Colten Ellis – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – ST. LOUIS BLUES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #10

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:19:28 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 23: St. Louis Blues center Dalibor Dvorsky (54) skates with the puck during a regular season game where the St. Louis Blues hosted the Nashville Predators on Saturday March 23, 2025, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis MO (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 10th (May 2025 - 12th)
GM: Doug Armstrong Hired: July 2010 (Also President of Hockey Operations)
COACH: Jim Montgomery Hired: November 2024

The St. Louis Blues are hitting their stride, driven by a budding core of Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Jake Neighbours, and Pavel Buchnevich.

Off the ice, GM Doug Armstrong scored big last summer with offer-sheet acquisitions Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, both of whom have stepped into key roles to round out that core. On the blue line, Logan Mailloux joins the mix following a one-for-one swap that sent Zachary Bolduc the other way.

In the pipeline, Jimmy Snuggerud headlines the class of emerging talent. A 2025 Hobey Baker finalist, he signed late in the 2024-25 season after captaining the University of Minnesota, where he racked up 66 goals and 135 points in 119 games. Dalibor Dvorsky, the 2023 first rounder, dazzled in his AHL rookie season with Springfield and earned multiple NHL call-ups. Both are poised to compete for full-time spots in 2025-26.

Further down the depth chart, 2024 fourth-round steal Tomas Mrsic exploded for 90 points with WHL Prince Albert, ranking 10th league-wide in scoring. Otto Stenberg also impressed, transitioning seamlessly from Europe to the AHL.

The 2025 draft was more about quality than quantity, with St. Louis making just three selections but landing Justin Carbonneau 19th overall—a high-upside addition to their ranks.

Under new head coach Jim Montgomery, the Blues are transitioning from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.

St. Louis Blues Top-15 Prospects

1 - Jimmy Snuggerud

Jimmy Snuggerud, a 2022 first-round pick, has been a force at the University of Minnesota over the past three seasons. He was a driver for the Golden Gophers’ offence and even wore the “C” as captain last year. Snuggerud ended up being a Hobey Baker Award finalist after putting up 51 points last season before signing his entry-level deal with the Blues. He is a big winger with a dangerous shot, has playmaking ability, lots of skill, and a competitive streak. He could stand to get a bit faster, but that isn’t something that will prevent him from being a successful NHLer, considering his other tools. Snuggerud made an impact with the Blues last spring after joining the team and likely will be a key forward for St. Louis as a rookie this season. He should slot into the top six for the foreseeable future, as well as becoming a likely fixture on the power play.

2 - Dalibor Dvorsky

Historically, Dvorsky’s 19-year-old season in the AHL compares well to some other quality NHL players who spent an “underage” year as a pro in North America. Guys like Martin Necas, Shane Wright, Jack Roslovic, and Jiri Kluich recently performed similarly to Dvorsky from a production perspective. The big forward’s ability to attack the middle of the ice and rifle pucks from the slot and right flank has been noticeable. He’s been especially dangerous on the power play. It’s also promising that he played center pretty much all season long. After making strides as a two-way player in the OHL, Dvorsky’s play away from the puck lacked detail this past year as a pro. He also struggled at the faceoff circle. If he wants to stick down the middle, both of these areas will need to continue to improve as a professional. Dvorsky’s projection as a potential perennial 30/30 guy for the Blues has not changed and with a solid offseason, he could make a push for a full-time role next year.

3 - Logan Mailloux

Logan Mailloux has put together two very strong pro seasons with the Laval Rocket, and he should be in the mix to make the full-time jump to the St. Louis Blues this season after an offseason trade. With Mailloux, there’s no doubt that his game revolves around his intelligence. He can run a pro power play, and he has a deceptive release from the point that can beat goalies clean. He also has good size and physicality to his game, which is very important in a hopeful top four NHL defender. There are moments when Mailloux still struggles on the defensive side of the puck, but he has made considerable progress in this area and looks ready for the NHL. As long as Mailloux continues to build on what he has shown so far at the pro level, it won’t be long until we see him become a full-time top four NHL defender who can run a power play.

4 - Justin Carbonneau

Justin Carbonneau was drafted 19th overall in 2025 by the St. Louis Blues, a pick many view as a potential steal. He led the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada this season with 89 points in 62 games, ranking second in QMJHL scoring and tying for the league lead with 46 goals. After NCAA rumours surfaced, Carbonneau announced his return for a final QMJHL season. Stylistically, Carbonneau is one of the most exciting prospects in the NHL. He can completely take over games with his tools. Carbonneau is also one of the physically strongest players for his age, his stride is ridiculously powerful, his puck skills are through the roof, and his shot is also among the best in his age group. Even his playmaking vision has improved tenfold throughout the year, making him an elite all-around offensive threat. That said, Carbonneau will thrive when he is given a lot of space to operate. However, he can struggle and be frustrated against the best competition. Additionally, in the playoffs, Carbonneau was only able to score three points in five games. If he can show a consistent effort and success rate, Carbonneau can still be regarded as a big steal.

5 - Adam Jiricek

Simply put, Jiricek just didn’t play a whole lot last year. He got a late start to this season as he rehabbed his knee injury, then re-injured the same knee shortly after joining Brantford. However, he remained fairly healthy after returning from the World Juniors and helped Brantford capture first in the Eastern Conference. Watching Jiricek this past year, it was obvious that he was a player working his way back from a serious injury; he is still gaining confidence in his ability to be a playmaker with the puck. However, he was highly effective as a defensive player, showing good instincts and applying a physical approach to taking away time and space. Even if the offensive game never develops, there’s a clear path to the NHL for him as a stay-at-home type who can anchor a penalty killing unit. Given how little Jiricek has played, sending him back to the OHL for another season next year might just be best for his development, to help foster progression in his offensive game.

6 - Theo Lindstein

Lindstein came so close to both an SHL championship with Brynas and a gold medal at the WJC but lost out on both. No knock against the mobile, all-situations defenceman. He’s been nothing but rock-steady on the blueline at all levels he’s played at this season. He plays with a ton of poise and awareness in the defensive zone. He’s a tactical passer and effective puck mover who likes to jump up on the rush when he can. He’s got a pretty good rip from the point, but his offensive game doesn’t project to anything special. He's got an average frame, but he’s got an impactful physical game. While Lindstein is a jack-of-all-trades, he’s also a master of none. He’s steadily improved since his draft year, so there’s a chance he outperforms this, but Lindstein projects to be a bottom pair defenceman at the NHL level, and a really solid one at that. He’ll spend next season with AHL Springfield and will likely need some seasoning there before snagging an NHL roster spot.

7 - Otto Stenberg

Stenberg signed his ELC in January following another stellar WJC performance, but his lack of production in the SHL has been mystifying to say the least. However, Blues fans should keep the faith with him. In his half season of AHL play, Stenberg has adjusted to the pace and physicality remarkably quickly. His playmaking ability and puck handling skills have looked quite good on smaller ice and should get better with more reps. Despite struggling with inconsistency in the past, something is really clicking for him in Springfield. Stenberg could still be that middle six offensive winger that St Louis was hoping for when they drafted him, but he needs to really prove it next season. A solid full year in the AHL could see him earn a few games in the NHL, with the potential for securing a full-time role in his age 21 season.

8 - Juraj Pekarcik

Juraj Pekarcik, drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, joined the QMJHL for his DY+1 season after splitting time between Slovakia’s U20 and pro levels. Pekarcik was four days away from being a 2024 prospect, making him one of the youngest players of his draft class. This last season, Pekarcik has been a key element to the Moncton Wildcats’ historical run. In 53 games, Pekarcik put up 67 points, which ranks him second on his team, only behind top prospect Caleb Desnoyers. In the playoffs, he scored 21 points in 19 games, placing him fifth in the QMJHL playoff scoring race. The Slovak’s greatest asset is his playmaking and on-ice awareness. Despite moving between three leagues in three seasons, he has shown impressive chemistry with any linemates given. While not being a main offensive driver at the junior level, Pekarcik still showcases a high level of puck control and brings a well-rounded game. Pecarcik is able to consistently find teammates with his passes across the ice and always attempts to use his smart positioning to create passing lanes for his teammates. Additionally, his pace and defensive effort make him a promising candidate for a future bottom six NHL role with the Blues.

9 - Lukas Fischer

Fischer’s breakout season in the OHL had to be very encouraging to the Blues. He finished the season fifth among OHL blueliners with 15 goals, thanks in part to his heavy point shot. He can really rifle the puck thanks to his growing frame. Fischer also uses his size well in the defensive end to play a physically smothering brand of hockey, at times looking like his father, former Red Wing Jiri Fischer. As you might expect, considering he played for an inconsistent Sarnia club, his decision making at both ends does need further refinement. However, he has the upside to be a difference maker at both ends; the true scope of his upside remains a bit of a mystery because he’s still gaining confidence and growing into his frame. The Blues knew he was a project pick in the second round and that remains the case. However, with patience, he could end up being a great find.

10 - Quinton Burns

Burns emerged as a defensive leader in the OHL this year, operating as captain of the much-improved Kingston Frontenacs. He improved his offensive production, was among the OHL’s leaders in ice time, and further cemented his status as one of the league’s toughest defenders to match up against. His size, mobility, and physical approach make him a really tough player for opposing forwards to escape the clutches of. Not only does he defend well in transition by being aggressive with his gaps, but he’s also suffocating in tight spaces. At the next level, offence isn’t going to be his calling card, but it was great to see his decision making and breakouts become cleaner and more consistent. He’ll turn pro next year and could be the kind of defensive defender who moves quickly through the system. The Blues will learn more when he steps foot in the AHL, although he should adapt quickly to the pro game.

11 - Colten Ellis

After one full season in the AHL, Ellis proved he belongs after multiple years at the ECHL level. With Binnington locked as the starter and Hofer the backup, there isn’t room for Ellis on the roster unless an injury happens ahead of him. Ellis will be the Thunderbirds' go-to goalie for the upcoming season.

12 - Aleksanteri Kaskimaki

In a transition season, Kaskimaki had a pretty good season in the AHL with 34 points in 63 games. He’s a good shooter and finished the season with 10 power-play points. Kaskimaki’s largest issue comes with his ability in the defensive end. He was a feature on the penalty kill and only a -6, however. Kaskimaki will likely occupy a top six role for Springfield as he gets used to the North American game on both ends of the ice.

13 - Zach Dean

Last season was riddled with injuries for Zach Dean, who only played in 11 games and registered four points. Dean’s point scoring hasn’t quite developed like the Blues had hoped, and the injuries won’t help that. If he can stay healthy and generate more offence, Dean has middle six upside. If he can’t, he will likely be a high-energy fourth liner at best, but most likely an AHL regular.

14 - Colin Ralph

After a solid season with St. Cloud State in the NCAA, Ralph will transfer to Michigan State for the upcoming season. Ralph’s game is 100% defence. He utilizes his long reach and smooth skating to close gaps quickly and disrupt the play. On a Spartans team with NHL talent in front and behind him, Ralph won’t need to do anything more than play his game. He should prove to be a shutdown defenceman on a team pushing for a National Championship.

15 - Jakub Stancl

In his D+2 year, Stancl moved over from the Swedish leagues to the WHL, where he scored a point per game. He then played 10 games with Springfield, where he registered one point. Stancl plays a physically mature game but lacks the defensive presence of mind at the pro level right now. He’ll continue with Springfield this season, where he should be utilized in a bottom six role unless his scoring ramps up.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #15 St. Louis Blues – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Josh Bell — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 18:00:23 +0000

General manager Doug Armstrong has been running the show since 2010 and has won a Stanley Cup, a Conference title, three Division titles and has 10 playoff appearances. But for the first time since he took over, the St. Louis Blues have failed to make the playoffs for two straight seasons. Over those two years, the team has undergone a ‘retool’. Last season, the Blues moved on from Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ivan Barbashev, and this season seemed unsure of the direction it was going. The organization did not make any big deals but fired head coach Craig Berube and put Drew Bannister in his spot. On paper, the team is strong with Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, and Jordan Binnington all locked up for the next three-plus seasons. It also has some excellent recent graduates in Joel Hofer, Jake Neighbours, Nikita Alexandrov, and Scott Perunovich. Realistically, this team should be able to put it together around this group, potentially with some younger pieces to fit with Kyrou and Thomas.

There may be help coming as well. The Blues have a very strong, potentially underrated, prospect group, headlined by a trio of first-round picks in 2023 with 10th-overall pick Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, and Theo Lindstein. The team also have promising first-rounders in Jimmy Snuggerud and Zachary Bolduc. While it’s been fairly quiet on the trade front, getting another first-round prospect in Zach Dean from the Barbashev trade will likely look very good in a few years. Plus, the Blues have not only kept all of their picks in the first five rounds for the next three years, but they’ve added a second and third-round pick this year. Coming off two disappointing seasons, expect some moves this offseason to rattle the cage.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Dalibor Dvorsky	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	`23(10th)	52	45	43	88	17
2	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	19	6-1/185	Minnesota (B1G)	`22(23rd)	39	21	13	34	42
3	Zachary Bolduc	LW	21	6-1/175	Springfield (AHL)	`21(17th)	50	8	17	25	24
					St. Louis (NHL)	`21(17th)	25	5	4	9	6
4	Theo Lindstein	D	19	6-0/180	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	`23(29th)	49	4	11	15	4
5	Otto Stenberg	C	18	5-11/180	Frolunda (SHL)	`23(25th)	31	3	3	6	8
6	Zach Dean	C	21	6-0/175	Springfield (AHL)	T(VGK-2/23)	49	9	5	14	24
					St. Louis (NHL)	T(VGK-2/23)	9	0	0	0	6
7	Michael Buchinger	D	20	5-11/185	Guelph (OHL)	`22(88th)	52	10	37	47	37
8	Juraj Pekarcik	LW	18	6-2/185	Dubuque (USHL)	`23(76th)	43	9	50	59	22
9	Vadim Zherenko	G	23	6-2/175	Springfield (AHL)	`19(208th)	29	12	14	3.49	0.904
10	Tanner Dickinson	C	22	6-0/155	Orlando (ECHL)	`20(119th)	45	8	18	26	12
11	Aleksanteri Kaskimaki	LW	20	6-0/195	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	`22(73rd)	48	10	7	17	14
12	Quinton Burns	D	19	6-1/180	Kingston (OHL)	`23(74th)	58	6	29	35	120
13	Leo Loof	D	22	6-1/180	Springfield (AHL)	`20(88th)	58	0	7	7	27
14	Dylan Peterson	RW	22	6-4/200	Boston University (HE)	`20(86th)	35	8	12	20	73
15	Colten Ellis	G	23	6-1/190	Orlando (ECHL)	`19(93rd)	21	12	5	2.45	0.923

1. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Drafted 10th overall in 2023, Dalibor Dvorsky's season was a story of adaptation. A brief stint in the SHL with IK Oskarshamn proved challenging, highlighting the struggle for ice time in a men’s league. However, the move to the OHL's Sudbury Wolves was a breath of fresh air. He exploded offensively, putting up a dominant 88 points in 52 games. His blend of size, skill, and skating translated well against his peers. While the offensive outburst is impressive, questions remain. Can Dvorsky replicate this production against tougher competition? There are also whispers about inconsistency in his game. Despite the point totals, there’s a need to see a more well-rounded effort at both ends of the ice. Overall, this season showcased his high offensive ceiling. He will likely spend next year in the AHL, where he'll face a steeper challenge. How he adjusts will determine if his scoring prowess can translate to the pro game.

2. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Drafted 23rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, Jimmy Snuggerud opted to stay in the NCAA for his sophomore year at the University of Minnesota. The decision paid off. He emerged as a top line forward, leading the Golden Gophers with 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) in 39 games. He showcased a well-rounded skillset, combining impressive skating with a knack for finding the net. Not just a scorer, though. He displayed a strong work ethic and a willingness to battle for pucks along the walls. That performance earned him First-Team All-Big Ten honours. While there is a need to improve his decision-making at times, the overall development suggests he's on the right track to becoming a valuable NHL contributor. Having NHL bloodlines and the knowledge gained from a couple of years with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program have been huge factors in the steep upwards trajectory of his growth, and he is only just getting started.

3. Zach Bolduc, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Zach Bolduc, the 17th overall pick in 2021, enjoyed a strong rookie season with the St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Living up to his talented, opportunistic scorer label, he notched 25 points in 50 games, earning a call up to the big club where he spent another 25 games. His hand-eye coordination and ability to finish around the net were on full display. However, questions about consistency remain. While flashes of brilliance were common, stretches of disappearing acts persisted. His decision-making also needs refinement, as evidenced by occasional turnovers. Despite these areas for improvement, the offensive explosion is undeniable. The Blues have a potential top-six winger on their hands but unlocking his full potential hinges on developing a more well-rounded game. The upcoming season will be crucial in determining if Bolduc can translate his scoring prowess to the NHL level permanently.

4. Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas IF (SHL)

Theo Lindstein, the Blues' first round pick (29th overall) in 2023, spent most of his season in Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan with Brynas IF. He had a solid year in terms of playing time – Lindstein logged a solid 49 games. However, the offensive production some craved wasn't quite there (four goals, 11 assists). Lindstein's calling card remains his defensive acumen. His positioning and ability to shut down attackers stand out as strengths. But the offensive side of his game, once viewed as a potential strength, appears raw. Consistency with his puck skills and decision-making is lacking. While the lack of points might raise eyebrows, it's important to remember Lindstein is just 19. This stint was a chance to adapt to the pro game, and defensively, he seems to have done that well. The question for the Blues: can he develop his offensive tools and become a more well-rounded defenseman? The answer will determine his NHL timeline.

5. Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda HC (SHL)

Drafted 25th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, Otto Stenberg's season was a mixed bag. He split his time between three leagues, showcasing his versatility but raising questions about his long-term fit. In the SHL with Frölunda HC, his production was modest (six points in 31 games). However, he impressed at the World Junior Championships (WJC), contributing nine points in seven games. A loan stint with BIK Karlskoga in Sweden's second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan yielded nine points in nine games. Stenberg's calling card remains his well-rounded skillset. He boasts excellent skating, a strong shot, and solid hockey IQ. However, he’ll need to show that he can translate that into more consistent offensive production, particularly at the pro level. The Blues haven't signed him yet, and his future landing spot remains uncertain. But his flashes of brilliance suggest he has the tools to be a valuable asset, assuming he can put it all together.

