Charles Alexis Legault – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #17 Carolina Hurricanes – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:00:10 +0000

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 24: Left Wing Bradly Nadeau #29 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks to pass the puck during the preseason NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes on September 24, 2025 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 17th (Last Year - 15th)
GM: Eric Tulsky Hired: May 2024
COACH: Rod Brind’Amour Hired: May 2018

Sitting atop the Eastern Conference and enjoying an eighth consecutive playoff appearance, the Carolina Hurricanes continue to operate as one of the NHL’s model organizations. The challenge, however, has been taking the final step, as they have yet to break through and capture a Stanley Cup during this sustained run of success. Despite consistently contending, Carolina has done an admirable job of maintaining long-term stability without significantly compromising its future. Their slight drop in the prospect rankings is largely due to recent graduations, most notably Alexander Nikishin, who has transitioned to a full-time role in the NHL.

The system is now headlined by Bradley Nadeau (11th). The sharpshooting forward has established himself as a legitimate offensive threat at the professional level, producing at roughly a point-per-game pace through more than 100 AHL games. His trajectory suggests he is closing in on a full-time NHL role and could soon graduate from prospect status. Following a similar path is 23-year-old Justin Robidas (183rd), who is also pushing toward an NHL opportunity and could compete for a roster spot as early as the 2026–27 season. Another notable riser is Ivan Ryabkin, the Hurricanes’ 2025 second-round selection. After a brief 25-game stint with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, Ryabkin was assigned to junior and has been dominant with the Charlottetown Islanders, producing at an explosive rate of over two points per game in the QMJHL.

From a draft capital standpoint, Carolina remains in a relatively strong position. While their upcoming draft class sits with just four picks, the organization holds the Dallas Stars’ first-round pick and a future first-rounder in 2028, along with two third-round selections in 2027. For the Hurricanes, the foundation remains firmly in place as they continue searching for the final piece needed to push them over the top.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Car	1	Bradly Nadeau	LW	21	5-11/170	Chicago (AHL)	52	27	29	56	24
Car	1	Bradly Nadeau	LW	21	5-11/170	Carolina (NHL)	12	3	0	3	2
Car	2	Felix Unger Sorum	RW	20	5-11/170	Chicago (AHL)	72	17	49	66	20
Car	2	Felix Unger Sorum	RW	20	5-11/170	Carolina (NHL)	1	0	1	1	0
Car	3	Semyon Frolov	G	19	6-3/200	MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)	7	4	1	1.83	0.929
Car	4	Dominik Badinka	D	20	6-3/185	Chicago (AHL)	68	6	8	14	16
Car	5	Charlie Cerrato	C	21	6-0/190	Penn State (NCAA)	23	7	20	27	20
Car	6	Justin Robidas	C	23	5-8/175	Chicago (AHL)	58	23	37	60	14
Car	6	Justin Robidas	C	23	5-8/175	Carolina (NHL)	2	0	1	1	0
Car	7	Ivan Ryabkin	C	19	5-11/205	Chicago (AHL)	31	1	9	10	60
Car	7	Ivan Ryabkin	C	19	5-11/205	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	20	13	29	42	44
Car	8	Nikita Artamonov	LW	20	5-11/185	Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)	37	3	6	9	8
Car	9	Charles-Alexis Legault	D	22	6-3/210	Carolina (NHL)	12	1	1	2	15
Car	10	Jayden Perron	RW	21	5-9/165	Michigan (NCAA)	40	18	23	41	8
Car	11	Kurban Limatov	D	19	6-4/190	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	46	12	18	30	30
Car	12	Domenick Fensore	D	24	5-9/175	Chicago (AHL)	60	10	25	35	37
Car	12	Domenick Fensore	D	24	5-9/175	Carolina (NHL)	1	0	0	0	0
Car	13	Justin Poirier	RW	19	5-7/185	Maine (NCAA)	27	18	11	29	12
Car	14	Alexander Siryatsky	D	19	6-2/160	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	37	2	3	5	14
Car	15	Timur Kol	D	19	6-3/195	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	35	13	16	29	15
Car	15	Timur Kol	D	19	6-3/195	Dynamo Moskva (KHL)	8	0	2	2	2

Bradly Nadeau, LW, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

A year removed from a historic scoring season for a U20 player in the AHL, Bradly Nadeau is scoring at yet another historic pace for a U21 player. If Nadeau was able to play the rest of the AHL schedule and score at his current pace, he was on pace to be the first U21 player to score 70+ points in an AHL season since Artyom Anisimov scored 81 points in 80 games during the 08-09 season. Nadeau’s biggest task this season was to come in and show that he’s improving as a forward in all situations and not overly reliant on his one-timer on the power play. He’s not just scoring more points, but more points at even strength. He’s been one of Chicago’s most-used penalty killers this year after not being tasked at all with that responsibility last season. His +/- jumped from -20 to +16 in one year. Nadeau easily projects as a top six winger who can score 30+ goals a year and instantly improve a power play. Carolina is log-jammed with wingers, but he’s a talent you make room for.
Felix Unger Sorum, RW, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

For a lot of skill guys, much of their performance comes from their confidence. Felix Unger Sorum is no different. With his AHL rookie-season jitters long behind him, Unger Sorum is having no sophomore slump. In just 11 more games, he has more than tripled his points. To be a high-end playmaker and play the way Unger Sorum plays, you have to have a certain level of poise, and Unger Sorum is starting to attain that. Like a lot of smaller, pass-heavy wingers, Unger Sorum is pretty contact-avoidant. He isn’t a player to ruffle any feathers, and his play is often neutralized against opponents who play a heavier style. Finding ways to still make plays through contact will be crucial in Unger Sorum’s development in getting to the next level. His style fits almost exclusively in the top six, maybe top nine, so it’ll be hard for him to get minutes in Carolina’s system in the near future. Another season with the Wolves is likely in store for Unger Sorum as he continues to refine his game against pros and waits for his turn.
Semyon Frolov, G, MHK Spartak Moscow (MHL)

Frolov was off to an impressive start in the MHL this season before his injury in late October. His GAA and Sv% are back up to where they were with Togliatta last season when he was playing his best hockey. He is a freak athlete, able to make highlight reel saves and take away angles that most goalies would struggle with. An exceptional skater with extremely dexterous hips allows him to adjust on the move and effectively scramble and recover when play gets chaotic. With the freak athleticism comes a lack of fundamentals and technique. There are tendencies to overcommit and put himself out of position as well as issues with dropping too early or not getting himself set. The insane athletic ability helps cover up his weaknesses though, as poor angles and putting himself out of position leading to easy chances vanish with strong push offs and incredible extensions. When he is locked in, he is nearly impossible to beat. But games where he lacks focus leads to slow reactions and reads. If he can clean up his technique in the coming years, adding to his natural abilities, he can be a force in the NHL.
Dominik Badinka, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

After a shaky D+1 year in the SHL that left more to be desired, Dominik Badinka has rebounded in his first year in Chicago. He’s still the large defender with outstanding mobility for a guy his size. He has the potential to be a two-way right-handed defenceman, a very coveted role in the NHL today. At times, Badinka can be prone to over skating the play and being scatterbrained defensively. Developing some patience for letting the play play out should help his game on both ends of the ice and put him in better positions than he tries to skate himself into all the time. It’s hard to imagine that Badinka’s floor is lower than an NHL third pairing. It’s not impossible that Badinka reaches the first pairing, especially with the players ahead of him in Carolina, but it’ll likely be as a support defender to a more offensive left-handed defenceman. Badinka will have at least a couple more AHL seasons to solidify his game and at that point, his projection will be much clearer.
Charlie Cerrato, C, Penn State University (NCAA)

Cerrato has been on an upward trajectory for some time now, after being passed over in 2023 and 2024, before the Hurricanes took the swing. He’s a pro-ready forward who flies around the ice and is always one of the hardest working skaters on the ice on every single shift. His feet are always moving, and it has led to him becoming a difference-maker in the NCAA already. He was on pace to surpass his point totals from last season, but his injury prevented him from doing so. His playmaking and motor, as well as the smaller details in his game, project him as a future middle-six forward with some scoring upside. Continuing to buff out the rougher edges of his game will go a long way. But he’s already pretty close to being pro-ready and it really shouldn’t surprise anyone if he competes for an NHL role next season.
Justin Robidas, C, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Justin Robidas is proof that good things come in small packages. Robidas’ game is not defined by his height and does everything you could ask from a center despite it. Named to this year’s AHL All-Star group, Robidas has taken the No. 1 center role by the horns and isn’t letting go. He had 60 points in 52 games this season with the Wolves and finished near the top 10 in AHL scoring. Robidas has a good shot, is a quick skater, is responsible in his own end and supports the play well from the center position. In his second year with the team, he’s established himself as a leader, being named an alternate captain, and shows his leadership on the ice, playing in all situations. Robidas has gotten a call-up with Carolina a couple of times, where he has three points in four games. Bias towards his size may force him to the wing, but there isn’t a spot in the bottom-six he couldn’t find success in. Robidas will be an RFA at the end of the 25-26 season, so it will be interesting to see if there is any interest from organizations that have more room for Robidas than Carolina does.
Ivan Ryabkin, C, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) (Currently with Chicago Wolves, AHL)

After managing just seven points in 25 AHL games, he made the move to the QMJHL — and the results have been explosive. While strong production was expected at the junior level, few anticipated this kind of dominance. He enjoyed the league's best points-per-game rate, hovering just over 2 per contest, asserting himself as one of the most dynamic offensive forces in the CHL.His progress extends beyond the stat sheet. His skating looks more powerful, and his overall compete level has improved. He plays with a mean, aggressive edge, finishing checks with authority and willingly bulldozing his way to the net. He’s deceptive off the rush, capable of beating defenders one-on-one, and shows terrific vision through layers of traffic. Operating primarily from the flank, he effectively quarterbacks the power play, serving as a dual shooting and passing threat while displaying high-end skill and poise under pressure. There are areas to refine. His stride remains somewhat stiff and lacks a true second gear, and his decision-making can be inconsistent, occasionally leading to turnovers or unnecessary penalties. Long term, he projects as a versatile middle six forward who provides secondary scoring, power-play value, physicality and an agitating edge.
Nikita Artamonov, LW, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)

