Eric Pohlkamp – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: Victor Nuño – Dynasty Stock Watch – San Jose Sharks Edition

Victor Nuño — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:37:44 +0000

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 31: San Jose Sharks left wing Igor Chernyshov (92) skates with the puck during the NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and the San Jose Sharks on December 31, 2025 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Scott Dinn/Icon Sportswire)

McKeen's Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

San Jose Sharks Edition

Team Outlook

The Sharks are emerging from their rebuild earlier than expected. Drafting a generational talent like Macklin Celebrini, who is already regarded by many as one of the league’s top players and was a standout for Canada at the Milan Olympics, has accelerated San Jose’s timeline. After years of extending their competitive window at the expense of future assets, the organization has pivoted fully toward long-term development. Draft capital has been accumulated aggressively, and the front office remains focused on building a core through internal development. Early returns are promising, San Jose’s prospect pipeline now features legitimate high-end talent across multiple positions, particularly up front. For dynasty managers, the dynamic of a team ready to compete ahead of schedule and pipeline bursting with potential will make for some interesting decisions. Below are three buy candidates and three players you might want to sell.

Buy Candidates

Igor Chernyshov, LW

Chernyshov is quietly emerging as one of the more intriguing forward prospects in San Jose's system. While he does not yet carry the same recognition as the organization's headline prospects, his skill set suggests a player capable of outperforming his current dynasty valuation. He attacks defenders with pace and confidence, showing the ability to drive wide with speed or cut inside to create scoring chances. What makes him particularly appealing is his offensive versatility, as he has shown finishing ability but is also comfortable operating as a playmaker, identifying passing lanes and creating opportunities off the rush.

In his first professional season, Chernyshov has impressed on both ends of the scoresheet and in the underlying numbers. After a stellar start in the AHL with the Barracuda, he earned time with the Sharks and did not look out of place, posting 11 points in 16 games. Even more encouraging are his advanced metrics according to Evolving Hockey, with nearly six goals above replacement, a remarkable figure for such a small sample size. Perhaps most exciting is his developing chemistry with budding superstar Celebrini. If that pairing solidifies, riding shotgun with one of the game's emerging stars could fast-track Chernyshov's path to a permanent NHL role and elevate his dynasty value significantly. The buy window is now, before the rest of the market catches on.

Michael Misa, C

Misa is an important piece of San Jose's rebuild and the type of elite prospect dynasty managers should covet. His toolkit combines high-end skating, advanced playmaking vision, and offensive intelligence that projects toward a top NHL player. Misa processes the game quickly, often anticipating plays before they fully develop and manipulating defenders through subtle puck movement. Some may look at what Misa is doing this season and be tempted to lower his stock, but that would be a mistake, as would drawing comparisons to what Matthew Schaefer is doing on Long Island to manufacture a bust narrative.

The Sharks have managed Misa perfectly, allowing him to adjust without putting undue stress on his shoulders, and his point pace and play-driving ability at the NHL level are reassuring for a teenager coming straight from the OHL. His slightly lowered Hockey Prospecting equivalency may actually present a buying opportunity, giving you leverage to acquire him in a trade at a discount. Yes, with Celebrini in town Misa will likely never be the true 1C, but plenty of dynamic duos have existed running their own lines and cooking on the power play, and that should be Misa's reality in short order.

Eric Pohlkamp, D

Pohlkamp fits the description of a prospect who quietly outperforms his visibility, and his game is built around awareness, structure, and consistency, allowing him to contribute in multiple situations while still producing offense. Players with this type of profile often earn coaching trust as they move up levels, and while Pohlkamp may not possess the dynamic highlight-reel skill set of San Jose's most prominent prospects, his steady development trajectory suggests a player capable of carving out a meaningful NHL role. In deeper dynasty leagues, secondary scorers with reliable deployment can provide underrated fantasy value, particularly when their acquisition cost remains modest.

Pohlkamp has been outstanding for the University of Denver this season, emerging as a true do-it-all defender with greatly increased scoring. What makes his profile even more compelling is that the offense is only part of the story, as his play driving and transition game have been elite, with his Fantasy Hockey Life skater card showing green across the board. Beyond the flashier contributions, he also projects to provide a high peripheral floor through blocks, shots, and hits, giving dynasty managers a well-rounded asset at a modest cost. For those willing to do the homework on under-the-radar college defenders, Pohlkamp is exactly the type of name worth targeting before the broader market catches up.

Sell Candidates

Luca Cagnoni, D

Cagnoni’s offensive production and puck-moving ability have made him one of the most exciting defense prospects in San Jose’s pipeline. His vision from the blue line and confidence running a power play have generated significant attention among dynasty managers, and the skillset is legitimate, though projecting it forward requires some caution. He was not drafted into the WHL but quickly became a star with the Portland Winterhawks after a tryout, which ultimately led to his selection by the Sharks in the fourth round. At five-foot-nine, his size was, and still is, a concern, but he compensates with high-end hockey intelligence and competitiveness. Unlike many smaller defenders, he transitioned to the AHL immediately, a strong early signal that helped earn him six NHL games last season.

Offensive defensemen with this profile often depend heavily on deployment and freedom to create, and as competition increases, time and space shrink quickly. His Hockey Prospecting model now places him at a 72% chance of becoming a star, though lofty comparables such as Seth Jones, Charlie McAvoy, and Adam Fox are far from likely outcomes. From a roster construction standpoint, San Jose does not yet have a long-term power-play quarterback in place, which creates opportunity, though it would not be surprising if they address that externally. With Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson the only defensemen signed beyond this season, there is organizational flexibility, but also uncertainty. If another manager is already valuing Cagnoni at his upper projection, this may represent an ideal window to sell, particularly given that his fantasy value may ultimately lean more on opportunity than guaranteed role.

Sam Dickinson, D

Dickinson possesses many of the traits NHL organizations value in modern defensemen. He combines size, mobility, and puck-moving ability while defending with physical presence, a toolkit that on paper suggests a highly projectable NHL blueliner capable of handling significant minutes. He has already carved out a meaningful role on a surprisingly competitive Sharks roster this season, though notably with the lowest average time on ice among their defensemen. That usage begins to make more sense when paired with his underlying performance, where flashes of offensive contribution have been offset by inconsistent reads and decision-making that have driven below-average defensive results.

The fantasy projection, however, remains less certain. Defensemen with Dickinson’s profile often require extended development time as they adjust to the pace and processing demands of the professional game, and without consistent power-play deployment, his statistical ceiling may resemble that of a dependable real-life defender more than a fantasy-impact asset. The current defensive inconsistencies are unlikely to be tolerated long term, especially as the Sharks transition toward contention, which could continue to limit his ice time. If another manager is projecting Dickinson as a future number-one defenseman in San Jose, that level of optimism may present an opportunity to extract strong value in a trade.

Quentin Musty, LW

Musty entered the Sharks system with considerable momentum after producing impressive offensive numbers in junior hockey, with his combination of size and skill suggesting the foundation of a potential power forward capable of generating NHL offense. He has made a solid transition to the professional level this season, though his pNHLe has dipped below 60, reinforcing some of the uncertainty in his projection. Much of Musty’s earlier production came in favorable offensive deployments and strong supporting environments, and as competition increases, players whose scoring is tied closely to usage can face a more difficult adjustment. The live and statistical profile is beginning to point toward a player who contributes offensively, but perhaps not as a primary driver.

