Julius Sumpf – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE FEATURE: SECOND CHANCES – TOP RE-ENTRY CANDIDATES

Brock Otten — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 12:20:25 +0000

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

For those unfamiliar, North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. In the last decade, NHL scouts have increased the rate at which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European-based players especially attractive. Additionally, the new NCAA eligibility rules could also make later-born CHL players more attractive as teams steer them towards the college route for additional development.

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

Last year, eight “re-entry” candidates went in the top four rounds: Ilya Nabokov, Jesse Pulkkinen, Ondrej Becher, Pavel Moysevich, Trevor Hoskin, Chase Pietila, Dmitri Gamzin, and Blake Montgomery. Nabokov and Pulkkinen were taken in the second round. In total, there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected).

While you can read more about the many re-entry candidates that we have ranked in the ranking profiles part of our guide, here are our top ten previously passed-over players:

Kristian Epperson of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

1. Kristian Epperson (W) - Saginaw (OHL) - McKeen's Rank - #55

Gritty winger out of the NTDP who formed instant chemistry with Michael Misa this year. Headed to the University of Denver next year to continue his development.

Petteri Rimpinen
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN

2. Petteri Rimpinen (G) - Kiekko-Espoo (Fin) - McKeen's Rank - #79

The Rookie of the Year in Liiga and the top goaltender at the World Juniors. Rimpinen isn’t huge, but you can’t overlook his success this year.

3. Caeden Herrington (D) - Lincoln (USHL) - McKeen's Rank - #89

One of the USHL’s top two-way defenders this year as a rookie of the New England prep scene. A dangerous scorer from the back-end is headed to the University of Vermont.

Francesco Dell'Elce

4. Francesco Dell’Elce (D) - Massachusetts (HE) - McKeen's Rank - #92

Two years after being a big draft snub out of the St. Andrew’s College program, Dell’Elce is back on the draft radar after a tremendous freshman season at UMass.

5. Yegor Borikov (W) - Dinamo Minsk (KHL) - McKeen's Rank - #93

Speedy Belarusian winger who was a force in the KHL playoffs, scoring 7 goals in 11 games for Dinamo Minsk.

Sam Laurila

6. Sam Laurila (D) - Fargo (USHL) - McKeen's Rank - #95

A detail-oriented two-way defender whose offensive game made big strides post-NTDP this year in the USHL. He was possibly the best defenseman in the USHL this past year.

7. Julius Sumpf (W) - Moncton (QMJHL) - McKeen's Rank - #127

Sumpf helped Moncton capture a QMJHL title this year and helped Germany avoid relegation at the World Juniors. The big center has pro-level attributes and keeps improving.

Brendan McMorrow

8. Brendan McMorrow (C) - Waterloo (USHL) - McKeen's Rank - #130

Another former NTDP member, McMorrow slid to center this year in the USHL and was one of the best players in the Clark Cup playoffs. He plays with sandpaper and has improved offensively.

9. Linards Feldbergs (G) - Sherbrooke (QMJHL) - McKeen's Rank - #136

The unsung hero of the World Juniors this year for Latvia, helping upset Canada. However, he was good all year in the QMJHL, too.

10. Finn McLaughlin (D) - Fgo-Mus (USHL) - McKeen's Rank - #144

A mobile, two-way defender who has captured the Clark Cup as USHL champion two years in a row. Last year, he played a minimal role with Fargo, but this year, he was a standout for Muskegon.

2025 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES – Overage Draft Eligible Prospects – Part One – Canada

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Jérémy Tremblay, Jeremi Plourde — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:39:17 +0000

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

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

Last year, eight “re-entry” candidates went in the top four rounds; Ilya Nabokov, Jesse Pulkkinen, Ondrej Becher, Pavel Moysevich, Trevor Hoskin, Chase Pietila, Dmitri Gamzin, and Blake Montgomery. Nabokov and Pulkkinen were taken in the second round. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about six of those eight. In total there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 42, we identified and wrote about 25 (well over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2025, we have some very interesting candidates. Tanner Adams, a player we have ranked and written about previously, continues to improve at the NCAA level with Providence and has emerged as one of the better players in Hockey East. Jamiro Reber and David Granberg look like great picks out of Sweden. Reber has been fantastic in the SHL this year, while Granberg was one of Sweden’s top players at the WJC’s. Magomed Sharakanov has emerged as one of the top young defenders in the KHL. Kristian Epperson has paired with Michael Misa in Saginaw to become one of the OHL’s elite play drivers. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

This is part one of the series, putting the spotlight on those re-entries available from Canadian leagues.

OHL

Kristian Epperson of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Kristian Epperson - Wing - Saginaw Spirit

Epperson’s draft year with the NTDP was a year to forget. He fell out of favour with the coaching staff, saw his ice time reduced, and was eventually left off of the U18 team for the IIHF Championships (demoted to the U17 team in the USHL). However, he’s been a revelation for the Saginaw Spirit this season, pairing with potential top five pick Michael Misa to form a dynamic duo. They formed immediate chemistry, and it’s had a profoundly positive effect on the development of both players. Epperson is best described as a skilled, high-energy guy. He’s a very strong skater who does a very good job of altering pace, keeping defenders guessing as they try to contain him. He protects the puck really well in open ice with how good his edge work is. He leans more playmaker than scorer and isn’t as dynamic with the puck as linemate Michael Misa, but he’s proven to be a great complement to more skilled players because of his compete level, and with how he can drive play with his feet, find open space or open teammates. Not only is he finding the score sheet consistently, but Epperson has impressed in all three zones with his high energy approach. He can kill penalties. He is aggressive on the forecheck and the backcheck. There is definitely a middle six projection here and for that reason, Epperson has to be considered one of the best re-entry candidates from any league this year. (Brock Otten)

Ben Hrebik - Goaltender - Barrie Colts

This year was supposed to be the Sam Hillebrandt show in Barrie; the U.S. WJC netminder was considered a preseason favourite for OHL goaltender of the year. While Hillebrandt hasn’t been bad, he hasn’t been as good as OHL rookie Ben Hrebik, who has come out of nowhere to be one of the OHL’s best netminders this year. His strong play has created a platoon between the two of them and if the playoffs started today, I reckon Hrebik would be the starter. NHL Scouting staffs are bound to be intrigued by Hrebik’s upside given his size (at 6-foot-3) and athleticism combination. He’s very active and quick in the crease. He covers the net really well and never seems to quit on a play. A traditional butterfly netminder, he has lightning quick pads and scrambles to make saves in a way that makes one believe Hrebik is/was a Jonathan Quick fan growing up. The technical components are a work in progress. He can struggle with rebounds and often has to make an extra save or two than he needs to. He can overcommit on his pushes and not cover his angles properly. He can be susceptible five hole when teams get him moving. That said, these are correctable issues, especially given how athletic Hrebik is. So long as his strong play continues to the end of the year, he’s definitely going to be on the NHL draft radar. (Brock Otten)

Charlie Paquette - Wing - Guelph Storm

One of the hottest players in the entire OHL, Paquette is now knocking on the door of the top ten in goal scoring. Paquette has always been someone who has flashed the upside of being an impact OHL player (and NHL prospect), but consistency has been an issue. It appears that the light bulb has finally gone on, as he has emerged as a leader for the rebuilding Storm. In the 39 games since the beginning of December, Paquette has 30 goals and 26 assists. That’s pretty remarkable production. A big body presence with long powerful strides, OHL defenders are having a heck of a time stopping Paquette from driving the net and getting to the middle of the ice. Paquette also has a great shot and scoring instincts. He’s excelling on the powerplay as both a net front presence and a shooting option from the flank where he can utilize his heavy one timer. Given his size and improving skating and skill, it would not shock me at all if an NHL team jumped on Paquette this year at the draft. (Brock Otten)

Jack Brauti - Defense - Niagara IceDogs

A three-way deal in the offseason brought Brauti to Niagara, where he has blossomed into a quality two-way defender for the upstart IceDogs. We had Brauti ranked just outside our top 250 last year, but he has improved his projection this year with improved on puck play and playmaking ability. He’s not a natural fit to run a powerplay, but he has been effective doing so for Niagara and has them operating as a top ten unit in the OHL. He can lug the puck up with confident, smooth strides, and he gets shots through with efficiency. Brauti’s best asset is his energetic and assertive approach to defending. He’s a tough and physical competitor who blocks shots and who likes to take away space from opposing forwards. He can struggle, at times defending pace; his lateral and backwards stride aren’t always the cleanest. However, he’s largely effective and efficient. Does he have enough upside to entice NHL teams? There’s a profile here similar to a guy like Tampa Bay’s Darren Raddysh, who has taken some time to develop into a quality depth defender. (Brock Otten)

