Etienne Morin – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #13

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:39:55 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 13th (May 2025 - 11th)
GM: Craig Conroy Hired: May 2023
COACH: Ryan Huska Hired: June 2023

The Calgary Flames continue to benefit from the impact of a stellar 2024 draft, which injected 10 new prospects into the system—four of whom landed in McKeen’s top 200. Even with a slight dip in our rankings, Calgary’s pipeline remains one of the strongest assets in GM Craig Conroy’s rebuild, combining high-end talent with promising depth.

Leading the charge is Zayne Parekh, the first OHL defenseman in over a decade to hit the 100-point mark, a feat last achieved by Ryan Ellis. Parekh capped his draft-plus-one season with a one-game NHL call-up, scoring his first goal on a net-front deflection. Ranked fifth among McKeen’s defensive prospects, the dynamic right-handed blueliner looks poised for a prolific NHL career.

The 2025 draft brought further reinforcements, with Calgary adding two significant pieces to its prospect core: Cullen Potter and Cole Reschny, who now sit second and third in the organizational rankings behind Parekh.

The AHL’s Calgary Wranglers are teeming with talent ready to challenge for NHL jobs. Rory Kerins, William Strömgren, Jeremie Poirier, Samuel Honzek, and Hunter Brzustewicz all made notable strides, with Kerins, Honzek, and Brzustewicz already getting NHL minutes.

In junior, Jacob Battaglia broke out with a 90-point season in 68 games for the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), cementing himself as a forward on the rise. Meanwhile, 2024 second-rounder Andrew Basha looked primed for a breakout WHL season before injuries slowed his draft-plus-one campaign.

With Parekh nearing NHL readiness, multiple AHLers pushing for roster spots, and a steady stream of junior standouts on the horizon, the Flames’ prospect system remains a cornerstone of their rebuild. If Conroy can continue to balance patient development with timely opportunities, Calgary could see its next competitive window arrive sooner than expected.

Calgary Flames Top-15 Prospects

1 - Zayne Parekh

The first OHL defender to hit the 100-point mark since Ryan Ellis did over a decade ago. That’s a pretty significant accomplishment, especially when you consider all the talent that has passed through Ontario during that time. It’s a testament to Parekh’s skill and vision. Few control the offensive blueline the way that he does. In the same way that Lane Hutson has taken the NHL by storm with Montreal, Parekh consistently creates offence; he routinely escapes pressure to get pucks on net or to the middle of the ice thanks to the way his feet work in sync with his hands. Parekh has taken a positive step forward as a defensive player too. He’ll never be mistaken for Chris Chelios, but he’s worked hard to become tougher to play against and he only needs to be passable in the defensive end given what he can do with the puck. No offence to Mackenzie Weegar or Rasmus Andersson, but this is Calgary’s power play quarterback sooner, rather than later.

2 - Cullen Potter

Fewer prospects were more fun to watch than Arizona State’s Cullen Potter this past season. Bursting on the NCAA scene with his exhilarating speed, stick skill, and shot, Potter proved his doubters wrong and had a successful freshman year in college despite his size. Due to the role he filled on the Sun Devils’ power play and in transition on five-on-five, Potter will only see an increase in points and overall offensive power in a bigger role in Tempe next season. Combining all of his offensive upside with his relentless motor in all three zones of the ice, we had no choice but to rank him as the Flames’ second-best prospect, notably ahead of Cole Reschny, who was drafted ahead of him. When talking about his NHL upside, it is imperative to bring up that Cullen Potter is just a shade under 5-foot-10, so it will be more of an uphill climb for him to be a mainstay in Calgary. There will also need to be some rounding out in his offensive game, specifically in his passing game. However, after examining the full package, Cullen Potter looks like a potentially special prospect for the up-and-coming Calgary Flames.

3 - Cole Reschny

The newest top prospect in the organization's pipeline, Reschny made all kinds of sense as Calgary's target with their first pick in the 2025 draft. Not only is he a true center, which filled the biggest hole that the organization had in their prospect pipeline, his high character and blue collar, rural, Western Canadian roots fit the identity of what they’re trying to build. There were some questions about him starting to bubble up in the scouting community after a slower start than expected last season, but he silenced all critics with a phenomenal finish as Victoria’s go-to forward. After two impressive seasons in the WHL it's a smart choice by him to now be heading to the NCAA, especially when you consider that all the extra training time should help him improve his skating ability, which would then in turn allow him to unlock another level to his game. There's a lot to like about Reschny, and he should be a core piece of the Flames roster in due time.

4 - Samuel Honzek

This season was the most relatively healthy that Honzek was able to stay over the last few years, and that's probably the most important 2024-25 takeaway for him. Despite what his modest point totals thus far in his career might suggest, his toolbox is overflowing: he has size, he skates well, he can shoot, he can handle the puck, and he can make plays at a high level. More willingness to engage physically would be preferred but isn’t a necessity. The challenge has always been that he needed more time and experience than other top prospects to get better at blending everything together, especially when he was starting to get regular reps playing center instead of wing, and those long-term plans have been repeatedly disrupted by injuries. Luckily for the Flames, they have accumulated enough young depth at forward that they can afford to be patient with Honzek while hoping that everything eventually starts to click for him sooner or later.

5 - Matvei Gridin

After being selected 28th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft, Matvei Gridin left the USHL to join the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL. In his debut season, he posted 79 points in 56 games, ranking fifth in league scoring and first on his team. Gridin was also able to tally 17 points in 16 playoff games, leading the Cataractes once again. Unfortunately, his team lost to the Oceanic in an intense seven game series. The Russian winger has been one of the QMJHL’s most dominant players, showing why the Flames used a first-round pick on him. Gridin is a highly talented and flashy player, especially when carrying the puck at speed. Standing at 6-foot-2 and with ridiculous top speed, puck abilities and offensive tools, Gridin brings a complete offensive potential. That said, as he progresses in his career, he will need to find other ways to be an efficient player, especially off the puck. Improving this while maintaining his special offensive talent could turn him into a solid middle six winger. Having signed his entry level contract, Gridin could see AHL time as early as next season.

6 - Hunter Brzustewicz

The Flames were flush with promising young left-shot defencemen in the AHL this season, which made it easier for the right-shooting Brzustewicz to play important minutes. And it's not like he didn't earn that ice time, either. Much like when he was playing with Kitchener in the OHL, he did a great job for the Wranglers as a confident, heads-up defender who could safely protect the puck while also opening things up offensively from the attack blueline. His strong play even led to him making his NHL debut, which was also fully earned. While he's not nearly as effective without the puck, stemming from his average size and average mobility, he has made a lot of progress throughout his first year as a pro and things are clearly trending in the right direction on that front. Expect Brzustewicz to play a bigger role in the organization next season, which could also include more call-up duty to the NHL.

7 - Jacob Battaglia

Calgary’s 2024 selections out of Ontario look terrific thus far, with Battaglia being another player who took a huge step forward this past season. The big winger is such an intelligent player. Few players are as good as he is at working the wall in the OHL and he has the playmaking chops to take advantage of the extra time he creates through his protection skill. His pace of play really improved too, although his power and speed will need to continue to improve in order for him to be as dynamic at the higher levels. It’s important to note that Battaglia should not be miscast as a power forward, despite his size. Physicality isn’t likely to ever be a huge part of his game; he’s more of a high IQ, finesse player who just happens to have the size to be an asset down low and in the cycle. At this point, Battaglia’s improvement as an offensive player suggests that he could be capable of being a top six support winger for Calgary in the future.

8 - Henry Mews

Perhaps lost in the Zayne Parekh hype was the outstanding draft plus one year that Henry Mews had in the OHL, split between Ottawa and Sudbury. Mews finished the year third in defenceman scoring and second in power play assists. He’s dynamic and talented in his own right and has the potential to be a great option behind Parekh in the future, as a puck mover and power play quarterback. In a perfect world, both defenders can slot into Calgary’s top four, paired with more stable defensive players. Like Parekh, Mews plays a higher risk offensive game that can come with turnovers; it’s a tradeoff you have to live with. However, like Parekh, he has worked hard to be more assertive physically this year and his play in his own end has been more stable because of it. Refining his decision making further is a need, but Calgary has to be happy with his progress thus far. Taking advantage of the new eligibility rules, Mews will play for the Michigan Wolverines next year, hoping that the NCAA can help him refine his defensive abilities.

9 - Étienne Morin

Étienne Morin was the first defenceman drafted out of the QMJHL in 2023, at 48 overall by the Calgary Flames. In his draft year, he tallied 72 points in 67 games, ranking third among QMJHL defencemen and tying for first on his team. He was also able to score 17 points in 12 games in the playoffs. Since then, Morin’s production has dipped below a point-per-game pace in consecutive seasons. While his game has rounded out, it is surprising to see that such a talented offensive defenceman has not ran through the QMJHL, given his heavy usage on a strong Moncton team. His defensive game, especially the breakouts and the decision making, has developed, as he was relied upon a ton by the Wildcats in their dominant season, but visibly at the expense of his offence. Questions remain about his physical game, and the skating and mobility concerns noted in his draft year are still present. Morin will likely play in the AHL next season, and a lot of questions will be answered regarding his projection for the rest of his career. Morin will need to rekindle his offensive spark from his draft year going forward, as ultimately, he is an offensive defenceman.

10 - Andrew Basha

It surely must have been a frustrating year for Basha, who missed the majority of his season due to injury. On the bright side, he did get back into the lineup just in time to help Medicine Hat clinch their WHL title and take part in the Memorial Cup, though he was clearly not fully healthy for any of those games. To some degree, bangs and bruises come with the territory of his game. He plays fast and hard, with a fiery focus and intense competitiveness that few others can match. The real appeal with him, though, is how well he can still handle the puck and make plays when he's zooming around the ice with pace and purpose. Despite the health setback, Basha will likely force his way up to the NHL eventually in some capacity, and the homegrown Calgarian has what it takes to become a local fan favourite. He’s eligible to play in the AHL for2025-26 but could also go back to the Tigers for his overage season if it’s deemed to be the best thing for his long-term development.

11 - Aydar Suniev

Suniev is a skilled playmaker with an electrifying quality about him thanks to his heavy shot and passing ability. Having now spent two years in the NCAA, where he was above a point per game in his final season, he’ll now make the jump to the AHL to refine his overall game. The Flames may have a diamond in the rough if he can refine his overall game.

12 - William Stromgren

Stromgren is a deft stickhandler that possesses a hard shot, often breaking down defenders one-on-one in the AHL. He has the size, mobility, and skill to potentially crack an NHL top six, but his quickness will need to continue to improve. Entering his third pro season in North America, he will look to crack the Flames’ lineup out of camp.

13 - Jeremie Poirier

Poirier is a physically strong puck moving defenseman. Although not the fleetest of foot, he uses smart angles and his larger frame to win puck battles and track oncoming attackers. In addition, he can aggressively seek out offensive chances. With three AHL seasons now under his belt, he seems poised to challenge for NHL duty in the near future, but how well he adjusts to the NHL speed will ultimately determine his upside there.

14 - Rory Kerins

Kerins is a scrappy forward who isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas, often battling through traffic and contact to find a close-range chance. With 33 goals in the AHL last season, the question now becomes whether he can translate that production to the NHL level. Now entering his fourth pro season, he could be primed to make the leap to Calgary.

15 - Luke Misa

Misa is a quick and crafty forward coming off two strong seasons in the OHL where he put up 80-plus points. He’s headed to Penn State in the fall, where he’ll have an opportunity to build on his under-sized frame. He could be a guy that carves out a career as a high IQ depth forward with some skill, with upside to play above that.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #11 Calgary Flames – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 28 May 2025 12:23:23 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Calgary Flames Defenseman Zayne Parekh (89) takes his “Rookie Lap” before his first NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings versus the Calgary Flames on April 17th, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire)

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Calgary 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #9

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 18:00:53 +0000

_{VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) in net during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 9th (Previous Rank - 12th)
GM: Craig Conroy Hired: May 2023
COACH: Ryan Huska Hired: June 2023

Thanks to a recent trade haul that saw the Flames inject four of their top 15 McKeen’s ranked prospects into the system, Calgary has clawed their way into the top 10 of our prospect rankings.

This surge is highlighted by Zayne Parekh (ranked 27th), one of the most dynamic defencemen the organization has seen in years. Parekh exemplifies the modern-day offensive defenceman and carries tremendous potential as a future NHL powerhouse. He’ll return to his Saginaw Spirit team, fresh off a Memorial Cup victory as tournament hosts. Alongside Parekh, Calgary added key names like Matvei Gridin (186th), Andrew Basha (205th), and Henry Mews (249th) who all show promise as potential future NHL’ers.

The Flames graduated just one prospect in 2023-24 (Connor Zary), but that list is set to grow significantly within the next year. Four of the club’s top six prospects will push for spots on the main roster, and most are likely to succeed. Dustin Wolf, ranked 20th overall and the third-ranked goalie at McKeen’s, will likely be making the biggest impact. With Jacob Markstrom now out of the picture, there is a starting job to apply for, and he’ll battle Dan Vladař for that role. He’ll be joined by Matthew Coronato (56th) and Jakob Pelletier (96th) as hopefuls looking to crack the Flames’ roster.

On the rise is 2023 first-rounder Samuel Honzek (81st), who will begin his professional rookie campaign alongside the recently acquired Hunter Brzustewicz (199th). Both are considered big pieces to the Flames’ future and will have the opportunity to develop one step away from their ultimate goal in the NHL. Additionally, Jérémie Poirier (160th), Yan Kuznetsov, and forward William Strömgren continue to make strides with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.

The retooling process is just beginning in Calgary, but with a healthy flow of young talent and four first-round picks over the next two years, GM Craig Conroy has positioned the Flames to bolster their roster significantly over the coming seasons.

Calgary Flames Top-15 Prospects

1. Dustin Wolf

Dustin Wolf's rookie season wasn't the anticipated breakthrough season that many expected. After a stellar NHL debut in 2023, his 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. A 0.923 save percentage in the AHL is decent, but not quite his previous dominance. At times throughout the season, we saw flashes of brilliance, but consistency eluded him. Questions arose. Was the pressure of the backup role a factor? Did the increased competition expose weaknesses? While the jury's still out, Wolf did show glimpses of his star potential and still remains a top goaltending prospect in the world. He’s extremely athletic and focused, his puck tracking is extremely impressive, and he’s continued to mature over the years as a calm and composed netminder. The 2023-24 season served as a reality check for Wolf. The path to NHL stardom is rarely linear. How he responds to this adversity will be a major storyline heading into next year.