From a fantasy perspective, the range of outcomes remains wide, with comparables spanning from Nick Suzuki to Ridly Greig, though his current trajectory appears closer to the latter. That still carries value, particularly in multi-category formats, but may fall short of initial expectations tied to a top-six scoring role. If his dynasty valuation still reflects that higher-end projection, this may represent a strong opportunity to sell and capture maximum return before his role solidifies as more complementary than focal.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Igor Chernyshov	Buy	Versatile offensive winger with rising opportunity
Michael Misa	Buy	Elite center prospect and franchise cornerstone
Eric Pohlkamp	Buy	Undervalued forward with quietly improving upside
Luca Cagnoni	Sell	Offensive defenseman whose hype may be peaking
Sam Dickinson	Sell	Strong NHL projection but uncertain fantasy ceiling
Quentin Musty	Sell	Power winger whose production may be usage-dependent

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #1

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:48:51 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: The artwork on the mask of San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov (30) is shown prior to the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks, held on January 21, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 1st (May 2025 - 2nd)
GM: Mike Grier Hired: July 2022
COACH: Ryan Warsofsky Hired: June 2024

Despite finishing last in the league in 2024-25, the Sharks iced a lineup filled with electrifying young talent that included Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, and others. All of whom deliver fast-paced excitement every night.

Even with two of the league’s premier prospects now graduated, San Jose’s pipeline remains a juggernaut. Their top 15 list still features multiple elite names, with more ready to turn pro as early as next season.

Leading that charge is Michael Misa, selected second overall in 2025. His dazzling offensive instincts make him the new crown jewel of the system, perfectly complementing an already talented young core. The draft haul didn’t stop there, as the Sharks also added the top goaltender available in Joshua Ravensbergen to bolster the crease, while second-rounders Haoxi Wang (a raw but mobile defender) and Cole McKinney (a mature two-way center) provide depth and balance for the future.

On defense, Sam Dickinson continues to headline. Fresh off another dominant OHL season with the London Knights, the 19-year-old captured the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league’s top defenseman after posting 90 points and a league-best +64 rating. Still too young for the AHL, his draft-plus-two season will be closely watched.

Behind him, a trio of OHL standouts—Quentin Musty, Kasper Halttunen, and Igor Chernyshov—are poised to make the jump to the Barracuda in 2025-26. They’ll join a talented AHL roster already housing breakout performers like Luca Cagnoni, Collin Graf, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Filip Bystedt, and Jack Thompson, all of whom have taken major steps forward. Add in Eric Pohlkamp, who continues to shine at the University of Denver, and the depth stretches across every position.

Perhaps the most significant addition came via trade, when GM Mike Grier landed Yaroslav Askarov—McKeen’s top-ranked goaltending prospect. Together with Ravensbergen, San Jose suddenly boasts one of the strongest long term creases in the NHL.

The Sharks are still in the rebuilding phase, but the pieces are quickly aligning. With Celebrini, Smith, Eklund, and now Misa leading the charge, plus a wave of support talent on the way, San Jose’s future is brimming with excitement. The next step may involve flipping futures for win-now help, but regardless, the foundation is in place for a rapid rise back up the standings.

San Jose Sharks Top-15 Prospects

1 - Michael Misa

While there’s no doubt that San Jose would have loved to have won the lottery this year, picking Michael Misa second was a terrific consolation prize. Misa is the complete package as a forward and projects a top line forward and perennial all-star. He’s a dynamic offensive player thanks to his skating ability and high-end skill. However, with his frame and aggressive mentality, he also should develop into a quality two-way player at the NHL level too. Best of all, Misa can play any forward position and that gives San Jose some serious flexibility moving forward as they figure out where they want to slot in some of their other young stars. The reigning Red Tilson Trophy winner (as the OHL’s most outstanding player), Misa will compete for a roster spot in San Jose this training camp. He probably has a 50/50 shot of cracking the roster. If he’s not in San Jose, Misa likely returns to the OHL where he’ll try to lead Saginaw back to the Memorial Cup.

2 - Sam Dickinson

The Sharks have to be ecstatic about how Dickinson’s draft plus one year went in London, as he found yet another level, emerging as one of, if not the top blueliner in the OHL. If not for missed time due to the World Juniors, he would have unquestionably hit the 30-goal plateau, which is thanks to his booming point shot and ability to join the rush. He’s such an impressive skater for a bigger defender too, which allows him to be everywhere on the ice. He can take liberties with the puck because he recovers well. However, his off-puck decision making really improved this year; he was picking better times to jump up or pinch to make things happen offensively. So, what are the next steps? Firstly, there’s a need for Dickinson to continue to improve his physical intensity level in the defensive end; he needs to use his size to clear the crease and win those 50/50 battles more consistently. Secondly, he still needs to clean up his puck play under pressure; his skating won’t consistently get him out of trouble the way that it does in the OHL. Given his progression and fantastic physical tools, Dickinson has the chance to be a top pairing defender for the Sharks. He also has a chance of cracking their roster next season, as he may have outgrown the OHL.

3 - Yaroslav Askarov

Askarov is undoubtedly one of the most talented goalies seen in the past decade. His athleticism is on a world-class level, and one would be hard-pressed to find five who are more athletic. His agility, flexibility, and explosiveness, from his knees are as good as it gets. It has led Askarov to play a flashy, aggressive, and high-octane style of play. This has its benefits and weaknesses. Often, it means there’s a lack of body control, leading to excessive movement. This is an area Askarov has struggled in for some time, but he is showing improvement. His dominance in the AHL and solid demonstration that he can hang in the NHL on the league’s worst team are representative of this fact. He makes incredible saves consistently and, in doing so, generates a lot of momentum for himself and his team. He’s hard to beat laterally and even backdoor, something invaluable. With how his progression has been, Askarov likely will be a full-time NHL goalie next year, and his potential to be a future Vezina winner can’t be overstated.

4 - Igor Chernyshov

Simply put, Chernyshov tore apart the OHL this past year upon returning from a shoulder injury at the end of January. His 2.39 points per game were by far the best in the league as he formed a dynamic partnership with now Shark top prospect Michael Misa. Chernyshov is a dynamic attacker in transition. With his size, skill, and speed, OHL defenders truly couldn’t slow him down. His playmaking ability really stood out in his limited OHL time. He shows poise with the puck and is more than just a head down, straight line attacker. His off puck play also stood out positively in his time with Saginaw; he is hungry for the puck and works hard to earn his touches. Next year, he will turn pro and play in the AHL and it will be interesting to compare and contrast the rookie pro years of Musty and Chernyshov. They have similar projections as top six power wingers, but an argument could be made that Chernyshov’s game is more refined and pro ready.

5 - Quentin Musty

Things didn’t really go according to plan for Musty this past year and the Sharks can’t be happy about how his final year of junior played out. He started the season holding out from the Sudbury Wolves in hopes of forcing a trade. That did not occur. Then, when the holdout ended, he broke his hand and missed a significant chunk of time. These two occurrences kept Musty to only 33 games. Offensively, he was a difference maker when he did play. He has the skill and touch to be a high scoring NHL player. However, his off puck play and physical intensity returned to being inconsistent this past season after some growth the previous year. Was this a lost year of development? You could probably make that argument. However, Musty remains a top prospect for the Sharks. If they can harness his talent and improve the finer details in his game, he can be a key part of their rebuild. At this point, he will probably need at least a season in the AHL before he’s NHL ready.

