Jonathan Morello – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #31

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Brock Otten — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 18:00:05 +0000

_{BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Boston Bruins right wing Fabian Lysell (10) eyes a face off during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on September 24, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 31st (Previous Rank - 27th)
GM: Don Sweeney Hired: May 2015
COACH: Jim Montgomery Hired: July 2022

In their first season without the services of long-time leader Patrice Bergeron, the Boston Bruins faced the daunting probability of taking a step back and missing the postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. Contrary to that belief, the Bruins exceeded expectations, finishing with the fifth-highest point total in the league (109) to comfortably extend their playoff streak to eight years.

The 2023-24 season saw unexpected contributions from some of their younger players, particularly Matthew Poitras, who burst out of training camp to secure a roster spot as a 19-year-old. Despite having his season cut short due to shoulder surgery, he contributed five goals and 15 points in 33 games and fast-tracked his development as a vital piece to this club’s immediate short-term plans. Alongside him, Mason Lohrei and Jonathan Beecher took significant steps in their development, with all three playing 30-plus NHL games to help usher in a new era of Bruins hockey. All three are expected to be graduated and permanent members of the 2024-25 installment.

This influx of youth came at a critical time for Boston. With just four picks, the 2024 draft was the Bruins' lightest in four years, and they emerged with only one prospect to garner any real NHL potential for the future. Dean Letourneau, selected 25th overall, brings intriguing potential and currently ranks 138th in McKeen’s prospect ranking. Yet, with his experience limited to high school hockey, even he remains more unknown than typical first-rounders. Whether he develops into a steal or a bust at 25th overall remains a giant question mark.

Waiting in their depth, the club does have Fabian Lysell, who’s ranked 74th by McKeen’s. The 21-year-old winger is coming off a positive AHL sophomore season, where he averaged nearly a point per game to finish with 50 points (15 G, 35 A) in 56 games—sixth among U22 skaters. Additionally, Georgii Merkulov, ranked 183rd, saw his first cup of coffee in the NHL last year, suiting up in four games.

For now, Boston remains focused on their current roster, built around a core featuring Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and goaltender Jeremy Swayman. With their prospect pool ranking near the bottom of the league, the Bruins continue to tread water while waiting for reinforcements.

Boston Bruins Top-15 Prospects

1. Fabian Lysell

Lysell made some waves last year, for both good and bad reasons, but he is unquestionably Boston’s best prospect currently because of his significant offensive upside. On the positive end of things, he’s such a dangerous player in transition because of his speed and playmaking ability. He can create something out of nothing and he puts opposing defenders in a tough spot with his ability to attack with pace. On the negative end, his play away from the puck and his decision making with the puck were called into question this past year by scouts and even his own coach. It’s the reason why he has yet to play an NHL game despite producing at a great clip in his second AHL season. The upcoming Boston training camp will be a big one for Lysell to prove that he can make adjustments and play more of a team-oriented game.

2. Dean Letourneau

A major wild card heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, Letourneau ended up getting selected 25th overall by the Bruins. The massive forward is a major long-term project, but one with significant upside. Playing out of St. Andrew’s College (in the same AAA loop as Shattuck St. Mary’s), Letourneau was a wild card because how he would adjust to playing against better competition and he remains a mystery for that very reason. However, his combination of size and skill was just too much for Boston to pass up. His skating continues to make positive gains and he can really rifle the puck. As he fills out his frame, will his off puck play and physical engagement level become more consistent? Originally slated to play in the USHL for a season before heading to Boston College, Letourneau has accelerated his studies and will now suit up this coming year for the Eagles. His freshman year is sure to be heavily scrutinized.

3. Brandon Bussi

Barely eligible for this list based on his age (26), Bussi needs to be in the conversation as among the top young netminders outside of the NHL. His strong play with Providence is the reason why Boston felt so comfortable moving Linus Ullmark. The big, 6-foot-4 Bussi has a penchant for the highlight reel save; his play tracking ability and in crease movement are terrific. Pucks stick to him well, too, as he limits second chance opportunities. But what happens to Bussi this coming season? Joonas Korpisalo came over in the Ullmark trade and he will have the inside track (given his experience) at the backup role behind Swayman. However, Bussi will also require waivers to send to the AHL and there’s absolutely no chance he gets through given his pro performance thus far. Quite the dilemma.

4. Georgi Merkulov

Merkulov continued to produce for Providence in his sophomore season, inching close to the point per game mark. The dynamic forward is a potential scoring line forward for the Bruins in the near future. Heading into the year, the Bruins wanted Merkulov to focus on improving his off puck play and defensive zone coverage to help him stick as a center at the NHL level. By adding strength and increasing his intensity level, he was able to do that. This has made him a more consistent play driver; he’s now fully able to take advantage of his gifts as a creative playmaker. In a nutshell, he looks pro ready and should push for a permanent roster spot next season, providing Boston some depth and flexibility given the losses of DeBrusk and JVR. He should be in the mix for a top nine role during training camp.

5. John Farinacci

Poached from the Arizona Coyotes’ system after Farinacci played his senior year at Harvard in order to become a free agent, Arizona’s loss was Boston’s gain. Farinacci was as advertised with AHL Providence last year, playing a strong two-way game while chipping in offensively from time to time. He’s not the most dynamic offensive player, but he is incredibly efficient because of his off puck play and three zone awareness. He does almost everything well, but nothing elite. For that reason, he’s not likely to be a top six forward, with Farinacci’s future almost assured to be in the bottom six, but he could be a long-time fixture on the Bruins and eventually develop into a coaches’ favourite. One would expect him to earn games at the NHL level this year.

6. Oskar Jellvik

Lost in the hype machine at Boston College last year, Jellvik quietly had a tremendous sophomore season playing alongside Cutter Gauthier on BC’s other scoring line (outside of the NTDP trio). A playmaking winger, Jellvik oozes skill and creativity as he darts in and out of traffic to create time and space for himself and linemates. He consistently extends plays and has shown the previous season that he has the potential to be a scoring line forward at the NHL level if he can continue to develop at the collegiate level. With some graduations at BC, he could be in for a breakout year at the NCAA level this coming season. Boston fans should be excited about his upside and the growth shown in his game since being drafted.

7. Justin Brazeau

One of the best stories in the NHL last year. The road to the NHL has been a long one for Brazeau. The former OHL goal scoring leader didn’t even earn an NHL ELC despite being a dominant goalscorer with size because teams were concerned about his skating ability. He’s worked his way up from the ECHL, to the AHL, and now only recently earned an NHL contract from the Bruins. He was very effective to end last year for the Bruins and was pretty hard for Boston to take out of the lineup down the stretch because of his strong net front play and consistent effort away from the puck. Brazeau is still not the best skater…and he never will be. But there’s still a place in the league for power forwards like Brazeau who can find their way to the net and play a sound two-way game.

8. Riley Duran

Similar to John Farinacci, no one is expecting Riley Duran to become a future 30 goal scorer in the NHL. If he succeeds in making the Bruins roster full time, it will be in a bottom six role. However, his speed, strong work ethic, and physicality in puck pursuit make him an ideal role player in today’s NHL. He should be able to develop into a quality penalty killer at the pro level and will provide versatility to his coaches. Duran recently signed out of Providence College and will be turning pro full time this season, following his brief debut after signing at the end of last season. His offensive production as an AHL rookie should provide feedback as to how far away he is from an NHL role. It seems likely that Boston will be patient with Duran to allow him to build up confidence on the puck before pushing him into a depth role at the NHL level.

9. Michael DiPietro

Speaking of great stories, insert former top goaltending prospect Michael DiPietro. The former OHL goaltender of the year and Memorial Cup champion was cast aside by the Vancouver Canucks after a few frustrating seasons in their system. He passed through waivers and likely wasn’t even considered as a possible pick up by other NHL teams. However, the fresh start in Boston has revived DiPietro’s upside as an NHL netminder. He was consistently one of the best goaltenders in the AHL last season, splitting time with Bussi. Some players, especially goaltenders, just figure it out later in their careers and DiPietro is looking like one of those players. A fierce competitor, DiPietro’s best assets are his quickness in combination with his mental makeup. He has learned to harness his athleticism to become more composed and controlled in the crease. Will the Bruins be able to sneak DiPietro through waivers again next year after such a strong year?

10. Alec Regula

Rarely do players who have passed through waivers remain ranked inside an NHL team’s top ten prospects, but Regula had a very strong season in Providence to help keep him in Boston’s plans moving forward. They gave him a qualifying offer for that reason. Even with the signing of Nikita Zadorov, it is possible that Regula could earn a bottom pairing role or serve as a primary injury fill-in with the Bruins this year. The Taylor Hall/Nick Foligno deal with Chicago still has a chance to bear some fruit for the Bruins. 6-foot-4, 200+ pound defenders who can provide physicality while being mobile don’t grow on trees and that’s Regula’s MO. Just as stated with DiPietro, would someone bite on him this year if Boston tries to get him through waivers again?