2. Zayne Parekh

Zayne Parekh had a record-breaking season as an 18-year-old OHL defender, surpassing even stars like Ryan Ellis, Drew Doughty, and Alex Pietrangelo at the same age. His performance earned him the title of top defender in both the OHL and CHL. Despite being injured in the playoffs, he bounced back to help the Saginaw Spirit win the Memorial Cup, showcasing his resilience. Parekh is an exceptionally creative player with a high hockey IQ and vision, making him a reliable offensive threat. His lateral movement and edgework allow him to navigate the offensive zone with ease, while his defensive stick work is an underrated aspect of his game. However, concerns about his slight frame and average first-step acceleration have kept him just outside the top ten rankings. While he occasionally cheats for offence, his potential is undeniable. As Parekh matures, he could develop into an elite offensive defenceman, with tremendous upside from the back end.

3. Matthew Coronato

Matthew Coronato didn't disappoint in his much-anticipated rookie season with the Flames. While not quite cracking the Calder Trophy conversation, he solidified his reputation as an offensive weapon. The 2021 13th-overall draft pick’s speed and puck handling created havoc for defenders throughout the season. He wasn't afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas either, using his frame to protect the puck and win board battles. He plays a very confident game and loves to drive the play. He also shows off a quick, hard shot that he can get off from anywhere on the ice. Questions remain about his defensive consistency, but his offensive contributions were undeniable. Coronato's strong rookie campaign suggests a bright future in Calgary. He's already a legitimate NHL contributor, and further refinement in his defensive game could elevate him into a top six role. Flames fans have a lot to be excited about with Coronato on their wing.

4. Samuel Honzek

The Flames' first rounder in 2023, Samuel Honzek had a 2023-24 season defined by inconsistency. A pre-season injury delayed his WHL return, and while he looked electric upon returning (seven points in five games), his production dipped significantly afterward. The World Juniors offered a bounce-back (three goals, one assist), but consistency remained the biggest issue for the prospect. Despite leading the Giants in scoring last year, Honzek finished the 2023-24 season with a pedestrian 31 points in 33 games. Questions linger about his ability to adapt to a new role (center) and translate his offensive dominance to the pro level. However, flashes of brilliance and a strong showing at the World Juniors offer a glimmer of hope. Development will be key for Honzek, and the Flames will be closely monitoring his progress this season. His future remains uncertain at this point though.

5. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier's 2023-24 campaign was a season of flashes and frustrations. An upper-body injury delayed his NHL debut, limiting him to just 13 games with the Flames in a season many thought he would stick with the big club. While he managed a goal and three points, the limited sample size makes a full evaluation difficult. However, glimpses of the skilled winger Flames fans were excited about did emerge. He’s such an intelligent player who helps drive his team’s pace and play. He always keeps his foot on the gas and makes opponents rush decisions, forcing turnovers. The question remains: can he translate those flashes into consistent NHL production? Pelletier's development hinges on staying healthy and earning a more permanent role with the Flames. If he can improve his defensive awareness, a breakout season could still be in the cards in the near future.

6. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier's 2023-24 campaign was derailed by a skate laceration just four games into the season with the Calgary Wranglers. The promising defenceman, known for his offensive instincts, was sidelined for months while recovering from surgery. Poirier finally returned to the lineup in March, but his impact was limited. In his 23 games, he managed three goals and 10 assists, a decent output considering the long absence. However, questions remain about his conditioning and overall effectiveness. The Flames' defensive shakeup at the trade deadline opened a potential window for a permanent NHL call-up that never materialized. Despite the lost season, Poirier's talent is undeniable and the improvement he’s shown since being drafted hasn’t gone unnoticed. He makes fewer and fewer mistakes, showcasing the offensive instincts and transition ability that had him earning first-round discussion in his draft year. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining if he can recapture his pre-injury form and establish himself as a future NHL contributor.

7. Matvei Gridin

Matvei Gridin, a Russian prospect, took an uncommon path by moving to North America early, playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. After a solid first season, he broke out in 2023, leading the league in points and earning a spot at the University of Michigan for the upcoming NCAA season. At 6-foot-1 and 182 pounds, Gridin has good size and a well-rounded skill set, but his offensive abilities, particularly his shot, stand out. His hard, accurate shot can surprise goaltenders, and his creativity and unpredictability make him a dangerous offensive player. He often leads zone entries and is relentless in his pursuit once in the offensive zone. However, his off puck play outside the offensive zone remains inconsistent and will need improvement, especially in his own end. Despite this, Gridin’s intelligence and quick decision-making make him a very promising prospect.

8. Hunter Brzustewicz

Hunter Brzustewicz is a mobile and intelligent defenceman with high upside. Acquired this past season from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm deal, the defender easily becomes one of the most exciting prospects in the system. He excels at reading plays and anticipating opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. Brzustewicz's vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point, although he’s more likely to find a pass, hence his OHL-leading 79 assists in 2023-24. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. With continued development, Brzustewicz has the potential to become a top four defenceman and a key contributor on the Flames blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender makes him an exciting prospect in the Flames' pipeline.

9. Andrew Basha

Andrew Basha’s game is built on quickness—quick reads, decisions, footwork, and puck plays. Basha’s speed allows him to navigate through traffic while keeping the puck glued to his stick, often dazzling spectators. He’s also effective in regaining possession, whether on the forecheck or in his defensive zone and quickly transitions into creating scoring chances. Despite his smaller stature, Basha plays with an edge, fearlessly battling bigger defenders for position or taking hits to make plays. While Basha had a standout season, it’s important to note that he has a late 2005 birthday and is in his third WHL campaign, putting him ahead in development compared to his draft-class peers. Scouts agree he has NHL potential, but opinions vary on his long-term upside. Will he be a top six scorer or settle into a bottom six, energy role? The Flames hope that it will be the former.

10. Henry Mews

Mews was one of the most debated prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, known for his inconsistent defensive play and decision-making. Having only recently transitioned to defence, he shows flashes of brilliance but struggles with consistency, often varying from dominant to frustrating even within the same game. Despite these challenges, Mews possesses significant upside. He's highly skilled with the puck, excels in transition with his speed and edgework, and shows potential as a powerplay quarterback due to his scoring instincts. However, his decision-making falters under pressure in the defensive zone, leading to turnovers. His physical engagement is inconsistent, and his defensive game suffers from a lack of intensity and elite size. Mews embodies the "boom/bust" label—if he refines his game, he could be a major point producer from the back end. If not, his NHL future remains uncertain.

11. Etienne Morin

Drafted 48th overall by Calgary in 2023, Morin's season with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats saw a dip in offensive production, with 12 goals and 49 points in 58 games. Despite this, his shot generation improved, and his vision and confidence with the puck are notable. While he shows defensive promise, especially in board battles, inconsistency and struggles defending the rush remain concerns. His development will depend on refining his offensive instincts and adapting to the pro game.

12. Aydar Suniev

Aydar Suniev’s freshman year at UMass highlighted his offensive potential, with 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games. Drafted by Calgary in the third round, he impressed with his shot and skillful hands. However, his skating, while not a liability, doesn’t fully match his offensive tools, and consistency was an issue. Suniev’s future depends on improving his skating and maintaining his production; if he succeeds, he could be a steal for the Flames, but skating limitations could cap his NHL ceiling.

13. Cole Schwindt

While not a breakout year, Schwindt showcased his potential with strong skating and puck protection. However, his offensive consistency and decision-making need improvement, as he was sometimes dominant but also disappeared at times. At 22, he has room to grow and briefly played with the Flames, earning no points in four games. This NHL experience could drive him to improve. Schwindt’s future depends on addressing these inconsistencies and regularly displaying his offensive skills; success in these areas could lead to a full-time role with Calgary.

14. Rory Kerins

Rory Kerins has been on a steady trajectory since the Flames drafted him in 2020, making selecting him at 174th overall look like some stellar scouting for Calgary. He’s coming off his first full season in the AHL, where he showed off his balanced offensive talent with 16 goals and 16 assists. He can tend to disappear at times, and his off-puck play is somewhat lacking, but he’s still trending the right way.

15. William Stromgren

The Flames drafted Stromgren for his potential as a dominant winger, flashing exceptional talent at times. However, his play has been inconsistent, oscillating between hot and cold, with his best performance coming during his draft year. Despite mixed results in the seasons since, Calgary signed him to an entry-level contract, hoping he'll develop into a top six NHL scoring threat, allowing him time to grow within the system.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #12 Calgary Flames – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Josh Bell — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 18:00:58 +0000

VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) in net during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

The Calgary Flames had to make a tough decision on their direction this season, after coming into the year hoping to take a step forward with a solid, veteran group, and a new general manager in Craig Conroy, and coach in Ryan Huska. Conroy made the call to start breaking this group up, making some massive trades this season, moving Noah Hanafin, Chris Tanev, Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Tyler Toffoli. But in doing that, he’s added Yegor Sharangovich, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, Artem Grushnikov, and Daniil Miromanov, on top of a plethora of draft pick, including two first rounders.

They have a gem in goalie Dustin Wolf, #13 on McKeen’s list and the third-ranked goalie. He did make the jump to the NHL this season, looking like he could stick next season. Connor Zary also graduated to the NHL and Matthew Coronato looks to be following right behind. They have an opportunity at the draft to build a solid foundation for many years to come. They have five first-round picks over the next three drafts and eight in the first four rounds in the 2024 draft. They also have some promising pieces in Jakob Pelletier, Samuel Honzek, and Jeremie Poirier, on top of the players they’ve added via trade over the past year. The Flames were very active this season on the trade market and remain in the rumour mill, in particular around the future of goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who could well be on the move. Leading up to the 2024 NHL Draft and free agency, keep an eye on this team as they continue to stockpile future pieces.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Dustin Wolf	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	`19(214th)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
2	Matthew Coronato	RW	21	5-10/183	Calgary (AHL)	`21(13th)	41	15	27	42	19
					Calgary (NHL)	`21(13th)	34	3	6	9	4
3	Samuel Honzek	LW	19	6-4/186	Vancouver (WHL)	`23(16th)	33	10	21	31	18
4	Jakob Pelletier	LW	23	5-9/170	Calgary (AHL)	`19(26th)	18	5	7	12	10
					Calgary (NHL)	`19(26th)	13	1	2	3	2
5	Daniil Miromanov	D	26	6-4/200	VGK-Cgy (NHL)	T(VGK-3/24)	24	3	4	7	8
6	Jeremie Poirier	D	21	6-1/196	Calgary (AHL)	`20(72nd)	23	3	10	13	22
7	Hunter Brzustewicz	D	19	5-11/185	Kitchener (OHL)	T(Van-1/24)	67	13	79	92	24
8	Etienne Morin	D	19	6-0/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	`23(48th)	58	12	37	49	31
9	Cole Schwindt	RW	23	6-2/182	Calgary (AHL)	T(Fla-7/22)	66	14	22	36	31
10	Aydar Suniev	LW	19	6-2/198	Massachusetts (HE)	`23(80th)	36	12	13	25	25
11	Rory Kerins	C	22	5-10/175	Calgary (AHL)	`20(174th)	54	16	16	32	8
12	William Stromgren	LW	20	6-3/175	Calgary (AHL)	`21(45th)	68	7	20	27	16
13	Yan Kuznetsov	D	22	6-4/209	Calgary (AHL)	`20(50th)	63	5	8	13	27
14	Parker Bell	LW	20	6-4/192	Tri-City (WHL)	`22(155th)	59	33	31	64	38
15	Ilya Solovyov	D	23	6-3/208	Calgary (AHL)	`20(205th)	51	5	10	15	34
					Calgary (NHL)	`20(205th)	10	0	3	3	4

1. Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Dustin Wolf's rookie season wasn't the anticipated breakthrough season that many expected. After a stellar NHL debut in 2023, his 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. A .923 save percentage in the AHL is decent, but not quite his previous dominance. While some nights in the season we saw flashes of brilliance, but consistency eluded him. Questions arose. Was the pressure of the backup role a factor? Did the increased competition expose weaknesses? While the jury's still out, Wolf did show glimpses of his star potential and still remains a top goaltending prospect in the world. He’s extremely athletic and focused, his puck tracking is extremely impressive, and he’s continued to mature over the years as a calm and composed netminder. This season served as a reality check for Wolf. The path to NHL stardom is rarely linear. How he responds to this adversity will be a major storyline heading into next year.

2. Matthew Coronato, RW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Matthew Coronato didn't disappoint in his much-anticipated rookie season with the Calgary Flames. While not quite cracking the Calder Trophy conversation, he solidified his reputation as an offensive weapon. The 2021 13th-overall draft pick’s speed and puck handling created havoc for defenders throughout the season. He wasn't afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas either, using his frame to protect the puck and win board battles. He plays a very confident game and loves to drive the play. He also shows off a quick, hard shot that he can get off from anywhere on the ice. Questions remain about his defensive consistency, but his offensive contributions were undeniable. Coronato's strong rookie campaign suggests a bright future in Calgary. He's already a legitimate NHL contributor, and further refinement in his defensive game could elevate him into a top-six role. Flames fans have a lot to be excited about with Coronato on their wing.

3. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

The Flames' first rounder in 2023, had a season defined by inconsistency. A pre-season injury delayed his WHL return, and while he looked electric upon returning (seven points in five games), his production dipped significantly afterward. The World Juniors offered a bounce-back (three goals, one assist), but consistency remained elusive. Despite leading the Giants in scoring last year, Honzek finished the 2023-24 season with a pedestrian 31 points in 33 games. Questions linger about his ability to adapt to a new role (center) and translate his offensive dominance to the pro level. However, flashes of brilliance and a strong showing at the World Juniors offer a glimmer of hope. Development will be key for Honzek, and the Flames will be closely monitoring his progress next season.

4. Jakob Pelletier, LW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Pelletier's 2023-24 campaign was a season of flashes and frustrations. An upper-body injury delayed his NHL debut, limiting him to just 13 games with the Flames in a season many thought he would stick with the big club. While he managed a goal and three points, the limited sample size makes a full evaluation difficult. However, glimpses of the skilled winger Flames fans were excited about did emerge. He’s such an intelligent player who helps drive his team’s pace and play. He always keeps his foot on the gas and makes opponents rush decisions, forcing turnovers. The question remains: can he translate those flashes into consistent NHL production? Pelletier's development hinges on staying healthy and earning a more permanent role with the Flames. If he can improve his defensive awareness and stay healthy, a breakout season could still be in the cards in the near future.

