Daniil Ustinkov – McKeen's Hockey

2026 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES PART THREE – EUROPE – Overage Draft Eligible Prospects

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:43:17 +0000

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

For those unfamiliar, North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. In the last decade, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. Additionally, CHL players may now be deemed more “intriguing” because of the altered NCAA eligibility rules. NHL teams can draft overage players and retain their rights after they go to college for a few years, expanding their signing and development window. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Former Calgary Flames, now Utah Mammoth standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. Ottawa Senators standout forward Drake Batherson was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck.

Last year, ten “re-entry” candidates went in the top four rounds: Charlie Cerrato, Francesco Dell’Elce, Bryce Pickford, Kristian Epperson, Julius Sumpf, Trenten Bennett, Benjamin Rautianinen, Yegor Borikov, Caeden Herrington, and Zack Sharp. Cerrato was taken inside the Top 50. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about nine of those ten. In total there were 37 taken, which is a bit lower than the recent trend of other drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). I would suspect that bounces back this year. Additionally, of those 37, we identified and wrote about 22 (well over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2026, we have some very interesting candidates. Edmonton Oil Kings defender Ethan MacKenzie was a solid contributor for Canada’s WJC team this past year. Brandon Wheat Kings forward Joby Baumuller has been among the WHL’s leading goal scorers all year. Prince Albert netminder Michal Orsulak has been among the best goaltenders in the CHL this year. Moncton winger Niko Tournas has been among the QMJHL’s leading goal scorers all year. Russian defenseman Alexander Sapozhinkov is a massive blueliner who has broken out in the MHL and earned a KHL look. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

This is part three of the series, putting the spotlight on those re-entries available from across Europe. - Brock Otten

Sweden

Luleås Oliwer Sjöström 27 March 2026 i Luleå.
Photo: Simon Eliasson / BILDBYRÅN

Oliwer Sjöström - Defense - IF Björklöven (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Sjöström returns to the draft after going unselected last year, following a season that has brought him back into consideration through clear progression at the professional level. How his game would translate against men was a question coming out of last year’s draft, but his loan to Björklöven has helped answer that. Playing consistent minutes in HockeyAllsvenskan, he has recorded 26 points in 46 games while showing increased confidence with the puck and contributing offensively at a steady rate. His progression is most noticeable in his puck play and composure. He looks more comfortable handling pressure and making decisions in transition, supporting possession without forcing plays. His offensive impact comes more from puck movement and timing than high-end creativity. His strengths are built around mobility, awareness, and puck-moving ability. Areas for improvement remain on the physical side, as added strength would help him handle battles more consistently. His size may also present challenges at the NHL level, which remains a concern given his style of play in defensive situations. From a projection standpoint, Sjöström most realistically profiles as a depth NHL defenseman, likely requiring a longer development path through the SHL or AHL. Based on his progression this season, I would consider him a late round option. (Viktor Ahlund)

Oliver Dejbjerg Larsen - Wing/Center - Rögle BK U20 (U20 Nationell)

A major jump in production has put Dejbjerg-Larsen back on the radar for this year’s draft, as he led the entire U20 series in points. After recording 16 points last year, he followed it up with 53 points in 36 games this season, including 20 goals and 33 assists, a level of production that has been above my expectations. His offensive development has been a key part of his progression, both in his production and overall involvement in the offensive zone. His release has also taken a step forward, adding another layer to his offensive game. He plays with good mobility and is effective with the puck, helping move play forward and support transitions without doing too much with the puck. There are clear signs of offensive upside, particularly in how he finds space. Areas for improvement remain in his physical play and consistency in defensive situations, where added strength is still needed. There is also a question of how well his offensive game will translate to the professional level, which is something to keep an eye on. At this stage, Dejbjerg-Larsen profiles as a long-term project. Despite his strong production at the junior level, a top six role at the highest level is unlikely, and his transition to the professional game will play a key role in determining what type of role he can grow into. After a strong season with Rögle’s U20 and solid performances with Denmark at the WJC, he could draw late round interest. (Viktor Ahlund)

Isac Hedqvist - Wing/Center - Luleå HF (SHL)

Another year, another Isac Hedqvist feature in our overager report. What more can we say about the pure-bred puck-hound from Örnsköldsvik? He’s played over 100 games and counting at the SHL level, even winning the 2025 SHL championship as an everyday bottom six. This year, Hedqvist has played on Luleå’s first line and set a new career high in goals, points, and games played. The physicality, the quickness, the intensity, and the inside drive haven’t gone anywhere. He kills penalties. His offensive capabilities have taken another step. Even when nothing is going for him, Hedqvist is a spark plug that can inject any line with energy. He’s got a great personality, too. If he were two inches taller, he’d have been picked in his first year of eligibility. It’s tough to make it as an NHL bottom six as a 5’11”, 174lbs winger. He’s not skilled enough for a top six role, either. Even if he doesn’t have a clear-cut, projectable role, Hedqvist is wired the right way for the NHL. All he needs in an opportunity to show the league what he can do out on the ice. (Felix Robbins)

Felix Carell - Defense - Malmö Redhawks (SHL)

Carell has had a true breakout year in his DY+2. He’s nabbed a role as an SHL regular despite no prior pro experience. He was also selected to Sweden’s WJC team that won gold, where he featured in every match and occasionally played top pair minutes. Again, despite no prior national team experience. It’s no secret as to why. Carell has matured both physically and mentally since his first year of eligibility, playing a competitive and physical brand of defence that all defence cores need. His skating looks smooth and he’s mobile in all directions. His passing and up-ice vision look solid at the SHL level, and he gets the breakout started with ease. He’s alert and aware in the defensive zone, stifling zone entries and retrieving pucks with his head on a swivel. There are no surprises in Carell's game. His offensive upside is limited, but he does everything you need a defensive defenceman to do. In a couple years, Carell could be a solid depth defenceman that a team can plug into their lineup for some extra jam. (Felix Robbins)

Isac Nilsson - Wing - Malmo (SHL)

Nilsson has worked his way back into draft consideration, showing steady progression this season at the professional level. In 44 SHL games with Malmö, he recorded eight points while adjusting to a higher level of competition, managing the pace and structure better than expected. His development is most noticeable in how he handles pace and pressure at the SHL level. He looks more settled in his decisions with the puck and plays with better timing in transition. It’s clear that he has added strength to his game, both in physical play and as a puck carrier, which was an area of concern for me last season. He brings value through his work rate, awareness, and dependable two-way game. Areas for improvement remain in his physical development and overall offensive ceiling, as he lacks separation ability and finishing consistency. Looking ahead, Nilsson most realistically profiles as a depth forward, requiring continued development at the professional level. Nilsson could fill a role as a checking line player and I would consider him a late round option, and if available in rounds 6–7, I would take a chance on him from a long-term development perspective. (Viktor Ahlund)

Herman Liv - Goaltender - Almtuna (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Liv began the season on loan to Almtuna in HockeyAllsvenskan, where he has adapted well to the professional level and taken positive steps in his development. In 25 games, he’s posted a 2.35 GAA and a .916 save percentage while adjusting to the higher level of competition. His development is most noticeable in his positioning and overall calmness in net, something his father was known for as well. His rebound control has also improved, limiting second-chance opportunities, an area that showed some inconsistency in my viewings last season. He brings value through his positioning and puck tracking, though improvements in explosiveness are needed. He’s also somewhat undersized for the position, though smaller goaltenders have shown they can succeed at the NHL level. Looking ahead, Liv most realistically profiles as a long-term goaltender, likely requiring time at the professional level. His ceiling is most likely projects to the SHL or AHL level, but the path for goaltenders is rarely straightforward, and extended time in top European leagues or the AHL has often proven to be a path toward NHL opportunities. Based on his progression, I would consider him a late round option, where a team could take a chance on him long term. (Viktor Ahlund)

Romeo Edvardsen Sørensen - Wing - Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Just 4 days shy of being a 1st time eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Sorensen has scored the lights out in his 2nd year of U20 Nationell play and seized an everyday role in the HockeyAllsvenskan. The physical tools make it easy to see where Sørensen could be plugged into an NHL lineup, similar to how he’s used currently with Mora. His motor, his frame, and his physicality have made him a solid bottom 6 checker. His hard and accurate shot has earned him PP time as well. His skating has improved since last season, though he could still use some more quickness. While he's had some highlight reel moments with the puck on his stick at the pro level, Sørensen hasn’t been able to consistently display the soft skill that he has in juniors. For him to tap into that upside, he’ll have to learn to read and process the game quicker at the pro level. The hope is that this improves with more reps. If you leave him to marinate in Sweden for a couple years, Sørensen could be a physical bottom 6 winger with goalscoring upside. (Felix Robbins)

Philip Hemmyr - Wing/Center - Björklöven IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

After flying completely under the radar in his draft season, homegrown Hemmyr has taken a big step in his hockey career by torching the U20 and earning himself a depth role with Björklöven’s senior team — the best team in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He typically plays down the middle in juniors, but he’s still learning the position at the pro level from the wing. He’s grown an inch or so and has added some quickness to his skating. Hemmyr has always been a solid two-way player, but he’s able to read the game and play intelligently off puck at the pro level already. His off-puck work ethic is great as well, although he needs to fill out before he’s much of a problem on the forecheck. Offensively, Hemmyr hasn’t been able to pull off his playmaking ideas very often at the pro level. However, he’s shown the ability to find soft ice and pounce on pucks around the net (even if it hasn’t shown up on the scoreboard). Hemmyr is an interesting bet to make if you want a bottom 6 two-way forward, but he’s got to marinate in Sweden for a couple more years. (Felix Robbins)

Leo Sundqvist - Wing - Brynäs IF (SHL)

While he may not profile as your typical over-ager target (undersized, not the highest skill level, not scoring at the pro level), Sundqvist is wired exactly how I like my undersized forwards to play: Speedy, feisty, physical, and shoots the lights out. The straight-line speed is great, even for a forward his size. He’s putting up a ton of points as a top 6 in the U20 despite not having the greatest puck skills. His playmaking is fairly practical, but his shot is the best offensive weapon in his arsenal. His play away from the puck is intense and his physical game is that of a forward twice his size. Sundqvist hasn’t been able to lock down an SHL role as of yet. He struggles to read the game at a high level and doesn’t always put himself in the best position. Like with other forwards on this list, the hope is that it improves with reps. If everything breaks right for Sundqvist, he could be a bottom 9 who drives transition play, forechecks, and scores goals. (Felix Robbins)

Finland

Jere Somervuori

Jere Somervuori - Wing - HIFK (Liiga)

Somervuori has evolved from a high-energy U20 complementary piece into a legitimate Liiga-caliber checking prospect. His rise on the draft map is fueled by his adaptation to professional pace where he hasn't just survived the jump to Finland’s top tier, he has maintained his signature "motor" against men. His game is built on explosive skating and a relentless work rate. He is a puck-retrieval specialist who excels on the forecheck and backcheck, using an active stick to disrupt plays. He shows great poise under pressure and is a versatile "Swiss Army Knife" who can play the wing or center while killing penalties. His Hockey IQ cannot be underestimated. He makes good reads and he has a good awareness of where everybody is on the ice. However, his finishing touch and shooting mechanics remain raw. While his intensity helps him win battles, he lacks the heavy physical frame to overpower opponents, relying instead on positioning and effort. He projects as a reliable bottom-six NHL energy forward at best or a high-end Liiga specialist. His young age for a draft-plus-one skater makes him an intriguing "swing" pick in the middle-to-late rounds for a team valuing defensive responsibility and pace. (Jeremy Rivet)

Leo Tuuva - Wing - Lukko (Liiga)

Tuuva’s draft stock has fluctuated significantly. After a hot start that showcased his offensive skill and power-play utility, his production cooled off in Liiga action. He remains on the radar due to his size and flashes of high-end playmaking, but questions about his consistency and heavy game have caused him to slide recently. Tuuva possesses dynamic hands and a precise shot, particularly effective from the half-wall on the power play. He is a shifty puck carrier who uses weight shifts to create lanes. However, his skating mechanics lack depth and explosiveness, which limits his ability to win 50/50 battles. There is a tendency to play too much on the perimeter in his game. He often avoids the dirty areas of the ice, and his compete level can appear inconsistent when the game turns physical. A boom-or-bust offensive prospect. If his skating improves and he learns to use his 6’01” frame to drive the middle, he could be a middle-six scoring winger. Without those adjustments, he risks becoming a career European pro who struggles with the pace of the North American game. (Jeremy Rivet)

Niklas Nykyri - Defense - HIFK (Liiga)/KooKoo (Liiga)

Nykyri has successfully transitioned to the Liiga level by simplifying his game and leaning into his hockey IQ. He has moved from a flashy U20 defender to a poised, puck-moving professional. His performance at the recent World Juniors has reaffirmed that his vision is among the best in his age group for Finnish defenders. His offensive vision is his calling card. He excels at finding seam passes and threading the needle from the blue line rather than just settling for low-percentage shots. He shows great poise when escaping pressure behind his own net. His weaknesses lie in skating mobility and gap control. While his edges are functional, he can be exposed by high-end speed. His first pass is generally good, but he can become turnover-prone when forced to make decisions under heavy physical pressure. He projects as a modern 3rd pairing puck-moving defenseman at best. His ability to quarterback a second power-play unit and facilitate transitions makes him a candidate for the later rounds of the draft, provided a team believes they can refine his footwork and his pace. (Jeremy Rivet)

Veeti Rasanen - Wing - Jokerit (Mestis)/Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

Räsänen has established himself as a premier scoring threat in the Finnish U20 SM-sarja for the past two seasons, forcing his way onto the draft map through sheer offensive production combined with his 6-foot-3 frame. Räsänen is a pure goalscorer with a prototype frame for a modern power winger. His primary weapon is a heavy, deceptive wrist shot with a quick release that beats goalies from distance. He excels at finding soft ice in the offensive zone and is a constant threat on the power play, where he uses his reach and strength to protect pucks. While his offensive instincts are above average, his skating mechanics remain a work in progress. His first-step acceleration is average, which can make it difficult for him to create separation against professional defenders. Additionally, his defensive engagement and off-puck discipline require more consistency to survive at higher levels. He has the potential to become a bottom-six scoring winger with decent offensive upside as well as a versatile player that can play on the penalty kill if he develops his defensive game. Because of his rare combination of size and natural finishing ability, he is an interesting upside target for teams willing to invest in his development. He is likely to be a mid-to-late round pick in 2026, with the potential to rise if his professional transition in Finland continues to show he can score against men. (Jeremy Rivet)

Russia

Semyon Simonov

Semyon Simonov - Wing - Barys Astana (KHL)

After a point-per-game season in the MHL and solid look in the KHL last season, Simonov has adjusted to the pro game well. One of the top U21 producers in the KHL in his D+3 season, he puts up points with a quality shot and good off puck positioning. In transition, he makes himself an option along the wall to gain easy entry to the zone and is focused on putting pucks on net. He can fight off pressure well but he is held back by mediocre skating and a lack of skill. Defensively, he is an active player with a good motor but isn’t always successful at winning his battles. This holds true on the forecheck as well, as he's able to pressure opponents but isn’t quite effective in creating turnovers. A good rush attacker with a solid shot, but im not so sure there is an NHL caliber player here, the skating and skill needs to come a ways to be the middle six complementary winger that he will likely end up as in the KHL. (Mark Doherty)

Ivan Patrikhayev - Defense - CSKA Moskva (KHL)

Patrikhayev has found some more offense since his first draft eligible season. As a smaller puck-moving defenseman this is an important development in his game. He stands out in transition, with clean breakout passes and improved footwork to evade forechecks and maneuver up ice. With more activation and an ability to get shots off from the point, he has become more effective in the offensive end. Defensively, there is a lack of physicality, losing battles in front of the net, and can skate himself out of position at times but generally he has played well, supporting his defensive partner and doing his best to recover loose pucks and push the puck up ice. He likely tops out as a top four two-way puck mover in the KHL, as he lacks any NHL caliber tools. But the progression in his skating and overall two-way play could see him as a late round bet for teams who think there is still room for growth. (Mark Doherty)

Artur Faizov - Wing/Center - Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

Faizov's game is built around his fast pace of play, high motor, and effectiveness on the rush. At lower levels he dominates, forcing turnovers and creating odd man rushes constantly with his speed. The ability to cut off breakouts, attack opponents along the walls and send passes to the slot when turnovers occur on the half wall make him an exciting player to watch. This rambunctious style of play doesn't disappear at the pro level, as he looks solid in the VHL, but the increased physicality and skill in the KHL has caused some struggles in the second half of the year. His slender frame is an issue, unable to win battles he normally would in juniors, and the skill and speed he shows in juniors looks very pedestrian in the KHL. The details in his game, his ability to read play quickly, and ability to get to the middle of the ice are not translating effectively either. I really enjoy the way he plays, and if he gains muscle and works on the details of his game he can be an energy forward in the NHL one day, but it is a long shot. (Mark Doherty)

Maxim Gusev - Defense - Olimpiya Kirovo-Chepetsk (VHL)