11. Andre Gasseau

The third prospect the Bruins will have at Boston College, Gasseau is entering his junior season with the Eagles. The former NTDP player has proven to be a solid depth piece for BC in his first two years, playing a variety of roles. The big pivot is a solid two-way player and his future role in the NHL would almost assuredly be in the bottom six, that said, Boston will be looking for him to take on more offensive responsibility at the NCAA level first.

12. Trevor Kuntar

A physical, strong shooting, power center, Kuntar is coming off his first pro season with Providence. He was able to play a bottom six role for them and showed flashes of becoming a quality option for the Bruins down the line. The focus will be on continuing to improve his skating as he enters his sophomore pro year.

13. Dans Locmelis

The Bruins had high expectations for the Latvian pivot as he started his NCAA run with UMass last season, however his production failed to meet those expectations. This offseason, the focus has been on getting stronger and quicker. Recently, at Bruins development camp, management had great things to say about Locmelis and they are operating under the assumption that he has a breakout season as a sophomore.

14. Brett Harrison

There were definitely some concerns that Harrison’s transition to the pro level would be difficult, given his need to improve his skating and pace. That proved to be correct, as Harrison was limited to a depth role with Providence as a rookie. The former OHL standout will definitely be a long-term project for Boston.

15. Jonathan Morello

A fifth round selection by the Bruins in 2024, Morello is a very intriguing project due to his size and speed combination. He is lightning quick, plays with some jam, and shows upside as a goal scorer. After playing in the OJHL previously, Morello will suit up for Dubuque of the USHL next year before making a larger jump to Clarkson the following season

2024 NHL DRAFT: Top “Tier 2” Players Available with Video – Part Two – Forwards

Brock Otten — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:00:59 +0000

_{William Zellers of Shattuck-St. Mary's School (Shattuck-St. Mary's School)}

McKeen's Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, provides a close examination of all the top "Tier 2" players available for the draft this year (USHS, BCHL, CJHL, etc). The second in the series highlights the forwards.

Logan Sawyer - Center/Wing - Brooks Bandits (BCHL/AJHL)

6’1, 175lbs

Grades: Skating: 52.5, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 52.5, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.375

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/logan_sawyer_-_3rd_period_5_47_-_6_0.mp4

Notes: I wrote about Sawyer earlier this year when he won gold with Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge. At that event, Sawyer started slow but finished strong; he was instrumental in Canada West’s strong medal round play. Born in Ontario, Sawyer is a former minor hockey teammate of London Knight forward and fellow 2024 draft-eligible player Sam O’Reilly. He has flip-flopped between center and the wing this year, but I believe his skill set is best suited for the wing long term. Sawyer’s best attributes would be his shot and overall scoring ability. A multi-faceted scorer, Sawyer is deadly with the one-timer, especially on the powerplay, but he also possesses a quick and powerful snapshot that beats goaltenders clean from a distance. Sawyer also has good hands, consistently showing an ability to catch pucks cleanly or beat defenders one-on-one. Once he builds a head of steam, he can be tough to stop one-on-one as his edgework is a strength, showcasing an ability to alter direction without losing speed, in addition to maintaining puck control through said quick cuts. Generally a high-volume shooter, Sawyer has flashed an ability to utilize the threat of his shot to help set up scoring chances for his linemates. Layering in that deception will be key to further development as a playmaker. Sawyer will also need to improve his explosiveness and work to length his stride to help him generate/maintain power. Physically, there is a clear need to build strength. He can be kept to the perimeter and easily separated from the puck. Rather than chip and chase, or look to work the cycle, Sawyer can be prone to trying to force plays with one-on-one move attempts that lead to turnovers. Defensively, he also needs work as he can be caught puck watching and said lack of strength limits his overall effectiveness. A Providence commit, Sawyer does have the potential to be a middle six-goal scorer. However, he’s very much a long-term project.

Jack Pridham - Wing - West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)

6’2, 175lbs

Grades: Skating: 57.5, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.875

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jack_pridham_-_2nd_period_26_53_-_27_5.mp4

Notes: Another Ontario-born and raised player who travelled out West, Pridham is a product of the St. Andrew’s College system. A late-born 2005, Pridham outscored Arizona draft pick Jonathan Castagna last year. While consistency has been a bit of an issue with West Kelowna, Pridham has flashed pro potential and has generally intrigued scouts this year. It all starts with his skating ability. Pridham is explosive and quick, always looking to attack North/South and drive the net. He routinely beats defenders to the outside and is able to cut back into generating scoring chances in tight. As he gets in tight, he will lose control, but as he gains strength, look for him to be more consistently successful in these net drives, maintaining possession through contact. More of a playmaker than a shooter, Pridham uses his speed to draw defenders to him and shows good vision by finding open teammates in the slot, occasionally teammate and fellow 2024 eligible forward Callum Hughes (who will attend Boston University with him). The two have terrific chemistry. I also really like Pridham’s work rate. He’s not an overtly physical player, but he works hard on the forecheck to help force turnovers and consistently comes away from the puck along the wall and has an attacking mindset. Defensively, his positioning is sound and he closes quickly to apply pressure on the point. Overall, this is a highly athletic winger with size whose overall skill set is still developing. What’s the end game; what’s the upside? I think that’s still a bit of a mystery. How Pridham is able to weaponize his speed at the next level remains to be seen. However, Boston University is a great program for him to attend and despite lower production, I’d prefer him to the more hyped Logan Sawyer as a draft prospect.

Callum Hughes - Wing/Center - West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)

6’1, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 50.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/callum_hughes_-_1st_period_23_53_-_24_5.mp4

Notes: A teammate and frequent linemate of fellow 2024 eligible forward Jack Pridham, Hughes is cut from a similar cloth. He’s a high-energy player whose offensive production comes from his ability to outwork defenders in the slot, beat defenders wide with speed, and force turnovers/create scoring chances off of turnovers from the forecheck. Hughes started the year as a depth player for the U.S. at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, but he wasn’t incredibly noticeable. In the BCHL, he’s played fairly well and this has him ranked as a potential draft selection. Hughes’ future as a pro will likely be tied to his ability to develop as a penalty killer, two-way presence, and general agitator. He has good top-end speed, but his explosiveness and overall agility will need work for the type of role he’ll likely play at the NCAA level with Boston University. In a lot of ways, Hughes is a “poor man’s” Pridham. They play similar kinds of North/South games, but Hughes is just a little less dynamic. As such, he understands how to be that complementary piece who can get to the net and who can work to secure retrievals. As an ‘06, I’d probably want to see Hughes play at a higher level (either the USHL or the NCAA) before using a draft pick on him. This might give a better indication of his offensive upside and likelihood of being a successful role player.

JJ Monteiro - Wing - Salmon Arms Silverbacks (BCHL)

6’0, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jj_monteiro_-_1st_period_11_36_-_11_49.mp4

Notes: A natural center who has played the wing this year for Salmon Arms, Monteiro had a great start to the year playing a checking line role for the U.S. at the Hlinka/Gretzky. He was largely one of the team’s most consistently effective players and there were high hopes for him heading into this BCHL season. The production doesn’t jump off the page at you, but it’s important to note that Salmon Arms is a relatively low-scoring team. Monteiro is a classic or traditional “grinder,” and I mean that as a form of endearment. He’s a consistently effective presence away from the puck who competes for touches and has great instincts in all three zones. He gets his stick in passing lanes, applies pressure physically, and drives the net to create space. One would probably be surprised that he doesn’t see PK time for Salmon Arms, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t project as a solid two-way, PK guy down the line. The key for Monteiro will be improving his skating profile. He shows good speed in bursts but can struggle to move East/West while maintaining speed. Additionally, he seems to have trouble maintaining his stride, losing speed the longer he carries. To be a defensively oriented center (should he move back to his natural position) at the next level, adding and sustaining speed will be key. The offensive upside is also not likely high. Monteiro is at his best when he keeps things simple North/South, even if he does flash some nice one-on-one moves cutting into the slot. I believe that scouts will be impressed with how he’s been able to elevate his game in big situations this year, like the Hlinka/Gretzky or the BCHL Top Prospect’s game. The Providence College commit is definitely a potential mid-late round pick who could be a solid depth piece for an NHL franchise down the line.

