtech Port	D	6-2/170	3-Aug-05	Czech	RD-Edm (WHL)	48-4-13-17
159	Michael DeAngelo	LW	5-11/180	19-Nov-04	USA	Green Bay (USHL)	52-11-24-35
160	Matteo Mann	D	6-5/225	31-Dec-04	Canada	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	45-0-5-5
161	Paul Fischer	D	6-1/190	30-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	55-4-17-21
162	Hudson Malinoski	C	6-0/175	19-May-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	44-16-53-69
163	Brad Gardiner	C	6-0/180	6-Mar-05	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	68-19-20-39
164	Zaccharya Wisdom	RW	6-0/175	29-Apr-04	Canada	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	59-28-20-48
165	Jonathan Castagna	C	6-1/185	20-Apr-05	Canada	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	50-29-43-72
166	Tanner Adams	RW	5-11/185	2-Sep-05	USA	Tri-City (USHL)	49-12-21-33
167	Grayden Siepmann	D	5-10/185	26-May-04	Canada	Calgary (WHL)	61-9-34-43
168	Axel Hurtig	D	6-3/200	10-Jun-05	Sweden	Rogle (Swe J20)	34-2-6-8
169	Ian Scherzer	C	6-0/180	3-Jul-05	Austria	Rogle (Swe J20)	30-3-4-7
170	Ryan Conmy	RW	5-9/190	23-Oct-04	USA	Sioux City (USHL)	60-33-29-62
171	Ethan Hay	C	6-1/190	15-Jan-05	Canada	Flint (OHL)	64-17-11-28
172	Rodwin Dionicio	D	6-2/205	30-Mar-04	Switzerland	Nia-Wsr (OHL)	50-15-35-50
173	Josh Van Mulligen	D	6-2/180	26-Jul-05	Canada	Medicine Hat (WHL)	68-1-8-9
174	Nikita Ishimnikov	D	6-3/195	21-Apr-05	Russia	Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)	41-11-7-18
175	Justin Kipkie	D	6-4/190	28-Jul-05	Canada	Victoria (WHL)	67-8-25-33
176	Sawyer Mynio	D	6-1/175	30-Apr-05	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	68-5-26-31
177	Brady Stonehouse	RW	5-9/180	6-Aug-04	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	68-37-20-57
178	Hunter Anderson	LW	5-9/175	28-Apr-05	USA	Shattuck-SM (USHS-MN)	48-52-47-99
179	Spencer Sova	D	6-0/185	10-Jan-04	Canada	Erie (OHL)	68-16-23-39
180	Oliver Tulk	C	5-7/170	19-Jan-05	Canada	Calgary (WHL)	68-24-36-60
181	Isac Born	C	5-11/165	7-Jul-04	Sweden	Frolunda (SHL)	36-2-3-5
182	Beau Jelsma	C	5-9/175	28-Apr-04	Canada	Barrie (OHL)	67-31-30-61
183	Carmelo Crandell	RW	5-11/170	2-Mar-05	Canada	Sherwood Park (AJHL)	49-17-37-54
184	Stanislav Yarovoy	LW	6-2/195	26-Aug-03	Russia	Vityaz Moscow Region (KHL)	45-9-7-16
185	Elliot Stahlberg	LW	6-0/185	29-Mar-05	Sweden	Farjestads (Swe J20)	35-9-12-21
186	Ivan Anoshko	C	5-11/170	7-Oct-04	Belarus	Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk (MHL)	53-21-32-53
187	Jake Livanavage	D	5-10/175	6-May-04	USA	Chicago (USHL)	48-6-30-36
188	Adrian Carnebo	D	6-2/185	1-May-04	Sweden	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	43-7-28-35
189	Jaden Lipinski	C	6-3/205	2-Dec-04	USA	Vancouver (WHL)	66-19-32-51
190	Ian Blomquist	G	6-2/185	29-Mar-03	Sweden	Vasteras (HockeyAllsvenskan)	4-11, 2.97, 0.904
191	Emil Pieniniemi	D	6-2/170	2-Mar-05	Finland	Karpat (Fin-U20)	31-1-12-13
192	Oskar Asplund	D	5-11/175	18-Nov-03	Sweden	Almtuna (HockeyAllsvenskan)	49-6-24-30
193	Daniil Davydov	C	5-11/165	6-Mar-04	Russia	MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)	47-11-35-46
194	Victor Sjoholm	D	5-9/175	8-Jul-03	Sweden	HV 71 (Swe J20)	37-2-8-10
195	Aron Jessli	LW	5-11/185	29-Oct-04	Norway	Pickering (OJHL)	52-25-43-68
196	Adam Dybal	G	6-1/165	2-Sep-05	Czech	Karlovy Vary (Czechia U20)	29-15, 1.85, 0.942
197	Jonathan Fauchon	C	5-10/170	13-Jan-04	Canada	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	53-25-40-65
198	Luke Mittelstadt	D	5-11/175	22-Jan-03	USA	Minnesota (B1G)	38-5-16-21
199	Owen Beckner	C	6-1/175	27-Feb-05	Canada	Salmon Arm (BCHL)	53-17-33-50
200	Ilya Kanarsky	G	6-2/165	6-Dec-04	Russia	AKM-Junior Tula Region (MHL)	4-19, 3.59, 0.919
201	Braeden Bowman	RW	6-1/205	26-Jun-03	Canada	Guelph (OHL)	54-33-39-72
202	Luke Coughlin	D	5-9/170	11-Apr-05	Canada	Rimouski (QMJHL)	37-5-14-19
203	Norwin Panocha	D	6-1/185	24-Feb-05	Germany	Eisbaren Juniors Berlin (DNL U20)	34-6-16-22
204	Cole Brown	LW	6-2/180	27-Apr-05	Canada	Hamilton (OHL)	60-17-25-42
205	Tomas Suchanek	G	6-0/180	30-Apr-03	Czech	Tri-City (WHL)	27-14, 3.05, 0.912
206	Vadim Moroz	RW	6-2/185	20-Nov-03	Belarus	Dinamo Minsk (KHL)	39-5-9-14
207	Davis Burnside	RW	5-11/175	22-Sep-03	USA	Ohio State (B1G)	40-14-7-21
208	Maros Jedlicka	C	6-1/185	23-Oct-02	Slovakia	HKM Zvolen (Slovakia)	39-17-18-35
209	Gavyn Thoreson	RW	5-8/180	30-Oct-04	USA	Andover High (USHS-MN)	31-41-56-97
210	Austin Burnevik	RW	6-3/200	3-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	43-6-13-19
211	Elmeri Laakso	D	6-1/185	19-Jul-04	Finland	SaiPa (Fin-Liiga)	32-4-7-11
212	Frantisek Dej	C	6-4/200	28-Feb-05	Slovakia	HC Modre Kridla Slovan (Slovakia2)	24-8-13-21
213	Matvei Maximov	C	6-0/175	18-Jan-05	Russia	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	48-18-19-37
214	Connor Levis	RW	6-1/190	5-Oct-04	Canada	Kamloops (WHL)	68-27-40-67
215	Teddy Townsend	C	5-10/160	2-Sep-05	USA	Eden Prairie (USHS-MN)	27-14-25-39
216	Petter Vesterheim	C	5-11/165	30-Sep-04	Norway	Mora (Swe J20)	41-12-27-39
217	Justin Gill	C	6-1/190	27-Jan-03	Canada	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	68-44-49-93
218	Alex Weiermair	C	6-0/190	10-May-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	55-11-15-26
219	Jan Sprynar	RW	6-1/175	26-Feb-05	Czech	Rimouski (QMJHL)	60-23-17-40
220	Ty Higgins	D	6-0/185	26-Sep-04	Canada	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	68-13-28-41
221	Tom Leppa	C	6-0/175	31-Jul-05	Finland	Jokerit (Fin-U20)	45-19-12-31
222	Aaron Pionk	D	6-1/175	16-Jan-03	USA	Waterloo (USHL)	60-12-24-36
223	Hampton Slukynsky	G	6-1/180	2-Jul-05	USA	Warroad (USHS-MN)	28-1, 1.47, 0.941
224	Noah Erliden	G	5-10/170	9-Sep-05	Sweden	HV71 (Swe J20)	10-8, 2.93, 0.912
HM	Matthew Andonovski	D	6-1/200	14-Mar-05	Canada	Kitchener (OHL)	67-0-16-16
HM	Gleb Artsatbanov	G	6-2/170	2-Mar-04	Ukraine	Sparta Praha (Czechia U20)	13-10, 1.95, 0.938
HM	Cale Ashcroft	D	5-10/200	5-Aug-04	Canada	Tri-City (USHL)	62-8-29-37
HM	Alex Assadourian	LW	5-8/170	24-Jul-05	Canada	Sby-Nia (OHL)	66-12-29-41
HM	Arvid Bergstrom	D	5-11/160	12-Jun-05	Sweden	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	41-2-21-23
HM	Kevin Bicker	LW	6-0/175	29-Jan-05	Germany	Jungadler Mannheim (DNL U20)	20-10-11-21
HM	Philippe Blais-Savoie	D	6-0/185	10-Jun-05	USA	Tri-City (USHL)	61-2-9-11
HM	Linus Brandl	C	5-11/185	1-Apr-05	Germany	Jungadler Mannheim (DNL U20)	32-25-22-47
HM	Finn Brink	LW	5-9/180	6-Apr-05	USA	Maple Grove (USHS-MN)	31-31-38-69
HM	Yaroslav Busygin	D	6-3/185	14-Feb-03	Russia	Vityaz Moscow Region (KHL)	42-1-2-3
HM	Kalle Carlsson	C	6-0/175	2-Mar-05	Sweden	Orebro (Swe J20)	44-11-24-35
HM	Adam Cedzo	RW	5-10/165	23-Feb-05	Slovakia	HC Ocelari Trinec (Czechia U20)	39-23-23-46