6. Zach Dean, C, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Zach Dean's first pro season with the St. Louis Blues organization was a bumpy ride. Acquired from Vegas, Dean struggled to translate his dominant QMJHL scoring (70 points in 50 games) to the AHL. His point production in Springfield (nine goals, five assists in 49 games) was underwhelming. Some of this can be attributed to adjusting to a new team and tougher competition, but Dean's inconsistency was a recurring theme. There were flashes of his offensive brilliance – a highlight-reel goal here, a smart playmaking there – but stretches of invisibility plagued his performance. Questions about Dean's defensive awareness also remain. While known for his physicality, his defensive positioning needs refinement. The Blues likely view him as a long-term project, but Dean will need to find more consistency and improve his defensive play to earn an NHL call-up. This season was a learning experience, but next year will be crucial in determining his NHL potential.

7. Michael Buchinger, D, Guelph Storm (OHL)

Buchinger's third season in the OHL offered glimpses of his offensive potential, but consistency remains a question mark, especially as he took a step back in terms of production. Drafted 88th overall by St. Louis in 2022, the 19-year-old defenseman spent his season with the Guelph Storm. His skating and puck-moving ability were evident, and the alternate captain racked up 47 points in 52 games - 20 points shy of his previous season total. The offensive flashes are encouraging, but there is some concern about how his defensive decision-making will look at the pro level. Can he translate his offensive production while tightening up in his own zone? The answer will determine how quickly Buchinger reaches the NHL. For now, he's a boom-or-bust prospect with a high ceiling, but development is crucial.

8. Juraj Pekarcik, LW, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Juraj Pekarcik is a dynamic and physical winger with a tantalizing combination of speed, skill, and aggression. He excels in puck battles, using his quick feet and strong frame to outmuscle opponents and generate scoring chances. Pekarcik's shot is heavy and accurate, and his vision and anticipation allow him to find open teammates and create opportunities. He's also a relentless forechecker, using his speed and physicality to harass defenders and force turnovers. What might stand out the most is his intelligence though, consistently finding himself in the right place at the right time and making solid decisions with the puck. With continued development, Pekarcik has the potential to become a top-six forward and a key contributor on the St. Louis Blues' top lines. His upside as a high-scoring, physical winger makes him an exciting prospect for the Blues.

9. Vadim Zherenko, G, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Seventh-round pick Vadim Zherenko's 2023-24 season offered glimpses of his potential but lacked consistency. After a strong showing at the St. Louis Blues' prospect camp, Zherenko spent the entire year with their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. His numbers (12 wins, 13 losses, .904 save percentage) paint an inconsistent picture. There were flashes of brilliance – highlight-reel saves and stretches of dominant play. However, lapses in focus and rebound control proved costly at times. While his raw talent is undeniable, Zherenko needs to tighten up his game to challenge for the starting role in the AHL next season. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining his NHL timeline. Can he develop the consistency needed to be a reliable pro netminder? Blues fans will be watching closely.

10. Tanner Dickinson, C, Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

Tanner Dickinson has had numerous impacts on his development including the cancelled OHL season due to COVID-19 and then he missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a broken femur. He returned this season and is now working to get his career on track, spending 2023-24 split between the ECHL and AHL. He is a skilled and savvy center with a well-rounded game. He excels as a playmaker, using his exceptional vision and anticipation to find open teammates and create scoring chances. Dickinson's quick hands and accurate shot make him a threat from the slot, and his speed and agility allow him to navigate through traffic with ease. He's also a responsible defender, using his active stick and positioning to disrupt opponents' cycles. With continued development, Dickinson has the potential to become a top-six forward and a key contributor on the St. Louis Blues' power play. His upside as a playmaking center with a scoring touch makes him an exciting prospect in the Blues' pipeline.

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

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – ST. LOUIS BLUES – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Chapin Landvogt, Ethan Hetu, Dylan Krill, — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 20:44:46 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 22: St. Louis Blues defenseman Scott Perunovich (48) during a NHL game between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the St. Louis Blues on November 22, 2021, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire),

1 -Scott Perunovich D

Last year was actually Perunovich’s rookie pro season. The former Hobey Baker winner injured his shoulder after turning pro and missed the entire 2020-21 season. Splitting time between St. Louis and Springfield, he was an immediate stand out. In the AHL, he was one of the league’s best defenders, even as a rookie. With the Blues, even in a limited role, he was impressive. That is why the Blues activated Perunovich from the IR in the middle of the playoffs and put him in the lineup and on the powerplay. Of course, the Blues had to activate him off the injured list in the first place because he missed an extended period of time after wrist surgery. Is he proving to be injury prone as an NHL player? Too early to say, but the undersized defender does need to stay healthy this year to prove that he is durable enough to be a longtime NHL player. What is clear is that Perunovich is talented enough to be a top four, puck moving defender. He skates well. He is highly intelligent. He is competitive. He has the potential to be one of the NHL’s elite powerplay quarterbacks. The only question mark is durability. Looking at St. Louis’ blueline currently, one might wonder how Perunovich can earn playing time. Their depth is strong. Yet, you could also argue that they need to find a way to get him in there every game because he has the talent to be a difference maker. - BO

2 - Zachary Bolduc C

55 goals. That’s how many goals Zachary Bolduc scored for the Quebec Remparts last season, and it is entirely possible that he breaks the 60-mark next season. Bolduc plays a very projectable game as a top 6 player: He’s relentless in transition, can score from anywhere on the ice and dangle with ease through opponents. This playstyle is what made the St. Louis Blues draft him 17^th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. Playing in his DY-1 season with the Oceanic Rimouski alongside Alexis Lafrenière made a lot of people question if he was really all that great or if he was just a product of the superstar. In his draft +1 year, he proved all the doubters wrong and was a crucial piece for the Rimouski Oceanic. Returning to the QMJHL this season, there is still lots of room for him to improve. He can stand to get quicker. He can continue to improve his off puck play and consistency playing through traffic. He can continue to improve on his decision making with the puck. Thus far, his progression has gone extremely well, and he does appear to be tracking towards being a future top six contributor for the Blues. - EB

3 - Jake Neighbours LW

The Blues were so impressed by Neighbours and his ability to excel in a support role that they gave him a nine-game audition to start the 2021/22 season. While they did ultimately return him to Edmonton, it speaks volumes as to their love for him as a player. The return to Edmonton was great for Neighbours, however, as he captained the Oil Kings to a WHL Championship. Off the puck, Neighbours is at his best. He is relentless on the forecheck and backcheck and has both the speed and strength to force turnovers regularly. He is also an intelligent complementary offensive piece with how he finds soft spots in coverage, works to maintain possession along the wall, and gets himself to the net front. While his finishing ability and hands probably only grade out to being average, perhaps limiting his offensive potential at the NHL level, he does so many other things well that it is very likely he carves out a long career in the NHL as a middle six player who can play in a variety of different situations. There is a strong chance that Neighbours makes St. Louis in a checking line role this season, however, they may also opt to send him to the AHL to allow him to build confidence in his offensive abilities and adjust to the speed of the pro game. Either way, he is likely very close to being a full time St. Louis Blue. - BO

4 - Jimmy Snuggerud RW

While Jimmy Snuggerud might have fallen under the radar a bit by playing frequently on a line with 2022 top-five picks Logan Cooley and Cutter Gauthier, Snuggerud’s rise up draft boards to ultimately being selected 23rd overall by the Blues wasn’t simply due to him riding his linemates’ coattails. No, Snuggerud is a promising, intriguing prospect in his own right. So much of his game is devoted to maximizing whoever he’s playing with. Cooley and Gauthier are both top prospects on their own but playing with Snuggerud undoubtedly gave their games a strong boost. HIs six-foot-one frame is well-filled despite being on the younger side for his draft class and displays his strength regularly on the ice. Snuggerud is an adept protector of the puck, and he approaches board battles tactically, finding the best way to leverage his strength into success in physical engagements. He knows he’s stronger than many other players, but he doesn’t simply rely on that strength to carry his game. He views his strength as simply one of his tools, and that approach is evidenced by his well-rounded offensive approach. He’s just as comfortable setting up teammates from the perimeter as he is heading through the middle of the ice and creating chances from the more difficult areas other wingers would stay away from. Snuggerud’s small-area game is quite developed as well, and he’s just as comfortable finding a play along the boards as he is firing a crisp open-ice pass. The most notable weakness in his game is his skating, and his lack of a separation gear could limit his offensive upside in the NHL. If Snuggerud can keep his skating above water and continue to create space for playmaking through his puck protection, he could be a scoring-line power forward in the NHL. If his offense plateaus due to his lack of foot speed, there’s still a promising NHL future for Snuggerud a role player. - EH

5 - Joel Hofer G

A late bloomer, Hofer just keeps getting better, season after season. In 2020, he was a standout in the WHL with Portland and backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the World Juniors, capturing the tournament’s top goaltender award in the process. Even last season, his second pro year, he showed remarkable growth over the course of the season. He helped Springfield advance deep into the Calder Cup playoffs and was one of the AHL’s best netminders in the closing months. That bodes well for this year, where he will be carrying a ton of confidence and momentum as a player and prospect. The Blues’ goaltender of the future has pushed through a crowded crease (St. Louis has four netminders under the age of 22 under contract) to rise to the top. In a lot of ways Hofer resembles current NHL netminder Matt Murray. With a tall, lanky frame (6’5, 172lbs), he takes away the bottom of the net so well and his positioning and play tracking ability are sound. He will need to continue to improve his agility and quickness to better challenge pro shooters and have more control over his body, but he has the potential to be the heir apparent to Jordan Binnington in St. Louis’ crease. The Blues will send Hofer back to the AHL this coming season in hopes that he can be one of the league’s top netminders. If he plays like he did in last year’s playoffs, he will be. - BO

6 - Nikita Alexandrov C

It is hard not to see Alexandrov developing into an NHL player in some shape or form. He is such a versatile player, with a game that has few weaknesses. He is a competitive two-way player. He is poised with the puck and has good vision down low. He is a strong forechecker. He is a strong skater. One might look at his mediocre AHL production last year and question his NHL upside, however he still finished fifth in team scoring on a very stacked veteran team. He was among Springfield’s best players in the AHL playoffs, helping them go on a deep run. For those reasons, many believe that Alexandrov is actually very close to earning a spot in the Blues’ lineup. He could easily start lower in the lineup and eventually earn his way up. For now, the Blues will send the former QMJHL standout back to Springfield for another season, where they hope that he will take a step forward offensively and be a leader at the AHL level. Even with a ton of fringe veteran depth at the forward position, he could play his way into an injury callup should the need arise. A projected middle six forward, Alexandrov may be among the game’s most underrated prospects. - BO

7- Simon Robertsson RW

The 71^st overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, Robertsson was viewed higher in the public sphere before falling to the third round into grateful the hands of the St. Louis Blues. Robertsson is best known for his wicked shot, which has a precise release point that is often accurate while packing a punch. When he doesn’t have the puck, Robertsson always seems to be lurking in the high-danger scoring areas waiting for a pass from his teammates. When transitioning the puck, he loves to attack the middle of the ice, using speed and deception to get inside access. He is also a proficient forechecker, often being aggressive in his opportunities to strip the opposition of the puck. Robertsson split the past couple of seasons between the J20 and the SHL. In his draft year, he produced 20 points in 15 J20 games while also adding 2 points over 22 SHL games. This past season he produced similarly, with 14 goals and 23 points in 21 J20 games, while playing a more limited role in the SHL, often between 2-11 minutes per game, in which he scored 5 times in 48 appearances. Blues fans are hoping that he is given a larger scoring role in the SHL this year and is able to prove why many in the public sphere believed he should have been selected higher. - ZS

8 - Michael Buchinger

The 88th selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Michael Buchinger was one half of one of the best young defense pairings in the OHL last season, playing with 2023 NHL Draft eligible Cam Allen. After missing the 2020-2021 OHL season due to the Covid-19 shutdown, Buchinger, like others, had to make the adaptation quickly to standout in his draft year. During the 2021-2022 season, Buchinger was able to compliment Allen’s play perfectly, having great positioning away from the puck, understanding when to play conservative to allow Allen to be more aggressive and just making smart and simple plays with great execution. One thing that stands out with Buchinger is that he always looks calm and plays with such poise, never looking overwhelmed. Being utilized in all situations, Buchinger was a big asset to the Strom, eating big minutes and playing on both special teams. At the end of the season Buchinger finished with 44 points (5G,39A) in 63 games, which was 17th in points and 12th in assists in the league by a defenseman and also 2nd in points in the league by a rookie defenseman. Buchinger’s best assets are his hockey sense and competitiveness. He seems to make other teammates better when he’s on the ice, doing the dirty work and making the simple plays so efficiently. He’s a great puck mover, especially in transition where he’s able to connect on stretch passes through traffic to move the puck quickly out of the defensive zone. Buchinger is very effective along the boards, using both a strong active stick to apply pressure and his body to use physicality when needed to knock his opponents off the puck. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Buchinger and his teammate Cam Allen will be one of the leagues best defensive pairings in the league. You could expect an increase in points. - DK

9 - Tanner Dickinson C

Dickinson was in the midst of a breakout year with the Soo Greyhounds when it all came crashing down. Sent flying into the boards, the speedy forward suffered a broken femur and missed the rest of the season. In fact, Dickinson is still rehabbing the injury as of this writing, in order to be ready for the start of Blues’ training camp, but that is no guarantee. As alluded to, skating is his strength. He is lightning quick. Dickinson loves to attack the offensive zone with pace, pushing defenders back on their heels. He also uses his speed to apply pressure on both the forecheck and backcheck. His strength on and off the puck, along with his physical involvement were all significantly improved, at least before the injury. How the injury impacts his development moving forward remains to be seen. That said, the Blues should be happy with how he performed in the OHL and with the progression he has already shown. At some point, when healthy, Dickinson will play at the AHL level this year. Tempering expectations will be important as he regains his touch and confidence. However long term, he possesses some intriguing qualities that could make him an NHL player in some capacity. - BO

10 - Aleksanteri Kaskimaki LW

A solidly built 6-foot, 182-pound multi-dimensional forward, Kaskimäki was selected in the third round of this summer’s draft by the St. Louis Blues. Fully expected to continue his development with the HIFK program in Helsinki, where he could split time between the senior and U20 teams, Kaskimäki got his name entrenched in the scouts’ notebooks when he scored 3 goals at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, then proceeded to put up 19 goals, 40 points, and a +19 in just 31 games for HIFK’s U20 squad. A brief stint in for the Liiga side was also successful. All this earned the strong-skating lefty shot a spot at the U18 Worlds, where he contributed 4 points over 6 games, helping his nation win the bronze. His late tip-in goal against Canada to push the game to overtime was one of the tournament highlights. Kaskimäki is a hustler who looks to create space for his wrist shot, a preferred weapon that has exceptional velocity. Shifty in tight corners, he makes optimal use of his husky build to protect the puck and bully his way through traffic. Give him space and he can deke. He is also very comfortable moving through traffic and parking himself in the opposition slot. Overall, Kaskimäki is a raw player who St. Louis can be patient with over the next few seasons. A strong fall could very well lead to a spot at the WJC in Moncton. – CL

11 - Leo Loof

A steady stay at home defender, Loof switched from his native Sweden to playing in Finland last season and the results were excellent as he helped Ilves to a third-place finish. He will play in Liiga again this year and continue to improve his confidence with the puck.

12 - Tyler Tucker

The focus for Tucker has always been to improve his feet and that’s exactly what he has been doing. The stocky defender already wore an “A” for Springfield last season in his second year of pro and his throwback, physical style could make him a future third pairing type.

13 - Matt Kessel

Kessel, a steady and physical stay at home defender with a big shot, turned pro at the end of last season and was an impact player for Springfield, helping them advance deep into the AHL playoffs. If he continues to improve his mobility, he could move quickly through the system.

14 - Arseni Koromyslov

A raw two-way defender, Koromyslov had a bit of a disappointing draft year in the MHL and was selected late in the fourth round by St. Louis. He possesses some intriguing skills but will take time to develop.

15 - Alexei Toropchenko

The former Guelph Storm winger closed out last season with the Blues. The big forward can drive the net and control the puck down low, but his offensive game looks limited.

16 - Hugh McGing

The speedy and creative undersized forward was much better in the AHL as a sophomore, but he will need to take another step forward offensively this season in order to stay in St. Louis’ plans.

17 - Dylan Peterson

The Blues knew that Peterson was going to be a project pick when they drafted him in 2020. The big center skates well and has the profile to be a great shutdown pivot, however his puck skill and IQ limits were unknown. He took a big step forward as a sophomore with Boston University and could do so again this season as a junior.

18 - Keean Washkurak

Washkurak proved to be a solid depth piece for Springfield in his first pro season. The high energy forward can kill penalties and excel on the forecheck. His pro potential may be limited.

19 - Colten Ellis

The former third round pick played most of his first pro season in the ECHL thanks to St. Louis’ goaltending depth. He may have to again this season too.

20 - Noah Beck

The older brother of Calgary prospect (and OHL’er) Jack Beck, Noah is a big, right shot defender who is coming off a breakout year at Clarkson. He is quite mobile for his frame (6’4) and is improving in the defensive end. Not to be confused with the TikTok star and former soccer player.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: ST. LOUIS BLUES – RANK: #24 – TIER IV

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 00:46:21 +0000

St. Louis Blues

#24 St. Louis - Another case of small draft classes killing depth. This system has a huge dropoff after the top seven.

Jake Neighbours

Jake Neighbours

Jake Neighbours is an effort-based player whose work and desire are never questioned in a game. Not huge, Neighbours is still incredibly strong with a good base that allows him to protect the puck with a wide stance. He has a good burst, and his top speed is fine, but he isn’t a natural burner. When he doesn’t have the puck, he is dogged in pursuit of it. On the forecheck he is very effective as the first man. He closes guys off and takes away options, overall creating chaos and forcing turnovers which can be used to create offensive scoring chances.