Max Heise - Wing/Center - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

6’2, 161lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/max_heise_-_3rd_period_2_6_-_2_25.mp4

Notes: Not the type of guy you’d bother scouting just by looking at the stat line. Very seldom do draft-eligible forwards averaging under 0.50 points per game get a sniff from NHL scouts. But it’s easy to see why NHL Central Scouting has him ranked. He’s a versatile player for the Vees; a Swiss army knife who can excel in any situation and who has played both center and wing this year. Heise excels playing a powerful North/South game. He’s not the most efficient and cleanest skater, but he generates power with longer strides that allow him to build to a solid top speed. He uses that speed to drive wide, consistently beating opposing defenders to the net or to the slot. He also is effective on the forecheck and the backcheck; overall, he is a very active player in puck pursuit. He seems to have great attention to detail on the ice, winning battles along the wall to keep plays alive or getting his stick in passing lanes to be a disruptive force. There’s upside for him to develop into a premier defensive forward as he adds strength and fills out his frame. He could easily be one of those four-year guys at Michigan State who, maybe doesn’t get drafted now, but ends up getting signed down the line because his game and skill set are tailored to a depth role at the pro level. Unfortunately, Heise’s not the most creative or skilled, nor is he a terrific finisher. A lot of his net drives result in great scoring chances that he’s unable to finish on. A lot of his shots get blocked or fired wide as he tries to cut into the slot to rip a wrist shot in transition. But, as mentioned, the physical tools are definitely alluring and it’s important to note that his production is also down because of the depth of Penticton.

Ryan Zaremba - Wing - Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL/AJHL)

5’9, 163lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 51.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ryan_zaremba_-_1st_period_3_11_-_3_33.mp4

Notes: Zaremba is an undersized, but dynamic playmaking winger who really caught my eye with his strong play for gold medallists Canada West at the WJAC. Bottom line, he’s a fun player to watch. I have little doubt that, at some point, after he bulks up, he will be a top point producer for UMD at the NCAA level. His skating is a strength, maybe not so much in terms of explosiveness or top speed alone, but because of his agility and edgework as it works in combination with his speed. He picks up speed while changing direction and can stop/start on a dime, making him a very tough player to stop in transition. The hands are also solid as he can make plays at top speed, maintaining possession through his sharp cuts, and playing through defender's legs and sticks. He routinely dipsy doodles around the offensive zone, keeping possession for prolonged periods as he looks for passing options. However, there are a few problems limiting his production and impact. For one, he’s just not strong enough currently to find success in the middle consistently. He gets kept to the perimeter a lot and he’s a clear pass-first player whose shot does not give him dual-threat capabilities. He brings energy and he has a great motor; the effort is there. It’s more that he sticks to the perimeter often out of necessity. Additionally, since returning from the WJAC, he’s been incredibly snake-bitten. I know the mess of the AJHL teams merging with the BCHL didn’t help things or his development, but he has only three points in his last eleven games. Undersized tier 2 wingers who don’t hit the scoresheet don’t get drafted; it’s a harsh reality. The bottom line is that I totally do not anticipate Zaremba being selected, but I also wanted to note that I really like the long-term upside of the player once he fills out as part of an NCAA program.

Nathan Free - Wing - Brooks Bandits (BCHL/AJHL)

5’9, 152lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 57.5, Smarts: 45, Physicality/Compete: 40

OFP: 51.25

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/nathan_free_-_2nd_period_15_46_-_15_58.mp4

Notes: From one underside winger to another, the only difference is that, unlike Zaremba, Free has been trending up since the World Junior A Challenge. In fact, since Brooks joined the BCHL, Free has been averaging over two points per game. The Penn State commit is truly a dynamic offensive player. He plays a high-risk, high-reward kind of game from the wing. Offensive zone turnovers are plentiful due to his confidence with the puck and willingness to take on opposing defenders one-on-one. However, he routinely makes them miss and creates defensive breakdowns because of how he can keep the puck on a string. Free is a pretty good overall offensive player too. He shoots the puck well and has a very quick release. He also is a strong linear skater who builds to a solid top speed which he uses to his advantage in transition. He’s not as dynamic East/West as Zaremba (a natural comparison), but skating is not a weakness and is bound to only improve as he builds strength. The concerns I have with Free are related to how he sees the ice. As mentioned, offensive zone turnovers are commonplace as he tries to play through defenders in traffic. You’d love it if he had better vision to take greater advantage of his creativity. Additionally, he’s far from a strong two-way presence or physical player. Of course, both of these attributes could improve and if they do, Free is a player with significant offensive upside. You look at the freshman year that former Brooks forward Aiden Fink is having and have to wonder if Free is capable of the same. However, I liked Fink’s playmaking ability and off-puck play better last year. Even with some warts, Free is definitely a draft candidate, perhaps more than Zaremba who I’ve graded higher.

Matthew Van Blaricom - Wing - Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)

5’11, 175lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 52.5, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 60

OFP: 53

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/matthew_van_blaricom_-_2nd_period_4_12_-_4_24.mp4

Notes: One of my favourite mid-round targets available this year. I fell in love with his game at the World Junior A Challenge and I’ve found myself checking in on him to watch Humboldt action since. Van Blaricom is a Tazmanian devil. His compete level is among the best in this draft class. He’s a consistent physical presence…and his hits hurt. This is not an easy player to match up against. But, Van Claricom is solid away from the puck in general. He always keeps his feet moving and is very effective and active in puck pursuit. He forces turnovers with great stick placement. He times cuts well to become a passing option. He crashes the crease and is great in the cycle. He’s the perfect complementary player at higher levels for high-skill guys; think Michael Bunting. Another reason for that is his shot. He has goal-scoring potential thanks to a heavy wrist shot and strong scoring instincts. From a skill perspective, Van Blaricom does show individual skill and creativity at the SJHL level. He loves using the inside/out move and catches defenders flat-footed pretty consistently. As he moves up the ladder, he’s probably not going to be someone counted upon to carry or make those skilled plays. Really the one thing missing from his game is a dynamic stride. He can build speed, but he’s not very explosive. He’s also not the most graceful on his edges and can slip into a wider stride that limits his mobility. Headed to Michigan Tech, either next year or after a year in the USHL, Van Blaricom has a chance to develop into a really solid pro player…and a potential fan favourite. He’s a guy that I really love and would start advocating for after round three.

Jonathan Morello - Center - St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)

6’3, 192lbs

Grades: Skating: 60, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 52.5, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.625

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jonathan_morello_-_2nd_period_0_17_-_0_32.mp4

Notes: As mentioned when assessing teammate David Green, I’ve had the opportunity to see Morello live a few times this year and he’s a really impressive player at the OJHL level because of the advantage his speed/size advantage gives him. One time in Burlington he had a breakaway ten seconds into the game. For my money, he’s one of the best skaters in this draft class and that’s impressive for a 6’3 forward. He gets to full speed in only a few strides and he doesn’t lose speed through directional changes. Many OJHL defenders just can’t keep up with Morello stride for stride, especially when he builds a head of steam through the neutral zone. The rest of Morello’s game is best described as raw. His shot, puck skill, two-way effectiveness, and physicality all show the potential to be better in the long run, but right now probably best grade out around average. He does a lot of damage near the crease, which is great and shows a solid compete level to fight for positioning and willingness to play through traffic. His defensive game is inconsistent from shift to shift, which could be conditioning-related. At times, he does use his speed to be effective on the backcheck, but his placement/positioning and physical engagement can waver in this regard. I wish that he was just a little more physical given his quickness and length. That added element would really elevate him in my eyes. Without question, Morello is a long-term project. He’s headed to Clarkson but not until 2025/26, as he’s going to play a year in the USHL first. How his game develops will depend on Morello’s mindset and the development team surrounding him. The physical tools are just really alluring and give Morello a chance to develop into a quality PK, bottom six option. I’m not necessarily convinced he sticks at center long term, but again, Morello is intriguing due to the wide variety of outcomes for his development.

Dean Letourneau - Center - St. Andrew’s College (CAHS)

6’7, 210lbs

Grades: Skating: 52.5, Shot: 55, Skills: 57.5, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 53.875

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dean_letourneau_-_3rd_period_14_37_-_14_49.mp4

Notes: The crown jewel of the Tier 2 market (no offense meant to the Shattuck boys) this year, Letourneau is a player with massive (pun intended) potential due to his size and skill combination. The million-dollar question is, how much of his success is due in part to him dominating physically against inferior AAA/Prep competition? I do believe the answer to that is…some of it. Letourneau can play through defenders at this level in a way that he wouldn’t be doing at the OHL level…even with his massive size advantage. However, much of his success can also be attributed to his high skill level. It’s rare to see 6’7 centers with the soft hands that Letourneau possesses. He’s so difficult to separate from the puck because of his size and reach, but also because of his ability to control the puck through traffic. I also believe that his skating ability has come a long way already compared to last year. There’s certainly still room for him to improve his explosiveness, in addition to his balance/edgework, but he can now build to a pretty solid top speed and has worked to make his stride more economical. At 6’7, he doesn’t need to be the world’s best skater because those long strides can simply cover more ground at a greater rate. The shot and compete level could probably both be graded down to a 50 right now, but this is taking into account the potential that both have to be above average (or even well above average) qualities. His shot is heavy, but the release will need to improve. Just basic physics for a bigger player. But as he works to improve his one-timer (getting pucks off his stick cleaner, elevating shots), it could be a huge weapon for him…even if he’s likely to be utilized more as a net-front presence as a collegiate player and pro. The compete level is just inconsistent. But as he fills out and improves his conditioning, look for the physical component to be a huge part of his game. How you view his true upside is likely tied to your opinion of his vision and play reading. And quite frankly, this is the area that is the toughest to read right now given the competition he is facing. All eyes will be on him at the end of the year as he likely finishes out the season in the USHL and then at the U18s for Canada. That should give us a better indication as the physical advantage becomes more neutral.