HM	Aiden Celebrini	D	6-1/185	26-Oct-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	47-5-16-21
HM	Andon Cerbone	C	5-8/150	13-Apr-04	USA	Oma-Yng (USHL)	64-24-39-63
HM	Chase Cheslock	D	6-3/210	25-Oct-04	USA	Rogers High (USHS-MN)	28-4-27-31
HM	Sam Court	D	5-10/180	7-Jan-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	52-13-59-72
HM	Adam Csabi	LW	5-10/160	17-Feb-05	Czech	SaiPa (Fin-U18)	28-16-15-31
HM	Nathaniel Davis	D	6-1/185	15-Nov-04	Canada	Burlington (OJHL)	45-10-26-36
HM	Nathan Day	G	6-2/180	4-Feb-05	Canada	Flint (OHL)	17-10, 3.91, 0.874
HM	Kocha Delic	C	5-10/185	11-Mar-04	Canada	Sudbury (OHL)	46-22-30-52
HM	Tyler Duke	D	5-8/180	19-Jul-04	USA	Ohio State (B1G)	40-4-8-12
HM	Filip Eriksson	C	6-0/170	5-Nov-04	Sweden	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	11-5-5-10
HM	Jiri Felcman	C	6-4/190	17-Apr-05	Czech	Langnau U20 (Sui-U20-Elit)	40-10-21-31
HM	Samuel Fiala	C	6-1/170	9-Apr-05	Czech	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia U20)	44-19-9-28
HM	Mans Forsfjall	D	6-0/180	30-Jul-02	Sweden	Skelleftea (SHL)	52-2-12-14
HM	Cooper Foster	C	5-11/170	4-Jun-05	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	63-19-17-36
HM	Salvatore Guzzo	RW	6-0/185	17-Apr-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	58-17-11-28
HM	Michael Hagens	D	5-11/170	18-Feb-05	USA	Chicago (USHL)	60-9-17-26
HM	Sam Harris	LW	5-11/190	14-Oct-03	USA	Sioux Falls (USHL)	56-30-26-56
HM	Jack Harvey	C	5-10/175	31-Mar-03	USA	Chicago (USHL)	62-40-34-74
HM	Bogdans Hodass	D	6-2/200	13-Apr-03	Latvia	Medicine Hat (WHL)	56-11-24-35
HM	Ryan Hopkins	D	6-1/180	15-Apr-04	Canada	Penticton (BCHL)	48-10-39-49
HM	Ewan Huet	G	6-0/170	8-Feb-05	Switzerland	Lausanne (Sui U20-Elit)	14-12, 2.73
HM	Gustaf Kangas	C	6-0/175	27-Jul-05	Sweden	Vasteras (Swe J20)	27-7-13-20
HM	Sean Keohane	D	6-3/180	4-Nov-04	USA	Dexter Southfield(USHS-MA)	32-4-12-16
HM	Oiva Keskinen	C	6-0/175	28-Feb-04	Finland	Tappara (Fin-U20)	38-20-21-41
HM	Ruslan Khazheyev	G	6-4/200	20-Nov-04	Russia	Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL)	8-8, 2.38, 0.923
HM	Matteo Koci	D	6-0/165	7-Jun-05	Czech	HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czechia U20)	36-7-13-20
HM	Ryan Koering	D	6-3/185	11-Feb-05	USA	Eden Prairie (USHS-MN)	27-6-10-16
HM	Cameron Korpi	G	6-2/150	26-May-04	USA	Tri-City (USHL)	13-4, 2.52, 0.911
HM	Sergei Kosovets	D	6-5/250	17-Jul-02	Russia	HK Sochi (KHL)	26-2-2-4
HM	Artyom Kudashov	D	6-0/160	10-Jan-05	Russia	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	42-2-7-9
HM	Roman Kukumberg	LW	6-0/185	21-Mar-05	Slovakia	HC Modre Kridla Slovan (Slovakia2)	33-5-6-11
HM	Emil Kuusla	LW	5-9/165	11-Jan-05	Finland	Jokerit (Fin-U20)	36-18-17-35
HM	Jani Lampinen	G	6-2/185	14-Feb-03	Finland	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-Mestis)	15-6, 2.35, 0.902
HM	Charles-Alexis Legault	D	6-3/205	5-Sep-03	Canada	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	40-2-7-9
HM	Aiden Long	LW	6-3/190	13-Mar-05	Canada	Whitecourt (AJHL)	50-19-27-46
HM	Connor MacPherson	RW	6-0/170	2-Mar-05	Canada	Leamington (GOJHL)	43-28-35-63
HM	Matthew Mayich	D	6-2/185	21-Dec-04	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	64-5-17-22
HM	Donovan McCoy	D	6-0/200	11-Oct-04	Canada	Peterborough (OHL)	65-2-11-13
HM	Cole Miller	C	6-4/175	4-Feb-05	Canada	Edmonton (WHL)	61-10-9-19
HM	Lucas Moore	D	5-9/180	7-Jun-05	Canada	Hamilton (OHL)	65-3-25-28
HM	Josh Nadeau	RW	5-7/145	22-Oct-03	Canada	Penticton (BCHL)	54-44-66-110
HM	Alexei Noskov	G	6-2/205	13-Nov-04	Russia	Taifun Primorsky Krai (MHL)	7-26, 3.86, 0.905
HM	Owen Outwater	LW	6-2/160	4-Jan-05	Canada	Kingston (OHL)	62-16-25-41
HM	Joe Palodichuk	D	6-0/165	26-Feb-03	USA	Fargo (USHL)	44-8-21-29
HM	Petr Pavelec	LW	6-0/200	10-Feb-05	Czech	HC Vitkovice (Czechia U20)	46-8-5-13
HM	Oliver Peer	RW	6-0/165	9-Mar-03	Canada	Windsor (OHL)	63-22-45-67
HM	Chris Pelosi	C	6-1/180	6-Mar-05	USA	Sioux Falls (USHL)	43-13-6-19
HM	Matthew Perkins	LW	5-11/175	21-Jan-04	Canada	Youngstown (USHL)	60-15-29-44
HM	Nico Pertuch	G	6-2/200	29-Jul-05	Germany	EV Landshut (DNL U20)	15GP, 3.57
HM	Dominik Petr	C	6-2/165	30-Apr-05	Czech	Lukko (Fin-U20)	18-1-0-1
HM	Chase Pietila	D	6-1/180	3-Mar-04	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	60-7-29-36
HM	Chase Pirtle	RW	6-2/185	8-Mar-05	USA	Mount St. Charles 18U AAA (USHS-RI)	47-20-24-44
HM	Benjamin Poitras	C	5-10/175	18-Jul-05	Canada	Sioux City (USHL)	61-14-24-38
HM	Connor Punnett	D	6-1/200	16-Jun-03	Canada	Barrie (OHL)	66-14-34-48
HM	Ivan Remezovsky	D	6-1/165	8-Feb-05	Russia	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	45-0-13-13
HM	Charlie Robertson	G	6-3/165	2-Apr-05	Canada	North Bay (OHL)	12-6, 3.17, 0.892
HM	Pier-Olivier Roy	D	5-9/175	5-Mar-04	Canada	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	68-6-62-68
HM	Rainers Rullers	C	6-4/195	11-Dec-04	Latvia	Zemgale (Fin-Mestis)	46-4-6-10
HM	Bennett Schimek	RW	5-11/180	15-Apr-03	USA	Providence (HE)	37-11-9-20
HM	Zach Schulz	D	6-1/195	14-Jun-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	51-1-9-10
HM	Magomed Sharakanov	D	6-1/200	11-Oct-04	Russia	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	44-7-25-32
HM	Cam Squires	RW	5-11/165	11-Apr-05	Canada	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	67-30-34-64
HM	Julius Sumpf	C	6-1/175	11-Jan-05	Germany	RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)	23-9-9-18
HM	Alexander Suvorov	RW	5-9/160	30-Nov-02	Belarus	Severstal Cherepovets (KHL)	47-13-11-24
HM	Gabriel Szturc	C	5-11/185	24-Sep-03	Czech	Kelowna (WHL)	56-24-55-79
HM	Nikita Telegin	C	6-1/155	21-Jun-05	Russia	Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL)	22-6-4-10
HM	Patrick Thomas	C	5-11/160	21-Aug-04	Canada	Hamilton (OHL)	66-17-39-56
HM	Hudson Thornton	D	5-11/180	4-Nov-03	Canada	Prince George (WHL)	68-23-51-74
HM	Jiri Tichacek	D	5-9/170	30-Jan-03	Czech	Rytiri Kladno (Czechia)	39-0-6-6
HM	Djibril Toure	D	6-6/200	5-Jun-03	Canada	Sudbury (OHL)	57-5-11-16
HM	Tuomas Uronen	RW	5-11/180	19-Mar-05	Finland	HIFK (Fin-U20)	39-20-23-43
HM	Noa Vali	G	6-0/160	19-Apr-05	Finland	TPS (Fin-U20)	17-8, 2.38, 0.912
HM	Nicholas Vantassell	RW	6-4/195	18-Apr-04	USA	Green Bay (USHL)	62-19-18-37
HM	Visa Vedenpaa	G	6-2/170	11-May-05	Finland	Karpat (Fin-U20)	31GP, 0.886
HM	Evgeny Volokhin	G	6-3/170	6-Apr-05	Russia	Mamonty Yugry (MHL)	20-6, 2.12, 0.927
HM	Declan Waddick	C	5-10/170	24-Jan-05	Canada	Niagara (OHL)	64-28-21-49
HM	Saige Weinstein	D	6-0/180	30-May-05	Canada	Spokane (WHL)	57-4-14-18
HM	Ethan Whitcomb	LW	6-4/190	13-May-04	Canada	Muskegon (USHL)	53-24-24-48
HM	Raul Yakupov	RW	6-1/180	21-Jun-04	Russia	Reaktor Nizhnekamsk (MHL)	49-32-29-61

