Edwin Tropmann – McKeen's Hockey

2025 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES – Overage Draft Eligible Prospects – Part Three – Europe

Felix Robbins, Jérémy Rivet, Henry Lawrence, Matej Deraj, Chapin Landvogt — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 15:52:59 +0000

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

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. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Calgary Flames standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. Ottawa Senators standout forward Drake Batherson was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck. Pyotr Kochetkov, one of the top young netminders in the NHL was also one.

Last year, eight “re-entry” candidates went in the top four rounds; Ilya Nabokov, Jesse Pulkkinen, Ondrej Becher, Pavel Moysevich, Trevor Hoskin, Chase Pietila, Dmitri Gamzin, and Blake Montgomery. Nabokov and Pulkkinen were taken in the second round. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about six of those eight. In total there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 42, we identified and wrote about 25 (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 2025, we have some very interesting candidates. Tanner Adams, a player we have ranked and written about previously, continues to improve at the NCAA level with Providence and has emerged as one of the better players in Hockey East. Jamiro Reber and David Granberg look like great picks out of Sweden. Reber has been fantastic in the SHL this year, while Granberg was one of Sweden’s top players at the WJC’s. Magomed Sharakanov has emerged as one of the top young defenders in the KHL. Kristian Epperson has paired with Michael Misa in Saginaw to become one of the OHL’s elite play drivers. 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 leagues across Europe.

Sweden

250311 Linköpings Adam Hofbauer och HV71s Jamiro Reber under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan HV71 och Linköping den 11 mars 2025 i Jönköping.
Foto: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN / kod CS / CS0691

Jamiro Reber – Center/Wing - HV71 (SHL)

Reber was an analytical darling and a favourite among public scouts in 2024, but NHL teams did not see things the same way. The undersized Swiss forward put up solid numbers in the J20 with HV71, but the bar for players like Reber is insanely high. That, plus not having such a great U18 WJC, put Reber back into the draft pool for 2025. That may have been a blessing in disguise. Reber has taken a massive leap this season, seizing an every day spot in HV71’s SHL team and is currently leading all DY+1 SHL players in points (ahead of drafted prospects like Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Melvin Fernström and Lucas Pettersson). Reber could be an interesting case study for scouts, as very little about the way he plays the game has changed. He’s still aggressive on the forecheck and backcheck, using his quick feet and good motor to harangue puck carriers and force turnovers. He can zip through the neutral zone and move the puck, either on his own stick or through smart passing. Once play arrives in the offensive zone, things get a bit murky – not unlike last year. For all the moments of skillful stickhandling and clever cuts into soft ice, there are still moments where Reber simply chips the puck from low to high and defers playmaking responsibility.

While he’s clearly trying to improve, Reber still has a tough time grabbing the bull by the horns and creating offence himself. However, the fact that Reber is getting consistent reps in the SHL (as well as special teams minutes), working hard to improve his game, and putting up points all the while bodes very well for his NHL potential. On top of it all, he’s a 2006 September birthday – one week removed from 2025 eligibility. A late round swing on Reber could yield fantastic results, so long as he stays on his current developmental trajectory. He may not have a future in a teams top 6, but he could project nicely as a 3rd line energy forward who can give you secondary scoring and responsible two-way play. (Felix Robbins)

David Granberg – Center - Luleå (SHL)

Granberg went unnoticed during his draft year, splitting time between Luleå’s J18 and J20 teams with limited production. Last year, he found his man-strength and took a mighty step in the right direction, scoring over a point per game in the J20 and earning some games in SHL as well. However, he didn’t show enough projectable offence to move the needle for scouts. This year, after establishing himself as an everyday SHLer and surprising the hockey world with an outstanding WJC U20 performance, Granberg can be ignored no further. Granberg plays a physical, hard-nosed brand of hockey. He’s a hard forechecker with good size and a steady work rate, not unlike his uncle Mikael Renberg was in his heyday with the Flyers. He’s always found points at the junior level by going to the gritty areas of the ice and battling or by insulating the puck for his more skilled teammates. However, the boost to his draft stock has to do with the flashes of high-end puck skills and refinement to his shot, which showed up in a big way on the world stage. While he still needs a ton of work to his straight-line speed and quickness, there may finally be enough upside to take a swing on for the double-overager from Piteå. He’ll most likely top out as a gritty bottom six role-player who’s good for the locker room. Not the flashiest pick by any means, but you cannot win without players like Granberg in your organization. (Felix Robbins)

Isac Hedqvist – Wing - Luleå (SHL)

Despite his J20 production skyrocketing and locking down an SHL role, Hedqvist was once again passed over at the draft and once again finds himself on our list. All signs pointed to him having a breakout year in 2024-2025, but that hasn’t really materialized yet. Sure, the production has taken a natural step forward, but Hedqvist still looks like the same player as last year – for better or for worse. Hedqvist is a speedy, undersized forward who excels at hunting down pucks on offensive retrievals, grinding out possession for his team along the walls, and making plays from dirty areas to the slot. He can withstand physical pressure from bigger and stronger opponents in battles for position and open up space for his teammates with his off-puck movement on the rush. He flashed a lot of skill and pace-pushing puck carrying ability in the junior leagues, but the on-puck game still isn’t where it needs to be at the pro level. If that doesn’t change soon, his ultimate upside may not be all that appealing to NHL teams and his path to the show will be in serious jeopardy. That being said, there may still be a glimmer of hope. He played well at the U20 WJC down the lineup for Sweden, where he showcased his tenacious forechecking and efficient transition play. Getting picked to represent your country at the biggest junior tournament of the year is always a draft stock booster. If Hedqvist can build upon that heading into the new year, hopefully flashing some more offence along the way, there’s a good chance he could earn himself draft consideration. (Felix Robbins)

Wilhelm Hallquisth – Defense - HV71 (SHL)

Through his first two years of draft eligibility, Hallquisth didn’t stand out among the swaths of Swedish talent in the pool. Looking at his pre-2024-2025 resume, it’s easy to see why. Splitting time between the J18 and the J20 in his draft season, not putting up world beating numbers in the J20 as a DY+1, and a humble U19 appearance doesn’t exactly jump off the page. This year is a different story. Hallquisth has got off to a nice start to his 2025 campaign, seeing consistent minutes in the SHL on a bottom pair role with SHL and finding the score sheet every now and then. In addition, he was one of the four surprise undrafted players to be selected for Sweden’s 2025 U20 WJC team, which is like a shot in the arm for any players draft stock. Hallquist is a mobile right shot defenceman who can quickly move the puck in a straight line from the defensive zone and through the neutral zone. Despite being a touch undersized, he’s a strong defender, using his feet and his stick to maintain gaps and taking away the middle of the ice from puck carriers. While he certainly has the skating ability for it, Hallquist isn’t as active along or below the offensive blue line as one might hope from a player with his toolset. He doesn’t seem to have the processing speed, stickhandling ability or playmaking creativity that, say, an Axel Sandin-Pellikka has. As a result, a good deal of his offence comes from D-to-D passes and shots from the point. While the skate tool is clearly above average and there may very well be more development potential here, it is difficult to project Hallquisth to the NHL. If the offensive side of things never comes along, he might be too small for a defensive puck-moving role on the bottom pair. In that case, what does he do for you? If a team has a clear idea of what he could be and how to best utilize his skating, Hallquisth could be a very savvy pick up in the later rounds of the draft. (Felix Robbins)

Hugo Pettersson – Wing - HV71 (SHL)

Over the course of his draft eligibility, Pettersson has been somewhat of a late bloomer. He split time between the J18 and the J20 in his first year of eligibility, bounced between the SHL and the J20 as a DY+1, and has finally found himself getting reps in the pros full time in this season. He’s struggled to make much of an impact in sheltered minutes with HV71, in part due to his inability to keep up with play at the SHL level (both physically and mentally), but his loan to Kalmar HC in the HockeyAllsvenskan has been a real boon for his development. More TOI (including powerplay minutes) has led to more point production, which in turn has led to Pettersson looking more and more confident with every game he’s played. Pettersson’s primary offensive tool is his wicked wrist shot. He’s a volume shooter who can get the puck on and off his stick quickly and accurately. He’s great at finding little pockets of ice in dangerous areas but doesn’t have much by way of space creation tools. His small area skill has taken a step but isn’t a reliable asset for him at the moment. He’s a bit passive on the forecheck and doesn’t chip in all that much on the other side of the puck. He doesn’t play a tenacious, physical brand of hockey, and attempts to do so at the SHL level made him look like the 19-year-old kid that he is. Still some filling out to do, clearly. On the plus side, he’s looked more involved in play off-puck while on loan with Kalmar, so there may be hope yet. While some may view Pettersson as a one-trick pony, that trick is putting the puck in the net – something you can never have enough of. With continued improvement to his quickness and the details of his off-puck game, Pettersson may be able to forge a path to the NHL in a depth scoring role in a team’s bottom 6. (Felix Robbins)

Felix Öhrqvist – Defense - Linköping HC (SHL)

It is never easy for 5-foot-8 defencemen to get drafted, much less so if you don’t put up otherworldly production in your draft year. Even then, most NHL teams won’t give you the light of day. Bias or no bias, Öhrqvist did not show enough upside to hear his name called in 2024. He played a competitive, defensive puck moving style, but it was impossible to project him to the NHL in that role. This year has been a completely different story. Öhrqvist seems to have reinvented himself. He’s added a touch of quickness and evasiveness to his skating. He’s started being more aggressive in the offensive zone. He’s trusting his skill and creativity to make plays in high danger areas of the ice. Naturally, the points have started piling up– from the J20 to the pros. What’s equally as impressive is how he isn’t sacrificing results on the defensive side of the puck to do what he’s doing – at least, any more than he was before. He does need to learn to pick his spots to walk the blue line and try to dangle around forwards closing him out, but that’s a lesson he’ll learn with enough reps at the pro level. While Öhrqvist has finally shown the offensive upside scouts look for in undersized defencemen, he still comes with all the risks attached to, well, being a 5-foot-8 defenceman. That means extreme boom-bust, and even a “boom” in this case means probable bottom four potential. He also pales in comparison to the player in the next sentence but bear with me. With Lane Hutson breathing new life into the Montreal Canadiens, and his brother Cole Hutson (WSH) performing so well at the WJC, perhaps this is the year we see NHL teams take more swings on really undersized defencemen? And if so, why not Öhrqvist? (Felix Robbins)