Following his solid progression over the past two seasons in the KHL, Artamonov's production has taken a massive step back this season. Last season he put up over half a point per game, with 39 points and flashes of some decent goal scoring ability. This year he finished with nine points. His style of play was never one of a highly skilled producer, as he focuses mostly on supporting his teammates and being an effective puck mover in transition. His brain is excellent, as he processes the game quickly and keeps his plays simple and very effective, getting to and putting the puck into open areas of ice. The workrate is exceptional as well, but he is held back by poor skating, and a lack of physicality and skill. When the puck doesn't go his way, he struggles to be a threat, and he loses battles too often for a player who projects to play a bottom six role. It's hard to not be overly concerned with the point totals this season, but he still finds ways to apply pressure and push the puck in positive directions. If he can add some strength to his frame, helping his skating and board play, there can be an effective bottom six role player here.
Charles Alexis Legault, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Charles Alexis Legault only played two games with the Wolves this season before being thrust into NHL action. Several simultaneous injuries along the Hurricanes’ blue line resulted in an eight-game stint for Legault. Unfortunately for Legault, his time in the NHL came to an end faster than it started. Legault cut several tendons in his hand when his hand struck a skate blade during a fight against Toronto in November. After missing four months, Legault has returned to Chicago, where he should log some heavy minutes. His game is built upon being a physically imposing presence along the blue line. He loves to lay the body and use his long reach to separate opponents from the puck. His size, physicality and mobility make him a very desirable option for a bottom-pair defenceman. Defencemen of Legault’s variety aren’t known for having offensive aptitude, but there is a real chance he will surprise people from a production standpoint. A surprise Carolina will be more than happy to see.
Jayden Perron, RW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Perron’s development has taken a big jump this season. After two seasons of moderate production in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota, Perron transferred to Michigan, where he has become a point-per-game player. In his draft year, his smaller stature and average skating was a big red flag. While he had excellent edge work and the ability to change directions on a dime, his straight-line speed left a lot to be desired. But he had excellent hands, a strong shot, and an apparent high-end hockey IQ, shown off by his playmaking abilities and vision. After a few NCAA seasons, Perron’s skating has clearly improved. His top speed looks noticeably better. While he is still small, he has added an inch to his height and almost 20 pounds since being drafted. He’s learned to attack the dangerous areas of the ice as a passer at this level as well. His development may have taken a bit of time at the collegiate level, but he’s found his groove. While his path to the NHL still sees that same hurdle due to his size, he is starting to put his whole game together. There’s a world where he can become an energy forward with scoring upside on a team's third line, similar to that of Conor Garland.
Kurban Limatov, D, Dynamo Moscow (MHL)

Limatov remains a high upside project thanks to his big frame, great mobility, and improving skill set. The final product here won’t be known for a few years, likely until after he gets pro experience in Russia.
Domenick Fensore, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

There’s no doubting Fensore’s ability to produce offensively from the back end. However, the undersized defender is going to need to prove that he can defend at the NHL level to eventually earn a role with the Canes.
Justin Poirier, RW, University of Maine (NCAA)

Rather than spend another year in the QMJHL, Poirier opted to go to the NCAA with Maine and that decision looks like a good one. The diminutive forward has been one of the top goal scorers in the NCAA this season.
Alexander Siryatsky, D, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Similar to Limatov, Siryatsky has a pro frame and good mobility. The offensive upside is not likely significant, but he’s already become a KHL defender because of his strong defensive play.
Timur Kol, D, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

The Canes sure do have a type. Another big Russian defender with two-way upside. Kol has had a breakout year offensively in the MHL.

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: SECOND CHANCES PART TWO – UNITED STATES – 2nd and 3rd year NHL draft re-entry candidates

Brock Otten, Mark Dube, Ethan Hetu — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 13:30:22 +0000

In a normal year, scouting hockey is marred by imperfection. Every year high end players get skipped over at the NHL draft for various reasons. Maybe they suffered through injuries. Maybe their team struggled, and it prevented scouts from getting a good read on them. Maybe their team was too good, forcing them down the depth chart with limited minutes and exposure opportunities. Or...maybe they just were not good enough. But thankfully human development is nonlinear and therefore unpredictable. Teenage hockey players are far from a finished product on the ice as their games mature just as the rest of their body and mind does. That is why it is critical to track players as they move through their second and third years of draft eligibility (or fourth years of eligibility for some European players).

The million-dollar question is…are we still playing catch-up as a scouting community following the resumption of play post pandemic? Last year, this was definitely the case as leagues returned to full seasons. But are certain players still growing exponentially as they try to recover lost development time? This is particularly true of players in the CHL and in Europe, where most junior leagues halted.

For those unfamiliar, North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. Recently, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Calgary Flames standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. Ottawa Senators standout forward Drake Batherson was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck. Standout Tampa Bay Lightning rookie defender Nick Perbix was one.

Last year, four “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100; Dmitri Buchelnikov, Lucas Edmonds, Mikey Milne, and Aidan Thompson. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about three of those four. In total there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 42, we identified and wrote about 25 (over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2023, we have some very interesting candidates. Adam Gajan stole the show at this year’s WJC’s for Slovakia and has been a standout in the NAHL and USHL this year. Eric Pohlkamp was one of the MVP’s of the WJAC and has been at the top of the USHL defenseman scoring race all year. Austin Roest has been top ten in WHL scoring all year long and has taken huge strides forward. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

Cole Knuble. Photo courtesy of the USHL.

USHL

Aaron Pionk - Defense - Waterloo Blackhawks

Passed over in the last two NHL drafts, Pionk’s performance so far in his first and only season in the USHL leaves him a solid candidate to finally be selected this summer. The six-foot-two left-shot blueliner comes from a true hockey family — his brother, Neal, is a top-four defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets and his father was a USHL head coach in the 1990s — and Aaron is headed to a top college program for next season at Minnesota State. It’s been a long development track for Pionk, who spent his first season of draft eligibility playing in the Minnesota high school circuit. He’s really starting to put things together, though, and while the points don’t jump off the page there’s a lot to like in his game. He’s more skilled than he might seem to be based on his production, and he plays with an edge and the type of snarl that Winnipeg Jets fans have come to appreciate in his older brother. He is also a great skater, which is becoming more and more of an important tool for modern blueliners to have. It’s easy to see him heading to college, becoming a fan favorite, and then becoming a coveted signing for the teams that passed up on him at the NHL draft. There’s still work for him to do in refining his offensive game and improving the consistency in his defensive game, but the tools are all there for him to continue his development and become a solid professional. (Ethan Hetu)

Zaccharya Wisdom - Wing - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

The younger Wisdom brother took a different development route than Zayde, the Philadelphia Flyers prospect. While his older brother chose to take the OHL route for his development and take the chance to play with Shane Wright, Zaccharya instead took the USHL route and is now in his second season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Ranked 144th last year in our rankings, Wisdom’s improved play this season leaves him a solid candidate to be drafted after being passed over in 2022. He’s showing that his lackluster point production from last season was more about opportunity than Wisdom’s talent. Similar to his brother, Wisdom is a winger who plays a powerful game. Not only is Wisdom an engaged participant on defense in his own zone, he’s also an enthusiastic competitor along the boards and always willing to throw the body. His combination of power and speed is extremely intriguing, but his offensive approach lacks the sort of deceptive elements that make top scorers pop at more challenging levels of hockey. Even without further development in that area, Wisdom is still a solid bet to be a quality pro due to his value away from the puck and his strong work rate. (Ethan Hetu)

Nicholas Vantassell - Center - Green Bay Gamblers

A rangy six-foot-four center, Vantassell was passed over in his first season of draft eligibility in large part due to how raw he often looked in his first season of USHL action. While Ryan Greene and Cameron Lund, among others, soaked up most of the attention on the Green Bay Gamblers, Vantassell was left to improve his game in relative anonymity. Outside the shadow of those bigger-name prospects, Vantassell’s second season in Green Bay has been an improvement, although there is still a lot of work for him to do. While he shows a willingness to use the inside of the ice and attack the net, the aggression Vantassell sometimes plays with has not resulted in tangible, consistent production. Moreover, his skating needs work, although that’s admittedly what one might expect from someone of his size profile. Vantassell has a solid shot and has shown usefulness in a net-front/bumper role, but he doesn’t create enough chances for himself to actually show off that shot on a consistent game-to-game basis. At this point, Vantassell’s case to be drafted lies more in what a team might believe he can be than what he actually is at the moment. Still, he represents an intriguing, toolsy bet for a team hoping the longer development track afforded by the college route can eventually mold Vantassell into a quality pro. (Ethan Hetu)

Cole Knuble - Wing/Center - Fargo Force

After a relatively impressive rookie season in the USHL where he was instantly one of Fargo’s top performers, it was somewhat surprising that Knuble didn’t hear his name called at the 2022 NHL draft. On paper, it feels as though a player of Knuble’s production profile who also brings the NHL bloodlines that still seem to be valued. (his father, Mike, played over 1,000 NHL games for six prominent franchises) The main drawback with Knuble lies in his feet. He may not be a bad skater on his edges but he doesn’t have the speed you’d like to see from someone of his size profile whatsoever. His main calling card is a strong commitment to two-way hockey combined with some strong offensive tools. He has a quality set of hands that are a major help to his offensive toolset, and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to playing in the NCAA at Notre Dame, where he’s less likely to be so heavily relied upon as an offensive generator. Knuble is likely to finish his season as one of the top scorers in the USHL and has a strong chance to hear his name called this go-around at the 2023 NHL draft, especially after a dominating performance at the World Junior A Challenge, but he needs to improve his skating for him to have similar success at more challenging levels of hockey. (Ethan Hetu)

Eric Pohlkamp - Defense - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

After scoring just 18 points in 61 games last season, it was no surprise that Pohlkamp ultimately went undrafted in his first year of eligibility. As a later birthdate, the USHL proved to be a decently steep challenge, but so far this season all he has done is rise to the occasion. Pohlkamp’s points production has exploded, and he’s now a contender to lead the USHL in scoring by a defenseman. There are nights when he looks like an entirely different player from the one that often struggled as a USHL rookie. He plays with quiet confidence from the back end, and he has all the tools to make an impact on both ends of the ice. He’s not the tallest, but he’s well filled out for the 5-10 frame he possesses. He’s a solid skater who does a good job at facilitating zone exits and moving his team up the ice, and when he’s in the offensive zone he’s smart about making his reads and choosing when to play aggressively. Pohlkamp is also armed with a massive point shot and has a desire to play aggressively defensively. A late addition to the U.S.’ World Junior A Challenge team, he ended up as one of the top defenders in the tournament. He's headed to Bemidji State next season and would be an intriguing player for a team to select and then track over the course of his collegiate career. (Ethan Hetu)