2023 NHL DRAFT: Top “Tier 2” players available for the draft this year (AJHL, BCHL, CAHS, CJHL, OJHL, USHS) with video – Part One – Forwards

Brock Otten — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 15:10:46 +0000

McKeen's Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, provides a close examination of all the top "Tier 2" players available for the draft this year (USHS, CJHL, etc). The first part in the series highlights the forwards.

Bradly Nadeau

Wing/Center - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

5’10, 63lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 60, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 55

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bradly_nadeau_-_2nd_period_34_12_-_34_24.mp4

Notes: One of the elite shooters in this year’s draft class, Nadeau has torched the BCHL in 2023 along with his older brother Josh (more on him later). Bradley is a lethal off puck option with his ability to find open space and quick release. His offensive zone anticipation is terrific, but he also competes for open space and plays a lot larger than his 5’10, 163lbs frame would suggest. Nadeau consistently makes use of the space he is afforded too, thanks to a lightning quick release. Armed with a thunderous one timer and an explosive wrister, Nadeau routinely beats goaltenders cleanly…from a distance. An area of Nadeau’s game that probably doesn’t get enough credit is his tenaciousness. He is very active on the forecheck and in puck pursuit and really seems to derive energy from playing the body. He routinely plays through the opposition, rather than around them and as he gets stronger, this power component to his game is only likely to become more prevalent. However, Nadeau is a bit of a polarizing prospect this year because there are some concerns over projectability. His on-puck play can be inconsistent because his ability to blend skating and puck control is a work in progress. His use of linear crossovers does layer deception in his attacks and he has good balance, allowing him to take advantage of his shooting gifts. However, his stride length is inconsistent, causing his first step quickness to be lacking a bit for a smaller player. Additionally, Nadeau is not what you would call a magician with the puck. He handles well, but his game is predicated on quick decision making and use of space. As that space is taken away, he’s often not creative enough to work his way out of defensive pressure. These things can and should improve, especially as he heads to the NCAA (with Maine). However, it makes one wonder if Nadeau projects best as a high energy, complementary goal scorer at the NHL level who will need to play with a high-end playmaker to be successful. Obviously, that still has significant value, especially if he can become a Jake Guentzel type.

Aiden Fink

Wing - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

5’9, 152lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 53.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aiden_fink_-_2nd_period_21_19_-_21_31.mp4

Notes: Recently named the AJHL’s MVP (joining the likes of Cale Makar, Dylan Holloway, Mason Raymond, and Mike Comrie in the history books), Fink is a slippery, offensive wizard. His shot might be his best weapon. He can score in a multitude of ways. He sets up shop at the half wall near the dot and shows a consistent ability to one time pucks cleanly, especially on the powerplay. He can create space for himself in transition and shoot in full stride. He has a quick release in the slot and requires little time and space to generate velocity. Fink’s ability to blend agility with puck control is also impressive. He has excellent control on his edges and can stop/start on a dime. This allows him to consistently spin off checks and attack East/West, moving toward the slot with little hesitancy despite his size/strength deficits. His linear quickness needs work. He has difficulty sustaining speed and he doesn’t generate significant power in his pushes. Right now, his skating would probably best be assessed as a 50, but with a focus on elongating his stride and sometime in the weight room, his skating has a real chance to be above average thanks to his lateral quickness and agility. Thus, the 55 grade as a projection. The other impressive feature of Fink’s game is his ability to alter pace. He is impressive in transition but is just as effective when the game slows down because he is tenacious and competitive. His performance at the World Junior A Challenge was extremely impressive, especially in the game against the United States, versus players he will be competing against at the NCAA level with Wisconsin. That said, his lack of size and lack of explosiveness/quickness will be bound to scare off some scouts. When his feet and hands can’t create space, he can be easily pushed off the puck at this current time. Additionally, his defensive zone play does leave a lot to be desired. Ultimately, this is why Fink is heading to Wisconsin and not the WHL. This will give him a ton of time to work on his athletic tools in hopes that they catch up to his skill and creativity. He is well worth a look in the middle rounds as a high upside selection.

Aron Jessli

Wing - Pickering (OJHL)

6’1, 190lbs

Grades: Skating: 57.5, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 47.5, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 53.125

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-aron_jessli_-_3rd_period_3_7_-_3_19.mp4

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2-aron_jessli_-_2nd_period_28_31_-_28_43.mp4

Notes: Jessli has to be considered one of the most fun and entertaining under the radar prospects available this year. A Norwegian, late 2004 born winger, he has been playing (mostly) in North America the last half decade, most recently with Pickering in the OJHL. Headed to Niagara University next year, Jessli offers up a really intriguing upside thanks to an intriguing blend of skill, speed, and power. As you might expect from someone who has over 100 penalty minutes on the year, Jessli is aggressive. He’s not a huge hitter, per say, but he is ultra tenacious and quite the pest. Discipline is an issue; lots of penalties taken out of frustration or from just poor decisions, but he’s definitely a tough guy to play against. The driving force behind Jessli’s game is his speed. Lightning quick, Jessli loves to play at a breakneck pace. The thing is, he’s also pretty skilled with the puck. He routinely turns defenders inside out off the rush and he blends his quickness and skill together really well. Once he gets a head of steam, he is a very tough player for Junior A defenders to stop. His playmaking ability shows well at times too. Sure, he can skate himself into trouble at times and he’s certainly confident in his ability to beat defenders one on one, but he does make some impressive passes and reads as he’s attacking. He’s got a pretty quick snap shot and he can one time pucks cleanly from the slot and the half wall, but overall he’s best in tight to the net as a scorer. Most of his shots from a distance fail to hit the mark or go right into the goaltender’s chest. The biggest challenge is assessing Jessli’s on ice IQ and awareness. As mentioned, he can make some impressive plays as a set-up man. But overall, his decision making does leave some to be desired. He’s at his best when attacking with speed, and as the game slows down, he can be less effective. Sometimes that means not making quick enough decisions with the puck on his stick. Sometimes that means not supporting his teammates off the puck, failing to identify opportunities to get to open space. His defensive play is certainly not as solid as his offensive play, with the majority of his physicality being served in pursuit of scoring chances in the offensive end. All that said, I find myself very, very intrigued by Jessli and it comes as no surprise to see that NHL Central Scouting has him as the highest ranked player in the OJHL this year; a league that routinely has multiple players selected. I can’t say for certain what type of player he will eventually develop into, but his combination of speed, size, skill, and tenaciousness gives him a chance, even if I wish he were headed to a better program (no offense meant to the fine folks at Niagara U).

Zach Nehring

Wing - Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS-Prep)

6’3, 180lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 53

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Notes: Nehring is an intriguing potential power forward that oozes athleticism. There’s room for improvement in his agility and edgework, but he’s a strong linear mover with big, long strides. This allows him to play a really solid North/South game, as he routinely beats defenders to the net on drives, with and without the puck. He has a real clear understanding already of how he should play given his skill set. He excels in the bumper position on the man advantage and takes up position near the blue paint at even strength, looking to screen, tip, or put home second chance opportunities. Nehring is also a consistent physical presence and is very active in puck pursuit on the forecheck and backcheck. While his defensive game is a bit inconsistent currently, he does show great potential to be a strong two-way forward with his power, length, and tenaciousness. Headed to Western Michigan, it will be interesting to see how the full complement of his skills comes together as he fills out his frame.

As an offensive player, Nehring is at his best when he keeps things simple. He actually has great offensive zone awareness. He fills space well, working give and go’s, and he has good vision coming off the wall. His anticipation and off puck movement are key to his offensive production. However, currently his offensive tools would best be classified as average. He can lead the charge North/South and has great puck protection tendencies (using his frame to shield the puck), but he’s not the type of player who is skilled enough to create when pressure collapses around him; he can get boxed in. Additionally, he does not always catch pucks cleanly when accepting passes or when trying to pick up speed through the neutral zone. He excels as a finisher in tight, but he does not have a high end shot that can beat goaltenders clean from a distance. Most of his work is done in tight. I actually like his playmaking ability and vision more. That said, as mentioned, Nehring is far from a polished, finished product. Lots of room for further development here and he has a chance to be a quality middle six, two-way power winger.

Jayson Shaugabay

Wing - Warroad High (USHS-MN)/Green Bay (USHL)

5’9, 155lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 62.5, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-Jayson_shaugabay_-_2nd_period_24_31_-_24_51.mp4

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Notes: Shaugabay is a shifty and highly deceptive playmaking winger with significant offensive upside. When playing in the Minnesota High School loop, he’s been arguably the best player in the State and was subsequently named Mr. Hockey for the season. He started the year with Green Bay of the USHL and was a standout for the Gamblers too, with one of the highest point per game averages on the team. Shaugabay should legitimately be considered one of the most skilled and creative players with the puck available this year. He routinely creates extra time and space for himself by beating the first and second layers of pressure, turning would be defenders into pylons. He is not a traditional burner, but he is extremely shifty because of how well he alters pace to build in deception. Quick stops and starts, in addition to fakes and delays make him a difficult cover in transition, especially when you consider his ability to blend skill and movement effortlessly; he can truly keep the puck on a string. He is really good at inviting pressure, before sliding pucks to open teammates for significant scoring chances because of how much attention he draws in the offensive zone. His passing precision is generally very impressive.