Wilson Björck – Wing/Center - Djurgården (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Björck is another player who totally flew under the radar during his draft year. He didn’t look totally at ease at the J20 level until just before the international break, and even then, he wasn’t much of a needle mover. To say he’s taken a step in the right direction would be an understatement. The 19-year-old has absolutely exploded offensively and is tied with brother Viggo (who, coincidentally, plays on the same line as him) for the J20 league lead in points. He also had an 18-game point streak that spanned across all J20 games from October 4th to December 15th, scoring 42 (!!) points during that time. A part of that is Djurgården being an absolute wagon this season. However, most of that credit goes squarely to Björck for the work he has, and continues to, put in to improving his game. Most notably, his shot has become a lethal weapon for him. He’s a clinical finisher who can find soft ice in the slot with ease. His small area skill and decision making with the puck has gotten quicker, allowing him to safely escape pressure along the wall in the offensive zone and make a good passing play. He’s always been competitive, but he’s added some tenacity to his off puck play. Björck’s come a long way, but there are still things to work on. Gaining muscle should be at the top of the list. A touch more quickness to his skating should be 2nd. Lastly, his processing speed is quite good when problem solving in tight or setting up tic-tac passing plays, but his ability to read and anticipate play leaves a lot to be desired. Recognizing changes in possession, knowing where to be and how to get there quickly are elements of a players hockey sense that take them from being a good player to a great one. Björck is young enough that enough reps and coaching may teach him, but it could be something that holds him back from hitting his ceiling. With that said, Björck has looked much more engaged and conscious of his off-puck positioning during his limited minutes in the HockeyAllsvenskan. It looks like the right place for him to develop at his current level – especially since it seems that the J20 has become too trivial for him. There is a lot to love with Björck’s versatility and offensive upside. If all goes according to plan, he projects to be a 3rd line winger who can be a triggerman on a team’s 2nd powerplay unit. (Felix Robbins)

Alex Nyman – Goaltender - Rögle BK J20

It isn’t uncommon for European goaltenders to go undrafted their first go around, especially when you’re as young as Nyman was for the draft class. Despite being and over-ager, Nyman is still young. He won’t turn 19 until the 2025 draft is over due to his august birthday. Not to mention, he didn’t even crack 20 starts at the J20 level last year. This year, Nyman has been getting the lion’s share of starts and typically faces 30+ shots per game. Despite the heavy workload and a GAA of over 3.05, he’s put up a .901 SV% across 23 games so far. Standing at 6-foot-5 tall, Nyman can fill the net pretty well. He is athletic and moves fairly well for his size but could use a touch more lateral quickness. Nyman doesn’t let any daylight through his stick side, both low and high, but is pretty leaky on his glove side. He gives up a ton of goals just above the pad and under the glove, especially when moving that way laterally. There are certainly kinks in his technique that need ironing out. While there is work to be done, at the end of the day, you really can’t teach size. Old and tired of a statement as it may be, it is especially true for goalies. It is easy to talk yourself into spending a late round draft pick on a 6-foot-5 goalie project because of the immense upside if it works out. Nyman is a fine gamble to take in the later rounds of the draft. Stash him away in Sweden and see what you’ve got in a few years. (Felix Robbins)

Gian Meier – Defense - Frölunda J20

Meier made a late push for consideration at the 2024 NHL Draft with a fantastic U18 WJC but ultimately went overlooked in his first year of eligibility. In an effort to take his development into his own hands, Meier left his hometown of Zurich to join the Frölunda HC program in Sweden. While his impact at the pro level has been extremely minimal, Meier has been a standout performer in the J20 in every facet of the game. The toolsy right-hander has stayed true to his game. He displays confidence and poise on puck retrievals, never deferring responsibility to his partner. He makes terrific defensive reads, using his reach and footwork to take away the middle and angling opponents to the outside. Meier makes a great first pass but has the vision and passing ability to look up ice for the long bomb outlet. His straight-line and backwards skating is impressive, though he could surely use some refinement to his lateral agility. There is upside as a puck rusher with Meier, if he can extend the same confidence he has in his defensive game to his puck-carrying game. His offensive contribution is mostly flinging shots from the point, but he has the ability to get them on net through traffic. There were questions about his strength and his coordination last year. Meier seems to not only have put on some weight and grown an inch over the summer, but he looks to be in total command of his body – no more awkwardness. If Rasmus Bergqvist (MTL 2024) is any sort of barometer for overaged defencemen in the J20, Meier has already proven he’s worth a swing in the later rounds of the draft. If he can fill out his body a bit more and put some work into his skating, Meier could become a very solid bottom 4 defensive puck-mover in the NHL one day. (Felix Robbins)

Finland

Benjamin Rautiainen - Wing - Tappara (Liiga)

Benjamin Rautiainen went undrafted in his first two eligible drafts (2023 and 2024). He attended Toronto Maple Leafs’ development camp in summer 2023 as an invited player. He went back to his U20 club in Finland to have a really strong year with a production of 62 points in 36 games. This year will likely be the year that Rautiainen will be drafted in the NHL. He is now playing against men in the Liiga and he is able to put his fair share of points on the board (27 pts in 42 games at the time this was written). He is a strong skater who drives the net as soon as he has the chance. He excels in offensive zone pressure and creates chances for his teammates. He is intelligent with the puck and can play at high pace. Plays with intensity and he is engaged in all three zones. He played for Finland at this year’s World Juniors, and he made his line the most effective of his team. Even though he finished the tournament with only four points in seven games, he highly contributed to Finland's success, including a game-winning goal in overtime in the semifinal against Sweden. I would say he was the most visible and the most dangerous player for Finland during the tournament. In the mid-season NHL Central Scouting ranking, he was ranked as the 41st best European skater and I could see him be picked between the 4th and 6th round. The team that will draft him can hope that Rautiainen could become a middle six versatile forward that can play in different roles up and down the lineup when needed. (Jérémy Rivet)

Niklas Nykyri - Defense - HIFK (Liiga)

Nykyri is entering his second year of draft eligibility. He spent the whole season last year in the U20 in Finland in addition to a good amount of experience at the international level in the U18. This year, he started in the Liiga before getting sent down for one game where he played 21 minutes. After being sent down to U20, he was recalled in the Liiga and his ice time gradually went up and he has stayed at the pro level so far this season. He is a 6-foot-2 left-handed defenseman that has good mobility. He likes to support the attack and to make plays offensively, but it can lead to risky plays. Nykyri has some poise with the puck when under pressure to escape it and start the rush with a good first pass. Defensively, he has a good stick, and he is quite good with his gap control. Not a punishing type of defenseman but he is not afraid to use his body to kill plays and win pucks along the board. He is ranked as the 45th best European skater in the mid-season NHL Central Scouting ranking and I would think that he possesses the qualities to be an effective two-way defenseman in the bottom pairs and more likely as a 5 or 6th defenseman at best with some offensive upside. (Jérémy Rivet)

Daniel Nieminen - Defense - Pelicans (Liiga)

Daniel Nieminen played in the U20 in Finland last season and played 21 games in different international competitions with Finland U18. He was able to produce offensively (29 pts in 37 games), impressive for a defenseman that is not really known for his offensive game. His small size, under 6-foot at the time, was probably the main reason why he went undrafted last draft in his first eligibility year. This year, his game reached a new level. He has now reached what I would call an ‘’average size’’ at 6-foot and he played the whole season so far in the Liiga against men. The best way to describe Nieminen’s game is that he is a two-way left-handed defenseman that has very good mobility and agility in all directions and that competes at a high level on a consistent basis. Despite his smaller size, he can play a physical and aggressive game which makes him hard to beat in one-on-one battles. He also plays with intensity and grit in his own zone and in front of his net to box out players. His mobility and quick change of direction serves him well when he needs to escape pressure behind his net to start the transition. Offensively, he can support the rush and activate from the blue line to keep attacks alive. One aspect that he will need to work on is his decision-making with the puck. Also, he played at the World Juniors in Ottawa for Finland, and he was seeing top four minutes and was used in multiple situations. He played on the penalty kill and sometimes on the powerplay. Nieminen was a trusted defenseman by his coach during the tournament and his game was improving as the tournament went on. He is ranked #62 for European skaters in the mid-season NHL Scouting Central ranking and I could see him being drafted in the later rounds with a depth defenseman potential. (Jérémy Rivet)

Petteri Rimpinen - Goaltender - Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)

Petteri Rimpinen went undrafted last year, despite a solid second half of the season at pro level in Mestis league, probably because of his size which is borderline small these days for the NHL at 6-foot. He responded this season by putting excellent numbers in the Liiga with a .910 save percentage average (at the time this was written) as the clear number one goalie of his team at only 18 years old. In addition to that, Rimpinen was named best goalie of this year’s World Juniors and he was the big reason Finland went to the final. He played all games for Finland and some people were even talking about him as the possible MVP of the tournament. Rimpinen is excellent with rebound control and puck tracking through traffic. He is the type of goalie that fights for every puck in his crease. He made several crucial saves, including breakaways and key overtime stops, to maintain the lead and allow Finland to win in the semi-final and repeated the same performance during the overtime of the Gold Medal game. His game management was good and gave confidence to his team. His performance at the World Juniors allowed him to be ranked the 4th European goaltender in the NHL Central Scouting’s ranking. His small size can be a disadvantage for him but he counters that argument with good athleticism and a high compete level. (Jérémy Rivet)

Mitja Jokinen - Defense - TPS (Liiga)

Mitja Jokinen is another average-size left-handed two-way defenseman that went undrafted in his first year last season and that made a great impression at the World Juniors this year. For me, Jokinen is a similar type of defenseman as Daniel Nieminen, however less physical but just as competitive and intense. He spent the majority of his last two seasons in the U20 with the TPS program before playing full time in the Liiga this year. He is a player that the Finnish national team had on their roster in every level since the U16 and did pretty well. In today’s NHL, small defensemen that are not incredible offensively or not very physical have a hard time establishing themselves in the league, but every NHL team needs reliable defensemen that can move the puck and that can be trusted when they are on the ice and that is what Jokinen has shown so far. The 5-foot-11 defenseman was a big part of Finland's success at the last World Juniors in Ottawa with him having an average ice-time of about 18 minutes as well as playing more than 20 minutes in the gold medal game against the United States. Jokinen can be described as a smart and shifty puck-moving defenceman who thinks the game at a high level. Jokinen is shifty on his edges, avoids pressure with fakes and cutbacks and also throws a fair bit of deception behind his breakout passes. On retrievals, he’s both poised and fast-paced depending on what the situation calls for. He can be used on the penalty kill and against the best players on the other side. Like I said, he is not the type of guy that will throw big hits and punish the opponents, but he is not afraid to use his body and engage in puck battles in the corner. If I had to make a projection for him right now, I would say that he could be a depth defenseman that can come in and out of the lineup and depending on how his offensive game will develop at the pro level, he could be in a top 6 on a consistent basis. (Jérémy Rivet)