Sam Harris - Wing - Sioux Falls Stampede

A University of Denver commit, Harris was an older birthdate for last year’s draft and ended up ranked #136 by NHL Central Scouting. This year, he’s at 131 in their mid-season rankings, and his production, as one would expect, has leaped up despite Sioux Falls remaining near the bottom of the USHL standings. Everything the team does offensively flows through Harris, and there’s some bite to his game, with him showing an eagerness to finish checks and engage opponents in the physical side of the game. The defensive side of Harris’ game needs some work, although his willingness to play with physicality is a decent start. You’d like for him to get more engaged defensively at times and help his projection by adding some more balance to his game. He’s also not the best skater, and in lacking the type of skating talent that could help him separate at the next level his overall projection becomes cloudy. Right now, he’s relied on chiefly as an offensive generator, but he may not have the skills or skating ability to remain in that role as a professional. For him to be a safer bet for an interested NHL team, he’ll need to round out his overall profile and develop the sort of professional habits that will carry him beyond college. (Ethan Hetu)

Jack Harvey - Center/Wing - Chicago Steel

Jack Harvey is hardly the main attraction for the Chicago Steel, who boast potential 2024 number-one pick Mack Celebrini and 2023 first-round candidate Jayden Perron, who is one of the USHL’s most electrifying players. But after he was passed over twice already, Harvey is still at work with the Chicago Steel. He’s now one of the top scorers in the USHL as he nears his 20th birthday, and is readying himself to head to Boston University on solid footing. He has a decent set of skills and has molded himself into a real offensive difference-maker in his final year at this level. Harvey’s skating isn’t bad, and if he has trouble translating his scoring to the college level there still could be a future for him if he changes up his style. There’s an intriguing package of tools here for Harvey to work on in Boston, but it may not be enough to justify a draft pick over other players at this stage in his development. Still unclear whether he’s skilled enough to have a pro future as an offensive player, and it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to morph himself into more of a pro-ready two-way player as he develops in college. (Ethan Hetu)

Michael Emerson - Wing - Chicago Steel

After scoring just seven points in 36 games in his first season of draft eligibility, it should not have come as any great surprise that Michael Emerson was not drafted at the 2022 NHL draft. This season, though, Emerson’s numbers have exploded as he’s played a larger role with some extremely talented teammates. The six-foot-two winger can be a lethal shooter at times, capable of finishing the many scoring chances he’s afforded. He’s got a nose for the net and has scored quite a few goals in tight, and the aggression with which he attacks the net serves him well playing with such good players. Could he stand to create more for himself and be more of a self-starter rather than an opportunist on offense? Absolutely, but opportunists who can often find themselves in the right place at the right time when placed next to quality teammates can go far, too. Emerson is headed to Notre Dame in the fall, and it’s definitely possible that a team wants to stake their claim on him before he gets there and potentially pops on an even bigger stage. (Ethan Hetu)

Jake Livanavage - Defense - Chicago Steel

Despite strong production and a growing reputation around the USHL as a quality power play specialist, the positive qualities in Livanavage’s game were not enough to get him selected at the 2022 draft. Livanavage has picked up this season right where he left off, and his production has held steady from where it was last year, albeit not the leap up some might have hoped for. There are positive qualities to Livanavage’s game, most often displayed on the power play. Livanavage has the skill to help the bevy of talented forwards he plays with, showing himself to be a quality passer and reader of the game on the man advantage. The issue with Livanavage largely centers on his lack of size, strength, and unimpressive defensive play. He’s simply too easy to play against in his own end, and this is an area he’ll need to improve in his game at higher levels. Something that could help him in his own end, though, is his strong skating, as his wheels can help him be an asset in creating the type of zone exits that are so crucial for defensive success. As long as the focus on evaluating defensive value remains squarely on physicality, puck battles, and the more traditional aspects of defense that are generally held in high regard, Livanavage will struggle with the perception of being a liability in his own end. And without a standout offensive profile to make up for it beyond his feet and abilities on the man advantage, the issues in his game could keep him from being drafted once again, although there’s definitely enough that he offers to make teams give him a second look. (Ethan Hetu)

Matthew Perkins - Center - Youngstown Phantoms

After spending his draft season as a point-per-game scorer with the Humboldt Broncos in Junior A hockey in Saskatchewan, Perkins made the choice to head to the USHL to prepare himself to eventually head to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. For the Youngstown Phantoms, Perkins has been a solid contributor, scoring at a steady rate. There are a few tools where one can notice the upside Perkins has for the next level, specifically his playmaking and two-way ability. He’s an all-situations forward for the Phantoms, contributing on both special teams’ units. That’s a testament to his intelligence on the ice, as he’s one of the smarter players in the USHL. While he doesn’t offer the size or skating profile that would make teams drool, Perkins is the type of pivot every coach hopes to have on their roster, a solid end-to-end contributor who elevates his linemates and brings a degree of reliability that many other young players can’t offer. It’s easy to see him occupying the same role in college, but one wonders if his lack of box score numbers that jump off the page will hurt his odds of getting selected at the draft. (Ethan Hetu)

Max Lundgren - Goaltender - Des Moines Buccaneers

The Merrimack commit has come to the USHL as a rookie and become one of the league’s best netminders this season. Although a 2002 born (and a USHL overager), Lundgren is still eligible for the draft similar to how Lucas Edmonds and Andrei Buyalsky were previously; NHL Central Scouting deemed them as “European players” despite playing in North America. The 6’5, 230lbs Lundgren is a mammoth in the net. He likes to play deep in the crease and maintains good posture to take away space from shooters and attackers. He competes for sightlines and battles hard to make second and third chance saves. The focus for him will be on getting quicker, but his size and performance are going to intrigue a lot of NHL scouts. (Brock Otten)

Cale Ashcroft - Defense - Tri-City Storm

Ashcroft has come to the USHL this year from the AJHL and immediately become a top four workhorse for one of the better teams in the USHL in Tri-City. When he was passed over last year, he was one of the youngest players eligible (with an August birthday) and has since added mass to his 5’10 frame to help him be a more effective and consistent player. Ashcroft, a University of Denver commit, is a terrific skater and his ability to keep pucks in at the line and create at the point is impressive. Once upon time, Ashcroft was a highly touted prospect coming out of St. Albert, but it appears he has turned things around and could be someone NHL teams look at late in the draft this year. (Brock Otten)

Joe Palodichuk - Defense - Fargo Force

It’s been quite the breakout year for Palodichuk, a strong skating, puck moving defender and University of Wisconsin commit. Now in his second season in the USHL, he has emerged as one of the league’s top defenders, even earning a spot on the U.S.’ World Junior A Challenge roster. At that event, his ability to start the breakout and control the point were standout qualities against top notch competition. While his defensive play has improved this year, his overall awareness and effectiveness will still need to improve further. That said, his mobility and offensive gifts are going to play really well at the NCAA level and an NHL team may try to secure his rights this year in his final year of draft eligibility. (Brock Otten)

Andon Cerbone - Wing/Center - Youngstown Phantoms

Cerbone was a great role player for the Steel last year in his first year of draft eligibility, but ultimately a lack of consistent production, combined with his lack of size, caused him to slide through the draft. This year, he started the year well as a leader on a weak Omaha team, but it was a move to Youngstown that really ignited him. Cerbone has been one of the best players in the USHL in the second half, operating at well over a point per game with the Phantoms. Cerbone is skilled, intelligent, and competitive. He makes up for his lack of size by consistently outworking opposing defenders to pucks and to space. The only issue is that he’s not a dynamic skater and that muddles his projection. Heading to Quinnipiac (after decommitting from Michigan) next year, Cerbone is the type of player who will need three or four years of college to prepare for the pro level, but the Bobcats program should be perfect for that.

Cameron Korpi - Goaltender - Tri-City Storm

Once upon a time, Korpi was considered to be one of the best ‘04 born goaltenders in the United States. He came into his draft year with really high expectations, but he really struggled in the USHL with Muskegon and found himself out of the league to start this season. Rather than sulk, he went to work in the NAHL, performing extremely well with Oklahoma. This has resulted in Korpi getting another crack at the USHL with Tri-City and thus far the results have been outstanding. After growing a lot over the last few years, it seems Korpi has finally found more control over his athleticism, refining his technical approach to create more consistent results. If he can close out the year well for Tri-City, the Western Michigan University commit may have a real shot of being selected this time through. (Brock Otten)

Ethan Whitcomb - Wing - Muskegon Lumberjacks

Whitcomb comes into the 2022-2023 season having not heard his name called at the 2022 NHL Draft last summer. In his first season with the Lumberjacks, he registered 16 points in 44 games as a rookie and has followed it up with 30 points in 35 games, good enough for second on the team in scoring. The 18-year-old Whitcomb is solid and listed at 6’4” and 195 pounds, and is a decent skater, with good hands. He participated at the World Junior A Challenge at the beginning of this season finishing with five points in six games to help Team USA bring home the gold medal. Whitcomb then joined team Blue at the 2023 Biosteel All-American prospect game, where he went pointless, but had a handful of opportunities that missed the mark. The St. Catharines, Ontario native is a May baby and because of his big frame, may take some time to develop, so there may be a possibility of an NHL team taking a chance on him in the later rounds of the draft. (Mark Dube)

Chase Pietila - Defense - Youngstown Phantoms

Pietila is a product of the Honeybaked program out of Michigan, where he skated alongside Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks) and Cole Spicer (Boston Bruins) during his U15 AAA season. During that year, he was highly touted because he posted 64 points in 61 games from the back end. Pietila is a mobile and physical two-way defenseman with decent size, listed at 6’1” and 181 pounds. The Michigan Tech commit has spent the last two seasons with the Phantoms and is having a successful outing, putting up 26 points in 43 games thus far. Pietila will be hard pressed to get selected at the 2023 NHL Draft but may make a name for himself with a more offensive role playing for the Huskies (at Michigan Tech) next year, much like his brothers did before him. (Mark Dube)

NCAA

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 01: Minnesota Gophers defenseman Luke Mittelstadt (20) shoots the puck during the college hockey game between the Lindenwood Lions and the Minnesota Gophers on October 1st, 2022, at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)

Tyler Duke - Defense - Ohio State

Ranked 132nd by McKeen’s hockey last cycle, Duke didn’t hear his name called at the 2022 NHL draft, and just taking one look at his profile it’s easy to see why. While size is becoming less and less of a relevant factor when projecting the NHL viability of defensemen, it remains an extremely important consideration for most NHL teams and evaluators. There simply is not a long enough track record of players who play like Duke making the NHL at his size. It’s unfortunate because there are a ton of elements to Duke’s game to enjoy. He’s a hard-working, engaged defender who doesn’t let his stature stop him from being an impactful defenseman in his own end. He’s more than willing to engage physically, and his willingness to play a hard game despite physical limitations at the college level is reminiscent of Columbus Blue Jackets blueliner Nick Blankenburg, who at five-foot-nine has turned himself into a viable NHL option despite a similar size profile to Duke. If Duke can follow the Blankenburg path to the NHL and retain his intelligence, value in transition, and defensive effort, he can find his way to higher levels of hockey. But where the NHL draft is concerned, there are few defensemen of his size with his scoring numbers to be selected, especially in their second year of eligibility. While Duke may have to go another year without hearing his name called, there are definitely far less worthy investments to make with a draft pick than investing it in Duke and Duke’s continued development. (Ethan Hetu)