That said, there are a lot of areas to his game that will need work in order for him to reach his high ceiling. He’s undersized and his skating ability would best be classified as average. He doesn’t possess elite escapability with his feet alone. Additionally, his strength on the puck will need to improve considerably. Factoring in these two things, turnovers can be a major issue as he tries to navigate high traffic areas. At his best on the perimeter, is this translatable? Shaugabay’s off puck play is best described as inconsistent too. He can apply pressure on the forecheck, and he does have a good stick to help force turnovers, however his engagement isn’t always present, especially in the defensive zone. I actually really like that he’s going to Minnesota-Duluth, a program that tends to draw different players than Shaugabay; players who are more polished off the puck and incorporate power into their game. UMD should help him become a more well-rounded player and he’ll likely form an interesting one/two punch with Isaac Howard on the powerplay.

Aydar Suniev

Wing - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

6’2, 200lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.5

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Notes: Really the only thing missing from Suniev’s game is dynamic skating ability. He has a very wide, Wayne Simmonds’ esque, stride that limits his quickness and agility. Most often he is forced to delay or slow pace down to a crawl because he lacks the ability to beat defenders to the outside. He is very balanced and strong on his skates, which allows him to play through contact. Additionally, his puck protection habits and strength on the puck are excellent, meaning that he can play through the middle of the ice and drive the net at the BCHL level without above average quickness. But, how will this ability translate to the NHL level without upgrading his skating? A transplanted Russian, Suniev has been playing in North America for several seasons now, bouncing between programs such as the Yale Bulldogs, Hill Academy, St. Andrew’s College, and the Thorold Blackhawks of the GOJHL. Starring with Penticton this year, Suniev has earned a full ride to UMass, a route that will allow him time to upgrade his athleticism.

The rest of his game is very impressive. He has very quick hands and excels as a playmaker because of his ability to miss sticks and read/react to defensive pressure. He can be turnover prone at times, but these turnovers usually are as a result of his lack of explosiveness causing pressure to close in on him and not because of poor reads. Suniev also has a great shot and is a real threat on the powerplay with his one timer and quick release. Away from the puck, Suniev has great forechecking habits and routinely puts himself in position to apply pressure to puck carriers, even without strong closing speed. He uses his size effectively to separate players from the puck and he will battle along the wall to keep pucks alive. I wouldn’t go as far to call him a power forward, but he plays with a strong motor and brings energy regardless of whether he has the puck or not. Suniev’s development as an NHL prospect will be directly tied to his ability to improve his skating.

Hudson Malinoski

Center/Wing - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

6’1, 175lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 52.5, Smarts: 52.5, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.25

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Notes: This is a great story. Back in 2017, Malinoski ended up with a torn vertebral artery after falling off his roof. After a successful experimental surgery, Malinoski was kept out of hockey for a year and had to work his way back up the hockey ladder. Passed over in his WHL draft and a late bloomer physically, Malinoski (2004 born) is now playing in his first year in the AJHL with Brooks and he’s been one of the best players in the league as a rookie. He also was a standout at the World Junior A Challenge for Canada West. Watching Malinoski, you can’t help but wonder if this is a player who is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. The athletic tools are very intriguing. He’s a dynamic linear attacker who generates significant power in his stride, which he uses to push into the offensive zone. He controls the puck well at full speed and uses his length to protect the puck, helping him gain the zone. There’s room for further development in his balance and edgework, but this can be improved. Malinoski also shows well as a playmaker. He runs the point of the Brooks powerplay and is great at drawing in pressure before finding passing lanes. He actually has a good shot but does not use it enough. A lot of his production this year has come with the man advantage, and the reason for that is that Malinoski has a lot of room to grow physically. He can be separated from the puck and can struggle to find the inside consistently at even strength. He shows a desire to work the wall and defend down low, but he often finds himself on the losing end of those battles. A Providence College commit, the upside here is really intriguing. Once Malinoski fills out and gains confidence, will his game reach another level? He has missed so much development time and he really hasn’t seen much time at the higher levels of hockey. A lot of parallels can be made between Malinoski and Adam Ingram last year and it seems likely that NHL teams are going to be very interested in him this draft in hopes that they can unlock his potential with a patient approach.

Jake Fisher

Center - Cretin-Derham Hall (USHS-MN)

6’2, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.25

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Notes: Fisher is a strong skating, power center who is a candidate for Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey award this year. A fluid skater with big, powerful strides, Fisher consistently has a positive impact as a puck carrier in transition, leading the charge across the opposing blueline. He’s not the most creative or skilled attacker, per say, but he is effective with his ability to use his frame to protect the puck, in combination with the power in his linear crossovers. He already understands how to alter pace too, using both delays and continued pace when entering the zone, showing an ability to survey the ice and select an appropriate carrying strategy. He’s far from a head down, North/South attacker. Fisher’s strong offensive production this year can be attributed to his excellent IQ and offensive zone awareness. Again, he’s not incredibly creative, but he is very effective off the puck, consistently sliding into gaps in coverage. He drives the net and will use his size to score the dirty goals near the crease. He is also an effective forechecker and three zone player who uses his size and quickness combination to force turnovers. Fisher is not necessarily an overtly physical player, but he does compete for pucks and space. He recently decommitted from Northern Michigan and is apparently deciding between Notre Dame and Denver for his official commitment at the NCAA level. Fisher’s offensive upside may be somewhat limited, but his athletic tools do give him an intriguing upside as a high energy, two-way center with a nose for the net at the higher levels.

Joe Connor

Wing - Avon Old Farms (USHS-Prep)/Muskegon (USHL)

5’10, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 52.5, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

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Notes: It’s been quite the year for Avon Old Farms winger and Northeastern commit Joe Connor. It started with him suiting up for the U.S. at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. It ended with him recently helping Avon Old Farms capture the New England Elite 8 Championship (prep school playoffs), where he was named MVP. The first things you notice about Connor are his motor and competitiveness. He’s a great forechecker and he works hard in all three zones to earn touches/force turnovers. He’s certainly not big, but he plays bigger than his 5’10, 170lbs frame would indicate (as much as that is cliche). He’s also an intelligent off puck player. He consistently slips between coverage to earn scoring chances and his anticipation is a standout quality. He could stand to be a little more poised with the puck in the offensive zone (rushed passes, low volume shots), but as he gets stronger on the puck and becomes more comfortable protecting the puck and absorbing contact, I believe these issues should resolve themselves.

A high-volume shooter, Connor does have a good (but not great) shot. A snappy release helps him get pucks to the net quickly from the slot and he has good hands in tight to finish off plays under pressure. There are some limitations to his game that could prevent him from having a high ceiling. For one, he’s not a dynamic skater for a player of his size. From a mechanical point of view, his stride is not poor. He just doesn’t generate significant power. That does bode well for him eventually improving his speed and quickness as he gains strength over his NCAA tenure at Northeastern. Additionally, he’s not a high skill player. He can struggle to beat defenders one on one and one of the reasons why he can be pressured into rushed shots or passes is because he doesn’t have the hands or creativity to routinely escape said pressure. The key for Connor will be the improvement to his athleticism in order to make him a more dynamic player. There is a future that sees Connor develop into a Frank Vatrano type of player at the NHL level.

Hunter Anderson

Wing - Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS-Prep)/Des Moines (USHL)

5’9, 181lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.25

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Notes: Intelligent goal scoring winger who has been the straw that stirs the drink for Shattuck St. Mary’s this year. Excellent complementary player who is good at finding space to shoot, using excellent edgework and lateral quickness to push away from defenders into open space. Has a quick release on his wrist shot, but also one times pucks with authority, usually from his office on the right side of the net front. Anderson also finishes plays off well near the crease and will jockey for position near the blue paint in order to get deflection or second chance opportunities. Anderson shows good hands in tight spaces, using toe drags or inside/out moves to create extra time and space for himself, especially when he attacks the middle of the ice. Perhaps most impressive from Anderson is that he’s not just a high-volume shooter. He has good instincts and vision with the puck in the offensive zone. He will draw in defenders before dishing off, using the threat of his high-end shooting ability as a decoy; deception is certainly a layered component to his game. As a skater, as mentioned, Anderson has quick feet in the sense that he can evade checks with strong edgework, balance, and agility. However, his linear quickness and top end speed will need to be upgraded to find success at the next level, especially given his lack of ideal size. This has been very evident over the last two years when he has played in the USHL with Des Moines and has been unable to create his own scoring chances in transition or when driving wide. Additionally, while Anderson has a good compete level in the offensive end, his defensive play is a major work in progress. He can leave the zone early or be late to his backchecking assignment. He is far from being a physical player. Headed to the University of Denver, Anderson has a chance to develop into a quality complementary goal scorer, but the athletic tools will need to be upgraded over his NCAA career first.

Josh Nadeau

Wing - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

5’8, 160lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.25

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Notes: Even with the production increase, one has to wonder…is Josh Nadeau really an improved player over last year when he went through the 2022 Draft unselected? He’s a more impressive player than his younger brother Bradly on the puck. He routinely evades pressure with his quick feet and quick hands, creating additional time and space for himself, both in transition and when delaying. Despite limited strength on the puck, he routinely escapes scrums with the puck on his stick thanks to his tenaciousness and skill blending ability. Like his brother, Josh also possesses an excellent shot and can beat goaltenders cleanly with a quick snapshot or wrister. Even though he’s small, he actually does the majority of his goal scoring dangerous from in tight by finishing off second chances, getting pucks on sticks, and getting himself clearance in the slot to use his release. Even though his physicality/compete grade is a 45, his compete level is extremely admirable. He’s like “the little engine that could” out there. He takes a beating, but he keeps on ticking. He will take the body. He is very middle of the ice centric. However, one has to wonder how effective he’ll be playing that particular style as he moves up a level or two. He gets hit a lot. Durability could be a concern for sure. Additionally, for such a smaller player, his lack of explosiveness is bound to be concerning to NHL scouts. He’s not a poor skater by any means, but his quick, small strides (almost like a sewing machine), don’t really generate a ton of power and this does not give him the escapability that he’s going to need in order to continue to be an offensive juggernaut. The hands, touch, and sense all certainly give him a chance. He’s a skilled and intelligent playmaker. But few players his size succeed without being truly elite movers. I’d probably feel more comfortable seeing how he performs at the NCAA level first (with Maine).