In the offensive zone he is more than just a worker as he has some deft puck skills and creativity with the puck. He can move away from pressure and create lanes for his passes. He is a dual threat with a good shot and very good passing ability. He is a player that can hold onto the puck in traffic for that extra second to make a play, and he is comfortable moving through traffic with the puck. Neighbours is a player that will have to prove his offensive chops in the AHL before moving up, but he has the potential to be a middle six, all situations winger. First, he will return to the WHL this season and should be among the leading scorers in the league with an elite Edmonton Oil Kings team. - VG

Zachary Bolduc

The Rimouski centre has several redeeming qualities as a player: visibly silky hands, a relatively fluid and fully extended stride in straight lines when he exerts himself, and a penchant for getting a ton of pucks on net (8.7 shot attempts / 4.27 shots on goal per game). But for Bolduc, his in-game implementation doesn’t allow him to truly leverage his strengths as a player. As such, he may be one of the higher risk players selected in 2021.

A high-volume shooter and strong puckhandler, Bolduc’s scoring potential is high. Armed with a powerful wrist shot and a bevy of confidence, Bolduc is a threat to score from anywhere on the ice. Bolduc also has the potential to develop into a high-end NHL skater. He can show flashes of explosiveness and velocity in straight lines when pursuing loose pucks and can hit gaps quickly to capitalize on scoring chances. Something that could really aid Bolduc to become a more consistent player is adding strength to his lanky frame. Offensively, he will make the effort to initiate contact and get inside of opponents – which is an encouraging habit when it comes to his effort level offensively – but seldom does he emerge in a beneficial situation given his current general lack of strength. A first round talent (and selection by the Blues) because of his offensive potential, Bolduc does not come without some risk attached. If all of his skills do blend together eventually and he becomes more consistent, Bolduc could emerge as a top six center for the Blues. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Klim Kostin

Kostin's 2020/21 season was the hockey remake of The Ugly Duckling story. A good chunk of time has passed since he was drafted by the Blues in the first round and his development at the AHL level did not go as planned. When he arrived on loan to the KHL, he actually struggled as he was looking lost on the ice, failing to impress his coaches. Coach Bob Hartley was patient with him though, as his game improved over the course of the season. Hartley turned him not into a beautiful swan, but rather into a crushing beast: Kostin started to hit everything that moved and if it didn't move, he would just move it himself. With that being said he did more in his KHL stint than serve as a pugilist; he was an effective offensive player who blended power and skill, just as he was supposed to do when drafted.

Heading into the next season Kostin should be ready to finally take on a full-time role with the Blues as he is a NHL-ready power forward now and can contribute on that level. He always had the talent, and he now knows how to utilize it properly. Kostin just needs the opportunity and if the Blues are smart, they will supply him with it. He may have to start on the lower lines and work his way up, but Kostin projects as a middle six power forward who can be an intimidating net front presence on the powerplay. - VF

Scott Perunovich

As last season finally got underway, Perunovich was a taxi squad member. Coming off a Hobey Baker Award, given to a defenseman who led his conference in scoring, and prior to that being a critical member of back-to-back NCAA champions in Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich was previously an easy choice as St. Louis’ top prospect. He was very much expected to find his way into NHL games soon, as a key piece of their blueline of the future. And then in mid-February, it was announced that he would be undergoing shoulder surgery that would keep him off the ice for the remainder of the season.

So Perunovich did not play last year, bringing a screeching halt to the amazing progress he had made on the ice after going undrafted in his first two years of eligibility, first as an incredibly raw high schooler, and then as a skilled, but inconsistent and very weak off-the-puck defender in the USHL. His game took off in college, and those three years – plus a freshman season interlude with Team USA at the WJC that really cemented the attention of NHL scouts – are what we have to go off now. His fantastic skating should not have been impacted by the shoulder injury, and hopefully his puck skills are also unaffected. Noting that he is expected to be healthy for the start of 2021-22, everything else is wait and see. - RW

Simon Robertsson

The 6’0 winger has a very well-rounded skill set, but also possesses a fair amount of offensive potential because of his shooting ability. Bouncing around between the J20, SHL, HockeyEttan and the Swedish national teams, Robertsson’s production was not always consistent. However, his effort and engagement usually were. That is why it was surprising to see him fall to the third round this past draft.

Robertsson’s shot and scoring ability were among the best in this draft class. He is also a reliable and consistent player without the puck. He excels on the forecheck due to his good top speed and compete level. He shows good awareness and anticipation in the offensive end, especially in the slot area where pucks just seem to find his stick. Obviously, he is not a perfect player; he does have some characteristics that need to improve and those do partially explain his inconsistencies. The first is his decision making with the puck. Additionally, scouts are looking for him to continue to add more dynamics to his stride, especially while in possession of the puck. If Robertsson’s development goes according to plan, he has the chance to be a top six goal scoring winger who can play in a variety of situations for the Blues (including likely becoming a top penalty killing option). However, even if his play with the puck never improves, he does enough things well to suggest that he could make a reliable middle six supporting winger who can line up alongside more skilled players to help finish off plays and provide two-way stability. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Nikita Alexandrov

Certainly not a sexy prospect, Alexandrov has a terrific chance of developing into an NHL player in the future because of his well-rounded skill set. Previously, he spent three solid years in the QMJHL with Charlottetown and was a top performer at the World Juniors as a 20-year-old. Last season, he started the year with KooKoo in Liiga (Finland), performing well in a middle six role, before finishing with Utica in the AHL.

As mentioned, Alexandrov is a very polished player who should find immediate success at the pro level in North America. He skates well. He protects the puck well. He is competitive in all three zones and excels as a forechecker. He can play any role that is asked of him. While he may not have first line upside, Alexandrov does possess the ability to be a capable middle six forward for the Blues in the near future. A strong first full season in the AHL this season should give management an indication of how close he is to reaching that potential. Given the strength of St. Louis’ farm system currently, there could be an opening for him to move quickly. - BO

Joel Hofer

It was an up-and-down pro debut for Hofer, who made 10 appearances in goal for the Utica Comets, winning four of 10 games with fairly pedestrian numbers but with two shutout performances as well, showcasing a glimpse of the form he displayed in junior and at the WJC backstopping Canada to gold in 2020. Hofer is a calm, patient goalie who stays square to shooters and utilizes his fantastic size well. Although he doesn’t move much in net, his reflexes are excellent and he reads the play well. His focus and mindset bode well for handling a starter’s workload at some point in the future, if he continues to refine his mechanics and gain more experience at the pro level, as he is quite raw still.

The pandemic didn’t help matters, shortening the past two seasons that were critical in his development. Hofer needs playing time and will hopefully get it as he has the inside track to be the Comets starter in 2021-22, though he will have to hold off the likes of Evan Fitzpatrick or even the fast-rising Colten Ellis. An important season looms. He still possesses the best odds of any young goalie in the system to push Jordan Binnington for starts in the St. Louis crease in the future. - AS

Tyler Tucker

All things considered, Tucker’s first pro season with Utica was highly successful. He established himself as a top four defender for the Comets, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game. While the offensive production may have been somewhat limited, Tucker anchored Utica’s penalty killing unit and demonstrated that he could be a standout in the defensive zone at the AHL level.

The key to Tucker’s development has always been his ability to improve his conditioning and skating ability. His lack of mobility was the primary reason he initially fell to the seventh round in 2018. However, he has worked very hard to become a better overall skater and the results showed at the AHL level last season. He looks every bit a future NHL defender, at the very least as a high end third pairing/depth option. With his physicality and defensive approach transitioning seamlessly, Tucker will look to increase his confidence and effectiveness with the puck this coming season, perhaps even earning a greater look on the powerplay so he can utilize his booming point shot. While Tucker may not be an NHL player for a few years still, his progression is on the right path. - BO

Keean Washkurak

Washkurak is another OHL player who was forced to find an alternative means to playing this past season due to the pandemic cancellation. Along with a few Ontario players, Washkurak went to Slovakia to play in the second men’s league, performing very admirably. At the conclusion of his Slovak season, he joined Utica for a brief time, but this coming season will serve as his first full year in the AHL.

Washkurak is like a waterbug on the ice; his energy level is infectious. An intense competitor, he excels on the forecheck, in the defensive zone, and on the penalty kill. As an offensive player, Washkurak’s best assets are his ability to push the pace with his speed, and his vision with the puck. While his offensive potential at the NHL level is likely rather limited, he does have the potential to be an NHL player because of his quickness and well-rounded skill set that is tailored to be a checking line player for the Blues in the future. Look for Washkurak to spend a few seasons in the AHL first, building up confidence in his offensive abilities, before he makes the jump. - BO

Dylan Peterson

There are only a few teams in which Peterson would fit as a top 10 prospect, and even with St. Louis, one of the shallower systems in the league, he just barely worked his way on. A third round pick out of the USNTDP as a very big and rangy center with tremendously advanced defensive utility, the Blues would not have been expecting a big scorer here. So, his meagre six point output as a freshman at Boston University should not have been a surprise in the least.

He was still able to flash the attributes that got him drafted in the first place. The size is an asset as mentioned. He will do anything to help his team win, for example excelling as a shot blocker. He didn’t play as traditionally physical a game as a freshman as one might hope, but he is by no means a shy player. The other impressive element of his game that stuck around is his great skating. He has a very fluid, clean stride and he simply eats up the ice at full speed. Those traits made him a trusted penalty killer as a freshman, and they will help him eventually reach his floor as a prospect, that being as a bottom six forward who can keep things very tight playing shut-down hockey. Not exciting, but pretty useful regardless. - RW

Colten Ellis

Ellis, playing as an overager in the QMJHL this past season, posted the best save percentage and the best GAA in the league on a strong Charlottetown team. The former third rounder took the steps forward that St. Louis wanted to see and now heads into his first pro season riding a wave of confidence.

Tanner Dickinson

Due to the cancellation of the 2020/21 OHL season, Dickinson barely played last year, seeing marginal action with Utica in the AHL under an exemption. The speedy playmaker will be a go-to player for the Soo Greyhounds this year, as he looks to make up for lost time and development.

Matt Kessel

An NCAA champion last year with UMass, Kessel emerged as one of Hockey East’s top two-way defenders as a sophomore. The heavy hitting and hard shooting 6’3 defender will return to the Minutemen, wearing an ‘A” this coming season.

Jake Walman

Time is running out for this former NCAA All Star to become more than just organizational depth for the Blues. He did spend the entire year with the Blues but played sporadically. The sixth defender position is clearly up for grabs going into training camp and Walman will look to secure it.

Mathias Laferriere

An impact player in the QMJHL the past three seasons, Laferriere is an intelligent and versatile forward who has a chance to carve out a career as a bottom six forward for the Blues. He will finally turn pro this season and will probably need a few years in the AHL to build up his confidence offensively before making the jump.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: St. Louis Blues Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 21:49:03 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 New York Rangers prospects for the 2020-21 season. You can read an organizational assessment prior to the draft in Ryan Wagman's article found here. Following the draft we provided a review on each teams performance based on our rankings found here.

Scott Perunovich, D (45^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

There are late bloomers and there are late exploders. A few weeks after signing with the Blues, shortly after the premature end of his freshman season with Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich justifiably won the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top men’s ice hockey player in NCAA. He is very small, but his skating has improved since being drafted to now be a real draw for his game. He can generally hold his own in his own end, but the best way I can describe his game is by recapping the sequence that led to a goal against Western Michigan this year. Perunovich got puck at his own blueline, and tried to pass it to center ice, but the puck went off an opponent's skate, bouncing right back to the man in question, who then skated it past center ice and passed to a teammate on the right boards. Immediately after passing, Perunovich kicked into overdrive and charged the net, getting the pass back from the same teammate a few feet from the crease, where he proceeded to chip it over a diving goalie and into the net. Between his high-end skating, hands, creativity and vision, Perunovich could be a star. – RW

Jake Neighbours, LW (26^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

More steady than flashy, Neighbours has a stocky frame and more strength than many in this draft class, making him difficult to play against, and especially strong on faceoffs and in puck battles at either end. Even though he is not overly aggressive, he doesn’t shy away from physical play and is a very effective forechecker. The strength of his game is as a playmaker. His passing game is high end as he sees lanes that few others can, with the ability to execute on those options at will. He is equally as comfortable setting up linemates from his backhand as he is from his forehand, allowing him to play on either side of center. Neighbours will quarterback from the top of the slot and either cycle, or penetrate the home plate area, depending on the defensive structure. A high-volume shooter, Neighbours could be even more effective as a playmaker if he was more judicious in his shooting, notwithstanding a quick release that can take advantage of gaps from any angle, forehand or backhand. Regardless, I think the young center will continue to make the adjustments to maximize his ability in this game. – RW

Tyler Tucker, D (200^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

By improving his conditioning and becoming a more powerful and fluid four-way skater, Tucker has emerged as a serious contender for a future NHL blueline job. A throwback player, he relishes playing the body. He is very aggressive in trying to deny zone entries by stepping up on would be attackers. His improved skating has allowed him to have better gap control. He also possesses some above average offensive qualities. His booming point shot gives him the potential to quarterback a powerplay. With an improved stride, Tucker was able to make more of a consistent impact frequently jumping up into or leading the rush. Blues fans should be very happy with his progression and emergence as a legitimate NHL prospect. With his physical approach and underrated puck skills, he has the potential to develop into a quality #4-5 defender who can play in all situations. Continued improvement will be needed from his skating, primarily to maintain a stout defensive projection. Patience will be required, and he may need a few years in the AHL to adapt to the speed of the pro game. – BO

Klim Kostin, RW (31^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 3)

Sooner or later, the powerful and skillful forward was going to figure it all out; on came the 2019-20 season. Kostin reached new career highs in goals and points in the AHL and scored his first career NHL goal. His physical prowess was on full display at both levels, as the power forward’s superb puck-protection, balance, and ability to maintain skating momentum shifting back and forth on his feet impressed. His heavy wrist shot, and fast, deceptive puck-handling round out his offensive package, although his skating and acceleration can be sluggish. He seemed to unlock the capability of playing that assertive style consistently, which has boosted his confidence and his overall potential. Kostin has finally reminded us of why he was so revered in his draft year. After three full AHL seasons, it would not shock me to see him instantly placed into the top-six role he is well-suited for with St. Louis for next season. - TD

Joel Hofer, G (107^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

From a backup goalie who let in too many soft goals in and lose his net too frequently, to a start who kept his mask above water on a weak WHL team, to stealing a spot on Canada’s Gold Medal winning WJC roster – where he ended up the starter, Hofer has taken several big steps in the past few years. He brings a calm and relaxed presence in the crease. The soft goals have mostly evaporated, as has his past tendency to lose positioning and be forced to scramble. What’s left is an incredibly poised netminder, playing within himself and using his immense frame to do the work for him. His movement is controlled, he tracks the puck laterally very well and competes hard. His puck handling is not a strength, but most of the rest is. Hofer is able to park a bad play or a soft goal and move on and now shows NHL starter potential. - VG

Nikita Alexandrov, C (62^nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

The first impression of the bulky forward is that he is a force along the boards due to his strong frame and low center-of-gravity. Alexandrov is nearly impossible to knock off the puck when he takes root along the wall, with very strong legs and a very powerful core. He protects the puck well. His acceleration is excellent due to his short and choppy stride, but his top speed is merely good, potentially holding him back at the highest level. His hockey IQ is very strong, and his reads make him strong on the backcheck and as a playmaker. Alexandrov is largely a North-South player, but he has good hands in tight, especially close to the net and along the boards. He can also be a solid net-front player, combining his strong body and quick hands into the ability to find and deflect pucks. What may hold him back is his tendency to keep it simple. Alexandrov needs more confidence in his potential to become a stronger player. At minimum, he can be a strong-willed secondary scorer at the top level but will need to work on his stride. – MS

Dylan Peterson, C (86^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

One of the top defensive forwards in the 2020 draft class, Peterson combines an ideal frame, big and strong, with high end athleticism. He is an excellent skater, particularly considering his size. In the mold of 2019 first rounder John Beecher, Peterson was not used in a heavy offensive capacity for the U18s this year, but when he had the chance, he would generally be found parked in front of the opposing goalie. He has the hands to play in tight and chip the odd puck in. He can shoot from the rush as well and has soft hands. He can be counted on to carry the puck through traffic in the neutral zone, and to direct the puck smartly once the puck is in the offensive end. He plays with solid touch and can work from behind the net as well. Low end middle six is his realistic ceiling. He plays without fear while positioning himself to inflict maximal disruption, stuffing shooting and passing lanes. He could stand to be more physically assertive, but he does a nice job of taking space away and being difficult to play against. – RW

Ville Husso, G (94^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 6)

The Blues found their goalie of the future in the otherwise unheralded Jordan Binnington, but before that, their most prized netminding pupil was Husso. After a disastrous 2018-19 season, Husso needed a comeback campaign in 2019-20 to return to a high spot in the Blues farm system and his efforts with AHL San Antonio did exactly that. Behind a Rampage team which fielded a fairly weak defense, the Finn rebounded to the tune of a 2.56 GAA and .909 SV%. Husso’s raw athletic skills never faded, but his ability to read plays and confidently position himself to shut down any danger early looked much improved compared to last season. The way he propels himself laterally with his quick foot movement and long legs gives him total coverage of the lower half of the goal, and his rebound control and pre-shot preparation looked better, though his glove hand speed and positioning remain flaws. At 25, he looks like a near finished product and could be a long-term 1B goaltender for the Blues as soon as next season, especially with a frantically compressed schedule that will require the use of several goaltenders. - TD

Niko Mikkola, D (127^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 7)

Mikkola’s style of play will eventually be a perfect fit in the heavily structured, physical system of play in St. Louis. The massive 2014 fifth-round pick has been steadily maturing into a solid stay-at-home defenseman and would probably be a lineup fixture on a team with a lesser defensive core. A strong skater for a d-man with a 6-5” frame with the capability of playing heavy, demanding physical minutes against high-end opposing forward lines, Mikkola can end plays below the goal line and excels at defending with his stick and muscular upper body. With a high hockey IQ, he anticipates the moves of his opponents and, with poke checks and decent lateral agility, can effectively keep them from getting center position and testing the goaltender from high-danger areas. Though his offensive skill is sorely limited, he at least can get the puck out of the zone. Someone who plays this kind of style does not need much more polishing, and he quickly earned the trust of the Blues coaches in his five-game NHL stint with some key PK minutes. A role as a stay-at-home depth blueliner is in the near future for the big Finnish lefthander. - TD