Gusev is a steady puck moving defenseman who shines on the breakout and when joining the rush. His newfound confidence, and improved hockey sense and mobility, allow him to find passing lanes and act the trailing forward, driving the slot on zone entries. He picks his spots to activate tactically, gliding into open space, making sure he has support, and firing off shots from the high slot. With the puck on his stick, he's not a dynamic player, the slow first steps skating keep him from beating forwards one-on-one at the blue line or when he carries the puck himself. He keeps the game simple, drawing in defenders and hitting his teammates with accurate passes. What truly holds him back is the defensive game. He's far too passive and not very physical. The slow first steps lead to him getting burned on the rush, and he fails to pick up open players in front of the net. I like the offensive package as a bottom pair puck mover at the NHL level, but his defensive game needs to really take a step over the next few years. Finding a role in the KHL next year will be very important for his development. (Mark Doherty)

Mikhail Melikov - Wing - MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

Melikov has had an impressive year in the MHL, at the top of the scoring charts and playing big minutes for a good Dynamo Moskva team. He's been a much more noticeable player this season, forcing turnovers, getting involved in transition, and creating offense. He is able to do this by utilizing his great skating and high motor. The IQ has also taken a big step, he understands where to be on the ice to make himself dangerous and be a pest for opposing players. The offensive skills aren't elite, but the hands and playmaking are good enough to produce when paired with the motor and IQ. There is room to grow with his shot, as he tends to have a slow release, charging up his shots rather than quickly firing it on net. There are also moments of frustration in his body language where he can lose that effort for a few seconds but his intensity doesn't allow him to stay idle for long. I believe there is middle six potential for Melikov and there is a short list of draft eligible Russians that I would take before seriously considering him. (Mark Doherty)

Gleb Burlaka - Wing - Omskie Yastreby (MHL)

As an MHL rookie in his D+1 season Burlaka has garnered some attention with his point per game pace and his combination of skill and energy. A confident puck carrier with strong edges, he opens his hips to turn away from pressure, and his strong frame allows him to fight off checks and wait for passing lanes to open up. He attacks with speed but can slow the play down when necessary. His game is simple and effective, net driven, supportive and physical along the boards with plenty of compete. There is still a bit of rawness to Burlaka and despite the physicality and engagement he struggles to be the one doing the pressuring. Adding some muscle would help him pin players to walls or land heavy hits on the forecheck rather than just bouncing off defenders. The lack of real high-end skill may limit him to a bottom 6 role. He must add some strength to fulfill that, but his style of play and skating ability is a strong foundation that could lead to him getting selected. (Mark Doherty)

Yegor Gusev - Wing - Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)

Gusev has been very productive in his first full season in the MHL. A solid complimentary piece, he does the dirty work to help his line mates thrive and drives the net to collect rebounds and back door feeds. The workrate is impressive, as he hunts down opponents on the backcheck, is quick to apply pressure on the forecheck, and can muck it up in the corners or along the boards. A solid skating base, he can really get moving when he gets a head of steam, adding to that high motor play style. He is also not one to shy away from blocking shots in the defensive end. With that being said, he is a bit slow when reading play and processing information. Puck watching can be an issue at times and he's not always in good positions or picking the right lanes to attack on the rush. The skill is pretty average but there is a solid shot on him. He's a grinder, a bottom six role isn't out of the question as he's had a great rookie season in the MHL. If his IQ takes a step in the coming seasons he could be a player that coaches adore. (Mark Doherty)

Alexander Sapozhinkov - Defense - Kapitan Stupino (MHL)

A classic old school blueliner. Big, physical, and a booming slap shot. Can erase forwards along the boards and contribute on the forecheck when he activates. His long reach helps him shut down rushes, especially when forwards think they have him beat. Improvement in the offensive zone has led to increased production in the MHL. Simple plays, decent maneuverability along the blue line and finding space to get his powerful slap shot off, makes him an interesting player. The skating stride still needs plenty of work. It's short and choppy at times and he has trouble keeping up with pacey players, but his pivots and lateral mobility have come a long way. His tape at the KHL level was pretty concerning mostly due to his skating deficiencies and ability to make quick reads. At 6-foot-6 he still has time to grow into his body, and with patience, could be a decent depth defensemen in the long run. An interesting project to take a swing on in the later rounds. (Mark Doherty)

Ivan Fomin - Wing - Taifun Primorsky Krai (MHL)

Fomin is having an incredible D+1 season as one of the leading scorers in the MHL, while outscoring the second most productive guy on his team by almost 30 points. The undersized winger is as dynamic as they come. A high-end skater with great top speed, explosive edges and lateral mobility. Dazzling hands allow him to cut through defenses and get to the front of the net consistently. He has naturally grown in these areas but what stands out this season is his IQ and effort. He is all over the ice as is constantly finding himself in the right spots to win races to loose pucks and capitalize on mistakes and rebounds. The relentless motor helps him win board battles and fight hard in front of the net, necessary skills for a player his size. A zone entry machine and very creative passer in all areas of the ice. The concern is the frame and some moments of poor decision making and playing hero hockey. I want to hold my judgement till he can prove himself at the KHL level, but why not take a swing on the skillset in the later rounds and go from there? It's likely he ends up as a top six KHL scorer like Ruslan Iskhakov but there is top 6 upside, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is a future Russian FA target in the mold of a fellow undersized Russian FA target in Maxim Shabanov as he has more pace and energy then Shabonov and Iskhakov. (Mark Doherty)

Central Europe

Tomas Galvas of Czech Republic and Tij Iginla of Canada during the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship semifinal game between Canada and Czech Republic on January 4, 2026 in Saint Paul.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN

Tomas Galvas - Defense - Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

Tomáš Galvas has taken a clear step forward over the past two seasons, transitioning from a depth role into a more impactful puck-moving defenseman in a pro environment. After posting modest production in 2024–25 (11 points in 43 games), he significantly elevated his offensive output this season, producing at close to a point-per-game pace in limited minutes and carrying that confidence into international play. His biggest driver of progression is his puck play. Galvas is a fluid skater with strong edgework, allowing him to escape pressure and lead controlled exits. He consistently makes quick first passes and shows improved assertiveness activating into the rush. At the World Juniors level, he handled elevated responsibility and contributed offensively, reinforcing his trajectory as a modern transition defenseman. Defensively, he still relies more on positioning and stick detail than strength. He can be outmuscled in net-front situations and will need to add physical maturity to handle pro forechecks consistently. Projection-wise, Galvas is trending toward a puck-moving, second-unit type defenseman. His skating and decision-making give him NHL utility, but his long-term upside will depend on how much strength and defensive reliability he can add. (Marek Novotny)

Matěj Maštalířský - Wing - HC Verva Litvínov (Czechia)

Maštalířský is an offensively capable winger, but he didn't produce enough in the Czech top tier league in the past few years. The second half of the 2025-26 season was much better, although he did play on the worst team in the league. Maštalířský is a smart player who may not stand out at first glance, but he plays a solid two-way game and uses his hockey IQ effectively at both ends of the ice. He works hard and skates well, even though he's not the speediest player on the ice and doesn't strike as an energy guy. The size is decent at 6'1", however, at 176 lbs he could add on some muscle to better withstand physical play. Maštalířský may be an option for the upcoming NHL Draft, he's made some progress over the past few years and the improvement in the second half of the season was notable. He may become a middle-six option in the future but needs to add more muscle. He's smart, a decent skater and plays a reliable two-way game. (Matej Deraj)

Matej Kubiesa - Wing - HC Oceláři Třinec (Czechia)

Matej Kubiesa has worked his way back into draft consideration through increased offensive responsibility and strong production at the professional level this season. Playing in the Chance Liga, he is producing at better than a point-per-game rate, reflecting a more consistent role and greater involvement in offensive situations compared to previous years. His game is centered around off-puck play and finishing ability. Kubiesa reads the offensive zone effectively, finding space between defenders and arriving into scoring areas with good timing. His shot is his most reliable tool, featuring a quick release that allows him to convert chances efficiently, particularly from the slot and faceoff circles. He tends to play a direct style, supporting the puck and finishing plays rather than creating through extended possession. His skating remains average, especially in his first-step acceleration, which limits separation against faster opponents. While he competes, his physical presence is not consistently applied, particularly along the boards. Projection is as a depth winger with secondary scoring upside, with his long-term outlook tied to improvements in pace and consistency. (Marek Novotny)

Tomáš Královič - Defence - HC Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)

Královič made a huge leap compared to his previous season in the Slovak league, with nearly double the ice time. He was one of the leading scorers among defensemen in the league and even set a new record for most points in a U21 season. Královič has an intriguing profile. He has an ideal size at 6'3", 203 lbs, and plays a very physical game. He is more of an offensive defenseman who likes to join the rush and shoots the puck a ton. His defensive game still needs some polishing, but the overall archetype is very interesting. As a 6-foot-3, right-shot, offensively capable defenseman with some bite to his game, there must be NHL interest. On the downside, Královič is quite short-tempered and tends to take a lot of unnecessary penalties. He also needs to continue improving defensively. His skating is decent, but it's not a standout trait. If Královič isn’t picked as an overager, he will be a strong candidate to sign an NHL contract as a free agent. I see him as a bottom-four option in the future. (Matej Deraj)

Lenny Boos - Wing/Center - Düsseldorfer EG (DEL2)/Youngstown (USHL)

A lightly built player with good wheels and some solid hockey IQ, Boos was a guy we liked in his draft year but knew that neither his domestic nor international experience afforded him any real shot at being a draft consideration. This season, he successfully made his way into a top 9 DEL2 role with several appearances for Bremerhaven in the DEL and Champions Hockey League. His solid WJC performance as Germany’s #1 center, which included a 4-point relegation game performance in a key victory over Denmark, must have opened some eyes because he transferred to the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL shortly - and unexpectedly - thereafter, where he collected 7 points and a + rating in his first 10 outings. The son of a long-time German pro and national team player, we can attest that Boos is very coachable and plays with confidence. Also, he’ll be 19 right on through late November and still has plenty of leeway for physical and skill-related development. (Chapin Landvogt)

Niklas Blessing - Defense - Biel-Bienne (NL)

Blessing continues a trend among Swiss defensemen showing up as overage draft candidates after several years of high-level pro hockey. He wasn’t really on the map in his draft year and then was brought along slowly but soundly in his DY+1, where he saw more time at the NL level than anywhere else. This season, the average sized, yet well-built Blessing has become a full-time NL defenseman with a sound two-way game, often logging over 18 minutes of TOI per night. And it’s been that way all season long, without any lulls, even leading to a top five role at the WJC. His numbers this season have been very much akin to those of Ludvig Johnson, who was drafted as an overager with lesser numbers last summer. (Chapin Landvogt)

Daniil Ustinkov - Defense - Küsnacht Lions (SL)

As a 17-year-old underager, Ustinkov put up 4 points at the U18 worlds and headed into his draft season looking like a top 60 topic. A stocky defenseman whose game we’ve often compared to that of a Dmitry Kulikov, Ustinkov saw his so-so Hlinka Gretzky Cup performance carry with him throughout his draft year, which to his credit was spent primarily playing solid pro hockey at both the SL and NL levels. But defensively weak WJC and U18 Worlds tourneys saw him go undrafted. His DY+1 featured him in a more prominent role at the SL level but without any fanfare and no international performances of note, being left off the WJC squad. This season, he was back at the WJC, where he showed very well for himself (4 assists in 5 games). Further, he’s been one of Küsnacht’s top 3 defenders, suiting up 15 times for NL power Zug along the way. An NL contract is in the bag for next season, and he’ll be 19 right on up through the draft. The multifaceted tools are there for a team wanting low-profile but dependable defensive organizational depth. (Chapin Landvogt)

2024 IIHF U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: GROUP B – Team Previews – Players to Watch

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:40:39 +0000

Alfons Frej.
Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN /

On April 25th, the IIHF Under 18 World Championships will commence with Team USA looking to defend last spring’s gold medal victory over Sweden, which itself had an extremely impressive tournament in gaining silver. For Group B action at this spring’s event, spectators and tournament followers alike can expect some fierce competition and any number of combinations in the standings, as each of Canada, Czechia, and Sweden enter tourney action with their sights rightfully set on first place. Should they finish 1st through 3rd, chances are that they’ll avoid facing off against the returning world champions in the quarterfinals, a goal each will take seriously. At the other end of the spectrum, Team Switzerland will be absolutely focused on what should be their decisive preliminary round match against newbie Kazakhstan on the 26th, 24 hours after facing off against the Czechs. For the Kazakhs, that game will mark their first appearance in the elite pool since 2003. Rest assured that both clubs are well aware that relegation is once again part of the fun again.

Sweden

The reigning silver medalists are heading to Finland with a line-up worthy of a medal favorite status, even if not heavy on 1st round draft options. Amazingly, not a single player was part of last spring’s valiant silver medal effort yet features six players who got into SHL action this winter, one center who is currently taking a regular shift in the Hockey Allsvenskan finals, and in general, an entire squad that spent the vast bulk of the season playing in the nation’s top U20 circuit, many of whom were dominant offensive contributors. Throw in a couple of goalies who saw plenty of playing time this winter and you’ve got a fairly well-oiled squad that will get a load of attention from the scouting community. The group is for sure a toughie, but it’s hard to imagine the Swedes finishing anything less than 3rd in group play and if that means Finland in the quarterfinals, the Tre Kronor will be more than keen on having the opportunity to knock off their archrival in their home venue.

Top Players to Watch

Victor Eklund (F)

As impressive as the emergence of teammate and 2024 draft-eligible Linus Eriksson has been this season, Eklund is authoring a story that may end up being all that much better when all is said and done. A statistical playmaker by trade, the 6’1” lanky winger has been making sweet offensive music over the past weeks of playoffs for Djurgarden’s men's team, putting up 6 points and a +3 rating in 14 games. Incredibly strong on the puck and capable of turning on a dime, Eklund looks a bit like a taller, skinnier version of his brother William, a recent 1st rounder who just concluded a 45-point rookie season in the NHL. Although this will be Eklund’s final go-around at the U18 Worlds, he’s first eligible for the 2025 draft and all signs are that he too will jostle for a position among next summer’s top 10 draftees like his brother before him. First, he’ll want to put a nice exclamation mark on this season’s achievements with some solid production for what has to be seen as a medal contender. He could very well end up in the team’s top 6.

Linus Eriksson (F)

After chipping in 21 points and a +15 in 25 U20 league games for the ambitious Djurgarden organization, Eriksson was called up to the pro team and hasn’t looked back. Currently mired in the Hockey Allsvenskan championship series against Brynäs, Eriksson has shown no sign of being a junior player, handling all the rough stuff while continuing to score goals and make plays. In total, he’s collected 7 goals and 15 points in 40 pro games this season, often lining up with Djurgarden star Linus Klassen. As could be expected, his star has risen in draft rankings as well and this tournament should serve as one in which he solidifies whether he’s a 1st or 2nd round talent in the upcoming draft. Eriksson likes to drive the puck to the goal and has no qualms shooting rather than passing, which should be an admirable trait for the Swedes.

Alfons Freij (D)

Very smooth on his feet and possessing some often silky mitts, Freij has been a delight to watch all season as he brings all sorts of thrills to the table and can often be seen conducting his signature stick twirl in one hand when he scores. At 6’1”, 198 pounds, he has wonderful size, but is still very mobile and makes good use of his long stick. The author of 16 goals over 45 total U20 league games, Freij was already a PPG player at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer and will be counted on to be a top 2 defenseman at this tournament, hopefully keeping up the offensive production while at it. We won’t hold back in saying that he does have his detractors in the scouting community, so what he does at this tournament will likely decide if he’s a first round pick in June - or not.

Herman Liv (G)

Liv was a minute-muncher all season long for Örebro’s U20 outfit, ultimately standing in goal for well over 2000 minutes in that league’s regular season alone. All in all, he went 20-16 with a 2.82 GAA and then topped that off with a 6-2 record and 2.09 GAA in the playoffs. Already the nation’s starter last summer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he went 3-0 with a miniscule 1.60 GAA, he should be the man in net for the team this spring, which will make this team an emotional one for fans across the country as Liv’s father Stefan was a legendary Swedish goaltender who tragically passed away in the 2011 plane crash carrying nearly the entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL team. Only 6-foot tall and weighing just 170 pounds, his presence in goal is reminiscent of Sweden’s most recent gold medal-winning goaltender Hugo Hävelid in more ways than one. Liv could easily end up being one of the top three goalies at this tournament.

Lucas Pettersson (F)

A regular offensive contributor at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer (4 points in as many games) and the WJAC-19 (8 points in 6 games), we currently see Pettersson as a likely high second round draft pick in this summer’s draft. One of a half dozen players on the team to get into SHL action this year (5 games), his 57 points and +27 in 44 U20 league games had him firmly implanted as one of the circuit’s most dominating offensive players, having played fewer games than the majority of his company in the upper echelon of the league. Here in Finland, we’ll be looking for him to be one of the offensive motors in the top six and although it would be unfair to expect him to produce like Otto Stenberg did last season, it is a role this Swedish team is going to need Pettersson to try to fill for this spring’s edition.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius (D)

Thought to be a bit of a stiff player by some, Wallenius is ultimately a very mobile defenseman who only measures in at 6-foot, 180-pounds. However, he plays like a defenseman who is four inches taller and there’s a lot of stretch to his stick and willingness to lean into opposition players. Moreover, there’s some sly offensive ability here as he enjoys walking the blueline every bit as much as he happily jumps up into the play to replace a forward or serve as the 4th man on the rush. After putting up five points in four Hlinka Gretzky Cup games and 19 through 19 games played with the U18 squad throughout the season, he also had 45 points and a +21 through 48 U20 league games, tying him for the league scoring lead among defensemen. Coming from the same Växjö program, he and Freij already build an experienced pairing with chemistry. This tournament could be decisive in pointing which of the two is actually the more impactful player.