Roope Vesterinen - Wing - HPK (Liiga)

After a disappointing season last year production-wise with 11 points in 27 in the U20 in Finland, Roope Vesterinen started this season strong in the U20 with nine points in the first seven games of the season. This hot start allowed him to be called up in the Liiga and he hasn’t looked back since then. Vesterinen just turned 19 years old in January and he is averaging above 0.50 point per game so far in Finland’s top pro league. His average ice-time really went up since November with him playing around 15 minutes on average which is very good for a rookie. Also, he is contributing in various roles during games as he sees ice both on the powerplay and on the penalty kill. The best way to describe his game is that Vesterinen is a speedy winger who uses his quickness to create chances for himself and his teammates. At 5-foot-10, he is obviously not the biggest, but he is not afraid to jump in the traffic as one of his strengths is his play around the net and how good he is at taking rebounds and scoring close to the blue paint. Almost all of his goals this season were scored from the slot. Vesterinen played for Finland at the World Juniors in Ottawa but was only in the lineup for the two first games and had limited ice time. Despite that, he was able to showcase his versatility, his engagement defensively and how he is able to play a more responsible and defensive/checking role. Roope Vesterinen could be a candidate to be drafted in the last rounds of the draft and the question will be if he can improve his puck handling and the pace at which he makes plays to allow him to pass to the next level. I would not be surprised if he goes undrafted again but receives an invitation to an NHL development camp during the summer. (Jérémy Rivet)

Topias Hynninen - Center - Jukurit (Liiga)

Topias Hynninen has just turned 19 years old, and he has seen action in the Liiga for the third straight season this year. His offensive production was disappointing last season, but he has really found another gear this season with 31 points in 46 games so far playing for the team that is at the bottom of the standings. He is the third point producer of Jukurit and he has played close to 20 minutes every night since November. At the World Juniors, he was a healthy scratch for the first game against Canada but was inserted on the first line with Helenius and Rautiainen and their line was probably the most dangerous consistently during the tournament for Finland. Hynninen is primarily an excellent playmaker and, despite his smaller size at 5-foot-10, he plays with a lot of energy. He possesses excellent vision and great skating ability. With his energy and tenacity, he is effective on the forecheck and causes many turnovers because of that. Hynninen is dangerous on the power play, and he can beat defense with a saucer pass, backhand saucer feeds and long-range slip passes. He is also engaged defensively and made smart plays to help his team in transition. He can advance the play with one-touch feeds in transition and prefers to play a give-and-go style most of the time. He’s got a really advanced sense of positioning away from the puck and is always involved in the play. Topias Hynninen has decent offensive upside that makes him an interesting option at the draft. He also has the hockey IQ to be able to adapt in a more utility role on a bottom 6 which makes his versatility even more attractive for a team that is looking for that kind of player later in the draft. (Jérémy Rivet)

Arttu Alasiurua - Center - Kärpä (Liiga)

Arttu Alasiurua has entered his third year of eligibility for the NHL draft. He will turn 20 years old early in February and time is starting to run out for him to make a good impression. He had a strong year last season in the U20 with 62 points in 41 games and he played some games in the pro level in the Liiga and in the Mestis. This season, he is playing full-time in the Liiga but he is still trying to find his offensive game. Despite his difficulty to produce, he shows great ability to adapt to a more defensive role. That is an aspect of his game that I really like from him at the World Juniors this year. He was an important element for Finland for defensive missions and a great penalty killer. He scored a goal on the PK in the preliminary round against the United States and ended the tournament with 4 points (3 goals and 1 assist) in 7 games. Alasiurua has impressive speed and puck handling, and he uses these two abilities to create scoring chances. Arttu Alasiurua also possesses high-end playmaking skills; he can create high-quality looks for his linemates often from out of nowhere. He is particularly effective at turning loose puck retrievals and forechecking steals into offence. The 6-foot center could be a good candidate for a team that is looking for a versatile role player with great skating and playmaking skills in the later rounds. (Jérémy Rivet)

Tuomas Suoniemi - Center - Kiekko-Espoo (SM-Sarja U20)

After scoring 120 points in 38 games in the U16 in the 2021-2022 season, Suoniemi’s production slowed down as he moved up the levels of Finnish hockey. This combined with his small stature was probably two factors that scared the scouts in his draft year last season. Suoniemi played most of his games last year in the U20, but also spent some time in the U18 and in Mestis. He also played 13 international games with Finland U18 where he ended up with 11 points in 13 games. This year is his third season in the U20 where he is averaging more than a point per game. The 5-foot-10 center played 6 international games with Finland before the World Juniors but he was not able to make his way to the roster that played in Ottawa. There is no denying Suoniemi’s soft skill. When he has time and space to operate, the passing and vision shine as he uses subtle fakes to open up space on the inside. He also possesses quick hands that he can use to win pucks, beat opponents one-on-one or set up teammates with precise passes. He is the kind of player that is offensive-minded and that likes to control the puck in the offensive zone. When he is on the powerplay, he is the one who controls most of the play and he is a constant threat as he can beat the opposition with a pass or with a shot. However, on the defensive side, he will need to be careful to not cheat in the defensive zone and be more responsible even if the defensive game will not be his role. His compete level will have to be more consistent as well, because sometimes he can showcase tenacity on the forecheck and in puck battles but sometimes he is easy to play against. (Jérémy Rivet)

Russia

Roman Luttsev - Center - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Roman Luttsev had a solid season in the MHL last year putting up 27 points in 36 games but was largely overshadowed on a stacked Loko team. This year many of those stars have moved up to the pros, leaving an open spot for a new leader and Roman has stepped up to become Loko’s new game breaker. At the time of this article he is second in MHL in points with 57 in 45 games played. He has looked like an offensive dynamo in juniors and during his 3 games in the KHL he has shown that he can play a bottom 6 grinding role as well.

Luttsev is a skilled and speedy forward with great problem solving abilities. He performs very well under pressure, faking out opponents and working his way to space with ease when challenged with the puck. He makes great decisions, quickly finding the best possible option and moving the puck on time before the opportunity is lost. He has a heavy wrist shot which he is able to get off his stick quickly using a deceptive release that fools goalies with how quickly he can elevate the puck.

In the MHL, defensive effort and physicality were question marks at times. I felt that he did not give his best effort and mostly floated around the zone rather than engage in battles. In his most recent KHL game, many of these doubts were put to rest for me. He received 11 minutes of ice time and was very involved on the defensive side of the puck. He was constantly first to 50/50 battles and positioned himself well to make an impact in his own end.

Luttsev has developed into a highly skilled, smart, hardworking, lightning-fast player who has shown the ability to contribute on both sides of the puck. He is still a work in progress but he will soon be a consistent KHLer worth a selection in a late round of this draft.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-roman_luttsev_-_3rd_period_10_12_-_10_24.mp4

Kucherov-esque one touch pass sets up the easiest goal imaginable for his teammate.

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Not the prettiest goal but look at the wheels as he flies into the zone and cuts hard to the net.

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On his stick, off his stick. (Henry Lawrence)

Magomed Sharakanov - Defense - Lada Togliatti (KHL)

Sharakanov is an interesting case. I was a big fan of him in his first year eligible, but after he was passed up on in the draft he kind of fell into the background playing well in the VHL but not good enough to be worth a pick in his 19-year-old season either. Now, in his final year of eligibility, Magomed has exploded in the KHL as one of the top young defenders after being loaned to Lada for the season. He has scored highlight reel goals, set up high danger chances, and played lock up defense. He finally seems to have developed into the player we saw glimpses of a few seasons ago.

Magomed is a big, strong, two-way defenseman with smooth footwork, good puck handling, and an impressive ability to win battles. He moves very well, flying up and down the ice and pulling off some agile dance moves around defenders when the puck is on his stick. He is incredibly smooth and able to walk the line with ease, around opponents and into space. He is very creative with the puck, pulling off skilled dangles around opponents and deep into the offensive zone to set up chances.

He can pull his weight offensively, but the defensive end is where I have been most impressed with Magomed’s game. He is always in great position to help shut down chances and is fantastic at stripping pucks in battles. He takes fantastic angles to challenge opponents, using his body to separate them from the puck and quickly move pucks up ice. He gaps up well in transition and has great timing with his step ups. He has a big, sturdy frame which he uses well to shut down plays along the boards with big hits, quickly getting a stick on the puck to win back possession for his team.

Magomed has shown exceptional play on both sides of the puck and should be heavily considered as a pick in the 2025 draft.

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Great step up in transition. Gets the initial poke off and then follows up with a second attack of pokes and shoves his man to the ice for good measure.

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I like this effort. Magomed pinches aggressively and battles for possession. He continues to fight despite falling to the ice and makes stays composed from his knees to complete the pass to his teammate which sets up a dangerous look.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/3-magomed_sharakanov_-_1st_period_19_55_-_20_7.mp4

Fake shot drops the defender, then a quick cut around and a bullet into the back of the net. (Henry Lawrence)

Timofei Zhulin - Wing - Bars Kazan (VHL)

Zhulin was one of my favorite players from last season and I was honestly very surprised that no teams took a swing at him in a later round. The lack of consistent production last year was definitely a major factor in this but every time I watched one of his games, I saw high energy play on both sides of the puck, a high paced style of play, the skill and the brains to escape difficult situations, and countless chances set up with his passing (often left unfinished by his teammates even with an open net)

This season Zhulin has spent most of his time in the VHL and has even been given some opportunities at the KHL level. In the first half of this season, he was on fire. He was racking up points night after night and bringing the same level of intensity and desire to win possession from his opponent through hard work and physical battles along the boards.

He is talented offensively, able to pull off moves around opponents and finish his chances in tight to the net. I think he would be more of a bottom 6 forward in the NHL but has the talent to put pucks in the back of the net and create through his passing. His speed has allowed him to create countless breakaway and odd man rush opportunities in transition. He is active in the defensive zone, positioning himself to take away lanes and explodes after loose pucks to secure possession for his team.