Luke Mittelstadt - Defense - University of Minnesota

Another brother of an NHL talent, Luke Mittelstadt’s play has steadily improved since the draft season he spent with his high school. Mittelstadt spent his first year as an undrafted player in the USHL, leading the Madison Capitals in scoring. He then went to his brother Casey’s old stomping grounds for this season and has excelled as a Minnesota Gopher. Now, in his final season of draft eligibility, Mittelstadt stands his best chance of being drafted yet. At five-foot-eleven, 175 pounds Mittelstadt isn’t bringing rare size to a team’s blueline, but he’s a smart, quick defenseman who is of particular value in the areas of generating zone exits. While he may not fit the traditional view of a defensively valuable defenseman, Mittelstadt fits the more modern expectations of how blueliners can contribute in their own end. Offensively, Mittelstadt isn’t without some skill, but he’s not shown himself to be an overwhelming talent with the puck on his stick. He can make the right reads and fire off quality passes in order to support his teammates but expecting him to create for himself or deceive opponents on his own would be folly. Important to note is that Mittelstadt’s game has developed enough for him to be selected to represent his country at the 2022 World Junior Championships, and his overall profile suggests he could become a reliable if decidedly unflashy bottom-pairing defenseman if things break right. (Ethan Hetu)

Matt Copponi - Center - Merrimack College

Just as Merrimack has surprised many to become one of the better teams in Hockey East this season, Matt Copponi has been quite the surprise, surging in both productivity and role to become a viable draft prospect in his third year of eligibility to be selected. After COVID-19 cost Copponi his final season of high school hockey, which left him with virtually no chance at selection at the 2021 draft. Last season, Copponi’s missed season seemed to have cost him on the ice, as he wasn’t nearly the type of difference-maker he is as a sophomore as a freshman. This year, as 2020 New York Islanders pick Alex Jefferies has stolen the show, Copponi has more quietly placed himself among Merrimack’s better offensive players. Despite not being the biggest or strongest center, Copponi attacks the net and uses the inside of the ice more frequently than one might expect. He’s a diligent hunter of any opportunity he can find, and while he was relatively anonymous in his first year, his hard work is finally paying off. Will it result in being selected at the draft in the summer? Hard to say, as his size and strength profile combined with only so-so skating will conspire to hurt him in the eyes of many pro evaluators, but the offensive skill is definitely there, and he’s starting to pop. He’s having exactly the type of season he needed to have to enter the draft conversation, but it remains to be seen if there’s a team willing to take the leap on him. (Ethan Hetu)

Davis Burnside - Wing - Ohio State

As of writing this, Burnside is among the nation’s leaders in freshman goal scoring with the Buckeyes this year. His transition to the NCAA level has been seamless. His profile is an extremely complete one. He skates well. He competes hard. He is an intelligent two-way player who can kill penalties. There was some concern that his offensive abilities wouldn’t translate well to the NCAA level, but that obviously hasn’t been the case. There is definitely a chance that Burnside could develop into a capable bottom six player at the NHL level and there is no doubt that NHL scouts may circle back to him similar to how they did with Dominic James last year. (Brock Otten)

Bennett Schimek - Wing - Providence College

A skilled and elusive attacker, Schimek has become a go-to offensive player for the Friars in his freshman year. He has clearly worked hard to improve his quickness and has become a more focused and determined player off the puck. He has developed into an excellent forechecker and Schimek has found a way to attack inside the dots at the NCAA level too. Armed with an excellent release and the puck skill to beat defenders one on one, NHL scouts should be extremely impressed with how quickly he has become a top six forward on a strong program, outperforming several NHL draft picks. (Brock Otten)

Charles-Alexis Legault - Defense - Quinnipiac University

Legault is unquestionably an enigma. He has bounced around a whack of teams over the last few years and there is no question that the pandemic affected his development in a negative way. We’ve written about Legault before at McKeen’s Hockey because his combination of size, mobility, and physical aggressiveness from the right side makes him extremely intriguing. However, consistency has always been an issue for this former highly touted minor hockey prospect. This year feels a bit different. He’s playing well as a freshman for one of the top teams in the NCAA and he seems to finally understand how to refine his game to be a consistent asset in the defensive end. The athletic tools are so good. If he’s not drafted, you just know that teams will be lining up to sign him in three years when he has figured it out further. (Brock Otten)

Jacob Guevin - Defense - University of Nebraska-Omaha

The 20-year-old Guevin enters this 22-23 season playing at the collegiate level for the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks after having been passed up in the last two NHL Drafts, although having made the NHL Central Scouting final rankings at 56 in 2021 and 173 in 2022. He is second among defensemen in scoring on his team with 15 points in 31 games. Guevin is a smooth skating and agile right-handed defender, with offensive upside to his game. In his draft year 20-21, he was named to the USHL All-Rookie team while playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and recorded an impressive 45 points in 53 games, good enough to lead his team among defensemen. The Drummondville, Quebec native followed up that rookie campaign notching 57 points in 59 games in his second season for the Lumberjacks, earning him a spot on the USHL 2nd All-Star Team. Time is running out for Guevin to be selected for the NHL Draft, but like his overager counterparts there’s a good chance he finds success in some professional hockey league at the lower levels. (Mark Dube)

NAHL

Adam Gajan - Goaltender - Chippewa Steel

Spending most of his year of first draft eligibility in Slovakia’s junior circuit, Gajan didn’t exactly have the brightest stage to show off what he could do. He finally got exactly that at the World Juniors, where he stole the show for Slovakia, posting a .936 save percentage in four games, winning the award for Best Goaltender. He had officially announced his commitment to Minnesota-Duluth earlier that month and has slowly raised his standing to the point where it seems highly unlikely that he won’t hear his name called at this next NHL draft. Gajan offers the size teams covet from their goalies and moves surprisingly well for someone that big. He’s confident in his net, able to square up to shooters and challenge them. While it was admittedly a small sample of games, the World Juniors showed that Gajan was able to take a significant moment and rise up to it, which is an important aspect of the mental side of goaltending. There’s still so much development that needs to happen here before his pro future is even a consideration, but he’ll thankfully have a long runway to work with in the NCAA. Teams are always in need of an infusion of talent to their goaltending pipeline, so at this point, it would be quite a surprise for Gajan to go undrafted once again, even though he’s spending most of this season in the NAHL rather than the USHL. (Ethan Hetu)

USHL: 2020-21 Playoff Preview – Expect Entertaining Hockey with Chicago a Clear Favourite

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 15:27:15 +0000

If there is an exception to the across-the-board negative impact of COVID-19 on the world of hockey, it may rest in the USHL. As north of the border, the three leagues of the CHL were in disarray – at best – the USHL, played a fairly “normal” year.

Sure, the league proceeded without the participation of the Madison Capitals (regional COVID restrictions) or the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders (a Derecho huffed and puffed and blew the arena down), but the rest of the league played (an approximately) 54 game schedule with rather few disruptions.

Not only that, but in terms of quality, the league was better than ever, as a number of players who had expected to suit up for Canadian teams – both CHL and Jr. A – were given an opportunity to play for various USHL teams as their regular leagues were delayed indefinitely, or outright cancelled. Those bonus players included some that were drafted already, including Cross Hanas, Bear Hughes, and Danil Gushchin*. Other drafted players came in from the Ivy League schools, who did not play a hockey schedule this year. In addition to the likes of Henry Thrun, Jack Malone, and Austin Wong coming to the USHL after some time in college, others like Sean Farrell and Alex Laferriere, who had intended to start collegiate life this year, were forced to stay back for one more year in the Midwest.

*Gushchin, who had played the previous two seasons with Muskegon, was expected to play in Ontario with Niagara for the 2020-21 season, but with the OHL in permanent statis, he was loaned back to the Lumberjacks, where he put up his best season yet.

And then there were the draft-eligible ringers who unexpectedly joined the league and played so well that they have legitimate first round consideration at the end of it. I am thinking, of course, of Cole Sillinger, who joined Sioux Falls, before it was known when, or if, the WHL would get going, and Ayrton Martino and Jack Bar, who had played in Ontario last year and had been planning on playing in the BCHL this year before Canadian restrictions pushed them to the USHL, with Omaha and Chicago, respectively.

Of course, there were many other unexpected players in the league this year, with those mentioned only scratching the surface of the most famous names.

So, before we preview the postseason, which begins this Friday (Apr. 30), let’s pour one out for the six teams that didn’t make, and give a word to the top 1-3 draft eligible players from those squads.

Team USA

One point behind Dubuque for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – although far further back via points percentage (.510-.481), the USNTDP team that would have played in the USHL playoffs had they made it would have been the U17 team. The best of that group – Rutger McGroarty, Isaac Howard, Ryan Chesley, Lane Hutson, Charlie Stramel and others – are playing with the U18 team in Texas at the WU18 tournament. No draft eligibles but remember those names for next season.

Youngstown Phantoms

By points percentage, easily the weakest team in the league. The aforementioned Jack Malone, a Vancouver draft pick, was far and away the top performer on the team, which is to be expected from a player with a year at Cornell under his belt. Among first year draft eligibles, Japanese import Yusako Ando was the most notable, although his second year in the league was worse than his first. He can create for others, but he doesn’t skate well enough to make up for his slight 5-7” frame. The only other draft eligible who ever made a positive impression on me from this roster was blueliner Austen May. The Providence commit is on the small side, but he is really fleet of foot and shows decent attention to detail off the puck.

Des Moines Buccaneers

Despite the presence of three drafted players – Alex Laferriere (LA), Noah Ellis (Vgk), and Lucas Mercuri (Car), the Buccaneers struggled this year, particularly in terms of putting the puck in the net. The drafted guys were all solid, but too few of the rest of the roster could match their output. Perhaps things would have been different if Paul Davey hadn’t of left mid-season for a stint back home in Connecticut. Davey and Scout Truman were the two most notable first time draft eligible on the roster, but neither really put their stamp on the season. If there are to be any Buccaneers drafted this year, they will be among the redraft candidates. To that end, file away the names of Matt Choupani and Remington Koepple. Choupani is a forward who lacks much in the way of physical tools but can play the puck well. Koepple is a goalie who had decent numbers in his first year in the league, although he has only average size and athleticism and he chocked in the BioSteel game, hurting his standing for some.