Anthony Cristoforo - Defense - Windsor Spitfires

Heading into last year, Cristoforo was seen as a potential top two round selection following a standout rookie year in the OHL. However, defensive and physical engagement issues, combined with offensive regression, led him to slide down lists and out of the draft altogether by June. This year, he’s unquestionably returned a better and more confident overall player. The Spitfires have returned to the top of the standings, and he’s been a big part of that as one of the OHL’s time on ice leaders. Look, he’s still not a defensive stalwart and he’s not going to project that way at the NHL level either. There’s still a need to improve his ability to clear the net front and win consistent battles along the wall. He still plays a fairly high-risk game at both ends. However, it can also be said that he’s been way more engaged and involved at both ends, blocking shots, killing penalties, completing breakouts under pressure, making better and quicker decisions as a powerplay quarterback. There’s progression here in his draft +1 that leads you to believe that he can continue to evolve. (Brock Otten)

Mitch Young - Defense - Sarnia Sting

We had Young on the draft radar last year as a re-entry candidate, but he ultimately went unselected. In his final year of draft eligibility, he remains on the scouting radar thanks to another strong season for the Sarnia Sting. It’s obvious that NHL scouts are looking at him closely too, since he was one of the few re-entry candidates named to the OHL Top Prospect’s Game in Brantford. Young, despite being older and gaining experience, remains a raw defender. He’s a high risk, high reward type of player and that likely won’t change. However, there’s no denying that he is one of the OHL’s most skilled individual defenders. He routinely escapes pressure thanks to quick hands and quick feet. He is aggressive offensively. He’s a high impact guy. Young is also a physical defender. He loves to play aggressively defensively too. Sometimes that means he gets burned at both ends, but you live with it. I remain steadfast that if he were playing for a better team (not a bottom five one in Sarnia), we’d be seeing Young in the top five of defenseman scoring in the OHL. Young has the athletic talent to be an NHL defender. Can his sense and decision making catch up? I think it’s worth a shot to find out. (Brock Otten)

Carter Lowe - Wing - Barrie Colts

The big winger has been one of the most improved 2006’s in the OHL this year, on pace to triple his production from last year. His straight-line skating has improved a lot, to the point where he’s now able to win races to space and to the puck. He’ll look to take on defenders one on one with the puck but has impressive vision and playmaking sense for a bigger winger. The physical element to his game has improved considerably too. He’s now leveraging his size to win battles, getting to the net, and is making plays in all three zones. The Colts have been using him as a primary penalty killer this year and to help them close out games, a testament to his upside as a two-way forward. The skating profile will need to continue to improve. The upside may not be significant. However, NHL scouts love bigger forwards who take big steps in their draft year plus one and that’s definitely Lowe. (Brock Otten)

Carson Campbell - Defense - Kitchener Rangers

Campbell is a player who has stepped up big time this year to take on a larger, top four role with the Rangers and he is excelling. While +/- isn’t the world’s best stat to use for player effectiveness, in this case, the fact that Campbell leads the Rangers at +16 (as of writing this) is symbolic of his importance to Kitchener. Campbell is not a defender who will wow you with skill, however, he is highly intelligent and aggressive offensively; always looking for opportunities to jump up in the play or lead the rush. If not for Cameron Reid, Campbell would likely be receiving significant powerplay time as a quarterback; there is offensive upside there. Defensively, Campbell’s game has grown. He’s counted on to kill penalties and his active stick, strong mobility, and tenaciousness make him an effective player in his own end. Campbell’s upside at the next level may not be significant, however, this is a right shot defender with decent size, mobility, and two-way sense. They don’t grow on trees. (Brock Otten)

Vann Williamson - Defense - Kingston Frontenacs

Like Campbell, Williamson is another two-way, right shot defender with good mobility. They’ve both become heavily relied upon by their teams in their draft year plus one. Williamson is an excellent transitional defender because of his mobility and aggressive physical approach. He’s not extremely aggressive offensively, but he moves the puck quickly in the offensive zone and does a good job getting point shots through traffic to generate second chance opportunities. Sometimes his decision making in the defensive zone can be questioned, be it in terms of puck movement or when to play aggressively, but he’s progressed well this year and has some pro level attributes. (Brock Otten)

Callum Hughes - Wing - Erie Otters

Hughes has been a great complementary piece for the Otters since signing out of the BCHL. The Boston University commit loves to play the game at a breakneck pace. He was on the draft radar last year with West Kelowna (BCHL), but NHL teams were likely concerned about a lack of upside so he went unselected. Those same upside concerns are likely still present, however, he’s been an effective high energy guy in the OHL. He looks to use his speed to get to the net, force turnovers, and get after it on the forecheck. He flashes goal scoring upside and that’s likely his ticket to a pro career. If he could pair that with his pro frame, tenaciousness, and speed, he could be a quality role player. NHL teams are likely keeping close tabs on him over the rest of the year to see if his offensive game and production can keep improving. (Brock Otten)

Lauri Sinivuori - Center - Oshawa Generals

When the Generals were hit with the surprise that Minnesota Wild draft pick Rasmus Kumpulainen was returning to Finland, they turned to selecting Sinivuori in the import draft and he’s filled a similar role for the team in the top six. Sinivuori is best described as a rugged, power center. His game is not complicated. He gets pucks to the net. He gets to the net. He looks to engage physically to gain leverage. His skating isn’t the most elegant, but he can build speed with some big strides. It’s just sustaining said speed or making sharp changes (due to a stride that tends to get very wide) that prevent him from being more dynamic with the puck. I also wish that he were a little more consistently engaged in the defensive end, given his physicality. NHL Central Scouting seems to really like him and he’s very clearly on the NHL draft radar, but he’s likely a player with pretty limited upside. (Brock Otten)

Trenten Bennett - Goaltender - Owen Sound Attack

With Carter George away at the World Juniors, the Attack brought in Bennett out of the CCHL and he was impressive in that limited appearance. So much so that NHL Central Scouting has ranked him inside the top ten of North American netminders. He returned to Owen Sound for one game in February too. The St. Lawrence commit definitely has size going for him (at 6-foot-8), so that’s where NHL CS’s rooting interest is coming from. As you might expect, he plays pretty deep in his crease in an attempt to utilize his size and minimize wasted movement. He’s got quick pads and moves well with his initial push, allowing him to take away the bottom of the net. However, in scramble situations, he can struggle to maneuver from the butterfly and often can’t make those second or third chance saves. Additionally, because he plays so deep in his crease and is a more traditional butterfly netminder, he can struggle with longer shots through traffic. If an NHL team drafts Bennett, it’s a major swing for the fences based on size alone. (Brock Otten)

WHL

Gavin Garland - Center - Tri-City Americans

Garland went on something of a tear in the 2024 calendar year. First, he helped his Calgary Canucks squad win an AJHL championship, while scoring at over a point-per-game pace throughout the postseason. And then, after changing his mind about going the college route for his development, he joined the WHL's Tri-City Americans and stormed out of the gate with his new team, scoring 13 points through his first 10 games. He is a smart, highly competitive center who plays with more intensity and bite than his smaller size might let on. While he's not a particularly fast skater, he has a great motor and always plays at as high of a pace as he can. His awareness and decision-making are acute in all three zones, along with an accurate sense of timing and a solid understanding of how to win pucks by getting under his opponents. If he makes the NHL it would almost certainly be as a winger, with any time down the middle being primarily spot duty. Garland should draw some interest in the back half of the 2025 draft as a potential plug-and-play support player in a similar vein as names like Nick Cousins and Vinnie Hinostroza. (Derek Neumeier)