Hugh McGing, C (138^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 8)

Like Perunovich above, Hugh McGing is an undersized player who was not drafted until his third year of eligibility. In almost all other respects the Western Michigan grad is a very different kind of prospect. While the Bronco’s captains put up good numbers throughout his collegiate career, he projects as more of a heart-and-soul forward who could set up shop in a bottom six and play for years in the NHL, while occasionally moonlighting higher up the lineup as a short-term injury replacement. McGing has quick feet and a plus top speed, but he is just as notable for playing a very gritty game, getting involved in the dirty areas and coming out clean. He has skilled hands and can maneuver the puck from in tight. He is reliable in any type of game situation. Even if he lacks the dynamic skill set you want to see in a top six player, he is fun to watch and there is enough there to expect him to be an injury call up as soon as this season. - RW

Keean Washkurak, C (155^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 9)

One thing that is critical for tracking the future success of a prospect is how well they close out their draft plus one season. Washkurak did so extremely well, finishing with 22 points in the final 15 games, helping the Steelheads surge before the season was abruptly ended. While he may not have high end upside at the pro level, he is a fantastic skater and energy player who excels on the forecheck and the penalty kill. Next year, Mississauga should be a contender in the Eastern Conference and Washkurak will be a large part of that success. He has the chance to become a real fan favorite in St. Louis down the line as fans grow to love the tenacity and consistent effort that he plays with. - BO

Colten Ellis, G (93^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

The newest Charlottetown Islander is a quick netminder who dazzles with his athleticism but has the tendency to over-commit to the puck. His quick play, especially his fast feet and post-to-post movement, is enough at the Q level to shine, but will need to be coached out of his game to succeed in the pros. His size, standing 6-1”, is also not ideal. However, he is a battler who does not give up on a play, even though he might lose sight of the puck a time or two. Ellis is a fan-favorite goaltender for the highlight reel save, but those kinds of saves are usually born out of a lapse in positioning or reading the play. Having said that, there is a solid foundation of technical skills to build upon. Ellis has some work to do, but his athleticism and his hard-working nature could prove him to be a diamond in the rough. – MS

Leo Loof, D (88^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A lanky defender who skates well and hits very hard, Loof is one of a set of identical twins in the Farjestad system. Brother Linus is a center, but Leo is the one with a legitimate NHL projection. Twice named the best defenseman of his age-group in the youth levels of Sweden, Leo is also frequently called on by the national team and contributed a pair of assists to the Bronze Medal winning group at last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup. You would like to see him improve his decision making and spend less time in the penalty box, but Loof has enough to offer to imagine a future as a #4-6 blueliner in the NHL. In addition to his wheels, he is a smart and proficient puck mover who helps keep the puck heading in the right direction. He also demonstrates admirable hockey IQ, with the look of a defender who could feature in a shutdown role and take on PK time. The main limitation to his game is a weak point shot that will curtail his offensive production and prevent him from receiving too many power play minutes. – RW

Will Cranley, G (163^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A late bloomer among the 2020 draft class, Cranley hit his stride in the few months before last season was cancelled. His starts were certainly sheltered a bit as Ottawa's back-up, with lots of games against the league’s bottom feeders, and put up a .925 save percentage in his final ten games. A 6-4” netminder who trending in the right direction performance-wise and possesses great athletic tools is always worthy of a draft-day gamble, even for an organization whose strength is in the crease. He sees the ice very well thanks to his size and has some of the technical components of the position well-honed. Cranley is raw and it will take time to iron out some technical issues, with rebound control a particular bugbear. However, he definitely has the make-up of an NHL netminder. First, he will need to seize the starting job with the Ottawa 67s when the OHL resumes play and pick up where he left off last season. – BO

Austin Poganski, RW (110^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 11)

The former North Dakota captain earned an NHL debut amid a 30-point AHL season as a two-way winger with speed and size. The Blues threw their San Antonio assistant captain a bone with a one-game, six-minute NHL stint, rewarding him for his reliability and versatility in the minors with a taste of the Stanley Cup champions’ roster. A strong PK guy who can control the defensive zone with his stick-positioning and one-on-one coverage, Poganski’s offensive game is evolving, notably with an improving shot and an added sense of assertiveness to carry the puck. He will never be an elite skater, but his high hockey IQ and maturity allow him to remain on the cusp of an NHL job. The fourth-round pick in 2014 has potential to be a solid, albeit unimpressive bottom-six NHL winger for St. Louis soon, though one more AHL season would help him round his two-way game out. – TD

Mitch Reinke, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed, Mar. 25, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Reinke is admittedly a hard player to evaluate and project, with inconsistencies and struggles mixed in with flashes of offensive brilliance and skill. After an excellent rookie season in the AHL that earned the right-hander league All-Rookie team honors in 2018-19, Reinke fell back down to earth after taking a larger helping of minutes and being assigned defensive roles against opposing top-six units. Although his positioning and initial blueline defense suppressed a good amount of shots against and kept shooters from getting inside angles, his lack of size and strength was exposed at times, and with a greater responsibility on defense, his offensive contributions at even strength and in transition were somewhat subdued. If he can balance out the two sides of the game, he can be a dynamic transition piece at the highest level of the game; his passing and puck-handling skills are high-end and his skating is strong enough to weave through the neutral zone solo. Perhaps the American will need sheltered minutes to be able to put up points in the NHL, but he can be a serviceable, depth offensive defenseman with St. Louis in short term. - TD

Jake Walman, D (82^nd overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 13)

Coming off his best pro season to date, the 2014 third-round selection showed again why he was once considered a top-five prospect in this system. His offensive potential that looked limited at the AHL level just one season ago appears to have blossomed with a career-best 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists) in 57 games. Walman, like Poganski, was given a one-night NHL shot as a reward for his efforts with San Antonio, leading the blueline in goals and plus/minus (+3). A great skater, he plays aggressively with the puck on his stick and has improved his passing through the neutral and offensive zones. Defensively, he chooses to play the body and retrieve the puck after, using his large frame and long reach to dislodge the puck early in transitional defense. He possesses a good shot from the point and loves to use it, especially on the power play. He remains a fringe prospect who has been passed on the depth chart by other young blueliners (Mikkola and Perunovich of note) but has played himself back into an NHL conversation. – TD

Tanner Dickinson, C (119^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Immediately noticeable because of his speed, Dickinson made a solid impression in his OHL debut campaign, having spent the previous season playing AAA hockey in the Detroit area. He is explosive and gains the offensive zone with ease, also excelling as a forechecker. He has never demonstrated a great scoring touch, especially struggling to put up points at even strength, but showed a bit of a knack as a playmaker. His best attribute outside of his wheels is his hockey IQ. Despite having very little high-level junior experience, he had no problem whatsoever keeping up with the pace of the game in the OHL. Another thing that may hold him back is that he is very slight and gets knocked off the puck too easily right now. All newly drafted players need to bulk up and physically mature, but Dickinson needs to more than most. The hope here is that the lack of experience against top competition gives him a greater hidden upside than many other middle to late round picks. – BO

Mathias Laferriere, C (69^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 14)

Laferrière started a key development year on the shelf with a dislocated shoulder and missed more than a month with the ailment but came back strong to show the same offensive touch in 2020 from his break-out 2018-19 campaign. His offensive skills tend to skew more towards his strong shot than his playmaking ability, but he can open up ice with the threat of his shot, and he can feed his linemates with a strong pass. He is a jack-of-all-trades forward; as in, good in most areas, master of none. His consistency has improved in the last two years, but is still an issue at times, and he will need to bulk up to be a ready contributor in the pro ranks. Laferrière’s skillset would make him a good middle-six offensive player at the maximum of his potential, but it will take some work for him to get there. – MS

Nolan Stevens, C (125^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

2019-20 was a prove-it season in some sense for Nolan Stevens. Previously an exclusively defensive player with little to offer on offense, the Northeastern alum showed he can be a 200-foot center who can wrestle his counterparts off the puck and use his large, 6-3” frame to run a beastly cycle. Improving by 13 points from last season in nine fewer games with roughly the same amount of ice time in the San Antonio top six, the son of former NHL head coach John Stevens is not much of a skater or puck-carrier, but can maintain possession for an extended duration (reminiscent of the Blues’ top skaters), and is a strong, intelligent facilitator from tight spaces. Playing deep in his own zone to assist defensively, Stevens uses his long stick to strip the puck from opponents and his big body to get into shot lanes. A restricted free agent going into next season, Stevens will likely return to the AHL club and hopefully increase his goal-scoring output to somewhere near his 24-goal final season at the NCAA level. - TD

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – ST LOUIS BLUES – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 31

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 11:40:39 +0000

St. Louis Blues

Flags fly forever.

The St. Louis Blues first Stanley Cup Championship last summer was unexpected, but more than welcome. It’s not that the team was not expected to be good. After all, they dealt a package of three players, including a recent first rounder, and two picks, including last year’s first rounder and a future second rounder, to Buffalo for eventual Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly. So, there was some belief in the team from within.

On the other hand, while expectations may have been – should have been – modest, the NHL brain trust also knew that the core of the roster was veteran heavy and their window to win would not be extensive. Before the current season began, the Blues traded another big piece of their future, former first rounder Dominik Bokk to Carolina for Justin Faulk, a solid veteran two-way blueliner, who also acts as insurance should team captain Alex Pietrangelo walk as a free agent this offseason.

That makes three first rounders, past and future, traded away in a short span of time. The NHL team is not without youth, namely the emerging star Robert Thomas, and next-in-line Jordan Kyrou, who both lost prospect eligibility in the last two seasons.

When you read on to the rest of this section, reviewing the Blues Top 15, there are players here, players who could feasibly play roles in the NHL. But this list also has more than a few players on it who would not appear on any other team’s top 15. There is but one player on this list who looks like a future high end NHLer. There is another maybe two, maybe three players who could find their way to the top half of a given roster in the right situation. And there are three guys who will vie to one day be given the job as backup goalie for the Blues. Everyone else just wants to get a foot over the boards.

More than any other team going into the 2020-21 season, the strength of the St. Louis pipeline will be dependent on their 2020 draft haul. A haul that at present consists of five picks as they have traded away three picks already (2^nd, 6^th, and 7^th rounds) and added an extra pick in the 5^th.

The team has built itself well enough to win a championship, and many of the players who were key to that title were either drafted by the Blues, or acquired in trades that saw the Blues surrender draft picks or players who were recent draft picks. And although most of those prominent picks were high picks, there is no risk of this draft era being looked at like the Edmonton Oilers’ draft classes of 5-10 years ago, where only the top picks made it. After all, a flag flies forever. And a flag will allow people to forgive many sins, not least of which is an empty pipeline.

Even so, the Blues will need to begin looking to the future soon. When the current core ages out of Stanley Cup contention, they don’t want to fall like the current Detroit Red Wings or Los Angeles Kings have fallen. There is a path to remain strong, but they need to act quickly. - RW

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs defenseman Scott Perunovich (7) takes a shot during the college hockey game between the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs and the Minnesota State Mavericks on December 28, 2018 at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)

Scott Perunovich, D (45^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

It’s not often that a player passed over twice in the draft emerges as a strong prospect in his third year. It’s not often that a player passed over twice in the draft emerges as one of the better prospects in the game by the time he is 21. There are late bloomers and there are late exploders. Scott Perunovich is in the latter group. He wasn’t drafted out of Hibbing-Chisholm High School in Minnesota. He wasn’t selected out of Cedar Rapids in the USHL. At both stops, he was seen as little more than a waterbug defender who was far better with the puck than without, but not good enough with to be worth the gamble.

Things changed once Perunovich arrived at Minnesota-Duluth. As a freshman, he not only led the Bulldogs in scoring, but he also led them to an NCAA title, with a stop in the middle to help Team USA win a Bronze Medal at the WJC. Everything simply clicked. As a sophomore, he won a second NCAA title, this time as the team’s third leading scorer. When the pandemic halted his junior campaign on the eve of the NCHC playoffs, he was leading the team in scoring once again. A few weeks after signing with the Blues, Perunovich justifiably won the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top men’s ice hockey player in NCAA.

He is still small, but his skating has improved to be a real draw for his game. He can generally hold his own in his own end, but the best way I can describe his game is by recapping the sequence that led to a goal against Western Michigan this year. Perunovich got puck at his own blueline, and tried to pass it to center ice, but the puck went off an opponent's skate, bouncing right back to the man in question, who then skated it past center ice and passed to a teammate on the right boards. Immediately after passing, Perunovich kicked into overdrive and charged the net, getting the pass back from the same teammate a few feet from the crease, where he chipped it over a diving goalie and into the net. Between his high-end skating, hands, creativity and vision, Perunovich could be a star. - RW

Tyler Tucker, D (200^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Originally a seventh-round selection, Tucker’s projection as an NHL player has always been tied to his ability to improve his skating. Without question, he has done that. By improving his conditioning and becoming a more powerful and fluid four-way skater, Tucker has emerged as a serious contender for an NHL blueline spot in the future.

Very much a throwback player, Tucker relishes in the opportunity to play the body, placing first in his Conference for best body checker in the last two OHL Coaches polls. He is very aggressive in trying to deny zone entries by stepping up on would be attackers. However, his improved skating has allowed him to have better gap control, making him one of the better overall defenders in the league.

Tucker also possesses some above average qualities as an offensive player. His booming point shot has seen him score 31 goals over the last two seasons and he has the potential to quarterback a powerplay because of it. With an improved stride, Tucker was able to make more of a consistent impact as someone who can jump up into or lead the rush.

Blues fans should be very happy with Tucker’s progression and emergence as a legitimate NHL prospect. With his physical approach and underrated puck skills, he has the potential to develop into a quality #4-5 defender who can play in all situations. However, continued improvement will be needed from his skating, especially in order for him to continue to function as a stout player in his own end. As such, patience will be required. He may need a few years in the AHL to adapt to the speed of the pro game. - BO

ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 12: Klim Kostin #37 of the St. Louis Blues poses for his official headshot for the 2019-2020 season on September 12, 2019 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)

Klim Kostin, RW (31^st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Before his name was called in the 2017 Draft, the most frequent player comparison to Klim Kostin, from a stylistic standpoint, was Evgeni Malkin. That was incredibly high praise for the fellow Russian, and since being drafted 31st overall that summer and joining the Blues’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio, the hockey world has waited for Kostin to finally break out. It’s easy to forget that he was the top-ranked European skater in the final 2017 Central Scouting rankings, ahead of Calder winner Elias Pettersson and All-Star Miro Heiskanen. Sooner or later, the freakishly powerful and skillful forward was going to figure it all out; on came the 2019-20 season. Kostin scored a career high 13 goals and 30 points in the AHL as well as his first NHL goal last campaign, earning top-line minutes with San Antonio and a recall to the defending Stanley Cup champs.

His physical prowess was on full display at both levels, as the power forward’s superb puck-protection, balance, and ability to maintain skating momentum shifting back and forth on his feet impressed. His heavy wrist shot and fast, deceptive puck-handling helps him round out his offensive package, although his skating speed and acceleration can be sluggish. He has always had the build (6-3”, 221 lbs) of an NHLer, but he has seemed to unlock the capability of playing that assertive style consistently, which has boosted his confidence and his overall potential. While he will never be Malkin, or as impactful on his team’s success as Heiskanen or Pettersson, Kostin has reminded us of why he was so revered in his draft year. After three completed AHL seasons, it would not shock me to see him instantly placed into the top-six scorer role he is well-suited for with St. Louis for next season. - TD

Joel Hofer, G (107^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 20)

Joel Hofer has grown on me as I followed his development. Initially the backup goalie for the Swift Current Broncos power house WHL Champions he seemed to let a few too many soft goals in and lose his net too frequently. When the starting job became his, the Broncos’ roster had aged out and what was left was a shell of it had been and yet Hofer managed to keep his save percentage over .900 through 30 games with a team that routinely got out shot 2:1 in games. Portland traded for him and he has provided solid goaltending for one of the WHL’s top teams culminating in stealing the starting crease for Team Canada at the 2020 World Juniors, leading the team to a Gold Medal.

What Hofer brings is a calm and relaxed presence in the crease. Gone seem to be the soft goals (although they still occasionally happen), the lost crease, and the scrabbly play. Now he is one of the more poised goalies in the league playing within himself and using his immense frame to do the work for him. His movement is controlled, he tracks the puck laterally very well and competes hard. His puck handling is not a strength at this point but what he does in the crease certainly is. He is able to park a bad play or a soft goal and move on. He has gone from fringe NHL prospect to a legitimate NHL prospect with starting goalie potential. With the Blues crease sorted for the foreseeable future he is a long-term play, but he is trending in a very positive direction. - VG

ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 12: Nikita Alexandrov #32 of the St. Louis Blues poses for his official headshot for the 2019-2020 season on September 12, 2019 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)

Nikita Alexandrov, C (62^nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

The German-born Russian forward had another strong season in the Q this year and is ready for the pro game. The first impression of the bulky forward is that he is a force along the boards due to his strong frame and low center-of-gravity. He is nearly impossible to knock off the puck when he takes root along the wall, as he has very strong legs and a very powerful core. He also has honed in on protecting the puck well, and that makes him a strong possession player. Alexandrov’s acceleration is excellent due to his short and choppy stride, but his top speed is merely good; it could be what prevents him from being a top line forward at the highest level where the margin for talent is at its smallest.