5. Daniil Miromanov, D, Calgary Flames (NHL)

Miromanov's season started with a whimper, not a bang. A lingering injury kept him out until January, forcing him to prove himself in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. There, he flashed his offensive potential with six points in five games. The trade to the Calgary Flames in March offered a fresh start. While cracking the lineup consistently proved challenging, Miromanov did manage seven points in 20 games. However, his defensive struggles – a knock on him previously – were evident at times. Overall, Miromanov's 2023-24 was a season of transition. While glimpses of his offensive talent emerged, consistency and defensive refinement remain key questions. The Flames signed him to a two-year extension, suggesting they believe in his upside. Can he develop into a reliable NHL contributor next season? That's the burning question for the young Russian defenseman.

6. Jeremie Poirier, D, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Poirier's 2023-24 campaign was derailed by a skate laceration just four games into the season with the Calgary Wranglers. The promising defenseman, known for his offensive instincts, was sidelined for months while recovering from surgery. Poirier finally returned to the lineup in March, but his impact was limited. In his 23 games, he managed three goals and 10 assists, a decent output considering the long absence. However, questions remain about his conditioning and overall effectiveness. The Flames' defensive shakeup at the trade deadline opened a potential window for A permanent NHL call-up never materialized. Despite the lost season, Poirier's talent is undeniable and the improvement he’s shown since being drafted hasn’t gone unnoticed. He makes less and less mistakes, showcasing the offensive instincts and transition ability that had him earning first-round discussion in his draft year. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining if he can recapture his pre-injury form and establish himself as a future NHL contributor.

7. Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Hunter Brzustewicz is a mobile and intelligent defenseman with a high upside. Acquired this season from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm deal, the defender easily becomes one of the most exciting prospects in the system. He excels at reading plays and anticipating opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. Brzustewicz's vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point, although he’s more likely to find a pass, hence his OHL-leading 79 assists this season. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. With continued development, Brzustewicz has the potential to become a top-four defenseman and a key contributor on the Calgary Flames' blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender makes him an exciting prospect in the Flames' pipeline.

8. Etienne Morin, D, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Drafted 48th overall by Calgary in 2023, Morin spent the majority of his season with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats. While Morin's offensive production in Moncton dipped compared to his draft year (12 goals, 49 points in 58 games), his underlying shot generation improved. The season might be a bit of a disappointment after his breakout season a year ago, but the prospect still has impressive tools worth keeping an eye on. He loves to jump up in the rush and his vision stands out whenever he has the puck. He’s solid carrying the puck himself too, an area where his confidence has noticeably grown over the past year. While the defender shows some defensive prowess in his board battles and his stick-checking, he struggles in defending the rush. The jury's still out on Morin. The flashes of offensive potential are encouraging, but consistency remains a question mark. His development will hinge on refining his offensive instincts and adapting to the pro game.

9. Cole Schwindt, RW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

While it wasn't a breakout year, Schwindt showed flashes of his potential, particularly his strong skating and ability to protect the puck. However, questions about his offensive consistency remain. There were stretches where he looked like a dominant force, only to disappear at other times. His decision-making also needs refinement, with turnovers occasionally disrupting the flow of play. The good news: he is still young (22 years old) and has time to develop. He did see a brief stint with the Flames, registering no points in four games. This taste of NHL action could be a motivator heading into next season. Schwindt's future hinges on ironing out his inconsistencies and displaying his offensive prowess more regularly. If he can do that, a call-up to Calgary could become a reality.

10. Aydar Suniev, LW, University of Massachusetts (NCAA)

Aydar Suniev's freshman year at UMass was a showcase of his offensive potential. Drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round, Suniev wasted no time turning heads with his impressive shot and slick hands. He impressed with 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games, showcasing his ability to find the net and create for linemates. However, questions remain about his skating. While not a liability, it doesn't quite match his offensive tools. Consistency was also an issue, with stretches of dominance punctuated by quieter periods. Suniev's future hinges on refining his skating and maintaining his offensive production. If he can do that, he could become a steal for the Flames. But if skating limitations persist, his NHL ceiling might be a bottom-six role. This season was a promising start, but the next chapter will reveal whether Suniev can address his weaknesses and solidify his status as a future NHL contributor.

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

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #17

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 11:22:01 +0000

Top 20 Calgary Flames Prospects

1. Dustin Wolf

Is there a better value pick in the past five NHL drafts than Calgary nabbing Wolf all the way down at 214th overall in 2019? After mercilessly shutting down the WHL for four straight seasons, he transitioned masterfully to the AHL without missing a beat, immediately establishing himself as one of the best goalies in the league — THE best goalie, actually, winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as top netminder in 2021-22 and again in 2022-23. It's very rare to see goalies of Wolf's size thrive in the NHL, but his technique, focus, composure, play tracking, and overall understanding of the position are all just so advanced that you cannot underestimate him. Had he been given the chance last season, would he have outperformed the two goalies ahead of him in Calgary's system?

2. Matthew Coronato

Coronato decided to turn pro after just two seasons at Harvard, and just in time, because the Flames desperately need more offensive injections coming in through their prospect pipeline. He's also a capable and committed off-puck player, which should give him a little more leeway for a roster spot in the NHL. He sees the ice and understands the game at an impressive level, while also playing at a consistently high pace, so he gets a lot of puck touches and drives a lot of possession even though he isn't overly fast. Coronato is very adept at the all-important ability of scoring wingers to optimize the positioning of the puck before firing, and the power and accuracy of his shots are already at a professional level. While some scorers have trouble understanding the difference between what works at lower levels and what works in the NHL, that shouldn't be a problem at all for Coronato.

3. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier is technically still a prospect by the guidelines being used here, but it's safe to say that he's not going back to the AHL soon, if ever again. It took him very little time at all to provide a necessary injection of quickness and offensive generation into Calgary's lineup, and he hasn't looked out of place at all in their top-six when given the occasional opportunity. His game is built around a razor-sharp hockey sense and top-notch pacing, which allow him to stay active in the play, strategically apply pressure, and then pounce on the small opportunities that open up. His motor just never seems to run out of gas, and as he gains more experience he's going to keep getting better and better at forcing opposing players into making costly mistakes. He's the type of guy who plays much bigger than his size and makes an outsized impact.

4. Samuel Honzek

Honzek was a revelation this past season. The package of tools and traits that he brings to the table is incredibly enticing. It's rare to find forwards with his size and reach who can also skate and control the puck like he can. He generates a lot of speed and power through his lower body, and even though his skating technique is a little stiff and upright it doesn't slow him down much. He isn't shy at all about shooting, and the puck comes off his stick with surprising quickness and unexpectedly little flex, but he's more of a natural playmaker than a goal-scorer, able to make sharp, tape-to-tape passes through tight gaps. He does a good job of protecting the puck out from his body when necessary, keeping it away from enemies as he tries to turn and block them with his huge frame. It would be nice, though, to see him use his size and strength more effectively, as he's something of a gentle giant right now. The best-case scenario for Honzek long-term is as a massive top-line forward who can play both a power game and a skilled game.

5. Connor Zary

Zary doesn't put up eye-popping point totals and rarely shows up in highlight reels, but the longer he plays for a team the better it gets, and that's not a coincidence. He's a two-way pivot who out-thinks and out-works the majority of his opponents, allowing him to be successful in spite of having average size on top of below average skating ability. When he does put up points it's usually through how well he understands systems and tactics, breaking down defensive structures by getting into the right positions and making the right decisions with the puck. He's less concerned with flashy dekes and passes, and more concerned with precision and consistency, which he accomplishes well. His off-puck play is built around superb positioning and anticipation. He should have a long career as a middle-six center.

6. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier had more than enough first-round skill in his draft year but slid down to the third round because his lacklustre decision-making and effort level often drove scouts crazy. But credit where credit is due, as he really grew to recognize those weaknesses and committed himself to getting them to a workable level. The overall package right now looks very promising, as he became a key piece on a top AHL team in his first year as a pro. He can quarterback a power play with the best of them and can be effective in transition with how elusive he is with his hands and feet. Poirier is trending in the right direction as an offensive defenseman and could become a truly dynamic NHLer one day in that niche if he is allowed to play to his strengths and is used in a system that can minimize his weaknesses.

7. Etienne Morin

It was quite the coming-out party for Etienne Morin last season in the QMJHL. He exploded by more than doubling his production as a draft eligible player. In 67 games, he scored 21 goals - leading the league among defenders - and added 51 assists for 72 points, leading to his selection in the second round by Calgary. As one might expect, Morin’s talents in the offensive end of the ice are what truly stand out. His vision is top tier, thanks to his constant scanning and his ability to seemingly know where everyone is on the ice. While the defender shows some defensive prowess in his board battles and his stick-checking, he struggles in defending the rush thanks to some skating inefficiencies. With improvements to his skating, Morin has the potential to become a bottom-four, offensive defender who could see some time on a second power-play unit. He may take an extra year or two to get there, but there’s strong potential here.

8. William Stromgren

The Flames used a pretty high draft pick on Stromgren because he occasionally flashes huge upside as a rangy, offensively dominant winger. He'll tease you with the odd play or shift where he looks like a truly exceptional talent. The problem is that he oscillates wildly between hot and cold, sometimes for long stretches. Even more perplexing, his best play at a professional level, to date, came during his draft year, while the two seasons since have been a mixed bag. That's a concerning sign since he has a lot of improvement left to make. However, he has already earned his entry-level contract because Calgary knows that there is still a chance that he one day becomes a legitimate top-six scoring threat at the NHL level. With other scoring wingers in the system providing him a buffer to continue his development, Stromgren will get as much time as he needs to marinate.

9. Cole Schwindt

Schwindt was an overlooked piece of the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau trade, but if he keeps developing like he has over the past few years then that will surely change. He somewhat surprisingly became a number one centre in Mississauga as an 18-year-old and really shined in that role, which is a good sign for how high his ceiling could still go. Luckily the COVID shutdowns didn't seem to stunt his growth too badly, as he hasn't looked out of place or overwhelmed since getting into the AHL. He is very athletic and toolsy, and has shown the ability to continue learning how to utilize those tools. Schwindt should find his way into the NHL role at some point as a player who can move up or down a lineup, play wing or centre, and chip in on both sides of special teams.

10. Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov has played in four different leagues in the past five seasons, with some international tournaments mixed in as well. Amazingly, all those changes of scenery don't seem to have hindered his year-over-year progression, as where he is right now is pretty much in line with his projection dating back to his draft year. He also got a Memorial Cup title out of it in 2021-22 with Saint John, which undoubtedly made his transfer to the QMJHL worth it. However, could he make even bigger gains if given a couple years of consistency with the Wranglers? There are no debates about what his game is or what he brings — he's a shutdown defender through and through — but he is a true specialist of that domain and could eventually become one of the better players in the NHL in that role.

11. Emilio Pettersen

Now is the time for this former Denver standout and Norwegian forward to claim a spot on the Flames. He is no longer exempt from waivers and the team has some openings in their forward group. The skilled playmaker is coming off his best season to date in the AHL.

12. Topi Ronni

Ronni is a solid two-way center that Calgary took in the second round last year. This season in Liiga, the Flames will be looking for him to improve his offensive contribution and earn more ice time playing against men with Tappara.

13. Aydar Suniev

Suniev is very much a long-term project, but one with terrific upside. He is incredibly skilled, but the skating needs to come a long way for the big winger to become an impact player at the highest level. His freshman year at UMass this season will be a huge test for him coming out of the BCHL.

14. Parker Bell

A hard working, power winger, Bell took huge steps forward this year with Tri-City of the WHL. The question is, where does he play this season? Calgary could sign him and have him play in the AHL or they could return him to the WHL for his OA year. Training camp performance likely dictates that outcome.

15. Arseni Sergeev

Sergeev is a big netminder who had a very good freshman year with UConn last year, splitting time in a platoon role. However, with new competition for the crease arriving via the transfer portal, pay attention to his playing time as it will greatly impact his continued development.

16. Rory Kerins

Injuries disrupted Kerins’ first pro season that saw him play mostly in the ECHL. However, the Flames have not given up on the former OHL star. Continuing to improve his skating is the key for him as he looks to become a full time AHL’er this year.

17. Ilya Solovyov

Solovyov continues to progress positively at the AHL level and with another good AHL year under his belt, he could put himself in contention for a roster spot with Calgary. The big defender impresses with his mobility and his defensive game has improved since his OHL days.

18. Jaden Lipinski

A big forward with the Vancouver Giants, Lipinski was a recent fourth round selection. He plays a traditional North/South power game from the middle and will be given every opportunity to play a larger role with the Giants this upcoming season in the WHL.

19. Cade Littler

Littler was drafted with the understanding that he would be a long-term project. He spent this past year repeating the BCHL level and will now spend next year in the USHL with Cedar Rapids before heading to North Dakota. Skating development is key.

20. Daniil Chechelev

Chechelev’s first two pro seasons haven’t really provided inspiring results as he has struggled to advance past the ECHL level. Ironically, he has been doing so on an AHL deal and has not yet earned an ELC. What the future holds for him is a bit of a mystery.

2023 NHL DRAFT: A Review

Chase Rochon — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:10:53 +0000

Another long year of amazing hockey has come and passed as we oficially end the 2023 scouting season and shift from the star-studded offensive draft class to the defensive-heavy 2024 NHL draft. This year's class was super fun and had the potential to bring the big stars and deep depth that we saw in the 2015 draft. This makes it very difficult to rank the winners and losers as every team acquired some very talented athletes in their organization that should make an impact for many years to come. Some teams acquired some elite star players at draft positions they didn't think would be possible at lower picks and later rounds. Those picks make the difference between good and great drafting by ﬁnding those diamonds in the rough.

NHL hockey operations departments are made up of the best of the best in the industry and have been through more drafts and different case studies over more years than I have been alive, which creates some hesitation in handing out grades for teams that we felt drafted poorly or passed on talent or upside. It is important to remember that teams take into consideration so many intangibles and factors outside any eye test or analytics can tell us. They have considerable resources and information networks public scouting teams can only dream of.

Most importantly, people need to remember these young athletes are human beings that just had the best week of their lives and treating them disrespectfully and pre-judging a young man that has yet to fully develop mentally and physically is completely unfair. I think every fan base should be showing love and support for the future players that are going to put in blood sweat and tears for the team you cheer for and go to war against the opposition.