Luke Mistelbacher - Wing - Swift Current Broncos

One of the WHL's leading goal-scorers and point-getters, Mistelbacher has unexpectedly blossomed into an offensive driver for Swift Current. He's a high-volume shooter with a real knack for finding good looks at the net and then smartly picking his spots. His release is more about accuracy than power, with an impressive ability to disguise his intentions and shoot from a variety of angles and body positions. He also displays plenty of poise when he's on the attack, comfortably dusting or dragging the puck until he finds a shot or pass option that he likes. Where things get tricky with Mistelbacher is that he doesn't have much of a "B" game to speak of — he's not physical, he doesn't kill penalties, and he leaves minimal off-puck impact in general. His average size and average skating ability do him no favours. That's all concerning, because his offensive contributions are good but not great. If he can't carve out a dedicated scoring role on an NHL team, which is a realistic possibility, he likely won't be in the league at all. Teams are already doing their due diligence on him, but final opinions will probably vary. (Derek Neumeier)

Bryce Pickford - Defense - Medicine Hat Tigers

Pickford was part of the championship-winning Seattle Thunderbirds team in 2022-23 as a 16-year-old, but he struggled the following season on a severely depleted roster and was completely passed over in the 2024 draft. However, an off-season trade to Medicine Hat has breathed new life into his game and is forcing scouts to circle back for more viewings. The points are flowing for him this year, stemming largely from his strong work quarterbacking his team's lethal powerplay. He's more of an opportunistic offensive producer than a true play-driver, utilizing his awareness and poise to recognize weak points in coverage that he can exploit. He loves to lean into his shots from the point, with increasing amounts of success. Defensively, his approach boils down to simplicity and consistency. He minimizes risk-taking with his exits and breakouts, opting instead to work safely within his limits. At the same time, there are concerns about his ability to make stops and win possession back for his team, as his size, reach and skating ability are all below average. Those concerns were the main reasons why he wasn't drafted last year, so the question now is whether his offensive improvements will be enough to change the minds of scouts. Could all of his time spent around and with high-end prospects provide a long-term advantage for him and help propel him to the NHL one day? That seemed to be the case for Tampa Bay's Darren Raddysh, a player with a comparable history and playing style. (Derek Neumeier)

Seth Fryer - Defense - Victoria Royals

Fryer is a truly towering human being, with his height officially listed as 6-foot-7 on the WHL's website. That hasn't changed compared to last season when he wasn't drafted, but what is different now are the improvements that he's made to his balance, puck management and ability to read the play as it unfolds around him. None of those traits would still be considered strengths of his, but they're not quite as concerning as before and do less to outweigh the inherent advantages provided by his rare size and length. With Fryer, what you see is what you get, right from the first few impressions: he has obvious potential as a defensive disruptor, but he's clearly not a natural when it comes to handling the puck and will never be relied on heavily as a carrier or distributor. Regardless, one-dimensional players can still carve out jobs in the NHL, so long as they are standout talents within their roles. In order for Fryer to get to that level he'll need to improve his intensity, focus and physical play, which he should get extra opportunities to do this spring on a newly loaded up Royals team that is built to make some noise in the playoffs. (Derek Neumeier)

Alex Worthington - Goaltender - Edmonton Oil Kings

Worthington has walked an unusual development path over the past few seasons to get to where he is now. After two previous disastrous seasons in Edmonton that resulted in minimal starts and a barrage of goals against, he took his game to Briercrest College in the little-known Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference last year, becoming one of only two teenagers in the entire league. It turned out to be a brilliant decision for him: his performance rebounded impressively on the successful club, and he used that momentum to rejoin the Oil Kings and unexpectedly win the starter's job on the team right as the season began. In terms of playing profile there's a lot to like, as a netminder with ideal size who also possesses quick limbs, sharp reflexes and fluid mobility in and around his crease. There's still a lot of work that he'll need to do, primarily involving some suboptimal play-tracking, imprecise positioning, and his form being a little porous at times. However, those concerns can largely be traced back to inexperience, even though he's a 2005 birthday. Worthington has already shown the ability to take big steps forward in his development, so if the right NHL organization drafts him and patiently works with him then there's a chance that they'll be handsomely rewarded somewhere down the road. (Derek Neumeier)

Ethan MacKenzie - Defense - Edmonton Oil Kings

It would have been easy for scouts to glaze over or outright miss MacKenzie last year. He only had one measly point in his first 19 games on a basement-dwelling Oil Kings squad, and then he was sidelined due to injury for nearly four months. Luckily for him he was able to return for seven games before season's end, picking up five more points, and a little bit of confidence too. That helped propel him through the summer and training camp into a successful start to his 2024-25 campaign, emerging as one of his team's most trusted defensemen. There was a lot of competition to fend off, too, as Edmonton has dressed a total of 11 different blueliners up to this point. Now he's averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game, which includes top powerplay duties and regular shifts on the penalty kill. His primary value, though, comes from what he does at even strength: using his quick feet and high pace to drive possession offensively, while assertively taking space away from opponents defensively. His play style is common to see in the NHL, and if he keeps improving at his current rate he'll get noticed more and more. (Derek Neumeier)

QMJHL

Julius Sumpf – Center/Left Winger – Moncton Wildcats

If he was not known before his performance at the World Junior Championship, he made sure to change that after being one of the most important players for team Germany. Even if it was not an easy tournament for them, Sumpf still managed to collect a grand total of seven points in five games on the 12 goals scored by Germany. Currently playing his second season in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats, Julius Sumpf is on the first line, playing a ton of minutes with Desnoyers and Pekarcik. He brings to the line speed, intelligence and hard-work, always first on the forecheck and not afraid to play physically thanks to his 6-foot-2 frame. His great skating ability allows him to create offensively on the rush or by rotating in the offensive zone, looking for an opportunity to pass the puck or crash towards the net to get a scoring chance. Although his offensive output is not neglectable, Sumpf's best attributes are displayed on the defensive side of the game. Playing a big number of Moncton’s penalty kill minutes, he puts tireless pressure on the puck carrier and fights hard for the puck. Sumpf is looking like a Jack of all trades, but with everything at a high enough level to be translatable in the NHL. He can be projected as a middle six forward that can help in difficult situations and help the offensive production at times. (Jérémy Tremblay)

Vincent Desjardins – Center/Right Winger – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

When looking at a prospect profile, one important piece of information is always the date of birth of the player. When a player is still seventeen on draft day, it often means that his development curve is behind the vast majority of players. It was the case for Vincent Desjardins, who was a single week from being eligible for the 2025 NHL draft instead of last year. This year was really important for the development of his game, and many things have already changed. Desjardins is, above all, a speedy and skilled forward that works hard to get pucks in the corner and on the forecheck. Last year, his decision-making was a big question mark, where most of his decisions were doubtful and not quick enough. This year, he is way quicker with the puck, his passing is accurate, and he generates a ton of offence from it. Although he has a great level of skills, he has simplified his game and has learned to make better use of his speed to move with the puck in the offensive zone. He is often the first player to forecheck and he does it hard. Rarely do you see him lose a battle along the board, using quick hands and bursts of speed to exit with the puck. If we think of Desjardins as a first year eligible and ask ourselvesl; has he made enough improvement to be drafted? I think that the answer is yes. (Jérémy Tremblay)

Jordan Tourigny – Defender – Shawinigan Cataractes

Now with his third and final chance to get drafted, Jordan Tourigny was a player that I thought would get drafted in his first year of eligibility. I do think Tourigny deserves more recognition for his game. As the captain of the Shawinigan Cataractes, he plays a big role on and off the ice for the team, showing confidence and maturity. He was always an offensive defenseman that loved to jump into the attack and try to create chaos in the opposite zone by moving one way or another with the puck. Although his stats have not improved much since his draft year, Tourigny’s game has been refined in every detail. Now heavier, he is more aggressive on the puck carrier, he plays hard in the corners to win puck battles and delivers checks all over the ice whenever he has the chance. This has not had a negative effect on how he plays in transition, always skating hard and fast end to end. He did improve his decision making when he has the puck; his passes are more accurate and the timing even better. That was a big concern in his own zone in the past two seasons, where he was losing possession of the puck with bad passes or by getting rid of the puck when he was under pressure. Now calmer with the puck, and with his offensive potential, he could be a third pair defender that moves the puck well on the ice. Will any NHL team take a chance on him this year? (Jérémy Tremblay)