The biggest concern that still lingers for me is consistency. In the second half of this season, his production has slowed a bit and his motor is not at the same level in each game, but I still see the same upside as before. He is an incredibly hard-working player who pushes pace when the puck is on his stick and forces opponents onto their heels when he gets moving up ice. His development has progressed very well and he looks like he will be a consistent KHLer next season. I see Zhulin as a potential bottom six game changer well worth a swing in the late rounds of the 2025 draft.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-Timofei-Zhulin-bars_kazan_3_2_hc_kristall_saratov_-_09.08_-_2nd_period_8_43_-_8_53.mp4

Wheels on the breakaway and nice finish inside.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2-timofei_zhulin_-_1st_period_3_26_-_3_38.mp4

Insanely skilled toe drag reception around man and slips the puck back door to set up his teammate for a tap in.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/3-timofei_zhulin_-_3rd_period_24_16_-_24_38.mp4

Skilled drag move and takes off around boards, attempts to move puck to teammate in slot, maneuvers around 2 opponents behind the net and is able to get the puck to his teammate despite tight pressure. (Henry Lawrence)

Czechia

Tomáš Galvas - Defence - Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

Galvas was one of the most surprising omissions in the last draft. He entered the season as a safe mid-round pick, even attended the NHL Scouting Combine, yet still went undrafted. Now he has a second chance to earn a shot with an NHL team. The main concerns with Galvas are the lack of size and the overall translatability of his game to an NHL level. He's an elite skater, smooth, quick and agile, likes carrying the puck, joining the rush and creating chances. His vision and hockey sense are great and he is not a defensive liability, but as a 5-foot-10 defenceman, his path to the NHL is quite difficult. Galvas needs to put on a lot of muscle to be able to withstand physical battles with stronger and meaner forwards. He's a dynamic offensive creator, but the lack of physicality and a weaker frame definitely won't help him. However, Galvas does have a lot of potential and it's worth spending a late round pick on him. He's able to hold his own in one of the best professional leagues in Europe, had a strong World Juniors, the upside makes him an intriguing pick even with the obstacles. (Matej Deraj)

Jaromír Pérez - Left Wing - Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

Pérez made a huge leap forward this year and has played some great hockey with Liberec recently. He's a double overager, but it seems like he has elevated his game to another level. He put on some muscle, plays a stronger game despite his average size (6-foot-0, 179 pounds) and possesses some decent offensive instincts. He's skilled and smart, able to create chances and carry the puck. He's scored some impressive solo goals in his career. Pérez is an interesting player, he doesn't have a super high ceiling but may be worth a flyer - he's been playing on a first line in Czech top tier league with decent production and made some significant steps compared to the previous years. He has an interesting background - his father is Spanish, Jaromír was born in Barcelona and actually started his hockey career there. (Matej Deraj)

Austria

Adrian Gesson - Center/Wing - Red Bull Juniors (AlpsHL)

A September 13th birthday, Gesson was one of the youngest players available for last year’s draft and there was little reason to know who he was after a strong, but unspectacular Austrian U20 season and 16 pointless games with the AlpsHL Red Bull Junior affiliate as a 17-year-old. As such, in what has essentially been his first full season as a draft-eligible, his captaincy of the Red Bull Junior team combined with 13 usually fabulous goals in 40 games should be drawing the attention of the scouting community considering Gesson’s mature game and regular ability to be at the right place at the right time, showing an X factor around goal and in the slot. His play has been impressive enough to see him get a call-up to powerhouse Salzburg of the ICEHL. Should be the type of import player CHL or USHL clubs are looking at for next season. (Chapin Landvogt)

Germany

Elias Pul - Center/Wing - Blue Devils Weiden (DEL2)

Pul started off the year as the hottest U19 player in Germany’s pro ranks. His eight goals and 11 points in his first 26 DEL2 contests for a league newbie had him atop the chart for U21 players in the country. However, he has slowed down considerably since. We had him pegged as Germany’s top prospect for the 2024 draft, but a season full of learning and facing adversity plagued his draft year. Now he’s bringing skill, anticipation, and a jumpy joie de vivre to the table, becoming a hot topic for DEL teams. Admittedly, we expected more from his WJC than we got, often being the team’s 13th forward, but the coaching staff didn’t hesitate to make use of him throughout the line-up, as a jack of all trades up front. Clearly though, he’s going to need to have a huge second half to his season in order garner continued draft interest, turning 19 in mid-May. (Chapin Landvogt)

Nick Maul - Wing - Kaufbeuren Jokers (DEL2)

We noticed Maul a few summers back at a U17 summer challenge in Czechia. Although small, he was sturdy and incredibly smart with the puck, showing the keen ability to out wait opponents in some cases, or dart right past them in others. He then had a very quiet draft year, never becoming a topic of interest while being solid at the Austrian U20 level and for the U18 team that gained promotion at the D1A level. Now he’s playing serious pro hockey and raising some eyebrows. Kicking things off with the Red Bull Juniors (4 assists in 7 games), he was quickly called up into the DEL line-up for Munich and now plays with the organization’s DEL2 squad Kaufbeuren, collecting eight points in 19 games. His inclusion on the U20 team was pleasant, if not downright surprising, seeing him assume a regular shift on the 3rd and then 2nd lines, being a key in the relegation game with an assist and whilst then screening the Kazakh goalie on the game winner. There’s a Michael Amadio style player here for the later rounds - thick, compact build to boot. (Chapin Landvogt)

Edwin Tropmann - Defense - Bad Nauheim (DEL2)

Tropmann is an average-sized righty shot defenseman who we’ve had on the map since he was 16 and found himself in the Ovechkin spot of his team’s first power play unit at the U18 Worlds. He then had a very quiet draft year and followed that up with a nice DY+1 season that lacked international showings. This has changed this winter as he captained Team Germany at the WJC and put up 4 points in the tournament while being on the ice for all the major assignments. He’s also spent this season taking a regular shift in the DEL2 and has seen seven games of stat-free action in the DEL. Word is that a few USHL teams are doing their darndest to get him overseas by February, meaning he could strut his stuff at the proper level just in time for draft consideration. (Chapin Landvogt)

Switzerland

Alain Graf - Center - SC Bern (NL)

Graf’s rise this season has been a plus for the Swiss scene. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound righty shot forward put up 7 points in two U20 league games before getting called up to the NL for a long stretch. A good block of 15 or so games saw him get in some solid 4th line minutes and since then, he’s been trekking it between the NL (3 points in 32 games) and SL, where he’s been logging 14+ minutes a night and has six points in nine games. More importantly, Graf has shown a combination of some acute offensive acumen and the embracement of the defensive side of his position. He also kicked off the WJC as the Swiss’ number one center and even if his one assist and -4 rating were underwhelming, he was there to face the other nation’s top lines, in a 3rd line capacity once the playoffs rolled around. He’ll need to conclude the season on a strong note, but he’s been a notable U20 player in a top European league. (Chapin Landvogt)

Rafael Meier - Wing - EHC Kloten (NL)

We’ve made a point of discussing Meier this season as the 6-foot 19-year-old has forced his way into the conversation after slipping through the grid a bit the past two seasons, where injuries were involved. All season long, he’s been one of the NL’s top U21 players having gone 5-9-13 and +8 in 44 games for Kloten. That has him tied for thirrd overall among U21 scorers in the league although he’s played at least 5 fewer games than the scorers above him due to his WJC participation, which was admittedly very quiet with zero points and a -3 rating, going from a 2nd to a 3rd line role in the course of the event. In pro play, we’ve seen a lot of jump and smarts in Meier’s game, often ready to play it rough ‘n tumble when necessary. Generally strong down low on the power play, he has shown a deceptive wrist shot throughout the season. We - and his team - expect a strong finish to the season if he intends on being a draft candidate. (Chapin Landvogt)

Ludvig Johnson - Defense - EV Zug (NL)

The Swiss U20 league’s top offensive defenseman to begin the season, the half-Swedish Johnson has gone from junior blueline all-rounder to being a man on the rise for EV Zug. Called up in late October, he’s now gotten into 30 NL games, going 4-6-10 with a +5 along the way. Perhaps more telling has been how he’s regularly gotten 10+ minutes of ice time, even topping 18 minutes of play several times this season. At the WJC, he advanced to Switzerland’s top pairing, going from just under 14 minutes of ice time in Game 1 to 22:22 in the quarterfinal against the USA. Just 6-foot and 180 pounds, Johnson is sneaky good with the stick, has an ever-improving shot, and has the skating to be a plus factor, even against senior level players. Also important is that Johnson is still just 18 and will be until after next summer’s draft, although this is his DY+1. We’re convinced that he’s a hot overage topic for NHL teams. (Chapin Landvogt)

Eric Schneller - Defense - Geneva (NL)

Another mid-sized defenseman armed with a righty-shot, 19-year-old Schneller brings a decent amount of mobility to the table and spent this past season seeing his role grow incrementally throughout the year, depending on what personnel was available. Telling was a stretch of five games at the end of January when he saw anywhere from 15:03 to 21:33 minutes of play, albeit while his team dropped five straight contests. With the playoffs out of the picture despite winning seven of the final nine contests, Schneller ultimately saw a rough average of 10 minutes of TOI when all was said and done. Ultimately, after three full seasons in Rögle’s junior program and a fairly strong showing at the 2023 U18 Worlds, Schneller has taken the next step in his development with 5 points and a -6 rating (middle of the road on his non-playoff team). He promptly joined Geneva's U20 squad for the playoffs, putting up four points in five games in a disappointing first round ouster. His thee points in five WJC contests was good for fiftth on the team as he saw between 13-19 minutes of TOI as a clear top 4 defenseman. Half Swedish, Schneller is expected to take on a bigger role next season while bringing yeoman work in all three zones. (Chapin Landvogt)

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Germany

Chapin Landvogt — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 19:00:08 +0000

_{Julius Sumpf}

What a wild ride the 2024 WJC was for Team Germany. After upsetting clear-cut favorite Finland 4-3 to kick off their tournament, the Germans dropped three straight, including a 6-2 stinker against key group rival Latvia. That had Germany eyeing a spot in the relegation round where the new post-pandemic modus now called for a one-and-done face-off. Norway was the head-on-head opponent and was sporting a team featuring upcoming 1st rounders Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Stian Solberg as well as a plethora of players honing their craft in Sweden, some in the pro ranks.

Despite a 4-2 lead after roughly 55 minutes of play thanks in part to 2-point performances from Kevin Bicker (DET) and Veit Oswald, the Norwegians managed to tie things up in the 57th minute of play. What ensued was a back-and-forth overtime thrill show which concluded when tiny tot Moritz Elias circled the Norwegian zone for what felt like forever before lacing a wrister in the far upper left corner. The joy of victory was topped only by the collective sigh of relief for Germany’s program, which has had to do all it could in recent years to stay in the top group.

Germany is now returning to action with precious few returnees, the biggest loss being that of Detroit’s 2023 5th-rounder, the aforementioned Bicker. The speedster had already topped his 23-24 season DEL production with 4 points over 18 games this fall before suffering what may end up being a season-ending injury in November. That leaves Moncton center - an assistant captain - Julius Sumpf and Green Bay Gamblers defenseman Norwin Panocha as the only returning players of note and they’ll certainly have their work cut out for them if this team is going to retain their spot among the world’s elite, which remains the priority.