Jack Good - Wing - St. Andrew’s College (CAHS)

5’9, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51

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Notes: Dean Letourneau’s running mate with St. Andrew’s, Good has never let his size hurt him as he’s moved up the hockey ladder. The main reason for that is the fact that Good is a high-level processor of the game. It’s why he has been the perfect complement to Letourneau. He finds soft spots in coverage, times cuts well, and has outstanding vision and poise with the puck. He’s obviously not the biggest or strongest, but he consistently finds his way to the net; most of his goals are scored within a few feet of the crease. Good also has a good motor. It’s cliche, but he’s one of those guys who plays larger than his size. He is an effective forechecker and he’s very effective in the neutral zone with an active stick to disrupt opposing entries. On the counterattack, Good is more calculated in his approach. You’re more likely to see him slow the game down, rather than speed it up. That’s going to bring to light whether his lack of pace will affect his offensive production at the higher levels. For a smaller player, you’d certainly like him to be a more dynamic skater. He’s not a poor skater by any means, but his quickness, speed, and agility would all grade out to average. Additionally, as mentioned, Good is someone who excels playing through traffic at the prep level, but given that’s where he is most effective, will he continue to be effective in those situations against bigger and stronger defenders? The harsh reality is that NHL teams tend to (and rightfully so because of limited success rates) ignore smaller wingers with question marks over pace and projection. A Merrimack commit, Good is probably going to need to work his way into the good graces of scouts by producing at the NCAA level before he gets a sniff.

Connor Arsenault - Center - St. Andrew’s College (CAHS)

6’2, 210lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 60

OFP: 51.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/connor_arseneault_-_2nd_period_5_55_-_6_12.mp4

Notes: The captain of St. Andrew’s College, Arsenault came into the season with a decent amount of hype, but a slow start to the year offensively really quelled that. However, he’s picked up his play in a big way in the last few months and is playing his best hockey at the current moment. He’s the team’s second-line center behind Letourneau and is a classic power center who excels at both ends of the ice. The first thing you notice is his physicality. Arsenault is a big hitter; he’s an absolute terror on the forecheck who gives opposing defenders nightmares. However, this physical approach carries over into all three zones. He’s just tough to play against and has a ton of potential as a shutdown center. This is especially true because he’s already a beast at the dot too; Arsenault rarely loses a key draw. From an offensive perspective, the only component of his game that has potential is his shot. Continued improvement in his release and accuracy, in addition to some added confidence could help him to become a quality goal scorer. As is, he’s best when he keeps things simple…and he does that most of the time. You’re most likely to find him net-front in the offensive zone when he’s not working the cycle or applying pressure in pursuit. He understands that his size and strength advantage are best utilized there as Arsenault already has a clear identity on the ice. If Arsenault was a better skater, I think we’d be talking about him as a potential top-100 pick because of how NHL teams could project him as an elite third-line center. But that will be the focal point of his development at Cornell. I think the mechanics are generally fine, so the 50 grade implies that I think he can get to league average with a greater focus on conditioning and power skating. Cornell is actually an outstanding choice for Arsenault based on his skill set and the type of system the Big Red uses. Former teammate Jonathan Castagna has had an outstanding freshman season for Cornell and his skill set was similar. I don’t see Arsenault being left off of NHL Central Scouting’s final list.

Ben Merrill - Center - St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-Prep)

6’4, 195lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 50.25

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ben_merrill_-_1st_period_0_29_-_0_46.mp4

Notes: Getting good looks on video of some prep school players is very difficult, even in today’s day and age, and Merrill was one of those players. So maybe, my grading is based off of some weaker performances by him, rather than stronger ones with video not available. Regardless, I expected more from a player nearly ranked inside of NHL Central Scouting’s top 100 for NA. Look, I see the allure. Big center with obvious skill and playmaking ability who is far from a finished product. That said, we’re also looking at a late-born 2005 who is far from dominating at the Prep school level. I don’t like to put a lot of stock in limited USHL performances from prep school or high school kids; they’re put in a very difficult spot. But in two games with the Chicago Steel, it was plainly obvious that Merrill’s skating is not up to par for that level currently. He really struggled to get through the neutral zone and his lack of balance and power on his edges limited his elusiveness from USHL defenders. At the prep level, his ability to power through in a straight line is good enough, especially given his size/reach advantage. But at the higher levels, he’ll need to add power to his stride and improve his overall mobility. With that would come an improved ability to be a difference-maker away from the puck. The effort does appear to be there and he uses his reach to be an effective forechecker, but he’s often just that little bit slow to apply true pressure. As mentioned, the playmaking ability, passing skill, and vision do stand out as solid. Merrill is unquestionably a very long-term project. He’s going to play in Penticton next year (BCHL) and then is attending Harvard after that. If he hits his best-case scenario and really fills out physically and athletically, we’re looking at an NHL player five to six years down the line. If I’m an NHL team, I’d want to see him with Penticton next year first.

Gio DiGiulian - Wing/Center - Kent School (USHS-Prep)

6’1, 161lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 52.5, Skills: 52.5, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 51.5

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Notes: Good-sized winger with a strong skating base and a goal scorer’s touch. DiGiulian is a Cornell commit and he’s played both wing and center this year, splitting time between Kent School and the Yale Jr. Bulldogs. Moving forward he’s likely a winger and he does seem most comfortable playing on the right side. DiGiulian is at his best on the counterattack where he can use his speed to drive wide and beat defenders one on one. He has a heavy wrist and snapshot and profiles best as a North/South scoring winger. At the current moment, he does appear to be more offensively focused; his play away from the puck would not be considered a strength. That said, he does a good job of getting to the net at the prep level. Playing at Cornell in their program will be good for the development of his off-puck play and physicality. From a skill perspective, as mentioned, Digiulian appears best when he keeps things simple in that North/South attacking style. As he adds strength, he should be able to take greater advantage of his speed by driving the middle and playing through contact. He can be kept to the perimeter or separated from the puck, and when operating at full speed, he can lose possession. It’s that classic case of the hands needing to catch up to the feet. I could easily see NHL teams liking Digiulian’s potential as he fills out his frame and learns how to best leverage his speed to create scoring chances.

Jack Sadowski - Center/Wing - Kimball Union Academy (USHS-Prep)

6’0, 180lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 52.5, Skills: 52.5, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 40

OFP: 50.5

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Notes: One of the leading scorers in U.S. prep hockey this year, Sadowski is a University of New Hampshire commit. His game revolves around his excellent hockey sense and playmaking ability. Sadowski certainly doesn’t wow you with his physical tools. He’s an average skater. He’s not an intimidating physical presence. His play in the defensive zone leaves a lot to be desired. However, he impresses as an offensive catalyst who can slow the game down, operating at a higher level intellectually than his peers. His edgework and agility are his best traits as a skater and help him maintain possession by eluding physical pressure from defenders as he cuts and pivots to escape the opposition. It’s not uncommon to see him circle back to the point to collect pucks, operating as a point guard in the NBA would do. His shot is also a solid weapon for him and shows plus upside as he improves his strength and ability to work inside. As an NHL draft prospect, I’m not sure I see it. Ranked late by NHL Central Scouting on their midseason list, Sadowski currently lacks that “it” factor that would see him continue to dominate offensively as he moves up the ladder. There’s a need to improve his explosiveness and linear quickness to improve his pace. His game also lacks multi-dimensional layers to it. As mentioned, there’s a need for him to improve his off-puck play; it’s not uncommon to see him cheating the defensive zone or coasting back to the defensive end. Sadowski has already committed to playing in the BCHL next year with West Kelowna before heading to UNH. I’d probably want to see how his game looks at that level, or even further up the ladder (NCAA) before utilizing a draft selection on him.