Linards Feldbergs – Goaltender – Sherbrooke Phoenix

I bet that very few people even knew about Feldbergs’ existence in his draft year, last year. Feldbergs was a goalie playing in the Latvian pro league with decent stats, and who played one game in the 2024 World Juniors with Latvia, but had a .774 save percentage. There was realistically no chance for him to be drafted because of how unknown and unproven he was. This year, he came over to the QMJHL with Sherbrooke and has been decent. Again though, I would not be surprised if most people still didn’t know about him before this December. What really made people turn their heads was his performance in this year’s World Juniors, especially against Canada. Thanks to him and Eriks Mateiko (another QMJHL prospect), Latvia was able to defeat Canada 3-2 and shock the entire world. In that game, Feldbergs stopped 55 of 57 shots directed to him, as well as all eight shootout attempts to get the win. In that entire tournament, he finished with a .929 save percentage. He was simply as exceptional as a goaltender can be for a team like Latvia. He is not particularly big at 6-foot-2, but his calmness and poise were flowing through the entire team in that tournament, in every game, making Latvia a much better and tougher team to play against. I can’t stress enough how incredible he was in that tournament, not just against team Canada. Even with Latvia’s early exit in the quarter finals, some fans were cheering for Feldbergs to be the MVP of the tournament. It will be interesting to see if he gets drafted, knowing how many eyes are drawn on the world juniors every year. Feldbergs was able to shine bright on the biggest stage, which is the best way to prove to scouts that you deserve a chance to be drafted. Feldbergs was recently ranked 20th amongst NA goalies, and if he can pull off some great performances with Sherbrooke when the playoffs roll around, his stock could rise even more. Saves in motion, and through traffic, is how he is often beat, so this is also something to take note of. (Jeremi Plourde)

Emmanuel Vermette – LW – Chicoutimi Saguenéens

Vermette might not be a dominant player from a statistical standpoint, only producing at a point per game pace in his draft year+2 season. However, with Vermette, you really need to watch him to get why he could be picked this summer; not only does he play a very NHL-like game, but he can also be an exciting player. He has a heavy net front approach, some quick thinking and execution with optimal timing and a well-rounded, physical game. He doesn’t fear being pushed around or having to push others around and tends to finish his checks along the board. There’s a lot of translatable habits and ways of playing the game that could make him an interesting option as a late round overager pick. As well, as I mentioned, he can show some interesting flashes of skill. Vermette can demonstrate some great hands dangling through opposition and attacking the middle, he works well in transition with his linemates, and he gets a bunch of good scoring chances around the net every game. He can be quick and dangerous on a fast break, beating a defenceman with speed and strength to get a scoring chance. As a skater, he has above average speed and technique, but it isn’t a particular strength that would take him to the next level. I would like to see better puck control when he skates near his top speed, he tends to lose control in those scenarios. Playing more rambunctiously, more aggressive in front of the net can help his odds of making it to the NHL, to really separate himself from other players who play a similar role. Again, like Feldbergs, I feel like if he has a good playoff run, he’s the type of late round flyer some teams might like to bet on. (Jeremi Plourde)

Thomas Desruisseaux – Wing – Chicoutimi Saguenéens

Another Saguenéen who could be a potential overager pick this upcoming draft, but a year younger than Vermette. I was personally pretty surprised to not hear Desruisseaux’s name last June at the draft; I really thought he was at least a decent bet in the later rounds, and I still feel the same way. Unfortunately, he has not had a sizable improvement in his production, which makes it harder for him to be drafted. I still believe that there’s a chance it happens, because of some tools he possesses. First of all, Desruisseaux plays at a great pace. He’s able to outskate and outpace the opposition’s defence by attacking the outside and contributes to creating chaos offensively. It’s hard to cover him on fast breaks because of his explosiveness. He’s annoying to deal with for the opposing defenseman with the puck, because it takes him very little time until he’s in front of you ready to scoop the puck. Desruisseaux’s skills are also good enough for him to execute at speed, which he likes to do a lot. He’s able to shoot the puck between his legs to change the angle of his shot in full motion and he can move laterally when entering the zone to keep control of the puck. He’s been driving the play way more this year; he’s been way more effective and involved in the play in general. Desruisseaux is a really eye-popping player when he’s on his A game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he caught the attention of an NHL team enough to be drafted this summer. Getting a stronger, more powerful shot could help him produce now and at the next level, as well as having a more physical approach to the game. (Jeremi Plourde)

OJHL

Alexander Levshyn - Goaltender - Toronto Patriots

A really nice story. A Ukranian netminder who left the Dynamo Moscow program in order to play in Toronto (first with the Toronto Red Wings U18 program, now with the Patriots of the OJHL). However, he’s a legitimate prospect who is dazzling in Ontario Tier 2 this season. He’s a good athlete who has lightning quick pads. He is a fierce competitor who never seems to quit on a play; scrambling to find ways to make saves ala Jonathan Quick or Dominik Hasek. He does all that in a 6-foot-3 frame. There’s no doubt that Levshyn would have caught some eyes at last year’s Division 1 U18’s, where he nearly led Ukraine to promotion to the main group. This year at the Division 1B U20’s, he led Ukraine to promotion and was the top goaltender at the event. Now that he’s performing well in a quality league and has a commitment to a solid program (Clarkson), the interest could be even greater. However, he is very raw. The rebound control needs massive improvement. Technically, he’s underdeveloped, with a tendency to flop out of position or miss his angles. But you can’t teach his size, athleticism, and play tracking ability. Look for him to be a pick this year, especially if he can finish the year strong and get the Patriots past the first round or two in the playoffs. (Brock Otten)

BCHL

Jaden Cholette - Goaltender - Cranbrook Bucks

A goaltender who has certainly bounced around in hopes of advancing his skill and earning looks. Originally a sixth round selection of the London Knights (OHL), Cholette has played in the CCHL, at a prep school south of the border (Mount St. Charles), and now finds himself in the BCHL. Currently without an NCAA commitment, Cholette has put himself on the scouting radar by being one of the BCHL’s top netminders this year. A right-gloved netminder, Cholette shows well as a play tracker. He’s got good size and he’s aggressive in challenging shooters or battling for sight lines. He’s not the most athletic or the quickest post to post, but he competes to make second/third chance saves. Technically, Cholette seems to be prone to giving up goals on the short side and his overall positioning could use some work from a consistency standpoint. But scouts could be intrigued by his year over year improvements in combination with his size in the crease. One of those guys you draft in the late round and stash, hoping that an NCAA program can help him improve further. (Brock Otten)

Rasmus Svartström - Wing - Cranbrook Bucks

Another member of Cranbrook, Svartström came to the BCHL from Finland to try to acclimate to the North American game before heading to St. Lawrence University. It’s not too often that a BCHL player in their final year of draft eligibility is on the draft radar, but it’s also not common for a 6-foot-5 import winger to be leading the BCHL in goal scoring (as of writing this). A massive human, I actually expected Svartström to be a different kind of player. I mean, I expected the physical element to be prominent and it is; he’s a very aggressive physical player. He runs over opponents in pursuit of the puck. However, I figured that he’d be purely capitalizing near the net front and just dominating in the bumper spot on the powerplay. Instead, Svartström is actually creating his own scoring chances as much as he’s finishing off those created for him. He’s not nearly as bad of a skater as I was anticipating. He actually can build decent linear speed, which helps him drive the net and put defenders on his back. There’s a ton of room for him to become more explosive and more agile but given that his game is mostly North/South, it doesn’t hinder him. He also shows well off the puck in the offensive end, working to make himself a passing option; timing cuts well to get scoring looks. Lastly, his shot is a major weapon. He’s scoring in a lot of different ways in the BCHL. With a big one timer on the flank. With a heavy wrister in transition. On the backhand as he drives the net. As he moves up to higher levels, he’ll likely be pushed to more of the Tomas Holmstrom role, but this is someone NHL teams will be taking a long look at. (Brock Otten)

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Latvia remains the feel-good story of the tournament

Kyle Watson — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 15:24:28 +0000

OTTAWA - It wasn't a day fans had marked on their calendar.

The prospect of watching the Germans and Latvians duke it out for a spot in the quarterfinal and Team Slovakia face lowly Kazakhstan did not entice many — neither match was well attended.

World Juniors enthusiasts who showed up or tuned in on TV were rewarded with arguably the most exciting day of action thus far.

Captain Dalibor Dvorsky scored twice and set up two more goals to give the Slovaks a 4-2 lead heading into the final frame of Monday's opening contest. In the game's dying minutes, Team Kazakhstan managed to score twice while killing a major penalty to force overtime.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Maxim Strbak played the saviour in overtime, slipping the puck through Vladimir Nikitin's five-hole on the breakaway and helping his team avoid total collapse:

SLOVAKIA HANGS ON!