What Coach Abstreiter’s team will feature is a swath of youngsters who are currently playing in one of Germany’s three pro leagues, with two coming straight out of the topflight DEL. Also of note is the rather large number of players born in 2006 or even 2007, a bit of a novelty for a German team that almost always consists entirely of players who’ll be aging out shortly after the tournament. This isn’t all that surprising for insiders though as the U18 team had a wonderful D1A Worlds last spring and features a few of the more talented players to make their way through the pipelines in recent years. In fact, this team could feature up to four forwards who are first eligible for next summer’s draft, David Lewandowski of the Saskatoon Blades being the most notable.

Once again in a group featuring Canada and the USA, with a bout against Finland smack dab between the North American giants, little is expected of the Germans in the way of points until they face off against Latvia on December 30th. This obvious key match of the preliminary round is probably already giving Coach Abstreiter ulcers as few even-keeled opponents have had the Germans’ number as handedly and regularly in the past decade as Latvia has. If that bout doesn’t see Germany advance to the quarterfinals, chances are pretty strong that one of Kazakhstan or archrival Switzerland will be the opponent for the all-decisive game on January 2nd.

Key Players

Carlos Händel, D

We’ve been big fans of Händel’s for three seasons now, having initially gotten very curious when he jumped from Mannheim to Frölunda back in 2022. Strong international play and an overly positive season with Malmö’s U18 squad throughout last season made him a rather desirable item for CHL teams. Sure enough, he’s plying his trade in Halifax nowadays. That’s not without its growing pains though, as Händel has some physical development to go through and is facing a level of competition in the Q that he’s never known before. But a defenseman who collects 11 points in 28 QMJHL games (on North American ice, no less) is not a player Germany has the luxury of leaving home, his current -15 be damned. The fact is, Händel is a smooth-skating defender who loves to have the puck on his stick and is adept at warding off attackers. These kinds of players don’t grow on trees in Germany. There’s a smooth skill and skating package here, and his club might be best served to force-feed him highlights of Axel Sandin-Pellikka. You can expect him to man the point on one of the team’s power play units as well as lead his fair share of rushes - if Abstreiter chooses to unleash him.

David Lewandowski, C/W

Coming in with 15 points in 20 WHL games, Lewandowski will be the youngest German player to participate in a WJC since the days of Tim Stützle. At the moment, Lewandowski is the nation’s top prospect in next summer’s draft, and he brings size, skill, and a bit of flash ‘n dash to the table. He can really get himself moving in an east-west fashion and it’d be a boon to the team if he’s ready for 2nd line and power play duties, which we feel he certainly is. Alas, his international play to date has been marred by inconsistency, overhandling of the puck, and disappearing acts. When he’s comfortable and doing his thing, there’s a powerful forward here with the kind of hockey sense that sets him apart from most of his peers. It would be huge if that’s the Lewandowski we get to see here on this platform.

Lua Niehus, D

Getting knocked out right away in Germany’s first game last winter, Niehus wasn’t able to show the international hockey world why, at 18, he was already playing DEL hockey. Things are looking good this time around. Granted, the 5’9”, 160-pound Niehus certainly will have his hands full with the bigger bodies that line the other rosters, but it’s not something he isn’t already used to in the DEL. A bit of a speedy player with a low center of gravity, Niehus’ strength lies in his positioning and breakout pass. He also likes to edge out players along the boards, but he can be tossed around and has problems with net-front coverage. He can also be guilty of holding onto the puck too long. He is a trusted presence for Abstreiter, so he’s going to get plenty of opportunities to sink or swim.

Norwin Panocha, D

When Panocha was drafted in 2023, we felt he was an excellent pick as a 7th-rounder. He had just come off a dominating DNL performance and was highly regarded by his Eisbären Berlin organization. He also was one of the very few bright spots on Germany’s disappointing U18 team that spring. In light of exceptional 4-way mobility, we saw him as a guy you chance it on in the later stages of the draft, limited viewings be damned. He then looked great in Buffalo’s rookie prospect camp before heading to the Q, getting off to a good start with Chicoutimi. But something happened and we don’t know what it is. Last season didn’t end well, and he transferred to the WHL this summer, a move that - after just 3 pointless games - led to him flipping down to Green Bay of the USHL. He’s been quiet there ever since as well. Now he comes in as a go-to first pairing defenseman and Germany needs him to brush off whatever has held him back over the past 12 months because his 2024 WJC showing was nothing to write home about either. This is an important time for Panocha to prove his metal.

Nico Pertuch, G

Very big in the crease and deceptively mobile, Pertuch’s pro experience in the DEL2 has him looking like the starter, even if his being part of last year’s WJC squad was about little more than being along for the ride. And even though he spent all of last season as a backup at the pro level, Pertuch has been getting into more action this time around and his 1.91 GAA and .906 save percentage in 8 contests are rather eye-opening in a league that has its fair share of high-scoring bouts. He’s cool and collected. Abstreiter likes to split duties according to the opponents, but you can expect Pertuch to be in net against Finland and Latvia - and whatever comes after the preliminary round.

Elias Pul, C/W

Pul headed into the 23-24 season as Germany’s top prospect for the 2024 draft. He had lost that position by the time US Thanksgiving rolled around in 2023. All in all, it was a year full of learning and facing adversity. Then he signed with a DEL2 club this offseason and has been taking flight ever since. With 8 goals and 11 points in 24 games, he’s way ahead of the pack among U21 players in that respective league, where a number of his teammates on this national team are taking shifts. What’s been really nice is seeing how elated he is with each and every goal his team scores. He not only brings skill and some sweet anticipation to the table but a joie de vivre that has been the surprise of the league. Moreover, he’s showing why we were so excited about him several summers ago. He could be the 2nd line center; he could be the first-line left wing. We’ll see.

Timo Ruckdäschel, LW

There was a time when the husky winger with a long reach looked like he could be a special offensive player. Now in his 3rd year of DEL action (his first as a regular), he’s making his mark by being a physical player who is rough ‘n tumble along the boards. So much so that we’re thinking he’s here to provide the muscle while being a plus player in the puck-possession department. At 6’1”, 201 pounds, he makes an even bigger impression on the ice and has been playing with and against men for three whole seasons now. He could also be a difference-maker in those tight games. We see Abstreiter leaning on his size and experience on one of the top two lines.

Julius Sumpf, C

It’s a breakout year for Sumpf, who we’ve eyed as one of Germany’s few above-average offensive prospects in recent years. Much of what he does isn’t flashy but can be highly effective. At the moment, the half-Canadian is spending his DY-2 year as one of Moncton’s motors in the QMJHL, having put up 37 points and a league-best +31 in 29 games. This comes on the heels of a 55-point rookie campaign last year, one that didn’t lead to him getting drafted. Sumpf also excels in the face-off circle and has added some defensive acumen to his game. This is all good and fine, but the fact is, Sumpf is going to have to be the main man in any success Germany is going to experience here. It’s not a role he’s taken to well in years past. We’d like to see him be the top player when Germany faces Latvia. That’ll be his biggest and most doable challenge.

Edwin Tropmann, RHD

Imagine being 16 and not only making your nation’s U18 Worlds team for a tournament your nation was hosting but finding yourself in the Ovechkin spot on the team’s first power play unit by Game 3 of the tournament. That was Tropmann’s fate, and it effectively put him on the map for the 2023 draft, one he didn’t get selected in after a quiet season was followed by just being “meh” for a German side that got relegated that spring. His DY-1 season was actually quite promising, but he didn’t really suit up internationally. Now he’s taking a regular shift in the DEL2 and has been called upon for six DEL contests. His sound overall play has been so notable, both at the pro level and in national team meet-ups, that he’ll be captaining this year’s WJC edition and likely racking up 20+ minutes of TOI a night. More importantly, this is a chance for him to show the scouting community that there’s a go-getter in this 5’10”, righty-shot player whose playing style is akin to that of a MacKenzie Weegar.

Paul Vinzens, RW

In his DY-1 season, Vinzens comes in as one of the team’s motors and quite a plugger of a winger. He’s tough to defend against and takes on all challenges, even if he is guilty of disappearing acts. Every once in a while, he unpacks some real treats for the fans, not hesitating to do the unexpected. He’s been a strong player for the Red Bull Juniors for two seasons now and we felt he’d be a sleeper draft topic last summer, but some injuries kept him from strutting everything he’s got. With 15 points in 14 AlpsHL games, Vinzenz has been called up to the Munich Red Bulls of the DEL for six outings and isn’t looking out of place. We think he’ll be Sumpf’s right winger and that means, it’s time for him to arrive internationally.

Sleeper

Lenny Boos, C/RW

A water bug who has been a big-time scorer in Germany’s junior ranks, Lenny is the son of a long time German-league pro and has already seen 5 games of DEL action this season while spending most of the young season taking a regular shift for 3rd leaguist Essen, chipping in 10 points in 18 games. Moreover, he’s basically the ying to Lewandowski’s yang. The two have played together for years in Düsseldorf and often team up internationally as well. What we like is that he shows no knowledge of being smaller than most other guys on the ice. He gets his nose dirty and comes out of tight spaces with plenty of pucks. He’s smart and knows how to survive. Should he make the cut, he’ll have a unique opportunity to become a draft topic, especially if he finds himself back on the line with Lewandowski.

GERMANY: 2024-25 Hockey season kicks off!

Chapin Landvogt — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 12:30:36 +0000

Veit Oswald of Germany during the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN / COP 89 / MI0591

The 24-25 season has been starting up across pro and junior leagues throughout Germany this past week. And we’re as excited as can be about some of the stories that should be unfolding on the prospect scene throughout the season.

One of key stories we’ll be following this season revolves around the DEL’s most successful clubs the past decade, the Munich Red Bulls. Aside from opening up a new arena, which will be the most modern in all of Europe, the team was one of the least active on the international market despite acquiring recent AHLer Adam Brooks and former NHLer - and cog in the German ice hockey scene - Tobias Rieder, who’ll be making his DEL debut. The underlying story is that the team appears to ready to double down on its intentions of bringing along internally developed U23 players such as goaltender Simon Wolf (20), defensemen Sten Fischer (21) and Jakob Weber (20), and forwards Filip Varejcka (23), Quirin Bader, Nikolaus Heigl (both 21), and Veit Oswald (20), who was the DEL’s shooting star last winter.

Oswald also proved to be a bit of a surprise seeing as how season’s such as the one he had have often led to getting drafted. It didn’t, but it did ultimately lead to him being invited to Toronto’s summer development camp. With a set role in a team filled with renewed championship ambitions, it still needs to be denoted that Oswald won’t turn 21 until August of 2025, so his draft eligibility is not yet a thing of the past.