His hockey IQ is very strong, and he is strong on the backcheck because of his ability to follow and read the play. His playmaking relies on play-reading, and he has strong passing skills. Alexandrov is more of a North-South player, but he has good hands in tight, especially close to the net and along the boards. He can also be a strong net-front player, pairing his strong body with his ability to find and deflect pucks, and his quick hands. What can hold Alexandrov back is his tendency to keep it simple. He needs more confidence in his abilities to become a stronger player. The team that unlocks him will get a hard-nosed player with a good creative mind. Failing that, he can be a strong-willed secondary scorer at the top level but will need to work on his stride. - MS

Ville Husso, G (94^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 12)

Husso’s raw athletic skills never faded, but his ability to read plays and confidently position himself to shut down any danger early looked much improved compared to last season. The way he propels himself laterally with his quick foot movement and long legs gives him total coverage of the lower half of the goal, and his rebound control and pre-shot preparation looked better, though his glove hand speed and positioning remain flaws. At 25, he looks like a near finished product and could be a long-term 1B goaltender for the Blues as soon as next season, especially with a frantically compressed schedule that will require the use of several goaltenders. - TD

Niko Mikkola, D (127^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

With a high hockey IQ, he anticipates the moves of his opponents and, with poke checks and decent lateral agility, can effectively keep them from getting center position and testing the goaltender from high-danger areas. Though his offensive skill is sorely limited, he at least can get the puck out of the zone. Someone who plays this kind of style does not need much more polishing, and he quickly earned the trust of the Blues coaches in his five-game NHL stint with some key PK minutes. A role as a stay-at-home depth blueliner is in the near future for the big Finnish lefthander. - TD

Hugh McGing, C (138^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 15)

McGing has quick feet and a plus top speed, but he is just as notable for playing a very gritty game, getting involved in the dirty areas and coming out clean. He has skilled hands and can maneuver the puck from in tight. He is reliable in any type of game situation. Even if he lacks the dynamic skill set you want to see in a top six player, he is fun to watch and there is enough there to expect him to be an injury call up as soon as this season. - RW

Keean Washkurak, C (155^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Next year, Mississauga should be a contender in the Eastern Conference and Washkurak will be a large part of that success. He has the chance to become a real fan favorite in St. Louis down the line as fans grow to love the tenacity and consistent effort that he plays with. - BO

Colten Ellis, G (93^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank 13)

Ellis is a fan-favorite goaltender for the highlight reel save, but those kinds of saves are usually born out of a lapse in positioning or reading the play. Having said that, there is a solid foundation of technical skills to build upon. Ellis has some work to do, but his athleticism and his hard-working nature could prove him to be a diamond in the rough. - MS

Austin Poganski, RW (110^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: UR)

He will never be an elite skater, but his high hockey IQ and maturity allow him to remain on the cusp of an NHL job. The fourth-round pick in 2014 has potential to be a solid, albeit unimpressive bottom-six NHL winger for St. Louis soon, though one more AHL season would help him round his two-way game out. – TD

Mitch Reinke, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed, Mar. 25, 2018. 2019 Rank: 9)

Although his positioning and initial blueline defense suppressed a good amount of shots against and kept shooters from getting inside angles, his lack of size and strength was exposed at times, and with a greater responsibility on defense, his offensive contributions at even strength and in transition were somewhat subdued.

If he can balance out the two sides of the game, he can be a dynamic transition piece at the highest level of the game; his passing and puck-handling skills are high-end and his skating is strong enough to weave through the neutral zone solo. Perhaps the American will need sheltered minutes to be able to put up points in the NHL, but he can be a serviceable, depth offensive defenseman with St. Louis in short term. - TD

Jake Walman, D (82^nd overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 16)

A great skater, he plays aggressively with the puck on his stick and has improved his passing through the neutral and offensive zones. Defensively, he chooses to play the body and retrieve the puck after, using his large frame and long reach to dislodge the puck early in transitional defense. He possesses a good shot from the point and loves to use it, especially on the power play. He remains a fringe prospect who has been passed on the depth chart by other young blueliners (Mikkola and Perunovich of note) but has played himself back into an NHL conversation. - TD

Mathias Laferriere, C (69^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is a jack-of-all-trades forward; as in, good in most areas, master of none. His consistency has improved in the last two years, but is still an issue at times, and he will need to bulk up to be a ready contributor in the pro ranks. Laferrière’s skillset would make him a good middle-six offensive player at the maximum of his potential, but it will take some work for him to get there. – MS

Nolan Stevens, C (125^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)

Improving by 13 points from last season in nine fewer games with roughly the same amount of ice time in the San Antonio top six, the son of former NHL head coach John Stevens is not much of a skater or puck-carrier, but can maintain possession for an extended duration (reminiscent of the Blues’ top skaters), and is a strong, intelligent facilitator from tight spaces.

Playing deep in his own zone to assist defensively, Stevens uses his long stick to strip the puck from opponents and his big body to get into shot lanes. A restricted free agent going into next season, Stevens will likely return to the AHL club and hopefully increase his goal-scoring output to somewhere near his 24-goal final season at the NCAA level. - TD

QMJHL 2019-20 Season Preview: Early returns show parity, competition at top of standings

Mike Sanderson — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 13:01:36 +0000

Sorry, QMJHL friends, but the penthouse is overbooked.

Five teams have won four or more games to start this young 2019-20 season, and all five of those teams are within two points of each other.

The defending champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies would not likely be anyone’s top pick as the best team for a second year, with all the movement of players this past summer. Missing stalwarts like Joël Teasdale, Félix Bibeau, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Peter Abbandonato and, for the moment, Noah Dobson has not slowed the Memorial Cup titleholders this season, as Vincent Marleau is tied for the league lead in points and Tyler Hinam has made huge strides in his game.

Netminder Zachary Emond has lost his first regulation game in over a season this year, but he has been solid with a 5-1 record to lead all goalies in wins.

While one would be remiss to expect that hot play to continue, the Huskies are at the top of the heap once more as the season rumbles into its third week. A repeat of their 59-win season of a year ago seems unlikely, as they will look to maximize return of their remaining current assets for future gains, but they can get the accolades while they are hot.

More expectedly in the Western Conference, the Sherbrooke Phoenix are in second place. The Phoenix boast an older lineup and the league’s top drafted player from last June’s NHL entry draft in Sam Poulin, who is looking to build on a strong first camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

His ability to take over a game at the left wing position and shut a team up or shut them down has been chronicled a lot with his strong playoff last season, and the Phoenix are looking to form their team around their captain’s strengths as they look poised to break team records for their best season in franchise history.

Alexis Lafreniere

Out east, the top three teams boast one potential surprise and two predicted top teams – the Rimouski Oceanic, the Cape Breton Eagles and the Charlottetown Islanders.

Rimouski enters the year with the most pressure to salvage results out of this season than any other team in the entirety of the Canadian junior league. They have potential top pick Alexis Lafrenière for this season and likely no more, and will attempt to build a contender around their wunderkind for a third season in a row. Last year, they were swept in the third round, and their regular season results will not matter this year. They have considerable pressure to be a contender this year, or the Lafrenière-led team will be considered a failure.

Lafrenière already has four multi-point games in his five games played so far this season. He has not skipped a beat. They also boast a strong starting goalie in Colten Ellis, and good offensive depth around the prodigal right winger, but their defence corps at this point is worse than last season’s edition, and Serge Beausoleil will feel the pressure to make moves at Christmas time to form a strong unit.

The Eagles are no longer Screaming, but they will provide plenty of emotions for their fans this year in Cape Breton. New ownership, a new coach in Jake Grimes, and a new outlook gives new life to one of the deepest teams in the QMJHL. While the team is lacking in top-end talent, they have plenty to be excited about throughout the lineup in forwards Mathias Laferrière, Shawn Boudrias and the impeccably named Ivan Ivan.

The team is lacking in a top star up front and a top defenceman on the back end, but the market is there for both of those holes, and they have a great goalie in Ottawa prospect Kevin Mandolese. A possible strong defender is still on the shelf, as overager Antoine Crête-Belzile is still recovering from post-concussion symptoms from a knock late last season.

Charlottetown is always in the mix as long as coach Jim Hulton is in the fold, and this season is no exception. The Islanders may not stay in this position all season long, but they have one of the best goalies in the league in Matt Welsh, who can steal games by himself, and a team that always stays committed to the game plan. Xavier Bernard on the back end is no slouch, and neither is the solid pivot Nikita Alexandrov.

The league’s best potential team is just behind the big five in Chicoutimi. The Saguenéens are in the best position to be contenders this season – a good mix of veterans, a very strong young core of Hendrix Lapierre, Théo Rochette and William Dufour, and three first round picks to make moves if they choose.

Of course, since many of their core players will not age out next season, they can choose which year in the next couple they want to load up their team.

If they choose this season, they have captain Harvey-Pinard and Ethan Crossman up front with Memorial Cup experience, an underrated goaltender in Alexis Shank and a solid-if-unspectacular defence group led by Artemi Knyazev. The Sags have a lot going for them this season, and the world is their oyster in terms of what they choose to do.

Another potential contending team is in Moncton, as the Wildcats made a move in the summer to set themselves up for a run this season. They acquired goaltender Olivier Rodrigue to start games for them this season, and the 19-year-old is likely AHL bound after the season. This turns this season into an important one for the Wildcats, who lost Jeremy McKenna and Jonathan Aspirot to pro contracts.

There is a chance they may receive both players back from their pro teams, but even with the veteran boosts, the Wildcats are still missing an impact defender to be a true contender. That blueliner could be Boston Bruins pick Axel Andersson, who is in limbo in Providence, but until he is physically in the uniform, no one knows for sure.

The draft this June will be interesting for another New Brunswick team: the Saint John Sea Dogs. The Dogs are the most polarizing team to predict this season, as they have many young potential stars in their lineup, but their core is still very young. Last season’s youngest team in the CHL is still wet-behind-the-ears, but the talent in undeniable, led by blueliner Jérémie Poirier.

Poirier will lead a defence corps with five 17-year-olds in the fold, including fellow draft prospects William Villeneuve, Joona Lehmus and Charlie Desroches. Up front, Josh Lawrence and Brady Burns return and along with Alex Drover and Dawson Stairs taking important roles, all at 17, they look to be setting themselves up for a bright run. Joshua Roy, the league’s top pick in the Q draft in June, is also on the team, taking a regular shift and having an impact in his first year in the league.

The Sea Dogs could catch lightning in a bottle or could crash and burn in their inexperience, but will provide must watch attention for draft watchers trying to catch the next NHL players from the QMJHL.

Last season’s Memorial Cup hosts in Halifax are not the team they were last season. This year, they are more of a one-line unit than a fleshed out juggernaut, led by forwards Benoît-Olivier Groulx, Raphaël Lavoie and Maxim Trepanier.

Jared McIsaac starts the year on the shelf for a considerable amount of time, leaving potential first rounder Justin Barron as the undisputed number one defender on the unit; a huge boon to his development. It is not the start new head coach Jean-Jacques Daigneault would have hoped for in taking the job, but he could really make a name for himself as a coach if Barron thrives in this environment.

It is expected that the Mooseheads will make some moves for the future during the mid-season trading period in which they kiss any or all of Lavoie, Trepanier, Groulx and McIsaac goodbye, which would dramatically alter the skills of this team in the second half.

Also looking ahead to the future is the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, who saw the fruits of their building labors tumble and sputter in a first-round upset to Moncton last spring. Nathan Légaré and Gabriel Fortier could be available to the highest bidder as the Drakkar hope to begin anew with a new coach in Jon Goyens, who has an excellent record of development at the midget level.

Goyens’s Lac-Saint-Louis teams have a reputation for producing many QMJHL players and pros, including Mike Matheson, Jonathan Drouin, Joe Veleno and Anthony Duclair. The Drakkar will have a chance to rebuild in his image, and he has earned it with his success at the midget level.

Drummondville will also be looking to cast off veterans in favour of younger players, as they hope to look to future years. The for-sale sign is on stars like Xavier Simoneau and Thomas Pelletier, while it has been rumoured that draft hopeful Dawson Mercer already has a new home lined up at Christmas when the trading period opens in late December.

In closing, here is a top-ten of QMJHL prospects to watch this season:

Alexis Lafreniere, Rimouski – his hype precedes him, but he’s absolutely worth it.

Hendrix Lapierre, Chicoutimi – missed some time last year with injury but hoping to make up for lost time.

Justin Barron, Halifax – Dobson-like skater and potential dominator on the back end.

Vasily Ponomarev, Shawinigan – a fitness freak in an optimal position to make things happen with lots of ice time.

Mavrik Bourque, Shawinigan – impressed on an offensive-weak Shawinigan last year with his skills and poise.

Theo Rochette, Chicoutimi – An early season injury sidelines him in a critical year, but will have plenty of opportunities.

Dawson Mercer, Drummondville – do-it-all two-way winger who skates well and can play all situations.

Jérémie Poirier, Saint John – great size and skating ability, is already a top-pairing defender in his draft year.

Lukas Cormier, Charlottetown – undersized, but excellent skater who can always make something happen offensively.

Noah Delémont, Acadie-Bathurst – great skater, great hockey sense and ability to handle minutes, especially internationally.

St. Louis Blues 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:06:09 +0000

In 2017-18, the St. Louis did not have its own AHL club, leaving it to split most of its minor pros between the San Antonio Rampage (then belonging to Colorado) and the Chicago Wolves (ostensibly a Vegas affiliate), with some players sent further afield, most notably Jordan Binnington to Providence, and Jake Walman to Binghamton. The NHL Blues missed the postseason.

Last season, St. Louis took over the San Antonio AHL club, as Colorado opened their own, more local team in-state. All of the Blues’ top tier minor leaguers were housed together, and coached as one unit in South-Central Texas. The Blues, as we all know, won the Stanley Cup for the first time in the franchise’s 52 year history. It would be so easy to correlate the two facts. After all, the aforementioned Binnington earned his first NHL recall around mid-season and took a last place team on a run for the ages, ending only in a parade. Right?

Of course not. For every AHL success story in the organization last year (Binnington was really the only one), there was another story of a once highly-touted prospect who took a step backwards. Think about how Binnington earned the call. The St. Louis goalies were playing poorly, with backup Chad Johnson earning a trip to the waiver wire while incumbent starter Jake Allen continued to disappoint with erratic play. St. Louis had been grooming Finnish puck stopper Ville Husso as the heir apparent in between the pipes , but the latter had seemingly hit a wall last season. Repeatedly. Husso’s two previous seasons in the AHL – one with Chicago and the second with San Antonio were very impressive. But he was having trouble stopping beach balls last season.

Binnington, on the other hand, one year after being shunted to a different organization’s AHL club, had a save percentage .056 higher. Why not go with the hot hand? To be honest, it wasn’t even a case of a hot hand. Binnington’s .927 AHL save percentage was practically the same as his .926 mark with Providence from the year before. And he maintained that .927 level over the remainder of the regular season with St. Louis, finally slowing down a touch in the postseason.

If we want more success stories from St. Louis’ first season with a full time affiliate in San Antonio, we could point to Jordan Kyrou, who seemingly mastered the level in his first season as a pro, although could not impact the NHL roster and was slowed by a knee injury requiring offseason surgery in the second half. Sammy Blais was also almost as good in his second season in Texas, earning a prolonged stint in the NHL and a relatively regular role in the postseason to boot. He didn’t exactly improve his projection, but he maintained it. Mackenzie MacEachern also earned his first NHL recall and did well enough even if he never saw the ice in the playoffs. Mitch Reinke proved to be a nice NCAA free agent signing as a rookie pro.

But there is also a downside. Jake Walman was repatriated by the organization and struggled mightily. Klim Kostin continued to tease with potential but still hasn’t taken a step forward. Erik Foley missed the entire season with concussion symptoms. Most of the other prospects on the farm simply failed to do much of anything. The Blues still had their parade and should be OK with the stasis on the AHL front, but we can rest assured that the new AHL franchise had no real role on the title, even if it should be to the organization’s benefit in the long run.

-Ryan Wagman

St. Louis Blues center Jordan Kyrou (33) (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)

1 Jordan Kyrou, RW/C (35^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 3) An AHL All-Star last season, the Blues’ top-ranked prospect earned that honor as one of the most consistently dangerous players in the league. With San Antonio, the 21-year-old posted a 47-16-27-43 stat line in a season -- his first as a pro -- that featured some brief stints up in the NHL. His ferocious speed is matched by few opposing defensemen, and his acute technical footwork only plays it up. His shot is developing into a strong auxiliary weapon capable of testing netminders from mid-to-high danger areas, while his playmaking is coming along as well, though only tied to his speed. As a center, he is incredibly disciplined defensively, and his calm and composed mental game allows him to stay focused on the task at hand. Though the Blues are plenty stacked on centers at the moment, the club has an elite one-two punch of young pivots in the established Robert Thomas and the emerging Kyrou, who will have his shot at an NHL spot this training camp. - TD

2 Dominik Bokk, RW (25^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 4) Bokk had a sneaky good first full SHL season. His 23 points were third among junior-aged players. He at least showed that his progress as a player is steadily moving forward in his career. This upcoming season he will play a bigger role on a smaller SHL. He still has much to improve in his all-around game, but his pure skills are elite. His puck handling and creativity on the power play stand out. He has the offensive tools needed for a top line forward in the NHL, but he still has much to learn in how to use them effectively. His compete level needs to be higher including in his offensive game, such as going hard for his own rebounds instead of gliding out admiring his shot or learning when to make the boring, effective play rather than the pretty play with the puck. He has a high ceiling, but is a couple of years away before reaching it. - JH

3 Klim Kostin, RW (31^st overall, 2017. Last Year: 2) A top-five prospect in the St. Louis system for the third season running, Kostin was a risky pick back in 2017. But the hulking Russian has shown some flashes of downright dominance as an offensive player with San Antonio and in recent international appearances, enough to maintain a high spot on this rundown. Though he went through another underwhelming AHL season, the 6-3”, 212lbs 20-year-old impressed scouts with his body control, momentum on his skates, and his physical, power-forward game. A fast shot and nifty puck-protection skills make Kostin a fun player to watch when he gets to enter the zone with momentum, though his lack of speed and assertiveness can hold him back. He is still very young for an AHL player, and is still adjusting to the differing styles on the small ice. He may never be the player that drew comparisons to Evgeni Malkin during his draft year, but he can still be a useful NHL player within a year or two. - TD

4 Scott Perunovich, D (45^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 11) Two years of collegiate hockey, two NCAA championships. The team won thanks to efforts up and down the lineup, but Perunovich was the leading scorer as a freshman, and finished third on the team last year, leading all blueliners and only four points back of the top. He lacks the pure speed of the prototypical modern day blueliner, but he is an exceptionally shifty skater and slips past the first line of defense to pinch in deep at every opportunity. He will always need help in his own zone as he is small and lean, but if his partner can get the puck, Perunovich is the type that will ensure his team keeps it through the conclusion of a scoring chance. He has the tool set to play on a second unit in the NHL and receive power play time as well, a very valuable contributor as long as his weaknesses are kept in mind. - RW