Maxim Strbak scores in overtime to win 5-4 over Kazakhstan. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/e9zO6ftAJd

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

The win clinched third spot in Group B for Team Slovakia, earning them a place in the quarterfinals for the third-straight tournament.

Latvia-Germany was even more hectic.

The Germans needed a win in regulation to have a chance of playing in the quarterfinals. With the game tied 2-2 with 2:51 remaining, their head coach Tobias Abstreiter decided to pull the goalie on an offensive zone draw to give his team a 6to 4 man advantage.

The move immediately backfired:

GERMANY PULLS THEIR GOALIE TO GO FOR THE WIN AND IT INSTANTLY BACKFIRES

3-2 LATIVA! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/JoDUhhKK34

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

Just 20 seconds later, with Germany's net still vacant, 2025 NHL Draft prospect David Lewandowski's one-timer sailed over the shoulder of Linards Feldbergs to serve up the day's second helping of 3-on-3 sudden death.

Mateiko continues to lead the way for Latvia

Washington Capitals prospect Eriks Mateiko, who played shootout hero against Canada, showed off his lightning-quick release in overtime to give Team Latvia their third quarterfinals berth in four years:

LATVIA WINS IT IN OVERTIME

Who else but Eriks Mateiko, the OT hero! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/UnukGxpWaz

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

The 6-foot-4, 201-pound forward has spearheaded the Latvian attack at the World Juniors: he possesses an impressive blend of skill and snarl that's emblematic of his team's approach.

There won't be enough ice in all of Ottawa to meet the needs of this Latvian team by the time the World Juniors are over, because of all the bruises caused by all these blocked shots

Those kids are hurting, but they wouldn't have it any other way: they're on to the quarterfinals

— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) December 30, 2024

When the Germans took a 2-0 lead midway through the second period, Mateiko rallied his team together by scoring under a minute later.

All goaltender Linus Viellard could do was pray it hit him:

LATVIA RESPONDS!

Eriks Mateiko responds 32 seconds after Germany's second goal to make it 2-1. WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/RiQ2EVzceQ

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

"We found a way," said Mateiko, after the game. "That probably wasn't our best game; Germany played well."

"But it's really fun to win in this tournament, I can tell you that!" he added with a smile.

It was a milestone victory for the nation: the only time they've ever won two games in the round-robin.

"It's really big for Latvia," said Linards Feldbergs.

"We are a small country, but we can do big things like we did today and [the] game against Canada."

Dvorsky, Pecarcik star as Slovakia survives late scare

On day two, we discussed how Slovakia needed more from Dalibor Dvosrky in his fourth World Juniors appearance. Yesterday's contest was the first time in the tournament he displayed the talent that convinced the St. Louis Blues to select him 10th overall in 2023.

Dvorsky is a terrific finisher, particularly in the thick of traffic in front of the net. He scored twice down low before dropping jaws with his setup for linemate Juraj Pekarcik:

Just before time expires in the 1st period, Slovakia makes it 3-0! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/GejwISETT6

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

Providing another helper for Pekarcik to make it 4-1 before the Kazakhstani comeback, Dvorsky finished with two goals and two assists.

Pekarcik, who plays for Moncton in the QMJHL, was also drafted by the Blues in 2023: 76th overall. The 19-year-old was named player of the game with an identical stat line of two goals and two assists.

This is the second tournament in which the St. Louis prospects have been deployed on a line together: their chemistry could prove pivotal for the team's success. Slovakia will take on the winner of today's matchup between Switzerland and Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals, with the loser facing Germany in the relegation round.

Parting notes

Truly one of the craziest finishes to a group in recent history:

So, for WJ's tomorrow:

-winner of wins Group A

-if that game goes to OT, will finish no lower than 2nd

-if goes to OT, will finish no lower than 2nd

-but if loses in regulation, and or wins in regulation, will finish 3rd and play the loser of …

— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) December 31, 2024

16-year-old forward Olivers Murnieks (Sioux City, USHL) had his best game of the tournament. The 2026 NHL Draft prospect set up the Latvians' first two goals before scoring an empty netter. He was a plus-three with three shots on goal.
Julius Sumpf (Moncton, QMJHL) continues to set the pace for Team Germany: the 19-year-old had two assists yesterday, taking his tournament totals to one goal and four points
There is currently a four-way tie for the top scorer in the event: Hradec Vojtech (Mladá Boleslav, Czech Extraliga), Axel Sandin-Pelikka (Skellefteå, SHL), Jakub Stancl (Kelowna, WHL), and Dalibor Dvorsky (Springfield, AHL) each have seven points
Only two goaltenders have played 100% of their team's minutes in the tournament so far: Latvia's Linards Felbergs (Sherbrooke, QMJHL) and Finland's Petteri "Showtime" Rimpinen (Kiekko-Espoo, Liiga).

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: 8 Early Standout Draft-Eligibles

Jeremy Rivet — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:40:56 +0000

_{James Hagens}

We have already reached the halfway mark of the preliminary round of the 2025 World Juniors Championship in Ottawa, and the competition remains wide open in the two groups. The tournament has already witnessed one of the biggest surprises in its history, with Latvia's shocking win over Canada, and I am confident that it will not be the only one. In a tournament where the outcome is decided in a single game, anything can happen.

My primary focus has been on the players eligible for the upcoming NHL draft, and I wanted to observe how they would perform against the best players of their age group, as well as how some who were overlooked in last year's draft have progressed. Here are the eight main prospects that have stood out for me so far.

Matthew Schaefer, Erie, OHL - D (Canada)

Schaefer was Canada's best defenseman during the pre-tournament and in the first game of the preliminary round before sustaining a tournament-ending left shoulder injury against Latvia. This will be a significant loss for Canada for the remainder of the World Juniors. At only 17 years old, Schaefer was deployed in all situations, showcasing his elite mobility and the physical aspect of his game, which makes him a well-rounded defenseman capable of logging heavy minutes. Hopefully, his injury will not keep him off the ice for an extended period, as the race for the first-overall pick heats up.

James Hagens, Boston College, NCAA - C/LW (United States)

The other leading candidate for the first overall selection in the upcoming NHL Draft had a strong performance against Germany, recording four points (two goals and two assists). The chemistry between Hagens and his Boston College linemates, Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, was evident, and Hagens was a key contributor to that line's success. His elite puck-handling and playmaking skills are what set him apart. It will be intriguing to see how he performs against tougher opponents and as the stakes increase.

Victor Eklund, Djurgarden, Swe.2 - F (Sweden)

A potential top-5 selection in the upcoming draft, Eklund made a significant impact in Sweden's first game against Slovakia. His high compete level and willingness to battle in the tough areas of the ice are two aspects of his game that I found impressive. He competes for pucks along the boards and in front of the net, and his playmaking ability is at a high level, as evidenced by his no-look passes that are challenging for goalies and opponents to read. Eklund was named the player of the game in Sweden's matchup against Kazakhstan, registering two points.

Benjamin Rautiainen, Tappara, Fin. - F (Finland)

Rautiainen is a re-entry prospect and is making his first appearance at the World Juniors. He has been having a strong season in the Liiga, and that form has carried over to the tournament. Although he hasn't recorded a point yet, I found him to be one of Finland's most dangerous forwards in their first two preliminary-round games. He plays with a high tempo, creating scoring chances for his teammates through his vision and by attacking the interior of the offensive zone. Rautiainen also demonstrated a good stick and a high compete level, causing turnovers on the forecheck.

Jan Chovan, Tappara Jr., Fin. - F (Slovakia)

As a first-year draft-eligible player, Chovan has primarily been used as the 13th forward for Slovakia in their first two games against Sweden and Switzerland. Despite the limited ice time, he was able to make an impact, scoring the game-winning goal against Switzerland, a crucial game that likely determined the third-place finisher in Group B. Chovan was also deployed in the final seconds to protect the lead, showcasing his size, mobility, and hockey IQ to play multiple roles. It will be interesting to see if he receives an increased role as the tournament progresses.