Canada

Same procedure as every year for a Team Canada that is heading to this tournament chock full of players the scouts have been watching all winter long with other options having just come available as teams get knocked off in the CHL playoffs. With little time to gel being afforded to what is a bit of an all-star team among players not still active with their junior clubs, coach Gardiner MacDougall will have some interesting weapons to go with, several of the underage variety, including returnee Porter Martone. For the Canadians, the big battles against the Czechs and Swedes, which will come right in games 1 and 2, will be key for jockeying for the top spot in the group as well as getting the team ready for playoff competition. Having defeated Finland 5-1 in an initial test game, it’s hard to imagine this team won’t make the semifinals and thus, play for a medal. The team’s impressive overall construction and 3 lines of scorers places the gold medal very much in reach as long as the blueline group and goaltending can hold up their end of the bargain.

Top Players to Watch

Liam Greentree (F)

You don’t often see 90-point CHL scorers at this tournament, but thanks to Greentree and Gavin McKenna, Canada will be throwing two of them on the ice. Perhaps even together. For the burly, well-built winger who is widely considered a strong top 20 candidate for the upcoming NHL draft, this tournament will be about showing the scouting community that he’s ready to lead a team towards the promised land in a tournament where a player of his quality simply has to step up to the plate. He won’t be alone in this endeavor by any means, but he should be a part of the top six and an installation on the powerplay. We’re also thinking he’s going to need to drive the nets hard and be in on his share of the garbage goals around the goalmouth. On the personal front, his performance at this tourney may just mean the difference between being selected in the first rather than the second half of the first round.

Tij Iginla (F)

Expected to be a late addition to the team, Canada should be adding a player in Iginla who has all the makings of being the tournament’s top goal getter, if not its top scorer. Coming off a 47-goal season in the WHL, one in which he added another 9 goals and 15 points in 11 playoff games, Iginla may be the hottest player coming into the event. Son of NHL legend Jarome, Iginla has steadily made his way up the draft rankings all winter long, having raised eyebrows right off the bat with 13 goals in his first 12 games and 15 in the first 20. Possessing a heavy shot, plenty of moves, meticulous passing skills, and the ability to use his edges in a manner that perhaps his own father couldn’t even do, he’s going to be the type of player you can’t stop, but only hope to contain. A dominating performance in Finland would surely fortify him as a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft.

Porter Martone (F)

A 6’3” winger first eligible for the 2025 NHL draft, Martone is entering this tournament as a returnee who just spent this winter putting up 33 goals, 71 points, and a +25 in the OHL, chipping in another 6 points in 5 playoff games. We already saw at last spring’s U18 Worlds that Marone is a big fan of the bigger ice surface, where he can go on a deking tear while gaining speed or swerving through the masses. There’s a ton of skill here, but also a lot of the ideal prerequisites for a power forward and Martone always brings that “joker” quality to the table, as he can slice open a game at any given time. Doing so on an even more consistent basis could be just what Canada will need if the gold medal is to be obtained.

Maxime Masse (F)

At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, Masse informed the hockey world that he was in for a big winter by knocking in 5 goals in his first 4 games. With just one goal in his first 9 games with Chicoutimi of the QMJHL, it looked like he might not be able to live up to the expectations he had set, but his 35 goals over the next 58 games told an entirely different story. By the time the regular season concluded, he had amassed 75 points in 67 games and went on to add another 6 in 8 playoff games, the last of which being a goal just 8 days before tourney begin. Expect to see Masse placed next to a couple of like-minded offensive players and then we should see some fireworks. Like Iginla, Masse has the potential to be the tournament’s top goal scorer.

Gavin McKenna (F)

It’s already quite the claim to fame to say you’re Connor Bedard’s cousin (admittedly, by marriage), but McKenna may be the most marquee name of this tournament whatsoever coming off a 97-point regular season for the Medicine Hat Tigers, having done so entirely as a 16-year-old. That age bears taking to heart because McKenna is on track to the be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, which is still a long ways away. A sniper and deker with off-the-charts offensive instincts, McKenna is already 6-foot tall and handles the puck as if there’s a magnet on his stick. Just seeing him here will be a treat for hockey fans across the world and there’s really no reason he can’t end up being the most impactful player at the tournament.

Henry Mews (D)

His seven points in five Hlinka Gretzky Cup games last summer told us that the righty shot defender was in for a big draft year season. He did not disappoint! When the dust settled on his OHL season with the Ottawa 67’s, Mews had put up 15 goals, 61 points, and a +16 with a healthy dose of penalty minutes sprinkled in over 65 games. Another 5 points were chipped in over 10 playoff games, which - truth be told - was a bit quiet for the defender with the heavy and accurate blueline shot, especially when one sees that those points were spread out over only 2 of ten games. He, if not Spencer Gill, will now have a chance to be the ne plus ultra on the powerplay for Canada and can be realistically viewed as one of the top 5 defensemen heading in the tournament.

Marek Vanacker (F)

Of decent, but below average height and weight, the 6-foot forward managed to pull off one of the biggest OHL point jumps you’re ever going to see, going from 16 points in his rookie season to 82 in his draft year. Despite playing for a team that missed the playoffs, he also managed to collect a +7. Not shabby! Knowing how to get feisty at times, Vanacker has thrown a bit of a wrench into the plans of prospect rankers leaving some to think he may be worthy of a late 1st round pick. All the more important for this top 6 forward to put an exclamation point on his fantastic regular season with a big U18 Worlds showing. But will he get the kind of situational ice time to do so? The competition within the team will be fierce, especially from the likes of Jett Luchanko, Cole Beaudoin, and underager Malcolm Spence, all of whom could just as easily been mentioned here.

Czechia

Outside of Canada, not a team at this tournament can feature this many players currently playing for a CHL junior club. There are another half dozen players on the team who spent their winters in Sweden or Finland. Those who do play domestically have put up dominating junior numbers and spent this season gaining pro experience as well, save for a few exceptions. That means that the combination of experience and talent is one that should have the Czechs right in the thick of things with regards to medaling. The team has a few big boys, but plenty of undersized players as well. The program is hoping that the CHL experience might pay off best against Team Canada, a rivalry that has grown considerably at no less than the U20 level in recent years. One way or another, the Czechs will be gunning for a top 2 spot in the group and it’s hard to imagine anything less than a 3rd place finish. We can guarantee that no-one is looking forward to facing the Czechs in the quarterfinals after their final’s appearance at last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Top Players to Watch

Adam Benak (F)

He’s as small as it gets but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic player and generator of offense in this tournament. Slick, crafty, and creative, Benak enters opposition zones looking to slice them apart and then use a variety of pathways to the goal. Primarily a playmaker, Benak understandably dominated U18 play in the Czech Republic while scoring at a PPG pace in the nation’s U20 circuit. He also got into 18 games in the country’s top league, ending the season having suited up for 60 games over several layers of the Plzen organization. This came off the tails of a 10-point outing in 5 Hlinka Gretzky Cup games last summer, which topped the tournament. Look for Benak to be no less than an absolute fixture on the top power play unit at this tournament as he continues to lay the tracks for “the little engine that could” rubric of the ever evolving 2025 draft rankings picture.

Max Curran (C)

One of the younger players available for the upcoming draft, Curran is an enticing 6’3”, 190-pound playmaking center hailing from the Slavia Praha program in Prague. A top import selection of the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, it’s safe to say that his initial season in North America wasn’t exactly what the doctor ordered for the American-based WHL participant, but in light of the team’s overall dearth of offensive production, his 32 points in 40 games had him on pace to finish among the top 4 team scorers, several of which are already drafted. Moreover, he’ll need to be a key contributor for this Czech team, bringing valuable international experience to the table in a group featuring a highly anticipated Team Canada. With his draft stock having dropped a wee bit, we’re betting on Curran delivering a notable performance over the next 12 days.

Jakub Fibigr (D)

Part of a huge wave of Czech players drafted by CHL clubs in last summer’s import draft, Fibigr may be the one player of that group who actually exceeded expectations. Ultimately, he put up 43 points in 61 OHL contests and little of what he had done before had indicated that he’d have such production in him. As such, his stock continued to rise all winter long. A first round playoff loss for his Mississauga team still saw him chip in 4 assists in 5 games. He’ll now man the left side of one of Czechia’s top two defensive pairings and will be bringing a whole lot of experience to the ho-down in Finland as the Czechs should feature one of the better defensive units.

Tomas Galvas (D)

Measuring in at solely 5’10” and 150 pounds, it may seem astounding that Galvas has gained top 3-round consideration for the upcoming draft, but the slick skating defenseman with dominating edgework has presented himself to be a cerebral player whose size doesn’t curtail his effectiveness. He’s already spent most the year playing pro hockey in the Czech Republic’s top pro league, where he unfortunately gained perhaps the most notoriety by getting decked with an open-ice check to the head. Still, despite missing time and only seeing roughly 10 minutes of ice time per game throughout the season, Galvas played with the poise of a veteran in gaining 7 points and a +8 while collecting 19 points in 23 U20-league games. His WJC performance was every bit as impressive, gaining an average of roughly 15 minutes of ice time per game for a very successful Czech club. There’s really no reason Galvas can’t be a difference-maker at this tournament as the heavy play of the favorites shouldn’t phase him in light of his experience.

Adam Jecho (F)

A veteran of three Hlinka Gretzky Cups, the 6’5” Jecho has had a strong winter putting up 47 points in 54 games for a disappointing Edmonton Oil Kings team in what was his first season in North America. He’ll be heading to Finland as one of the tournament’s heaviest players and can serve as a coast-to-coast winger for the team, hopefully adding a strong goalmouth presence when he’s not manning the power play from the faceoff circles. He’s got a lot to work with on this team and is quite familiar with a number of his teammates, so there may be more space and better feeds than what he was experiencing in the WHL this winter. A top tourney could lead to a first round selection this June.

Oskar Lisler (F)

At 6’1”, 196 pounds, Lisler is one of the more solidly built players on a team filled with smaller participants. In addition, he’s one of only two of the team’s players to spend the bulk of the season playing in the Swedish U20 league. Much like more ballyhooed teammates in North America such as Adam Titlbach and Jiri Klima, he hasn’t separated himself from the competition in a scoring capacity (10 goals, 17 points in 35 games), but he’s been on fire for the national team since the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and is clearly a go-to player in all situations for this coaching staff. We’re viewing Lisler as being one of the players who wouldn’t be drafted if the draft were today but will worm his way into a late round pick with an inspired performance in Finland.

Radim Mrtka (D)

We’ve often looked at the size of Czech and Slovak defenders developed in the course of time and wondered what the heck is in the water in Central Europe. Now enters Mrtka who, at age 16, already measures in at 6’4”, 183 pounds. It’s just not normal! And that any possible awkwardness in his skating may have as much to do with his age and the effects of puberty as anything else, Mrtka spent this winter showing himself to be an absolute shutdown machine who can contribute in the offensive zone (30 total points and +22 over 47 total games) at both the U20 and U17 levels in the Czech Republic. His Trinec program even entrusted him to suit up three times with the pro team. Start taking notes on him now because he’s in line to be a top prospect for the 2025 draft.

Petr Sikora (F)

One of the more prized Czech forwards for the upcoming draft, Sikora has been part of the Czech program for several years now and was already a chief contributor at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. He’s coming off an outstanding season in the Czech Republic where the average-sized playmaker had 47 points and a +34 in 34 games. He also got into 22 games in the nation’s top pro league, where he’s expected to take on a bigger role next season. He’ll be expected to start all that “bigger role” stuff right here at the U18 Worlds as a top 6 forward with powerplay time.

Switzerland

A 3rd place finish and quarterfinal loss last spring was understood as getting the expected result for a Swiss team that should be heading into this tournament thinking almost solely about maintaining the class more. Unfortunately for Switzerland, it best compares with participants Latvia, Norway, and Slovakia, all of which are nations that will be conducting their preliminary round against each other in Group A. Instead, Switzerland will have to hope for a victory against a very unknown Team Kazakhstan in their most vital preliminary round task. That would likely see them avoid the relegation round and wrap up a playoff spot right off the bat. Even in the case of a victory, it’s hard to imagine the boys around captain Leon Muggli will be able to muster much should they face the US or Finland in the quarterfinals, having lost to the latter in a recent test game 7-0. Nonetheless, the Swiss will approach every game knowing the score is 0-0 to kick things off.

Top Players to Watch

Robin Nico Antenen (F)

At 6’2”, 187 pounds, Antenen provides ideal size while displaying a penchant for the fancy play here or there. Despite garnering international interest, Antenen stuck to his guns at home this winter and promptly became one of the top 17-year-olds in the country’s U20 league, chipping in 47 points in 55 total games. His play was so impressive that he got into 6 games of NL action in the course of the season. In Finland, you can expect the winger to ride shotgun with playmaker Jamiro Reber while creating space on the ice with his big frame and slick skating.

Christian Kirsch (G)

The future UMASS goaltender was already quite an interesting case at last year’s tournament thanks to his future plans and his 6’4” netfront presence as a 16-year-old. He ended up getting heavily hit in two outings but parlayed that experience into dominating play at Switzerland’s U20 level this season, going 22-5-1 in the regular season and then in winning the league championship with a 7-3-1 playoff record. His 2.32 GAA in the regular season was followed by a 2.17 GAA in the postseason. Large, rangy, and yet still quite athletic, we’d say the #1 job is his to run with if the program weren’t so high on the similarly sized Phileas Lachat. The NCAA crowd will nonetheless be excited to see what he can do here before he likely ventures over to the USHL in preparation for his 25-26 debut in college hockey.

Leon Muggli (D)

The heart-n-soul of this Swiss entry, Muggli will be the man with the “C” on his chest and is in line to rack up gobs of ice time. Whenever a situation is deemed to be critical, which should be often in this tough Group B play, you can expect to see Muggli on the ice. He’d probably just play all 60 minutes if you could fit an oxygen tank under his equipment. A tough-as-nails warrior who may be as valuable to the Swiss effort without the puck as he is with it, Muggli already has a U18 Worlds, Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and WJC under his belt. He’s also coming off a full season of NL play that even saw him suit up for 11 playoff games (2 points and a +4). He’s rightly the highest ranked Swissman for this summer’s draft and the reasons why should become quite apparent to all in attendance at this tournament.

Yannik Ponzetto (F)

Ponzetto is a gritty and active-in-the-corners type of player who was all over the ice at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, often finding himself in the middle of top opportunities and collecting 3 points along the way. Not long thereafter, he found himself in the QMJHL and although his 14 points in 68 games for three different teams don’t scream “resounding success”, he’ll be bringing crucial international experience to the table and will serve as one of the key players for this Swiss team, especially when the going gets rough. There’s more to the package here and we suspect he’ll be very involved in anything promising the Swiss manage to put together.

Jamiro Reber (F)

We saw Reber flashing his goods at last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Not the biggest player, he’s definitely got some jazz and above-average offensive instincts paired with some slick edges in tight corners. Despite only being one of the youngest players eligible for this summer’s draft, Reber put up a very impressive 41 points in 48 U20 league games for HV71 before leading the U18 team with 9 points in 5 playoff games. There’s some real jam in his game and he already represented Switzerland at the WJC this winter, so he’s coming in with some great tournament experience and chemistry with players such as Muggle, Antenen, and Daniil Ustinkov. Expect him to be a cog on the power play and a go-to first line player throughout the tournament.

Daniil Ustinkov (D)

After a full season of pro play (10 assists and a +13) and a WJC performance with a fairly regular shift, Ustinkov is clearly a key component of this Swiss outfit, what with his prior experience at this tournament and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer also factoring in. A shifty skater who can create a head of steam, Ustinkov should be in line for a whole lot of ice time, especially in key moments of the game. Adept at playing a physical game, his value should increase in bouts with group opponents Canada and Sweden. In the past, Ustinkov was a fixture on the powerplay and that shouldn’t change here. Being his draft year, this will be the last opportunity for Ustinkov to accentuate how NHL teams should view him as June approaches.

Kazakhstan

It’s been a long time coming for a hockey nation that has spent many years mired in the D1A and D1B echelons of the IIHF, 21 to be exact. We’ve seen the men’s team at the top level on a number of occasions and even the U20 squad has snuck into the WJC a couple of times, but the U18 level is one that has struggled to get ahead of its peers. As such, the promotion last spring was a monumental success and was achieved despite the fact that the Kazakhs lost to heavy favorite Denmark by a score of 8-3 along the way. Ouch! But the producer of former NHLer Nikolai Antropov enters tourney play knowing it's the heavy underdog but that an upstart win over Switzerland could mean all the difference in the world to retaining the class. Other than that, the program will be finding out just what it’s actually capable of, considering the team is sending 12 players from its own U20 league into the running, with the majority of the rest playing in Russian junior circuits, including 4 in the MHL.

Top Players to Watch

Semyon Cherkasov (F)

After three years as part of the Spartak Moscow program, Cherkasov returned home to suit up for MHK Astana to play in the Jastar, the nation’s own 12-team U20 league. There he was the league’s dominant scorer with 36-33-69 in 52 total games. Strong to the net despite his 5’9”, 154-pound body, Cherkasov has the makings of a playmaker but showed a keen sense of goalscoring from all sorts of angles. If he doesn’t produce in Finland, the D1A will once again be beckoning next spring.