Jonathan Castagna

Center - St. Andrew’s College (CAHS)

6’2, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51.75

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Notes: Castagna is the prototypical Cornell University recruit. Just like previous successful forwards with the Big Red (like Riley Nash, Morgan Barron, Colin Greening, and currently Matthew Stienburg), Castagna is a competitive two-way player who likely projects as a potential bottom six player if everything goes according to plan regarding his development. The 6’2 pivot is an excellent skater who loves to lead the attack. He plays an aggressive North/South game and is very middle of the ice focused. He uses his speed well without the puck too, operating effectively on the forecheck, while also looking to crash the net looking for second chance opportunities. Castagna is aggressive physically in the defensive end and in the neutral zone, using his size and quickness to close quickly on puck carriers and to be a disruptive force defensively. As a skilled player, his upside remains somewhat questionable. He shows some nice skill when keeping plays alive along the wall, but most of his offensive chances at the prep level are created by his speed advantage. When he gets bottled up, he can be forced off the puck or commit turnovers. I wonder if he would be best served to move to the wing where his speed and physical aggressiveness would play well without the pressure of being the primary playmaker. The most difficult thing to assess would be Castagna’s IQ and smarts. This is simply due to the level that he’s playing at. As mentioned, Castagna often skates circles around prep level defenders and that means he’s not forced to problem solve high traffic situations all that consistently. He shows a good understanding of how to play without the puck. But what upside does his playmaking ability possess? At this point, Castagna is probably a slam dunk to be a draft selection as NHL team’s see a player with an intriguing floor as an energy player, but also some mystique surrounding his offensive ceiling.

Gavyn Thoreson

Wing/Center - Andover (USHS-MN)/Waterloo (USHL)

5’8, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51.75

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Notes: Thoreson, a late born 2004, has been one of the best forwards in the state as part of a dominant first line in Andover (along with Cooper Conway and Cayden Casey). He is an incredibly fun player to watch thanks to his combination of hustle, competitiveness, and skill. He may be small, but he’s not weak. Even at the USHL level this year, he was throwing the body and finding his way to the net, doing most of his damage from the middle of the ice and in high traffic areas. Thoreson’s best offensive attribute might be his shot. He has a lightning quick release, and he can pick corners from a distance. He also is a skilled handler who creates time and space for himself, something that is extremely important given his lack of truly dynamic skating ability. This is obviously the concerning thing as it pertains to his NHL draft chances. At 5’8, you really wish that he was a better skater. He has a decent top speed, but he takes time building up to it. Short, choppy strides prevent him from gaining separation, forcing him to rely on his hands and his brain to help him operate in transition. Additionally, he’s not the world’s most agile skater, with a lot of room for him to improve his lateral quickness and confidence on his edges. Starting the year with Waterloo of the USHL, Thoreson’s lack of quickness was evident as he failed to create off the rush the same way that he does with Andover. That said, he was still able to play at a point per game pace with the Blackhawks, a testament to his high skill level, offensive zone awareness, and tenaciousness. Headed to St. Cloud State, Thoreson is obviously a longshot to be an NHL player, but if he could just improve his skating, he could be an intriguing prospect. At the very least he should become a high-level NCAA player and draw interest as a free agent in the future.

Owen Beckner

Center - Salmon Arms Silverbacks (BCHL)

6’2, 181lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 52.5, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51.625

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Notes: Beckner would have fit in perfectly with the NTDP had he been an American born player. By that I mean, he has that mix of length, athleticism, and two-way competitiveness that the program has valued in their bottom six recently (with players like Devin Kaplan, John Beecher, Dylan Peterson, Andre Gasseau, and Alex Weiermair this year). I mean this completely as a compliment, even if it points to some upside limitations too. Beckner is an impressive mover, especially given his length. He has long, powerful strides that allow him to generate power and quickness easily. He uses this speed to play a North/South attacking style, often leading the charge across the blueline for the Silverbacks. He also uses it to be a defensive and three zone presence, consistently applying pressure on the backcheck. He is a physically assertive player, especially when supporting his defenders down low or on the half wall. Because of his speed, two-way awareness, and tenaciousness, Beckner has NHL upside as a third/fourth line center who can kill penalties and play a shutdown role. However, his offensive skill set will need to continue to improve in order to reach that level. He flashes puck skill in transition, but when he’s not able to beat defenders with speed to the outside, he can get bottled up. He’s not often able to problem solve out of intense layers of pressure and becomes way less of a factor when the game slows down. His shot is not currently much of a weapon, forcing him to operate primarily as a pass first kind of player. He often works the point of the Salmon Arms powerplay, a testament to his vision and passing ability. Heading to Colorado College, Beckner’s offensive production this year may not be all that impressive, but it is important to state that Salmon Arms are not an incredibly high scoring team and for much of this year, Beckner has led them in scoring. I could easily see an NHL team being interested in him in the later rounds this year given his athletic profile and size.

Teddy Townsend

Center - Eden Prairie High (USHS-MN)/Waterloo (USHL)

5’10, 165lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 47.5, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 51.625

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Notes: Townsend came into the year with a significant amount of fanfare and high expectations. He was already one of the better players in Minnesota last year and looked good in a short call-up stint with the NTDP U17’s. However, this season his development seems to have plateaued a bit. It started with a disappointing performance at the U.S. Hlinka/Gretzky camp, where he was ultimately a surprise cut. Then he returned to Eden Prairie for another year of high school hockey, and while he’s been great and a team leader, his game hasn’t really taken another step forward either. Townsend is a well-rounded offensive player. He has a powerful linear stride and despite being only 5’10, 165lbs, he is very successful driving the net with a strong lower half. He is hard to knock off the puck in full stride and can put defenders on his back after pulling by them with his speed, keeping the puck in his hip pocket. He has a quick release and finds his way to the middle of the ice without the puck. He is also a precise passer and a creative playmaker who can elevate the play of his wingers.

Defensively, Townsend is a work in progress, especially if he wants to stick down the middle. Additionally, I’ve been disappointed in the growth of his game with the puck, especially his decision making. He is very much North/South in how he attacks and can burrow his way into turnovers with his head down. While the sample size is extremely small, he’s been highly ineffective at the USHL level and in a single game with the NTDP (against St. Thomas) because he’s not identifying passing lanes or making quick enough decisions. As alluded to, perhaps he is best suited to a move to the wing moving forward. Obviously, Townsend’s offensive upside is still significant. He’s one of the youngest players available this year (born in early September). He has runway to improve, especially physically. One has to think that he’ll play next year with Waterloo in the USHL full time before moving on to the University of Minnesota, whose incoming class is stacked. As far as mid to later round picks go, Townsend is extremely intriguing because he does have the potential to be an impact player. However, I would not be able to justify a higher ranking at this time.

Chase Pirtle

Wing - Mount St. Charles Academy (USHS-Prep)

6’2, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51.25

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Notes: I was already fairly familiar with Pirtle’s game dating back to his OHL draft year with the North Jersey Avalanche (playing alongside Quentin Musty, Matthew Mania and Nick Moldenhauer). His combination of size and skating ability is definitely going to intrigue NHL scouts; his athleticism is impressive. He routinely likes to play at a breakneck pace, often leading the charge in transition. He is an excellent transporter with his great top end speed, and he can control the puck well at full speed, using changes of pace or direction to evade pressure, often without significant speed loss. He shows good skill and creativity in small spaces, often evading the first layer of pressure with a quick move and can explode to the net coming off the wall. The rest of his game is definitely best described as a work in progress. For all his speed and skill, he can skate himself into trouble far too often. A lot of his impressive drives end up dying on his stick once inside the offensive zone, as he attempts to drive through defenders or makes an ill-timed pass. One has to wonder how his game would have looked had he gone the USHL route this year (his rights are now owned by Omaha) and played with more talented linemates (no offense meant to his Mount St. Charles teammates).

Additionally, Pirtle’s finishing ability is not a strength. He does not generate significant power on his wrist shot, often failing to elevate it quickly. He can struggle to hit the net at times or puts it straight into the goalie’s chest. He does earn good looks thanks to his quickness and power, but he can also struggle to finish in tight, sometimes failing to corral loose pucks. I’d also love to see Pirtle use his size and power more consistently off the puck. He could be a great forechecker and he could be quite the presence near the net front (especially at the prep level), but he can be too perimeter oriented. He flashes physicality, but it’s certainly not a huge part of his game. Armed with a scholarship to Cornell, is Pirtle a true NHL draft prospect? I would definitely say yes, even with his current shortcomings. His athleticism is impressive, and his upside is high. He can have a profound impact on the transition game and Cornell is a great spot for him to improve his off-puck play, given the program’s strong defensive acumen.

Connor MacPherson

Wing - Leamington Flyers (GOJHL)

6’0, 176lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 51

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Notes: Only one player in the history of the NHL has been drafted out of the GOJHL (formerly junior B in Ontario); Daultan Leveille, 29th overall to Atlanta from the St. Catherines Falcons. MacPherson has a real chance to be the second. Along with his twin brother Ryan, Connor has been one of the best players in the league with Leamington and has a scholarship to New Hampshire in his back pocket. Connor is a cerebral winger who has many layers of deception built into his game. Not a quick or powerful skater, he prefers to slow the game down to a crawl, offering himself an opportunity to see the ice. His quick hands routinely afford him the extra time and space that his feet do not. He can keep the puck on a string as he stops, starts, and pivots to help him evade pressure and maintain possession. His vision with the puck is high end. His off-puck anticipation and reads are high end. He times his cuts perfectly and routinely finds himself with scoring chances in the slot and near the crease.