David Lewandowski, Saskatoon, WHL - F (Germany)

Lewandowski has been one of the most utilized forwards for Germany after the first two games. The combination of size, speed, and skill makes him resemble a power forward. He scored a goal against the United States with a great shot off the rush from the top of the circle. What stood out the most in his game was his puck protection ability and his skill in creating space for his teammates. Lewandowski likes to be around the net and is not afraid of the physical aspect of the game.

Julius Sumpf, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL (undrafted) - C (Germany)

The Moncton Wildcats center is another prospect who was overlooked in last year's draft. He is probably Germany's best player in the tournament, as he is utilized in all situations and is the most-used forward on the German side. At 6-foot-2, he possesses an intriguing size, and although he is not a physical player, his hockey IQ and intelligence with the puck to create plays are his primary strengths. His speed is also not to be underestimated. Sumpf has recorded two points so far in two games and will be a crucial part of Germany's success, especially in the games that will likely determine the fourth-place finisher in Group A against Latvia.

Linards Feldbergs, Sherbrooke, QMJHL (undrafted) - G (Latvia)

Feldbergs was phenomenal in Latvia's historic win against Canada in their opening game. The undrafted goaltender from last year will certainly attract the attention of NHL teams after this performance. He demonstrated the ability to handle the pressure of playing in front of a hostile 18,000-strong crowd against a top-3 hockey nation. Despite being outshot 57-27, Feldbergs was able to shut down most of Canada's attack, making 55 saves and stopping all 8 shootout attempts to secure the victory. This will undoubtedly raise his profile ahead of the upcoming NHL draft.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Germany

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

_{Julius Sumpf}

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

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

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

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

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

Key Players

Carlos Händel, D

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

David Lewandowski, C/W

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

Lua Niehus, D

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

Norwin Panocha, D

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

Nico Pertuch, G

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

Elias Pul, C/W

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

Timo Ruckdäschel, LW

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

Julius Sumpf, C

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

Edwin Tropmann, RHD

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

Paul Vinzens, RW

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

Sleeper

Lenny Boos, C/RW

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

2024 NHL DRAFT: RE-ENTRY CANDIDATES – CANADA

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:13:16 +0000

Last year, eight “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 110; Adam Gajan, Yegor Sidorov, Vadim Moroz, Florian Xhekaj, Cole Knuble, Patrick Thomas, Ty Mueller, and Bogdan Konyushkov. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1): (Part 2): (Part 3): We wrote about five of those eight. In total there were 40 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 40, we identified and wrote about 28 (well over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2024, we have some very interesting candidates. Maybe not at the level of Adam Gajan, who was nearly a first-round pick, but there are definitely a few players who could…and should go inside the Top 100. Finland’s Jesse Pulkkinen seems like the top candidate to go first among this group and has had a terrific year offensively. Tri-City netminder Lukas Matecha has been terrific in the WHL as an Import and played in this year’s CHL Top Prospect’s Game. North Bay’s Anthony Romani has been among the leaders in OHL scoring all season. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

This is part one of the series, putting the spotlight on those re-entries available from Canadian leagues.

WHL

Harrison Meneghin. Photo by Erica Perreault

Ondrej Becher - Center - Prince George Cougars

The long-suffering Cougars have finally blossomed into one of the best teams in the WHL, and Becher has been an integral part of that success. He doesn’t draw as much attention as some of his teammates, such as superstar forward Riley Heidt or the 50-goal-scoring Zac Funk, but when you watch the club closely you can see all the different places that their second-year Czech center leaves his fingerprints. His scoring totals hint at his contributions, with 71 points in 48 games at the time of this writing, yet the blue-collar work he does is almost just as impressive, as he takes a lot of important faceoffs, he kills a lot of penalties, and he handles a lot of difficult assignments. None of his individual traits are especially notable, grading out from average to good across the board, but they blend together well and create an overall package that is intriguing and could become very valuable one day. NHLer Alex Killorn was never one of the top stars on the Tampa Bay Lightning during his time there, but he was still an important piece of the puzzle and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final four times, winning it all twice. That’s obviously a lofty comparison for Becher, but it’s a realistic idea of what the best-case-scenario for him and his skillset could look like down the road. (Derek Neumeier)

Kenta Isogai - Wing - Wenatchee Wild

Isogai is currently in his first year in the WHL, and it's quite remarkable just how easily and dramatically he adjusted to the league after departing the USHL-champion Youngstown Phantoms. The Japanese born-and-raised winger also played a season in Europe before heading to the United States, so he's no stranger to changing environments, but absolutely nobody expected him to immediately emerge as one of the best offensive weapons in The Dub. He is a superb play driver, with magnetic puck control, sharp vision, and an abundance of shiftiness and creativity. In other words, he's the type of player who can create chances out of nothing, for both himself and for his teammates. He also deserves a lot of credit for his moxie, as he's an eager penalty killer and someone who consistently works hard and competes hard. There are some drawbacks with his stature and skating ability, and his free-flowing style is significantly harder to play at the NHL level, but there's a lot of raw potential here that could be refined with the right hands-on development. (Derek Neumeier)

Quinn Mantei - Defense - Brandon Wheat Kings

Mantei is an excellent skater, which was evident of him last year as well. The problem was that he often had trouble figuring out how to use that strong trait to make a positive impact. That is slowly starting to change now, though, which is putting him back in the focus of scouts. He's much more assertive on breakouts, and he accelerates so quickly that he can be hard for forecheckers to pin down. It’s not uncommon to see him carry the puck through all three zones, or at least pass the puck out for an exit but then quickly jump into transition as a support option. He is also finding or forcing far more offensive opportunities from the attack blueline using his feet, which can really dance and open things up. His role is a little more defined and consistent this year on the young Wheat Kings roster, playing as the primary puck mover on his pairing alongside the more shutdown-oriented Charlie Elick, which is probably helping him a lot. He still doesn't project as someone who will ever put up a lot of points, but there is always value in the modern NHL for blueliners who can efficiently transition the puck at even strength. (Derek Neumeier)

Lukas Matecha - Goaltender - Tri-City Americans

Matecha's first season with Tri-City has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with some games where he looks like he might be the single best goalie to come out of this draft, but then some others where he looks like he'd never be able to even sniff the NHL. Those highs make him a goalie that scouts want to watch a lot, but the lows make that process frequently frustrating. The Czech import stands at a towering 6-foot-4 and has long legs and an enormous wingspan, all of which help him blot out patches of netting behind him. When he gets his pads extended along the ice there’s often no way to slide the puck around them, only over them, and he’s flexible enough to routinely get the extension that he needs. He’s above average with his play-tracking and ability to see pucks through traffic, and can usually turn aside volleys of second and third chances without getting too out of sorts in his crease. His size, however, can work against him, as his movements are sometimes awkward and clunky, and he can be slow to tighten up his form and close down his holes. While there are some truly fantastic tools in his arsenal, there’s still a mountain of work that needs to be done before he could be successful in the NHL. He’s undoubtedly a worthy project to take on, but how high he’ll get picked will depend on how confident a team’s goalie staffers feel about how much they can work with him. (Derek Neumeier)

Harrison Meneghin - Goaltender - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Meneghin turned a few heads early last season with the Hurricanes, putting up some stellar performances as the team’s interim starter in place of the injured Bryan Thomson. However, his candle burned bright but flickered out quickly, as his performance started to sputter and then never quite recovered, especially after he eventually slid back into a backup role. This season he’s been the de facto starter for Lethbridge since opening night, and with the help of more experience and a defined role he’s really learned how to thrive. He checks off almost all of the main boxes for what you want in a goalie, including size, quickness, athleticism, endurance and consistency. His team lacks star power and has needed to dig in and grind to earn their points, and he’s done that with them admirably, even outright stealing a number of wins. NHL teams will need to be a little careful in scouting him, as he’s still yet to be tested in big games and his overall book of work is still very short, but the tools he possesses and the sprawling progress he’s made over the past two years cannot be ignored. If an organization would have selected him in his first year of eligibility in 2022, even as high as the 3rd or 4th round, they’d likely be thrilled right now with how that pick is looking. (Derek Neumeier)