6 - Shakir Mukhamadullin

A somewhat controversial first-round selection among scouting circles back in 2020, and subsequently acquired by the Sharks, Mukhamadullin has developed just fine through two professional seasons in North America. The big defender has shown promise at both ends and played well for San Jose this past year, leading one to believe that he could be a full time NHL defender next year. His decision making, with and without the puck, has improved greatly since being drafted. He has simplified his approach and learned to make quicker decisions with the puck. Yet, his high-end mobility and flashes of skill suggest that he does still possess offensive potential for the NHL level. The true scope of his NHL capabilities is not yet known. In that sense, he’s still a project that is developing. However, San Jose has to be quite happy with the results thus far.

7 - Joshua Ravensbergen

Joshua Ravensbergen has the best raw upside of any goalie since Sebastian Cossa. Towering at 6-foot-5, his level of athleticism shouldn’t be possible. His skating, quickness, agility, flexibility, and explosiveness are hardly ever seen in undersized goalies, let alone those at his height. Combining his frame, athleticism, mobility, and flexibility with his extreme competitiveness, you have a goaltender who covers more net and ground than most goalies to ever step on the ice much like Askarov. He’s an aggressive and flashy goalie giving him similar composure issues to Askarov and can have some mental lapses as well. To find success in the NHL he will need many reps practicing patience and playing with more precision. Goalies like Ravensbergen don’t turn into NHLers overnight, but they certainly don’t grow on trees either. It will take him a decent amount of time to hit his potential, but if he does, the Sharks could easily have two elite goalies on their hands in the future.

8 - Luca Cagnoni

Sometimes you just have to admit that you were wrong on a prospect and that’s looking like something we’ll have to do at McKeen’s. We were skeptical of his ability to translate his skill set to the pro game, but thankfully for the Sharks organization, he has proven us wrong. After a tremendous first professional season, no prospect in the game has seen their star rise more. Similar to the likes of Lane Hutson or Olen Zellweger, Cagnoni is so effective offensively because of his ability to blend strong four-way mobility with quick hands. He routinely escapes pressure inside the offensive zone and helps breakdown coverage; he is a top shelf play creator. However, his defensive game hasn’t been as poor as some (including us) expected it to be as a pro. He’s been more than adequate in his own end and, when combined with his outstanding on puck play, it has altered Cagnoni’s projection to make him a possible top four defender and first unit power play quarterback.

9 - Filip Bystedt

Bystedt’s first full season in North America is probably best categorized as average. He flashed some ability to be a competent middle six forward for San Jose in the future, but he also struggled with injuries and consistency at the AHL level with the Barracuda. Bystedt’s speed can play on North American ice. He can play that north-south game with effectiveness. One of the hallmarks of his game has previously been his ability to control the wall and work as a playmaker coming off the cycle, but he needs to bulk up further to be consistently successful in that regard at the AHL and NHL levels. The good news is that with San Jose’s prospect depth, there’s no reason or need to rush Bystedt. They can allow him to fill out and slowly gain confidence, with a look to 2026 as a possible arrival time, depending on how his development goes.

10 - Eric Pohlkamp

One of the most underrated prospects outside of the NHL, Pohlkamp has long been a favourite of the McKeen’s scouting team, dating back to our aggressive ranking of him in our 2023 draft rankings (127th). Since winning the USHL’s defenceman of the year award in 2023, he’s done nothing but improve, including a great sophomore season in the NCAA with Denver last year. This year, he’ll have the keys to the Denver offence with Zeev Buium turning pro and this could make him a Hobey Baker candidate. Pohlkamp has a unique tool kit, highlighted by a big point shot and strong offensive instincts. His decision making and defensive game have made great strides at the NCAA level thus far and it has really improved his NHL projection. Look for him to play his junior year at Denver and then turn pro, perhaps even getting in some NHL games late in the season if his NCAA year goes as well as we expect it to.

11 - Collin Graf

Graf was five points shy of being a point per game player in the AHL, and flashed some intriguing offensive potential when called up to the NHL. He has a solid skating base and a long reach that allows him to stickhandle through defenders in transition. The tools are all there for him to become an NHL regular as soon as this season.

12 - Kasper Halttunen

Halttunen’s shot is the headline grabber, allowing him to post an impressive 15 goals in 17 games during London’s post-season run. The shot is powerful and accurate, which gives him serious power play potential in the NHL. However, the rest of his game will need to take a step forward, particularly on the skating front, which is currently of the slower variety. He’ll get the chance to put it all together in the AHL this year.

13 - Cam Lund

Lund joined the Sharks at the end of the season once his collegiate campaign had concluded and did not look out of place thanks to his pro frame and hockey sense. Lund might not have the flashiest tools, but his game screams that of a long-time pro. The AHL will likely be his starting point this fall, but that may not last too long.

14 - Cole McKinney

McKinney brings a relentless style to the ice despite his average size, along with some skill to boot. He had a fantastic offensive season with the NTDP and will make the jump to college hockey at Michigan this season to round out his game.

15 - Jack Thompson

Thompson got a prolonged NHL audition last season and showed promise as a puck mover. However, like most on the Sharks roster, he struggled defensively. San Jose added a number of veterans to their back end, so he’ll have to fight an NHL job during training camp.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #2 SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:15:17 +0000

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San Jose 25 Prospects

2023 NHL DRAFT: Round by round review – Brock Otten’s favourite picks and questionable selections.

Brock Otten — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:19:13 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 28: An NHL microphone setup for press conferences during the Upper Deck NHL Draft, June 28, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire)

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone. I was fortunate enough to be in Nashville for the event, representing McKeen’s. Covering the draft is always such a whirlwind, as you try to balance conversations and social media analysis, while paying attention to each and every selection. Every year, when I reflect back on the draft, especially day two, it seems like I come across a few players that make me say, “wait…they got drafted!”

The draft itself also represents the conclusion of a season’s worth of hard work. It’s not just the draft guide. It’s all the coverage leading up to that; live viewings, video work, reports, notes, etc. This year, 99 out of McKeen’s Hockey’s Top 100 were drafted. While the accuracy of an independent scouting organization’s coverage is not truly assessed until five or ten years down the line (in comparison to actual NHL draft position), the immediate feedback given by that sort of parallel (with the opinion of NHL scouts) is encouraging and fulfilling.

So, let’s talk about my review of the draft. Chase Rochon, who was with me in Nashville, has written a comprehensive article that ranks and grades the performance of each team through his lens. I’m going to be doing something a little different. For each round, I’m going to highlight my two favourite picks and the pick that I have the most questions about. I’m also going to highlight five of my favourite players who went unselected this year.

Round One

Favourite Selection - Oliver Moore, 19th to Chicago

The opinions on Moore’s offensive upside vary. But at 19th, even if he only ends up as an Andrew Cogliano type role player, the value is great. But, if he does end up as a Dylan Larkin type, it suddenly becomes one of the best, if not the best pick in the first round. The best skater in the draft and one of the better defensive forwards in the draft, Moore was a personal favourite of ours at McKeen’s.

Favourite Selection - Ryan Leonard, 8th to Washington

Simply put, I would have taken Leonard earlier than this and preferred him to a few of the players who went ahead of him. Every year we look around the NHL playoffs and see teams finding success because of players like Leonard. This is someone who can have a similar impact in the league to the Tkachuk brothers. Leonard can really do it all on the ice; his game is so mature and consistent. This is the perfect selection for a team who wants to keep their competitive window open. Leonard may only need one year in the NCAA with Boston College.