Lincoln Stars

The Stars went heavy on the ringers partway through the season. Cross Hanas was already mentioned, but he was just one of four players brought in from the WHL Portland Winterhawks, joining Clay Hanas (no relation), Jack O’Brien, and James Stefan, as well as Charles-Alexis Legault from West Kelowna in the BCHL and Michael Mastrodomenico from AAA hockey in Quebec. Simply put, the shuffled team never gelled, and the newcomers couldn’t get into the swing of the USHL.

O’Brien was the biggest disappointment. There was some expectation that he could be a high round pick this year, but one goal and six assists in 23 games ended that sentiment. Blueliner Legault didn’t hurt his stock too much, as he still has great size and skates well and shoots from his right side. Stefan, son of former first overall pick Patrik Stefan, had enough moments to maybe convince some team to call his name in the late rounds. A kind word also to big bruising winger Gleb Veremeyev. Veremeyev isn’t an offensive threat, but one of the top PIM players in the league is a threat, nonetheless. The USHL is not a very physical league, and when a player has that size and plays with that snarl, he sometimes gets drafted, such as we saw with Nick Capone last year and Martin Pospisil in 2018.

Waterloo Black Hawks

Generally contenders, the Black Hawks find themselves out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15, and only the second time in 14 seasons for which there were playoffs. Fielding one of the smaller and least experienced lineups in the league, this just wasn’t their year. Their one drafted player, Toronto’s Wyatt Schingoethe, regressed heavily from his strong draft year. The team cycled through goalies, with three seeing significant minutes. Remember the name of Emmett Croteau, the best performing of their netminders, as he won’t be draft eligible until 2022.

Among players eligible this year, the most impressive were second time eligible defenseman Cooper Wylie, a USHL rookie, who can play the puck and skate well enough to make his ornery game effective, if not spectacular. He could be drafted. On the other hand, David Gucciardi, acquired in an early season trade from Youngstown, will be drafted. His game is raw, and his mistakes are often critical, but he has tools, and his instincts are good enough to think he can be a good one if he relies on his instincts all the time.

Sioux Falls Stampede

The Western Conference bottom feeders are a mystery. In the last USHL playoffs, the Stampede took home the title. In addition to their usual solid team, this year they brought in the highest profile ringer in Cole Sillinger, who didn’t disappoint, with a team leading 46 points despite only playing in 31 games. He is a sniper with an NHL style game who will be back in the WHL next year. The USHL rarely sees a player of his caliber, whether talking about skill or about reading the game, yet he couldn’t drag the Stampede upwards on his own. I would be surprised if he isn’t the first player from this year’s USH: crop to play in the NHL.

Defender Brent Johnson was one of the better draft eligible defenders in the league as well. A power play specialist with good wheels and an ornery side, his season ended right before the BioSteel All American Game due to a shoulder injury, but could hear his name called in the 50-80 range of the draft if his medicals hold up.

Although not as high profile, I also have time for second time eligible, defenseman Nate Schweitzer, who can do a lot well, but nothing spectacularly, and winger Mike Citara, who can skate and shoot. I don’t expect either to be drafted, but I wouldn’t be surprised if either was.

The Playoffs

The format this year is simple. The top four teams from each conference made it in. All series are best-of-threes. Top seed plays the fourth seed, and second seed plays the third seed. All games are hosted by the higher seed. One series per weekend until one team lifts the Clark Cup. Let’s go!

Western Conference

Jack Peart. Photo Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Tri-City Storm vs #4 Fargo Force

The Western Conference was incredibly tight at the top with the playoff picture not being settled until the final weekend of the regular season. The points percentage difference between Tri-City and Fargo (32 percentage points) was less than between Fargo and fifth place Des Moines (34 percentage points).

Fargo was the third best defensive team in the league, although Tri-City was the best at keeping the puck out of its net. Neither team is known for filling their opponents’ nets either, but both had generally done enough to walk away with points more often than not. In fact, they are quite evenly matched. The difference in these three games (outside of home ice advantage) is likely to rest in special teams. Fargo was mediocre on both the power play and the penalty kill, while the Storm were strong with the man advantage and almost impregnable on the penalty kill, leading the league with a breathtaking 88.3% kill rate. To Fargo’s credit, they have played far more of their season at 5-on-5 than Tri-City. And they will have to do that again this weekend to keep their season alive.

Beyond the expected close games, another reason to watch this series is the head-to-head matchup between two very interesting and talented draft eligibles. On Fargo, that would be Tristan Broz, a two-way center with a good motor and the vision to be a power play weapon. The Minnesota commit ran away with the scoring lead on his team. His numbers would be even more impressive if he had more talented teammates to play with. On Tri-City, the man of the hour is Matthew Knies. Knies started his season painfully slow, but ended it on fire, with 20 points in his final 11 games. Knies has heavier feet, but a very mature build and at his best, can take over the game. He will join Broz with the Golden Gophers next year.

Knies and Broz are not the only intriguing draft eligible players in this series. In fact, Fargo blueliner Jack Peart has a very good chance to be the highest drafted player in this series. The St. Cloud State commit split his season between Fargo and Grand Rapids High School (Mn). He is a good skater with a very strong first few steps, who plays with preternatural poise. He controls the puck like a much older player and plays a strong 200-foot game. Had Peart spent the entire season in Fargo, the final standings may have looked very different. For Fargo, also keep an eye on Aaron Huglen, a Buffalo draft pick who returned from over a full year on the sidelines after around a third of this season was done and has played a skilled game ever since.

On Tri-City, Knies is joined by a pair of intriguing draft eligible players in Hunter Strand and Carter Mazur, the latter of whom is a second time eligible player. Strand is a USNTDP alum, whose late birthday prevented him from being drafted last year. The Alaska native is a great skater and plays a patient game with the puck. Mazur has more of an East-West style game, helped along by plus edges. He can play the pest role as well and retains utility off the puck. Strand and Mazur both outscored Knies this year, but Knies already had a big reputation through his big pre-draft year and his run to end the year keeps him top of mind.

Prediction: Fargo in three. A mild upset to be sure. The return of Peart helps Fargo just as much as the loss of top blueliner Guillaume Richard hurts Tri-City. Richard is currently representing Team Canada at the WU18s in Texas. Neither team has stellar goaltending, but Fargo’s Brennan Boynton should be able to roughly match Tri-City’s Todd Scott.

#2 Omaha Lancers vs #3 Sioux City Musketeers

Both Omaha and Sioux City put up 63 points in 53 games, but their paths to getting there could scarcely have been more different. Consider that Omaha’s goal differential was a mediocre +13, while Sioux City outscored their opponents on aggregate by 35 goals, with the league’s best – by far – defense.

The two teams are both led by high end goaltending, each starting one of the three drafted netminders in the league. For Sioux City, that man is the Swiss Akira Schmid, a New Jersey prospect, while Montreal draftee Jakob Dobes, from Czechia, mans the pipes for Omaha. Dobes was a true workhorse for the Lancers, playing in 47 of the team’s 53 games, while Schmid played roughly two-third of the time for Sioux City, as his back up was more reliable.

Schmid will need to be at his best in this series, however, as Omaha has one of the biggest offensive weapons in the league at their disposal in Ayrton Martino. Martino joined the club shortly after the calendar flipped into 2021 and took the league by storm, with the fifth best points-per-game ratio in the USHL (1.47). A great skater with a fantastic shot, Martino did not let his slight frame prevent him from dominating, and his playmaking game is just as strong as his finishing ability. If Sioux City can shut Martino down, the Lancers don’t have too many other weapons at their disposal as their secondary scoring is largely in the hands of USHL veterans like Ryan Lautenbach, Nolan Renwick and Zach Dubinsky. The Omaha roster is one of the oldest in the league.

Sioux City, on the other hand, has a few more weapons at its disposal. Detroit draft pick Chase Bradley and New Jersey pick Ethan Edwards were both in the team’s top four in scoring, while Buffalo pick Matteo Costantini showed well after joining the league mid-season. Although the Musketeers don’t have a draft eligible player the likes of Martino, don’t sleep on defenseman Shai Buium. A USHL rookie out of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s program, he combines quick hands with smooth, if not quick, feet. He plays a strong two-way game and if he were a better skater (he isn’t bad, but he isn’t great), we would be hearing more people call for him as a first round type of talent. As is, he has enough raw skill to dream on a big, late-blooming future. I am also keeping an eye on redraft candidates defenseman Daniel Laatsch and center Justin Hryckowian. Laatsch is a USNTDP alum who has great size and some burgeoning skill, but is still raw, while Hryckowian has a fun skill game, but an injury-filled history and a sub-optimal build.

Prediction: Sioux City’s depth overcomes Martino’s solo skill in three games.

Western Conference Final Prediction: Sioux City over Fargo in three games. Sioux City is just too difficult to score against and has enough offensive weapons to get the job done.

Eastern Conference

Matthew Coronato. Photo by Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Chicago Steel vs #4 Dubuque Fighting Saints

By all accounts, this should be a washout. Chicago is, by great lengths, the top team in the USHL. They enter the postseason on an eight-game undefeated streak, and won 38 of 54 games this year, often by wide margins. Their goaltending has been shoddy at times, but far more often than not, they were able to outscore their troubles and their total of 265 goals scored was 24 more than the runners-up. Dubuque, on the other hand, won only 24 of 51 games, securing the final playoff spot in the east thanks to a win in their final game coupled with a loss from the U17 USNTDP squad.

If Dubuque is to have a hope in this series, look to their defensive players. Goalie Lukas Parik, a Los Angeles draft pick, struggled since joining the team, in late-January from the Czech second division, but shut out Green Bay in his final game, reminding us of what he is capable. On the blueline, fellow LA pick Braden Doyle teams up with Anaheim draft pick Henry Thrun to give the Fighting Saints a pair of weapons. Up front, Dubuque has a balanced attack, but the man to watch is Robert Cronin. While too old to be drafted this year Cronin is a late bloomer with speed and skill who will be a good follow next year once he joins the University of New Hampshire. The boy to watch, on the other hand, is Matthew Savoie. The 17-year-old is a 2022 draft eligible, who should have been playing in the WHL, but the uncertainty in that league led him to Dubuque, where he immediately played a central, and at time dominating, role. He’s going to be really fun to watch next year.