Artur Glukhikh (F)

Still just 16, the 6’1”, 176-pound Glukhikh will be the player scouts will be most interested in seeing from Kazakhstan. He too played in the Jastar, being the driving force for Kamenogorsk with 30 goals and 52 points in 52 games and is expected to be one of the few players on the team who can provide offensive flair, especially in the department of goal-scoring. Like with most everyone on the team, this will be his first international appearance for his nation.

Asanali Sarkenov (F)

On a team full of smaller skaters, the 6’4”, 200-pound Sarkenov will not be hard to miss. A player not foreign to the penalty box, Sarkenov clipped at about a PPG pace in the Jastar but spent the great majority of the season playing in Russia’s MHL, where he had 8 points and 53 penalty minutes over 42 games. We’re anticipating that he’s going to let the beast out at this tournament, hoping to gain notice of the many scouts in attendance.

Mstislav Shipilin (D)

Still eligible for this tournament by a single day, Shipilin is the one player on the team who was also a member of Kazakhstan’s D1A U20 team and just concluded an entire season of MHL play as a 17-year-old. Just average in size, he does have a decent all-round package and will be expected to do a lot of the heavy lifting in Finland. Like his teammates, he’s lacking international experience, even if that D1A U20 Worlds gave him more than most.

Abylaikhan Toleubai (G)

Although 6’1”, Toleubai is a lightweight goaltender who will be experiencing his first international tournament for Kazakhstan. He’s coming off a season in the domestic Jastar league where he went 21-6 with a 2.10 GAA. Those numbers faltered a bit in the playoffs, where he lost the starting job on the way to the league championship. Together with tiny tot Danil Lytkin, he’ll have to be a magic man anytime he may stand in goal if his country is to stave off elimination. That he’s an open book heading in may be just the advantage he needs.

2024 NHL DRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON TOP 100 – Celebrini sits comfortably on top – Demidov and Parekh among risers in ranking – Strong defense group defines this draft class

Brock Otten — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:58:41 +0000

It’s time to update and expand our 2024 NHL Draft rankings. Since our preliminary ranking in December, we’ve passed some major events on the scouting calendar, like the World Juniors, CHL Top Prospect’s Game, World Junior A Challenge, and the USA Hockey All American Game.

Macklin Celebrini still sits comfortably at the top of our rankings. Not only has he continued to be a difference maker for Boston University, but he was also a solid contributor at the World Juniors for an underwhelming Canadian team, an impressive feat for a double underager. In our opinion, he is unquestionably the top prospect available this year and is the one player we view as a near surefire high impact player at the NHL level.

One player moving up our ranking inside the top ten is Ivan Demidov. While ice time issues have limited his impact at the KHL level, he has been an absolute monster at the MHL level and in a draft that we feel lacks high end upside, he stands out as a potential difference maker. One player falling inside of our top ten is Cole Eiserman. While the goal scoring ability is unquestionably impressive, we’ve been left wanting more from the rest of his game and feel that his development is showing signs of plateauing.

Saginaw defenseman Zayne Parekh is another big-time mover and shaker for us as he pushes his way inside the top ten. At this point, his production and offensive upside is too vast to ignore. Yes, there are questions regarding his defensive game. Yes, there are questions about how he fits into an NHL system given Saginaw’s unique modern approach. However, the skill and sense are so high end that we believe the reward outweighs the risk.

Other movers and shakers include Jett Luchanko (40th to 18th), Alfons Freij (32nd to 21st), Harrison Brunicke (HM to 25th), and Dom Badinka (58th to 28th). Luchanko is a speedy, playmaking pivot who brings consistent effort in all three zones. As he bulks up, he should be able to become a more consistent point producer. Freij has been terrific internationally this year for the Swedish U18 team and is starting to remind us of Tom Willander in regard to his steady presence on the ice at both ends. Brunicke is a very mobile, right-handed shot defender with size who remains a work in progress. He flashes high end skill and upside in the defensive end, and we believe that he is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Dom Badinka has a similar profile to Freij in the sense that he has a very projectable frame and skill set. He has been steadily improving in the SHL this year with Malmo and the Czech blueliner projects as an all situations top four, right shot blueliner.

Overall, 2024 is still holding strong as a quality draft for defenders. In fact, 14 of our first round graded players are defenseman. On the other hand, the strength of this goaltending crop remains to be seen. OHL netminders Carter George and Ryerson Leenders remain our top ranked goalies and the only ones inside of our Top 70. There are others pushing up the list (like NTDP netminder Nick Kempf and WHL re-entry Lukas Matecha), but it’s not looking like the ideal year to use a high pick on a stopper.

In the coming weeks, expect to see a podcast on our new YT channel (here), where Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, Associate Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, and Director of Video Scouting, Josh Bell, debate the midseason list and provide some insight into why certain players are ranked where they are.

RK	Name	POS	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	TP	PIM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	25	22	19	41	10	6-0/190	13-Jun-06
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	52	14	39	53	24	6-3/195	7-Jun-06
3	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	23	20	25	45	16	5-11/170	10-Dec-05
4	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	57	3	8	11	8	6-7/210	11-Apr-06
5	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66	6-4/215	3-Feb-06
6	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	49	38	44	82	37	5-11/170	14-Jan-06
7	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	30	8	20	28	40	6-2/200	28-Oct-05
8	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	40	12	19	31	6	5-11/180	11-May-06
9	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	37	38	22	60	28	6-0/195	29-Aug-06
10	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	49	25	49	74	40	6-0/180	15-Feb-06
11	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	48	24	29	53	95	6-3/190	29-Sep-05
12	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	48	35	28	63	25	6-0/185	1-Aug-06
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	46	28	41	69	25	6-2/200	1-Jan-06
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	34	17	31	48	40	6-1/160	28-Feb-06
15	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	26	7	27	34	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
16	Michael Brandsegg Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	32	6	7	13	14	6-1/195	5-Oct-05
17	Adam Jiříček	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2	6-2/175	28-Jun-06
18	Jett Luchanko	C	Guelph (OHL)	50	17	37	54	32	5-11/185	21-Aug-06
19	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	22	0	7	7	26	6-2/170	22-Mar-06
20	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	37	21	23	44	35	6-1/190	14-Apr-06
21	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	33	11	15	26	12	6-1/190	12-Feb-06
22	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	35	7	4	11	0	6-1/200	27-Jun-06
23	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	34	13	18	31	16	6-0/175	3-Aug-06
24	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	41	27	18	45	42	6-2/180	17-Mar-06
25	Harrison Brunicke	D	Kamloops (WHL)	46	10	11	21	45	6-3/185	8-May-06
26	Andrew Basha	LW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	47	23	44	67	32	6-0/185	8-Nov-05
27	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	46	8	34	42	46	6-0/185	9-Mar-06
28	Dom Badinka	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	15	2	10	12	39	6-3/185	27-Nov-05
29	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	46	19	26	45	53	6-2/180	28-Jan-06
30	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	18	10	14	24	8	6-2/190	30-Nov-05
31	E.J. Emery	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	0	10	10	51	6-3/185	30-Mar-06
32	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	34	7	23	30	30	6-0/180	10-Apr-06
33	Dean Letourneau	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	14	14	11	25	6	6-7/210	21-Feb-06
34	Yegor Surin	C	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	37	19	27	46	104	6-1/190	1-Aug-06
35	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	38	15	17	32	18	6-5/200	24-Mar-06
36	Maxim Massé	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	51	26	26	52	16	6-2/190	7-Apr-06
37	Lucas Pettersson	C	MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)	36	20	23	43	38	5-11/170	17-Apr-06
38	Charlie Elick	D	Brandon (WHL)	51	4	19	23	47	6-3/200	17-Jan-06
39	Raoul Boilard	C	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	21	31	52	32	6-2/190	7-Jan-06
40	Matvei Gridin	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	41	20	30	50	28	6-1/185	1-Mar-06
41	Nikita Artamonov	LW	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	48	7	15	22	12	5-11/185	17-Nov-05
42	Jesse Pulkkinen	D	JYP (Fin-U20)	18	11	17	28	47	6-6/215	27-Dec-04
43	Leon Muggli	D	Zug (Sui-NL)	4	0	2	2	4	6-0/165	9-Jul-06
44	Teddy Stiga	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	24	25	49	26	5-10/155	5-Apr-06
45	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	7	1	1	2	0	5-10/165	25-Jan-06
46	Miguel Marques	RW	Lethbridge (WHL)	50	22	37	59	47	5-11/170	8-Mar-06
47	John Mustard	C	Waterloo (USHL)	39	22	18	40	22	6-0/185	16-Aug-06
48	Lukas Fischer	D	Sarnia (OHL)	52	4	22	26	50	6-4/180	6-Sep-06
49	Simon Zether	C	Rogle (Swe J20)	17	11	16	27	25	6-3/185	18-Oct-05
50	Luke Misa	C	Mississauga (OHL)	51	21	46	67	8	5-10/175	25-Nov-05
51	Sebastian Soini	D	Ilves (Fin-U20)	8	0	0	0	8	6-2/195	10-Jun-06
52	Carson Wetsch	RW	Calgary (WHL)	49	19	20	39	53	6-2/185	4-May-06
53	Terik Parascak	RW	Prince George (WHL)	52	31	42	73	37	5-11/180	28-May-06
54	Christian Humphreys	C	USN U18 (USDP)	35	15	25	40	14	5-11/170	4-Feb-06
55	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	11	26	37	44	5-10/160	28-Jun-06
56	Cole Beaudoin	C	Barrie (OHL)	48	23	25	48	23	6-2/200	24-Apr-06
57	Marek Vanacker	LW	Brantford (OHL)	51	27	34	61	41	6-0/165	12-Apr-06
58	Stian Solberg	D	Vålerenga (Nor)	34	3	9	12	12	6-2/200	29-Dec-06
59	Herman Traff	RW	HV71 (Swe J20)	22	11	7	18	69	6-3/195	31-Dec-05
60	Kamil Bednarik	C	USN U18 (USDP)	41	18	25	43	40	6-0/185	26-May-06
61	Tomáš Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	26	2	4	6	6	5-10/150	11-Feb-06
62	Carter George	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	41	3.09	0.914	-	-	6-0/160	20-May-06
63	Ryerson Leenders	G	Mississauga (OHL)	38	3.19	0.909	-	-	6-1/175	1-Jun-06
64	Tanner Howe	LW	Regina (WHL)	52	24	38	62	48	5-11/180	28-Nov-05
65	Colton Roberts	D	Vancouver (WHL)	50	7	17	24	45	6-4/195	8-Jun-06
66	Ben Danford	D	Oshawa (OHL)	51	1	30	31	21	6-0/175	6-Feb-06
67	Eriks Mateiko	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	40	19	19	38	18	6-4/210	18-Nov-05
68	Daniil Ustinkov	D	ZSC (Sui-NL)	18	0	1	1	0	6-0/200	26-Aug-06
69	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	40	2	7	9	12	6-0/175	15-Feb-06
70	Clarke Caswell	C	Swift Current (WHL)	51	16	37	53	14	5-11/170	2-Feb-06
71	Jakub Fibigr	D	Mississauga (OHL)	44	6	20	26	33	6-0/170	22-Jul-06
72	Ondrej Kos	LW	KOOVEE (Fin-Liiga)	14	3	2	5	8	6-1/150	7-Mar-06
73	Sam O'Reilly	RW	London (OHL)	52	15	30	45	24	6-1/175	30-Mar-06
74	Jack Berglund	C	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	37	14	18	32	18	6-3/210	10-Apr-06
75	Linus Eriksson	C	Djurgardens IF (Swe J20)	24	5	16	21	8	6-0/185	23-Mar-06
76	Tarin Smith	D	Everett (WHL)	54	7	30	37	45	6-1/175	24-Mar-06
77	Nick Kempf	G	USN U18 (USDP)	22	3.02	0.901			6-2/190	1-Mar-06
78	Melvin Fernstrom	RW	Örebro HK (Swe J20)	38	26	28	54	26	6-1/185	28-Feb-06
79	Alexander Zetterberg	C	Örebro HK J20	35	19	27	46	10	5-9/160	27-Apr-06
80	Spencer Gill	D	Rimouski (QMJHL)	50	9	23	32	50	6-3/180	17-Aug-06
81	Kevin He	LW	Niagara (OHL)	51	26	18	44	47	5-11/185	30-Apr-06
82	Aatos Koivu	C	TPS (Fin-U20)	23	15	14	29	28	6-0/165	22-Jun-06
83	Will Skahan	D	USN U18 (USDP)	40	2	7	9	63	6-4/210	14-May-06
84	Justin Poirier	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	40	20	60	58	5-8/185	4-Sep-06
85	Maxmilian Curran	C	Tri-City (WHL)	40	5	27	32	25	6-3/190	27-Aug-06
86	Tory Pitner	D	Youngstown (USHL)	33	7	14	21	34	6-1/185	6-Mar-06
87	Lukas Matecha	G	Tri-City (WHL)	29	3.14	0.910			6-3/195	21-Mar-05
88	Brodie Ziemer	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	20	22	42	14	5-10/190	22-Feb-06
89	Niilopekka Muhonen	D	KalPa (Fin U20)	25	4	6	10		6-4/185	28-Feb-06
90	Anthony Romani	D	North Bay (OHL)	51	44	40	84	16	6-0/180	12-Jul-05
91	Julius Miettinen	RW	Everett (WHL)	53	22	24	46	30	6-3/205	20-Jan-06
92	Luca Marrelli	D	Oshawa (OHL)	50	2	38	40	14	6-1/185	4-Oct-05
93	Filip Sitar	C	Malmo (Swe J20)	33	12	31	43	10	5-11/175	29-Jun-05
94	Noel Fransen	D	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	36	17	21	38	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
95	William Zellers	LW	Shattuck St. Marys (USHS-Prep)	43	41	43	84	20	5-10/165	4-Apr-06
96	Gabriel Eliasson	D	HV71 J20	27	0	3	3	81	6-6/205	9-Sep-06
97	Kim Saarinen	G	HPK (Fin-U20)	22	2.34	0.918			6-4/180	22-Jul-06
98	Max Vilen	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	39	1	12	13	8	6-2/200	29-Jun-06
99	Gabriel Frasca	C	Kingston (OHL)	26	9	9	18	10	6-0/170	18-Feb-06
100	Harrison Meneghin	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	41	2.46	0.922			6-3/165	13-Sep-06
HM	Tanner Adams	RW	Providence (NCAA)	27	5	12	17	2	5-11/185	2-Sep
HM	Alexandre Blais	C	Rimouski (QMJHL)	53	18	48	66	30	5-10/155	14-Nov-05
HM	Viggo Gustavsson	D	HV71 (Swe J20)	33	1	10	11	38	6-2/195	11-Sep-06
HM	Andrei Krutov	LW	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	35	15	24	39	10	5-11/175	25-Apr-06
HM	Darels Uljanskis	D	AIK (Swe J20)	35	7	16	23	14	6-1/185	25-Aug-06
HM	Pavel Moysevich	G	SKA St. Petersburg (VHL)	19	2.31	0.927			6-5/175	29-Sep-04
HM	Ondrej Becher	C	Prince George (WHL)	42	19	40	59	32	6-1/175	22-Feb-04
HM	Veit Oswald	RW	EHC Munchen (DEL)	32	8	4	12	0	6-1/165	31-Aug-04
HM	Nathan Villeneuve	C	Sudbury (OHL)	47	18	21	39	52	6-0/185	13-Apr-06
HM	Petr Sikora	C	HC Ocelari Trinec (Cze U20)	27	12	21	33	26	5-11/170	2-Jan-06
HM	Oskar Vuollet	C	Skelleftea AIK (Swe J20)	32	17	24	41	6	5-10/170	3-Dec-05
HM	Kenta Isogai	F	Wenatchee (WHL)	49	25	48	73	22	5-11/155	28-Aug-04
HM	Marcus Kearsey	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	51	5	32	37	14	5-11/170	17-03-06
HM	Nate Misskey	D	Victoria (WHL	40	6	26	32	52	6-3/210	1-Dec-05
HM	Thomas Desruisseaux	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	52	10	34	44	16	5-11/160	10-Mar-06
HM	Jonathan Morello	C	St. Michaels (OJHL)	44	23	27	50	20	6-1/175	31-Jul-06
HM	Kieron Walton	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	47	15	19	34	12	6-5/205	22-Apr-06
HM	Adam Kleber	D	Lincoln (USHL)	33	5	13	18	20	6-5/205	24-Mar-06
HM	Riley Patterson	C	Barrie (OHL)	49	18	27	45	4	6-0/175	22-Mar-06
HM	Eemil Vinni	G	JoKP (Fin-Liiga)	27	2.5	0.9	-	-	6-2/285	18-Dec-06

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Top Draft Eligibles at the 2024 World Junior Championship

Josh Bell — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 14:16:50 +0000

Macklin Celebrini of Canada during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Finland and Canada on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN

The IIHF World Junior Championship is typically a tournament where 19-year-olds dominate. And yet annually, fans are delighted by standout performances by some of the younger players in the event.

It was just last year that Connor Bedard, the eventual first-overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, took over the event. He put up a Canadian and U18-record 23 points and became the youngest player ever to be named MVP, helping Canada win a gold medal.