Javon Moore - Wing - Minnetonka High (USHS-MN)

6’3, 180lbs

Grades: Skating: 57.5, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 53.625

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Notes: Let’s be frank, the real test for Moore will be at the end of his high school season when he inevitably joins Sioux Falls (USHL) again, just as he did last year. Moore is such an impressive athlete. As a late born in 2005, and with his size/power, he can do pretty much as he wishes at the high school level. This is especially true considering the talent surrounding him on a dominant Minnetonka High team. Give Moore an inch and he takes a mile. He has such an impressive attacking mindset. He identifies quickly when defenders don’t have him gapped up and in those scenarios, he explodes into openings to create chances, often looking to get the puck to the middle or the net. His first step quickness is very impressive. Not only is he dangerous in transition, but he also explodes out of the cycle to make plays coming off the wall. Moore gallops to top speed in an instant, but his hands already work in sync with his legs, impressive for a young athlete. For that reason, high school defenders have a tough time boxing him in. In watching Moore, I was expecting his play in the defensive end to be pretty poor, but he’s actually more engaged than many high school top scorers. He uses his speed well to close in on blueliners at the point and he has a very active stick that helps him be disruptive as opposing players try to get into the middle. There’s certainly more room for him to grow as a physical player; in fact, it will likely be a necessity for him as he climbs the ladder. But, I’d expect him to blossom in this regard as he becomes accustomed to being a support player. I’d also heard and read some negative things about his vision and passing touch, but I think that’s better than expected for a player of his ilk too. He can seemingly drive the net at will, but he picks his spots well and has terrific chemistry with Hagen Burrows as the two consistently find each other in the offensive zone. Moore will need to learn to slow the game down a bit as he moves forward. When plays do die on his stick it’s because he loses control from trying to push forward before he’s secured possession or before his teammates have caught up to him. I also think that there is room for improvement in his shot. He doesn’t always catch pucks cleanly and has a tendency to fire off the toe or heel of the blade when pressured. He’s currently at his best in tight where his hands can take over. A Minnesota commit (I know, shocker), I’m very intrigued to see how Moore looks in the USHL to close the year. A strong performance could solidify his place in the first few rounds.

Hagen Burrows - Wing - Minnetonka High (USHS-MN)

6’2, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 52.5, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.5

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Notes: Unlike his linemate at Minnetonka High Javon Moore, Hagen Burrows started the year in the USHL and was operating at over a point per game for Sioux City. Upon returning to Minnetonka High, Burrows has, as expected, been one of the best players in high school hockey and is a Mr. Hockey candidate. Burrows may have good size, but he’s not really a power forward. He has good puck protection tendencies and habits and can play the net front or work the wall, but he’s not an overtly physical player. He relies on quick touches and pre-scans to move the puck hastily and he has really good hands, which allows him to play around defenders and not through them like teammate Moore. Burrows is far from the world’s most dynamic skater, his stride lacks power and his feet are a little heavy, but because he is so calculated and has great vision, he’s still able to be an impact player at the USHL and high school levels. Burrows is particularly strong coming off the wall or when working down low where he has a full field of vision. He draws in pressure and passes off; his playmaking ability is impressive for a bigger winger. Burrows’ scoring ability is worth mentioning too. He can one-time pucks cleanly, has a quick snapshot, and does work his way to the net front to utilize his size advantage. At the USHL level, his game was certainly more one-dimensional than it has been at the high school level. He’s more engaged physically with Minnetonka High and is stronger off the puck. It will be interesting to see if when he returns to the USHL at the end of the year, we see a more complete player than at the start with Sioux City. It could simply be that Burrows lacks the strength currently to be a true two-way threat at the USHL level where players are more advanced physically. A Denver commit, Burrows will be heading to the Pioneers program at the right time, as under David Carle, it seems like everything they touch turns to gold these days; their development program has become top-notch. As is, I like Burrows as a mid-round gamble to develop into a quality middle-six winger who can play a support role because of his strong playmaking ability.

William Zellers - Wing - Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS-Prep)

5’11, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 53

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Notes: Zellers is going to be a tough player for NHL teams to evaluate this year. I’m going to guess that opinions on him will be quite split among staff members as they have their final meetings in June. On one hand, Zellers’ production this year has consistently been fantastic. He was one of the best players for the U.S. at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and he’s carried that forward into being one of the highest-scoring players in the prep loop this year. You can’t argue that he possesses high-end skills. You can’t argue that he possesses high-end problem-solving skills and vision. For the kind of game that he plays, he’s also a fairly competitive young man who finds his way to the net consistently and who has no issue playing through the middle or having to take contact to make a play. Zellers is one of those “slippery” offensive zone wingers. He manages to escape coverage so consistently by anticipating the play ahead of others on the ice, and he has the skill to work around pressure, creating extra time by combining quick feet with quick hands. Now, notice how I said quick feet, I didn’t say overall strong skating. Therein lies one of the issues with Zellers and his NHL projection. He’s not a dynamic skater. He lacks power and his top speed is nothing to shake a fist at. He relies on his hands and ability to find space to carry the puck and create scoring chances. However, he does have excellent agility and is considerably more explosive on his edges than he is linear. Because of that, he’s able to consistently cut into the slot and leverage poor defensive coverage. With a quick release, he doesn’t need a ton of room either. In a lot of ways, there are similarities between Zellers and former OHL’er Cole Perfetti in terms of how they operate and their lack of dynamic skating despite possessing average size. The other issue is that one has to question how truly skilled Zellers is. Are average-sized wingers with skill and sense, but not elite skill, a dime a dozen in the grand scheme of things? As part of our midseason rankings, we ranked Zellers 95th and I believe the early to mid-fourth round makes sense for him. If he can improve his athleticism and physical tools over three or four years at North Dakota, his offensive skill set could make him a quality complementary piece in the middle of a lineup. Let us not forget that a guy like Jake Guentzel was drafted with similar concerns.

Aidan Park - Center - Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS-Prep)

6’0, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 52.5, Shot: 52.5, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.875

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Notes: Once considered one of the top American-born players eligible for this draft, Park’s development has plateaued a bit in recent years. While his offensive upside may not be viewed in the same light it once was, he is still an intriguing prospect with pro potential thanks to his versatility. Park is a competitive two-way center who has a clear on-ice identity built around his intensity level and ability to get to the net. He’s not a physical player in the classical sense; don’t expect him to be out there throwing open ice hits or dropping the mitts. But, he’s always engaged in all three zones, is consistently tenacious in puck pursuit, battles hard to win puck battles along the wall, and jousts for positioning near the crease. Park is also a very intelligent pivot who has a clear understanding of spacing and the importance of varying pace to layer deception into transitional attacks. He draws in pressure and attacks the middle to open up space and is almost always on the mark with his passes, which really benefits linemates Ryker Lee (2025) and Will Zellers at Shattuck. His shot and scoring instincts are sound. His skating is only slightly above average. His stride is inconsistent and he can struggle to build or sustain speed at times. But, three or four years at the University of Michigan should help to improve his power. Due to the fact that his motor never stops, his skating is generally not seen as a hindrance. The real question mark is Park’s upside. At the prep level, his IQ and motor help him be an impact player, but what happens as he moves up the ladder and those strengths are neutralized? Is Park more than just a potential bottom-six center? Once Shattuck’s season ends, Park likely joins the USHL and it will be interesting to see how his game has improved in the last year, as the perception is that it hasn’t really progressed.

Alex Lunski - Center - Minnetonka High (USHS-MN)

6’4, 200lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51

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Notes: Often the top pivot on a dominant Minnetonka High team (no pun intended), Lunski is a power center who is headed to the University of St. Thomas. Considering his average production (in both high school and the NAHL), and late birthdate, one might wonder what the appeal is; Lunski is unquestionably a long-term project. The appeal is that Lunski is a very strong skater for a player of his size and he also flashes the skill and creativity to be an offensive contributor at the higher levels. Watching a lot of Minnetonka High, Lunski is confused for Moore quite often by announcers because both are so big and powerful on the ice. Yet, Moore is definitely the more refined player and that’s saying something since his game is pretty raw too. Lunski can put defenders on his back coming off the wall and his top speed is very impressive, making him an effective transitional player. Consistency and skill application have been the biggest issues. Even at the high school level (and especially at the USHL and NAHL levels), plays can die on his stick. He gets to the net and provides a physical presence on some shifts. On others, he’s less than noticeable. But with his size, power, and speed, there’s both a high floor and a decent ceiling depending on how his skill set develops at the college level. As mentioned, despite being a late-born 2005, Lunski is very much a long-term project who is going to require a lot of development to be an NHL player. Yet, it’s rare to find this kind of athletic ability in a big, playmaking center and thus the allure.

Carson Pilgrim - Center - Warroad High (USHS-MN)

5’11, 165lbs

Grades: Skating: 52.5, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 52.5, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52.375

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/carson_pilgrim_-_1st_period_19_11_-_19_23.mp4

Notes: One of the highest-scoring players in Minnesota High School hockey the last two years, Pilgrim is a terrific offensive player. In reality, we in the scouting community should probably be asking ourselves what separates Pilgrim from someone like Will Zellers, who is consistently ranked much higher. Pilgrim has a similar offensive skill set but is the more dynamic skater at the same size. If you watch any of Pilgrim’s games at the USHL level the last few years (this year with Tri-City and last year with the NTDP U17s), it’s obvious that he can keep up at that level from a skating perspective. But I’d say the big difference is that Zellers is a more intense player away from the puck who is better at working through and attacking the middle. So that begs the question, what would you rather have? A more one-dimensional and dynamic offensive player yet to be tested at a higher level, or a more competitive, less dynamic, but equally skilled offensive player who has yet to be tested at a higher level? Pilgrim shoots the puck really well. He is lethal on the powerplay with that extra room to operate. He is very dangerous in transition because he is a dual threat and defenders have to respect both his shooting and passing ability. Once he adds strength and is able to withstand contact better, his offensive upside is pretty significant. But, I struggle to see him as a center long term. Additionally, he’s very much a boom or bust prospect and that proposition is scary for a high school player. How he finishes the year out with Tri-City in the USHL will likely go a long way in dictating where he gets drafted. A strong finish puts him in the top 100 conversation. A poor finish will cast doubt over whether his skill set translates and teams may opt to take a wait-and-see approach.