And when one considers how similar his season was last year to the final season JJ Peterka had for the same club before jumping to the AHL, there’s probably no-one in the organization who’ll be more excited about the new arena’s opening night festivities, which will feature a match-up against Peterka’s Buffalo Sabres.

This all said, we’ve viewed goaltender Wolf as one of the most hidden goaltending talents in Europe in recent years and as things are now, he has a very good shot of sliding in as the team’s back-up goaltender, a move his pro play in the AlpsHL to date has supported. Could he become the next Arno Tiefensee?

Draftees

Speaking of which, naturally piquing our interest is what the season has in store for draft picks Kevin Bicker (DET), Hakan Hänelt (WAS), Nikita Quapp (CAR), and yes, Tiefensee (DAL). Of the three, Tiefensee is by far the most established and backed his surprisingly effective overage draft season with a 19-13 record and 2.43 GAA as the verified number 1 in goal for Mannheim last season, kicking that latter stat up a bit 2.32 in 7 playoff games. His upward trend is thoroughly expected to continue this season and on the whole, he’s in an ideal developmental spot for a player taken with a later round selection.

As for Bicker, Hänelt, and Quapp, all three are in more unique situations. For Bicker, this is Year 2 of his (probably rushed) DEL career, which saw him gather all of 3 points in 41 games last season before a leg injury ended his season prematurely. Bicker’s game is built on speed and after showing off his wares adequately at the WJC, he’s entering this year not only with a more prominent role in store for Frankfurt, but also the responsibility of being a go-to driver for this winter’s WJC. Hänelt’s great success last season was in actually getting through the season without any major physical setbacks. Otherwise, his 3 points in 40 games were nothing to write home about and he would need to make a big splash this season to re-garner a slot on the radar of prospect viability, as he’s quickly become an afterthought.

The 6’4” Quapp, on the other hand, is entering his first true DEL season after going 11-14 with a 2.63 GAA and .920 SV% in the DEL2 last season, decent numbers for a team that is among the most financially restricted in that respective league. He’ll now back up Norwegian international Henrik Haukeland, where he’ll have little competition entering the season. Furthermore, his Düsseldorf squad is itself among the most financially strapped in the DEL, meaning they’ll be counting on him as no less than a solid number 2 in net, with fire hydrant style responsibility if things sour. That’s how the season may have to kick off after Haukeland was injured in the most recent test game and is doubtful to be back in time for the opener.

U20 players

Unlike its European counterparts in Sweden, Finland, and even the Czech Republic, the number of players aged 17-19 who see ice time in the DEL can usually be counted on one hand during any given season. This leaves us wondering about the fates of a handful of youngsters who have been signed by DEL teams, unknowing what’s on dock for them. About the most fascinating thing that could happen on this front is seeing Dustin Willhöft (MAN), David Lewandowski (DUS), and Mateu Späth (CLG) wiggle their way into DEL action this season, hopefully even a (semi-)regular shift. That’s the kind of thing talents such as these tend to do in the aforementioned countries, even at the age of 17.

But there are a few more we’ll be watching closely. Edwin Tropmann (COL) was a top prospect heading into last season, as was Paul Mayer (MAN). And while Mayer saw DEL action and then finished the season with a fairly regular shift in the DEL2 - showing little statwise at either station - Tropmann’s early-season injury threw him out of the loop almost completely. We recently saw him playing this summer for the nation’s U20 team and he looked like he was getting back to form as the team’s top defenseman. These two defensemen are on the outside looking in with their DEL clubs, but both are strong likelihoods at one of the other two levels of pro hockey and should each be locks for the WJC team.

So, what will come of 6’7”, 207-pound defenseman Rio Kaiser in his draft year? He already got into 20 pro games (3 at the DEL level) this past season while being “Okay” at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer. He’s already played both of Berlin’s Champions Hockey League games, so he’s getting a look. And that size just does not grow on trees. A very similar scenario has set in for 5’7” Alexander Vladelchtchikov with Bremerhaven, a defenseman who looked like he might be all the rage back when he was 14. A strong DNL season last year finally earned the 19-year-old a DEL contract with Bremerhaven, a team that has traditionally had problems bringing in younger German talent. But even among draft-eligible defenseman, he has overager Rayan Bettahar ahead of him, a player who lost a good portion of last season to a broken jaw when he was cheap-shotted after making a thundering open-ice check. He has been getting long looks in the preseason. Chances are that Vladelchtchikov will see time in the DEL2 instead, where he recently got his first pro league assist.

Two more players we had on our draft radar not too long ago were defender Lua Niehus of Frankfurt and forward Linus Brandl of Straubing, both now 19. Heading into last season, much was expected of each but Niehus got into injury trouble while Brandl found himself basically being a 13th forward for Landshut in the DEL2. Both were part of Germany’s WJC entry, but Brandl’s role was that of an extra forward while Niehus’ tournament was already over after one game. The skill levels each possess were never really in question until last season, when the expectations proved to clearly be overwhelming, with Brandl’s skating weaknesses proving to be damning while Niehus’ 5’9”, 160-pound body just wasn’t up to the physical task. Will both or either take the next step already this season? Barring injury, you’ll see both at the WJC.

Getting long in the prospect tooth is former Rögle prospect, forward Roman Kechter (20), who was wonderful for Nuremberg last season, collecting 17 points and +1 rating over 42 games. He also captained the U20 team after having captained the U18 team in 2022. We mention him here because he’s finding himself in a situation with a low-budget team where he’ll be fully expected to carry the load of a top 9 forward and see situational ice time in what could be a lot of hard scenarios. In fact, there’s likely not a 20-year-old in the league who’ll have a more concrete regular shift and responsibility than Kechter. And it’ll bear watching.

What we can also say is that particularly Düsseldorf, Iserlohn, and Nuremberg look bound to make use of plenty of U23 players, with a good handful being under 20. Particularly forwards Lenny Boos (17) in Düsseldorf, Max Brunner (18) in Iserlohn, and defenseman Max Merkl (18) are players who bring above-average skill sets to the table (by German standards) and each was a cog in seeing the U18 team gain promotion this past spring. With Boos being the son of a long-time DEL pro, Brunner having spent the past two seasons in Sweden, and Merkl already the author of 15 DEL appearances in his young career, it’s not unreasonable to think each will see some DEL action this season. A breakthrough by any could earn draft consideration.

UFAs to be?

The league will also feature a number of young players we feel continue to be of interest to NHL teams under the right circumstances. Defenseman Colin Ugbekile (22) and Leon Hüttl (23) top that list on the defensive front. Each has established himself as an up-n-comer in the national team and each is an absolute cog on his team’s blueline, contributing value in all three zones. Ugbekile even became a power play specialist last season, putting up 12 goals and 33 points. Cologne’s goaltender, Tobias Ancicka (23), finally established himself as a DEL starter last season, going 23-15 with a 2.51 GAA. After spending part of his junior years in Finland, this son of a former German national team member (of Czech descent) is finally turning promise into results and will play for a Sharks team that has as much pressure as anyone to perform this season, seeing as how it has the best attendance in Europe and few championships to show for it.

His teammate Justin Schütz (24), a former draft pick of the Florida Panthers, put up a league-leading 30 goals in 55 games last season. Snubbed from the national team before the Men’s WC, it’s safe to say that he’ll be looking to verify last season’s results with a renewed push towards an NHL contract. At the same time, there’s probably not a German player in the league who has the wheels, hockey IQ, and hands of Wojciech Stachowiak, a 25-year-old forward who saw his stats drop a wee bit in DEL play last season, but then went 2-7-9 in 8 WC games in the Czech Republic. It’s difficult imagining a player with his drive and overall package not getting a look in North America at some point. There’s simply too much hustle there.

It wasn’t too long ago that we spilled some words in favor of now 22-year-old forwards Alexander Blank, Danjo Leonhardt, and former OHLer Josh Samanski. All three will be taking on even bigger roles for their teams, with Blank fighting relegation from the get-go while the latter two will be aiming for a top 4 spot in the league with their Straubing Tigers. And while Blank continues to see his game grow into that of a playmaker, there were times last year where we found ourselves thinking that it won’t be long until Leonhardt’s 13 goals turn into 25. He’s certainly got the surrounding cast for it this year. Neither is as entrenched in their team’s plans as Samanski is, who is on the fast track to a more stable spot in the national team. The 6’6” forwards skates like he’s 5 inches shorter and broke through last season with 12 goals and 33 points. It’s going to be hard for the NHL not to take notice if 40+ points and WC appearance ends up being in the cards for him this season.

Sticking with the Tigers, goaltender Florian Bugl (6’1”, 187 pounds) has really been nothing short of spectacular the past few seasons. He’s now 22 and although long thought to be ahead of Dallas’ Arno Tiefensee, hasn’t been drafted. But he’s put up 17-8 and then 15-8 records the past two seasons and even got into 3 of his team’s 6 playoff games last season. He once again has a veteran North American goaltender to share duties with, but with his Straubing Tigers now in the Champions Hockey League and fully expected to be a top 4 club in the DEL again, there’s no reason to believe he’ll see fewer starts than he has to date as “spreading the wealth” will be part of the goaltending ice time plan.

DEL2

As wonderful as it is to theorize about possible draftees getting their feet wet in the DEL, it’s the second tier DEL2 that plays a much more significant role for the development of draftable youngsters. There’s usually more ice time to go around and teams are regularly looking for cheaper options for lower line roles. In addition, there’s a U23 role in place that downright requires the team to suit up a certain number of players 22 or younger for every game. We even expect many of the names listed above to more likely find themselves taking shifts here rather than the DEL as just about every DEL team has an affiliate in the lower ranks to whom they send their most promising youngsters.

The most prominent parking stations are Munich’s affiliate Kaufbeuren and Berlin’s affiliate Lausitz. These teams usually have some of the smaller league budgets, but see their rosters pepped up with youngsters the DEL teams acquire or bring up through their own junior programs. This year, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Kaufbeuren samples Jakob Peukert (D/18), Fabian Nifosi (D/20), Leon Sivic (F/20), and Jonas Fischer (F/19). The same is true for Lausitz with respect to the aforementioned Kaiser (D/17), Marlon Braun (D/20), Nils Elten (D/21), and Filip Ziesche (F/19). If we’re lucky, Linus Vieillard (G/18) will already be up to the task, as we’d like nothing more than to see him force his way into WJC consideration. He’s been slyly good wherever he’s played to date.

While at it, Nico Pertuch (19) is looking like the frontrunner for the spot as Germany’s #1 at the WJC and he spent all of last season as the back-up in Ravensburg. That role - including more ice time - is all but certain this season, so he’ll be a name to follow closely. We’ve liked him since he was 17, but the 6’2”, 212-pounder really took some major steps last season and shows some impressive mental fortitude.