Looking at draft eligibles for this summer, keep your eyes on Connor Kurth and Andrei Buyalsky. Buylasky is actually the same age (born three days later) as Cronin, but as he is considered a foreign player (this is his first season in North America), the Kazakhstani forward is draft eligible while the American Cronin is not. Buyalsky is an impressive skater with impressive finishing ability. Kurth, on the other hand, has no particular big attributes to his game, but he finds a way to put up good numbers. He has a very stocky build but moves well enough regardless.

Moving on to Chicago, almost every skater on the roster is worthy of mention. Start with Montreal draft pick Sean Farrell, a USNTDP alum who would have been with Harvard this season had the Crimson actually played. Instead, he put up a breathtaking 101-point season for the Steel. His playmaking ability is simply unfair to most opponents on most nights. Then there is Matthew Coronato, a likely first round pick, who scored 48 goals in 51 games. Sure, it helps to have Farrell playing on your team, but the two actually rarely played together at even strength. Coronato is an offensive dynamo, who is content to cycle on his own for multiple full loops of the offensive end before he sees a seam to exploit.

Then there is Jack Bar, a late add to the roster from the BCHL. After a brief period acclimating to the league, he began to dominate. The defenseman likes to get deep into the offensive zone but is also a physical and committed defender. He has some first round upside. Of course, I also have to mention Mackie Samoskevich, who at one time was seen as a better draft prospect than Coronato. Samoskevich struggled somewhat after a midseason injury but is another gifted playmaker and a fantastic skater to boot.

I don’t want to get into the weeds too much, but I also expect Josh Doan (son of Shane), Ryan Ufko, and Jackson Blake to be drafted this summer, and Jack Harvey being drafted wouldn’t surprise me either. Anaheim draft pick Ian Moore has been impressive in his first season in the USHL, and 2023(!!) eligible forward Adam Fantilli is a burgeoning superstar. As good as everyone else already mentioned on this roster is, Fantilli’s upside is the highest. I am talking top three in the draft upside.

Prediction: Chicago in two, barring a complete breakdown in net. Chicago in three if the goalies stumble.

#2 Muskegon Lumberjacks vs #3 Green Bay Gamblers

A testament to how tight the West is, the Muskegon-Green Bay series is the second most lopsided duel after Chicago-Dubuque, with .040 percentage points separating the Lumberjacks and the Gamblers. Muskegon plays an up-tempo, high-event game with red lights going off at both ends. Green Bay is best when they keep goals to a minimum, and actually ended the season with the fewest goals allowed in the conference.

Green Bay’s chances are led by a pair of Boston Bruins’ draft picks in defender Mason Lohrei and center Jake Schmaltz. The latter is a two-way forward, who after three seasons in the USHL, has figured out how to be a factor offensively. He does a lot of little things well but lacks any dynamic elements. Lohrei was a surprise second rounder last season but has grown his game even more this year. He is big, skates very well, has a big point shot and plays a tough game at all ends. The Gamblers will go as far as he can take them. Vancouver draft pick Jackson Kunz and Vegas pick Jackson Hallum are also on the roster, and while both have shown the ability to provide secondary offense, neither can make things happen on their own. 2022 eligible Ryan Greene is an interesting player, but if there is a wild card in Green Bay, it is Camden Thiesing. The Tennessee native combines skill with grit, finishing third in the league in PIMs. He will work to make things happen on his own, and when he stays out of the penalty box, he is dangerous.

Led by San Jose draft pick Danil Gushchin, Muskegon is incredibly entertaining. Gushchin is a dynamo, who is not the most consistent player, but when he is involved and engaged, is one of the top handful of forwards in the league. He is joined by a deep roster of talented players, a few of whom should be drafted this summer, many of those in their second year of eligibility. The best of that secondary bunch is center Cameron Berg. Berg finished last year hot after a slow start and didn’t miss a beat coming into this year. He has a high-end wrist shot and knows how to create space for himself to rip one off. Winger Quinn Hutson is another second-year eligible forward who made waves this year. The type of player to get to the right spot at the right time, he knows how to finish what his linemates create. On the blueline, there are a trio to watch. The offensive blueline is Jacob Guevin, a power play specialist, whose production overshadows his average tools. Alex Gagne and Hank Kempf are bigger, more physical blueliners who make life difficult for attacking forwards. I could see all three drafted this summer.

Prediction: Muskegon in three games.

Eastern Conference Final prediction: Chicago in three games over Muskegon. This would be an immensely entertaining series.

Clark Cup Final Prediction: Chicago over Sioux City in three games. It’s really hard to bet against the Steel this year.

2021 NHL DRAFT: UNDER THE RADAR DRAFT PICKS

Brock Otten — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 22:15:25 +0000

With the Ontario Hockey League still on hiatus, I have been trying to watch as much of the other North American junior leagues as possible. Cross referencing with public lists and the lists of our regional scouts, I have been trying to get a better read on some of the top prospects available from North America for the 2021 NHL Draft. In doing so, there have actually been numerous other prospects who have caught my eye for one reason or another. These are players generally ranked outside of the first round and all the way into the later rounds of the draft. This article intends to highlight some of those players and bring attention to them as the summer months draw nearer.

USHL

Brent Johnson

Defense, Sioux Falls Stampede

5’11, 165lbs

Johnson is actually a prospect who has garnered significant attention from the internet scouting community. By simply doing a twitter search, you can find many fans of his game who believe he should be someone who ranked near the first round. However, you are more likely to find the University of North Dakota commit ranked in the second or third.

While he has had a terrific season to date (top five in defenseman scoring in the USHL as of writing this), it actually came to an end recently when Johnson had to undergo season ending shoulder surgery. This kept him out of the BioSteel All American game and prevented him from being in consideration as an addition for the U.S. Under 18 team going to Texas. Also unfortunate for Johnson is the fact that there was no Hlinka/Gretzky Cup this year, nor a World Junior A Challenge, two events where he would have had the chance to play a starring role. No doubt scouts have a clear picture of what Johnson brings to the table, however, those high-end comparisons with his peers would have been valuable.

Johnson’s strength lies in his transitional effectiveness and ability to create using his mobility in the offensive zone. A terrific skater in every fashion, Johnson’s exits are nearly always clean, whether he elects to skate with the puck or use the stretch pass. He looks comfortable and poised running the powerplay and uses strong edge work to walk the line and open up exploitable lanes and gaps in coverage. While certainly slight (5’11, 165lbs), Johnson is actually an intense competitor in the defensive end who looks to engage physically and never seems to back down from a challenge. He is also adept at using his four-way mobility to defend transitional attacks, demonstrating terrific gap control. He certainly projects as a strong two-way, modern day NHL defender.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-brent_johnson_-_1st_period_7_54_-_8_6.mp4

While the result of this play is not a goal, Johnson creates a really high-end scoring chance from the slot with his hands and feet. He exploits the over aggressiveness of the forward defending high by walking around him then pushes aggressively to force attackers to leave their man before making a great pass on the back hand to a Sioux Falls teammate for the scoring chance. This play exhibits poise, skill, and mobility, all of which make Johnson a threat when walking or holding the line.

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Look at how Johnson exploits the extra ice at four on four in this clip. He pushes out wide to open up the middle of the ice. Upon receiving the pass, he has a clear goal in mind by pivoting quickly to suck his defender in before finding a teammate in the slot with a heads-up pass. These types of plays seem to happen on the regular with Johnson, who controls and understands spacing so effectively. He never seems to stop moving his feet in the offensive zone.

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This is a great read from Johnson as he slides into the slot to as he identifies an opening as his teammate peels off the wall. He showcases his skill level too by selling the shot fake and making the no look pass to an open teammate at the side of the net for a tap in. He could have easily hammered that on net with a one timer, but his subtle approach and patience with the puck impressively and consistently seems to find better opportunities to score.

Jack Peart

Defense, Fargo Force

5’11, 180lbs

While Scott Morrow seems to be the Prep School/High School defender generating the most buzz, Jack Peart may actually be the better NHL Draft prospect. This year’s recipient of the Mr. Hockey award in Minnesota (top HS player), Peart has split the year between Grand Rapids High in Minnesota and the Fargo Force of the USHL. He joins some terrific company among defenders who have won the award like Nick Leddy, Ryan McDonagh, and Paul Martin.

When he has played for Fargo, Peart has played quite well for the Force, one of the top teams in the USHL this season. And unlike Johnson, Peart was able to suit up in the BioSteel All American game, although the USHL team got trounced by the NTDP. I thought he might be a candidate to be named to the U.S. Under 18 team as they looked to fill out their roster for the event with outside candidates, but that was not the case.

A St. Cloud State commit, Peart has a similar skill set to aforementioned Brent Johnson. His mobility is excellent. His decision making with the puck is excellent. He defends well, especially in transition. He can QB the powerplay or anchor the PK. This is an all situations, highly intelligent, well rounded defender whose efficiency and consistency will be very attractive to NHL scouts this July.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-jack_peart_-_1st_period_6_26_-_6_38.mp4

As mentioned, Peart’s ability to defend in transition is terrific thanks to his strong four-way mobility and anticipation. He is consistently aggressive when defending attackers, stepping up early to angle them off, close gaps and use effective stick checks. Here is just one example of that. It is a relatively harmless two on two, but Peart acts quickly to get a step ahead and then minds the gap to poke the puck out and flip possession. While Peart struggled a bit at the BioSteel game, this type of consistent efficiency in the defensive end is the usual standard.

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Such great patience by Peart here in overtime as Sioux Falls gets caught on a bad line change. He executes the two on one perfectly by working between the dots, faking the pass to get the defender to slide out of position before stopping to set up the game winner.

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Peart has a quiet efficiency to his game. While he is aggressive at times, he is often more likely to start the breakout with a stretch pass. When he does decide to jump up in the play, it is often calculated and successful, like we see here. He flashes some nice puck skill by evading nearly four stick checks from Sioux Falls players before making a nice dish to a teammate for a high-quality scoring chance. As he gains confidence in his ability to attack (transitioning from high school hockey), I believe he is capable of making more aggressive offensive plays like this.

Liam Gilmartin

Left Wing, NTDP

6’2, 190lbs

Due to the way the U.S. National Development team is constructed, it seems like every year there is a forward who slips under the radar a bit because they are not as innately skilled or “flashy” as their highly rated peers. They do the grunt work. They excel on special teams. They win board battles. They operate as the perfect complementary piece. However, it takes multiple views to generate a great appreciation for their play and their NHL potential. Last year it was Landon Slaggert. Two years ago, it was John Beecher. This year, that player is Liam Gilmartin.