Questionable Selection - Charlie Stramel, 21st to Minnesota

I know that his season in Wisconsin didn’t go according to plan, but why were NHL scouts so willing to give him a pass for poor play when they weren’t willing to do the same for the likes of Cam Allen or Caden Price. Because he’s a big, athletic pivot? So is a guy like David Edstrom and he went later in the first, despite showing a much steeper development curve than Stramel. If I was the Wild, I would be doing everything in my power to get him out of Wisconsin next year and into the WHL, where his power game would be highly appreciated.

Round Two

Favourite Selection - Lukas Dragicevic, 57th to Seattle

I’m far from a Dragicevic hype man. I think his game is flawed and I didn’t think he deserved to be a first-round pick (unlike others on the McKeen’s team). However, in the late second round? The upside is well worth the risk outside of the top 50. Seattle is a team that has drafted extremely well, and they could afford to bank on Dragicevic’s insanely high offensive potential. They drafted Ty Nelson last year and his defensive game made great strides this year. Dragicevic can do the same.

Favourite Selection - Danny Nelson, 49th to New York Islanders

Nelson was one of the most improved players in the second half of the draft year after switching to pivot full time and emerging at the U.S. shutdown center on the U18 team. He’s got size. He’s athletic. His on puck play and scoring ability improved greatly over the year. Is he someone that is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential? Did playing behind two unreal centers in Smith and Moore hide his abilities?

Questionable Selection - Brady Cleveland, 47th to Detroit

Quite frankly, I just feel that there were better defenders on the board still at this pick. I don’t see the upside with Cleveland. I think he can be an NHL defender in some capacity. He is a physical rock in the defensive end. But I don’t see the mobility or skill that would lead to him playing a significant role for Detroit in the future. This is especially true since I believe Detroit drafted a better shut down type in Andrew Gibson only a few picks earlier.

Jacob Fowler

Round Three

Favourite Selection - Nick Lardis, 67th to Chicago

We ranked Lardis 32nd fully knowing that he would end up falling a bit in the draft. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with it. Lardis was one of the OHL’s best players in the second half and in the first round of the playoffs. His speed is electric, and his shot will play. Other parts of his game will need to improve, but the upside is quite high. He could be a great linemate to Connor Bedard in the future.

Favourite Selection - Jacob Fowler, 69th to Montreal

I’ve said many times on social media and in work for McKeen’s, that Fowler is my favourite netminder in the class. He’s like DJ Khaled, all he does is win. He was terrific in the USHL this year. He was terrific at the WJAC’s. He is so composed and focused in the crease. Sure, there is a need for him to improve his quickness and agility, but that can happen in the NCAA with Boston College, where he could start for a great team and be a Mike Richter contender as a freshman.

Questionable Selection - Emil Pieniniemi, 91st to Pittsburgh

Simply put, we didn’t see the upside with Pieniniemi. We ranked him 191st for a reason. The profile grades out about average across the board and that screams projection concerns. What is he at the next level? I may have been able to put all of Pittsburgh’s selections in my questionable selection spot, if I’m being honest.

Round Four

Favourite Selection - Larry Keenan, 117th to Detroit

In reality, the third or fourth round was probably the right spot for Keenan to go. He’s a major long-term project. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t love the pick. A similar player in Sam Rinzel went in the first-round last year. Keenan combines size, mobility, and skill together to give him outstanding upside if everything hits. I also love that he is heading to Penticton and then UMass, two outstanding programs. His development will be in good hands.

Favourite Selection - Luca Pinelli, 114th to Columbus

I wasn’t as high on Pinelli as some of my contemporaries who cover the OHL, but even I can admit that this was terrific value for Pinelli. If his quickness improves, he could be a really good middle six player at the NHL level; someone who can bring serious versatility to a coach in the future. His motor never quits and his vision/sense in the offensive end is high end.

Questionable Selection - Konnor Smith, 97th to Anaheim

The allure of Smith is that he’s a mammoth defender who plays an ultra-aggressive defensive game. He’s a real throwback to yesteryears. But the mobility, puck skill, and puck management will all need to improve drastically in order for him to be an NHL player. Other similar defenders have been taken out of the CHL in recent years and many have not even been signed. Inside the top 100, I would have had many other preferences…especially if the target was a potential shut down type.

Round Five

Favourite Selection - Cam Allen, 136th to Washington

Allen did not have a great year, there’s no denying that. But he was arguably the top defender available heading into this season. He still has upside, even if his decision making leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully an offseason reset, in combination with consultation from NHL coaches at development, helps to get him back on the right track. In the fifth round, you won’t find better value.

Favourite Selection - Eric Pohlkamp, 132nd to San Jose

The USHL defenseman of the year award is a pretty prestigious one to win. Guys like Owen Power, Neal Pionk, Brandon Montour, and Jeff Petry have won it in recent years. Pohlkamp is a very interesting player. His game does need a fair amount of refinement; it can be very erratic. However, he also has some very good tools, including mobility, a mammoth point shot, and a physically aggressive approach. He’ll be able to take on an immediate top four role in Bemidji State next year and we should get an idea pretty quickly as to how well his game translates to the NCAA level.

Questionable Selection - Melvin Strahl, 156th to Columbus

Strahl is a goaltender who wasn’t on our radar this year. In fact, I don’t think he was really on the radar of any independent scouting organization. For good reason it would appear too, as he struggled in the J20 this season, even getting demoted to the J18 level. I would have definitely preferred a handful of other netminders at this spot, if goaltending was the target.

Jeremy Hanzel. Photo by Brian Liesse.

Round Six

Favourite Selection - Jeremy Hanzel, 187th to Colorado

Our Western scouts at McKeen’s loved Hanzel as one of the top re-entry guys available this year. He was outstanding for Seattle through the season and into the playoffs/Memorial Cup. On a Thunderbirds team that was stacked with NHL talent, Hanzel was often the team’s best defender. I would be shocked if he returns to the WHL for his overage season. He could have an immediate pro impact similar to Ryker Evans.

Favourite Selection - Filip Eriksson, 165th to Montreal

Kind of a random one here as there were a bunch of great value picks in the sixth round. We actually didn’t even have Eriksson ranked, but I would have had him ranked on my own list. He didn’t play a ton this year due to injury, but he was good at the J20 level and even looked comfortable in the SHL in a cup of coffee. The athletic tools need to improve, but the IQ will play. Can the speed and strength improve as he plays more? These are the types of players you take in the later rounds.

Questionable Selection - Yegor Yegorov, 176th to Calgary

Another questionable goaltending selection if you ask me. The stats weren’t terrific by MHL standards (to give you an idea, a .915 save percentage placed him 42nd among MHL goalies this year). He also was part of a three headed goalie platoon this year, posting the weakest stats of the three. Stats aren’t everything of course, but I love our Russian scouts and Yegorov really wasn’t someone who was brought to our attention by them. Again, give me Stephen Peck, Alexander Hellnemo, or Noah Erliden here over Yegorov.

Round Seven

Favourite Selection - Aiden Fink, 218th to Nashville

Fink piled up the accolades this year in the AJHL. He was the league’s MVP. He won the Centennial Cup. He was one of the best players at the WJAC’s. He’s small and he’s not a dynamic skater. That recipe was sure to make him fall. But in the seventh? That’s outstanding value for Fink, who has terrific offensive potential. Penn State will be a great spot for him too.

Favourite Selection - Tyler Peddle, 224th to Columbus

Mr. Irrelevant! Peddle took quite the mighty tumble thanks to a pretty indifferent season in the QMJHL this year on a middling Drummondville team. But he still has great power forward potential, particularly as a goal scorer. The athletic profile is interesting and at the back of the seventh round that could end up being a great pick for the Blue Jackets. The next Josh Anderson?