5 Samuel Blais, LW (176^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 6) Rarely does a sixth-round pick play NHL hockey, and even more scarce are those that have the instant impact Blais had at that level. Inserted into the Blues lineup midway through their playoff run, the former QMJHL star was a spark of non-stop energy and a physical edge on every shift, playing all over the lineup and producing throughout. Aside from the hard work and grittiness that has drawn the respect of his teammates, the left-hander excels at getting into the right positions away from the puck, using his whippy, heavy shot at any opportunity. His offensive vision is not as impressive as his sizzling shot, but the 23-year-old is capable of making space for teammates by drawing defenders his way through his dominant puck-protection skills. He projects to be a depth scorer and energy line winger going forward, but his versatility and reliability can push him up into the top six if his coach needs a jolt. At 23, he is NHL ready. - TD

6 Tyler Tucker, D (200^th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) A real throwback defender, Tucker is one of the most physical defenders in the OHL. He is very effective at lining up attacking forwards as they cut across the blueline or attempt to cut to the middle of the ice. There are more facets to his game than just brutality. He has proven himself to be a very capable offensive defender who can quarterback the powerplay effectively with a good low shot and improving vision. His skating has also improved greatly in the last year. While further gains need to be made, especially to his four way mobility, there is no doubt that if he had progressed as a skater like this in his draft year, he would not have been a seventh round pick. Tucker’s high end projection would be a 4th or 5th defender who can play in a variety of situations and bring some toughness. - BO

7 Keean Washkurak, C (155^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The best way to describe Washkurak’s game is that he plays much bigger than his size of 5-10”. He backs down from no challenge on the ice and is bound to be a coaches’ favorite as he moves up in levels because of this. When you combine his strong skating ability with his tenaciousness, on and off the puck, you have a terrific energy player who can provide change of pace, forechecking, and strong penalty killing to his team. It remains to be seen just how good his offensive game can become. He shows good vision when operating as a puck carrier below the hash marks and identifies passing lanes well. He will need to improve his ability to handle the puck and make plays at his top speed, in addition to his shot, if he wants to be more than a bottom six forward at the NHL level. There will always be places in the lineup for players like Washkurak. -BO

8 Nikita Alexandrov, C (62^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The German-born Russian Alexandrov turned heads last season, nearly doubling his point total from the previous year by adding mass to his frame and developing his skating ability. He was a decent skater, but refined his stride and position this season, and it paid off. He is a rock with the puck thanks to his anchored legs; he can spread out and make himself nearly impossible to knock off the puck. It has paid dividends along the wall and on the forecheck, as he is much stronger on his feet. Alexandrov is a two-way threat who is always able to jump in transition to form an offensive chance. He has the hockey sense to play low in the lineup, and the offensive ability to keep him in the top-six. - MS

9 Mitch Reinke, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 25, 2018. Last Year: 17) Not often do smooth-skating, offensively-inclined, right-handed defensemen go undrafted like Reinke, but judging by his rookie season with San Antonio, the Blues found themselves an absolute gem with the Michigan Tech product. Completing a 76-12-33-45 season with the Rampage as a rookie is a remarkable accomplishment, and one fueled by his skilled, heads-up offensive play. His speed allows him to frequently exit the defensive zone, while his vision and hockey sense give him the instincts to put the puck in the right place. He can jump into the play and let off his strong, accurate wrist shot, but he is more of a facilitator than anything. His defensive game will need to improve, especially his initial blue line defense and stick activeness, but he has shown some nastiness around the boards. Reinke, whose ceiling appears to be middle-pair puck-rusher, is arguably NHL ready, but it depends on what kind of game the Blues coaching staff wants him to play. - TD

10 Dakota Joshua, C (128^th overall, 2014 [Toronto]. Last Year: 18 [Toronto]) Drafted in the fifth round by Toronto in the pre-Kyle Dubas days, the current Maple Leafs regime is more about speed and skill than size and muscle and traded the graduating Joshua to St. Louis for future considerations before his rights were set to expire. All of which is not to say that he is not a player without skill. He protects the puck well with a long reach and has good enough hands to play in tight quarters. His shot is also an effective weapon. Joshua plays in a style that accentuates his size and strength, with his offensive game generally of secondary importance. He is a moderate skater, but it plays up thanks to his smarts and size. His ceiling isn’t much above the fourth line, but he is pretty close to being there now and could be an NHL contributor sooner than later. - RW

11 Erik Foley, LW (78^th overall, 2015 [Winnipeg]. Last Year: 9) Once in a while, we have a previously highly touted prospect who misses a full season to reasons out of his control. Foley is one of two in these pages (see also Timmins, Conor from Colorado) who missed a critical season of development due to post concussion symptoms. The skilled forward who averaged close to one point per game over both his sophomore and junior seasons at Providence is still in there, but without playing in game situations for now over 12 months, the rust has accumulated. As of this writing, there is no news regarding his status for the upcoming season, or at all. Consider this a place-holder then. Should he return to full health, there is no reason that his ability to drive the net with speed and protect the puck could not play on a middle six. - RW

12 Ville Husso, G (94^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 7) All while the previously unheralded Jordan Binnington stole the show in the crease, Husso had a horrendous season that further damaged his falling prospect stock. After a strong 2017-18 campaign, the Finn went 6-18-0 with a 3.67 GAA and .871 Sv% in 2018-19, eventually losing the clear-cut starting job to a slew of random cast-offs that featured Binnington and Jared Coreau. Husso still has the raw skill to make a name for himself, including his athleticism, size (and more importantly, the way he uses it), and his ability to read plays as they develop and position himself accordingly. He is an incredibly mature and calm netminder, even in epic defeats, maintaining a soft composure in the crease. He may never be better than an “okay” goalie after previously showing starter-potential; regardless, he will need another year or two. - TD

13 Colten Ellis, G (93^rd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Ellis is a goaltender with a ton of talent. He is very quick, especially with his feet, and can track the puck with the best junior goalies in Canada. His biggest issue is one that can be solved with time and coaching from goalie coach David Alexander as he is raw. His movements are quick and his anticipation is top-notch, but he has a lot of wasted movement that could be refined. His fundamentals are solid, and he has the confidence to make it, but he needs to further refine his skills. His puckhandling is adequate, but simple. On a team where Jordan Binnington came out of nowhere to win a Cup, the Blues of all teams are fine with letting Ellis marinade a bit until he is ready, but he definitely has star goaltender potential. - MS

14 Alexei Toropchenko, RW (113^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 16) One of those players who passes the eye test quite often, but who just has not translated that to consistent production in the OHL. His playoff and Memorial Cup performance this year aside, Toropchenko continues to be an enigma offensively. He has the toolbox, be it long powerful strides that allow him to work effectively driving the puck to the net, or a quick wrist shot that has the ability to beat goaltenders clean. His lack of production could possibly be attributed to a limited hockey IQ and vision. With his size and skill advantage, he should be way more of a consistent threat, both with and without the puck on his stick. Patience will be required as the high end potential is quite alluring. If his playoff performance in this year’s OHL playoffs was his breakthrough moment, then the Blues could have a good one. - BO

15 Hugh McGing, C (138^th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Drafted in his third year of eligibility, the undersized McGing has been quietly producing at fine levels since his age 18 year with Cedar Rapids of the USHL. One might consider his first post draft year to have been a mild disappointment, as he only equalized his point accumulation from the previous year, and in one additional game, to boot. On the other hand, the shape of his production shifted, as he went from a player who put up two assists for every goal over his underclassmen years to getting over half of his production from finishing as a junior. McGing is a shifty skater with plus hands but lacks the high end speed we would like to see in a player of his stature (5-9”, 174). He will finish his eligibility at Western Michigan before the Blues decide whether or not to offer him an ELC. At this point, I would consider a contract to be likely for the two-way forward. - RW

16 Jake Walman, D (82^nd overall, 2014. Last Year: 5) With limited offensive upside at this level, Walman instead plays the type of game that has made fellow Blues defensemen some of the toughest in the game to play against; he is physical, plays tight to his opposition, and is very aggressive with his stick. The 2014 third-rounder had a borderline awful 2018-19 season. He is smart and composed, lulling opponents to the outside of the lanes and playing assertively with his body and stick to force tough shot angles. A solid skater, he is one who can shut down rushes the other way with his foot speed, rarely losing inside position on an opposing forward. He has a good shot from the point and decent setup skills, but does not play forcefully enough on offense. He was a sleeper pick to make the Blues’ NHL roster last season, but failed, and it looks like Walman -- who now appears to be a depth d-man at best -- will simmer in the AHL again in 2019-20. - TD

17 Nolan Stevens, C (125^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 8) Standing 6-3”, Stevens reinforces the Blues’ stress on developing players with overwhelming size to succeed in their physical, possession-oriented lineup. Although his numbers with San Antonio (57-9-9-18 last season) are not turning any heads, his play as one of the Rampage’s most consistent two-way threats is inspiring. He is a very reliable two-way centerman who plays deep in his own zone, has the wheels to exit the zone with the puck, and can be a beast on the cycle with the playmaking vision and skill to make something happen out of the set behind the net. He is hard on the puck and can force it away from others with his long reach. However, his straight-line speed is horrid, and he has little in terms of shooting prowess. Before turning pro, there were concerns that Stevens was being carried by offensive catalysts like Dylan Sikura (CHI) and Adam Gaudette (VAN) with Northeastern. His first year in the AHL did little to combat that theory, and he looks like a career AHLer or up-and-down guy right now. - TD

18 Mackenzie MacEachern, LW (67^th overall, 2012. Last Year: Not ranked) One of the biggest surprises among Blues prospects last season was the onset of MacEachern, whose physical scoring game from his days at Michigan State looked to be around again with San Antonio and St. Louis last year. At 25, he has been knocking on the door of a full-time NHL depth winger role in spite of being an afterthought for most of his pro career. His combination of size and hand quickness/puck-handling proficiency is very intriguing, while his high-end work ethic and maturity make him an impactful penalty killer at both levels. Whether he is a long-term option in the Cup champs’ 12-man forward unit is an open question, but it is one that would not have been entertained as recently as last offseason. At 25, he is NHL ready as he is basically finished developing. - TD

19 Nathan Walker, LW (89^th overall, 2014 [Washington]. Last Year: 16 [Washington]) Despite his lack of size, Walker does well to make up for that in the speed and playmaking departments. He is quick and aggressive and plays with determination and the right amount of grit in his game to prove himself at the next level. Having already been present during the Washington Capitals recent Stanley Cup win, Walker knows a thing or two about playing at the NHL level, however consistency is key and that is something he will need to work on more next season. His last season with the Hershey Bears was his strongest year yet as a pro but he is still failing to prove himself to be better than a bottom six forward. He will need to work on finding more ways of getting to the net and staying cool and consistent throughout the season to prove to the St. Louis Blues that he is worthy of earning a spot on their roster. - SC

20 Joel Hofer, G (107^th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Hofer has what teams look for in goaltenders these days. He is over 6-3”. Within that frame he is very athletic and quick. In his draft year he had firmly established himself as a backup ready to take a starter’s role, however Swift Current wasn’t the same team when he got a chance to start and his numbers dropped off playing on a team that struggled in all aspects of the game. He had a nice little uptick in performance after being traded to Portland but hasn’t shown much statistical progression year over year. When he is on he has a lot of poise and agility where he can make highlight reel saves and keep composed while under siege. He battles hard even when his team is overmatched, outshot and caved it. He endured a lot mentally this year and he seems to have come out the other side well. This strong mental side is key to becoming a very effective back-up goalie which is what Hofer projects to in the NHL. - VG

McKeen’s Choice Awards: QMJHL

Michael Sanderson — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 12:04:53 +0000

Mike Sanderson’s QMJHL Choice Awards

The 2019 NHL Draft is upon us, and there are many QMJHL hopeful among those vying for spots to be picked in Vancouver later this month. Let’s take a look at some of the more intriguing prospects available from the Quebec league with a “best-of” article.

Best Hockey Sense – Samuel Poulin, Sherbrooke Phoenix

Poulin has the most NHL-ready game among QMJHL hopefuls, and it will translate to the pro game. Poulin, son of former NHLer Patrick, has no true weakness in his game, and much of that is amounted to his ability to be in the right place at the right time consistently to drive the offence or force turnovers.

Also considered: Jakob Pelletier, Nikita Alexandrov, Maxence Guénette, Alex Beaucage

Most Skilled – Raphael Lavoie, Halifax Mooseheads

Lavoie has the most tantalizing package of skill available from the eastern-most Canadian junior league. He can fire off a shot in traffic, is a great skater using his long frame, and towers above opponents. His playoff performance helped solidify his position as the top QMJHL prospect, and even though his Memorial Cup play tapered off a bit, he is still the best available from the Q.

Also considered: Samuel Poulin, Jakob Pelletier, Maxim Cajkovic

Jakob Pelletier. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Hardest to Play Against – Jakob Pelletier, Moncton Wildcats

Pelletier has the heart of a lion, despite his smaller frame. He is constantly in the grill of the opposition, and spends his shifts in the dangerous areas on a constant basis. He drives the forecheck and drives to the net on offence, and has had success doing so against bigger opponents even through he stands at 5’9”.

Also considered: Raphael Lavoie, Samuel Poulin, Nathan Légaré, Nikita Alexandrov

Best Playmaker – Jakob Pelletier, Moncton Wildcats

Pelletier is not the most traditional playmaker out there; he creates often without the puck on his stick, using his body or his stick to poke pucks away to set up scoring chances, but he has the puck handling, passing and hockey sense to play the playmaker role superbly when asked. He is the driving force on any line he’s on, with or without the puck, and he sets up plays for his teammates, either with a quick or calculated pass, or a shot to a teammate.

Also considered: Samuel Poulin, Raphael Lavoie, Mikhail Abramov, Xavier Simoneau, Alexei Sergeev

Best Skater – Jordan Spence, Moncton Wildcats

Spence adds a different dimension to Moncton’s attack when he is carrying the puck because his skating ability with the puck is so strong. He is a fast-skating stickhandler, and, paired with his smart passing, keeps teams on their heels with the Wildcats on offence. His skating can get him into trouble sometimes, as he can skate his way in and out of danger, but as he matures, he’ll have a better idea of control of his skating speed. In terms of raw skating ability and potential? Spence is tops.

Also considered: Alex Beaucage, Nikita Alexandrov, Jakob Pelletier, Raphael Lavoie

Nathan Legare. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Best Shot – Nathan Légaré, Baie-Comeau Drakkar

Légaré is the true sniper of this draft class. He hunts goals and finds them, as his 45 goals shows. His nose for the net is his calling card, and he has a strong one-timer. He has strong hands in tight and his body is already NHL-sized at 6’0” and over 200 pounds , which should indicate his skills will translate moving forward. His skating is a concern.

Also considered: Raphael Lavoie, Alex Beaucage, Jeremy McKenna, Maxim Cajkovic, Brooklyn Kalmikov

Best Stickhandler – Valentin Nussbaumer, Shawinigan Cataractes

Nussbaumer has moves for days, and did not get the best chance to display them on an offensively-challenged Shawinigan squad this season. His hands are very quick and his legs keep up with his hands in tight, allowing him to turn on a dime with the puck and stay shifty in any position on the ice. His hands gave him more space to move around this season despite a slight frame.

Also considered: Mikhail Abramov, Yegor Serdyuk, Xavier Simoneau, Raphael Lavoie, Jakob Pelletier

Best Body Checker – Nathan Légaré, Baie-Comeau Drakkar

There are not many power forwards in this QMJHL class; as usual, the Q crop is loaded on offence and finesse, and light on physicality. Légaré grinds out for his goals in front of the net, and does smash when called upon, but his skating ability makes it tougher for him on the forecheck.

Also considered: Brent Budgell, Jakob Pelletier, Samuel Poulin

Best Defensive Forward – Samuel Poulin, Sherbrooke Phoenix

Poulin is very good in all the skills you want in a defensive forward – great skater, solid checker, great back-checker who can hound for loose pucks, strong positionally and active on every shift. His hockey sense pays off without the puck as well as with it.

Also considered: Jakob Pelletier, Raphael Lavoie, Maxim Cajkovic

Maxence Guénette

Best Defensive Defender – Maxence Guénette, Val-d’Or Foreurs

There are not many defensive-first defenders in the QMJHL draft this season, so the crown goes to one of the best two-way defenders instead. Guénette is very smart in his own end and eats a lot of minutes for Val-d’Or. He is responsible, a great skater with great gap control, and does not get overwhelmed with offensive pressure. He can skate his way out of trouble and rarely errs in his decision-making.

Also considered: Justin Bergeron, Thomas Pelletier

Best Offensive Defender – Jordan Spence, Moncton Wildcats

Spence’s skating separates him from the pack, but it’s his passing ability that takes the cake here. He was a powerplay quarterback from day one in the league at the start of the season. His offensive instincts are also strong. He can set up one-timers on a platter and allow his teammates to score in many ways. His shot is improving, but underwhelming at this point. Remember, This was Spence’s first season in the QMJHL, drafted as a plus-one in last June’s QMJHL draft.

Also considered: Artemi Knyazev, Justin Bergeron, Maxence Guénette

Fastest Skater – Raphael Lavoie, Halifax Mooseheads

This award is not so much for how fast Lavoie can be, but for how few strides it takes Lavoie to get to where he needs to go. At 6’4”, his skating stride is smooth enough that he only needs a couple of strides to get where he needs to go, and that makes him a faster skater than most in the class.

Also considered: Jordan Spence, Jakob Pelletier, Maxim Cajkovic

Best Goalie – Colten Ellis, Rimouski Oceanic

Ellis may have this spot by default; he is the only one of two draft-eligible goaltenders to be a playoff starter for his team, and his team went further than Jonathan Lemieux’s Val-d’Or squad. Ellis was the Telus Cup-winning goaltender for the Cape Breton West Islanders in 2017, and he has been a starter in the QMJHL for the past two seasons for the Oceanic.