Nate Misskey - Defense - Victoria Royals

It's a real shame that Misskey hasn't played since January 9 due to injury, because up until that point he had been steadily emerging as one of the best defensemen in the entire WHL. He's a big, smooth, right-shooting defender who reads the play well in front of him, moves pucks cleanly, and possesses a ton of poise. He's the type of player who always seems to be comfortable and in control of what's happening around him, regardless of the situation, while also being able to come through with the occasional big play at an important time. His wrist shot from the point is also a serious weapon, whether he’s shooting to score or shooting for a deflection. His overall play style is a little peculiar, as he’s not very physical for his size and is more of an east-west skater as opposed to north-south, but you can’t deny that he makes it all work for him. The rebuilding Royals are giving Misskey a lot of ice time and a long leash, and it's been very impressive to watch the huge steps forward that he's been able to take with that opportunity. (Derek Neumeier)

Josh Van Mulligen - Defense - Medicine Hat Tigers

Van Mulligen will never be the type of prospect who generates a lot of fanfare, because he's not very exciting and prefers to keep his play simple and straightforward. That doesn't mean, though, that he's not effective at what he does. Quite the opposite. On a Tigers team that loves to push the pace and create offensively he is their best defensive presence, using his long reach and workable 360-degree mobility to suffocate opposing chances by keeping his gaps tight, directing traffic into the corners, and deflecting shots. When he sticks to his man it's incredibly hard to get around him. There are still a number of things that he will need to focus on improving, including his puck handling, awareness and decision-making. It would also be nice to see him impose his will physically more often than he does. He's quite one-dimensional overall, as he rarely uses his skating to attack offensively and rarely takes risks, but he owns the right mix of tools to potentially become a modern day shutdown specialist one day. Medicine Hat is also emerging as a top team in the WHL, and that environment could help boost his development, especially if they can go on a deep playoff run or two. (Derek Neumeier)

Tyler Thorpe - Wing - Vancouver Giants

Joining the Vancouver Giants part-way through last season, Thorpe took some time to get acclimated to the WHL game, and it showed. For most of the season he seemed to be a step behind on plays and his skating, shooting, and puck skills all needed to improve. His best work on the ice came in the form of being a big-hitting forechecker in the team’s bottom six forward group. A late 2005 birthday, he seems to have grown more into his 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame recently and his game has taken a number of steps forward this season. He’s improved in almost every area, including the three mentioned above. He currently has 23 goals and 44 points but suffered a wrist injury that will keep him out until sometime before the end of the regular season. While most of his goals have come from right in front of the net collecting rebounds and loose pucks, he has displayed a better wrist shot than expected from a player who only scored four goals all of last season. (Adam Tate)

Oliver Tulk - Center - Calgary Hitmen

McKeen’s had Tulk rated as a late-round selection in his first year of eligibility last year and there’s been enough improvement this season to warrant discussion of a possible late-round selection again for the upcoming draft. A point-a-game player for the first time in his WHL career, Tulk has improved in all facets of the game, and leads Calgary in scoring. The areas that seem to have improved most for Tulk are his awareness and positioning. He’s more of a neutral zone pass disrupter this season and it’s leading to controlled zone entries and points. He’s also become more responsible in his own zone and will create takeaways along the boards and against unsuspecting defenders on the blueline. Add these new wrinkles to a motor that never stops and solid skating and you’ve got a player who is hard to play against in all three zones on the ice. The biggest knock against Tulk is his size (5-foot-9) but that’s something that can be overcome due to his high compete level. If a team takes a late round flyer on him and moves him over to the wing, he could be in the mix for a bottom six role as he matures. (Adam Tate)

Borya Valis - Wing - Prince George Cougars

Players in their third year of NHL entry draft eligibility are rarely selected, but Valis might be an exception to the rule this year. A 2004-born forward, Valis started the year with Regina and his season was trending in the right direction. He was traded to Prince George at the very end of 2023, and his scoring has taken off since the trade to the high-powered Cougars. A north-south skater who thrives as a shooter and passer off the rush despite below-average skating, he uses good hockey sense and vision to either find an open teammate or a soft area of coverage to skate into. As such, he has become a point-a-game player for the first time in his three WHL seasons. He’s also shown some defensive responsibility as well, becoming a plus player for the first time in his time in the WHL. While he won’t be a line driver at the pro level, Valis has shown enough ability this year to warrant a late-round selection. (Adam Tate)

Dominik Rymon - Wing - Everett Silvertips

After playing in the Czech U20 league in his draft season and being injured most of last season, it’s easy to see why Rymon has missed his last two opportunities to be drafted. However, this year Rymon has been a force on a surprisingly good Everett Silvertips team, currently sitting at second in team scoring. He also emerged as a key cog for Czechia at the World Juniors. As a D+2 player who stands at only 5-foot-10, Rymon is not typically the most desirable overage prospect for NHL teams to be looking at, but for him, the numbers this season speak for themselves. It’s not only the production as well, as Rymon is a very engaged player who has a skillset that could see him develop into an effective bottom-six player in the NHL. The question with Rymon is will he be able to carve out a role in the AHL next season similar to other prospects his age? His skating remains the key area of his game that needs to be improved in order to be effective at the next level. However, he makes up for that by always moving his feet and playing at a higher pace than the skating ability would suggest. Another area of his game I like is his positioning, which shows he has above-average hockey IQ. He constantly adjusts himself in order to put himself in the best position to receive the puck from his teammates. (Ben Misfeldt)

Eric Jamieson - Defense - Everett Silvertips

Another Everett Silvertip, Jamieson has stepped up as one of the team's top defenders as a D+1 prospect. Instantly, his 6-foot-3 frame is an attractive attribute for teams looking to take a swing on overage defenders in the late rounds. On the defensive side, Jamieson is effective and uses his lengthy reach and stride to keep opponents at bay in transition. In his own zone, he is excellent at being physical in front of the net and boxing out opponents using his size and physicality. The key for Jamieson moving forward is continuing to improve his puck play and to show he can be an effective puck mover in transition at the next level. As of right now, he is a safe, reliable puck-mover but doesn’t flash the quickness in transition that you typically see of modern day NHL defenders. However, he already has a lot of other tools that are going to excite teams, including his above average skating, helped by his long stride that allows him to gain a step on opponents rather easily. (Ben Misfeldt)

Rylan Gould - Wing - Swift Current Broncos

Gould is a smaller, D+1 forward who has drastically improved his overall game from last season. It’s not a stretch to say he went from fringe WHLer last season to impactful top-six forward this year. With Gould, the skating and skill instantly stands out. It makes it hard to believe this was a player who scored just four points all of last season. His trajectory also makes him an interesting draft prospect. While typically overagers have excellent year-over-year progression, very few have progressed to the extent that Gould has. Right away, you can see the soft hands as being a key element to his success this season. Plus, he is an intelligent playmaker who creates offense with his reads and makes plenty of cheeky passes that often lead to scoring chances. What really excites me about Gould is that I feel he is still a very raw prospect at this point with tremendous upside to improve his game over the next few seasons. He is still incredibly new to being an impactful WHLer and has barely had time to figure out how to use his skill effectively. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take his game to further new heights next season. (Ben Misfeldt)

OHL

Anthony Romani of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Anthony Romani - Wing - North Bay Battalion

A top contender for the Red Tilson as the OHL’s best player, Romani has exploded in his draft plus one season, emerging as one of the league’s best offensive players. As part of a terrific first line (along with Dalyn Wakely and Owen Van Steensel), Romani has already doubled his production from last year. Meant to be a compliment, Romani is one of the quietest top scorers in recent memory. By quiet, I mean that he’s not a dynamic showstopper like some of the others competing with Romani for the Red Tilson (David Goyette, Quentin Musty, Denver Barkey, Carson Rehkopf, etc). Romani isn’t the quickest. He’s not the most physical. He’s not someone who dazzles with one-on-one moves or who explodes from end to end. He’s quietly effective because of how well he thinks the game; he’s consistently one step ahead of the competition and the defensive schemes utilized to try to slow him down. His game is predicated by quick touches and by off puck reads. He times his cuts so well and he understands spacing and how to support puck carriers. Armed with a massively improved shot, he gets himself consistent looks in dangerous areas by sliding between coverage. Equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, there’s such an efficiency to his game. Even without above average skating ability or physical tools, it’s easy to see him developing into a middle six support player at the next level. One thing that will need to improve is his defensive and physical play. I believe those components of his game have taken a step back this year in response to how well he’s been playing offensively. Much like Yegor Sidorov last year, I’d be shocked if Romani wasn’t selected inside the first four rounds. (Brock Otten)