With all that in mind, here is how I think all 32 teams performed at the 2023 NHL Draft based on my own rankings as well as the wonderful team at McKeen’s that I have the pleasure working alongside.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA - DECEMBER 29: Canada's Connor Bedard #16 backhands the puck while Austria's Tim Geifes #21 defends during Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on December 29, 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

#1 Chicago Blackhawks (A+)

1 Connor Bedard (F)

19 Oliver Moore (F)

35 Adam Gajan (G)

44 Roman Kantserov (F)

55 Martin Misiak (F)

67 Nick Lardis (F)

93 Jiri Felcman (F)

99 Alex Pharand (F)

131 Marcel Marcel (F)

167 Milton Oscarson (F)

195 Janne Peltonen (D)

It feels very ﬁtting that the number one ranked team had the number one pick this year in the generational talent of Connor Bedard, who is expected to make an immediate impact. Kyle Davidson clearly agrees by bringing in some veteran support this summer in Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry. This pick was obvious. What makes the Blackhawks stand out is what might be my favourite selection of the entire draft in Oliver Moore at 19th overall, where I, alongside Davidson, was in shock this player was still on the board—followed by selecting one of if not one of the best goaltenders in Adam Gajan. We absolutely loved Nick Lardis at McKeens, and we ﬁnd this to be amazing value in the early third round. Roman Kantserov, Martin Misiak, Alex Pharand and Marcel Marcel are other great pickups to round out the real depth of this draft class for the Blackhawks as they build the next generation in Chicago.

#2 Columbus Blue Jackets (A)

3 Adam Fantilli (F)

34 Gavin Brindley (F)

66 William Whitelaw (F)

98 Andrew Strathmann (D)

114 Luca Pinelli (F)

156 Melvin Strahl (G)

194 Oiva Keskinen (F)

224 Tyler Peddle (F)

The Blue Jackets' dreams came true when Adam Fantilli was still waiting for them at third overall, as the rookie Hobey Baker winner would have been selected ﬁrst overall in any other draft. Followed up by his Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley who we at McKeens had ranked #26. William Whitelaw ranked at #39 by McKeen’s, and Andrew Strathmann, ranked #39 by me, are amazing values. I really like Luca Pinelli at #114 and thought it was a great move to trade for the last pick in the draft and select Tyler Peddle, who was in attendance and should have been selected much higher. This will be the draft that could really put the Blue Jackets over the top to be a future contender in the Metro.

#3 Philadelphia Flyers (A)

7 Matvei Michkov (F)

22 Oliver Bonk (D)

51 Carson Bjarnason (G)

87 Yegor Zavragin (G)

95 Denver Barkey (F)

103 Cole Knuble (F)

120 Alex Ciernik (F)

135 Carter Sotheran (D)

172 Ryan MacPherson (F)

199 Matteo Mann (D)

The Flyers got a player with arguably the highest upside in the class in 7th overall in Matvei Michkov alone, which is enough to rank them this high. Aside from whether there is any truth to rumours that he somehow orchestrated his way to Philadelphia, he was genuinely excited to be drafted by the organization. The possibility that he will be coming to play in North America perhaps sooner rather than later could completely alter the landscape of the rebuild for GM Daniel Briere. They followed up by selecting Oliver Bonk, who our Ontario scouts adore at McKeens, including myself. Bonk will continue to develop in London. The Carson Bjarnson pick could age very well as a good young goaltender with a long road of development ahead. Denver Barkey and Alex Cienik are great value picks at 95th and 120th.

#4 Seattle Kraken (A-)

20 Eduard Sale (F)

50 Carson Rehkopf (F)

52 Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (F)

57 Lukas Dragicevic (D)

84 Caden Price (D)

116 Andrei Loshko (F)

148 Kaden Hammell (D)

168 Visa Vedenpää (G)

180 Zeb Forsfjäll (F)

212 Zaccharya Wisdom (F)

Seattle has been consistently one of the better drafting teams since they entered the league, and they continued that streak in Nashville. Eduard Sale is very much a gamble with questions about his compete lvel and lack of production against pros. However, he possesses elite ﬁnishing ability and was dominant against players his own age. He has a very high ceiling that I believe can be developed properly in the OHL, followed by the development team in Seattle. At the end of the day, with such a great prospect pool, you can take a swing for upside at #20 overall and can add a true top-line ﬁnisher for Shane Wright or Matty Beniers. The Kraken continues to favour the CHL and loaded up with more players in Carson Rehkopf, Lukas Dragicevic and Caden Price in the late second round. They had all been viewed as late ﬁrst/early second round talents. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard has the potential to bring some real energy to the bottom six and PK and become a really good role player for the team. I had him ranked at #30th betting on his high motor and relentless pressure with some ﬁnishing ability.

#5 Carolina Hurricanes (A-)

30 Bradly Nadeau (F)

62 Felix Unger Sörum (F)

94 Jayden Perron (F)

100 Alexander Rykov (F)

126 Stanislav Yarovoy (F)

139 Charles-Alexis Legault (D)

158 Ruslan Khazheyev (G)

163 Timur Mukhanov (F)

190 Michael Emerson (F)

222 Yegor Velmakin (G)

Bradley Nadeau was the highest player selected from the BCHL after having a monster year. He was ranked #27 by McKeens, which makes for a good pick late in the ﬁrst. Where Carolina impressed us was how well they drafted in the later rounds picking up some of the biggest steals of the draft in Jayden Perron who we ranked 34th and Timur Mukhanov ranked 98th. As they typically do, Carolina drafted great to add to the loaded prospect pool.

#6 Buffalo Sabres (A-)

13 Zach Benson (F)

39 Anton Wahlberg (F)

45 Maxim Strbak (D)

86 Gavin McCarthy (D)

109 Ethan Miedema (F)

141 Scott Ratzlaff (G)

173 Sean Keohane (D)

205 Norwin Panocha (D)

Draft after draft Buffalo ﬁnds themselves selecting some great players but I think Zach Benson could be the final elite piece they need to take them back to the playoffs and end the long drought. Benson is the smartest player in the draft after Connor Bedard. They followed up with good picks in Anton Wahlberg and Maxim Strbak. I really like the value of Ethan Miedema and Scott Ratzlaff in rounds 4 and 5.

#7 St. Louis Blues (B+)

10 Dalibor Dvorský (F)

25 Otto Stenberg (F)

29 Theo Lindstein (D)

74 Quinton Burns (D)

76 Juraj Pekarcik (F)

106 Jakub Stancl (F)

138 Paul Fischer (D)

170 Matthew Mayich (D)

202 Nikita Susuyev (F)

Dalibor Dvorský and Otto Stenberg could be an amazing one-two punch down the middle in the near future as the Blues shift towards the future and away from the team that won them the 2019 Stanley Cup. I think Dvorsky and Stenberg both have been underrated as they tend to be looked at as “safe picks” - a term that I sometimes hate because it shouldn’t discount the true skill these players have. Because they are viewed as having lower ceilings than some other top names in the class they fell at the draft, and St. Louis took full advantage and selected the best player available. The rest of the Blues draft was very average, not making any poor selections but also not taking any swings on some big names with upside.

#8 Washington Capitals (B+)

8 Ryan Leonard (F)

40 Andrew Cristall (F)

104 Patrick Thomas (F)

136 Cameron Allen (D)

200 Brett Hyland (F)

206 Antoine Keller (G)

The Capitals may not have had the luck they had hoped for in having Michkov fall to them, but they were very quick to the podium to select the NTDP gritty winger in Ryan Leonard. He brings a hard game and that’s no slight on the raw skill this kid has. After this year’s playoffs, NHL teams are looking to mold their roster after the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights and Leonard ﬁts that profile. Many, including myself, expected Andrew Cristall to fall on draft day but to 40th overall was quite surprising and Washington took full advantage, taking some risk on a junior perimeter player. Going into the draft year we expected Cameron Allen to be the ﬁrst OHL player off the board, but after a brutal season his stock plummeted. It’s hard to believe this talented young player entirely forgot how to play hockey and I think the Caps were willing to take this bet at 136.

#9 Colorado Avalanche (B)

27 Calum Ritchie (F)

31 Mikhail Gulyayev (D)

155 Nikita Ishimnikov (D)

187 Jeremy Hanzel (D)

219 Maros Jedlicka (F)

The Avalanche wouldn’t have expected to select Calum Ritchie and Mikhail Gulyayev with these very late ﬁrst rounders who we ranked 19th and 24th. This is great value at these picks. I ﬁnd it very interesting that they went with a very smart player who has a low ceiling and a high ﬂoor in Ritchie but then took a bit of a gamble on Gulyayev who is the polar opposite with a high ceiling and low ﬂoor. Not having many picks, and not many high ones, they can consider it a win if Colorado can get a couple NHLers from such minimal selections.

#10 Los Angeles Kings (B)

54 Jakub Dvorak (D)

78 Koehn Ziemmer (F)

118 Hampton Slukynsky (G)

150 Matthew Mania (D)

182 Ryan Conmy (F)

Jakub Dvorak has been such an underrated player all season long because he hasn’t been playing due to injury and is not flashy and doesn’t have much of a highlight reel but he might be the best defensive defenseman to come from this draft class. Big frame players like Dvorak are rare and hard to ﬁnd and are typically viewed as underrated even in the NHL because they are never noticeable with the puck. Dvorak shut down all the top players in the U.S. NTDP top line, Dvorsky, Michkov and even Connor Bedard at international competitions. He makes life so hard for attackers and will be a nightmare for goal scorers in the NHL and people will wonder how he was selected so late. The Kings followed this up with good picks in Koehn Ziemmer and Matthew Mania.

#11 Florida Panthers (B)

63 Gracyn Sawchyn (F)

127 Albert Wikman (D)

159 Olof Glifford (G)

191 Luke Coughlin (D)

198 Stepan Zvyagin (F)

Florida was another team that capitalized on an underrated player who slid on draft day in Gracyn Sawchyn. He played on a star-studded Seattle Thunderbirds team and didn’t get the opportunity to play top minutes but that didn’t stop him from putting up over a point per game. He will continue to grow under a great development program as he gains more ice time and expect him to put up monster numbers in the WHL for the next two seasons.

#12 Dallas Stars (C+)

61 Tristan Bertucci (D)

79 Brad Gardiner (F)

125 Aram Minnetian (D)

157 Arno Tiefensee (G)

189 Angus MacDonell (F)

221 Sebastian Bradshaw (F)

Dallas had very minimal draft capital and made the absolute most of it to no one's surprise as they usually do. Amazing value in Tristan Bertucci and Aram Minnetian.

#13 Vegas Golden Knights (B-)

32 David Edstrom (F)

77 Mathieu Cataford (F)

96 Arttu Kärki (D)

192 Tuomas Uronen (F)

Vegas selecting David Edstrom almost felt destined to happen as the last pick of the first round as we expected him to be selected in the ﬁrst round. Great pick for the Stanley Cup winners. Arttu Karki was also my favorite Finnish defense this year and I think 96 is excellent value for a player of his skill.

#14 San Jose Sharks (B-)

4 Will Smith (F)

26 Quentin Musty (F)

36 Kasper Halttunen (F)

71 Brandon Svoboda (F)

123 Luca Cagnoni (D)

130 Axel Landén (D)

132 Eric Pohlkamp (D)

196 David Klee (F)

203 Yegor Rimashevsky (F)

The Sharks drafted the highly skilled forward Will Smith very high, and I know he has gained some real hype over the past few months to get into the top 5 but personally having him just outside the top 10 makes it very hard to justify so much talent and other options at pick 4. This is a take that really could come back to bite me but I just don't love what Smith and Musty bring to the table outside of the high offensive skill that they clearly both have. In terms of value picks I think Halttunen is the Sharks best pick. If he played in London last season, he would have been called on day one of the draft and still has the opportunity to come over next season and be one of the best players in the league right away. The Sharks drafted very well but 13 other teams just did better.

#15 Calgary Flames (B-)

16 Samuel Honzek (F)

48 Étienne Morin (D)

80 Aydar Suniev (F)

112 Jaden Lipinski (F)

176 Yegor Yegorov (G)

208 Axel Hurtig (D)

The Flames had a solid draft and got a player we can expect the be a safe NHLer in Samuel Honzek that was expected in this range. I think Etienne Mornin could be the steal for them. This is a player that is extremely intelligent, and I personally have a lot of faith will continue to have success in his own development each season and could be viewed as a late ﬁrst rounder in the near future. Aydar Suniev at 80th overall is also great value.

#16 Montréal Canadiens (B-)

5 David Reinbacher (D)

69 Jacob Fowler (G)

101 Florian Xhekaj (F)

110 Bogdan Konyushkov (D)

128 Quentin Miller (G)

133 Sam Harris (F)

144 Yevgeni Volokhin (G)

165 Filip Eriksson (F)

197 Luke Mittelstadt (D)

Montréal might be the most talked about team post draft for all the wrong reasons so being dead in the middle at 16 may come as a surprise to most. The dislike for me comes from picks 101-197 where they took seven guys they could have gotten in rounds 6 or 7, and unfortunately some of those picks were in rounds 4 and 5. Jacob Fowler is a good goalie that could be huge for them, with the organization having such little depth in that department. Now Reinbacher who is the talk of Twitter and unfortunately for terrible reasons. The only argument I can understand against him is that Michkov should have been the pick, but there were many question marks surrounding the Russian and his intentions, leaving the Habs in a situation with lots of uncertainty at pick #5. So, they understandably took a player with a lot of certainty in elite defenseman David Reinbacher. He has been the only player under 18 shutting down grown professional athletes and ex-NHLers for two years. If that's not impressive enough he didn't just defend, he also produced higher than anyone in their DY-2 and DY-1 ever.

David has a good head on his shoulders and will develop all the necessary skills to round out his game to become a high-end defenseman who will eat lots of minutes and make a huge impact. He may not put up great offensive numbers or make highlight reel plays. That's ok, he plays defense for a reason. Leave that for the loads of talented players you already have and let Reinbacher make the other team's life a living hell and win hockey games, because that's what it's all about.

#17 Arizona Coyotes (B-)

6 Dmitri Simashev (D)

12 Daniil But (F)

38 Michael Hrabal (G)

70 Jonathan Castagna (F)

72 Noel Nordh (F)

81 Tanner Ludtke (F)

88 Vadim Moroz (F)

102 Terrell Goldsmith (D)

134 Melker Thelin (G)

160 Justin Kipkie (D)

162 Samu Bau (F)

166 Carsen Musser (G)

Arizona may have not drafted our best player available in their slots, but they took an interesting strategy to this year's draft that might have been the best option based on the current state of the team. Dmitri Simashev was our number one ranked defenseman in the class while Danill But has displayed shades of Evgeni Malkin at times. Both played on the same team this past season. This put Arizona in a safer situation to swing on upside and internally develop them together and could very well be a big payoff. Hrabal is the pick that gives some extra value as my personal favorite goaltender in the class. Drafting all players over 6'0" is another interesting strategy that is hard to disagree with. Middle of the pack supports my mixed feelings on the drafting of the Coyotes.