A Providence College commit, Gilmartin moves around the lineup for the U.S. U18 team, moving up to play with Chaz Lucius to create space for him. Moving down to insulate some of the talented U17 players like Rutger McGroarty or Cutter Gauthier. But his play and effort are always consistent and his commitment to playing in the defensive end is extremely valuable to this U.S. team, especially as they gear up for the World Under 18’s. He also had a terrific performance at the Biosteel All American game with a goal and an assist, in addition to his play on the penalty kill being a huge standout.

Gilmartin understands his role as a player on this team and plays it to a tee. He is often the first man into the offensive zone, looking to recover a dump in or force a turnover. Once he establishes possession, he is difficult to separate from the puck as he keeps his feet moving and outworks defenders. He has this same bulldog mentality as he drives the net and takes up position in the slot and net front. However, Gilmartin has better hands than he is given credit for and is skilled enough to create and finish in tight spaces. As mentioned, he is also a very hard worker in all three zones and a physically assertive defensive presence. He certainly profiles as a long time middle six player at the pro level.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-liam_gilmartin_-_1st_period_25_4_-_25_17.mp4

Gilmartin is such an effective penalty killer because of how adept he is at taking away space and anticipating passing lanes. Here he jumps the stretch pass, pokes the puck out and then fights off the check to come away with possession. Then he makes a terrific pass to Ryan St. Louis to set up the scoring chance. The theme with Gilmartin as an offensive player is that he loves to push the pace and bring the fight to you, forcing defenders to try to take away his space, which in turn opens up passing lanes. One thing I look for in players like Gilmartin (that I believe predicates NHL success) is how well they identify passing lanes and how skilled they are as playmakers, and this is a strength of Gilmartin.

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Had to show a clip from the BioSteel game, where Gilmartin was terrific. Another great pass from him to set up the opening goal for the USDP. He understands spacing well and again finds his way to the net. The controlled entry by him helped to initiate that play too.

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Big surprise, Gilmartin drives the net. But this is a skilled play from him to create a significant scoring chance on what should have been a relatively harmless two on two. Beats his defender out wide, then takes away his reach by getting inside position and chipping it back to the middle, fighting off a final stick check to get a shot on goal. I have a feeling that Gilmartin is going to have a heck of a U18 tournament for the U.S. and really put himself in that second-round range come July.

Charles Alexis Legault

Defense, Lincoln Stars

6’3, 190lbs

One of the worst teams in the USHL, the Lincoln Stars have been a bit of a mess this season. Nearly all the high-end draft eligible players who came to Lincoln this year have underwhelmed (Jack O’Brien, James Stefan, Luke Mittelstadt) and that includes Boston University commit Charles Alexis Legault. One of the youngest players available, the rangy and mobile Legault has been in and out of the lineup and when he has played, he has seen limited minutes. However, in those limited minutes he has shown the potential that many thought he had as a fairly hyped defender coming through the Lac St. Louis program in Quebec.

Legault, in fact, started the year in the BCHL with West Kelowna, playing in ten exhibition games (scoring one and three assists) before returning to the USHL. His rights were traded to Lincoln from Muskegon in January and he left to play for the Stars.

As you might expect, Legault is an extremely raw player. His game does not come without blemishes. Unquestionably he would be a long-term project. And as such, he tracks best as a later round pick in 2021. However, scouting is about projections and Legault has some very projectable qualities. His explosiveness and power as a skater are extremely impressive for a big defender. His skating could be a huge asset if developed properly. Legault is also a very physical defender who has a penchant for the big hit and makes himself difficult to win battles against along the wall. At the very least, he could be molded into a strong stay at home type. However, if his confidence with the puck improves, he does seem to possess the skill level to make a larger impact at both ends.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-charles-alexis_legault_-_2nd_period_11_18_-_11_40.mp4

This first clip is from Legault’s time in the BCHL earlier this season. He recovers quickly to beat an opposing forward to the puck behind his net and then starts the breakout. He then jumps up in the play and splits out wide, identifying an open left side. This helps him set up a pretty goal to a teammate with a beautiful cross ice feed.

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This clip shows off just how powerful his stride is. Reminiscent of DK Metcalf tracking down Budda Baker this year, Legault hustles back following the Lincoln turnover and catches Alex Gaffney just inside the offensive zone. And by catching, I mean manhandling him off the puck. It is this athleticism and projectability that makes Legault so interesting.

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Solid defensive sequence from Legault here. Closes quickly to negate the turnovers and uses a stick check to sweep the puck to the corner, where he follows and lays a huge hit on a Tri-City player. However, the Storm keep possession and Legault finds himself out of the play, and miscommunication near the crease nearly results in a goal against. This is where Legault can get himself in trouble by skating around looking for those big hits. Because of his skating ability, size, and reach, he has been able to be successful as a rover at lower levels, but that has caught up to him and a lack of structure in his game is what makes him such a raw defender.

WHL

Sean Tschigerl

Left Wing, Calgary Hitmen

6’0, 180lbs

The production thus far this season for the former 4th overall selection in the WHL Bantam draft has been inconsistent. However, the effort and determination have been. It is only a matter of time before he is hitting the score sheet every game. Tschigerl has long been considered one of the top forwards in this Western Canada age group, which is further represented by the ‘A’ he wore for Team Black at the 2019 Under 17’s.

Tschigerl is a very versatile winger because of his speed and tenacity. He can be used in any situation and does so for the Hitmen. His effectiveness on the forecheck is especially noticeable. Ultimately, the question is, what is the offensive upside here? He flashes high end goal scoring ability. He flashes the ability to create in transition with his speed and strong one on one moves. As of writing this, the Calgary Hitmen’s season is on pause due to a covid case, so who knows how many more games he will get in. That said, Tschigerl has certainly shown enough to warrant a place inside the Top 100. He is a low risk, high reward kind of selection, and has the kind of skill set NHL teams have been jumping on earlier, rather than later, at recent drafts.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-sean_tschigerl_-_3rd_period_11_49_-_12_2.mp4

The end result here is not a great look for the Medicine Hat goaltender; definitely a soft goal. But the creation of it by Tschigerl was very impressive. He shows off his ability to change pace quickly as he beats Cole Clayton (the WHL’s leading defenseman scorer) to the outside. The puck control was also impressive as he uses his reach to secure and protect in pulling off this net drive and goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2-sean_tschigerl_-_1st_period_13_32_-_13_44.mp4

Another skilled play and finish by Tschigerl. He gets inside position on his defender driving the net and goes skate to stick to finish on the backhand under pressure. The offensive consistency has not been there yet, but with his speed and ability to finish in tight, Tschigerl should be receiving more attention than he has been.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/3-sean_tschigerl_-_2nd_period_21_59_-_22_11.mp4

Again, this kid has great potential as a goal scorer. He was drafted so high and hyped early for good reason. Opens himself up for the one timer and pushes wide to create space and then makes no mistake with a bullet to the top shelf. That is a high end shot and release. It also makes him a dangerous powerplay weapon when utilized correctly.

Jayden Grubbe

Center, Red Deer Rebels

6’3, 200lbs

Grubbe, a powerful two-way center, is the second player on this list to suffer a season ending injury (along with the aforementioned Brent Johnson). The difference being that Grubbe managed to only play five games for Red Deer before tearing his ACL, giving scouts an extremely small sample size this season to work off of.

Much like Tschigerl, Grubbe is a highly thought of member of the 2003 WHL draft crop. Impressively, he was already serving as the captain in Red Deer as an 18-year-old, a rare feat in the CHL. Scouts were hoping to get a read on whether Grubbe’s skating had improved this season and whether he could live up to his potential as a dominant two-way force down the middle. The Rebels’ struggles this season certainly do not help the picture either, as they lost four of the five games Grubbe played (and Brent Sutter recently stepped down as head coach).

However, in watching games from last season and comparing them to this season, Grubbe appears to have worked quite hard to improve his explosiveness and overall quickness. It will still be an area requiring further work, but he certainly commanded attention in this year’s action. His attention to detail at both ends is very impressive and he is certainly not shy about using his size to excel in traffic and outwork opposing defenders. He certainly plays a prototypical heavy, pro-style game. I was also impressed with his hands and ability to protect the puck through transitional attacks. The million-dollar question is, given the nature of his injury, is there concern from NHL scouts over whether it hinders his ability to improve his skating further? Based on what I have seen, I would take that chance.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-Jayden-Grubbe-physicality.mp4

This two clip reel certainly gives you an idea of the kind of effort Grubbe provides in the defensive end and why he prides himself on being a strong two-way center. He is a very intense competitor. In the second half of that clip against Lethbridge, the player he separates from the puck is fellow 2021 draft eligible forward Zach Stringer, who is no slouch in the physicality department either. The lower body strength to ride him off the puck was impressive.

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Grubbe supports the breakout well and avoids a hit at the blueline to escape the zone cleanly. After dishing off, he skates hard to the net to open up lanes for his linemates, helping to generate a good scoring chance from the slot. You do see that his stride lacks some explosiveness though, as he regains his balance after avoiding the hit. His skating has improved, but it will need to continue to be an area of focus after he rehabs his knee.

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Even though Grubbe plays that power center role to a tee, he does possess a fair amount of skill. That is on display here with his lone goal in the WHL this season before the injury. Great finish in tight on the powerplay.

Zack Ostapchuk

Left Wing, Vancouver Giants

6’3, 200lbs

Listen, size still sells. While less emphasis is placed on it than it used to be, big forwards who can skate, bring physicality, and chip in offensively are still highly coveted by NHL scouts. That is Ostapchuk in a nutshell. The rangy winger has looked good early on with increased minutes in Vancouver and his raw combination of size and skill is definitely enticing.

A North/South attacker, Ostapchuk moves well up and down and possesses good speed for a big kid, which he uses effectively to drive the net and attack in transition. His lateral quickness, agility, and balance could all still use some work, but the basic framework is there for strong skating power forward. Ostapchuk, much like Grubbe, also shows off good hands in puck protection and is able to generate his own chances. Like a lot of bigger forwards at a young age, he will need to learn to balance his physical approach with getting himself into a better position to score. Some of the offensive inconsistency thus far can be attributed to running around a little bit, a frantic approach. But the potential is certainly there for Ostapchuk to develop into, at the very least, a high-end bottom six player at the NHL level.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-Zack-Ostapchuk-Physicality.mp4

Another great montage of physicality. First, Ostapchuk’s speed is on display as he tracks down a Prince George player on the penalty kill and then makes his presence felt physically to separate him from the puck. Ostapchuk is an impressive penalty killer because of his length and quickness. Second, he works the chip and chase and uses the reverse hit very effectively to make sure he keeps the puck alive. Unfortunately, his support is too slow and the play dies, but still an impressive physical play.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2-zack_ostapchuk_-_3rd_period_23_3_-_23_15.mp4

Notice how Ostapchuk’s speed really catches the Victoria defender flat footed. He seems to beat defenders on the regular, either on the attack or on retrievals. The question is, are the hands good enough for him to develop into a consistently impactful offensive player? Here he is not able to finish as he loses control after he gets in tight (and because of the well-placed stick check).