In this year’s edition of the event, fans will be graced with the play of another future first-overall pick in Canada’s Macklin Celebrini. The centerman is the top-ranked prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft and should prove why in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Along with Celebrini, several other exciting prospects are eligible in 2024 who will be battling for World Juniors supremacy over the holidays. There’s also one prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft that will command attention as well.

Here are some of the top draft-eligible prospects donning their country’s jerseys at the 2024 World Juniors (alphabetical by last name).

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - Team Norway

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard has the potential to become the first Norwegian drafted in the first round. The power forward will unquestionably be Norway’s top player in their first World Juniors since 2014. He should fit on the top line and will be leaned on heavily for offense. Brandsegg-Nygard plays a physical game but brings high-end skill and a motor that never quits. He plays a very mature game, especially already having spent time in the pros last season and now this season.

Zeev Buium - Team USA

Zeev Buium has been having a historic season in the NCAA this season, en route to potentially the best performance from a U19 defender in history. Based on how camp has been looking, it looks like he may slot into the top four. The probable first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft is a highly intelligent player with excellent edgework and improving physicality. He could be a key piece of the backend for Team USA as they hunt for the gold medal.

Macklin Celebrini - Team Canada

For the second year in a row, Team Canada will be heavily dependent on the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. Macklin Celebrini shouldn’t be expected to bring Connor Bedard-level offense, but he could very well be the offensive leader and MVP on this team. Celebrini will bring much-needed speed, strength, and skill to this Canadian roster. He should be a fixture in the top six and will need to have a strong tournament if Canada is to three-peat.

Tomas Galvas - Team Czechia

While draft stock doesn’t tend to move much from events like this (at least it shouldn’t), it will likely put Tomas Galvas on the map for those who don’t know him. Playing in the top men's league in Czechia, he’s carved out a role in the top four for himself - likely where he slots in at the World Juniors. He’s a strong skater, a great distributor, and defends very well. He’s likely a top-100 draft pick in June.

Konsta Helenius - Team Finland

One of the most impressive draft-eligibles this season, Konsta Helenius will look to carry his success in the Liiga to the international stage this year. The potential top-five pick is currently putting together one of the best U18 seasons that the Liiga has ever seen (eighth all-time in points per game). Now, he should be factoring in as Finland’s No. 1 centerman, bringing his excellent two-way presence, high hockey IQ, and competitive nature to the ice.

Emil Hemming - Team Finland

Sticking with another Finnish player (one of four on this list), Emil Hemming has also made the jump to the Liiga this season, looking more and more comfortable as the season rolls on. He always plays at 100%, giving his all, shift in and shift out. He can produce offensively or help out in his own end. A potential first-rounder in the 2024 NHL Draft, Hemming should factor in as a middle-six winger.

Adam Jiricek - Team Czechia

After helping Team Czechia to a silver medal at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Adam Jiricek is back on the international stage. It has not been an easy season for him thus far, as he hasn’t really taken the step forward that was hoped of him. We’ve seen it in the past though, where a strong World Juniors performance can turn a season around, so perhaps that's what we’ll see from Jiricek. A potential first-rounder, Jiricek should be a top-four defender with Galvas. He brings physicality and strong vision to the backend.

Leon Muggli - Team Switzerland

Another lesser-known prospect so far, Leon Muggli has spent his season in the top Swiss men’s league. The defender has nine points in 25 games, putting him tied for fifth all-time in the league for a U18 defender, already ahead of a well-known Swiss defender - Roman Josi (eight points in 35 games). He plays an intelligent game at both ends of the ice. He should be a top-four d-man for the Swiss and at this point, looks like a top-50 prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Jesse Pulkkinen - Team Finland

Yet another Finn, Jesse Pulkkinen is the oldest player on this list - an overager eligible for this year’s draft. He was passed over in 2023 but doesn’t look like he’ll be letting that happen again this season. Pulkkinen is a hulking 6-foot-6 defender who has recently made the jump to the Liiga and looks to stay. He could steal a top-four spot in the lineup, and right now looks like the top-overager available in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Daniil Ustinkov - Team Switzerland

Another Swiss defender of note heading into the World Juniors, Daniil Ustinkov matches Muggli in that he plays above his age. He’s also playing in the top Swiss league, albeit with more limited minutes than Muggle. However, Ustinkov looks like he has a higher skill and offensive ceiling, and that should be on full display over the next two weeks. The defenseman looks like another top-64 player and could crack the first round by June.

Veeti Vaisanen - Team Finland

The final 2024-eligible on this list, Veeti Vaisanen has come out of the gate and impressed this season. The Finnish defender has bounced between the U20 SM-sarja and the Liiga but played sheltered minutes with the men’s team. He’s a strong skater who brings a level of creativity to his game and plays very well in his own end. A potential first-rounder, he could carve out a middle-pairing spot for himself.

Luka Radivojevic - Team Slovakia (2025 eligible)

The lone 2025-eligible prospect in the entire event, Luka Radivojevic impressed this summer for Team Slovakia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with five assists through four games. He’s an excellent skater with great offensive awareness and does well in his own end. He’s stood out in the J20 Nationell this season, twice getting the call-up to the SHL. The 16-year-old defender would likely take a bottom-pairing role but could move up as the tournament rolls on.

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – Team Switzerland

Chapin Landvogt — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 16:11:20 +0000

What a rollercoaster ride the 2023 WJC was for the Swiss side. A 3-2 OT win in the opener against Finland was followed by another 3-2 OT win over the pesky Latvians. Things were tight for a while against the USA (ultimately a 5-1 loss) before duking it out in an all-important Game 4 against Slovakia, once again coming out on top in overtime (well, the shootout) 4-3. The Czechs put a quarterfinal end to any thoughts about a Cinderella run with a 9-1 shellacking, but it was the first time in the past three WJCs that Switzerland was able to go from disappointment to inspiration. It also served as the swan song for 3-year head coach Marco Bayer.

Enter Swiss legend Marcel Jenni, who’s been in charge of the program’s U18 squad over the same period of time. A 2-time WJC participant himself, and 15-year veteran of the Swiss national team, Jenni has seen it all and has put together a team for this year’s event that is shy on draft picks (just one) and players honing their craft in North America (no more than 6). That’s not to say that it’s shy on international experience as no less than 9 players are playing abroad, and 2 others spent last season in Canadian juniors while forward Endo Meier actually began this season with the Barrie Colts. Nonetheless, only 4 members of his team are returning from last year’s tournament and 3 other likely nominees are just 17. This means Jenni is entering tourney play with three different generations and little in the way of WJC experience.

Theoretically, things should be fine in goal as the team will be going to battle with three goaltenders who have all done something special sometime in the past two years. Alessio Beglieri even returns to action with parts of two games under his belt at last winter’s classic, but Ewan Huet of the Regina Pats is the man with the familiar name, and the youngest in the group. Will his WHL experience mean he’s the go-to guy?

That is yet to be seen, but a defenseman with plenty of OHL experience is entering his third WJC and will most definitely be the go-to guy, namely Rodwin Dionicio, who was drafted this past summer by the Anaheim Ducks as an overager. He’s bound to see plenty of action and be a ne plus ultra on the blueline for the power play. Behind him you can expect to see 17-year old draft-eligibles Leon Muggli and Daniil Ustinkov get a long hard look at key minutes while this tournament will have special meaning for 3-year Swedish juniors veteran Eric Schneller (a half Swede himself). Still, the heart-n-soul of this defensive crew is Simone Terraneo, who captained the Swiss at the 2022 U18 Worlds. After a fantastic season in the SL last year (21 points in 35 games), the all-rounder is strutting his stuff in style now for Ambri-Piotta of the NL and looks like a strong candidate to be drafted as an overager. Depth options Louis Füllemann, Gael Christie, and Tim Bünzli all bring NL and/or SL experience to the table.

Up front, we’re missing someone who’ll spearhead the offense. Sure, Miles Müller is doing fine for the Moncton Wildcats this season and is a returnee while Léo Braillard (WHL) and Simon Meier (BCHL) are showing well for themselves in Western Canada. Jonas Taibel will be given a key role as he prepares for his third WJC. Still, we’re not seeing offensive-oriented gamers like Attilia Biasco, Lorenzo Caninco, and Simon Knak, none of whom were even stars in their own right, though impactful players. First year draft-eligible Jamiro Reber could assume such a role though. We liked what we saw at the U18 Worlds and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and now he’s having a dandy of a season with the HV71 U20 team in Sweden. We can see him doing some nice things here with his U18 wingers Endo Meier and Matteo Wagner, the latter of which is also plying his trade in Sweden’s U20 circuit. The rest of the forward corps, save for possibly Alessandro Lurati (USHL), is currently splitting the season between their clubs’ U20 squad and either the NL or SL. Julian Rod, Matteo Reinhard, and Thierry Schild should all be expected to take a regular shift.

A big advantage for the Swiss is their group and the scheduling. Group B does indeed include powerhouses Czechia and the USA, but Norway and Slovakia are teams the Swiss should be gunning for as beatable opponents. In addition, they’ll have the day off before facing each of these teams, which will both be coming off a tough game the day before. This will have to factor in Coach Jenni’s plans and may allow his group of young men to take advantage of tired legs. The Swiss also feature a potpourri of very promising young players mixed with a number of program vets who had looked quite promising a few years back. Several of the players are playing in Sweden now too, so there’ll surely be some extra incentive in Gothenburg to help light their competitive fires. The team has its eye no less than 4th place, internally 3rd place, but either one will surely mean heading to the quarterfinals against one of Canada, Finland, or Sweden. Then we’ll see what the team is really made of.

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK - DECEMBER 31: Rodwin Dionicio #4 of Switzerland skates against Slovakia in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Avenir Centre on December 31, 2022 in Moncton, New Brunswick. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

10 to Watch plus a Sleeper

Rodwin Dionicio D

Rare is the player who gets into 3 WJCs, but the 6’2”, 214-pound Dionicio is one such specimen. He’s in his 3rd year of OHL play and currently has 29 points in 26 games split between Niagara and the Windsor Spitfires. This is on the tails of a 22-23 season in which he clipped at a PPG pace with 50 points in as many games. We won’t go as far as to say he’ll be competing for the top defenseman honors in Gothenburg, but he will be manning the 1st PP unit and playing with whatever group of forwards Coach Jenni deems to be the most effective line. He loves to jump up in the play, shows good smarts and mobility, and even plays the physical game with aplomb. But we’ve never been fans of his footwork and the book is out on him. Still, the Swiss need a mini-Josi type of performance and he’s the guy contracted to bring it.

Miles Müller C/W

A well-built plugger whose game has been developing bit-by-bit over three seasons in the QMJHL, the half Canadian Müller is having his best season to date, basically churning out a PPG pace and putting up an impressive +17 rating. The latter stat is important because he’s going to be tasked with playing against the big boys and keeping them honest at this tournament. He’ll want to be keeping them off the scoreboard too. There may not be a whole lot of offense to expect of him, just like in last winter’s WJC, but he’s going to have to be a leader and an on-ice presence for this team to enjoy success, and the team wouldn’t mind a few scrappy, hard-earned goals here and there. Not one of the big names, but a player who is expected to play big.

Léo Braillard RW

We really liked Braillard last fall when he was playing in Switzerland. In fact, it looked like he could be the nation’s top prospect in last summer’s draft. His play was so impressive that he was quickly brought over to spend the season with Shawinigan Cataractes. His play there was, all things considered, just fine, but not enough to convince a team to draft him. This season, he’s moved on over to the WHL where things have picked up with 20 points in 18 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Still 18 until next July 5th, Braillard is a stocky player with active feet around the net, for which he’s got a real nose. Able to handle the rough stuff, he’s got a North American feel to his game and will need to be an in-your-face presence in a top 6 capacity at this tournament, which he’ll surely be using to hopefully increase his overage stock draft.

Jamiro Reber C

One of the most talented Swiss players to come along in recent years, Reber is a real slick playmaker who not only reads the play at an above-average level but can make the kinds of passes no one else sees coming. A smaller player at 5’10”, 170 pounds, Reber is building up his draft profile with HV71’s U20 team in Sweden, entering this tournament with 6 goals, 24 points and a +6 in 30 games. We’ll expect him to be pumped up to put on a show in light of a realistic opportunity to face off against Team Sweden in the playoffs and further establish his credentials both there in Scandinavia and in the eyes of the scouting community. We’d even go so far as to say he’s primed to be on whichever will be the most effective offensive line Coach Jenni throws on the ice. There’s a connection there. Make sure to keep an eye out for him because if anyone on this team will be able to dazzle you, it’s Reber.

Leon Muggli D

Heading into the season, we’d have thought Muggli might have a shot at the #8 Dman role on this team. Maybe. With a good fall. Now we’re thinking we’ll be seeing him in a top 4, if not top pairing, role. Still 17, Muggli has spent all season in the NL, excelling his way to 9 points and an outstanding +18 in 25 games. He simply gets better week by week and is now at a point, where his maturity and hockey IQ just cannot be ignored. A player many felt was promising over the past two seasons is now blooming before our eyes and doing so much quicker than anyone could have reckoned with. Seen as a defensive defenseman who can lay on the hurt, Muggli has been sticking out as a player who can make a solid first pass, get pucks through from the point, and join the rush. Perhaps Switzerland’s top prospect for the 2024 NHL draft at this point, Muggli should be front and center for the Swiss throughout this tournament.

Simon Meier C/LW

A playmaker at heart, Meier’s U18 Worlds performance in his hometown Switzerland was bland and unspectacular at best. Current teammate Endo Meier (no relation) stole the show in a scoring role next to the aforementioned Reber, but the slightly undersized Simon quietly headed over to North America to begin his trek to the NCAA with the renowned Penticton Vees program. Committed to Northern Michigan University as of the 24-25 season, Meier is currently tied for 5th in team scoring with 23 points in 23 games, but all those ahead of him have played 4-5 more games than Meier since he began missing action in order to be with Team Switzerland in preparation for this tournament. Long story short, Meier is coming to Gothenburg brimming with confidence and is a player who we hope will raise some eyebrows. He certainly has the make-up to be one of the better offensive generators for a team that isn’t exactly swimming in them.

Matteo Wagner RW/LW

er average-sized winger on this team, we really liked Wagner’s nose for the net at the U18 Worlds. He was coming off a decent season in Finland’s U18 league and then harmonized well on a line with Reber. After 4 goals there, he headed back to Finland for this season and a slow start in the Finnish U20 circuit led to a jump to AIK in Sweden. There, he’s back to his goal-scoring ways with 9 goals (12 points) in 20 games. There’s a slickness to his game and his hand-eye coordination sometimes seems to be too good to be true. He also keeps opponents guessing with plenty of shake-n-bake with his head and shoulders. We think he could score a couple of important goals at this tournament, and he too belongs to the smaller group of players playing in Sweden who have that extra bit of incentive to put on good performance in front of the Swedish crowds.

Eric Schneller D

Schneller is a player who we expected big things from at last spring’s U18 Worlds. While 3 points in 5 games isn’t shabby for a defenseman, his -7 gave rise to concern. Returning to Rögle for this season, he’s been a steady but unspectacular player for the green and white’s U20 squad. In fact, he’s done little to insinuate that he should be an overage draft topic next summer. The main reason he’s listed here (instead of i.e., Simone Terraneo) is that, as a half Swede who Switzerland needs to step up and grab a key defensive role, Schneller has all the motivation in the world to play his best and most effective hockey to date. Expect him to be hitting the ice with extra jump anytime he’s called upon. Maybe the circumstances surrounding this tournament end up giving him the extra boost his young career has been in need of?!

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 23: Switzerland's Simon Meier #27 and Daniil Ustinkov #28 battle for the puck during the Switzerland vs Latvia Preliminary Round - Group B action at 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at St. Jakob Arena on April 23, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

Daniil Ustinkov D

Ustinkov was the guy we wanted to watch at last spring’s U18 Worlds. He didn’t disappoint. Then he was the guy we wanted to see at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Again, we saw everything we wanted despite a rough first game. Now it’s his draft year and, as expected, he’s been playing pro hockey every minute of the way split between the NL and SL, with plenty of minutes in the SL and fewer so in the NL. The respect for how pro-ready he and his skillset are is deserving of respect and moreover, draft recognition. Still, there’s been little in the way of production thus far. Ustinkov has all the tools to be an absolute stud on the blueline one day, but he’s clearly going to need more time to get the toolbox put together. There won’t be time for that at this tourney. He needs to bring his A-game and be a solid, tough-to-beat blueliner who distributes well. That’s his game, so he just needs to deliver.

Thierry Schild C/RW

Of slightly sub-average height and build, Schild is a player who has just kind of “been there” for several years now, but not a guy you’ve heard anyone really talking about despite strong junior numbers in recent years. Still, if you ask the Bern organization about him, they’ll be singing his praises. What Schild has proven to be is a thoroughly adaptable and responsible player who can roll with the punches, so much so that you may just see Jenni using him as a shutdown forward throughout this tournament. He’s also been a bit of a goalscorer for the Swiss U20 in test games stretching over the past two seasons (6 in 12 games). There’s some bite to his game, but it’s the mature approach that has led to him spending just about all season in the Swiss NL, putting up 4 points and a +1 in 26 games to date. If opponents are having a hard time scoring against Switzerland, Schild will probably be one of the main reasons.