As far as players are concerned who were already in scout’s notebooks this past summer and who could certainly gain overage drafting consideration with a strong winter are Kassel’s Clemens Sager and Weiden’s Elias Pul, both forwards. A north/south player with some moxy, Sager has a penchant for being very involved in board work while smart enough to compliment skill players of any sort. His team is a heavy favorite for the DEL2 championship and with that, promotion to the DEL. Will he get the ice time we’d hope for on such a loaded squad? That’s something we won’t really need to be asking with respect to league newbie Weiden, which has plucked the solid two-way Pul from the Red Bull Juniors program and looks ready to force-feed him with DEL2 minutes. He’ll need to adjust to bigger and better opponents, but if the talent and overall wherewithal we’ve come to know from him truly speak of his package, then he could be turning a lot of heads by season’s end.

DNL

At the nation’s top junior level, Landshut was the surprise victor last spring, coming back from being down 2-0 in the series against powerhouse Berlin to come out on top with a 3-2 Best-of-Five victory, much of that success on the backs of forwards Tobias Schwarz and Simon Seidl. The two not only lead the way offensively throughout the playoffs, but also got into several dozen DEL2 games as well as a starring role in the D1A U18 Worlds, where Germany went 5-0 in gaining promotion back into the elite group. With DEL contracts in their pockets (Straubing), the sky's the limit for the duo, which is expected to spend most the season back in the DEL2, but should be about a lock for Germany at the WJC.

This DNL season will nonetheless be one that is all about redemption for traditional powerhouse Mannheim, a program that will host one of the biggest storylines coming out of Germany, a young man we’ve been talking about for a bit now named Max Penkin. We’re not going to hold back in saying that he’s the most dynamic forward prospect coming out of Germany since Tim Stützle. That’s the trajectory at this point. Now, Mannheim started slowly out of the gates last season and found itself on the outside looking in once the initial qualification round concluded after just 14 games, placing the team in a B group that would battle to retain the class and thus, out of championship contention.

This hiccup surely will be a thing of the past and many of the reasons could be seen at the Eli Palfreyman Memorial Invitational in Canada at the conclusion of August. There, fans were able to see Penkin’s exploits. To clarify, Penkin is a 15-year-old who is first eligible for the 2027 draft. He dominated the U17 league last season and is set to be a go-to figure already this year, maybe even getting a look at the pro level. He is that intriguing and he’s actually so young that he had to gain “Exceptional Status” to be permitted to play at the DNL level already this season.

But fans at the tournament above were also able to see several other players who’ll look to be draft topics next summer, namely crafty tiny tot Dustin Willhöft, defenseman Nick Mahler, and dynamic twins Gustavs and Rihards Griva, originally from Latvia. We’re also excited to see what 18-year old overager Nikita Zhvanov (Tschwanow) will be able to do after a shortened 23-24 season saw him put up 28 points in 33 games and another 9 (and +9) in 18 games for 3rd league pro team Heilbronn.

Along with Mannheim, the usual suspects are expected to throw their hats into the championship picture, namely Berlin and Cologne. And with Germany back with the big boys at the U18 level, the DNL will continue to hold great importance as the provider of what will likely be over 50% of the team come next April. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer once again saw Germany overwhelmed at times, but a 2-1 victory over Finland was huge for the program and a placement game loss to Switzerland saw a wonderful effort by Germany tossed down the tubes with a late breakdown.

With that in mind, some of the most exciting DNL names to follow this year are those of Maxim Schäfer, Elias Schneider, Tom Fitschen, Moritz Kretschmar (all Berlin), Tobin Brandt, Noah and Marco Münzenberger (both roughly 6’4” and no confirmed relation to Edmonton prospect Luca), Matthias Pape, Max Ziergiebel (all Cologne), Niclas Focks, Konstantin Redinger, Tim Schütz (all Krefeld), Peukert (Kaufbeuren), and Fabio & Timo Kose (Regensburg).

Following the DNL this year will be about focussing on what talent forces its way onto the U18 roster. If any come into WJC consideration, then we’re talking about an exception of sorts as Coach Abstreiter rarely strays from his eldest options, most of whom have pro or CHL experience under their belts.

But to be clear, we’re here to see just how far Penkin can take his prospect star at this early stage in his career. He’s got 3 points in the loaded team’s first 5 games.

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)

2023 IIHF U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: DIVISION A – Team Previews – Players to Watch

Brock Otten (Germany - Chapin Landvogt) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:15:32 +0000

On April 20th, the IIHF Under 18 World Championships will commence with Sweden looking to defend their gold medal from the previous year. In order to do so, they will need to go through the extremely difficult ‘Division A’, which includes Canada, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, in addition to Sweden. The Swedes have medalled in four straight tournaments, but they will face stiff competition from Canada and Czechia, especially, as the three enter the tournament as gold medal contenders.

221223 Axel Sandin-Pellikka of Sweden looks dejected after the 0-1 goal during the friendly under-20 ice hockey game between Sweden and Switzerland on December 23, 2022 in Halifax.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN / kod SH / SH0380

Sweden

The Swedes are going to be a difficult team to score against with three potential first round picks anchoring the blueline (Sandin-Pellikka, Lindstein, and Willander). Nearly the entirety of this roster helped capture a silver medal at last summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and a gold at this winter’s World Junior A Challenge. Up front, Otto Stenberg will be looked upon to be a leader as a returning player from last year’s gold medal winning U18 squad. The only really negative thing to say about this group heading into the tournament is that they will be missing one of their best forwards in the age group in Felix Nilsson, who recently fractured his wrist. His playmaking ability will definitely be missed.

Top Players to Watch

Theo Lindstein (D)

Lindstein played a depth role on last year’s U18 gold medal winning squad and returns this year as someone who will be relied upon in all situations. This is a big tournament for Lindstein as it pertains to his NHL draft stock. Once considered to be in contention to be the first defender drafted, he has seen others pass him by due to concerns over his high-end upside. Puck management will be key for Lindstein at this event as he tries to prove to scouts that he can be a primary facilitator from the backend.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka (D)

A high-end puck moving defender and skater, Sandin-Pellikka has been a steady riser over the course of this draft season. He’s largely been great for Sweden internationally and will be counted upon heavily at this tournament. He should quarterback the top powerplay unit and will have a chance to be in contention for the top defender award. Scouts will be looking for him to be more consistent in the defensive end, especially when it comes to his physical intensity.

Tom Willander (D)

This is a big tournament for Willander to prove that he belongs in the same conversation as the above two. It seems like he has been a bit underrated this year based on his achievements and play and if he shines at the U18’s, he may have a chance to pass both Lindstein and Sandin-Pellikka in the rankings of some teams. Willander is a composed and intelligent two-way defender whose game should transition very well to the NHL level.

Otto Stenberg (F)

As alluded to, Stenberg scored two goals in last year's tournament as an underager and will be looked upon to be the leader of the forward group this year. The thing is, his play this year has been very inconsistent, both internationally and in Swedish league play. No question, the Swedes will need Stenberg at the top of his game to repeat as gold medal winners. A dynamic skater and transitional attacker, Stenberg is as skilled as any forward in this tournament.

Anton Wahlberg (F)

A favourite of McKeen’s assistant director of scouting Derek Neumeier, Wahlberg is this year’s version of Filip Bystedt for this Swedish team. He’s a big forward (6’3) with excellent puck protection skill down low and a penchant for taking the puck to the net. He can play that heavy game that can match teams like Canada and the United States and was good in SHL action to close out league play this year.

David Edstrom (F)

One of the big beneficiaries of Felix Nilsson’s injury, Edstrom may just be one of the most underrated players in this Swedish ‘05 group. The big center (6’3) has had a very good second half of the draft year, establishing himself as a regular in the SHL. Like Wahlberg, he can play that heavy game needed to win in tournaments like this and his work near the crease and in the corners will be critical to Sweden’s success.

Noah Dower Nilsson (F)

This is a big tournament for Dower Nilsson and his NHL draft stock. He is both intelligent and skilled, a combination that made him a potential first round selection coming into the year. He had a great statistical year in the Swedish J20 league for Frölunda, however his play internationally has been fairly indifferent. This includes an injury shortened World Junior A Challenge. Like Stenberg, Dower Nilsson will be looked upon to be an offensive leader and will need to show scouts that his skating has improved over the course of this year.

Canada

No question, this year’s Canadian entry at the U18’s is better than last year’s when they finished fifth following a quarter final loss to Finland. In fact, on paper, this might be one of the better Canadian entries at this event in recent memory, rivaling the 2021 roster that captured gold. The challenge for Canada each year is to select players already eliminated from the CHL playoffs and this can have a very negative impact on the quality of the talent pool available. This year, many of Canada’s top ‘05’s happened to play for weaker CHL teams and that means a significant number of the team’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup players from the summer will double dip at this tournament. Goaltending should be a strength with Carson Bjarnason manning the crease, a candidate to be the first goaltender drafted in 2023. The defense and forward groups are also strong led by the likes of Colby Barlow, Cal Ritchie, Andrew Cristall, Cam Allen, Caden Price, Lukas Dragicevic, Matthew Wood, and potential first overall pick in 2024 Macklin Celebrini (an ‘06). Additionally, Canada has only registered 12 forwards. That means that they are eyeing an addition or two from a team eliminated early in the second round of the CHL playoffs like Riley Heidt and the Prince George Cougars.

Top Players to Watch

Carson Bjarnason. Photo by Jarret Gale.

Carson Bjarnason (G)

Playing on a weak Brandon team this year, Bjarnason was consistently tasked with having to steal games and that led to some fatigue down the stretch. The back-up from the summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky team, it will be great to see him with a stronger roster playing in front of him. Bjarnason has everything NHL scouts are looking for from young netminders these days and with a strong tournament, he could vault himself to the top of many team’s goaltender rankings in 2023.

Colby Barlow (F)

Last summer, at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, Barlow was tasked with playing more of a shutdown role on the third line and as a primary penalty killler. At this event, he’ll be more heavily counted upon to be an offensive play driver and the near 50 goal scorer (46 with Owen Sound this year in the OHL) should be up to the task. Barlow excels playing a North/South power game thanks to his straight-line speed, size, and goal scoring ability. Look for him to be part of the leadership group for this team too.

Cal Ritchie (F)

There might not be a player in this tournament with more on the line than Ritchie. The leading scorer from the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer, Ritchie entered the season as a potential top ten selection. However, his play with the rebuilding Oshawa Generals was quite inconsistent this year and this has led to him falling in the consensus rankings. No question Ritchie is a highly intelligent playmaker, but scouts will have a keen eye on his pace of play and his physical intensity level. His injury status is also something worth monitoring as he limped into the OHL playoffs with an upper body injury.