Connor is also a competitor who will get to the net or take a hit to make a play. Unquestionably, adding strength will be key for him as he moves forward as he can be pushed off the puck too easily at times. Obviously, his skating needs to be upgraded too, as does his confidence playing with pace. His shorter strides prevent him from gaining separation speed. MacPherson suited up for a GOJHL all-star team that captured the title at a U18 prep school showcase in late January, however he was a relative non-factor offensively at the event that was highly attended by NHL scouts. At this point, a lack of dynamic skating in combination with him playing in an, admittedly, lower-level league, would cause me to hesitate to recommend him as a draft selection at this time. I’d be more curious to see how he handles a move to a higher level next season, be it the NCAA or another feeder league.

Jack Ziliotto

Center/Wing - Mississauga (OJHL)

6’1, 175lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/jack_ziliotto_-_3rd_period_5_43_-_5_55.mp4

Notes: A power forward, Ziliotto was, at one time, considered one of the better forward prospects in Ontario during his minor hockey days. However, his development really plateaued in his U15-U16 years, and it led to him being a later round pick in the OHL. As such, Ziliotto took a long, hard look at the NCAA route and it’s been good for his development. Playing at the OJHL level, Ziliotto has improved incrementally over the last two years. This is especially true of the second half of this OJHL season where he put a weak Chargers team on his back and ended up leading the team in scoring by a significant margin, averaging almost two points per game down the stretch. Ziliotto has some intriguing components to his game. He shoots the puck well, owning a powerful, whip-like release on his wrister that can beat goalies clean from a distance. He also shows well as a playmaker deep in the offensive zone, spinning off checks to get pucks to the slot, or to drive the net. He definitely tries to play with power and is middle of the ice focused, often taking up residence near the crease when he’s not supporting his linemates in the cycle or carrying in transition.

Ziliotto also shows great potential as a two-way player. He has a really good stick and anticipation in the neutral zone and in the defensive end, helping him to force turnovers which he can use to counterattack. The key for him has always been and continues to be the need to improve his skating. He has a hunched over posture, inconsistent stride length, and is rather stiff when trying to play off his edges or alter his direction. I think this is preventing him from being a truly consistent two-way force. I’m also not confident about his ability to stick at center. The skating and skill limitations probably will force him to the wing, and I mean, he was also only 44% on the draw this year in the OJHL. I’d really like to see Ziliotto head to the USHL for a season before going to RPI. Not only will that give him another year to improve and build confidence, but it could also allow him to play with some more talented players…no offense meant to his teammates the last two seasons.

Giacomo Martino

Wing - St. Michael’s (OJHL)

5’10, 160lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 52.5, Skills: 52.5, Smarts: 52.5, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 50.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/giacomo_martino_-_2nd_period_7_57_-_8_14.mp4

Notes: Giacomo, the younger brother of Dallas Stars draft pick and Clarkson standout Ayrton Martino, came into the draft year with pretty high expectations after he was a point per game player in the OJHL as a U17 player. However, he hasn’t really taken that next step to become a dominant Junior A player, at least to the level where he would be considered a slam dunk draft pick. If you recall, Ayrton had one of the highest point per game averages in the OJHL and was a standout at the World Junior A Challenge as a U18 player. Whereas Giacomo has been good, but not outstanding with St. Mike’s, and was a relative non-factor at the World Junior A Challenge. Giacomo does have a well-rounded offensive profile. Good shot and shooting mechanics. Good offensive zone instincts. Solid skill with the puck. Has a similar stride to his brother in the sense that he is confident on his edges and is very agile. Solid top speed, but certainly not the type of dynamic skater that you’d like to see from a 5’10 forward. Martino does work hard in the offensive zone and is a quality forechecker. Adding strength is a necessity for him moving forward as he can be too easily pushed off the puck at the OJHL level. Martino’s defensive zone play needs work too. I’d really love to see him head to the USHL for a season, like his brother did, before heading to Northeastern. I guess my concern is that he’s an undersized winger who lacks dynamic skating ability and athleticism, in addition to having a fairly average offensive projection. Could definitely see a team using a later round pick on him if they are convinced that he will really blossom as he matures physically.

A.J. Lacroix

Wing/Center - Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)

6’0, 195lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 50.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/a.j._lacroix_-_2nd_period_27_2_-_27_19.mp4

Notes: Lacroix is a competitive and versatile forward playing out of the BCHL. He has dual citizenship and thus was a top nine forward on the U.S. Hlinka/Gretzky squad in the summer, where he had three assists in four games. A Michigan State commit, Lacroix’s best asset is his tenacity. He competes hard off the puck, applying himself physically in puck pursuit, consistently finds his way to the net front, and works hard in the defensive end to tie up opposing players and block shots. Because of this, he is an excellent penalty killer. As an offensive player, his ceiling likely has some limitations. He is an adequate skater, who does build in linear crossovers to help him build speed, however his wide stance also prevents him from being truly explosive or agile East/West. He has a fairly quick release on his shot and can operate as a goal scorer in tight, but he can struggle to cleanly catch passes at times too. A standard North/South attacker, he operates best in puck pursuit as a dump and chase player or forechecker, as he does not have the kind of high-end skill or creativity to consistently beat defenders one on one. His playmaking ability shows potential but is also inconsistent. Some shifts his passes and reads prove to be on the mark, as he creates after forcing turnovers or by attacking wide and delaying. However, other times, the precision on his passes is not strong and they miss the mark, resulting in turnovers. Lacroix’s positional versatility, competitiveness, and the potential to improve his athletic tools could interest NHL teams in the later rounds this year, but it would also not be shocking to see them pass on him to see how he performs at a higher level first (perhaps as a re-entry following a year in the USHL or in the NCAA).

Finn Brink

Wing - Maple Grove High (USHS-MN)/Madison (USHL)

5’9, 180lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 50

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/finn_brink_-_2nd_period_2_23_-_2_35.mp4

Notes: Brink is a smaller, high IQ winger who is having a terrific offensive season this year between the Minnesota high school ranks (where he is a top Mr. Hockey candidate) and the USHL. He has terrific offensive instincts and is great at finding gaps in coverage. Armed with a quick release, Brink is able to consistently take advantage of the scoring chances that his anticipation and awareness afford him. At the high school level, Brink is able to work as a lead attacker with decent top end speed and puck skill, driving North/South to enter the zone. However, at the USHL level he is much more of a complementary piece with limitations due to a lack of explosiveness and overall agility. His initial short, choppy strides prevent him from building speed quickly and this makes him a step behind the play at the USHL level at times. One would have to believe that it would have even larger negative implications at the NCAA level and above, the primary reason that Brink was not ranked by NHL Central Scouting despite such a strong offensive season. Brink is also not a player you would consider to be a high-end physical presence or defensive player. The reality is that Brink does have some offensive potential due to that high IQ and skill. However, the physical tools need to be upgraded. Maybe an NHL team throws a later round selection at him in hopes of him developing slowly. However, it seems more likely that NHL teams put him on a watch list to see how areas of his game develop next year with a full USHL season or the following year in the NCAA with Wisconsin, before selecting him.

2023 NHL DRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON TOP 100 RANKING (SUBSCRIBERS)

Brock Otten — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 18:05:54 +0000

Connor Bedard. Photo by Candice Ward.

Many important scouting events have come and gone, such as the World Junior Championships, the World Junior A Challenge, the Biosteel All American game, and the CHL Top Prospect’s Game. That means it is time for McKeen’s Hockey to update our draft rankings for the 2023 NHL draft. Back in November, we released our preliminary top 50 (found here). This time around, we have expanded our ranking to a top 100 (plus 20 honorable mentions).

The first round of this list continues to be dominated by the Western Hockey League. Four of our top ten and nine of our top 32 (first round graded) are WHL players. The United States has a very strong presence in our first round ranking too, with eight players playing south of the Canadian border.

Positionally, forwards continue to dominate the vast majority of our first-round spots, with only six defenders and two goaltenders bucking that trend. Of particular interest, we do not have a defender ranked inside of our Top 13. Is it possible that no defender is drafted inside of the top 10 in Nashville this June? According to our scouts…yes. However, it is also important to note that this is exceptionally rare. The last time no defender was taken inside of the Top 10 was 1983 (Bobby Dollas at 14th overall to Winnipeg)!

Several players made huge leaps upward in our midseason rankings. Among them are Ryan Leonard, Oliver Moore, Dmitri Simashev, Oliver Bonk, David Reinbacher, and Quentin Musty. Leonard is a strong two-way goal scoring winger with an athletic skill set. Oliver Moore is one of the best skating forwards available this year and also plays a mature two-way game. Both have stood out positively of late for the U.S. NTDP. Dmitri Simashev is a massive defender who brings physicality and mobility, but who is also gaining confidence in his offensive abilities. Oliver Bonk has emerged as one of the top defensive defenders in the OHL; a fact that was on display at this year’s Top Prospect’s Game. David Reinbacher continues to perform well in Switzerland and was a standout for an overmatched Austrian squad at the WJC’s. All three defenders are surging up our rankings and could finish the year even higher with continued strong play. Meanwhile, Quentin Musty has played very well in Sudbury post coaching change and his upside remains extremely intriguing.