Sleeper

Lorin Grüter G

You look at this goalie trio and see the name Ewan Huet, son of a former long-time NHLer who has cult status in both France and Switzerland’s hockey scenes, who is currently playing in the WHL and Alessio Beglieri, a former OHLer who got into 2 games at last winter’s event, and you’ve got to wonder why a 3rd goalie is even worth mentioning. The reason is quite simple, as Grüter may just be the best of the bunch. Hailing from famed second leaguer Küsnacht, the average sized Grüter started turning heads last spring with a 1.62 GAA and 8-0 record for his club in the U20 league playoffs. He’s continued to be a big winner with shiny numbers for that same club this year but has also gotten into a handful of games for the pro team in the SL, where he’s got a 5-2 record with a 2.26 GAA and impressive .932 SV%. Considering the fact that he’s outdueling Beglieri in Switzerland while Huet has struggled with the Regina Pats, don’t be surprised in the least if Grüter winds up in net when the money is on the line.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS – December 2023 – Top 32 – Macklin Celebrini leads the pack early by a wide margin

Brock Otten — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:40:04 +0000

NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: NCAA men's hockey at Lawler Rink on December 1, 2023 in North Andover, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon)

It’s time for a ranking update at McKeen’s Hockey as we approach the end of the calendar year. Hopefully you’ve all been following along with our early regional favourites series, where our regional scouts have been providing detailed breakdowns of some of their favourites for the 2024 Draft.

This article shows our top 32 and is available to everyone. For subscribers, we are providing our Top 64 with a few honorable mentions. Then in the new year, we will expand to a Top 100.

The top player on our list is Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini. One of the highest scoring players in the NCAA this year as a freshman, Celebrini has met the ultra-high expectations placed on him heading into the year. He is, in our opinion, a slam dunk to be the first player selected this year. Recently named to the Canadian World Junior camp roster, hopefully Celebrini can earn a roster spot and have a strong performance for Canada as a focal point of the team’s offensive attack.

Sam Dickinson of the London Knights. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

After Celebrini is where things get…murky. We see a group of seven players in competition for that second spot; Sam Dickinson, Cayden Lindstrom, Konsta Helenius, Cole Eiserman, Anton Silayev, Ivan Demidov, and Artyom Levshunov. How those seven players are ranked was heavily debated amongst our scouts. There truly wasn’t much of a consensus among our staff and we know that NHL scouts are having a similar debate at this current time. An argument could be made for any of these seven to be ranked second. Conversely an argument could be made for any of these seven to be ranked eighth. Hopefully a few of these players can truly separate themselves from the pack in the second half. In particular, we’re looking to see if the three defenders, Dickinson, Silayev, and Levshunov, can clean up some of their poor decisions with the puck.

Rounding out the top ten are forwards Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Mora). Catton is a dynamic play creator who has a chance to jump into that second tier grouping if he can find a way to become a more consistent off puck player. While Brandsegg-Nygard is a winger who plays a game that should translate easily to the pro level in North America. He competes hard. He skates well. It’s just a matter of whether you feel that he has the offensive upside and skill to be a top six player. At this point, considering our high ranking of him, we do believe he possesses that upside.

Of the remaining 22 players currently in our first round, 11 are defenders. While we aren’t enamored with this draft crop (overall), we do really like the upside of this blueline crop. The question is, can the likes of Adam Jiricek and Aron Kiviharju hang on to a spot in our first round because there is no question that they have underperformed compared to their expectations thus far.

But what about the goalies? This is everyone’s favourite question. At this point, we don’t see any netminders worthy of first round consideration. But we did rank OHL goalies Carter George and Ryerson Leenders at the back of our Top 64. George has been the more consistent performer thanks to his excellent play reading ability and mature approach. This was on display at last summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky too, when he stole the starter’s job from Gabriel D’Aigle. Meanwhile, Leenders is unquestionably the better athlete and a netminder with a penchant for making the highlight reel save thanks to his quickness. He just doesn’t have as refined of a technical approach.

The List:

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	15-10-15-25
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	6-3/205	7-Jun-06	27-6-14-20
3	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	27-22-16-38
4	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/180	11-May-06	26-8-11-19
5	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	21-25-16-41
6	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	38-3-7-10
7	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	7-2-5-7
8	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	16-4-11-15
9	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/170	14-Jan-06	25-16-20-36
10	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	21-2-4-6
11	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	30-12-16-28
12	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Sep-05	26-12-16-28
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	23-17-18-35
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/160	28-Feb-06	20-8-18-26
15	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	27-20-11-31
16	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	16-5-16-21
17	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	25-10-26-36
18	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	6-3/195	22-Mar-06	8-0-2-2
19	Adam Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	6-2/175	28-Jun-06	19-0-1-1
20	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-9/170	25-Jan-06	7-1-1-2
21	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	24-5-2-7
22	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-2/190	30-Nov-05	15-6-6-12
23	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	27-5-20-25
24	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/180	28-Jan-06	21-7-13-20
25	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	20-7-13-20
26	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	9-Mar-06	22-3-19-22
27	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	28-Jun-06	22-6-15-21
28	Maxim Masse	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-2/190	7-Apr-06	30-13-16-29
29	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	6-5/200	24-Mar-06	19-8-10-18
30	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	22-13-8-21
31	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	23-1-4-5
32	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	27-8-12-20

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS – December 2023 – Top 64 plus Honourable Mentions – Macklin Celebrini leads the pack early by a wide margin

Brock Otten — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:30:02 +0000

NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: NCAA men's hockey at Lawler Rink on December 1, 2023 in North Andover, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon)

For this update, we are providing our Top 64 with a few honorable mentions. Then in the new year, we will expand to a Top 100.

Sam Dickinson of the London Knights. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

The List:

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	15-10-15-25
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	6-3/205	7-Jun-06	27-6-14-20
3	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	27-22-16-38
4	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/180	11-May-06	26-8-11-19
5	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	21-25-16-41
6	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	38-3-7-10
7	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	7-2-5-7
8	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	16-4-11-15
9	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/170	14-Jan-06	25-16-20-36
10	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	21-2-4-6
11	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	30-12-16-28
12	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Sep-05	26-12-16-28
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	23-17-18-35
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/160	28-Feb-06	20-8-18-26
15	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	27-20-11-31
16	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	16-5-16-21
17	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	25-10-26-36
18	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	6-3/195	22-Mar-06	8-0-2-2
19	Adam Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	6-2/175	28-Jun-06	19-0-1-1
20	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-9/170	25-Jan-06	7-1-1-2
21	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	24-5-2-7
22	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-2/190	30-Nov-05	15-6-6-12
23	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	27-5-20-25
24	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/180	28-Jan-06	21-7-13-20
25	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	20-7-13-20
26	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	9-Mar-06	22-3-19-22
27	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	28-Jun-06	22-6-15-21
28	Maxim Masse	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-2/190	7-Apr-06	30-13-16-29
29	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	6-5/200	24-Mar-06	19-8-10-18
30	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	22-13-8-21
31	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	23-1-4-5
32	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	27-8-12-20
33	EJ Emery	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/185	30-Mar-06	22-0-5-5
34	Tanner Howe	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-10/180	28-Nov-05	28-16-17-33
35	Nikita Artamonov	LW	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	5-11/185	17-Nov-05	29-4-10-14
36	Lukas Fischer	D	Sarnia (OHL)	6-2/180	6-Sep-06	27-2-9-11
37	Luke Misa	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-10/175	25-Nov-05	25-11-26-37
38	Matvei Gridin	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-1/185	1-Mar-06	22-13-12-25
39	Will Skahan	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-4/210	14-May-06	22-1-4-5
40	Jett Luchanko	C	Guelph (OHL)	5-11/185	21-Aug-06	27-10-16-26
41	Simon Zether	C	Rogle (Swe J20)	6-3/185	18-Oct-05	17-11-16-27
42	Dean Letourneau	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	6-6/210	21-Feb-06	28-32-31-63
43	Andrew Basha	LW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/185	8-Nov-05	27-13-22-35
44	Christian Humphreys	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/170	4-Feb-06	22-10-20-30
45	Daniil Ustinkov	D	ZSC (Sui-NL)	6-0/195	26-Aug-06	15-0-1-1
46	Yegor Surin	C	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	5-10/175	1-Aug-06	21-11-14-25
47	Leon Muggli	D	Zug (Sui-NL)	6-0/165	9-Jul-06	24-2-4-6
48	Sebastian Soini	D	KOOVEE (Fin-Mestis)	6-2/180	10-Jun-06	15-0-4-4
49	Lucas Pettersson	C	MoDo Hockey(Swe J20)	5-11/170	17-Apr-06	26-13-13-26
50	Cole Beaudoin	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-2/200	24-Apr-06	24-10-8-18
51	Jakub Fibigr	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-0/170	22-Jul-06	25-4-12-16
52	Justin Poirier	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	5-7/185	4-Sep-06	30-23-10-33
53	Kamil Bednarik	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/185	26-May-06	22-13-14-27
54	Niilopekka Muhonen	D	KalPa (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	28-Feb-06	19-1-5-6
55	Hagen Burrows	RW	Minnetonka (USHS-MN)	6-1/175	13-Oct-05	4-3-8-11
56	Teddy Stiga	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/155	5-Apr-06	22-16-12-28
57	Melvin Fernstrom	RW	Orebro (Swe J20)	6-0/185	28-Feb-06	29-18-16-34
58	Dominik Badinka	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	6-3/185	27-Nov-05	15-2-10-12
59	Charlie Elick	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-3/200	17-Jan-06	29-3-10-13
60	Terik Parascak	RW	Prince George (WHL)	5-11/175	28-May-06	28-22-21-43
61	Tuomas Suoniemi	C	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)	5-10/160	16-Apr-06	20-3-11-14
62	Raoul Boilard	C	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-1/185	7-Jan-06	30-12-17-29
63	Carter George	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-1/190	20-May-06	9-8-2, 3.03, .902
64	Ryerson Leenders	G	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/175	1-Jun-06	11-7-0, 3.03, .913
HM	Anthony Cristoforo	D	Windsor (OHL)	5-11/190	23-Feb-06	25-1-13-14
HM	Colton Roberts	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-4/195	8-Jun-06	28-5-11-16
HM	Carson Wetsch	RW	Calgary (WHL)	6-0/185	4-May-06	26-9-9-18
HM	William Zellers	LW	Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)	5-10/165	4-Apr-06	25-24-24-48
HM	Aidan Park	C	Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)	6-1/185	6-Jan-06	25-15-27-42
HM	Noel Fransen	D	Farjestads (Swe J20)	6-0/180	7-Dec-05	30-15-15-30
HM	Oskar Vuollet	C	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	5-10/170	3-Dec-05	22-12-16-28
HM	Max Plante	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/170	20-Feb-06	12-4-13-17
HM	Tomas Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	5-10/150	11-Feb-06	17-1-2-3

Welcome to the 2024 NHL Draft – European Region

Scouts: Chapin Landvogt, Felix Robbins, Matej Deraj, Viktor Fomich — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 20:16:41 +0000

230823 Simon Zether of Sweden during the U20 5 Nations tournament match between Sweden and Slovakia on August 23, 2023 in Nyköping.
Photo: Emma Wallskog / BILDBYRÅN / COP 320 / EW0239

Autumn is just around the corner and you know what that means? It’s time to start thinking about the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The majority of players have already seen their seasons begin, be it European or North American based, and that gives us a ton to talk about already. As part of a large series, each of our scouting regions and regional scouts will be introducing you to some of their early favourites; names to keep an eye on.

This is ‘Welcome to the 2024 NHL Draft: - European Region

Scouts: Chapin Landvogt, Felix Robbins, Matej Deraj, Viktor Fomich

Favourite Player from Europe Heading Into the Draft Year:

Daniil Ustinkov, Defense, ZSC Lions

There are two defining players for Switzerland in this year’s draft, namely Ustinkov and forward Jamiro Reber. As the latter is spending the season with HV71 in Sweden, he is now the domain of our Nordic scouts. That makes Ustinkov - who had the option of playing hockey in North America this season - the hands down top Swiss prospect coming out of Switzerland for the 2024 NHL draft. A bulwark of a player who can be extremely sturdy, we can’t wait to see what comes of this season, one in which he could see action in his country’s top U20 league and the SL but has looked real good for his NL club in several appearances during the preseason, gaining ample ice time along the way. Steadfast and mobile, both with and without the puck, he’s an adept puck-distributing blueliner. We’re big fans of his poise and presence on the ice, where he displays a constant eye for passing opportunities while ever ready to move with the biscuit when that’s the best option. He’s got physicality too and finds a way to be very involved, even when things might not be going his way. He enters this season looking like a solid option at the tail end of the first round in 2024. (Chapin Landvogt)

Edwin Tropmann, Defense, Kölner

Tropmann is a right-shot defenseman who has been making some serious noise in Germany for several seasons now. Does this assessment sound familiar? No need to get our hopes up too high yet, but Tropmann already has two U18 Worlds appearances under his belt and is far and away the best first year draft-eligible this German class has to offer. Of just average size, Tropmann is a strong skater who plays a heavy game laden with confidence. Capable in all three zones, transitional play with the puck and the occupation of the Ovechkin wheelhouse spot on the power play have been his fortes to date. Tropmann also loves to create momentum heading up the ice with the puck on his stick. After two DEL and four DEL2 contests (one point) last season, it’s felt that Tropmann will get a real look at ice time in the pro ranks this season although his junior team in Cologne (for whom he’s off to a slow start) would love a season for the ages out of him in light of their championship ambitions. Cologne’s head coach Uwe Krupp would be all too ecstatic to see Tropmann push his hand at the DEL level. International fans should get to see Tropmann in a top 4 role at this winter’s WJC. (Chapin Landvogt)

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Wing, Mora IK

It isn’t every year that the nation of Norway can boast that they have a top NHL draft eligible prospect, let alone one under serious consideration at all. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård has definitely earned that status, with many scouts penciling him into the top 20 going into the season - setting him up to be the highest drafted norwegian-born player in NHL history. Not only is he immensely talented, he is a ton of fun to watch. Brandsegg-Nygård’s game is that of a modern power forward. His physical prowess allows him to put immense pressure on his opponents during puck battles (and sometimes take them out of the play entirely) along the boards and win possession for his team. He can also stand guys up in open ice, delivering bone crushing hits. He is an elite forechecker, which allows him to capitalize on turnovers created by his hard work and create a rush opportunity the other way. He’s more of a shooter than a passer - and he can really shoot it hard. He’s a great north-south skater, and he possesses great anticipation and awareness in all situations. Simply put, he plays a game that translates easily to higher levels. Heading into the season, he is already an excellent prospect and would be in most drafts. However, if he can refine his passing game and add some more fine skill to his arsenal then the sky's the limit for Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. He is staying with Mora IK and will most likely be getting a sizable opportunity with the big club for the upcoming season - as sending him to the J20 level would be trivial - and I cannot wait for him to make his mark on the league. (Felix Robbins)

Ivan Demidov, Wing, SKA St. Petersburg

There are no other options here (from my region): whether you actually like him or not, if at this point your favorite Russian 2024 NHL draft eligible player isn’t Ivan Demidov then you’re clearly doing something wrong. Demidov possesses an insane concentration of attacking skill that allowed him to score a huge amount of points in the MHL junior league last season, which resulted in him receiving the MHL MVP of the season award (and that is extremely impressive for someone his age). He can do everything in the attacking zone thanks to his creativity, but the concerns are there too: he isn’t physical (not too surprising for a 17 year old kid, but still) and I have question marks written down from the last season about him being able to keep up with the intensity and pace of the pro levels of Russian hockey. This will be monitored closely this season, but for now he is among the top names of pretty much every draft ranking and deservedly so. (Viktor Fomich)

Maxim Burkov, Wing, HK Dukla Jihlava (Czech U20)

I´ve always loved draft prospects from non-traditional hockey markets and one of them has now joined my region. Maxim Burkov was born in Estonia, a country with only one drafted player in history and Burkov might become the second one. Prior to the season, he joined Dukla Jihlava and even though he started the season with the U20 side, he's expected to move up to the A-team sooner or later. He left a strong impression during the pre-season. Burkov is still very much a raw prospect. He needs to get better at many aspects of the game. He lacks physicality and needs to add muscles to put up with older and bigger opponents. However, he's a fun player to watch, a true sniper who loves to shoot the puck. He has decent hands and uses his feet well. It's difficult to evaluate him properly since he had never played at a semi-decent level before this season (and the Czech juniors is not exactly the strongest league in the world either), but he's a fun prospect with a great story. His draft season might be one for the books. (Matej Deraj)

First Round Candidates:

Elias Pul, Center, EC Salzburg U20/RB Hockey Juniors

The strongest German forward option among first-year eligible players, Pul was one of the rare underagers to appear for Germany at the U18 Worlds, even garnering some looks in the top six. A two-way bulldog of sorts, there’s skill, smarts, and hop in his game, something we really got to see in the final two contests at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer. Still a lightweight, we have little doubt he can dominate for Red Bull’s U20 academy team that plays in the Czech junior league as he already was 3rd on the team in scoring last season as a 16-year-old, thus we’re keen on seeing if he’ll ultimately be part of the RB Juniors AlpsHL outfit. That, at this age, would put him in Julian Lutz territory. Could a WJC appearance be in the cards as well? German coach Abstreiter is very familiar with him. (Chapin Landvogt)

Leon Muggli, Defense, EV Zug

Outside of Ustinkov, it’s doubtful that any draft-eligible players based in Switzerland will push for the first round in next summer’s draft, but Muggli would likely be the guy if any were to throw his name into the hat. He’s a classic stay-at-home defender who likes to play it rough, move opponents out of the crease, and end their momentum along the boards. Average in height and still lacking weight, especially for his rough ’n tumble style of play, we’re hoping to see more out of him from a transitional standpoint. A stalwart for Switzerland’s international teams the past two years, Muggli’s game with the puck has been all about keeping things simple. All indications at the moment are that Zug is looking to keep him around for NL action this season. That would say a lot about his standing in Switzerland, but would it be best for his development? (Chapin Landvogt)

Simon Zether, Center/Wing, Rogle BK J20

Simon Zether is a very interesting player with a very interesting toolkit. He’s got a big frame, which he most comfortably uses to protect the puck on offence and in creating angles to clog up passing & shooting lanes on defence. Zether has fluid skating mechanics and good straight line speed for his size, though his agility needs improvement. He is an excellent rush attacker and very good (if not a little aggressive) at supporting breakouts by bolting up ice and making himself available for the outlet pass. Zether’s game really shines in the offensive zone. He has great vision and is a good puck distributor. He can find soft ice very easily, and possesses a tremendous shot - powerful, thanks to his frame, and accurate as a laser. Despite possessing average hands, he is a creative and deceptive player with an extensive bag of tricks..