He has grown into a 6’1” frame that had some worried he was too small, but he is quick and fast with the glove. He still has issues with shots up high, but he has improved in that area, and he shows pro speed and reads, especially post-to-post. He is a bit of a project, but he grabbed the Oceanic starter’s job a year ago without experience, and could make another leap forward as well.

Also considered: Jonathan Lemieux

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Final Rankings – Top 217 Plus 100 Honourable Mention

Iain Morrell — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 17:52:23 +0000

MCKEEN'S RELEASES FINAL 2019 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS

KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 13: USA's Jack Hughes #6 and Finland's Kaapo Kakko #24 shake hands following a 3-2 overtime win for team USA during preliminary round action of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship at Steel Arena on May 13, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

American center Jack Hughes or Finnish Winger Kaapo Kakko?

That is the decision facing the New Jersey Devils who won the draft lottery for the second time in the past three seasons and hold the top pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Hughes (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) led the USA Hockey National Team Development Program under-18 team in scoring while setting the NTDP career record for assists (154) and points (228) in two seasons (110 games) with the program.

He earned the highest Overall Future Projection (OFP) score of 64.50, as per the 20/80 grading system developed by McKeen's Director of Scouting Ryan Wagman.

Skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ, physicality - these are the attributes measured for skaters using the 20/80 grading system to arrive at an Overall Future Projection (OFP) score.

Six areas are assessed for goalies: athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling.

BROADWAY KAAPO

Kakko (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) earned the next highest OFP score at 64.00.

The Turku, Finland native will go to the New York Rangers with the second pick, their highest draft position since taking Brad Park in 1966 before expansion (1967-68).

Kakko led Finland with six goals while winning gold at the 2019 World Championships at just 18 years, 102 days old to become the youngest player in IIHF history to win gold at the Under-18, Under-20, and WM (World Men) levels, supplanting Connor McDavid of Canada (19 years, 130 days) from the record books.

The Chicago Blackhawks have the number three pick with the top defenseman Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants next on the McKeen's OFP scale (63.40).

Seven players in total received OFP scores of at least 60.00 this season, up from five in 2018 - and just two in 2017 when the Devils selected Nino Hischier first overall.

The next five spots in the rankings are all centers - Kirby Dach of Saskatoon (63.20 OFP), Dylan Cozens of Lethbridge (61.40), the NTDP duo of Trevor Zegras (61.25) and Alex Turcotte (60.00), and Peyton Krebs of Kootenay (59.65).

ALL AMERICAN

Spencer Knight. Photo courtesy of the USNTDP.

Spencer Knight of the NTDP is the top-rated goaltender available (55.75 OFP) at No. 32 in the McKeen's rankings.

Knight will likely go in the opening round of what will be a record haul for the U.S. National Team Development Program as upwards of eight players could be taken in the top 31 selections.

As for past records, the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) had four players taken in the opening round of the 1979 NHL Draft - as did the Toronto Marlboros (OHA) in 1972 and the Montreal Junior Canadiens (OHA) in 1969.

Along with Hughes (1st), Zegras (6th), and Turcotte (7th), wingers Matthew Boldy and Cole Caufield are ranked at No. 12 and 13 on the McKeen's list, with defenseman Cam York at No. 17 and center John Beecher at 30th.

Caufield (5-foot-7, 165 pounds) scored 14 goals at the U18 World Junior Championship, tying Alex Ovechkin's single-tournament goals record. However, the United States lost in a shootout to Russia in the semi-finals.

There are also four others in the program ranked in the 32 to 62 range (second round) - all defensemen - Marshall Warren (35th), Alex Vlasic (54th), Henry Thrun (58th) and Drew Helleson (62nd).

In total, 16 players from the NTDP are ranked among the top 100.

SWEDE GOLD - SWEET SEIDER

ORNSKOLDSVIK, SWEDEN - APRIL 23: Swedens Philip Broberg #4 makes a pass during preliminary round action against Russia at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fjallraven Center on April 23, 2019 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Sweden won a first-ever gold medal at the U18 World Juniors.

Four blueliners on that Swedish team are first-round candidates led by Philip Broberg of AIK, named 'Top Defenceman' at the U18 tournament, and Victor Soderstrom of Brynas, ranked No. 9 and 10 respectively on McKeen's.

U18 captain Tobias Bjornfot of Djurgardens is ranked 19th and Albert Johansson of Farjestads is 26th.

Following Dominik Bokk's selection in 2018 (25th to St. Louis), Germany will produce another first-round pick this year in Adler Mannheim defenseman Moritz Seider.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound, right-shot blueliner displayed impressive skills and maturity for his age while appearing at the 2019 World Championships (5-2-0-2).

Seider earned an OFP score of 57.50 and is ranked No. 15.

He will become the highest-selected German-born player at the NHL Draft since the Edmonton Oilers took Leon Draisaitl third overall in 2014.

Here are our final 2019 NHL Draft Rankings. They are a culmination of a season’s worth of prospect analysis and coverage on mckeenshockey.com and the tremendous work put in rinks and looking at screens and numbers from our committed team. Enjoy!

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
1	Jack Hughes	C	NTDP (USA)	5-10/170	14-May-01	USA
2	Kaapo Kakko	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-2/195	13-Feb-01	Finland
3	Bowen Byram	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jun-01	Canada
4	Kirby Dach	C	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/200	21-Jan-01	Canada
5	Dylan Cozens	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/185	9-Feb-01	Canada
6	Trevor Zegras	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/170	20-Mar-01	USA
7	Alex Turcotte	C	NTDP (USA)	5-11/185	26-Feb-01	USA
8	Peyton Krebs	C	Kootenay (WHL)	5-11/180	26-Jan-01	Canada
9	Philip Broberg	D	AIK (Swe 2)	6-3/200	25-Jun-01	Sweden
10	Victor Soderstrom	D	Brynas (Swe)	5-11/180	26-Feb-01	Sweden
11	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	SKA-1946 St. Pete. (Rus Jr)	6-1/190	24-Jun-01	Russia
12	Matthew Boldy	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/190	5-Apr-01	USA
13	Cole Caufield	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-7/165	2-Jan-01	USA
14	Raphael Lavoie	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-4/195	25-Sep-00	Canada
15	Moritz Seider	D	Adler Mannheim (DEL)	6-3/185	6-Apr-01	Germany
16	Simon Holmstrom	RW	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	24-May-01	Sweden
17	Cam York	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/175	5-Jan-01	USA
18	Alex Newhook	C	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/195	28-Jan-01	Canada
19	Tobias Bjornfot	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	6-0/200	6-Apr-01	Sweden
20	Philip Tomasino	C	Niagara (OHL)	5-11/180	28-Jul-01	Canada
21	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-2/190	26-Jun-01	USA
22	Ryan Suzuki	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/180	28-May-01	Canada
23	Samuel Poulin	LW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/205	25-Feb-01	Canada
24	Thomas Harley	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-3/190	19-Aug-01	Canada
25	Ryan Johnson	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/175	24-Jul-01	USA
26	Albert Johansson	D	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/165	4-Jan-01	Sweden
27	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-10/160	24-Jan-01	USA
28	Connor McMichael	C	London (OHL)	5-11/175	15-Jan-01	Canada
29	Matthew Robertson	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-3/200	9-Mar-01	Canada
30	John Beecher	C	NTDP (USA)	6-3/210	5-Apr-01	USA
31	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/170	26-Oct-00	Russia
32	Spencer Knight	G	NTDP (USA)	6-3/195	19-Apr-01	USA
33	Bobby Brink	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/165	8-Jul-01	USA
34	Brett Leason	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-4/200	30-Apr-99	Canada
35	Marshall Warren	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/170	20-Apr-01	USA
36	Egor Afanasyev	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-3/205	23-Jan-01	Russia
37	Ville Heinola	D	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/180	3-Feb-01	Finland
38	Nolan Foote	LW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Nov-00	Canada
39	Samuel Fagemo	RW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-0/195	14-Mar-00	Sweden
40	Nick Robertson	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	5-9/160	11-Sep-01	USA
41	Nils Hoglander	RW	Rogle (Swe)	5-9/185	20-Dec-00	Sweden
42	Jamieson Rees	C	Sarnia (OHL)	5-10/175	26-Feb-01	Canada
43	Jakob Pelletier	LW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/165	7-Mar-01	Canada
44	Antti Tuomisto	D	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	6-4/190	20-Jan-01	Finland
45	Lassi Thomson	D	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	24-Sep-00	Finland
46	Michal Teply	LW	Bili Tygri Liberec (Cze)	6-3/185	27-May-01	Czech
47	Brayden Tracey	LW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-0/175	28-May-01	Canada
48	Arseni Gritsyuk	RW	Omskie Yastreby (Rus Jr)	5-10/170	15-Mar-01	Russia
49	Yegor Chinakhov	RW	Omskie Yastreby (Rus Jr)	6-0/175	1-Feb-01	Russia
50	Mattias Norlinder	D	MoDo (Swe Jr)	5-11/180	12-Apr-00	Sweden
51	Karl Henriksson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-9/165	5-Feb-01	Sweden
52	Vladislav Kolyachonok	D	Flint (OHL)	6-1/185	26-May-01	Belarus
53	Nikola Pasic	RW	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	16-Oct-00	Sweden
54	Alex Vlasic	D	NTDP (USA)	6-6/200	5-Jun-01	USA
55	Pyotr Kochetkov	G	HK Ryazan (Rus 2)	6-1/175	25-Jun-99	Russia
56	Albin Grewe	RW	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/190	22-Mar-01	Sweden
57	Trevor Janicke	C	Central Illinois (USHL)	5-10/195	25-Dec-00	USA
58	Henry Thrun	D	NTDP (USA)	6-2/190	12-Mar-01	USA
59	Yegor Spiridonov	C	Stalnye Lisy Mag. (Rus Jr)	6-2/195	22-Jan-01	Russia
60	Patrik Puistola	LW	Tappara (Fin Jr)	6-0/175	11-Jan-01	Finland
61	Ilya Nikolayev	C	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-0/190	26-Jun-01	Russia
62	Drew Helleson	D	NTDP (USA)	6-3/195	26-Mar-01	USA
63	Graeme Clarke	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/175	24-Apr-01	Canada
64	Ronnie Attard	D	Tri-City (USHL)	6-3/210	20-Mar-99	USA
65	Mads Sogaard	G	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-7/195	13-Dec-00	Denmark
66	Oleg Zaitsev	C	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/185	7-Jan-01	Russia
67	Isaiah Saville	G	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/190	21-Sep-00	USA
68	Kaedan Korczak	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Jan-01	Canada
69	Adam Najman	C	Benatky nad Jizerou (Cze 2)	5-11/175	23-Jan-01	Czech
70	Mikko Kokkonen	D	Jukurit (Fin)	5-11/200	18-Jan-01	Finland
71	Michael Vukojevic	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-3/210	8-Jun-01	Canada
72	Patrick Moynihan	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-11/185	23-Jan-01	USA
73	Michael Gildon	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	21-Jun-01	USA
74	Judd Caulfield	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-3/205	19-Mar-01	USA
75	Vladislav Firstov	LW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-1/180	19-Jun-01	USA
76	Hugo Alnefelt	G	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-3/195	4-Jun-01	Sweden
77	Gianni Fairbrother	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/195	30-Sep-00	Canada
78	Jackson Lacombe	D	Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)	6-1/170	9-Jan-01	USA
79	Ethan Keppen	LW	Flint (OHL)	6-2/210	20-Mar-01	Canada
80	Anttoni Honka	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	5-10/180	5-Oct-00	Finland
81	Roman Bychkov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-11/160	10-Feb-01	Russia
82	Ryder Donovan	C	Duluth East (USHS-MN)	6-3/185	4-Oct-00	USA
83	Nathan Legare	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-0/205	11-Jan-01	Canada
84	Billy Constantinou	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-0/185	25-Mar-01	Canada
85	Vojtech Strondala	C	Slavia Trebic (Cze 2)	5-7/155	17-Dec-00	Czech
86	Case McCarthy	D	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	9-Jan-01	USA
87	Simon Lundmark	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-2/200	8-Oct-00	Sweden
88	Zac Jones	D	Tri-City (USHL)	5-10/175	18-Oct-00	USA
89	Erik Portillo	G	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-6/210	3-Sep-00	Sweden
90	Daniil Misyul	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/180	20-Oct-00	Russia
91	Daniil Gutik	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/180	31-Aug-01	Russia
92	Hunter Jones	G	Peterborough (OHL)	6-4/195	21-Sep-00	Canada
93	Michael Koster	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-9/175	13-Apr-01	USA
94	Aliaksei Protas	C	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-5/205	6-Jan-01	Belarus
95	Blake Murray	C	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/190	5-Jul-01	Canada
96	Cole MacKay	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-10/190	13-Jun-01	Canada
97	Trent Miner	G	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/185	5-Jan-01	Canada
98	Semyon Chistyakov	D	Tolpar Ufa (Rus Jr)	5-10/170	7-Aug-01	Russia
99	Leevi Aaltonen	RW	KalPa (Fin Jr)	5-9/175	24-Jan-01	Finland
100	Antti Saarela	C	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/185	27-Jun-01	Finland
101	John Farinacci	C	Dexter (USHS-MA)	5-11/185	14-Feb-01	USA
102	Marcus Kallionkieli	LW	Sioux City (USHL)	6-2/195	20-Mar-01	Finland
103	Andre Lee	LW	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-4/200	26-Jul-00	Sweden
104	Kirill Slepets	RW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-10/165	6-Apr-99	Russia
105	Shane Pinto	C	Tri-City (USHL)	6-2/190	12-Nov-00	USA
106	Jordan Spence	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-10/165	24-Feb-01	Canada
107	Keean Washkurak	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-10/185	16-Aug-01	Canada
108	Owen Lindmark	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/195	17-May-01	USA
109	Matej Blumel	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	5-11/200	31-May-00	Czech
110	Jack Malone	RW	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/190	13-Oct-00	USA
111	Jayden Struble	D	St. Sebastian's (USHS-MA)	6-0/195	8-Sep-01	USA
112	Artemi Knyazev	D	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-11/180	4-Jan-01	Russia
113	Maxim Cajkovic	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/185	3-Jan-01	Slovakia
114	Matvey Guskov	C	London (OHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-01	Russia
115	Nikita Okhotyuk	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-1/195	4-Dec-00	Russia
116	Valeri Orekhov	D	Barys Astana (KHL)	6-1/190	17-Jul-99	Kazakhstan
117	Zdenek Sedlak	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	6-2/205	23-Mar-00	Czech
118	Alexander Yakovenko	D	Muskegon (USHL)	5-11/175	22-Feb-98	Russia
119	Yannick Bruschweiler	C	GC Kusnacht Lions (Sui 2)	5-10/175	29-Aug-99	Switzerland
120	Ilya Mironov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/200	15-Mar-01	Russia
121	Albert Lyckasen	D	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-10/180	29-Jul-01	Sweden
122	Keegan Stevenson	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-1/185	31-Dec-00	Canada
123	Ilya Konovalov	G	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	6-0/195	13-Jul-98	Russia
124	Cole Schwindt	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	6-2/185	25-Apr-01	Canada
125	Domenick Fensore	D	NTDP (USA)	5-7/155	7-Sep-01	USA
126	William Francis	D	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	6-5/210	16-Nov-00	USA
127	Simon Gnyp	D	Kolner (Ger Jr)	5-11/180	10-Sep-01	Germany
128	Tuukka Tieksola	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-10/150	22-Jun-01	Finland
129	Ethan Phillips	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-9/150	7-May-01	Canada
130	Linus Pettersson	RW	MoDo (Swe)	5-7/145	11-Apr-00	Sweden
131	Matias Maccelli	LW	Dubuque (USHL)	5-11/170	14-Oct-00	Finland
132	Anthony Romano	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-11/185	7-Oct-00	Canada
133	Nikita Alexandrov	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/180	16-Sep-00	Germany
134	Arturs Silovs	G	HS Riga (Lat)	6-4/205	22-Mar-01	Latvia
135	August Hedlund	G	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-4/185	7-Jan-00	Sweden
136	Nicholas Porco	LW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	12-Mar-01	Canada
137	Joe Carroll	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-2/200	1-Feb-01	Canada
138	Alex Beaucage	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/195	25-Jul-01	Canada
139	Luke Toporowski	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/180	12-Apr-01	USA
140	Sasha Mutala	RW	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/200	6-May-01	Canada
141	Harrison Blaisdell	C	Chilliwack (BCHL)	5-11/180	18-Mar-01	Canada
142	Valentin Nussbaumer	C	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-11/165	25-Sep-00	Switzerland
143	Dustin Wolf	G	Everett (WHL)	6-0/155	16-Apr-01	USA
144	Ondrej Psenicka	RW	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)	6-5/195	7-Jan-01	Czech
145	Juuso Parssinen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	6-2/205	1-Feb-01	Finland
146	Mitchell Brewer	D	Oshawa (OHL)	6-0/205	20-Mar-01	Canada
147	Lukas Parik	G	Liberec (Cze Jr)	6-4/185	15-Mar-01	Czech
148	Grant Silianoff	RW	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	5-11/170	4-Jan-01	USA
149	Josh Nodler	C	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/195	27-Apr-01	USA
150	Bryce Brodzinski	RW	Blaine (USHS-MN)	6-0/195	9-Aug-00	USA
151	Colten Ellis	G	Rimouski (QMJHL)	6-1/190	5-Oct-00	Canada
152	Rhett Pitlick	LW	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-9/160	7-Feb-01	USA
153	Dillon Hamaliuk	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-3/190	30-Oct-00	Canada
154	Aleksei Sergeev	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/185	22-May-00	Russia
155	Jack York	D	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/190	17-Sep-00	Canada
156	Jacob LeGuerrier	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/200	22-Nov-00	Canada
157	Zach Uens	D	Wellington (OJHL)	6-1/180	13-May-01	Canada
158	Josh Williams	RW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-1/195	8-Mar-01	Canada
159	Elmer Soderblom	RW	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-6/220	5-Jul-01	Sweden
160	Kyle Topping	C	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/185	18-Nov-99	Canada
161	Albin Sundsvik	C	Skelleftea (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	27-Apr-01	Sweden
162	Cameron Rowe	G	NTDP (USA)	6-2/200	1-Jun-01	USA
163	Filip Lindberg	G	Massachusetts (HE)	6-0/180	31-Jan-99	Finland
164	Liam Svensson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr 18)	6-3/195	2-Feb-01	Sweden
165	Xavier Simoneau	C	Drummondville (QMJHL)	5-6/170	19-May-01	Canada
166	Pavel Gogolev	RW	Guelph (OHL)	6-0/175	19-Feb-00	Russia
167	Danil Antropov	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-1/185	20-Dec-00	Canada
168	Daniel D'Amico	LW	Windsor (OHL)	5-9/185	26-Jan-01	Canada
169	Vladimir Alistrov	LW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-2/175	12-Feb-01	Belarus
170	Reece Newkirk	C	Portland (WHL)	5-11/175	20-Feb-01	Canada
171	Sergei Alkhimov	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-0/210	3-Jul-01	Russia
172	Adam Beckman	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-1/170	10-May-01	Canada
173	Alexander Campbell	LW	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/150	27-Feb-01	Canada
174	Taylor Gauthier	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/195	15-Feb-01	Canada
175	Max Crozier	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-1/195	19-Apr-00	Canada
176	Santeri Hatakka	D	Jokerit (Fin Jr)	6-0/175	15-Jan-01	Finland
177	Kalle Loponen	D	Hermes (Fin 2)	5-10/185	13-Mar-01	Finland
178	Eric Ciccolini	RW	Toronto Jr Canadiens (OJHL)	5-11/160	14-Jan-01	Canada
179	Aku Raty	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-11/170	5-Jul-01	Finland
180	Arvid Costmar	C	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-11/180	7-Jul-01	Sweden
181	Matt Brown	LW	Des Moines (USHL)	5-9/180	9-Aug-99	USA
182	Sven Leuenberger	C	Zug (Sui)	5-10/185	18-Feb-99	Switzerland
183	Jasper Patrikainen	G	Pelicans (Fin)	6-0/175	1-Jul-00	Finland
184	Jack Williams	G	Springfield (NAHL)	6-3/175	21-Jun-01	USA
185	Mikhail Abramov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	5-10/160	26-Mar-01	Russia
186	Ben Brinkman	D	Minnesota (B1G)	6-0/215	4-Oct-00	USA
187	Chris Giroday	D	Green Bay (USHL)	6-1/175	13-Dec-00	Canada
188	Petr Cajka	C	Erie (OHL)	6-0/170	11-Dec-00	Czech
189	Mark Kastelic	C	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/215	11-Mar-99	USA
190	Kevin Wall	RW	Chilliwack (BCHL)	6-0/190	1-Feb-00	USA
191	Lucas Edmonds	RW	Karlskrona (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	27-Jan-01	Sweden
192	Carter Gylander	G	Sherwood Park (AJHL)	6-5/175	5-Jun-01	Canada
193	Ethan de Jong	RW	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	5-10/170	12-Jul-99	Canada
194	Wiljami Myllyla	RW	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	6-0/170	9-Apr-01	Finland
195	Yaroslav Likhachyov	RW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	5-10/170	2-Sep-01	Russia
196	Layton Ahac	D	Prince George (BCHL)	6-2/195	22-Feb-01	Canada
197	Alfred Barklund	D	Orebro (Swe Jr)	6-2/200	21-Oct-00	Sweden
198	Radek Muzik	LW	Lulea (Swe Jr)	6-3/180	25-Mar-01	Sweden
199	Marcus Pedersen	RW	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	6-2/165	25-May-01	Sweden
200	Filip Koffer	RW	Pardubice (Cze Jr)	5-11/175	4-Mar-01	Czech
201	Henri Nikkanen	C	Jukurit (Fin Jr)	6-3/200	28-Apr-01	Finland
202	Marc Del Gaizo	D	Massachusetts (HE)	5-9/190	11-Oct-99	USA
203	Tag Bertuzzi	LW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-0/200	18-Feb-01	Canada
204	Martin Hugo Has	D	Tappara (Fin Jr)	6-4/190	2-Feb-01	Czech
205	Jet Greaves	G	Barrie (OHL)	5-11/165	30-Mar-01	Canada
206	Mason Millman	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/175	18-Jul-01	Canada
207	Janis Jerome Moser	D	Biel-Bienne (Sui)	6-0/160	6-Jun-00	Switzerland
208	Nick Abruzzese	C	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/160	4-Jun-99	USA
209	Logan Barlage	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-4/200	7-Jan-01	Canada
210	Carter Berger	D	Victoria (BCHL)	6-0/200	17-Sep-99	Canada
211	Nando Eggenberger	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/205	7-Oct-99	Switzerland
212	Tyce Thompson	RW	Providence (HE)	6-1/180	12-Jul-99	USA
213	Nolan Maier	G	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-0/175	10-Jan-01	Canada
214	Massimo Rizzo	C	Penticton (BCHL)	5-10/180	13-Jun-01	Canada
215	Matthew Steinburg	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	6-1/185	7-Oct-00	Canada
216	Jake Lee	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	13-Jul-01	Canada
217	Luke Bast	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-9/170	20-Nov-00	Canada