#18 Winnipeg Jets (C)

18 Colby Barlow (F)

82 Zachary Nehring (F)

146 Jacob Julien (F)

151 Thomas Milic (G)

210 Connor Levis (F)

Winnipeg is facing a lot of potential turnover on their roster this season. Colby Barlow makes an excellent pick for the Jets, bringing in a character Canadian guy, on and off the ice, as a key piece to build upon. You can expect Barlow to score lots of goals in the near future. The rest of the picks are very average, so they receive an average grade.

#19 New York Rangers (C)

23 Gabe Perreault (F)

90 Drew Fortescue (D)

152 Rasmus Larsson (D)

178 Dylan Roobroeck (F)

183 Ty Henricks (F)

Gabe Perreault was good value at 23rd as I thought his production this season would lead to him going much higher than he should have and I think this was a good range for him. A smart player who can be a great complement to some high-end skill just like he did with the NTDP. The rest of the picks were not very average.

#20 Detroit Red Wings (C)

9 Nate Danielson (F)

17 Axel Sandin Pellikka (D)

41 Trey Augustine (G)

42 Andrew Gibson (D)

47 Brady Cleveland (D)

73 Noah Dower Nilsson (F)

117 Larry Keenan (D)

137 Jack Phelan (D)

147 Kevin Bicker (F)

169 Rudy Guimond (G)

201 Emmitt Finnie (F)

Detroit's draft was very interesting to me because I find it hard to criticize Steve Yzerman’s picks which have been excellent in the past with some home runs to show for it. Nate Danielson and Axel-Sandin Pellika are great players who will be NHLers and good ones. They just didn't strike me as the types of players Detroit has recently drafted with some hard nose battlers that are going to be warriors. I think it might take a while for either to become impact playoff players relative to some of the skill still left on the board, such as Oliver Moore at pick #9 and still available at #17. They pass with a C as most other picks were good, but just that they were good and not great, where teams ahead of them made some great picks.

#21 Edmonton Oilers (C)

56 Beau Akey (D)

184 Nathaniel Day (G)

216 Matt Copponi (F)

Beau Akey is a good pick that has a good path in front of him to reﬁne his offensive talents and become a threat from the point for the Colts over the next couple of seasons and get a real chance to make the Oilers. Hard to judge a team with such little options at the draft.

Leo Carlsson of Sweden at a practice session during the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on May 25, 2023 in Riga.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN /

#22 Anaheim Ducks (C-)

2 Leo Carlsson (F)

33 Nico Myatovic (F)

59 Carey Terrance (F)

60 Damian Clara (G)

65 Coulson Pitre (F)

85 Yegor Sidorov (F)

97 Konnor Smith (D)

129 Rodwin Dionicio (D)

161 Vojtech Port (D)

I think passing on Fantilli will be something that will haunt Anaheim for a long time and really hurts their grade even though they are getting a great talent in Leo Carlsson. Unfortunately, I have a hard time seeing Carlsson being the 2nd best player that comes from this class and when they are a top team in the league soon this selection might be the difference between a contender and a champion. Other than that, Myatovic, Terrance and Pitre are solid picks.

#23 Vancouver Canucks (D+)

11 Tom Willander (D)

75 Hunter Brzustewicz (C-)

89 Sawyer Mynio (D)

105 Ty Mueller (F)

107 Vilmer Alriksson (F)

119 Matthew Perkins (F)

171 Aiden Celebrini (D)

Willander was ranked 23rd by us at McKeens and is a great defenseman who happens to be in a star studded offensive heavy draft. I think the Canuks were guilty of drafting for need rather than best player available and that affected the grade. Other than that, there isn’t too much to like in the class other than Hunter Brzustewicz at 75 was a great selection.

#24 Nashville Predators (C-)

15 Matthew Wood (F)

24 Tanner Molendyk (D)

43 Felix Nilsson (F)

46 Kalan Lind (F)

68 Jesse Kiiskinen (F)

83 Dylan MacKinnon (D)

111 Joseph Willis (F)

121 Juha Jatkola (G)

143 Sutter Muzzatti (F)

175 Austin Roest

218 Aiden Fink

Nashville was the host of this year’s draft and advised by new GM Barry Trotz in an interview to take some swings on high upside to add some high-end skill to the prospect pool. Well, they just didn’t do any of that and delivered a mediocre draft outside of top prospect Matthew Wood. What makes their draft so disappointing is that after 10 consecutive picks, the next best value pick was David Poiles last pick in Aiden Fink in the 7th round. Expectations were high and far from reached.

#25 Tampa Bay Lightning (D)

37 Ethan Gauthier (F)

115 Jayson Shaugabay (F)

179 Warren Clark (D)

193 Jack Harvey (F)

211 Ethan Hay (F)

Tampa will ﬁnd a way to develop these players, especially Ethan Gauthier, because that’s what they do best within their system. I just believe they could have done it with the better options available and left talent on the table with every pick.

#26 New Jersey Devils (D+)

58 Lenni Hämeenaho (F)

122 Cam Squires (F)

154 Chase Cheslock (D)

164 Cole Brown (F)

186 Daniil Karpovich (D)

New Jersey was very inactive and didn’t take many swings this year and they are in a situation where they didn’t need to. Lenni Hameenaho was ranked 84 for us at McKeens and was a bit of a reach.

#27 Ottawa Senators (D)

108 Hoyt Stanley (D)

140 Matthew Andonovski (D)

204 Owen Beckner (F)

207 Vladimir Nikitin (G)

215 Nicholas VanTassell (F)

Ottawa did not have many picks and none very high. Hoyt Stanley is the only pick which has had some hype going into the draft and been noticeable this season. I wouldn’t expect anyone from the class to make the roster.

#28 Pittsburgh Penguins (D-)

14 Brayden Yager (F)

91 Emil Pieniniemi (D)

142 Mikhail Ye. Ilyin (F)

174 Cooper Foster (F)

217 Emil Järventie (F)

223 Kalle Kangas (D)

Another situation where good players were selected but when I look at this class, and Emil Jarventie is the best value pick in the 7th round, that is an issue for me. Yes, Brayden Yager is an excellent player with a deadly shot and a good head on his shoulders. It’s hard to give high grades when top 5-10 talents were still available where he was picked. This strikes me as more of a situation where the Penguins scouting staff were left to make the pick, more so than Dubas, and they went with the guy they targetted going into the draft rather than the best player available.

#29 Toronto Maple Leafs (D-)

28 Easton Cowan (F)

153 Hudson Malinoski (F)

185 Noah Chadwick (D)

The Easton Cowan pick is very difficult to grade because it really could go both ways. I understand the pick because you’re getting, debatably, the hardest working player in the class whose development is skyrocketing at a high pace under the teachings of the Hunters in London. You can expect this growth to continue over the next couple seasons. It woudl appear the Leafs aren’t selecting the 28th best player currently and are banking on Cowan being a ﬁrst round talent in 3-5 years, an approach I agree with. The issue I have with this pick is I really think you could have selected him later, and possibly much later. The 2nd round Is still a reach but at least you’re not leaving talent on the table in this deep draft and getting the maximum value out of each pick. I just think this was some poor asset management and the Leafs just focused on getting their guy. Time will be the true indicator.

#30 New York Islanders (D)

49 Danny Nelson (F)

113 Jesse Nurmi (F)

145 Justin Gill (F)

177 Zach Schulz (D)

209 Dennis Good Bogg (D)

Islanders drafted some good leadership in a pair of Captains in Danny Nelson and Zach Shulz. When that is the best thing to be said about the selections that is an issue.

#31 Boston Bruins (F+)

92 Christopher Pelosi (F)

124 Beckett Hendrickson (F)

188 Ryan Walsh (F)

214 Casper Nässén (F)

220 Kristian Kostadinski (D)

Beckett Hendrickson is the only reason they aren’t ranked 32nd.

#32 Minnesota Wild (F)

21 Charlie Stramel (F)

53 Rasmus Kumpulainen (F)

64 Riley Heidt (F)

149 Aaron Pionk (D)

181 Kalem Parker (D)

213 Jimmy Clark (F)

The Wild are the only team that gets an F grade. It’s not because I don't like the players in Charlie Stramel and Rasmus Kumpulainen because they are prospects I had on my personal board, but it’s very hard to justify these picks with the options still available on the board at the time of the picks. These are just too far off the board to not trade back and still get the player you want. We at McKeens ranked both these players as 3rd round talents.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – Two Round Mock Draft

Brock Otten — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:05:22 +0000

First Round

1 - Chicago Blackhawks - Connor Bedard (Regina, WHL)

Regardless of whether you believe that the Hawks deserved to win the first overall selection…it did happen. And the timing for the Chicago organization couldn’t have been better as they transition from the Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews era to the Connor Bedard era. This is a game changer that should accelerate the Blackhawk’s rebuild.

2 - Anaheim Ducks - Adam Fantilli (Michigan, NCAA)

Talk about power down the middle. By selecting the University of Michigan star, the Ducks can now boast a one/two punch at center of Mason McTavish and Adam Fantilli. That likely pushes Trevor Zegras to the wing long term, which might not be a terrible thing considering his struggles at the faceoff circle and defensively. Fantilli is one of the most polished two-way forwards in the league and his speed and strength should allow him to jump into the NHL immediately.

3 - Columbus Blue Jackets - Leo Carlsson (Orebro, SHL)

This is where things get really interesting. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen doesn’t draft a ton out of Sweden (Finnish bias?...lol), however I believe that this would be the best pick for the organization. Carlsson is the most ready to make an immediate impact in the NHL and he would give the Jackets a potential two-way rock to build their forward group around. This is a team who wants to compete soon and turn their fortunes around.

4 - San Jose Sharks - Will Smith (USNTDP)

For the life of me, I just can’t see Mike Grier going with Michkov here. Smith would give San Jose a highly skilled playmaker to continue to build around. He could help to elevate the play of some of the team’s complementary players. He may take a few years in College with BC, but the end product should be a high-end offensive player. Question…would it be shocking to see the Sharks reach for a defender like David Reinbacher here?

5 - Montreal Canadiens - Ryan Leonard (USNTDP)

It really seems like the Canadiens would pass on Michkov should he be available to them. It could be smoke and mirrors, but all signs do point to that fact. So, who do they select? Lots of hype around Reinbacher. I think they’re happy with their defensive depth right now. IMO. I truly believe that Ryan Leonard could be their target. Here’s a forward who can make an impact in a lot of different ways and who plays the power game that Montreal really seems to want to play in the future. Obviously Dalibor Dvorsky could be an option here too.

6- Arizona Coyotes - Matvei Michkov (HK Sochi, KHL)

I just can’t see Michkov falling that far. Yes, there is inherent risk. But the reward is so great. Arizona wants to become relevant again, but they also want to have sustainability. They haven’t shied away from drafting Russians in recent years, and this is a big fish. The timing of his arrival in the NHL should be perfect for Arizona’s inevitable resurgence.

7- Philadelphia Flyers - David Reinbacher (Kloten, NL)

A big, right shot defender, it seems like a sure thing that he’ll be drafted in the top ten, even if he’s our third ranked defender. The Flyers seem like a really good fit for him. Reinbacher is a potential two-way force from the right side who could develop into an all-situations player for Philadelphia and would complement other young defenders like Cam York and Emil Andrae exceptionally well.

8 - Washington Capitals - Oliver Moore (USNTDP)

Would it be shocking to see Moore drafted ahead of Ryan Leonard? I don’t think so. NHL teams put such a premium on true centers and Moore is just that. Watching the Capitals in recent years, it’s obvious that they need to focus on upgrading the speed quotient of this team again and Moore is the best skating player available this year. The range of outcomes for him runs the gamut of Dylan Larkin to Andrew Cogliano, but Moore should play and would fit in well with this roster, perhaps better than some of the power wingers slated to go here. Nate Danielson could be an option here too, especially given Washington’s Western bias.

9 - Detroit Red Wings - Dalibor Dvorsky (AIK, Allsvenskan)

I think one thing Detroit proved at last year’s draft was that they wanted to focus on getting back to being difficult to play against in the future. There is a desire for the full rebuild to be over and it’s now time to focus on getting players who can be strong playoff performers. Dvorsky is raw, but as we have seen internationally, he is a big game player who can potentially grow into an all-situations type.

10 - St. Louis Blues - Axel Sandin Pellikka (Skelleftea, SWEJ20)

One of the top offensive defenders available this year, Sandin Pellikka proved at this year’s U18’s that he can defend too. The progression in his game over the course of the year should have teams lining up to select him given the weakness of the defense crop. St. Louis needs to inject new life into their blueline, specifically in the puck moving department.

11 - Vancouver Canucks - Nate Danielson (Brandon, WHL)

Lots to like here for the Canucks. Danielson is a strong candidate to be an all situations top six center for them in the future. And let’s face it, the center depth in the organization isn’t amazing right now. There is a need for a player like Danielson. He’s really the last player in this grouping of ranked players who is likely to stick down the center, so I’d expect all these guys to go high.

12 - Arizona Coyotes (via Ottawa) - Matthew Wood (UConn, NCAA)

Skating concerns be darned, someone is going to bite on Matthew Wood early in the first round. He’s just been too good the last few years. As we’ve seen with Jason Robertson, skating development can occur as conditioning improves. Wood has so many other good qualities and he would be the perfect complementary player for them in the future.

13 - Buffalo Sabres - Dmitri Simashev (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL)

Our top ranked defender, can you imagine a future where the Sabres have both Owen Power and Dmitri Simashev? The massive defender skates well and should at least develop into a high end stay at home type. The Sabres haven’t been scared off by taking Russian players too. This seems like a great fit.

14 - Pittsburgh Penguins - Daniil But (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL)

One of the things Pittsburgh needs to do at the draft this year is focus on selecting players with upside. For far too long, the focus was on safer prospects and the combination of that, plus a lack of first round selections, has left the system in disarray. Insert Daniil But, a big winger who could end up being an Evgeni Malkin kind of player thanks to his combination of power and skill. The Penguins have had some success drafting out of Russia, so I don’t see it scaring them off.

15 - Nashville Predators - Tom Willander (Rögle, SWE J20)

One of the draft's biggest risers, Willander was so good in the second half, and it has caused many (including us) to shift their opinion of his potential. He now looks like a lock to be a top four, right shot defender. I see Nashville looking at adding a potential defender at this spot and perhaps they go more offensively oriented with Gulyayev or Dragicevic, but the well-rounded profile seems to fit them more.

16 - Calgary Flames - Zach Benson (Winnipeg, WHL)

The fall for Benson ends here with Calgary selecting him. We love Benson, but there’s definitely some concern that NHL scouts are concerned with the fact that he’s undersized and not a dynamic athlete. However, his playmaking ability would really help the Flames moving forward and I think they need to gamble on his upside. I could also see Calgary opting for an offensively oriented defender here too.