Questionable Selection - Sebastian Bradshaw, 221st to Dallas

Hard to truly argue against a seventh-round selection. They’re all longer shots. But Bradshaw is an interesting one. He’s a big kid, but he only played in the AYHL this year with Elite Hockey Academy, a school in Connecticut. He wasn’t the leading scorer on his team, and he didn’t exactly light up Ontario U16 and U18 before making the move south of the border. A London Knights U18 draft pick, Bradshaw seems headed to play for Brooks of the AJHL next year. A solid destination, no doubt, but I would have wanted to see him play at a higher level first. Especially given some of the players still on the board

Best of the Unselected

1. Francesco Dell’Elce - Defense, St. Andrew’s College, CISAA

This one shocked me. I knew that some scouts were concerned about his slight frame and defensive IQ, but I didn’t think that he’d go completely undrafted. His offensive potential from the blueline is through the roof and I think that alone was worth a late selection. He’ll have a great chance of being selected in the coming years. He’s going to play with BCHL powerhouse Penticton next year and then head to UMass after that. Strong play at either of those spots could put him on the re-entry radar over the next few drafts.

2. Stephen Peck - Goaltender, Avon Old Farms, USHS Prep

Another one that shocked me considering that both Slukynsky and Guimond were selected. Peck helped Avon Old Farms capture the New England Prep Championship this year and he was one of my favourite goaltenders eligible this year. Tracks the play really well and is incredibly composed in his crease. He’s got a scholarship to Michigan in his back pocket, but likely suits up in the USHL or NAHL next year.

3. Joe Connor - Center, Avon Old Farms, USHS Prep

Speaking of Prep champion Avon Old Farms, insert their leading scorer Joe Connor, who had a really good year for a Prep level player. He was good for the U.S. at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer. He played great in the prep circuit and was also solid in a cup of coffee in the USHL. Do I wish he were a more dynamic skater given his lack of size? Absolutely. But he competes hard in all areas of the ice, and I really like his odds of becoming a quality NCAA player for Northeastern in the future.

4. Hannes Hellberg - Wing, Leksands IF J20, J20 Nationell

In my opinion, Hellberg was one of the top re-entry guys available this year after he was named the J20’s top forward this year and led the J20 circuit in playoff scoring. Hellberg also only missed being first time draft eligible this year by a few weeks, with an early September birth date. He’s a big winger with a great goal scoring touch. I know that Hellberg already signed with HockeyAllsvenskan for next year, but I would have loved to see him come to the CHL to find success like Lucas Edmonds.

5. Ondrej Molnar - Wing, Erie Otters, OHL

Look, I understand why Molnar wasn’t selected. An undersized winger who had trouble getting inside the dots at the OHL level this year while playing for a bad team. Additionally, that floorball incident in Slovakia hangs over his head, forcing the move to the OHL and preventing him from competing internationally. Yet, this is also a player who came into the season as a first-round candidate because of his skill and ability to impact the game in transition. The offensive potential is still sky high.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – Second Chances: Top 10 re-entry candidates

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 14:59:58 +0000

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

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

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

Last year, four “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100; Dmitri Buchelnikov, Lucas Edmonds, Mikey Milne, and Aidan Thompson. In total there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Let’s take a look at our ten highest ranked “re-entry” players for 2023, in addition to some comments from our scouting staff.

Adam Gajan - Goaltender - Chippewa Steel (NAHL)

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

Jeremy Hanzel - Defense - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Hanzel has always been a toolsy blueliner with a lot of long-term upside, thanks to a rangy, fluid skating style, the ability to handle the puck well at full speed, and a frame that has room left to fill in. The problem has been him knowing how to maximize his tools and put everything together effectively and consistently. Perhaps playing on a Thunderbirds team with an embarrassment of riches prospect-wise has rubbed off on him, as his game has taken major strides from last season to this one. One of the biggest signs of his growth was how he played while talented teammate Kevin Korchinski was off at the World Juniors for a month, taking the larger slice of the pie with aplomb and producing 10 points in 11 games. It's also worth mentioning that the vast majority of his offense this season has come at even strength, as he doesn't get much cushy powerplay time. There's a lot to like about Hanzel, and even better, there's likely even more upside still that hasn't been tapped into yet. (Derek Neumeier)

Juha Jatkola - Goaltender - KalPa (Liiga)

In his final year of draft eligibility, the last calendar year has been a whirlwind for Jatkola. It started this summer at the make-up WJC’s, where he stole the Finnish starter’s role from Ottawa prospect Leevi Merilainen. It then carried over to Liiga, where Jatkola became a dependable starter at the age of 20 (he turns 21 later this September). Jatkola relies on his quickness and athleticism because he doesn’t have a massive frame (listed at 6 '1). His improvement over the last few years has been phenomenal and as long as he continues to be aggressive in the crease, he could have a bright future. (Brock Otten)

Austin Roest - Center - Everett Silvertips (WHL)

A top ten scorer in the WHL for half the year, Roest ended up finishing just outside the Top 20. Everett started the season without many of their top forwards from last year and eventually decided to become sellers before the trade deadline, creating an opening for others on the team to step up, and the son of former NHLer Stacy Roest thrived with the newfound opportunity. He's a well-rounded center who is making notable progress in a number of areas, including skating, finishing, playmaking, off-puck play and faceoffs. His offensive game doesn't quite pop as much as his scoring totals might suggest, but he plays a very mature, fleshed-out game that makes a positive difference in a variety of ways. If he can continue going down this path he'll keep increasing his odds of eventually carving out an NHL job as a plug-and-play forward, which are always useful to have on a roster. (Derek Neumeier)

Yegor Vinogradov - Center - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Last season was the debut season in the MHL for center Yegor Vinogradov and he played well, but considering his age, it was not especially impressive, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise that he went undrafted. This season, much due to his versatility, he made the Torpedo KHL roster right from the start, which is unusual for a young player, considering that he was trusted with a full-time role. Vinogradov did well in that role due to his combination of size, motor and skill. He’s a hard worker who plays a 200-foot game and he understands how to use his size to his advantage by driving the net to look for scoring opportunities. Upon being sent down to the MHL later in the year, Vinogradov showed that he can be an offensive leader too, as his contribution was a major reason for his team’s MHL championship victory. If he can translate that to the pro level too, the end result might be really interesting. (Viktor Fomich)

Egor Sidorov - Wing - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

The appeal of Sidorov as a prospect is almost comically straightforward: he's really, really good at scoring goals, and does it with incredible frequency. He's certainly not a Connor Bedard level goal-scorer (nobody in the WHL is, or might ever be again), but he's nevertheless one of the best in the league, finishing with 40 this season, following up his 23 tallies in 58 matches last year. And this is in spite of playing on a Blades team that isn't exactly great at setting him up for easy finishes. Give him the slightest bit of time and space to get a clean look and lean into his stick and the puck is almost always finding twine. He's also excellent in the preceding couple of seconds, dusting or dragging the puck into the precise shooting spot he likes. The big question is whether or not he'll ever get quick enough to adjust to the NHL level, where such time and space are rare luxuries, especially since everything else about his game is lacklustre — if he's not scoring, he's not contributing much. Still, a player like Sidorov is absolutely worth the gamble with a mid to late-round pick. (Derek Neumeier)

Alexander Hellnemo - Goaltender - Skellefteå AIK (SHL)