100 HONOURABLE MENTION IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
HM	Nathan Allensen	D	Barrie (OHL)	5-11/180	3-May-01	Canada
HM	Ethan Anders	G	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/175	26-Sep-00	Canada
HM	Nicklas Andrews	D	Des Moines (USHL)	5-10/185	6-Jul-01	USA
HM	Tyler Angle	C	Windsor (OHL)	5-9/165	30-Sep-00	Canada
HM	Marcel Barinka	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-0/165	3-Jan-01	Czech
HM	Roman Basran	G	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/195	26-Jul-01	Canada
HM	Luke Bignell	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/170	3-Nov-00	Canada
HM	Mathieu Bizier	C	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-1/185	13-May-01	Canada
HM	Oscar Bjerselius	C	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/185	18-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Kaden Bohlsen	C	Fargo (USHL)	6-3/190	10-Jan-01	USA
HM	Samuel Bolduc	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-3/210	9-Dec-00	Canada
HM	Jakob Bondesson	D	Rogle (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	22-May-00	Sweden
HM	Cole Brady	G	Janesville (NAHL)	6-5/165	12-Feb-01	Canada
HM	Alex Brannstam	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/170	3-Jun-01	Sweden
HM	Lynden Breen	C	Central Illinois (USHL)	5-9/165	31-May-01	USA
HM	Jonas Brondberg	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe Jr)	6-4/190	26-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Jeremie Bucheler	D	Victoria (BCHL)	6-4/200	31-Mar-00	Canada
HM	Brett Budgell	LW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	5-11/190	1-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Luka Burzan	RW	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/190	7-Jan-00	Canada
HM	Felix Carenfelt	LW	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	13-Feb-00	Sweden
HM	Luke Cavallin	G	Flint (OHL)	6-1/190	29-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Filip Cederqvist	LW	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe)	6-1/185	23-Aug-00	Sweden
HM	Cole Coskey	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/190	1-Jun-99	USA
HM	Braden Doyle	D	Lawrence Academy (USHS-MA)	5-11/170	24-Aug-01	USA
HM	Justin Ducharme	LW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-10/180	22-Feb-00	Canada
HM	Nathan Dunkley	C	London (OHL)	5-11/195	3-May-00	Canada
HM	Pontus Englund	D	Timra (Swe Jr)	6-3/205	15-Jul-00	Sweden
HM	Lucas Feuk	LW	Sodertalje (Swe Jr)	6-0/185	19-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Parker Ford	C	Sioux City (USHL)	5-8/170	20-Jul-00	USA
HM	Ethan Frisch	D	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/190	29-Oct-00	USA
HM	Maxim Golod	LW	Erie (OHL)	5-11/175	18-Aug-00	Canada
HM	Jacob Gronhagen	C	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-6/215	18-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Maxence Guenette	D	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	6-1/180	28-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Hugo Gustafsson	C	Sodertalje (Swe 2)	5-10/160	23-Feb-00	Sweden
HM	Mack Guzda	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-4/215	11-Jan-01	USA
HM	Aidan Harper	G	Skipjacks HC 18U (USPHL)	6-2/170	28-May-01	USA
HM	Ludvig Hedstrom	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	14-Apr-01	Sweden
HM	Konsta Hirvonen	LW	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	5-11/165	1-Nov-00	Finland
HM	Eric Hjorth	D	Linkopings (Swe Jr 18)	6-3/190	8-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Samuel Hlavaj	G	Lincoln (USHL)	6-4/185	29-May-01	Slovakia
HM	Krystof Hrabik	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-4/220	24-Sep-99	Czech
HM	Rickard Hugg	C	Kitchener (OHL)	5-11/190	18-Jan-99	Sweden
HM	Aaron Huglen	RW	Roseau (USHS-MN)	5-11/165	6-Mar-01	USA
HM	Aarne Intonen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	5-11/180	17-Jul-01	Finland
HM	Michal Ivan	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-1/185	18-Nov-99	Slovakia
HM	Dylan Jackson	RW	Dubuque (USHL)	5-9/175	6-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Ty Jackson	C	Dubuque (USHL)	5-7/150	6-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Taro Jentzsch	C	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/155	11-Jun-00	Germany
HM	Samuel Johannesson	D	Rogle (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	27-Dec-00	Sweden
HM	Wilson Johansson	RW	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	11-Oct-00	Sweden
HM	Brooklyn Kalmikov	C	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-0/165	21-Apr-01	Canada
HM	David Karlstrom	C	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	12-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Mans Kramer	D	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-2/180	6-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Jami Krannila	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-10/160	3-Oct-00	Finland
HM	Grayson Ladd	D	Windsor (OHL)	6-1/175	1-Mar-01	Canada
HM	Martin Lang	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/170	15-Sep-01	Czech
HM	Oscar Lawner	LW	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/185	13-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Jonathan Lemieux	G	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	6-0/185	8-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Hugo Leufvenius	LW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/230	26-Mar-99	Sweden
HM	Ethan Leyh	LW	Langley (BCHL)	6-0/190	7-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Josh Lopina	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/175	16-Feb-01	USA
HM	Emil Malysjev	D	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/190	1-May-01	Sweden
HM	Matias Mantykivi	C	SaiPa (Fin Jr)	5-11/160	21-Jun-01	Finland
HM	Jeremy McKenna	RW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-10/175	20-Apr-99	Canada
HM	Billy Moskal	C	London (OHL)	6-0/185	22-Mar-00	Canada
HM	Derek Mullahy	G	Dexter (USHS-MA)	6-0/180	20-Mar-01	USA
HM	Kim Nousiainen	D	KalPa (Fin Jr)	5-9/170	14-Nov-00	Finland
HM	Zachary Okabe	RW	Grande Prairie (AJHL)	5-8/165	4-Jan-01	Canada
HM	Oliver Okuliar	LW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/190	24-May-00	Slovakia
HM	Quinn Olson	LW	Okotoks (AJHL)	5-10/170	9-May-01	Canada
HM	Xavier Parent	LW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-8/170	23-Mar-01	Canada
HM	Tommy Pasanen	D	Sioux City (USHL)	6-3/220	30-Jul-01	Germany
HM	Thomas Pelletier	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-2/195	23-Aug-01	Canada
HM	Andrew Perrott	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/205	24-Aug-01	USA
HM	Kari Piiroinen	G	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/175	1-Jul-01	Finland
HM	Lukas Pilo	D	Orebro (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	7-Sep-99	Sweden
HM	Garrett Pinoniemi	C	Holy Family Catholic (USHS-MN)	5-11/150	15-Jun-01	USA
HM	Mason Primeau	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-5/205	28-Jul-01	Canada
HM	Kirby Proctor	D	Des Moines (USHL)	6-3/190	19-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Liam Ross	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/195	13-May-01	Canada
HM	Henrik Rybinski	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-0/175	26-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Nikita Sedov	D	Regina (WHL)	6-1/185	5-May-01	Russia
HM	Egor Serdyuk	RW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	5-10/160	3-Jun-01	Russia
HM	Nikita Shashkov	LW	Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)	5-11/180	26-Mar-99	Russia
HM	Ryan Siedem	D	Central Illinois (USHL)	6-2/190	25-Feb-01	USA
HM	Samuel Sjolund	D	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-1/175	19-May-01	Sweden
HM	Hunter Skinner	D	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/175	29-Apr-01	USA
HM	Dominik Sojka	C	Banska Bystrica (Svk Jr)	6-5/210	16-Feb-01	Slovakia
HM	Kyen Sopa	RW	Niagara (OHL)	5-9/185	30-Sep-00	Switzerland
HM	Tyler Spott	D	Green Bay (USHL)	5-10/170	17-Jun-00	Canada
HM	Matthew Struthers	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-2/210	26-Dec-99	Canada
HM	Roope Taponen	G	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	6-0/165	14-Mar-01	Finland
HM	Jacob Tortora	LW	Barrie (OHL)	5-6/165	25-Jul-99	USA
HM	Bobby Trivigno	LW	Massachusetts (HE)	5-8/155	19-Jan-99	USA
HM	Eric Uba	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-0/195	17-Dec-00	Canada
HM	Max Wahlgren	RW	MoDo (Swe)	6-1/185	9-May-01	Sweden
HM	Carl Wang	D	Sodertalje (Swe Jr)	6-2/195	28-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Matteus Ward	G	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	6-0/170	7-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Lukas Wernblom	C	MoDo (Swe 2)	5-9/170	22-Jul-00	Sweden
HM	Jonathan Yantsis	RW	Kitchener (OHL)	6-2/210	28-Apr-99	Canada

Colten Ellis – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – ST. LOUIS BLUES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #10

St. Louis Blues Top-15 Prospects

1 - Jimmy Snuggerud

2 - Dalibor Dvorsky

3 - Logan Mailloux

4 - Justin Carbonneau

5 - Adam Jiricek

6 - Theo Lindstein

7 - Otto Stenberg

8 - Juraj Pekarcik

9 - Lukas Fischer

10 - Quinton Burns

11 - Colten Ellis

12 - Aleksanteri Kaskimaki

13 - Zach Dean

14 - Colin Ralph

15 - Jakub Stancl

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #15 St. Louis Blues – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

1. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

2. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

3. Zach Bolduc, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

4. Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas IF (SHL)

5. Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda HC (SHL)

6. Zach Dean, C, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

7. Michael Buchinger, D, Guelph Storm (OHL)

8. Juraj Pekarcik, LW, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

9. Vadim Zherenko, G, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

10. Tanner Dickinson, C, Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – ST. LOUIS BLUES – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: ST. LOUIS BLUES – RANK: #24 – TIER IV

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: St. Louis Blues Top 20 Prospects

Scott Perunovich, D (45th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Jake Neighbours, LW (26th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Tyler Tucker, D (200th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Klim Kostin, RW (31st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 3)

Joel Hofer, G (107th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Nikita Alexandrov, C (62nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Dylan Peterson, C (86th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Ville Husso, G (94th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 6)

Niko Mikkola, D (127th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 7)

Hugh McGing, C (138th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 8)

Keean Washkurak, C (155th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 9)

Colten Ellis, G (93rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Leo Loof, D (88th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Will Cranley, G (163rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Austin Poganski, RW (110th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 11)

Mitch Reinke, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed, Mar. 25, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Jake Walman, D (82nd overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 13)

Tanner Dickinson, C (119th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Mathias Laferriere, C (69th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 14)

Nolan Stevens, C (125th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – ST LOUIS BLUES – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 31

St. Louis Blues

Scott Perunovich, D (45th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Tyler Tucker, D (200th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Klim Kostin, RW (31st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Joel Hofer, G (107th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 20)

Nikita Alexandrov, C (62nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Ville Husso, G (94th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 12)

Niko Mikkola, D (127th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

Hugh McGing, C (138th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 15)

Keean Washkurak, C (155th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Colten Ellis, G (93rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank 13)

Austin Poganski, RW (110th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mitch Reinke, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed, Mar. 25, 2018. 2019 Rank: 9)

Jake Walman, D (82nd overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 16)

Mathias Laferriere, C (69th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Nolan Stevens, C (125th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)

QMJHL 2019-20 Season Preview: Early returns show parity, competition at top of standings

St. Louis Blues 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

McKeen’s Choice Awards: QMJHL

Mike Sanderson’s QMJHL Choice Awards

Best Hockey Sense – Samuel Poulin, Sherbrooke Phoenix

Also considered: Jakob Pelletier, Nikita Alexandrov, Maxence Guénette, Alex Beaucage

Most Skilled – Raphael Lavoie, Halifax Mooseheads

Also considered: Samuel Poulin, Jakob Pelletier, Maxim Cajkovic

Hardest to Play Against – Jakob Pelletier, Moncton Wildcats

Best Playmaker – Jakob Pelletier, Moncton Wildcats

Also considered: Samuel Poulin, Raphael Lavoie, Mikhail Abramov, Xavier Simoneau, Alexei Sergeev

Scott Perunovich, D (45^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Jake Neighbours, LW (26^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Tyler Tucker, D (200^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Klim Kostin, RW (31^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 3)

Joel Hofer, G (107^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Nikita Alexandrov, C (62^nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Dylan Peterson, C (86^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Ville Husso, G (94^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 6)

Niko Mikkola, D (127^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 7)

Hugh McGing, C (138^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 8)

Keean Washkurak, C (155^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 9)

Colten Ellis, G (93^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Leo Loof, D (88^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Will Cranley, G (163^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Austin Poganski, RW (110^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 11)

Jake Walman, D (82^nd overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 13)

Tanner Dickinson, C (119^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Mathias Laferriere, C (69^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 14)

Nolan Stevens, C (125^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

Scott Perunovich, D (45^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Tyler Tucker, D (200^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Klim Kostin, RW (31^st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Joel Hofer, G (107^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 20)

Nikita Alexandrov, C (62^nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Ville Husso, G (94^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 12)

Niko Mikkola, D (127^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

Hugh McGing, C (138^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 15)

Keean Washkurak, C (155^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Colten Ellis, G (93^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank* 13*)

Austin Poganski, RW (110^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank:* UR*)

Jake Walman, D (82^nd overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 16)

Mathias Laferriere, C (69^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Nolan Stevens, C (125^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)