17 - Detroit Red Wings (via New York Islanders) - Mikhail Gulyayev (Avangard Omsk, KHL)

One of the top skating defenders available this year, Gulyayev would be a great fit in the Detroit system. The Red Wings have a lot of solid young defenders in their system, but none have the skating ability, shot, and powerplay quarterbacking potential that Gulyayev possesses. Getting him and Ryan Leonard in the first round would be terrific for an organization trying to take that next step and sustain it.

18 - Winnipeg Jets - Colby Barlow (Owen Sound, OHL)

Obviously, there are a lot of different routes that the Jets could take here, but Barlow makes a lot of sense. The high-end goal scorer is also very versatile and plays a powerful North/South game. Maybe there are some similarities between him and Rutger McGroarty, but this Jets team wants to have multiple players of that ilk on their roster.

19 - Chicago Blackhawks (via Tampa Bay) - Gabe Perreault (USNTDP)

Where Perreault goes on draft day will be really interesting. His athletic tools aren’t terrific, but you can’t argue with the success he had this year. He’s just such an intelligent and creative player. With your new team identity forming around Connor Bedard, Perreault seems like an amazing fit to play with him in the future. Plus, Perreault is a bit of a local kid, having grown up as part of the Chicago Mission program.

20 - Seattle Kraken - Samuel Honzek (Vancouver, WHL)

The Kraken wouldn’t have had to travel far to get a good look at Honzek this year. After using their top picks on centers in their first two drafts, they opt for a big, skilled winger to play with them in 2023. Honzek’s upside is excellent, and he is actually someone who could go much higher than this.

21 - Minnesota Wild - David Edstrom (Frölunda, SWE J20)

Doesn’t this just scream a Minnesota Wild selection. Edstrom was a late season riser thanks to the progression he showed over the year from an offensive perspective. He has both a solid floor and a high ceiling and given the draft’s lack of true centers, I expect him to go pretty high on draft day.

22 - Philadelphia (via Columbus, via Los Angeles) - Eduard Sale (HC Kometa Brno, Czechia)

Philly is up for the second pick of the first round, acquired in the Provorov trade. After adding a defenseman to replace him with the seventh pick, they opt for the best forward available on the board. That is a quality playmaking winger with size in Eduard Sale, currently ranked #17 by McKeen's. Sale could definitely go higher than this too, so the value is terrific.

23 - New York Rangers - Cal Ritchie (Oshawa, OHL)

Cal Ritchie grew up playing for the Oakville Rangers, so this just seems like a great story. Tons of pictures of him wearing Rangers gear at a young age! But this would be a great pick for New York for a lot of reasons. Ritchie is one of the most intelligent forwards available this year and while his OHL season wasn’t outstanding, his international performances were.

24 - Nashville Predators (via Edmonton) - Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw, WHL)

Maybe Yager goes higher than this. We’re certainly lower on him than the consensus in the scouting community. However, he seems like the kind of player that Nashville would love to add into their system; the kind of player they’ve been drafting for the last decade or so, helping them to remain consistently strong.

25 - St. Louis Blues (via Toronto) - Quentin Musty (Sudbury, OHL)

We’ve got Musty outside of the first round because of concerns over his feet and wavering compete levels, but given his size and skill package, it seems unlikely that he falls out of the first. St. Louis would be a good place for Quentin, and I could see them being quite interested in him. There’s a need to inject new skill and life into the wing group in St. Louis and Musty has one of the higher offensive ceilings in the draft.

26 - San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey) - Bradly Nadeau (Penticton, BCHL)

The Sharks have focused on drafting some pretty good playmakers in recent years and they took Will Smith fourth overall earlier in this mock. So why not take a chance on a high-end finisher like Brad Nadeau. Nadeau also brings a strong compete level and is someone with a good upside, so long as you believe that the BCHL competition was good enough to truly challenge him this year.

27 - Colorado Avalanche - Ethan Gauthier (Sherbrooke, QMJHL)

A solid complementary goal scorer, Gauthier has a good motor too. There is a need for him to get quicker and consistency was an issue at times this year. However, the Avs are going to want a player who can jump into their lineup in a few years and help them win and Gauthier has a lot of strong pro level attributes already. He scores from between the dots and Colorado missed that a bit this year with so many injuries to those types of players.

28 - Toronto Maple Leafs (via Boston) - Gavin Brindley (Michigan, NCAA)

Kyle Dubas is no longer at the helm, but for now it looks like the scouting staff will remain the same under Brad Treliving. Brindley is the type of player that the Leafs organization has been targeting lately at the draft. His compete level and skating are at the top of this draft class and his offensive upside might be a tad underrated. This is someone who is going to play through the middle six for years to come.

29 - St. Louis Blues (via Dallas) - Oliver Bonk (London, OHL)

The Blues have the luxury of three first round picks this year and that gives them a ton of flexibility. So far in our mock they’ve taken Sandin Pellikka and Musty, so grabbing a safer defender like Bonk could make a lot of sense. A highly intelligent two-way player, Bonk has the bloodlines and the work ethic to help him improve.

30 - Carolina Hurricanes - Anton Wahlberg (Malmö, SHL)

The Hurricanes always seem to align their draft ideals with the amateur scouting community, often selecting independent scout darlings in recent years. Insert Anton Wahlberg. Much like Swedish teammate David Edstrom, he improved massively over the course of the year, learning to use his size and quickness to be a very effective player inside the offensive zone. The athletic tools are going to be very intriguing to Carolina.

31 - Montreal Canadiens (via Florida) - Riley Heidt (Prince George, WHL)

Coming into the year, this pick would have been seen as a steal, but this is sort of where Heidt is projected to go now. I could see Montreal being very interested in Heidt as he possesses similar qualities to other forwards they have drafted recently. How his game ultimately comes together at the pro level remains a mystery, but he has a lot of interesting tools.

32 - Vegas Golden Knights - Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon, WHL)

Molendyk is not only one of the smarter defenders available this year, but he’s also one of the better skaters. That combination will be very intriguing to a team like Vegas. He’s way more athletic than the defenders they have been selecting the last five or so years and would give the organization a bit of a different look on the back end.

Second Round

33 - Anaheim Ducks - Michael Hrabal (Omaha, USHL)

If we don’t have a goalie taken in the first round, I would suspect that we see a huge run on them early in the second. The Ducks haven’t drafted a goalie since Lukas Dostal. He’s turned into a great prospect, but there’s a need to look further down the road. Hrabal is raw, but he might have the best upside of the goalies available.

34 - Columbus Blue Jackets - Carson Bjarnason (Brandon, WHL)

The goalie run continues with the Jackets taking Carson Bjarnason. He has number one upside as he continues to learn to harness his athleticism and he helps fill an organizational need in the future.

35 - Chicago Blackhawks - Lukas Dragicevic (Tri-City, WHL)

It could be surprising if Dragicevic drops out of the first round considering the talent he brings from the back end, but there are definitely concerns over how good he can become defensively. The Hawks are swinging for true upside here and hope that he can be a strong powerplay quarterback for them in the future.

36 - San Jose Sharks - Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener, OHL)

One thing that the Sharks really seem to be focusing on as a scouting team is drafting athletes. They’re looking for guys who can play fast, who bring size, and who have a large runway to improve. Rehkopf had a very inconsistent year, but the talent is there. With all the graduations in Kitchener this year, it’ll be his team to run moving forward.

37 - Montreal Canadiens - Trey Augustine (USNTDP)

We know how commonly the Canadiens have gone to the U.S. Development program in recent years and Augustine was the rock for that team in net, helping them capture gold at the U18’s. It seems likely that Montreal will look to draft a goalie fairly high this year because Primeau hasn’t really developed according to plan, and they let Dichow’s rights expire.

38 - Arizona Coyotes - Otto Stenberg (Frölunda, SHL)

I really like Stenberg. I think he’s a lot better than he showed in the SHL and when playing outside of international competition. Part of me doesn’t believe that he falls, but players with his profile have fallen outside of the first many times. This would be a great selection for Arizona, adding speed and skill to their forward group in the future.

39 - Buffalo Sabres (via Philadelphia) - Danny Nelson (USNTDP)

One of the most improved players in this draft class from start to finish this year, Nelson is an intriguing athlete. There’s a chance that he might not be more than an Adam Lowry type. But it will be interesting to see how his offensive game develops outside of the shadow of Smith and Moore. The Sabres system is stacked, but this type of center is something that they could focus in on.

40 - Washington Capitals - Adam Gajan (Chippewa, NAHL)

I fully expect someone to jump on Gajan pretty early. He was so good at the U20’s this year and he has the athletic tools needed to reach a high ceiling as an NHL starting netminder. The Capitals haven’t focused a ton of attention on goaltenders at the draft in recent years, but there is a need to add one into the system. Additionally, they have been an organization that does not shy away from drafting re-entry players.

41 - Detroit Red Wings - Kasper Halttunen (HIFK, Liiga)

The first of three consecutive selections for the Wings, look for variance in these selections. In Halttunen, the Wings get a high upside goal scoring winger who struggled playing against men this year, but who dominated his own age group. He could easily go higher than this.

42 - Detroit Red Wings - Maxim Strbak (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Strbak would be a great selection for the Wings in this area as a potential top four, defensively oriented defender. He is a fierce competitor, and his offensive skill set might be a tad underrated. If the feet can improve more at Michigan State, he could be quite the player.

43 - Detroit Red Wings - Charlie Stramel (Wisconsin, NCAA)

There is a significant chance that Stramel will go in the first round even after a poor year at Wisconsin. NHL teams love his profile; that big power center with middle six upside. For the Wings, I believe that this would be a no- brainer if he is still available. Stramel is a little more athletic than Rasmussen and has better physical tools than Veleno.

44 - Chicago Blackhawks (via Ottawa) - Nick Lardis (Hamilton, OHL)

One thing that the Hawks really focused on last year at the draft was adding speed and strong skaters to their prospect group. I’m sure that this was extremely intentional and there aren’t many better skaters than Nick Lardis available this year. His second half explosion has vaulted him up into this kind of territory thanks to his combination of speed and goal scoring ability.

45 - Buffalo Sabres - Andrew Cristall (Kelowna, WHL)

Quite the fall for Cristall, but there is real concern inside the NHL scouting community around his size and skating combination. He is so reliant on using his edges and lacks the linear quickness to gain separation against better skating defenders. But the upside is so significant because of his creativity, skill, and IQ. Well worth the risk in this area of the draft, especially for an organization with a deep talent pool.

46 - Nashville Predators (via Pittsburgh) - Nico Myatovic (Seattle, WHL)

This is the kind of player that the Predators have won with previously, that hardnosed, physical, strong two-way forward out of the CHL. Myatovic improved a lot in the second half with the Thunderbirds and he is the type of player that I believe NHL scouts are going to like a lot more than independent, amateur ones.

47 - Nashville Predators - Arttu Karki (Tappara U20, U20 SM-sarja)

After taking Willander in the first, the Predators take Karki, a strong puck moving defender who was excellent in Finland this past season. Lots to like about his skating ability and offensive upside. He’s almost like a more athletic version of Kulonummi, who they took last year.

48 - Calgary Flames - Beau Akey (Barrie, OHL)

After taking Zach Benson in the first round, the Flames opt for an athletic blueliner from the OHL in the second, taking Akey. He is one of the better skating defenders in the draft and is still learning how to use that mobility to his advantage at both ends. Shades of a young TJ Brodie here, waiting to be unlocked and that worked out well for the Flames in 2008.

49 - New York Islanders - Jayden Perron (Chicago, USHL)

This is the fourth straight year that the Islanders don’t have a first-round selection and their talent pool is hurting because of it. So, the focus needs to be on selecting a player with significant upside. The highest upside player remaining is probably Perron, an undersized, but skilled forward with the Chicago Steel. He excels playing with pace and would immediately become one of the better prospects in their system.

50 - Seattle Kraken (via Winnipeg) - Andrew Gibson (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

One of the better defensive defenders available in the draft this year, Gibson would give the Kraken a type of player that they haven’t really drafted yet in their two years of existence; a staunch, physical defender with reach. He had a really good U18’s for Canada and we know how much Seattle loves drafting from the OHL.

51 - Chicago Blackhawks (via Tampa Bay) - William Whitelaw (Youngstown, USHL)

This just seems like the type of player that Chicago scouts would really love. Again, we have the speed component. But we also have a competitive player who can score goals. There are concerns over his size and IQ, but he had a great playoff for Youngstown in helping them capture a Clark Cup.

52 - Seattle Kraken - Jacob Fowler (Youngstown, USHL)

Personally, I believe Fowler is the top goaltender in this class. But I think that because his physical/athletic tools aren’t quite as strong as the likes of Hrabal and Bjarnason, he probably ends up more in this range. His performance in the Clark Cup playoffs was a masterpiece. Yes, Seattle did draft Niklas Kokko early last year, but when you’re trying to build out a strong prospect group, you need good goaltending depth.

53 - Minnesota Wild - Coulson Pitre (Flint, OHL)

Pitre is exactly the kind of player that the Wild could use in their system; a competitive power winger who can play in all situations. Pitre is one of the most physical forwards available this year and he is that rare kind of power forward who also has good vision with the puck. He’s the perfect complementary piece.

54 - Los Angeles Kings - Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (HV71, SHL)

The second straight draft that the Kings don’t have a first-round selection and they have to be very happy to see Oscar Fisker Mølgaard still available here. The Kings love players like him. He’s a competitive two-way forward with versatility who can probably move through their system pretty quickly.

55 - Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Rangers) - Tristan Bertucci (Flint, OHL)

At this point, the Blackhawks have about half the picks in the first two rounds it seems like. Here they nab Tristan Bertucci, a player who improved substantially in the second half at both ends. He has intriguing physical and athletic tools and could project as a John Marino kind of player with the right development.

56 - Edmonton Oilers - Koehn Ziemmer (Prince George, WHL)

It seems like Edmonton has been searching for this kind of player at the draft for several seasons now. They took Reid Schaefer last year but then dealt him in the Ekholm deal. Ziemmer is a pure goal scorer, but he also brings a competitive edge. The only thing holding him back is a lack of dynamic skating ability.

57 - Seattle Kraken (via Toronto) - Carey Terrance (Erie, OHL)

Speed is the name of the game for Terrance. But versatile is a word that also fits. He showed at the U18’s with the U.S. team that won gold, that he can play a complementary role different from the play driving role that he fills in Erie. He is already a committed two-way player too. Lots to like here.

58 - New Jersey Devils - Gracyn Sawchyn (Seattle, WHL)

Definitely a bit of a fall for Sawchyn, at least compared to where a lot of independent scouting agencies have him ranked (including us). But there are concerns over his slight frame and lack of dynamic skating. That said, this is a great selection for a New Jersey team that doesn’t have a first this year. Sawchyn has great offensive upside and the Devils haven’t shied away from taking players with skating weaknesses in recent years.