Without further ado, here is our Top 100 (with 20 honorable mentions):

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Connor Bedard	C	Regina (WHL)	5-10/185	17-Jul-05	34-42-43-85
2	Adam Fantilli	C	Michigan (B1G)	6-2/195	12-Oct-04	22-16-24-40
3	Leo Carlsson	C	Orebro (SHL)	6-3/200	26-Dec-04	31-5-13-18
4	Matvei Michkov	RW	HK Sochi (KHL)	5-10/170	9-Dec-04	14-4-2-6
5	Will Smith	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/175	17-Mar-05	36-28-41-69
6	Andrew Cristall	LW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-9/165	4-Feb-05	36-26-36-62
7	Zach Benson	LW	Winnipeg (WHL)	5-9/160	12-May-05	41-25-41-66
8	Nate Danielson	C	Brandon (WHL)	6-1/185	27-Sep-04	45-23-33-56
9	Eduard Sale	LW	Kometa Brno (Cze)	6-2/175	10-Mar-05	34-3-5-8
10	Dalibor Dvorsky	C	AIK (Allsvenskan)	6-1/200	15-Jun-05	27-4-7-11
11	Ryan Leonard	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/190	21-Jan-05	34-25-27-52
12	Oliver Moore	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/185	22-Jan-05	37-21-26-47
13	Brayden Yager	C	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-11/165	3-Jan-05	48-20-35-55
14	Dmitri Simashev	D	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	6-4/200	4-Feb-05	15-0-0-0
15	Colby Barlow	LW	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/195	14-Feb-05	42-36-27-63
16	Lukas Dragicevic	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Apr-05	44-13-42-55
17	Axel Sandin Pellikka	D	Skelleftea (SHL)	5-11/180	11-Mar-05	19-2-3-5
18	Mikhail Gulyayev	D	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	5-11/170	26-Apr-05	12-0-1-1
19	Daniil But	LW	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	6-5/200	15-Feb-05	12-1-0-1
20	Carson Bjarnason	G	Brandon (WHL)	6-3/185	30-Jun-05	17-14-2, 2.90, .911
21	Calum Ritchie	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/185	21-Jan-05	43-19-25-44
22	Gavin Brindley	C	Michigan (B1G)	5-8/165	5-Oct-04	26-3-14-17
23	Gabe Perreault	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/165	7-May-05	39-35-41-76
24	Matthew Wood	RW	UConn (HE)	6-3/195	6-Feb-05	27-9-16-25
25	Riley Heidt	C	Prince George (WHL)	5-10/180	25-Mar-05	44-19-41-60
26	David Reinbacher	D	Kloten (Sui-NL)	6-2/185	25-Oct-04	36-2-17-19
27	Caden Price	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/185	24-Aug-05	44-5-19-24
28	Ethan Gauthier	RW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	5-11/175	26-Jan-05	45-17-32-49
29	Quentin Musty	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/200	6-Jul-05	32-12-36-48
30	Kasper Halttunen	LW	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	7-Jun-05	24-0-1-1
31	Otto Stenberg	C	Frolunda (Swe J20)	5-11/180	29-May-05	23-8-12-20
32	Michael Hrabal	G	Omaha (USHL)	6-6/210	20-Jan-05	6-9-3, 3.18, .899
33	Samuel Honzek	LW	Vancouver (WHL)	6-3/185	12-Nov-04	31-17-26-43
34	Jayden Perron	RW	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/165	11-Jan-05	37-16-18-34
35	Carson Rehkopf	LW	Kitchener (OHL)	6-1/195	7-Jan-05	42-19-18-37
36	Roman Kantserov	RW	Stalnye Lisy (MHL)	5-9/175	20-Sep-04	38-21-22-43
37	Oliver Bonk	D	London (OHL)	6-2/175	9-Jan-05	43-9-19-28
38	Beau Akey	D	Barrie (OHL)	5-11/170	11-Feb-05	42-7-29-36
39	Timur Mukhanov	C	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	5-8/170	17-Jun-05	28-3-4-7
40	Koehn Ziemmer	RW	Prince George (WHL)	6-0/205	8-Dec-04	44-26-36-62
41	Bradly Nadeau	LW	Penticton (BCHL)	5-10/165	5-May-05	37-31-42-73
42	Tom Willander	D	Rogle (Swe J20)	6-1/180	9-Feb-05	30-4-15-19
43	Luca Pinelli	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-8/165	5-Apr-05	44-20-27-47
44	William Whitelaw	RW	Youngstown (USHL)	5-9/170	5-Feb-05	35-20-15-35
45	Trey Augustine	G	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/185	23-Feb-05	14-0-2, 2.29, .925
46	Theo Lindstein	D	Brynas (SHL)	6-0/180	5-Jan-05	19-1-1-2
47	Mathieu Cataford	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-11/185	1-Mar-05	45-22-31-53
48	Charlie Stramel	C	Wisconsin (B1G)	6-3/215	15-Oct-04	23-5-4-9
49	Kaden Hammell	D	Kam-Evt (WHL)	6-1/175	12-Mar-05	45-6-10-16
50	Alexander Rykov	RW	Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)	5-11/170	14-Jul-05	20-4-7-11
51	Maxim Strbak	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-1/205	13-Apr-05	29-5-10-15
52	Tanner Molendyk	D	Saskatoon (WHL)	5-11/185	3-Feb-05	43-6-19-25
53	Anton Wahlberg	C	Malmo (Swe J20)	6-3/195	4-Jul-05	32-14-13-27
54	Carey Terrance	C	Erie (OHL)	6-0/175	10-May-05	43-20-11-31
55	Cam Allen	D	Guelph (OHL)	6-0/195	7-Jan-05	39-4-15-19
56	Tyler Peddle	LW	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-0/195	28-Jan-05	45-18-13-31
57	Gracyn Sawchyn	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/160	19-Jan-05	43-15-32-47
58	Jesse Nurmi	LW	KooKoo (Fin-U20)	5-10/165	7-Mar-05	35-19-27-46
59	Carter Sotheran	D	Portland (WHL)	6-3/195	26-Jun-05	45-3-16-19
60	Nikita Susuyev	RW	MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)	6-0/170	6-Feb-05	34-9-16-25
61	Aram Minnetian	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/190	19-Mar-05	38-5-18-23
62	Arttu Karki	D	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-1/175	8-Dec-04	30-12-22-34
63	Noah Dower Nilsson	LW	Frolunda (Swe J20)	6-0/175	25-Apr-05	26-24-21-45
64	Scott Ratzlaff	G	Seattle (WHL)	6-0/175	9-Mar-05	17-5-0, 2.26, .917
65	Andrew Strathmann	D	Youngstown (USHL)	5-10/190	27-Feb-05	29-2-23-25
66	Kalan Lind	LW	Red Deer (WHL)	6-0/160	25-Jan-05	41-15-27-42
67	Jesse Kiiskinen	RW	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	5-11/180	23-Aug-05	27-17-21-38
68	Etienne Morin	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-0/180	9-Mar-05	43-15-31-46
69	Coulson Pitre	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-0/170	13-Dec-04	41-19-22-41
70	Felix Nilsson	C	Rogle (Swe J20)	6-0/176	22-Jun-05	26-16-17-33
71	Hunter Brzustewicz	D	Kitchener (OHL)	5-11/185	29-Nov-04	42-3-30-33
72	Jakub Dvorak	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Cze)	6-5/205	25-May-05	24-0-2-2
73	Andrew Gibson	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-3/195	13-Feb-05	38-7-11-18
74	Ondrej Molnar	LW	Erie (OHL)	5-10/170	8-Feb-05	16-2-7-9
75	Martin Misiak	RW	Nove Zamky (Svk)	6-2/195	30-Sep-04	29-1-9-10
76	Luca Cagnoni	D	Portland (WHL)	5-9/180	21-Dec-04	44-12-34-46
77	Lenni Hameenaho	RW	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/175	7-Nov-04	35-5-10-15
78	Alex Ciernik	LW	Sodertalje (Swe J20)	5-11/175	8-Oct-04	11-7-7-14
79	Denver Barkey	C	London (OHL)	5-8/160	27-Apr-05	43-12-28-40
80	Oliver Tulk	C	Calgary (WHL)	5-7/170	19-Jan-05	46-19-22-41
81	Oscar Fisker Molgaard	C	HV 71 (SHL)	6-0/165	18-Feb-05	28-4-1-5
82	Matthew Mania	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/180	11-Jan-05	43-7-18-25
83	Gavin McCarthy	D	Muskegon (USHL)	6-1/180	2-Jun-05	20-4-14-18
84	Noel Nordh	RW	Brynas (SHL)	6-3/195	25-Jan-05	10-1-0-1
85	Jacob Fowler	G	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/215	24-Nov-04	13-6-3, 2.63, .914
86	Aydar Suniev	LW	Penticton (BCHL)	6-1/200	16-Nov-04	33-26-31-57
87	Emil Jarventie	LW	Ilves (Fin-U20)	5-9/165	4-Apr-05	21-8-11-19
88	Danny Nelson	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/200	3-Aug-05	38-12-16-28
89	Yegor Klimovich	RW	Sibirskie Snaipery (MHL)	5-9/160	14-May-05	28-9-21-30
90	Adam Gajan	G	Green Bay (USHL)	6-2/165	6-May-04	5-1-0, 2.48, .906
91	Quinton Burns	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/180	14-Apr-05	36-1-20-21
92	Grayden Siepmann	D	Calgary (WHL)	5-10/185	26-May-04	45-8-27-35
93	Yegor Zavragin	G	Mamonty Yugry (MHL)	6-2/185	23-Aug-05	9-6-1, 2.55, .919
94	Owen Beckner	C	Salmon Arm (BCHL)	6-1/175	27-Feb-05	36-12-21-33
95	Aiden Fink	RW	Brooks (AJHL)	5-9/155	24-Nov-04	43-30-50-80
96	Matthew Soto	RW	Kingston (OHL)	5-10/180	31-Aug-05	44-13-22-35
97	Eric Pohlkamp	D	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	5-10/200	23-Mar-04	31-12-20-32
98	Nick Lardis	LW	Pbo-Ham (OHL)	5-10/165	8-Jul-05	41-21-16-35
99	Jayson Shaugabay	RW	Warroad (USHS-MN)	5-9/155	4-May-05	18-22-39-61
100	Brad Gardiner	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/180	6-Mar-05	45-17-11-28
HM	Ethan Miedema	LW	Wsr-Kgn (OHL)	6-4/205	22-Mar-05	45-12-22-35
HM	Brady Cleveland	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/210	1-Apr-05	34-0-5-5
HM	Joey Willis	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-10/170	14-Mar-05	44-9-17-26
HM	Juraj Pekarcik	LW	Nitra (Svk)	6-1/185	12-Sep-05	26-0-3-3
HM	Spencer Sova	D	Erie (OHL)	6-0/185	10-Jan-04	44-14-17-31
HM	Zeb Forsfjall	C	Skelleftea (SHL)	5-9/170	16-Jan-05	10-1-0-1
HM	Kalle Carlsson	C	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-0/175	2-Mar-05	34-6-21-27
HM	David Edstrom	C	Frolunda (Swe J20)	6-3/185	18-Feb-05	22-10-12-22
HM	Felix Unger Sorum	RW	Leksands (Swe J20)	5-11/170	14-Sep-05	32-9-30-39
HM	Alex Pharand	C	Sudbury (OHL)	6-3/205	1-May-05	44-16-14-30
HM	Tuomas Uronen	RW	HIFK (Fin-U20)	5-11/180	19-Mar-05	31-13-19-32
HM	Tanner Adams	RW	Tri-City (USHL)	5-11/185	2-Sep-05	27-8-10-18
HM	Mazden Leslie	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/195	15-Apr-05	45-8-25-33
HM	Juha Jatkola	G	KalPa (Fin-Liiga)	6-1/175	12-Sep-02	16-10-6, 2.14, .909
HM	Connor Levis	RW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-1/190	5-Oct-04	43-11-25-36
HM	Owen Outwater	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-2/160	4-Jan-05	39-10-18-28
HM	Easton Cowan	RW	London (OHL)	5-10/170	20-May-05	44-12-17-29
HM	Rasmus Kumpulainen	C	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-2/190	8-Aug-05	36-11-20-31
HM	Emil Pieniniemi	D	Karpat (Fin-U20)	6-2/170	2-Mar-05	26-0-10-10
HM	Austin Roest	C	Everett (WHL)	5-9/175	22-Jan-04	46-26-35-61