Matthew Wood (F)

Wood is a returning player from last year’s U18’s but should be a much different player this time around after struggling to make a consistent impact as an underager. He is coming off a tremendous season for the University of Connecticut, where he posted the best point per game average by a U18 player in the NCAA (a true freshman) of this millennium, besting Jonathan Toews’ mark with North Dakota. No question, Wood’s skating remains an area of weakness, but every other area of his game stands out for positive reasons.

Macklin Celebrini (F)

Speaking of record-breaking seasons, insert potential first overall pick in 2024, center Macklin Celebrini. He obliterated the previous scoring record by a U17 player in the USHL this season by leading the entire league in scoring for the Chicago Steel. The Steel were courteous enough to let Celebrini play in the U18’s despite qualifying for the USHL playoffs, similar to how Adam Fantilli was released for last year’s tournament. Even as an underager, Celebrini should have a great tournament for Canada. Those that have never seen him play before will be surprised by his physicality and tenaciousness, in combination with his high-end skill.

Andrew Cristall (F)

Cristall may just be this draft’s most polarizing player. An extremely skilled and creative attacker, Cristall’s offensive upside may be among the highest available this year. However, some scouts are concerned by his lack of dynamic qualities in combination with his lack of elite size. This event should go a long way in convincing those on the fence that Cristall is someone worth pounding the table for in Nashville. He will play a critical offensive role for Canada.

Nick Lardis (F)

A midseason trade to the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) ignited Lardis and he finished the season as one of the hottest players in the entire CHL. Even in the first round of the playoffs, with his rebuilding Bulldogs facing the veteran Barrie Colts, Lardis was a standout and one of the highest scorers of round one. Lardis can continue to rocket up draft lists with a big tournament here and he should be given a great opportunity inside Canada’s top six. He has speed to burn and tremendous shot.

Cam Allen (D)

Remember when I said teammate Cal Ritchie might have the most to gain/lose from participating in this tournament. Defender Cam Allen is right there with him. The captain of Canada’s Hlinka/Gretzky team last summer, Allen was thought to be the best defender available for the draft this year heading into the season. A disastrous draft year for Guelph has seen Allen plummet down draft boards. He has struggled with his decision making all year and this will be a huge chance for him to prove that he is a worthy high selection.

Caden Price (D)

Ironically, Caden Price is in a bit of a similar situation as Allen, a player he paired with consistently at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer. Playing on a rebuilding Kelowna team, Price’s decision making at both ends left a lot to be desired this past season. However, he still has a very intriguing package of size, skill, and mobility on the backend and could really help his draft stock with a strong performance for Canada.

Lukas Dragicevic (D)

After playing for Canada at last year’s U18’s as an underager, Dragicevic was a shocking cut from the summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky team after the coaching staff was unimpressed with his defensive play. Offensively, Dragicevic is a difference maker, and he should quarterback the top powerplay for Canada at this event. Defensively, his game is a major work in progress. Finding the right partner for him at the event will be critical in order to bring out the best in him.

Czechia

Even in all of their previous hockey glory, the Czechs have never captured gold at this event and have only ever made one final (back in 2014 led by Jakub Vrana). This year’s team does have a strong roster on paper and could definitely challenge for a medal. Michael Hrabal is a top goaltending prospect for the 2023 draft and should give Czechia a consistently great effort in net. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Eduard Sale to have a fantastic tournament. He was among the scoring leaders last year at the U18’s as an underager and this Czech team will only go as far as he can take them.

Top Players to Watch

Eduard Sale of Czech Republic during the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Austria and Czech Republic on December 28, 2022 in Halifax.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN / kod SH / SH0387

Eduard Sale (F)

As mentioned, Sale was a standout at this tournament already last year as an underage player and he returns this year to try to help Czechia capture a medal. Sale always seems to be among the leading scorers of any international tournament that he plays against his peers and expectations are no different here. A skilled winger with size and great playmaking ability, Sale is a potential top ten selection this year.

Michael Hrabal (G)

It hasn’t been easy for Hrabal this year playing for Omaha in the USHL, one of the worst teams in the league. He has faced a ton of rubber and his consistency has suffered because of it. However, he is one of the top-rated goaltenders in this year’s draft for a reason. His combination of size and athleticism keeps him in every play and gives him high upside as an NHL starting netminder. In order for the Czechs to upset Sweden and Canada in the preliminary round, he is going to have to steal the show…and he’s capable of that.

Dominik Petr (F)

Life comes full circle for Petr. After a strong start at last year’s tournament as an underage player, he was hit awkwardly by fellow underager Ryan Leonard and suffered a tournament ending injury that saw him stretched off the ice. Since then, Petr hasn’t really been the same. A former highly touted player in this class, Petr is now seen as more of a mid to late round pick with upside. However, a strong showing at the U18’s could cause scouts to re-evaluate his standing.

Jakub Dvorak (D)

Is Dvorak one of the most under-scouted players in this year’s draft class? Injuries have limited his play this year, including missing the World Junior Championships. Additionally, when he has played, it has been in a limited role in the Czech men’s league. However, he appears to be healthy now and will suit up as the Czech’s top defender at the U18’s. All eyes will be on the big defender (6’5, 200lbs) to see if he can be a difference maker at both ends.

Adam Jiricek (D)

The younger brother of Columbus prospect David Jiricek, Adam shows significant promise for next year’s NHL draft and has been solid internationally for Czechia this year. The ‘06 defender will likely play a large role for Czechia at this event despite his young age. At the recent U18 four nations, he was a standout, and he will be entering the tournament with a lot of confidence.

Slovakia

It has been 20 years since Slovakia medalled at this event and they will be facing an uphill battle to do so again after being placed in such a strong division after requalifying. However, this team does have some talent and should be competitive. They will be led by forward Dalibor Dvorsky and Maxim Strbak, two significant draft prospects for this year and two players who were already a big part of Slovakia’s entry at the U20 WJC’s this past January. Of note, Erie Otters forward Ondrej Molnar has not been invited to play at the event due to the ongoing investigation over his actions during a floorball game earlier this year.

Top Players to Watch

Maxim Strbak (D)

A Michigan State commit, Strbak is the kind of defender you just know is going to be a long time pro. The 6’2 blueliner is mean, is relatively mobile, and is smart, a combination that should at least make him a dependable stay at home type at the NHL level. He was already fantastic at the U20’s for Slovakia, so it will be interesting to see him at this event competing against his age equivalent peers.

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK - DECEMBER 30: Dalibor Dvorsky #15 of Slovakia battles for position against Dans Locmelis #11 of Latvia in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Avenir Centre on December 30, 2022 in Moncton, New Brunswick. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Dalibor Dvorsky (F)

This is a big tournament for Dvorsky. He was instrumental in helping Slovakia get back to the main group last year as an underager. The potential lottery pick has had a pretty up and down year playing in Sweden between the pro and the J20 level, but a big tournament would go a long way in convincing scouts that he is indeed one of the top forwards available this year.

Jakub Chromiak (D)

The younger brother of Los Angeles Kings’ prospect Martin, Jakub is a puck moving defender who played for the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL this year. A late ‘05 born, he is not eligible for the NHL Draft until next year. Quite frankly, his season in the OHL was a little underwhelming compared to the expectations, but the jump to North America can be a difficult one for young defenders. Chromiak is still a highly rated prospect for next year and he should be a top four defender on this Slovak team.

Germany

As someone with German roots, this one hurts a bit. However, Germany is in trouble at this event. Despite a resurgence of late, the ‘05 group for Germany is not a strong one. This is a team that lost a game to Japan recently. They were outgunned at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and things could get even uglier at the U18’s given the division they were placed in. The team will simply try to keep things competitive in every game of the round robin and then hope to avoid relegation by beating the low team from Division B. The one hope they do have is that they did manage to beat division A rival Slovakia in some lead up games.

Top Players to Watch

Kevin Bicker (F)

After a strong Hlinka/Gretzky Cup performance, Bicker drew a lot of interest from the scouting community as a potential 2023 NHL Draft selection. However, his performance in Germany this year left some to be desired, at least compared to previous German draft selections. Bicker is a high energy winger who plays with tenacity. Just how high the offensive upside is remains to be seen, but he should be one of the top offensive performers on this team.

Linus Brandl (F)

Another German forward who had a strong Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, Brandl is a bit different than his running mate Bicker. He’s more of a cerebral, skilled attacker who needs to gain the quickness and strength to be a more consistent presence off the puck. He will also be looked upon to be a top performer at this event and he is one of the few players on this German team with a chance of being drafted.

Timo Ruckdäschel (F)

Not a name that a lot of people know right now (he was not even listed by NHL Central Scouting at midterm), but Ruckdäschel may have been Germany’s most consistent ‘05 internationally this past season. A big, power forward, he is the kind of player who can match up against the big guns of this tough division. He has played much of this year at the pro level in Europe, in both the DEL and the AlpsHL. With a big U18’s, he could go from relative unknown to potential draft selection.

Norwin Panocha (D)

Don’t be hard on yourself if you haven’t heard this name yet. Just rest assured that the 6-foot, 170-pound defenseman has gone from an unknown to top of Germany’s defensive list for the scouting community. A cog and leader for Berlin’s very strong DNL outfit, Panocha’s solid and mature game earned him five viewings in the DEL2 as well as three games in the DEL. Expect to see him in a top four role at this tournament and perhaps even with a letter on his chest (Chapin Landvogt)

Edwin Tropmann (D)

First eligible for the 2024 NHL draft, Tropmann was already on last spring’s team and by the end of the tournament, he was on the top power play unit in the Ovechkin spot. A righty shot who is clearly a coaching staff favorite, Tropmann is coming off a solid winter where he put up more than a PPG for his DNL club while also collecting 131 penalty minutes in 43 games. The training wheels should be off at this tournament. He’s also got two games of DEL and four games of DEL2 experience. Look for him to log plenty of minutes at this tournament. (Chapin Landvogt)

Paul Mayer (D)

Mayer will likely be a third pairing defenseman at this tournament, but in local hockey circles, he’s spent several years being seen as an up-and-comer with NHL potential. At 17, he’s already 6’2”, 185 lbs., and spent this past season putting up 37 points in 46 DNL games. The season also saw him make his debut for the Mannheim Adler of the DEL after having played four DEL2 games as a 16-year-old. His pace is still a work in progress, but there are plenty of tools, plenty of size, and a lot of promise for a player who’ll first be a draft topic in the summer of 2024. He’s still getting his feet wet internationally. (Chapin Landvogt)