59 - Anaheim Ducks (via Colorado) - Easton Cowan (London, OHL)

Have to think that there were quite a few NHL scouts impressed with Cowan’s playoff performance for London in the OHL playoffs where he transformed into a much more assertive offensive player. He has speed to burn and he’s tenacious to boot. This is a future high character, middle six guy for the Ducks.

60 - Anaheim Ducks (via Boston) - Aram Minnetian (USNTDP)

Pretty rare to see the first U.S. NTDP defender off the draft board this late, but it’s an odd group. Minnetian seems like the most likely to go in the second-round range (or Fortescue). This is a solid upside pick for the Ducks because of how well Minnetian skates. Consistency was an issue for him, especially in the defensive end, but he’ll be given time to grow.

61 - Dallas Stars - Martin Misiak (Youngstown, USHL)

It took some time for Misiak to adjust to the USHL, but as the USHL playoffs rolled around, he was firing on all cylinders along with Will Whitelaw. He was a huge piece of that Phantoms’ Clark Cup winning team. He plays a two-way power game and projects as a solid middle six option for Dallas in the future.

62 - Carolina Hurricanes - Jakub Dvorak (Bili Tygri Liberec, Czechia)

It wasn’t the easiest season for Dvorak, as he battled through injuries. However, he returned in time to play at the U18’s, giving scouts a taste of what he can bring to the table as a future top four, stay at home defender. The Hurricanes love raw, toolsy types like Dvorak and they’ve drafted players out of Czechia the last two drafts.

63 - Florida Panthers - Felix Nilsson (Rögle, SHL)

It was really unfortunate that Nilsson had to miss the U18’s due to a wrist injury. He was shooting up draft lists with his strong second half. Ain intelligent and high energy playmaking center, Nilsson fits the Florida Panthers MO at the draft and would be a great pick for a team without a first-round selection this year.

64 - Minnesota Wild (via Los Angeles) - Drew Fortescue (USNTDP)

No defender on the U.S. U18 team improved as much as Fortescue did this year. His athletic tools are through the roof and at the very least, he looks like he could be a solid #5, safe, stay at home type. But what if his game continues to improve at a rapid rate? The Wild have targeted similar kinds of defenders at the draft in recent years.

2023 NHL DRAFT: Canada – Étienne Morin, D, Moncton Wild Cats (QMJHL) – Scouting Report/Video Review

Jérémi Plourde — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 19:42:26 +0000

Étienne Morin

2023 NHL Draft Eligible

Position: D, Shoots: L

H/W: 6’0”, 176lbs

Date of Birth: 2005-03-29

Stats to Date: 67GP – 21G – 51A – 72PTS

To me, Étienne Morin is undoubtedly the best defenceman available out of the QMJHL this year. He has been absolutely dominant offensively, finishing second in scoring among draft-year eligible players from the Québec league. He only trailed Mathieu Cataford, a forward who played for a much better team offensively. Morin also joined Team Canada for the U18’s tournament, but only scored one assist in three games. It is a bit unfortunate that he could not join team Canada earlier in the tournament, because it seemed like he was definitely looking better as the tournament went on, being more confident and daring to show more creativity.

At first glance, it is quite possible to come out unimpressed with Morin. Yes, he shows some flashy skills and some smooth edges here and there, but his game is mostly very simple. Unfortunately, from a viewing perspective, simple is often paired with boring. As a scout, it is very important to understand that fun does not mean good, and boring does not mean bad. There are many roles that players can have, and there are many ways players can execute in order to be efficient and helpful for their team. Being flashy and exciting and skilled is great, and it’s even necessary to a certain extent, but so is being simple and efficient. Morin understands this perfectly, and if you dive down into the smaller aspects of his game and try to understand why he chooses to be more “boring”, you will hopefully appreciate the player that he is and will be able to see why he is not a prospect to overlook. I hope this breakdown will do just that.

In terms of projection, Morin will most likely not be a top pairing defenceman. He simply does not have the high-end talent and playstyle for that. That being said, he projects very well as a second or bottom pairing defenceman, exactly because of his playstyle. He will really need to fix some flaws in his game; the coming years of development will be very important, but if he is well coached and well trained, there is no reason for him not to become at least a bottom pairing defenceman, possibly middle pairing. I expect at least three years of development to make sure the flaws are fixed.

It is also worth mentioning how much ice time Morin gets. The Moncton defenceman is on the ice for north of 25 minutes per game very often, giving him a ton of responsibility and more time to grow and learn.

Skating

Overall, Morin’s skating is not one of his strengths, but it is not necessarily something to worry about too much either. There are some good aspects of his skating, but some that also limit his upside.

Morin uses his edges mostly to navigate nimbly at the blue line, but also in every situation when necessary, even in his own zone. He is strong on his skates and can make skilled moves laterally. He can turn on a dime and spin off pressure easily. He often does spin-o-rama moves at the blue line to completely throw off pressure and buy himself some time. The defenceman loves to stutter step at the offensive blue line as well. There are a plethora of moves he can pull off with his skating ability in terms of being agile and creative.

Here’s an example of this move, displaying his great agility.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Skating-1.mp4

Here is a clip of him dancing at the blue line trying to spot a good shooting lane, which ended up working. This is a very common play that NHL-caliber defencemen do all the time.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Skating-2.mp4

What is more problematic with Morin’s skating is his speed and explosiveness. For a player who is “only” six foot tall, you would expect him to have a much better acceleration and a much better pace. This really limits his projection to the next level. He can get caught by attackers that are much faster than him and this will only happen more as he gets to the next level. He will have to drastically improve these aspects of his skating in the coming years.

Here is an example. The opposing team dumps the puck, and Morin is flat out beaten by the forechecker, which cancels the icing. Now it is true that it was in the last thirty seconds of a game in which he had already played 34 minutes, but the explosiveness and speed is still visibly lacking.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Skating-3.mp4

Grade: 50

Shot

I will probably repeat myself when I talk about his smarts, but Morin is a very patient player in a lot of aspects, including his shot. When he receives the puck at the blue line, he is often very patient, using fake shots and some lateral moves to get a better shooting opportunity.

Here is an example of this. He receives the puck, fakes the shot and goes around the opposing forward for a better shot angle. This ability to look for a better shooting opportunity is what separates good defencemen from great defencemen offensively.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Shot-1.mp4

You can see how patient of a player he is here. He gets the puck in an excellent shooting spot, but decides to be patient and outwait the opponent to get an even better shot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Shot-2.mp4

Morin has an underrated wrist shot, I feel like people don’t talk about it enough. His weight transfer is great, the ending result is often quite powerful. The only thing that is a bit underwhelming for now is the accuracy, but it can obviously be improved. Even with speed and limited space, he’s able to fire an impressive wrist shot. This year, he has been able to beat a ton of goaltenders cleanly with this shot selection.

Here is a tremendously skilled offensive play from Morin. He collects the puck at neutral ice and skillfully dances around a player before passing the puck to a teammate. He then activates offensively, gets the puck back and fires a tremendous wrist shot. Activating offensively is a very important aspect of the game to master as an NHL defenceman, as many teams have an entire offensive system that revolves around defencemen participating offensively. The Colorado Avalanche are a team that comes to mind, as they have many skilled offensive defencemen that can contribute offensively.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Shot-3.mp4

Here is an example where Morin sees some space he can work with and gets a nice shot using his outside leg.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Shot-4.mp4

His shot sometimes lacks a bit of power. He will obviously add some muscle/strength in the coming years, and hopefully his shot gets more powerful.

You can see how his wind-up slap shot sometimes lacks a bit of power here. In order to be an actual threat, his one-timer would have to be much more powerful in the NHL. He still has time to add some more power though, not overly concerning for now.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Shot-5.mp4

Here is a successful wind-up slapshot, where he did manage to get more power. Obviously, the shooting position is much better than in the last spot, but you can see that he is able to get some power on his wind-up shot, it just needs to be much more consistent.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Shot-6.mp4

Grade: 50

Skills

Once again, calm and poised would be two accurate adjectives to describe Morin’s skills. When executing stickhandles through an opponent, Morin makes it seem so easy. He simplifies his moves a lot and stays calm during the entire move, confident in his ability to get it done.

Here is an example of a somewhat risky move that he makes look so simple, without breaking a sweat.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Skills-1.mp4

Though I will expand on his passing ability when talking about his smarts, it is still worth highlighting the skill side of his passes. Morin is a strong and accurate passer, and can dish passes to players with speed, and even through opponents, with ease. He loves to sneak in a pass right under a player’s stick, really displaying the fact that he is a skilled passer.

You can see him doing just that in this clip. He receives the puck and continues moving forward, and as he sees the forechecker approaching, he breaks and dishes a pass precisely right under his stick.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Skills-2.mp4

That being said, Morin really struggles to execute moves at a higher speed. This definitely limits what he can do on the ice. He would definitely be more dangerous if he could create more with speed. It seems like every time he manages to move the puck up the ice and passes around a few players, he either gets it with decent speed, or with his hands, but rarely with a combination of both.

You can see in this clip that while he had great acceleration when entering the offensive zone, he stops moving his feet before executing any move. He was still able to attack the defender and go around him with a nice move to get a decent shot on net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Skills-3.mp4

Grade: 55

Smarts

Morin is so calm with the puck when initiating the breakout. He looks like a true quarterback. Even at 5 on 5, he’s looking for those stretch passes to enter the offensive zone and barely gets pressured because everyone knows he will pass. If he took the opportunity to catch the opposing team off guard by carrying the puck himself more often, he would add much more to his arsenal in the transition game, and it would be easy for me to see a higher upside in him.

That being said, as previously mentioned, the way he calmly breaks the puck out of his zone and executes hail-mary type of passes often and with rarely turning the puck over makes me confident that he will translate this to the next level. He could easily become a puck retrieving defenceman in the NHL because he is so good at it. Many goals are scored on fast breaks where a defenceman spots a forward who is lurking at the offensive blue line ready to go score, and Morin has already mastered this aspect of his game at only 17 years of age. Pretty impressive.

Here are two examples of those passes, displaying his great vision.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Smarts-1.mp4

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Smarts-2.mp4

At the blue line, Morin can also use his calmness to his advantage. When he receives the puck, he likes to wait to draw an opponent towards him before executing. He doesn’t do it because he doesn’t know what to do with the puck; he wants to take advantage of the space created by the forward attacking him. He thinks ahead of the play and is willing to manipulate opponents. This really shows his confidence and his intelligence at being efficient with the puck.

Here is an example of him waiting and baiting out an opponent, calming the play and even using a bit of deception.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Smarts-3.mp4

Morin is very smart with what he does with his stick. When defending the rush, he continues his calm stance and disrupts the play with excellent stick placement, predicting his opponents’ move. He truly makes defending look effortless, which says a lot about his intelligence and understanding of the game.

Here is a clip that shows how he smartly defends the rush. He sees that the forward is entering the zone with speed, so he makes sure to keep him to the outside. Then, he calmly follows his movements and as soon as he makes a move to get by him, he places his stick perfectly to stop the puck and kills the rush chance. It is as efficient and precise of a defensive play as it can get, and that is because he understands how to defend.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Smarts-4.mp4

Morin’s smarts are one of his best traits. They might not show up at first glance, but when you analyze his actions and movements, you can see that everything he does is calculated.

Grade: 55

Physicality/Compete

As mentioned when talking about his smarts, when it comes to defensive coverage, Morin really prefers to do most of it with his stick. He pins down the opponents’ stick with his own, he is excellent at disrupting the rush with his stick, and he loves to slightly cross check opponents, just enough for it to be annoying for the player but to go unnoticed by the ref.

The Moncton defenceman will still use his body if necessary. He is not really the type of player to wow you with open ice hits, he is rather smart with how he uses his body. He positions himself wisely to separate opponents from the puck, and often combines both his body and his stick to win puck battles.

Here is an example of this. He adequately imposes himself in-between the forechecker and the puck, allowing his team to gain possession of the puck and initiate the breakout.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Physical-1.mp4

Here is also an example of some fun physicality he can show while defending the rush.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Physical-2.mp4

You can see how Morin combines the usage of his stick and his body in this clip. He sees that a puck battle is going to happen, so he places his stick right under his opponent’s stick, lifts it up to not only prevent him from touching the puck but also to mess with his stability, allowing him to use his body to fully separate his opponent from the puck. Puck battles are an important part of a defenceman’s game, and showing that level of expertise is quite impressive.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Etienne-Morin-Physical-3.mp4

Morin can seem like a “soft” player who does not have a really high compete level at first, but as explained before, he is simply really patient and meticulous with his movements. There is no significant lack of compete or effort with Morin, and you can clearly see that when it is time to be physical and intense, he can do it.

Grade: 55

OFP: 53.25

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

2023 NHL Combine: Part Two – Media Availability Interviews

Joely Stockl and Chase Rochon — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 22:45:01 +0000

Joely Stockl and Chase Rochon had the opportunity to represent McKeen’s at the 2023 NHL Combine this past weekend, and interview many players during media availability. Media Availability is the very last step in the NHL Combine for the players, and it is the last opportunity that they have to speak to the media before draft week in Nashville. Interviewing the players is a great opportunity for scouts/media to get a sense of who the players are as people, and how their character ties into their on-ice game. Joely and Chase were able to interview an astounding 30 players at the 2023 NHL Combine, and learn information about the players that you don’t see on the ice, including off-ice habits/hobbies, superstitions, offseason training, current strengths & weaknesses, and more!