Nolan Roed - Center - White Bear Lake High (USHS-MN)

5’11, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 52.5, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.5

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Notes: A St. Cloud commit, Roed has been terrific across a few levels this year. He started the year with Tri-City of the USHL and was a near-point-per-game player before returning to White Bear Lake as one of the top offensive players in Minnesota. Roed is a highly competitive two-way center who is very inside-focused. Does a lot of his damage tight to the crease and in the home plate area. His intensity and high IQ allow him to consistently find those soft spots in coverage and get inside leverage on defenders between the hash marks. He’s very active in puck pursuit and is extremely effective as a forechecker, showing a penchant for throwing his weight around and making his presence felt physically. He’s also hard on pucks in the defensive end and routinely uses his strength to push opposing players to the wall, where he separates them from the puck and starts the counterattack. A strong north/south skater, Roed shows well in quick bursts and is able to drive the net with consistency. There’s room for improvement in his edgework and agility to make him less predictable as he climbs the ladder, especially given his average size. Additionally, given that he does so much of his damage in close quarters, is that projectable moving forward to the pro level in the future given his average size? Will he be as consistently dangerous near the crease and along the wall against bigger and quicker NHL defenders? That’s the obvious reason why NHL Central Scouting has him ranked quite low despite a really solid year. All that said, I quite like Roed. The speed and competitive drive are impressive and when you combine that with an obviously strong processing ability, you have a player who could develop into a quality middle six type at the NHL level. I know I already mentioned him, but I recall reading and thinking similar things about a guy named Jake Guentzel when he had a great year in the USHL as a draft re-entry.

Caden Lee - Wing - Chanhassen High (USHS-MN)

6’0, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 50.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/caden_lee_-_1st_period_2_39_-_2_52.mp4

Notes: A competitive, power winger, Lee is not currently ranked by NHL Central Scouting, but has had a great year split between Chanhassen High and Cedar Rapids of the USHL. The best way to describe Lee is that he’s the kind of player who is out on the ice regardless of whether you’re up a goal or down one. Even as a USHL rookie, Cedar Rapids was using him in key defensive situations to start the year. His physical approach and ability to protect the puck under pressure are impressive. Lee is a very strong board player who projects as an excellent complementary piece at the collegiate level because of his ability to create space and extend the time of possession in the offensive end. Lee also shows excellent anticipation in the offensive end, working the give-and-go and timing his cuts well to get open looks. He can one-time pucks relatively cleanly and his scoring upside at the higher levels is intriguing. However, Lee’s upside is completely tied to his ability to improve his skating. He definitely would be classified as someone who has “heavy boots.” It’s the precise reason why he’s not ranked by NHL Central Scouting. He struggles to build or sustain speed and relies solely on his ability to put defenders on his back and his hands to help him create space in the offensive zone. If he can improve his quickness and speed at Minnesota State, he could end up being an interesting signing option down the line; Minnesota State has developed players like Lee well in the last decade.

Caton Ryan - Center/Wing - Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)

6’1, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/caton_ryan_-_2nd_period_18_55_-_19_7.mp4

Notes: Ryan is a player who was brought to my attention as a potential NHL draft pick by a former OHL assistant coach. The Clarkson commit was initially listed by NHL Central Scouting as a player to watch but failed to crack their midseason rankings. However, that could change on their final list with Ryan dominating the stat sheet to close out the CCHL season (six goals in his last five games as of writing this). Ryan’s game is highlighted by two things; his speed and his shot. He plays at a feverish pace and is always looking to attack the offensive zone with speed. He can be kept to the perimeter too much and does seem to have a need to add strength to play through contact (to limit turnovers), but his transitional play is a real strength. He understands spacing well when supporting the breakout and gets himself a lot of open looks to utilize his shot by settling into those soft spots by driving wide or altering his pace. As mentioned, the shot is also a real strength. A center at even strength, Ryan settles into a spot on the right side of the powerplay where he can use his one-timer and quick release to beat goalies cleanly. This is a multi-faceted goal scorer who I do believe profiles best on the wing at the NCAA and pro levels thanks to his speed and scoring touch. The rest of his game is a real work in progress and patience is going to be needed. He likely spends next year in the USHL or another NCAA feeder league before attending Clarkson, and I believe that step will be necessary for him. He needs to find a way to be more consistently involved when the game slows down at even strength, showing more poise down low to work the cycle. He forechecks hard and will use his speed to chip and chase, but when pressured along the wall, he can force bad passes or be stripped easily. His off-puck play is also inconsistent, likely due to some strength deficits. He kills penalties for Carleton Place because of his speed, but there’s a need to be more consistently hard on pucks in the defensive end. When you’re drafting in the later rounds, guys like Ryan should be potential targets because they possess a few tools that grade as above average, giving them upside as future pros. This is especially true when you consider that Ryan’s already progressed a lot in the last calendar, particularly as a skater.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024 NHL DRAFT: World Junior A Challenge Review – 26 Scouting Profiles with video

Brock Otten — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 15:24:04 +0000

For the first time in over a decade, the two Canadian teams faced off in the final of the World Junior A Challenge recently. The last time it happened was 2011 when, ironically, Canada West (led by Alex Kerfoot, Colton Parayko, and Troy Stecher) defeated Canada East (led by Devin Shore and Mackenzie Weegar), the same result of this year’s event. The gold medal victory is a huge coup for Canada West after last year’s disappointment, when they entered the medal round as the top seed before losing in both the semi finals and the bronze medal game.

For those unfamiliar with the tournament, the WJAC is an annual U20 event hosted by the CJHL (Canadian Junior Hockey League), in which Canada enters two teams of the country’s best tier two players; Canada West and Canada East. Canada West incorporates players from the AJHL, MJHL, and other Western junior leagues. Canada East incorporates players from the OJHL, GOJHL, CCHL, and other Maritime and Quebec leagues. Previously BCHL players participated as part of Canada West, but that has not been the case the last two inclinations after the BCHL left the CJHL to separate from Hockey Canada. The United States also sends a team composed of USHL stars, while the remaining teams are filled out by other countries, most recently Sweden and Slovakia (or Latvia in 2022).

The event is one of the most underrated scouting events on the calendar with many former NHL players taking part. In recent years, Cale Makar and Devon Levi rose to fame with their performances in the WJAC. Just last year, Tom Willander began his ascent up the draft rankings following a terrific performance for Sweden, helping them capture bronze.

Which potential NHL draft selections participated this year and how did they perform? Read on to find out.

Rylan Brown
(Photo by Chad Goddard)

Canada West

Rylan Brown - Defense

Brown, the son of former NHL defender Sean Brown, is a Michigan Tech commit who is in his second year of draft eligibility. He entered last year with a fair amount of hype after a terrific 17 year old season in the AJHL in 2021/22, but ultimately failed to meet those expectations and went undrafted. He returned to the AJHL this year and has been one of the league’s top defenders. Brown was one of Canada West’s most effective defenders at this event too. He helped quarterback the powerplay and his strong mobility and puck skill were on display. He has really quick feet and he can help initiate the breakout or keep pucks in at the line. Defensively, he’s certainly a different kind of defender than his father, but his mobility can be an asset when defending in transition. It’s definitely possible that he has put himself back on the map as a re-entry candidate this year.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rylan_brown_-_2nd_period_24_58_-_25_13.mp4

Logan Sawyer - Wing/Center

One of the higher profile first time draft eligible players on either Canada team at this event, Sawyer met high expectations by playing his best hockey in the medal round in helping Canada West capture gold. A Providence College commit, Sawyer has been excellent for the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) this season as one of the league’s leading scorers. Originally from Ontario (Sawyer played minor hockey with the Vaughan Kings and was teammates with OHL’ers Sam O’Reilly and Kaden Pitre), Sawyer decided to head out West for his NHL draft year. While he has played both wing and center this year for Brooks, his skill set does look destined for the wing, even if he did play mostly center at this event. I thought early on at this tournament, his game was too perimeter oriented and he mainly operated as a high volume shooter who simply looked to get pucks on net whenever he had possession. But as the tournament progressed, we saw him gain confidence and show more poise as a play creator who looked to drive the middle and use his size to prolong possession and play through contact. His shot definitely has zip and he also clearly has the skill to create his own chances, giving him solid upside as a goal scorer at the next level. The skating looks only average, but he does use his size to protect the puck well and can be a difference maker in transition because of this. Sawyer looked every part an NHL draft selection, perhaps even inside the Top 100.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/logan_sawyer_-_1st_period_11_24_-_11_46.mp4

Ryan Zaremba - Center

While I’m not necessarily convinced that Zaremba is a true draft candidate this year, he definitely was impressive for Canada West at this event. The undersized pivot is really quick and this makes him dynamic in transition as he consistently looks to push the pace. He blends skill and pace well and showed heart/determination by attacking the middle of the ice despite clearly lacking in size/strength. The Minnesota-Duluth commit has been excellent for Sherwood Park this year (AJHL) and looks like the type of player who could have a ton of success at the NCAA level with his speed and playmaking ability. I came into this event not knowing much about him, but found myself consistently taking note of positive plays he made with the puck to generate zone time or create scoring opportunities.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ryan_zaremba_-_1st_period_15_23_-_15_36.mp4

Diego Johnson - Wing

Another Sherwood Park (AJHL) player, Johnson was one of the youngest players at this event (thanks to an early September 2006 birthday). While the Wisconsin commit did not hit the scoresheet very often, he was often noticeable for his play away from the puck and high energy approach. He forechecked hard. He backchecked hard. He battled near the crease and kept pucks alive down low. He was a consistent physical presence. He didn’t have a ton of opportunity to showcase his skill with the puck or overall offensive upside, but he did show enough to have my Western scouts circle back to him in the second half this year.