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Another play and another break for Ostapchuk, as he picks up speed quickly and gets in alone. This time he finishes, going five hole on the Kamloops netminder. If he can truly work on his strength on the puck and ability to maintain possession through more of these rushes, he has a chance to be a high-end role player at the NHL level because of his size and speed combination.

QMJHL

James Malatesta

Left Wing, Quebec Remparts

5’9, 180lbs

No question, the crop of forwards available from the QMJHL this year is pretty deep. James Malatesta often seems to get lost in that group; the forgotten man if you will. He is not the biggest. He is not the most skilled of the group. He does not have NHL bloodlines. However, Malatesta is an impressive player in his own right.

He first caught my eye at the Under 17’s where he showed terrific chemistry with Shane Wright on Canada Black. His performance at that event was certainly eye catching. A very strong rookie season in the QMJHL last year helped fuel more hype. However, his 2020/21 season has not been quite as impressive, with his point per game average down and the Remparts struggling as a team (only four wins in their last twelve). This has caused his stock to drop on many draft lists.

However, as mentioned, Malatesta is still an impressive prospect. He is an absolute bull on the ice and nearly impossible to separate from the puck, despite being 5’9. His speed is also extremely impressive. Not only can he skate by you, but he can skate through you. A high-volume shooter, the question remains about how high Malatesta’s offensive upside is. He has had some trouble finishing off scoring chances this season and his overall consistency has been lacking. That said, I have a lot of time for Malatesta still because I love his determination on and off the puck and I think his speed and power combination will play well at the pro level.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-james_malatesta_-_3rd_period_21_3_-_21_15.mp4

Really nice puck control on display here by Malatesta. Makes a quick move at the line and then takes away the defenders reach by putting him on his back. He then makes a couple deft moves and finds a teammate for the goal. Malatesta may not be tall, but he is so powerful and difficult to separate from the puck.

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One of the reasons that Malatesta is so difficult to contain is his speed. If the CHL Top Prospect’s Game would have actually occurred this year, I would have expected him to finish near the top in many of those on ice skating tests (especially the sprints). Look at how quickly he hits that gap and explodes past the defenders to score here.

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One of the criticisms I have seen about Malatesta’s game is his decision making with the puck and this turnover certainly is not great; a very poor read. However, no one criticizes Malatesta’s determination and effort. Again, we see his speed as he tracks down the Baie-Comeau forward to negate the breakaway and execute a perfect stick lift to neutralize the situation.

Riley Kidney

Center, Acadie-Bathurst Titan,

5’11, 168lbs

For whatever reason, Riley Kidney seems to be flying under the radar right now among QMJHL eligibles despite performing well at the 2019 Under 17’s and having the third highest point per game average among U18 players in the ‘Q.” I know our QMJHL scout Benoit Belanger is quite high on him and it was one of the reasons that I wanted to watch him play. Needless to say, I came away quite impressed.

Kidney reminds me a lot of all the reasons why I loved Tristen Robins of Saskatoon at last year’s NHL draft (a player we ranked aggressively). There really is not a true weakness in his game. He keeps his feet moving constantly in the offensive end and plays with a lot of energy. Kidney is a player who always seems to be around the puck and that speaks volumes to his IQ and awareness on the ice. It is easy to see him becoming a quality middle six center at the next level because of how many things he does well and how he elevates the play of those around him. Last year Benoit really nailed his under the radar pick in Elliot Desnoyers (who has exploded with Halifax), and I like his odds of nailing this one too.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-Riley-Kidney-Puck-Control.mp4

On a nightly basis Kidney seems to put on a clinic in puck control, as this montage shows. He is just so difficult to separate from the puck. His hands are so quick in tight spaces and his agility is excellent, making him very difficult to pin down. It is what makes him such a high-quality playmaker.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2-riley_kidney_-_1st_period_22_38_-_22_55.mp4

As mentioned, Kidney excels in all situations because of his high energy level and excellent anticipation in all three zones. Here is a perfect example of that. Shows off great anticipation by getting his stick in the slot to break up the pass, then beats Sea Dogs to the puck to chip it out, helping to set up a two on one for the Titan.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/3-riley_kidney_-_1st_period_13_2_-_13_15.mp4

Love this play by Kidney and I believe it really shows off his playmaking chops. Sure, his first shot attempt is blocked, but in reality, he is trying to put a low wrister on net as he identifies that his teammate has inside position near the crease for a redirect. When his shot is blocked, he already has an idea of what he wants to do, making a perfect seam pass to set up the goal. Kidney just seems to be consistently one step ahead of the competition.

Manix Landry

Center, Gatineau Olympiques

5’11, 180lbs

The son of former Montreal Canadiens center Eric Landry, Manix is a really interesting prospect eligible this year. A late born ‘02, his offensive production does not jump off the page at you. However, it is important to note that Gatineau is the third lowest scoring team in the QMJHL, and Landry still sits third in team scoring on top of serving as team Captain.

Interestingly enough, Manix’s father Eric was the long time coach of Gatineau prior to this season, so it is his first time playing without his father in the QMJHL.

What you notice immediately about Landry’s game is his physical intensity level. This is a kid who really plays with a chip on his shoulder and loves to get under the skin of the opposition. However, he also possesses a significant amount of skill with the puck and is an excellent play creator, especially when attacking the offensive zone with speed. He has been red hot lately, with points in 11 of his last 14 games, averaging over a point per game during that time period. If you like feisty and creative centers, then Manix Landry is your guy.

Video Samples

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-manix_landry_-_3rd_period_28_4_-_28_16.mp4

The first thing you notice about Landry’s game is his ability to create in transition and the aggressiveness with which he attacks the middle of the ice with speed. Landry uses pace changes to beat his defender one on one and then makes a skilled cut to the net where he scores on the second chance. I could have included a couple different instances just like this one.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2-manix_landry_-_1st_overtime_1_32_-_1_44.mp4

Landry has proven himself to be an excellent forechecker over his time in the QMJHL because he can use his quickness and tenacity to apply pressure and retrieve dump ins. Here we see him fight through two checks to maintain possession and then he finds an open teammate in the slot for the goal. Quite often Landry draws in second and third defenders to provide support in separating him from the puck and this opens up the ice for linemates.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/3-manix_landry_-_1st_overtime_1_32_-_1_44.mp4

As mentioned, Landry is at his best when he is playing with fire and intensity. His game really seems to pick up when he is able to make an impact physically. Here he uses the reverse hit very effectively to secure the puck along the wall. Later, we see him get a taste of his own medicine behind the net, but it is important for him to attack and play that pest like role.

Charles Alexis Legault – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #17 Carolina Hurricanes – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 17th (Last Year - 15th) GM: Eric Tulsky Hired: May 2024 COACH: Rod Brind’Amour Hired: May 2018

Bradly Nadeau, LW, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Felix Unger Sorum, RW, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Semyon Frolov, G, MHK Spartak Moscow (MHL)

Dominik Badinka, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Charlie Cerrato, C, Penn State University (NCAA)

Justin Robidas, C, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Ivan Ryabkin, C, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) (Currently with Chicago Wolves, AHL)

Nikita Artamonov, LW, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)

Charles Alexis Legault, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Jayden Perron, RW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Kurban Limatov, D, Dynamo Moscow (MHL)

Domenick Fensore, D, Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Justin Poirier, RW, University of Maine (NCAA)

Alexander Siryatsky, D, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Timur Kol, D, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

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

2023 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES PART TWO – UNITED STATES – 2nd and 3rd year NHL draft re-entry candidates

USHL

Aaron Pionk - Defense - Waterloo Blackhawks

Zaccharya Wisdom - Wing - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

Nicholas Vantassell - Center - Green Bay Gamblers

Cole Knuble - Wing/Center - Fargo Force

Eric Pohlkamp - Defense - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

Sam Harris - Wing - Sioux Falls Stampede

Jack Harvey - Center/Wing - Chicago Steel

Michael Emerson - Wing - Chicago Steel

Jake Livanavage - Defense - Chicago Steel

Matthew Perkins - Center - Youngstown Phantoms

Max Lundgren - Goaltender - Des Moines Buccaneers

Cale Ashcroft - Defense - Tri-City Storm

Joe Palodichuk - Defense - Fargo Force

Andon Cerbone - Wing/Center - Youngstown Phantoms

Cameron Korpi - Goaltender - Tri-City Storm

Ethan Whitcomb - Wing - Muskegon Lumberjacks

Chase Pietila - Defense - Youngstown Phantoms

NCAA

Tyler Duke - Defense - Ohio State

Luke Mittelstadt - Defense - University of Minnesota

Matt Copponi - Center - Merrimack College

Davis Burnside - Wing - Ohio State

Bennett Schimek - Wing - Providence College

Charles-Alexis Legault - Defense - Quinnipiac University

Jacob Guevin - Defense - University of Nebraska-Omaha

Adam Gajan - Goaltender - Chippewa Steel

USHL: 2020-21 Playoff Preview – Expect Entertaining Hockey with Chicago a Clear Favourite

Team USA

Youngstown Phantoms

Des Moines Buccaneers

Lincoln Stars

Waterloo Black Hawks

Sioux Falls Stampede

Western Conference

#1 Tri-City Storm vs #4 Fargo Force

#2 Omaha Lancers vs #3 Sioux City Musketeers

Eastern Conference

#2 Muskegon Lumberjacks vs #3 Green Bay Gamblers

2021 NHL DRAFT: UNDER THE RADAR DRAFT PICKS

Brent Johnson

Defense, Sioux Falls Stampede

5’11, 165lbs

Jack Peart

Defense, Fargo Force

5’11, 180lbs

Liam Gilmartin

Left Wing, NTDP

6’2, 190lbs

Charles Alexis Legault

Defense, Lincoln Stars

6’3, 190lbs

Sean Tschigerl

Left Wing, Calgary Hitmen

6’0, 180lbs

Jayden Grubbe

Center, Red Deer Rebels

6’3, 200lbs

Zack Ostapchuk

Left Wing, Vancouver Giants

Prospect System Ranking – 17th (Last Year - 15th)
GM: Eric Tulsky Hired: May 2024
COACH: Rod Brind’Amour Hired: May 2018