While Zether’s offensive toolkit is very impressive, his play on the defensive side of the puck really needs improvement. He doesn’t use his frame or reach to his advantage, and rarely engages in board battles. For a big man, Zether’s game is rather small. He will need to develop a more robust physical dimension and round out his defensive game in order to gain serious 1st round consideration. (Felix Robbins)

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Defense, Växjö Lakers J20

Leo Sahlin Wallenius was perhaps the most impressive blue liner for Sweden at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, and he hopes to continue to impress heading into the season. Wallenius profiles as an offensive defenceman. He is a reliable and creative passer with exceptional vision - he makes the long stretch pass up ice look easy. He isn’t afraid to jump up on the rush or to activate into the play in the offensive zone - he’s got the offensive toolkit for it. He’s got a pretty good shot, which opens up a lot of options for him when the puck is on his stick. Wallenius is a stellar rush defender. He controls his gaps well and rarely gets burned thanks to his awesome skating. He has a bit of a tough time staying calm under pressure from forecheckers, often bailing out or firing a pass to an unoccupied area of the ice. He isn’t the strongest physically either, often getting outdueled for inside position in front of the net or in the corners. This sort of “offensively gifted - defensively middling” dichotomy is fairly common amongst offensive defencemen, and will typically dictate what sort of player they will become at the NHL level. His skating and passing are exceptional, no question, but can he take his offensive toolkit a step further and raise his ceiling even higher? If he can do that, as well as improve his physical strength and decision making under pressure, Leo Sahlin Wallenius could definitely play himself into the first round. (Felix Robbins)

Igor Chernyshov, Wing, MHK Dynamo Moskva

In terms of Russian draft candidate discussion Igor Chernyshov is usually a bit in shadow of Ivan Demidov, but what he brings to the table makes him very easy to like. Chernyshov is built like a potential power forward, but also has very good hands, skates well and is competent both at playmaking and finishing. Might be nothing record-breaking for him last season in the MHL, but he was still right in the point-per-game territory, which is high-end enough considering his age. As the cherry on top of that he also added a goal in his limited KHL call-ups, which has been the youngest ever goal scored in his franchise’s KHL history. Injuries got in his way a bit at the end of the season, so he missed a solid chunk of preseason action and, at the moment as I write this, is looking a bit rusty, yet he certainly is someone to watch out for and consider for the first round this season. (Viktor Fomich)

Yegor Surin, Center, Loko Yaroslavl

The hardest thing about scouting Yegor Surin is looking at something other than his hands, as his skills are almost Datsyukian in nature. Additionally, his shot is an absolute laser with precision and sudden release. Surin had a decent season in the MHL last year playing well in a rather limited role on a strong Loko team, at least well enough to be considered as a potential first-round talent. With that being said he is viewed mostly as a late first round guy, as despite all the skill his skating level currently is not a strength and will need to be improved. Also, since he projects as a center, his ability to be a quality two-way player is still something that needs to be proven too, although he certainly possesses the right playmaking talents to be developing as a center. (Viktor Fomich)

Adam Jiříček, Defense, HC Plzeň

A well-known last name when it comes to hockey prospects; Adam´s older brother David is one of the best young defensemen in the world and Adam does everything he can to follow in his footsteps. However, he's not a true clone of his brother. He doesn't enjoy throwing devastating hits that much and doesn't have his brother´s bomb of a shot. On the other hand, Adam plays a more poised and balanced game. The younger Jiříček is a two-way defenseman who moves quite well for his size (6´2”). He´s a smart player and a skilled passer, who likes to contribute all over the ice and doesn´t hesitate to join the rush, yet he doesn't forget to do his job in his own zone. Just like his brother, he's been given a solid opportunity with HC Plzeň in the Czech top tier league, even with power play minutes. A top 10 candidate. (Matej Deraj)

Tomáš Galvas, Defense, HC Olomouc (Czech U20)

I´ve always liked Galvas as a prospect. He´s a smooth-skating, smart two-way defenseman who possesses a lot of intriguing tools. He´s a great puck-carrier who´s really confident in his abilities and likes to join the rush. His defensive skills are solid as well, especially his defensive stick work. However, he´s undersized (5´10”) for a defenseman and lacks physicality to be more effective in board battles and in front of his own net. Nevertheless, Galvas is a smart player whose game could translate really well to pro hockey despite lacking a couple of inches and pounds. In my opinion, he could push for the 1st round if he continues to improve throughout his draft year and works on his weaknesses. (Matej Deraj)

Under the Radar “Sleepers:”

Nick Maul, Wing, EC Salzburg U20/RB Hockey Juniors

Quite possibly the top forward for Germany at this summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Maul was noticeable for regularly showing up as Johnny on the spot on the attack while showing a strong understanding of positioning in all game situations. He also wound up being the team’s top producer, showing strong instincts for the net and a high IQ with respect to getting open and putting the puck in advantageous places for his teammates. A solidly built 5-foot 10er, he already put up four points in his first U20 game for RB Academy and may be with the pro Juniors squad before we know it. (Chapin Landvogt)

Paul Mayer, Defense, Adler Mannheim

With games already played for Germany’s DEL2 Kaufbeuren as a 16-year-old, then a transfer to organizational powerhouse Mannheim, the 6’2”, 192-pound Mayer was looking to be the talk of this year’s German class not too long ago. Alas, despite a strong 11-goal, 38-point DNL performance and one DEL showing for Mannheim, his international performances for Germany, even those in test phases, have done little to foster the belief that there’s a bonafide NHL prospect here. Nonetheless, the soon-to-be 18-year-old is staring at a winter of probable pro play at the DEL2 level with an outside shot at a WJC appearance. (Chapin Landvogt)

Robin Antenen, Center, EV Zug U20

Just 17 until next May, Antenen was a very pleasant revelation for Switzerland in its very successful Hlinka Gretzky Cup performance. Already measuring in at 6’1”, 190 pounds, Antenen plays with exceptional coordination and a strong nose for the net. There are some hands in this package, which Antenen places on display in subtle phases of a game while often popping up wherever the puck is. He spent more than half the season last year with EV Zug’s U20 team and that’s where he’s started this season, already clicking at a PPG pace. By the time the U18 Worlds swing around, we expect him to be one of Switzerland’s go-to players up front. (Chapin Landvogt)

Christian Kirsch, Goaltender, EV Zug U20

A part of Switzerland’s U18 Worlds entry last spring and then again at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the 6’3”, 180-pounder is well known to the scouting community already, especially in light of his commitment to UMass as of the 25-26 season. For this season, fans can expect to see him manning the nets for EV Zug’s U20 squad, which has clear championship ambitions. His part in next spring’s U18 Worlds outfit is a given as well, health allowing. As pro play is out of the question as long as NCAA ambitions are clear, we’re expecting the 23-24 season to be his last in Switzerland for a while. (Chapin Landvogt)

Stian Solberg, Defense, Valerenga IF

Stian Solberg has been playing top 4 minutes on the men's team in 1st division Norwegian hockey since he was 16 years old, and for very good reason. He is a smooth skating, all-situations defenceman with exceptional puck moving ability. He can eat minutes, hit hard, and break the puck out with ease. His positional awareness is borderline elite. He rarely ever gets walked or caught out of position, and if he does, he works hard to get back and make up for it. When the puck is on his stick, he does a very good job of manipulating defenders. He uses simple yet effective moves like outside body fake-drive inside to evade defenders and open up space for himself and teammates. He has been used effectively as a pointman on the 2nd power play unit, where his puck distribution skills greatly benefit from the extra space. Despite this, he doesn’t have a dynamic offensive toolkit, which could limit his upside. (Felix Robbins)

Bruno Idzan, Center/Wing, HV71 U20

Another player from a non-traditional hockey market, Bruno Idzan has been playing high level hockey in Sweden since 2021 in hopes of being the first Croatian-born player ever drafted by an NHL team. Idzan brings a ton of energy whenever he’s on the ice. He plays with his head up, his feet are constantly moving and he never gives up on the play. He is an excellent forechecker - he has the footspeed to catch up to puck carriers and does good work with his stick to disrupt play and cause turnovers. He’s a lightweight, but that doesn’t stop him from going to the dirty areas and battling or finishing his checks. He may not dazzle you with high-end skill, but he is a very smart player who processes the game as fast as he plays it. Ultimately, most of Idzan’s production will come from hard work rather than high end skill, and he will need to get a lot stronger physically to translate his game to higher levels. (Felix Robbins)

Anton Silayev, Defense, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod

The scouting action is so dynamic that when I started writing this Anton Silayev was just an interesting sleeper, yet now it looks a little ridiculous to include him in this section given where some scouting agencies have him ranked after his hot start in the KHL. Seriously though, even just a brief look at him makes you think that it is quite amazing that a guy at the size of 6’7” can skate so smoothly. However it is also not hard to see that he is very raw (and in case of Silayev this should be written in uppercase) and needs to improve almost every component of his game; he is a classic long term project. That said, his impressive start to the KHL season has opened eyes for a reason and his processing ability does appear to be a major strength which bodes well for future improvement. (Viktor Fomich)

Maxim Velikov, Wing, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva

I can’t find any reasonable explanation why there isn’t a lot of discussion about Maxim Velikov right now: he scored a solid amount of points while playing fourth line minutes in the MHL last season and really turned heads playing for Team Russia in a Summer tournament. Obviously it is not only about the numbers, as the eye test has been passed so far too, especially in terms of skating. His acceleration is a major strength as it only takes him a few strides to build to full speed. Additionally, he blends skill and quickness well making him a dynamic attacker. If he continues to perform well, look for him to shoot up rankings. (Viktor Fomich)

Petr Sikora, Center, HC Oceláři Třinec (Czech U20)

Sikora is a player who impressed me at the recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup and his pre-season with Třinec was really solid as well. He is a smaller forward (5´10”, 168 lbs), but plays a fearless style of game and has a lot of intriguing tools. He´s a two-way center who´s pretty good defensively, wins a lot of faceoffs, and plays well on both special teams. Sikora is a skilled playmaker with great vision, who´s able to find his teammates consistently. He´s expected to spend the most of the year in juniors, but he might be worth a pick in the next draft even if he doesn´t get many opportunities in the men´s league. (Matej Deraj)

Samuel Kupec, Defense, Dukla Trenčín

Unlike recent two years, there are not many draft eligible prospects skating in Slovakia right now. One of the few is Samuel Kupec, a left-handed defenseman who´s decided to stay in Trenčín despite being drafted to the CHL. Kupec is a big (6´3”, 214 lbs) defenseman who loves physical play. He´s a hard hitter, plays very aggressively and never hesitates to get into a scrap or drop the gloves. He´s a reliable defensive defenseman who´s able to shut down opposing forwards, but lacks premium offensive skills. He´s not the best skater in the world and doesn´t offer much apart from his physicality and defensive skills, but if he´s able to play well in the Slovak league, he might be worth a late-round pick. (Matej Deraj)

Welcome to the 2024 NHL Draft – The Video Team

Josh Bell, Steven Graves, Jamison Derksen — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 21:52:35 +0000

This is ‘Welcome to the 2024 NHL Draft’ - The Video Team

Scouts: Josh Bell, Steven Graves, Jamison Derksen

Favourite Player from All Regions Heading Into the Draft Year:

Artyom Levshunov, Defense, Michigan State University

Artyom Levshunov made the jump to North America in 2023-23, joining the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers and quickly capturing the attention of scouts. He put up more points than Owen Power did in his DY-1 season, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. The Belarussian’s skating is the first trait you notice, thanks to his fluid, powerful stride and strong transition game with his feet. He can pivot on a dime and has some explosion in his first few steps. He already has the size and reach of a pro. The right-handed defender’s vision and passing are high-end as well, and should only improve as his confidence continues to grow. Throughout 2022-23, he showed excellent progression in his game, especially in his zone. His defensive awareness, positioning, and physicality all stood out by the season’s end. If that trend can continue as he heads to the NCAA’s Michigan State University, he will solidify his spot as the top contender in this class. Levshunov stands an excellent chance of being the highest Belarussian ever selected in the NHL Draft, a position currently held by Ruslan Salei when the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim selected him ninth overall in 1996. (Josh Bell)

Zayne Parekh, Defense, Saginaw Spirit

Zayne Parekh is a standout defenseman for the Saginaw Spirit, who are set to host the 2024 Memorial Cup. Since the departure of superstar blueliner Pavel Mintyukov at last season’s trade deadline, he's been a vital part of Saginaw's power play and served as the PP1 quarterback for Canada's U18 team in the summer. Parekh's exceptional ability to accelerate on his edges and maintain puck control make him a very dangerous weapon both in transition and in the offensive zone. His awareness helps him move the puck quickly and find plenty of open ice when he elects to keep the puck. He’s also got a knack for threading point shots through traffic, seldom allowing them to be blocked. Parekh can at times be slightly over-zealous in the offensive zone, but his skating can erase a lot of his mistakes pretty quickly. Defensively, he closes gaps effectively and disrupts opponents with subtle picks and attacking the hands, he also eliminates many plays with deft stickwork. The blueliner scored 21 goals as a rookie last season in the OHL and added 16 assists in just 50 games. Parekh's game is marked by confidence, efficiency, and situational awareness, he stands out as a player to watch in advance of the 2024 NHL Draft, where he will likely hear his name called early. (Jamison Derksen)

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Defense, Växjö Lakers J20

Wallenius is a player that I have held in high regard for quite a while now, but it wasn’t until the Hlinka where I became a hardcore believer of his game and his potential. To put it simply, he has the size, skating ability, offensive awareness, and defensive potential to become a top-10 selection in this year's draft. His skating stride is beautiful; he is one of those few players that make skating look easy and effortless. He uses his skating to great effect when transporting the puck in transition, using subtle head fakes to throw off defenders timing and footwork. His defensive game is already really good, with tons of potential to improve - he does a great job at maintaining his gaps, then using his stick to slow down then close out his opponents. He isn’t the best at defending in front of the net yet and isn’t very physical, but once he adds some more muscle, he should be more proficient in this regard. An NHL player I’d compare him to would be Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars. I believe he could have that kind of impact one day, and it’s a big reason as to why he is my favorite player early on. (Steven Graves)

First Round Candidates:

230922 Moras Michael Brandsegg-Nygård under ishockeymatchen i Hockeyallsvenskan mellan Mora och Södertälje den 22 september 2023 i Mora.
Foto: Daniel Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN / COP 173 / DE0174

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Wing, Mora IK

Not only does Michael Brandsegg-Nygard stand a very good chance of hearing his name called in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, but it would make him the first Norwegian ever selected in the first round. The right winger made the move from Norway to Sweden last season, dominating the J18 Region, playing at over a point-per-game pace in the J20 Nationell, and getting a good taste of the HockeyAllsvenskan. He’s a very skilled goal scorer who seems to be able to score from anywhere on the ice and in many different ways. He’ll need to show an ability to drive a line to push up in the first round, but his ability to find the twine, his competitiveness, and his size should be enough to hear his name called in the top 32. (Josh Bell)

Michael Hage, Center, Chicago Steel

Michael Hage was dominant in his OHL Draft Year, with 116 points in 57 games. He very likely could have been the first-overall selection in the OHL Draft had he not signed a tender agreement with the USHL’s Chicago Steel. In his DY-1 campaign, he sat out most of the season due to shoulder surgery, so his full potential and where he is in his development remains fairly unknown. The centerman has the size and strength to jump to the next level, and he’s a player who seems to make everyone around him better. He has that perfect combination of intelligence and competitiveness. As a top player on the Steel this season, and as long as he can get back on that DY-2 development path, Hage will very much be in the first-round conversation. (Josh Bell)

Cayden Lindstrom, Center, Medicine Hat Tigers

Cayden Lindstrom is a hulking centreman for the Medicine Hat Tigers, standing at 6’4”, 215 lbs. He was already one of the top offensive options on the Tigers as a rookie last year, finishing fourth on the team in scoring with 42 points. Aside from his size, another standout component of his game is Lindstrom’s speed. His powerful stride gets him up to top speed in a hurry, and that enables him to be a big factor on the rush. He excels there, where his vision for teammates and ability to find dangerous areas leads to ample opportunity for offence. Lindstrom also uses his body well to shield the puck, particularly along the boards, and is hard to knock off the puck in general. He’s got some growing to do defensively, but he has the foundation to be a very good player at both ends of the ice, which NHL teams will like when picking late in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. (Jamison Derksen)