A classic late bloomer, Hellnemo has emerged as one of the top young goaltenders in Sweden a year after being passed over at the draft following a disappointing year at the J20 and J18 levels. He won five games in the SHL as a U19 player and was arguably one of the best goalies at the J20 level when he played there (if you ignore his disappointing playoff performance). Hellnemo is a pure stopper. His movements are very refined for a young netminder, and he’s got a great glove hand that helps him protect the upper portion of the net. Rebound control is a bit of an issue at this current time, but with his play tracking ability, he has the potential to be a netminder across the pond. (Brock Otten)

Cole Knuble - Wing/Center - Fargo Force (USHL)

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

Erik Pahlsson - Center - HV71 J20 (SWE)

The third leading scorer in the Swedish J20 league this year, Pahlsson finished with a better or equal points per game average than many NHL drafted players. An intelligent and crafty pivot, Pahlsson is an extremely well-rounded offensive player who consistently makes his linemates better. His edgework and agility are good, making him elusive, however there could be a need for him to improve his quickness to be an impactful pro in Sweden or across the pond. Regardless, given his high-end skill and offensive potential, it would be shocking to see him go unselected a second time around. (Brock Otten)

Eric Pohlkamp - Defense - Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL)

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

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – The McKeen’s team sleeper picks

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:47:12 +0000

One of the questions consistently asked of us on social media is “who are your favourite sleepers this year?” The concept of a draft “sleeper,” or a player currently flying under the radar is something that fascinates many draft followers. Everyone has their favourite, so we asked our scouting team to supply theirs! This article is included in our recently published McKeen's 2023 NHL Draft Guide. If you are not a subscriber check out more info here.

Brock Otten (Director of Scouting)

Joey Willis of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Joey Willis - Center - Saginaw Spirit

The stat line won’t wow you. The physical tools won’t wow you. Yet, this is a player who consistently passes the eye test. On a deep Saginaw team, he consistently found a way to be noticeable. He has strong two-way instincts, is creative, and is a really strong playmaker. This was Willis’ first year playing above the AAA level, so no wonder the physical tools are lagging behind. Lots of room for this player to grow with increased confidence.

Larry Keenan - Defense - Culver Academy

Keenan is a very raw defensive prospect from the prep scene. He’s going to require a ton of patience as his game adapts to playing at the higher levels. However, he may be one of the most electric skating defenders available this year and he’s 6’3. His athleticism is off the charts good, and he is headed to a program (UMass) with a great track record for developing defenders.

Eric Pohlkamp - Defense - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

For my money, one of…if not the best re-entry player available this year. The USHL’s defenseman of the year is just a really fun player to watch. He’ll need to alter a few things to adapt his game to the next level, but he has a really intriguing upside. His point shot is one of the best available this year. He skates well. He defends aggressively. The rapid progression he showed this year in his second USHL season was remarkable. He also looked great at the World Junior A Challenge playing against some pretty good other players.

Derek Neumeier (Assistant Director of Scouting)

Josh Van Mulligen — Defense — Medicine Hat Tigers

A person might see Van Mulligen's minuscule point totals from this season and assume that he's not a good prospect, but that would be unwise. His value is at the other end of the ice, disrupting the offensive efforts of the opposing teams. He combines his long reach with clean footwork in all directions to close gaps and get his stick in shooting lanes. His capacity as a puck transporter is improving too, and it could make a lot more progress down the road as he adds strength and power into his lower body. He has the tools to become a true defensive specialist in the NHL one day.

Isac Hedqvist — Wing — Luleå

Hedqvist flew under the radar this season because he didn't play for Sweden internationally, but he didn't look out of place in the SHL games that he dressed for, which measured him up well against his top countrymen in this year's draft class. He's a winger who overcomes his smaller stature by being smart, tenacious, and playing with a competitive edge. He's around the puck a lot with his efforts, and when he wins them, he knows how to drive them to the opposing net. With such great pro tendencies already, it bodes well for how his game will grow over time.

Vojtech Port — Defense — Edmonton Oil Kings

It's a real shame that Port suffered a season-ending injury with a lot of hockey left to go, because he was making a real statement with his play. The rebuilding Oil Kings were an unmitigated disaster all season, but the import Czech defender was unfazed and just kept chugging away, logging big minutes in all situations and doing a lot of positive things in his shifts. He knows how to use his large frame to his advantage, he skates and handles the puck well, and he isn't afraid to be a focal point for his team. There could be a lot of untapped potential here.

Adam Tate (Western Region Scout)

Ty Halaburda - Wing - Vancouver Giants

I wrote about Ty Halaburda back in December as a notable mid-round candidate and I’m still on the Halaburda Hype Train now. His Vancouver Giants were eliminated early in the playoffs, so he was added to Canada’s roster for the U-18’s in April. He had a decent tournament, but I think he’d be the first to tell you he didn’t play as well as he would’ve hoped. As for his outlook as a pro, his ceiling is likely as a bottom six winger, but I think he’ll be able to thrive there. His skating is his best trait, but I think his hockey awareness is good as well. There is the potential to provide some secondary scoring and penalty kill utility at the bottom of a team’s forward lineup.

Matej Deraj (Central European Scout)

Maroš Jedlička – W/C – HKM Zvolen, Slovakia

Jedlička is already a double overager and may even end up not being drafted again, but his game would fit perfectly on the North American ice. He is a physical winger with solid skating, offensive skills, and more than a solid size (6´2”, 201 lbs). He likes to drive to the net and finishes his checks. He´s been a key part of Zvolen´s offense in the Slovak top tier league for two years in a row and has drawn a lot of NHL interest. He projects as a middle-six physical winger with a scoring touch who is able to play on both special teams.

Chase Rochon (Video Scout)

Aiden Fink - Wing - Brooks Bandits

Aiden Fink is a unique prospect in this year's draft class mainly because he is one of the only players on our ranking coming from the AJHL playing for the Centennial Cup champion Brooks Bandits. Fink isn't only undervalued because of his strength in the league but also because of his smaller frame of 5’9”, 152lbs. These factors do not stop Fink's dynamic offensive ability as a high-paced winger with great offensive tools, which he uses to drive the net. Fink has a real knack for scoring goals and using his awareness to find open space to take advantage of his quick release.

Chapin Landvogt (Central European Scout)

Arno Tiefensee - Goaltender - Mannheim Adler - DEL

Imagine being a 6’4”, 190-pound goaltender by the time you’re 18, heading to the WJC, and then falling into anonymity after getting shellacked in two outings on the world stage. Like a phoenix out of the ashes, you get your shot in a top European pro league with a top address atage 20 - and you run with it. We mean, you go 13-10, pitch 3 shutouts, and rack up a 2.43 GAA and .910 save percentage. Then you’re the starter in the playoffs, dialing in for a 2.07 GAA and .914 save percentage in 12 outings. You’re even in heavy consideration for an appearance at the World Championships. Well, we’ve just described the story of the calm, collective, and focused Tiefensee, who’s likely coming to an NHL franchise near you this summer.

Joely Stockl (Ontario Regional Scout)

Easton Cowan - Wing - London Knights

Easton Cowan has been an intriguing player all season long, but his playoff performance offensively alongside Denver Barkey has been something to behold. The combination of his smarts and work ethic is what makes Cowan so unique in this draft class, and these are the two driving forces in his game. Cowan translates as a 200-foot utility player at the next level who can provide secondary scoring. He is a forward that can play on both special teams units, plays with undeniable energy, and will give 110% effort on every single play. His offensive production late in the season is giving teams a reason to call Cowan’s name earlier rather than later in this year’s NHL draft.