2023 NHL DRAFT: EARLY SEASON FAVOURITES SERIES – Video Scouting – Jayden Perron, Aydar Suniev, Magomed Sharakonov

Will Scouch — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 15:49:43 +0000

First Round Favourite: Jayden Perron - Chicago Steel (USHL)

I was honestly stunned to see Jayden Perron listed as a C-rated prospect, or a mid to late round pick according to NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary list. Perron sits third in USHL scoring at time of writing, teaming up with Toronto Maple Leafs pick Nicholas Moldenhauer and filling opponent nets all year to this point. Perron to me is a clear option in the first round and in my view is one of the most exciting forwards available in an exciting forward class for the 2023 NHL Draft.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jayden-Perron-Adaptive-Playmaking.mp4

Perron (18 in black) makes a great read, closing in on the defensive partner, positionally pressuring a soft offensive zone exit, and he quickly carves his way back into the OZ using skill and his feet to change attack positioning and potentially create a dangerous chance.

Perron brings confidence and skill that you always love to see out of your wingers, but a common issue with these types of players as they begin their NHL journeys is a certain level of predictability with the puck, lack of adaptive thinking under pressure, and an inability to push and pull the flow of their offensive game to create space against high end defenses. Perron doesn’t really carry any of these concerns. He’s simply one of the most creative playmakers you’ll find this year, changing pace, hitting teammates and igniting his team’s offence time and again. He finds himself among the leaders in my tracking when it comes to shot assists in dangerous space, and connecting on dangerous passes, while also being among the leaders in dangerous pass volume. Using his hands and body to change angles, get new looks at the offensive zone, and an exceptional sense of timing to identify and hit targets, Perron brings projectable traits, regardless of his size.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jayden-Perron-Pace-Changes.mp4

Perron’s thought doesn’t quite work out here, but the wheels are turned in the right direction. A great, fast rush doesn’t end with a weak shot or a board battle, but space, and a dangerous view of the OZ that gets closed out well by his opponent.

He’s a player that may lack size, but certainly brings the work rate and resilience that smaller players absolutely have to have in the NHL. Perron racks up the points, but he’s no slouch off puck, reading play well, knocking down errant passes often, but also using his speed and quick turns in pursuit to pester puck carriers and get play turned around.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jayden-Perron-Resilience.mp4

This play speaks for itself. Perron earns an OZ entry and flips a great pass into the corner that with some more pace could’ve been retrieved.

Perron checks a ton of boxes, but to pull off his brand in the NHL, he has to check those boxes so much that the paper rips under your pencil to be worth drafting as high as I have him. There are moments where Perron overhandles pucks due to his pace, but I’m certain that with time, Perron will only continue to find new limits, push them, and hopefully get through them to find new levels. He’s exciting, drives tremendous offensive results on paper, and if he’s available outside the first round this year, he’s an easy pick to potentially steal a top six offensive scorer.

Pushing Top 50: Aydar Suniev - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

It’s pretty well known in my audience that I’m not a huge Jr. A hockey fan when it comes to projecting NHL Draft picks but let me tell you: The Penticton Vees are awesome. At time of writing, they are 16-0 with 95 goals scored, and 29 against, leading the league in both categories. They beat the #2 team in their division 10-3 last month. They have six point per game players, and all eyes seem to be trained on the talented Bradly Nadeau, brother of Scouching Watchlist member Josh. They’re a wonderful team and likely to pile on the wins this year, but the player who has most recently grabbed my interest was only with the Vees for part of last season in Aydar Suniev. Suniev has been dominating in lower levels of North American junior hockey for a few seasons now and bounced from St. Andrew’s College in Ontario to the Thorold Blackhawks of the GOJHL, finding a home in Penticton and is currently sitting with 20 points in 13 games this season.

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Suniev (#19 in white) shows pace, willingness to attack the middle of the ice, and a great release in stride all in one rush.

Suniev brings the kind of energy, awareness and skill to the game that I need to see out of big players that may lack high amounts of footspeed in their game. In my tracked games to this point, Suniev surpasses Bradly Nadeau almost across the board. He’s almost solely focused on getting the puck to the high danger areas of the ice, and when he doesn’t have the puck, he reads play well to hunt down whoever has the puck, and uses quick hands and edges to strip pucks and get play going in the offensive direction. The guy is a monster, hounding the opponent and transitioning pucks up the ice constantly and efficiently. That being said, a brute he is not. Suniev shows strong awareness of linemates and space, able to get pucks off the boards through his passing as well as through his body positioning and work rate.

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Suniev is ruthless along the boards, using his stick and awareness to navigate space and hit teammates in dangerous areas.

The only thing Suniev really lacks is the footspeed to gain lateral space on players and relies on fighting through one-on-one contact a little too much. He can get away with it at the BCHL thanks to his skill level, determination, and excellent linemate awareness in space, but he’ll need to add a level of pace to truly achieve his potential. Suniev possesses a fluid and stable stride, links that stride well to his hands and controls pucks extremely well, especially if he has some ice to play with, but under pressure and winning races is still a work in progress. If opponents take too long to make a play on those retrievals, Suniev can hunt them down and cause problems, but that is a luxury that will be less and less available over time. He’s headed to a great program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst next year, and I expect that the longer he’s stashed in college, the better. Getting quicker on his feet will be important, but there’s a very well-rounded set of skills and abilities that are flying under the radar for a variety of reasons so far this season.

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Yeah, the feet are an issue. Suniev doesn’t really have the best level of agility and relies on his hands significantly more than he can get away with for now.

Mid-Round Target: Magomed Sharakanov - MHK Dynamo Moscow (MHL)

When it comes to scouting for players in the mid to late rounds of the NHL Draft, I always try to focus on skill and fun factor, regardless of position, age, or potential risk. It didn’t take long for me to put Magomed Sharakonov’s name down as a potential later target after watching bits of last season’s tape on the recommendation of EliteProspects’ Dylan Griffing. Sharakanov spent the first bit of this season injured, but since returning, he’s scored at nearly a point per game pace, and showcased some of the best hands and daring confidence of any defender in this year’s draft.

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Sharakanov (#92 in blue) often shows a willingness to step up offensively and can get quick shots off in dangerous space with good pre-shot skill.

Sharakanov seemingly goes out of his way to take players on one on one, attacking them will pace and skill, and at time humiliating his opponents to create space for himself. He’s strong on his turns, generating speed effectively to evade pursuers, and past a certain point in the draft I’m not sure of yet, he becomes one of the more curious and exciting options to draft and develop for years.

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Like I said, he challenges players and can leave them totally behind with the puck.

On the downside, he will certainly need years to develop. He’s skilled, confident, and crafty, but like many junior aged Russian defenders, he’s careless with his passing decisions, often missing targets or not getting nearly enough power into his passing. He gets beat physically and takes things too far when it comes to challenging players one on one. It’s literally all he does, and when it works, it’s awesome, but when it doesn’t, it can really backfire. Sharakanov certainly throws his weight around as well, and time will tell how much a part of his game this will become.. One tracked game ended with an ejection, and he can chase contact a bit. Generating speed in stride rather than crossovers and turns is also a big work in progress for Sharakanov that will need to be addressed and could better his defensive shortcomings.

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With time and space to work with, with 73 open, Sharakanov lobs a breakout directly to opponents and extends a DZ cycle. Without momentum and space, his quarterbacking ability is limited.

Still, this is a player I bet on, especially later in the draft. There are lessons to be learned, but there’s talent to leverage, and a confident swagger that I love to see out of defenders, and there’s a clear capability to turn this all into production. More experience, allowing him to make mistakes, and developing the quality of his shot and ability to generate speed could unlock huge potential for Magomed Sharakanov over long time periods.