Kamil Bednarik, Center, U.S. NTDP

Kamil Bednarik is part of the US National Team Development Program, set to play for the U18 team this season. He finished fourth in scoring for the US National U17 Team last season with 44 points. The 6’0” centre is an intelligent player who is consistently at the right place at the right time. He’s a mainstay on USNTDP’s top penalty killing unit due to his defensive responsibility and positioning. Offensively, Bednarik is confident with the puck and good at finding outlets quickly, he supports well off the puck on both ends of the ice. Physically he isn’t imposing, but he does get enough bumps in to effectively defend. One area where his game needs improvement is his skating, he can get caught when play transitions quickly, however his hockey IQ offsets his skating shortcomings enough to make him an interesting prospect. A team may want to take a shot on his hockey IQ in the late first round next June. (Jamison Derksen)

Daniil Ustinkov, Defense, ZSC Lions

Ustinkov is a player that I get more, and more excited about every time I get to see him play. I got my first viewing of him last year at the European Youth Olympics in Italy where he helped lead the Swiss to a gold medal and won the tournament MVP in the process. He has great poise with the puck on his stick, has excellent vision in the offensive end, has great puck skills that he uses to great effect to get out of a pinch, and possesses great four way mobility. Since the Youth Olympic Games, it has been an upward trajectory for Ustinkov, playing in 10 games between the top 2 Swiss leagues; including 3 in the playoffs as a 16 year old - then playing for Switzerland internationally at the u-18’s as an underager; where he was one of the teams leading scorers. This season, Ustinkov is poised to play the entire season with Zürich in the highest Swiss league, the National League, the same one where we saw David Reinbacher go 5th overall in last season. Ustinkov however is one of the younger first time eligibles for the 2024 NHL draft, meanwhile David Reinbacher was a late birthday for the 2023 draft. So if Ustinkov has a good season, there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll fight for a slot in the first round of the 2024 Draft. (Steven Graves)

Bruno Idzan, Center/Wing, HV71 U20

Idzan is a player I really hope has a strong season. He is a Croatian born forward that has helped the U20 Croatia team earn promotion in back to back years, and the nation will be playing in U20 D1B World Juniors for the first time ever. The country of Croatia has only produced one player to have ever played in the NHL in Borna Rendulic, who played 15 games over 3 seasons in the mid-2010’s. Idzan however, is poised to be the first ever NHL drafted player from the country. He is currently playing in Sweden in HV71’s system, and I have hope that he is going to get some games with the Men’s team in the SHL this upcoming season. Idzan has a nose for the net, he gets a lot of his shots on net from within 6’ of the goalmouth, has good speed, and can be dangerous off the rush in transition. If Idzan can commit further to his defensive game and engagement levels in the defensive zone, I think that he could be a guy taken in the first round this season. (Steven Graves)

Under the Radar “Sleepers:”

Adam Jecho, Wing, Edmonton Oil Kings

After being selected third overall in the CHL Import Draft, Adam Jecho will be joining the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings this season. The Czech prospect stands at a hulking 6-foot-5, 198 pounds, and already knows how to use his size to his advantage. Combined with his skill, this is a dangerous player. He makes quick, intelligent decisions and is hard on the puck carrier. I will be watching to see his offensive game take the next step with the Oil Kings, looking for him to get involved often and fully embrace his role as a power forward. (Josh Bell)

Nathan Villeneuve, Center, Sudbury Wolves

I’ve been watching and tracking Nathan Villeneuve since his OHL Draft Year, and have always been left impressed. A centerman for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, drafted third-overall in 2022, Villeneuve is coming off of a solid rookie season and looks poised to take the next step. He’s extremely competitive, confident, and has tremendous strength for his age. He’s been working to improve his strength this season, especially in his lower body and his skating - which was already strong. He has an excellent shot and should be a focal point of offense for the Wolves this season. (Josh Bell)

Colton Roberts, Defense, Vancouver Giants

Colton Roberts, a 6’4” defenceman for the Vancouver Giants, is an intriguing player to watch this season. The 2021 Giants first rounder was already a big part of Vancouver’s blueline as a 16-year-old with a skill set that spans both ends of the ice. Roberts has an excellent first pass on the breakout and a hard shot from the point, but also has a mean streak and uses his body well when defending. He’s likely able to drastically improve his counting stats if he’s given more opportunity to flex his offensive muscles this season. Given the fact that he logged the fifth most ice time in the league among 2006-born players last season, it’s safe to say Roberts will have an opportunity to shine in 2023/24 and be a dark horse on draft boards. (Jamison Derksen)

Cole Beaudoin, Center, Barrie Colts

Cole Beaudoin is forward for the Barrie Colts, and is an excellent candidate to rise in draft boards this season due his size (6’2”, 206 lbs) and his speed, however the foundation of his game is his work ethic. An above-average defensive forward, he’s tenacious on the puck and he has a knack for finding loose pucks. Beaudoin had 20 points playing down in the lineup on a strong Colts team last season, however he also finished second in scoring for Canada Black U17 at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge. With some more special team deployment, Beaudin has the skills to shine in a variety of situations and be an intriguing player to watch for the upcoming draft this season. (Jamison Derksen)

Elias Straume Vatne, Center/Wing, Färjestad BK J20

There are three really talented Norwegian skaters eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, and Straume Vatne has probably been given the least amount of attention between the three of them to this point in time. And honestly, Straume Vante might be the best offensive player between the three of them. Straume Vante plays the game at a high speed, always looking to use his excellent puck skills, skating and confidence to create offense. He isn’t very big, standing at 5 '8”, but he makes up for his lack of size with a great motor, always keeping his feet moving, trying to do whatever to help his team. I can’t wait to see if he can bypass any doubts about his size in Färejestad’s system, and at the World Juniors for Norway this season. (Steven Graves)

Laban Persson, Defense, Rögle BK J20

Persson was a guy that caught my eye quite a few times at the Hlinka, for good reasons. He wasn’t very proficient in the offensive end but for the most part played a low-risk, safe defensive game and played that part quite well for Sweden at the Hlinka. Persson showcased a good first pass, strong gaps, an impressive defensive stick, and he was often one of the first guys over the boards for Sweden on the PK. I will be very interested to see if he can improve upon his performance at the Hlinka in Rögle’s system this year, and perhaps provide more offense than we’ve seen from him to this point. If he can, I really think that Persson will be an underrated gem for this draft. (Steven Graves)

HLINKA GRETZKY CUP – Tournament All Star Team – Honourable Mentions – 25 outstanding player performances

Jared Brown — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 19:16:19 +0000

Tournament All-Star Team

F - Berkly Catton (Canada)

Catton was I think, clearly this tournament’s MVP. He did it all for Canada, playing in all situations, driving the offense and creating chances for himself or his linemates, and setting the tone for his team early in their games by throwing his weight around on the forecheck. You could also give him the nickname “captain clutch” for how often he scored timely goals in this tournament for Canada. Catton isn’t a big player playing down the middle of the ice. But he’s a high-end skater with plus-level vision, who brings competitiveness, and intelligent hockey to the forefront which complements his offensive tools. He finished with the tournament lead in goals with eight, showcasing his quick release and accuracy on midrange shots. With his plus-level vision comes the soft hands which allow him to make plays under/over sticks with confidence. There didn’t seem to be a pass he couldn’t make in this tournament.

F - Trevor Connelly (USA)

Early 2024 draft rankings are going to have Trevor Connelly skyrocketing up the boards after the tournament performance he put on for scouts. I’d rank him as the best skater in this tournament. He showcased terrific speed, mechanics, and edgework in his skating ability. He’s incredibly shifty and evasive through his edgework and finds open spaces to skate into while separating himself from his defender. Connelly was a dynamic offensive threat on the powerplay and at even strength. On the man advantage, he utilized his footwork to shift penalty killers around to open up shooting/passing lanes. I like how he’s rarely ever stationary with the puck and is always on the move, searching for defensive holes in coverage. His puck control is above average, allowing him to handle pucks and finish in tight. Connelly also brought the pace and motor on the other side of the puck, showcasing his two-way play.

F - Adam Benak (Czechia)

Although Adam Benak was a year younger than everyone else on his team, he drove the bus offensively for Czechia through his speed and high-end playmaking ability. His skating is terrific and a major strength in his ability to create offense off the rush. He showcased strong stride mechanics and two-step acceleration in straight lines. He’s a talented playmaker. Patience is a virtue and Benak has it for days. He likes to delay and hold onto pucks to draw defenders to him which allows passing lanes to open up for him. His off-puck positioning as a centre is superb. He assists his defencemen through the middle on breakouts and regularly in close support during battles. He is on the smaller side which will cause some reserves of his future potential. But he’s not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2025 and showed me through his play in this tournament that he’s got some dynamic offensive upside.

D - Sam Dickinson (Canada)

Sam Dickinson is going to challenge for a top five selection and for the top defenceman in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. He’s big, strong, moves the puck efficiently in the defensive zone, and is mobile in the attacking end. He’s composed under pressure in the defensive zone and uses his powerful edges and solid agility to escape from attackers before moving the puck up ice. He can efficiently break the puck out with an accurate first pass or by carrying it out himself with confidence. In the offensive zone, he likes to stay in motion and make plays while on the move. Dickinson defends the rush with terrific mobility, gap control, and an active stick. He’s effective at getting his body in between the man and the puck. Defensively he was a wall in every game while also bringing a bit of an intimidating presence. This young man has the coveted tools already to be a top-pairing NHL defenceman.

D - Adam Jiricek (Czechia)

Adam Jiricek, like Sam Dickinson, didn’t put up gaudy numbers, but his well-roundedness, maturity, and skating all show signs of a potential top pairing defenceman at the pro level already. His game is already incredibly polished. He makes very few mistakes for you to critique. You can rely on him to log heavy minutes and play in all situations. He’s smart at processing what’s in front of him and the passing lanes that will open up. Then he will lay a flat, pinpoint accurate pass to his forwards for clean zone exits. Jiricek possesses elite edgework to work himself away from forecheckers or into more opportune passing/shooting lanes. Defensively he was a stalwart for Czechia, sacrificing his body to block shots on the penalty kill, and closing gaps quickly with his great mobility and defensive stick. He’s very efficient at stopping the cycle by using that big body of his to pin his opponents.

G - Carter George (Canada)

Carter George narrowly beat out Czechia goaltender, Jakub Milota, for my top goalie of the tournament. George took advantage of securing the crease for Canada after their disastrous opening game against Finland. He exhibits great poise and steady confidence through his technical play and positioning which gives his teammates and coaches confidence when he’s in between the pipes. He always looks in control of his movements and rarely loses his net or overplays his angles. He’s a good skater and moves smoothly side-to-side. George displays strong puck tracking ability, especially when the puck is in close around his crease. He’s got a solid glove hand where he consistently catches and traps pucks inside them with ease. His puck playing skills for his age was good and he showed comfort in coming out and moving the puck from behind his net. George doesn’t have that “ideal” size for a goaltender, but his composure, positioning, and technical play really impressed me.

Honourable Mentions

Canada

Malcolm Spence - Spence I thought got better through each game of the tournament. He was an effective penalty killer for Canada where he could use his speed to pressure and create offence. His stick checking impressed me as he was terrific at taking pucks off his opposition’s stick or poking pucks into an open space for him or a teammate to skate into. That puck-stealing skill was on display with his overtime winner.

Cole Beaudoin - Beaudoin emerged as a fantastic role player for Canada with his versatile toolbox. He played centre, wing, took important faceoffs on the penalty kill, and provided a heavy game to cause havoc while forechecking. He has a strong motor, busting his butt at both ends of the rink. He also displayed a finishing touch from in and around the home plate area.

Ryder Ritchie - Ritchie was Canada’s second most dangerous forwards after Berkly Catton. Ritchie showcased a ton of confidence with the puck in this tournament and an above average individual skillset to drive the offence. He likes to attack defenders and play through traffic. Solid puck skills and offensive instincts. His skating is quick and he possesses the acceleration to separate himself from defenders.

Michael Misa - Misa dominated in their game against Slovakia where he put up six points and, in that game, showed why he deserved exceptional status in the OHL. His awareness in the offensive zone is top-notch as he looks to set his teammates up in high-danger areas. His skating is explosive and his hands work in unison with his feet to make him a dynamic puck carrying threat in transition.

Henry Mews - I thought Mews was Canada’s best defenceman in the Gold Medal Game playing a solid two-way game. His skating and footwork are high-end and make him an elusive puck carrier in transition and inside the offensive zone. He displays excellent offensive instincts and loves to activate into the attack. Moves the puck very well on breakouts, showcasing terrific vision.

Charlie Elick - Elick was a defensive specialist for Canada and a massive contributor to their penalty kill. He’s got the tools to be a strong shutdown defenceman. He uses his size to play a physical game and separate his man from the puck. Does a good job of utilizing his range to minimize gaps and get his stick into shooting lanes at the last second. He showcased solid straight-line acceleration on his carries.

Czechia

Adam Titlbach - Titlbach surely made his mark on scouts through his offensive skills and production. He’s quick in his boots and takes advantage of open ice through the neutral zone to establish controlled entries. He protects the puck very well in his hip pocket while at full speed. He shoots the puck with a quick, snappy release and showed the soft skill to make plays underneath sticks.

Ondrej Kos - Kos was a perfect complement to Titlbach and Benak on Czechia’s top line. He’s a terrific north-south skater with great speed down the wing to turn defenders around. He plays with pace off the puck and forechecks using his speed and size. He’s a threat in transition and strong along the boards with his big frame, which still has a lot of room to fill out.

Tomas Galvas - Galvas showed great maturity and pro habits in his game. He was Czechia’s second-best defenceman for me, factoring in at both ends of the rink. He utilizes his quick feet and skating to activate into the rush and stay with his man defensively while he forces them out wide. He closes out his man well along the boards and showcases good patience while starting the breakout.

Jakub Milota - Milota didn’t have a bad game and was tremendous in the Gold Medal Game. He makes up for his lack of size with his quickness and athleticism. He comes out to the top of his paint to challenge shooters and cut down his angles. Routinely squares up to shooters. He showcased good rebound control on low shots and quick reflexes in his legs.

USA

Will Zellers - After Trevor Connelly, it was Zellers who looked to create the most chances for Team USA. He created most of his chances himself by working himself into the middle of the ice for a better scoring opportunity. He’s got the quick edges needed for a smaller forward to escape pressure in small spaces. I also liked his defensive hustle and awareness in his own end.

Will Felicio - Felicio finished tied-2nd for defenceman scoring but first in goals with three. He was most effective in the tournament on the powerplay and moving the puck on breakouts. He skates with an airy stride and is light on his feet to cut, twist, and turn away from pressure. Uses his offensive instincts to get himself into scoring positions and is accurate in sniping the puck above the goalies' shoulders.

Caleb Heil - Heil’s tournament numbers don’t stand out, but when you watch him play, you see an athletic goalie who recovers quickly and is exceptional at playing the puck for his age. He managed to put up two assists in the tournament. His lateral movement is swift and he’s quick to square himself after coming across. I like his reaction speed in corralling loose pucks after he doesn’t smother the first shot he faced.

Finland

Emil Hemming - Hemming was a scoring threat on the powerplay and showcased that he possesses a very powerful and quick release. One of the best shooters in this tournament. He’s got quick hands and creativity when attacking defenders 1-on-1 off the rush. His awareness in the offensive zone while surveying along the perimeter is strong. He’s got good size already and was willing to play physical on occasion.

Tuomas Suoniemi - Suoniemi had an impressive first game of the tournament against Canada where he scored a hat trick which included a highlight reel finish. He possesses skilled hands and great puck control while moving his feet. He recognizes open pockets he can attack through due to his constant heads-up awareness. Offensively has the skill to drive his line.

Sweden

Leo Sahlin Wallenius - Wallenius played a strong two-way style and showed a knack for making offensive plays off the blueline. He’s a strong skater with good puck carrying mobility. He loves to activate into the rush. Showcased a shoot-first mentality for the most part. Defensively uses his mobility to close off players along the boards. Keeps his feet moving and uses his strength to eliminate his opponents off the puck.

Linus Eriksson - Captain for Sweden and he showcased his leadership by playing a competitive game at both ends of the rink. He’s a shifty skater in transition who displayed the ability to sidestep opponents through the neutral zone without breaking stride. He frequently scans the ice when possessing the puck and identifies quick passing options. Showed a willingness to involve himself in battles and outwork his opposition for the puck.

Switzerland

Daniil Ustinkov - The Swiss top defender did not disappoint. He’s got an all-around toolkit that allows him to play in all situations for his team. He loves to utilize his feet to carry pucks out and can do this due to his powerful skating. He’s excellent at using his edgework to escape pressure. Defensively he makes good defensive reads to intercept cross-ice passes. He’s strong defending along the boards and in defensive zone battles.

Leon Muggli - Muggli plays a bit of an old-fashioned style of defence. He’s rugged, tough, and likes to eliminate his man from the play through body contact. He’s strong on his man and was effective at breaking up cycles below his goal line. Muggli was a steady defender for the Swiss and Mr. Reliable on the backend for them.