Mark Dube (U.S. and Video Scout)

Noah Dower Nilsson - Wing/Center - Frölunda HC J20

Dower Nilsson is coming off a very impressive season in the J20 Nationell finishing 7th in the league in scoring posting 54 points in 37 games, tops among all draft eligible players. He also had a solid U18 showing although playing a limited role on a pretty strong team. Dower Nilsson possesses that raw talent that if developed properly could turn out to be a great pick up for any NHL team that selects him. He has good compete and has some scoring upside which are two attributes that every GM loves in a prospect. It is easy to see him becoming a solid middle-six player.

Viktor Fomich (Russian Scout)

Bogdan Konyushkov - Defense - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

When a player is undrafted a couple of times already and is in his last year of draft eligibility, it takes something special for him to finally get noticed. If we look at the basic stat line it looks good, but not too special for defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov, which is likely the reason there isn’t much mainstream talk about him outside of Russia, yet even just pure stats can be more interesting if we look at those closer and at the right angle. First thing that stands out in case of Konyushkov is that despite his age he made his KHL debut just this season and actually led his KHL team in average ice time, as his cerebral game on both ends convinced coach Igor Larionov to immediately give him an opportunity for a leading role on the team. And if we look at advanced stats, those are telling that this trust paid off really well, as Konyushkov is among the league’s leaders in both completed pass amount and percentage, as well as in the puck battle win percentage — quite a debut season I’d say. As a bonus Konyushkov is right handed, just in case if everything described above isn’t convincing enough yet about him potentially being a very intriguing prospect for the coming draft.

Ethan Hetu (U.S. Regional Scout)

Will Vote - Wing - U.S. NTDP

5’7” and 159. Those are the two numbers that will hurt USNTDP forward Will Vote the most in the draft process. His height and weight, respectively, numbers that pose a real challenge to his pro projectability. The number that won’t hurt Vote one bit when scouts dig into his game in advance of the 2023 draft? 110. That’s the percentage effort Vote gives on every shift, and what makes him an intriguing sleeper candidate. He proved this year that he can thrive in a role as a complementary player, leveraging his work rate, hockey IQ, and shooting ability to elevate his linemates. Would his profile look a whole lot better if he had the type of standout skating scouts look for in players his size? Absolutely, but it’s hard to watch the kind of nightly game Vote plays and not expect him to find a way to make it work at more challenging levels of competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cole Knuble. Photo courtesy of the USHL.

USHL

Aaron Pionk - Defense - Waterloo Blackhawks

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

Zaccharya Wisdom - Wing - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

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

Nicholas Vantassell - Center - Green Bay Gamblers

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

Cole Knuble - Wing/Center - Fargo Force

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

Eric Pohlkamp - Defense - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

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

Sam Harris - Wing - Sioux Falls Stampede

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

Jack Harvey - Center/Wing - Chicago Steel

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

Michael Emerson - Wing - Chicago Steel

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

Jake Livanavage - Defense - Chicago Steel

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

Matthew Perkins - Center - Youngstown Phantoms

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

Max Lundgren - Goaltender - Des Moines Buccaneers

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

Cale Ashcroft - Defense - Tri-City Storm

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

Joe Palodichuk - Defense - Fargo Force

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

Andon Cerbone - Wing/Center - Youngstown Phantoms

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

Cameron Korpi - Goaltender - Tri-City Storm

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

Ethan Whitcomb - Wing - Muskegon Lumberjacks

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

Chase Pietila - Defense - Youngstown Phantoms

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

NCAA

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

Tyler Duke - Defense - Ohio State

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

Luke Mittelstadt - Defense - University of Minnesota

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

Matt Copponi - Center - Merrimack College

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

Davis Burnside - Wing - Ohio State

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

Bennett Schimek - Wing - Providence College

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

Charles-Alexis Legault - Defense - Quinnipiac University

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

Jacob Guevin - Defense - University of Nebraska-Omaha

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

NAHL

Adam Gajan - Goaltender - Chippewa Steel

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

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

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

Connor Bedard. Photo by Candice Ward.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PROSPECTS: 2023 USA Hockey BioSteel All American Game – 10 Standout Performances

Brock Otten and Mark Dube — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 20:27:03 +0000

The 2023 USA Hockey BioSteel All American Game took place recently in Plymouth, Michigan, the home of the NTDP. This event has taken place since 2012 and has become a staple in the scouting season. It features the top American prospects playing out of the USHL (including those at the NTDP). As an example, 24 players from last year’s event were drafted in the 2022 NHL Draft, including game MVP Rutger McGroarty, who was selected 14th overall by the Winnipeg Jets.

This year’s game saw potential top ten pick Will Smith take home game MVP honors as team Blue defeated team White by a score of 6-3. The NTDP’s top line of Smith, Ryan Leonard, and Gabe Perreault stole the show and paced team Blue to victory, while fellow NTDP’er Oliver Moore was a standout for team White, adding a goal. Our own Mark Dube was in attendance at the event in Plymouth, while scouting director Brock Otten caught the game on tape. Both have worked together to file a recap, listing their top five favourite players of this year’s BioSteel game.

Mark Dube’s Favourites

Trey Augustine (Team Blue, NTDP) - Goaltender

Augustine has become one of the early risers among draft eligible goaltenders this season due to his solid play with the U18 National Team Development Program, and impressive play at the World Junior Championships where, when given the opportunity, stepped in for the American squad and became their number one over the course of the tournament. At the Biosteel All American game he demonstrated his resiliency after letting in an uncharacteristic goal from the top of the circle, but in usual fashion recovered and shut the door for the remainder of his period of play. Augustine displays a combination of athleticism and poise in net and should be one of the early goaltender selections at the 2023 NHL Draft.

Andrew Strathmann (Team White, Youngstown) - Defenseman

Strathmann once again showed why he is one of the best mobile defenseman in this year’s draft with his play for team White during this game. He has an overabundance of confidence with the puck on his stick and is not averse to joining the rush, however, at times, this can be his Achilles heel, where attempts to force an offensive play can lead to him getting caught out of the play or getting passes intercepted. If Strathmann were to simplify his game and know when to press and when to sit back, it could see his stock rise on the draft boards. He is an excellent skater and this can help him recover and overcome some of his deficiencies, but there is still some work to be done.

Will Smith (Team Blue, NTDP) - Center

This was an unusually quiet game for Smith, highlight-wise that is. Nevertheless he finished the game with two goals and one assist. The Boston College commit used his high hockey IQ to set up plays and transition efficiently throughout the game, but at times attempted to force plays, which is uncharacteristic. The one thing that stands out and was noticeable in this game is Smith’s ability to regroup when options are not available. He reads the game so well that he can change the landscape on the ice by simply turning the play back and hitting the reset. Smith buried a nice one timer off a turnover and followed that up with a strong finish on a penalty shot attempt where he beat the goalie with a great shot low stick side. His only assist came on an empty net goal.

Ryan Leonard (Team Blue, NTDP) - Right Wing

Leonard is another Boston College commit who, in this game, demonstrated why he will be a top pick in the upcoming draft. He plays a well-rounded game and is always motoring when on the ice. His skating and balance are his forte, making it difficult for opponents to separate him from the puck. Leonard only contributed an empty net goal for team Blue, but was dangerous each time he was on the ice. His zone exits were especially productive this game and he used his speed and strength to take the puck to the middle of the ice on numerous occasions. Once in the offensive zone, Leonard was buzzing and had some chances in close, but couldn’t cash in on any of those opportunities. A solid game overall on his part though.