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Matthew Van Blaricom - Wing

One of the players who caught my eye the most at this tournament. Van Blaricom plays for the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL, who have had some players drafted into the NHL. A Michigan Tech commit, Van Blaricom plays under Canada West coach (and former Los Angeles King top prospect) Scott Barney. He’s well over a point per game for Humboldt this year as an ‘06 and showed that he deserves serious consideration for this year’s NHL draft. From start to finish at the WJAC, Van Blaricom was one of Canada West’s most effective players. He brought physicality. He led the team in goal scoring, including two in the gold medal game. He’s one of those guys that just has that “IT” factor. Van Blaricom is not the most individually skilled player on the ice. He’s not the quickest. But, he processes the game really well and brings a consistent energy level to get the most out of his skill set. After watching him at this event, I circled back to watch some of his action with Humboldt and his skill/creativity shows better in the SJHLl in comparison to the WJAC; he simply looks too good for that level. I could easily see Van Blaricom developing into a Michael Bunting type of player at the next level if his skating can continue to evolve.

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Canada East

Dawson Labre - Goaltender

Ignoring a disastrous gold medal game, Labre deserves a ton of credit for helping Canada East earn a silver medal. His performance in the round robin portion brought back memories of Devon Levi’s from a few years ago. I would have definitely selected him over Roest for the tournament’s top goaltender. A CCHL netminder (with Smith Falls) in his final year of NHL draft eligibility (as a 2004 born), Labre was not drafted into the QMJHL and does not have an NCAA commitment, but he definitely put scouts on notice at the WJAC’s. The 6’3 netminder was at his best when he was aggressive in challenging shooters to maximize his size, and at his worst when he got caught deep in his net (like several goals in the medal round). His rebound control definitely needs to improve too. However, he, largely, showed great play tracking and athleticism to help Canada East pull off some upsets at the tournament. Is he truly a draft candidate? I’m not sure. Realistically, he’d have to lead Smith Falls (who currently are in first place) to a Centennial Cup (CJHL Championship) to even be in the conversation. However, he definitely deserved to be mentioned in this piece.

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Jonathan Morello - Center

Like Logan Sawyer, Morello entered this event as Canada East’s top draft eligible player and he largely met those expectations. The St. Michael’s Buzzers forward and Clarkson commit showcased his excellent skating ability, ending the tournament with a point per game. He shows attention to detail away from the puck; his size and length (at 6’3) helps him to be a disruptive force on the forecheck and backcheck. NHL scouts are definitely going to be enamored with his size and speed combination, similar to Jonathan Castagna last year. I’ll definitely try to circle back to Morello later this year and try to catch a St. Michael’s game live in the second half (with my region being Ontario). What’s the offensive upside? Hard to tell at this point. But, the athletic tools are very intriguing.

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Carsen Lloyd - Defense

Lloyd is an interesting case. A late born 2005, Lloyd is actually OHL property of the Brantford Bulldogs. Originally a high selection of the London Knights, he was traded to Brantford as part of the Ryan Winterton trade last year. However, he failed to make the Bulldogs this year and eventually found his way to the OJHL with Georgetown, where he has been one of the best defenders in tier two in Ontario. Because he has played in the OHL, Lloyd is not eligible for the NCAA, meaning that he’ll have to continue to grind to make the OHL…perhaps with another OHL franchise if Brantford is not going to give him another chance. Lloyd’s bread and butter is his point shot and that was on display at the WJAC’s, where he scored three goals. He quarterbacked the powerplay, where his shot is obviously a big weapon. But he also moves the puck well and can hold the line effectively. Defensively, he was up and down. I wish he were a bit better skater given his lack of high end size. But, he’s definitely someone to watch moving forward to see what happens with his OHL rights.

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United States

Trevor Connelly - Wing

It was another great International performance for Connelly, who followed up his strong showing at the Hlinka/Gretzky in the summer with a strong showing at the WJAC. He capped off the tournament with a four goal game in the bronze medal game against Sweden, helping the United States capture bronze. Say what you will about his play away from the puck and occasional poor puck management, however he is a dynamic offensive player. The speed and skill combination gives him among the highest offensive upside of any player in the draft this year. He is the very definition of a quick strike player because of his first step quickness and ability to explode off his edges. Additionally, when you think you have him boxed in, his hands create space for himself. With Tri-City sitting firmly in the middle of the USHL standings, I’m really hoping that the U.S. decides to add Connelly to their U18 roster this year as a non NTDP player. Given how outstanding he has been Internationally this year, they would be crazy not to.

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Mac Swanson - Center

A returning player on this U.S. WJAC roster despite being a 2006 born, Swanson ended up leading the tournament in assists with nine. He’s such a crafty and intelligent playmaker. His vision with the puck and overall passing touch/sense/precision is among the best in this draft class. I also continue to admire his effort to try to work between the dots despite being so undersized. All that said, I do have major concerns about his ability to transition to the NHL level. He’s just so undersized (at 5’7) and the skating ability is far from dynamic. Even at this current moment, he’s at his best on the powerplay where he gets more room to operate and can survey the ice from the half wall without intense pressure. Due to the fact that he’s not an electric skater, his pace can be lacking too. I have no doubt that he will continue to produce offensively in college and that he can be a long term pro in some capacity. However, without significant improvements made to his skating, I don’t see him being a scoring line option in the NHL in the future.

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Joe Connor - Wing

One of our highest ranked players to go unselected last year, Connor has made the jump to the USHL full time this year with Muskegon (from Avon Old Farms) and the results have been terrific. Much like Cole Knuble did last year, Connor has used his performance at this tournament to bring attention to the fact that he deserves to be selected the second time through. Flat out, he was one of the best players at the WJAC. That said, I could still see some apprehension from NHL teams considering that his physical tools are only average. He’s one of those players who is the sum of their parts, lacking a true standout quality…much like the aforementioned Knuble. At the WJAC’s, Connor operated best as an offensive zone support player. He competes for touches and applies pressure in puck pursuit. He protects the puck well. He finds soft spots in coverage. I wouldn’t say he drove play at the WJAC, the way a guy like Connelly did, but makes a lot of subtly great plays with the puck to create chances or keep plays alive. A great example is the pass I have included as a clip below.

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James Reeder - Wing/Center

I didn’t know a ton about Reeder heading into this tournament, but came away very impressed by him. The third part of the Connelly/Swanson top line, Reeder was the perfect complement to those two because of his ability to find soft spots in coverage, his off puck competitiveness, and the fact that he showed great skill and finishing ability too. A late born 2005, Reeder is first time draft eligible this year and definitely looks the part of an NHL draft pick. A Denver commit, there’s just something that pops about his game, even though he’s also not the kind of dynamic skater that you like to see from a 5’9 forward. That said, I would classify him as a better and more explosive skater than Swanson and as such, he plays with a little more pace than his diminutive linemate at the tournament. Having gone back and watched some of Reeder’s action with Dubuque this year, in combination with this tournament (and the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup), I would say that I prefer Reeder to Swanson as a potential NHL draft selection.

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Will Felicio - Defense

A standout at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer, Felicio hasn’t had the kind of USHL season to date that many expected he would. As such, we’ve really seen all hype on him completely die down. However, he had a pretty solid WJAC. Other than a poor pinch that led to a back breaking goal in the semifinals against Canada West, Felicio was actually pretty solid defensively. He made some good plays when defending the rush and he showed determination down low to battle for pucks, winning more battles than I’ve seen him win in the USHL this year. Offensively, he was his usual self. He creates inside the offensive zone with his ability to beat initial layers of pressure and get pucks on net. He holds the line well. I do wonder if he’s a good enough skater considering his lack of stature/reach, but it would be false to claim he had a poor tournament.