2023 NHL Combine Player Interviews:

Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Barlow on what it meant when he was named captain of the Owen Sound Attack this past season:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ColbyBarlow.mp4

Connor Bedard, Regina Pats (WHL)

Bedard on his offseason plans and habits:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ConnorBedard.mp4

Connor Bedard speaks on favourite Canucks player Tyler Motte and what draws him to his hard-working game:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bedard-1.mp4

Bedard on his superstitions:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bedard-2.mp4

Zach Benson, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)

Benson on what it means to be a part of such a special draft class coming out of the WHL, and the steps he is going to take over the summer:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ZachBenson.mp4

Zach Benson talks about hockey his ability to scan the ice as one of the smarter players in the draft class:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Benson-1.mp4

Tristan Bertucci, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Tristan Bertucci talks about his Toronto Marlboro days:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bertucci-1.mp4

Bertucci on being a better golfer then Colby Barlow and sports he plays outside of hockey:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bertucci-2.mp4

Oliver Bonk, London Knights (OHL)

Bonk on the “twin” chemistry between Cowan and Barkey, and how being sent down to the GOJHL in the 2021-2022 season helped his development:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/OliverBonk.mp4

Hunter Brzustewicz, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Brzustewicz telling us what animal he would describe himself as, his experience in Kitchener, and his skillset:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HunterBrzustewicz.mp4

Leo Carlsson, Orebro HK (SHL)

Leo Carlsson talks about his future and enjoying the moment:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carlsson-1.mp4

Leo's life away from hockey:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carlsson-2.mp4

Easton Cowan, London Knights (OHL)

Cowan on his “twin” connection with Denver Barkey and the lessons he learned from a tough loss in the OHL Finals:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EastonCowan.mp4

Easton Cowan talks about his connection with fellow OHLers, the Hunters and, teammate Sam Dickinson:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cowan-1.mp4

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cowan-2.mp4

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cowan-3.mp4

Cowan talking about his old Instagram account where he used to shoot pucks and do puck tricks with his friends:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EastonCowan-4.mp4

Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Andrew Cristall says Logan Stankoven is the hardest player he has played against. Also says Bedard is better than Kent Johnson at inline hockey:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cristall-1.mp4

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cristall-2.mp4

David Edstrom, Frolunda HC (J18, J20, & SHL)

David Edstrom talks about his lethal shot and how he developed it:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Edstrom-1.mp4

Brad Gardiner, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Gardiner on the Ottawa 67’s, his strengths, and next steps over the offseason:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BradGardiner.mp4

Riley Heidt, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Riley Heidt talks about his draft interviews:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Heidt-1.mp4

Samuel Honzek, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Vancouver Giants forward Samuel Honzek talking about his experience coming over from Slovakia to play in the WHL, and what it means to represent his country internationally:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SamuelHonzek.mp4

Nick Lardis, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Lardis talking about his experience with the Bulldogs in the second half of the season:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NickLardis.mp4

Lardis on improvements he wants to make over the offseason:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NickLardis-2.mp4

Lardis talks superstitions

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NickLardis-3.mp4

Nick Lardis talks time away from the rink and his golf game:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NickLardis-4.mp4

Tanner Molendyk, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Tanner Molendyk on his hobbies and superstitions:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Molendyk-1.mp4

Oliver Moore, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

Oliver Moore of the NTDP talks about how he developed his elite skating ability:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Moore-1.mp4

Moore on the top NTDP line of Smith, Perreault and Leonard and how it may have benefited his development:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Moore-2.mp4

Moore talking about his emotions and mindset throughout the comeback at the U18’s in the gold medal game against Sweden:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Moore-3.mp4

Moore going forward:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Moore-4.mp4

Etienne Morin, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Etienne Morin tells us that he was asked what animal represents him, and his “unique” answer:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Morin-1.mp4

Bradly Nadeau, Penticton Vees (BCHL)

Nadeau on his experience playing alongside his brother Josh Nadeau in Penticton of the BCHL:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BradleyNadeau.mp4

Bradly Nadeau talks about Mitch Marner and Seth Jarvis as who he models his game after:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Nadeau-1.mp4

Jayden Perron, Chicago Steel (USHL)

Jayden Perron speaks about teammate Macklin Celebrini and activities away from the game:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Perron-1.mp4

Perron speaks on superstitions:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Perron-2.mp4

Perron, on what's next:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Perron-3.mp4

Alex Pharand, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Pharand on his off-ice habits and various superstitions:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AlexPharand.mp4

Luca Pinelli, Ottawa 67’S (OHL)

Luca Pinelli talking about his strengths and areas for improvement heading into next season:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LucaPinelli.mp4

Luca Pinelli talks about teammate Henry Mews and his free time away from the game:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pinelli-1.mp4

Caden Price, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Caden Price talking about his translatable skills and areas for improvement:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CadenPrice.mp4

Caden Price talks about his time away from the game:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Price-1.mp4

David Reinbacher, EHC Kloten (NL)

David Reinbacher on being considered the most "NHL ready" defenceman in the draft class, and what his off-season plans are:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Reinbacher-1.mp4

Gracyn Sawchyn, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Gracyn Sawchyn talks about the challenges of the long playoff run, and playing for the memorial cup:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sawchyn-1.mp4

Otto Stenberg, Frolunda HC (J20, SHL)

Stenberg talking about the Swedish NHL players that he looks up to:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/OttoStenberg.mp4

Otto Stenberg talks what he needs to do to make it to the next level:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Stenberg-1.mp4

Carey Terrance, Erie Otters (OHL)

Carey Terrance speaks on the Erie Otters and playing with top prospects in Malcom Spence and Matthew Schaefer:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Terrance-1.mp4

Tom Willander, Rogle BK (J20)

Tom Willander on how his standout performance at the U18’s has improved his draft stock:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TomWillander.mp4

Tom talks about looking forward to playing with top prospects Lane Hutson and Macklin Celebrini:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Willander-1.mp4

Tom Willander talks about his draft interviews:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Willander-2.mp4

Matthew Wood, University of Connecticut (NCAA)

Matthew Wood tells us about his “interesting question” from the interviews, about what he wants to be said at his funeral:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Matthew-Wood_11.mp4

Koehn Ziemmer, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Ziemmer talking about what it means to be a part of the special draft class from the WHL this year as a late 2004 born player:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/KoehnZiemmer.mp4

Koehn Zeimmer speaks on competition in the WHL:

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Zeimmer_11.mp4

2023 NHL Combine: Part One – Fitness Testing Overview & Results

Chase Rochon and Joely Stockl — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 22:07:17 +0000

Another NHL Combine has come and gone in Buffalo, NY this past week. For the 106 invited players, it was a week full of 1-on-1 interviews with NHL teams, interviews with the media, and a variety of fitness tests. The fitness testing results mean more to some NHL executives than they do to others, but nonetheless it is always fascinating to see who finished atop the leaderboards in the fitness testing categories. The Combine is also the final opportunity for players to submit their height and weight, which is always an intriguing progression to monitor. The NHL Combine is the perfect precursor to the NHL Draft. It is some of these player’s first times meeting their competitors on the draft board, and it allows for these players to meet their future management of the team that drafts them in Nashville in just a few weeks.

Standouts

Nick Lardis of the Hamilton Bulldogs placed 1st in four categories: Vertical Jump, Squat Jump, No Arm Jump, & Pull Ups (15). This standout performance puts more eyes on the late riser, who arrived in Hamilton and tore it up through the second half of the season putting up 46 points in 33 games. Lardis has skyrocketed on many draft boards, including McKeen’s, as he finished 32nd overall and snuck his way into the tail end of the first round. He is a player that has certainly benefited from being the “go-to” player on the Bulldogs, and his success will hopefully lead into next season as the team moves to Brantford.

Another player from the OHL, Brad Gardiner also performed exceptionally well in the fitness tests. The two-way centre from the Ottawa 67’s finished in the top 10 in five of the categories completed on the weekend of the Combine, as well as in the Grip Strength test completed earlier in the week. Gardiner likely drew some more attention with this performance, as he was one of the later ranked players out of the 106 at the Combine (McKeen’s has Brad Gardiner ranked at 163rd).

Leading the results in the consensus “most difficult” category, the VO2 MAX, was Seattle Thunderbirds forward Nico Myatovic. In their media availability, nearly every player stated that the VO2 MAX was the hardest fitness test of them all. The VO2 MAX is a gruelling test of oxygen utilized during maximum effort. By winning in this category, Myatovic has likely gained some respect points from teams and players.

The tallest player at the Combine measured up at 6 '6.75”, and that was Czech goaltender Michael Hrabal. Hrabal is one of the top ranked goaltenders heading into the NHL Draft, and he was one of seven goalies invited to the Combine. Hrabal’s size is definitely a draw for some teams, as we see NHL goaltenders getting taller and taller each year.

Fitness Testing Results (excluding Functional Movement Screen & Grip Strength)

Top 10 from each category;

VO2 Max

Nico Myatovic
Brad Gardiner
Bradly Nadeau
Beckett Hendrickson
Noel Nordh
Easton Cowan
Aram Minnetian
Paul Fischer
Axel Sandin Pellikka
Hunter Brzustewicz

Wingate Test

Noah Dower Nlsson
Danny Nelson
Tom Willander
Hunter Brzustewicz
Cameron Allen
David Edstrom
Brayden Yager
Tanner Molendyk
Samuel Honzek
Jonathan Castagna

Pull Ups

Nick Lardis- 15
Danny Nelson- 14
Bradly Nadeau- 14
Cameron Allen- 14
Connor Bedard- 14
Brad Gardiner- 13
Jaden Lipinski- 13
Nate Danielson- 13
Oliver Moore- 13
Denver Barkey- 12

Pro Agility (Right)

Easton Cowan
Jonathan Castagna
Brady Cleveland
Samuel Honzek
Scott Ratzlaff
Brandon Svoboda
Brad Gardiner
Beau Akey
Andrew Gibson
Hunter Brzustewicz

Pro Agility (Left)

Easton Cowan
Jonathan Castagna
Oliver Moore
Brandon Svoboda
Jayden Perron
Brad Gardiner
Ethan Gauthier
Beau Akey
Andrew Gibson
Bradly Nadeau

Bench Press (50% of Body Weight)

Axel Sandin Pellikka
Charlie Stramel
Mathieu Cataford
Lukas Dragicevic
Ryan Leonard
Cameron Allen
Jonathan Castagna
Bradly Nadeau
Brad Gardiner
Nate Danielson

Standing Long Jump

Charlie Stramel- 118”
Samuel Honzek- 117.5”
Cameron Allen- 117”
Tom Willander- 116.5”
Beau Akey- 116”
Nick Lardis- 114.5”
Maxim Strbak- 112.8”
David Reinbacher- 112”
Nate Danielson- 111.5”
Jayden Perron- 111”

Vertical Jump

Nick Lardis
Cameron Allen
Colby Barlow
Caden Price
Charlie Stramel
Nate Danielson
Jesse Nurmi
Beau Akey
Oliver Moore
Ethan Gauthier

No Arm Jump

Nick Lardis
Oliver Moore
Samuel Honzek
Jesse Nurmi
Colby Barlow
Cameron Allen
Jayden Perron
Jonathan Castagna
Nate Danielson
Charlie Stramel

Squat Jump

Nick Lardis
Jesse Nurmi
Colby Barlow
Nate Danielson
Jonathan Castagna
Cameron Allen
Tanner Molendyk
Noah Dower Nilsson
Oliver Moore
Tom Willander

Heights & Weights

Name Height /Weight

Beau Akey 6’0”/175

Cameron Allen 6’0”/192

Trey Augustine 6’1.25”/190

Denver Barkey 5’8.75”/155

Colby Barlow 6’0.5”/195

Connor Bedard 5’9.75”/185

Zach Benson 5’9.75”/170

Tristan Bertucci 6’1.75”/175

Carson Bjarnason 6’3.25”/190

Oliver Bonk 6’1.5”/180

Gavin Brindley 5’8”/168

Hunter Brzustewicz 5’11.75”/190

Luca Cagnoni 5’9”/182

Jonathan Castagna 6’2.25” /195

Mathieu Cataford 5’11”/190

Alex Ciernik 5’10.25”/174

Brady Cleveland 6’4.75”//210

Easton Cowan 5’10.5”/170

Andrew Cristall 5’9.5”/175

Nate Danielson 6’1.5”/186

Noah Dower Nilsson 5’11.75 “/185

Lukas Dragicevic 6’1”/194

Jakub Dvorak 6’5”/210

Dalibor Dvorsky 6’1”/200

David Edstrom 6’3”/185

Paul Fischer 6’1”/200

Drew Fortescue 6’1”/176

Adam Gajan 6’2.75”/180

Brad Gardiner 6’1”/184

Ethan Gauthier 5’11.5”/183

Andrew Gibson 6’2.75”/202

Terrell Goldsmith 6’4”/220

Kasper Halttunen 6’3.25”/215

Lenni Hameenaho 6’1”/185

Riley Heidt 5’10.5”/180

Beckett Hendrickson 6’1.5”/174

Samuel Honzek 6’3.25”/195

Michael Hrabel 6’6.75”/215

Larry Keenan 6’3.25”/186

Jesse Kiiskinen 6’0.25”/190

Rasmus Kumpulainen 6’2.75”/190

Nick Lardis 5’11”/168

Ryan Leonard 5’11.75 “/190

Kalan Lind 6’0.5”/158

Theo Lindstein 6’0”/185

Jaden Lipinski 6’3.75”/210

Dylan MacKinnon 6’2”/190

Matteo Mann 6’5.5”/230

Gavin McCarthy 6’1.5”/186

Ethan Miedema 6’4”/208

Aram Minnetian 5’11”/195

Martin Misiak 6’1.5”/200

Tanner Molendyk 5’11”/181

Oscar Fisker Molgaard 5’11.75“/166

Oliver Moore 5’11”/195

Etienne Morin 6’0”/180

Carsen Musser 6’4”/212

Quentin Musty 6’1.5”/200

Nico Myatovic 6’2.5”/180

Sawyer Mynio 6’0.5”/163

Bradly Nadeau 5’10.25”/160

Zach Nehring 6’2.75”/182

Danny Nelson 6’3”/212

Felix Nilsson 6’0.5”/187

Noel Nordh 6’1.5”/200

Jesse Nurmi 5’11”/168

Tyler Peddle 6’1”/204

Gabriel Perreault 5’10.75”/163

Jayden Perron 5’9”/166

Alex Pharand 6’2.5”/205

Emil Pieniniemi 6’2.25”/175

Luca Pinelli 5’8.75”/167

Aaron Pionk 6’0.75”/173

Coulson Pitre 6’0.75”/170

Caden Price 6’0.5”/190

Scott Ratzlaff 6’0.5”/175

Carson Rehkopf 6’2.5”/195

David Reinbacher 6’2.25”/194

Eduard Sale 6’1.75”/175

Axel Sandin-Pellikka 5’11”/180

Gracyn Sawchyn 5’10.75”/155

Zachary Schulz 6’1”/197

Jayson Shaugabay 5’9.25”/165

William Smith 5’11.75 “/180

Jakub Stancl 6’3”/202

Otto Stenberg 5’11”/185

Charlie Stramel 6’3”/222

Andrew Strathmann 5’10.75”/185

Maxim Strbak 6’1.25”/198

Aydar Suniev 6’1.5”/192

Brandon Svoboda 6’3.25”/209

Carey Terrance 6’0.25”/178

Jordan Tourigny 5’11.25”/165

Anton Wahlberg 6’3.25”/192

William Whitelaw 5’8.75”/175

Tom Willander 6’1”/180

Matthew Wood 6’4”/197

Brayden Yager 5’11”/170

Koehn Ziemmer 6’0.25”/210