Gabe Perreault (Team Blue, NTDP) - Left Wing

Perreault currently leads the U18 NTDP team in scoring with 69 points in 36 games and although he didn’t show up on the score sheet for team Blue, he demonstrated flashes of brilliance when the puck was on his stick during this game. He was constantly a threat offensively and was setting up scoring chances when on the attack. There are parts of his game that need work and were evident during this game, specifically his skating and overall strength, which can be improved upon with maturity and training. Perrault’s hockey sense and IQ are excellent and he always seems to be in the right place, especially when on offense. He doesn’t rush plays and scans the ice with an astute eye, often making a perfect pass or using his skill to avoid contact and keep the play alive. Perreault will definitely be a first round pick and his name should be called sooner than later at the 2023 NHL Draft.

Brock Otten’s Favourites

Oliver Moore (Team White, NTDP) - Center

Moore has to be in contention as one of the draft’s elite skaters this year. Even though team Blue took home the victory, in my opinion Moore was the best player in the game. He’s such a dangerous offensive player because of the pace that he can play at. Every time he hit the ice, it seemed like he was creating a dangerous chance. His ability to blend his skating and his skill together makes him such a tough cover for junior aged defenders. Without question, there is a need to add strength to his frame. He can lose battles in the corners and he can be knocked off the puck when defended down low, but when he gets open ice, he really is dangerous. And with his speed, he’s great at creating that open ice for himself. Anytime I have watched the NTDP this year, Moore has looked the part of a potential lottery pick and this game was no exception.

Jacob Fowler (Team White, Youngstown) - Goaltender

If you recall, Fowler was one of my favourites at the World Junior A Challenge, an event that I recapped a month or so ago. Fowler backstopped the U.S. to a gold medal in Cornwall and I obviously had high expectations for him heading into the BioSteel game. He met those expectations. Stopping 12 of 13 through a period and a half, Fowler kept this game close early on. There is such an economical quality to his play and movement. He always seems to be in the right place and he does a great job controlling his rebounds. At 6’2, with good athleticism and play tracking ability, Fowler looks the part of a future NHL netminder. I believe that he’s right in the mix with Augustine and Hrabal as a potential top two round selection this year.

Aram Minnetian (Team Blue, NTDP) - Defense

Minnetian had a really good game for Team Blue on the backend. For my money, he’s the top draft eligible defender on the NTDP this year. While the consistency of his defensive game has wavered in my views of the NTDP, he’s almost always noticeable as a puck mover because of his quickness and four way mobility. He’s aggressive in activating off the blueline and he is great at working his way around the first layer of pressure, which helps to cause breakdowns in coverage. That was certainly the case in this year’s BioSteel game. He had a couple nice rushes. He had a couple of really nice holds at the offensive blueline. Minnetian had a strong game in the defensive end too as he was aggressive in using his mobility to put pressure on puck carriers early and he did a great job of making quick decisions with the puck to help start the breakout. I have a feeling that Minnetian will be a late season riser as scouts get a better read on this year’s NTDP class heading towards the U18’s.

Eric Pohlkamp (Team Blue, Cedar Rapids) - Defense

Pohlkamp is quickly becoming one of my favourite players eligible for this year’s draft. Passed over in last year’s draft, he’s become one of the best blueliners in the USHL. If you recall, I had great things to say about him after his performance at the WJAC’s and I thought he was the best defender in this BioSteel game too. His game is unquestionably a bit chaotic. He will have to reign things in a bit at the college and pro levels, but I find his skill set fascinating. I love the mobility. I love his ability to quarterback the point. I love how aggressive he is defensively. He made several terrific defensive plays in this game by taking the body early and closing off space, helping to separate his man from the puck. And each of these plays resulted in a significant scoring chance the other way in transition. Again, he can take himself out of position at times because of how he can chase the play, but the right coach is going to be able to make a great pro prospect out of Pohlkamp.

Alex Weiermair (Team Blue, NTDP) - Center

There’s something really intriguing about Weiermair for me. I find myself drawn to him anytime I watch the NTDP and it was much the same in this game. His combination of length and speed is impressive. He can have a real profound impact on the game as a transitional attacker. The problem is, a lot of the time these rushes don’t end up with much in the way of a serious scoring chance. Defensively, his athleticism makes him a candidate to be a really good shutdown center. However, he needs to be more consistently dialed in physically. He had a couple really good shifts in this game and then was not noticeable during many others. I’m uncertain about the upside. I’m uncertain of the skill level and finishing ability. But, I have a lot of time for these types of players in the mid to late rounds. The raw physical tools are there. It’s about developing the rest of his game. And in recent years, the program at Denver under David Carle has done just that.

Eric Pohlkamp – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: Victor Nuño – Dynasty Stock Watch – San Jose Sharks Edition

McKeen's Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

San Jose Sharks Edition

Team Outlook

Buy Candidates

Igor Chernyshov, LW

Michael Misa, C

Eric Pohlkamp, D

Sell Candidates

Luca Cagnoni, D

Sam Dickinson, D

Quentin Musty, LW

Summary

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #1

San Jose Sharks Top-15 Prospects

1 - Michael Misa

2 - Sam Dickinson

3 - Yaroslav Askarov

4 - Igor Chernyshov

5 - Quentin Musty

6 - Shakir Mukhamadullin

7 - Joshua Ravensbergen

8 - Luca Cagnoni

9 - Filip Bystedt

10 - Eric Pohlkamp

11 - Collin Graf

12 - Kasper Halttunen

13 - Cam Lund

14 - Cole McKinney

15 - Jack Thompson

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #2 SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

2023 NHL DRAFT: Round by round review – Brock Otten’s favourite picks and questionable selections.

Round One

Round Two

Round Three

Round Four

Round Five

Round Six

Round Seven

Best of the Unselected

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – Second Chances: Top 10 re-entry candidates

Adam Gajan - Goaltender - Chippewa Steel (NAHL)

Jeremy Hanzel - Defense - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Juha Jatkola - Goaltender - KalPa (Liiga)

Austin Roest - Center - Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Yegor Vinogradov - Center - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Egor Sidorov - Wing - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Alexander Hellnemo - Goaltender - Skellefteå AIK (SHL)

Cole Knuble - Wing/Center - Fargo Force (USHL)

Erik Pahlsson - Center - HV71 J20 (SWE)

Eric Pohlkamp - Defense - Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL)

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – The McKeen’s team sleeper picks

Brock Otten (Director of Scouting)

Joey Willis - Center - Saginaw Spirit

Larry Keenan - Defense - Culver Academy

Eric Pohlkamp - Defense - Cedar Rapids Roughriders

Derek Neumeier (Assistant Director of Scouting)

Josh Van Mulligen — Defense — Medicine Hat Tigers

Isac Hedqvist — Wing — Luleå

Vojtech Port — Defense — Edmonton Oil Kings

Adam Tate (Western Region Scout)

Ty Halaburda - Wing - Vancouver Giants

Matej Deraj (Central European Scout)

Maroš Jedlička – W/C – HKM Zvolen, Slovakia

Chase Rochon (Video Scout)

Aiden Fink - Wing - Brooks Bandits

Chapin Landvogt (Central European Scout)

Arno Tiefensee - Goaltender - Mannheim Adler - DEL

Joely Stockl (Ontario Regional Scout)

Easton Cowan - Wing - London Knights

Mark Dube (U.S. and Video Scout)

Noah Dower Nilsson - Wing/Center - Frölunda HC J20

Viktor Fomich (Russian Scout)

Bogdan Konyushkov - Defense - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Ethan Hetu (U.S. Regional Scout)

Will Vote - Wing - U.S. NTDP

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

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

USHL