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Adam Kleber - Defense

Kleber is a massive (6’5) right shot defender who played big minutes for the U.S. at this tournament as an ‘06. He’s certainly not a high upside two-way guy. Having watched him at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and in the USHL this year, I feel pretty confident saying that. He’s mostly a rim the glass and out guy at this time, especially when he’s pressured. He can be coerced into defensive zone turnovers and can struggle to play pucks on his backhand. However, the physical approach is going to be attractive to teams who think he can develop into a third pairing, PK guy. While he still struggles with his agility and transitional skating, I do think that his skating has already improved a bit since the Hlinka/Gretzky. He’s starting to look more comfortable on his edges. The clip I’ve included here is probably the perfect example of Kleber. A couple bad clearing attempts mixed in with a devastating hit.

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Tory Pitner - Defense

The best word to describe Pitner is…”solid.” He’s a right shot defender who I’ve been really impressed with in the defensive zone at both the Hlinka/Gretzky and now at the WJAC’s. He shows good gap control. Has good scanning habits. Plays physical and plays aggressively. I know the word on him coming into the year was that his hockey sense and decision making were questionable, but I haven’t really seen that. I see someone who starts the breakout well and who is a calming presence in the defensive end. What I have yet to see from him at either international event is high offensive upside. I need to circle back to watch more of him in the USHL because he has been producing with Youngstown. But, I have seen a player who can struggle at times with the puck when pressured because he lacks the skill/hands/creativity to escape cleanly. I guess my question regarding Pitner is…what is he at the next level? He’s a good skater, but not a great one. He’s got good size, but not great size. He seems to be at his best against high end competition when he keeps things simple. I like him, but I do wonder how NHL scouts feel about him (we’ll have to get our U.S. scouts on that), especially considering NHL Central Scouting only gave him a “W” rating.

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Sweden

Alexander Zetterberg - Center/Wing

Say what you want about Zetterberg’s lack of size (at 5’9 and pushing 160lbs), all he has done is produce at the international level this year. He was one of Sweden’s best at the summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, again at the U18 Nations tournament and now again at the WJAC’s. I know his play at the U20 level in Sweden has been a little erratic, but you definitely can’t claim that about his play for Sweden. Zetterberg’s goal scoring ability is among his best traits. He has a lightning quick release on his wrister and can one time pucks cleanly too, allowing him to beat goaltenders from a distance. However, what I am consistently impressed with is his competitive edge and desire to work between the dots, despite his lack of size. He battles near the crease and gets himself in good scoring position in the slot, even if it means jousting for position against bigger defenders. There’s a lot of Alex Debrincat in his game. He’s a similar kind of skater too. Not the prettiest stride for a smaller player, but it’s efficient at this level and his edgework/agility stand out as a positive. At what point do we say (as part of the scouting community) that you just can’t argue with success? Is it when Zetterberg has a great IIHF U18’s too?

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Melvin Fernstrom - Wing

I felt Fernstrom was a little snake bitten at this event. He played better than the below average stat line would indicate. He’s a guy who just looks like a future NHL player in some capacity. He plays a mature, North/South game. He’s not the most creative or dynamic, but he is the perfect complementary winger who can work the wall, protect the puck well and who can drive the net. The skating ability is already solid, particularly his explosiveness which helps him to be quick to loose pucks and retrievals. The shot is only average, but he does a good job of anticipating play in the offensive zone and he does a good job working the half wall on the powerplay. In particular, I thought Fernstrom played well in his two games against the United States in this tournament. While I’m not sure the NHL upside is incredibly high, he’s definitely the kind of player I see an NHL team taking inside the Top 50 this year (even if we had him ranked just outside of that range in our recent draft rankings).

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Lucas Pettersson - Center

The more I watch this Swedish U18 crop, the more Pettersson becomes one of my favourites of this class out of Europe. He’s a player that I don’t really perceive to have a significant weakness. His game is so well rounded and versatile. He’s on the ice whether his team is down a goal or up one, one of the many reasons that he’s been wearing a letter for the Swedish U18 team this year. Pettersson skates well. He’s middle of the ice focused. He competes hard in all three zones and has excellent anticipation/awareness away from the puck. He has the skill to operate as a strong playmaking pivot. At the WJAC, he largely centered a line with Zetterberg and Fernstrom and they were a very successful unit. At this point, I’d probably have Pettersson as the top forward prospect from Sweden this year (by birth, excluding Michael Brandsegg-Nygard).

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Alfons Freij - Defense

Last year the WJAC’s served as the Tom Willander coming out party. This year, I think the same thing happened with Freij, who was fantastic for the Swedes. While Sahlin Wallenius was unquestionably the more flashy, Freij was the more consistently effective at both ends. I was consistently impressed with his decision making in his own end, even under pressure. His footwork is excellent and it makes him a breakout machine, similar to the way that Willander impressed last year. Offensively, I think Freij has more to offer too. He does a good job getting point shots through and he has a heavy point shot that can beat goaltenders clean or generate second chance opportunities. As a defensive player, he’s definitely more of a stick on puck guy, but again his footwork stands out as a positive and his possession and anticipation are strong suits. As he gets stronger, he’ll win those board battles more consistently, but all in all, I was more impressed overall by Freij here.

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Leo Sahlin Wallenius - Defense

It’s so easy to see why Wallenius is a favourite of the amateur scouting community; he’s a dynamic player. He consistently gains the offensive blueline with ease thanks to his combination of quickness and skill, along with his aggressive offensive approach. The offensive upside here is significant. I was also impressed with his physical approach in the defensive end, perhaps more than I had seen from him previously. That said, some of the warts in his game, like decision making and defensive engagement were present in this tournament. Neutral zone and offensive zone turnovers were a bit of an issue, as was puck watching in the defensive end. Without high end depth on the blueline this year, the Swedes need Freij and Wallenius to play on separate pairings to anchor them. Not having someone like Gabe Eliasson to pair with Sahlin Wallenius, hurt them overall at this event.

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Jack Berglund - Center

Came into this event knowing very little about Berglund. He wasn’t on the Swedish Hlinka/Gretzky team last summer, didn’t make a huge impression at the recent Nations tournament, and he isn’t someone our Swedish scouts have spoken about thus far. However, I consistently found myself taking note of Berglund at the WJAC’s. The son of former New Jersey Devil Christian Berglund, Jack plays a similar heavy game. He scored his first SHL goal in late November and has had a very solid year in the J20 loop. Throughout the WJAC’s, Berglund was a physical threat, making his presence felt on the forecheck, in puck pursuit, and on net drives. He’s not a bad skater for a big guy who plays such a heavy game too. There’s some explosiveness to his stride and he can play with pace. The skill level…it’s hit and miss. He does seem to struggle maintaining possession at full speed occasionally. The finishing ability is equally hit and miss. But I couldn’t help but be impressed by the physical tools. Anyone who knows me, knows I love players like Berglund.

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Anton Frondell - Wing/Center

I know, I said I would only discuss draft eligible players in this piece, but I just had to mention one of my favourites for the 2025 draft in Anton Frondell (a 2007 born playing up in this tournament). I was really impressed by Frondell at the Under 17’s, so I was excited to see that Sweden had taken him for this event. That proved to be a smart thing to do as he was consistently one of their best players. Without question, he deserves to be on the U18 team to close the year. Frondell is quietly throwing his name in the ring to compete with James Hagens for early first overall favourite in 2025. He’s the complete package. He has skill. He has finishing ability. He skates very well. He applies himself physically and looks to drive the center lane. This is a five tool player and someone I believe should be talked about more.

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Slovakia

Daniel Alexander Jencko - Center/Wing

Alexander Jencko is a very interesting prospect. He was relatively hyped at a young age, leaving Slovakia to join the Malmo program. A 2005 born, he underwhelmed in his draft year and went unselected last year. However, he returned to Malmo on a mission this year and became one of the U20 team’s top players, even earning a look at the SHL level. Interestingly enough, following the U20 Five Nations in November, he decided to leave Sweden and head to North America to play with Youngstown of the USHL. The USHL is a league that has more overage players selected each year than any other league or region, so I suppose the hope here is that this draws more attention to him and the improvements he’s made. The early returns have been good as he has been playing well. As for this tournament, well he was unquestionably the best player on a Slovak team that was largely overmatched at this event. His speed was on display and he showed a solid work ethic away from the puck to earn touches, competing physically and using his quickness to be an impactful player in all three zones. It will be interesting to monitor his play with Youngstown in the second half.

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Ondrej Maruna - Wing

A massive winger who normally plays with Charlottetown (QMJHL), Maruna was a bit of a disappointment at this event. He was held scoreless and largely failed to make a significant impact, often finding himself behind the play due to his clunky skating stride and heavy feet. Once he gets going, he can be a load to handle with the puck; he did have a few impressive rushes over the course of the tournament. However, shift to shift, he largely struggled, much like the rest of his teammates…to be fair. Given Charlottetown’s poor position in the QMJHL standings, Maruna will likely have a chance to play at the U18’s this season and that will be another opportunity for him to impress scouts, along with his continued play in the QMJHL.

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