Marco Mignosa - Wing - Soo Greyhounds

Mignosa has had a terrific year as an offensive support player for the Greyhounds, taking a nice step forward in a lot of areas that prevented him from being drafted last year. Not unlike Romani, Mignosa’s game is built around his high IQ and processing ability. He’s not a dynamic skater or physical player, but he has great vision in the offensive end and understands how to leverage time and space working the half wall area. Definitely more of a pass first player, Mignosa could eventually be a solid middle six option for an NHL team. Scouts are likely to be impressed by the improvements he’s made this year to his off puck play and overall defensive effort. Now a solid two-way player, Mignosa is valued for his versatility. Is he a lock to be selected? Definitely not. There’s still going to be concern that his lack of physical tools makes him unlikely to play that same kind of two-way, middle six role at the next level (think Austen Keating). However, he’s worth mentioning in this list. (Brock Otten)

Owen Allard - Center - Soo Greyhounds

Despite being a year older and having worse offensive numbers, I’d put Allard at having a much higher chance of being selected this year than teammate Mignosa. Look, the offensive upside is going to be limited. Allard isn’t going to be confused with Connor McDavid any time soon. But he has a lot of desirable tools for the potential role he could play as a bottom six, PK anchor down the middle. The size and quickness combination is impressive. Allard has good hands in tight and knows how to play net front (as shown at this year’s World Juniors). He competes hard in all three zones and brings a consistent level of physicality. The puckhandling and passing ability will need to continue to improve, but the basic foundation of a defensive rock is there. In the cap era, developing players like Allard to be excellent bottom six players is crucial, as the Tampa Bay Lightning have proven. (Brock Otten)

Matt Buckley - Wing - Oshawa Generals

Make no mistake, Buckley is going to be a contender to lead the league in goal scoring by the time he graduates from the OHL (considering he’s a likely OA candidate down the road). His shot and scoring ability is that good. I’d grade his shot among the highest of any player available from the OHL this year. If he got more powerplay time, I think he’d be pushing for 40 goals this year. He one times pucks cleanly and has such a quick release on his wrist shot. Overall, Buckley has been one of the most improved 2005’s in the OHL this season. That said, is he likely to be drafted? It does seem unlikely until other areas of his game take another step. He’s not big. He’s best described as an average skater at the OHL level (let alone the NHL level). His off puck play and decision making with the puck are still developing. He has one plus tool (his shot), with the rest grading out as average to below average. As part of a quality, young, Oshawa team, he’s going to continue to improve and that may be enough to entice someone. (Brock Otten)

Trent Swick - Wing - Kitchener Rangers

Massive winger who is finally healthy this year and it’s had a really positive impact on his development. The 6’6, 210lbs power forward has been one of the OHL’s most improved players this season. The skating has improved a lot and that’s helped him to keep up with the pace of play a lot better this year. Now, he still has a ways to go to be pro ready, but it’s a very positive step to see him improve his quickness and agility. Overall, Swick is a player who has a clear understanding of how to leverage his size advantage at this level. He plays that classic power game. He drives the net. He hangs out near the crease as a screen. He works the wall and keeps his feet moving. He plays physical and works hard in the defensive end too. The puck skill and creativity are fairly limited, but the IQ and vision are good for a player of his ilk. I think it’s more likely that NHL teams wait until his OA year (to see further development) before securing his rights, but his size and production will be intriguing to some teams. (Brock Otten)

Dalyn Wakely - Center - North Bay Battalion

For Wakely, the improvements this year have come from his improved consistency and three zone engagement. A highly talented player coming through minor hockey in Ontario, the knock on Wakely has always been consistency. This year, he’s found a way to find that extra gear to make him one of the OHL’s best pivots this season. A classic, power center, Wakely’s game is all about his strong puck protection skill. He’s very difficult to separate from the puck, especially as he’s driving the middle. He has very soft hands and he’s great at using his edges to manipulate space to keep defenders on his back. The increased physical engagement level this year has really helped to drive his increased production on that great top line, as he’s working hard to earn touches and drive the pace of play for the Battalion. Is he an NHL prospect? I’m not entirely sure. The skating only grades out as average and I wonder about the type of role he could play at the next level where his size and puck protection ability become less of a dominant factor for him. That said, he unquestionably belongs on this list and with a strong OHL playoff performance this year, he could secure a place on someone’s draft board. (Brock Otten)

Owen Van Steensel - Wing - North Bay Battalion

The third member of that terrific top line in North Bay, Van Steensel is the straw that stirs the drink a lot of the time. He’s the best skater of the three; he’s the high energy piece that helps the trio gain the zone or secure possession on the forecheck. He loves to push the pace and he has a positive North/South attacking mindset. If you recall, he was a favourite late round target of mine at the 2022 NHL Draft, but a lack of size and projection prevented him from being selected. With the improvements that he’s made to his offensive game this year, in particular his shot, his puckhandling ability, and his decision making, NHL teams are likely to have taken notice as it has improved his projection as a pro. It’s very conceivable, even without terrific size (at 5’11), that Van Steensel could be a quality third line option at the NHL level playing a similar kind of role. We saw the Edmonton Oilers sign Brady Stonehouse last year after the draft and Van Steensel has a better projection as a pro IMO. (Brock Otten)

Beau Jelsma - Center - Barrie Colts

It seems like it’s only a matter of time before an NHL team secures Jelsma’s rights. He’s just one of those guys who consistently pops off as one of the best players on the ice when you watch Barrie play. The same was said last year when he went unselected. The same can be said this year. He’s small in stature, but he’s stocky and has a strong lower half that drives his strong skating ability and off puck play. He has a lot of the qualities that undersized (5’9) forwards have that do find success at the NHL level; he’s quick, he’s tenacious, he’s skilled, and he’s inside driven. I actually believe that he can stick at center too because of his improved work at the dot and defensive consistency. The one thing going against him this year is Barrie’s disappointing team success with him as an offensive leader. But with some strong draft eligible talent, NHL scouts would have seen Jelsma take the reins on numerous occasions. If he’s not selected, look for Jelsma to have a fantastic overage year and secure an NHL ELC that way. (Brock Otten)

Finn Harding - Defense - Mississauga Steelheads

There’s a lot to like here from this right shot defender who has improved a ton in his draft plus one year. Harding has good size. He has good mobility. He plays a sound game at both ends of the ice and brings a physical element. He’s not a dynamic offensive defender and doesn’t project as a powerplay quarterback at the next level, but he moves the puck quickly and efficiently to help start the breakout. As he learns to trust his feet even more, I would expect the offensive production to increase further. Harding’s bread and butter at the pro level could be his defensive game. We look at how a guy like Jalen Chatfield has worked his way to being an NHL regular with the Hurricanes and Harding has similar qualities to his game that could make him valuable in today’s NHL. (Brock Otten)

Sam Hillebrandt - Goaltender - Barrie Colts

One of the best stories in the OHL this year. Hillebrandt went from playing in Junior C a year ago to being named as the third goalie for team USA at the World Junior Championships this year. Since returning from Sweden, Hillebrandt has been one of the best goalies in the OHL too, even if Barrie has struggled as a team. The 6’1 netminder is fifth in the OHL save percentage as of writing this, but has been even better than that lately. He has quick pads and holds his posts well, showing a strong lateral push to help him track the play. His compete level in the crease is also excellent; he never seems to give up on a play and he’s hit the OHL highlight reel a lot lately with his scrambling saves. He makes good use of his average size by challenging shooters well and fighting for sight lines. Tracking, rebound control, and overall technical consistency remain works in progress, but his overall progress this year has him on the NHL draft radar. (Brock Otten)

QMJHL

Halifax, Nova Scotia - Feb 18: Miles Mueller #17 of the Moncton Wildcats takes a shot during the QMJHL game between the Halifax Mooseheads and Moncton Wildcats on February 18 2024 at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Mooseheads)

Miles Müller - Wing - Moncton Wildcats

After a disappointing season last year in terms of points, Müller had a lot to prove if he wanted to be drafted in the NHL. After 50 games, he has already doubled his point total from last year with the Moncton Wildcats. The young native of Switzerland is slowly emerging as one of the top offensive players on his team. He plays a hard game, always charging along the boards to get the puck, using his 6’0 at his advantage to win 50/50 battles. While his skating is not the most efficient, his strength gives him an explosive first few strides, and he takes advantage of it to generate good shots here and there. His shooting is his strongest offensive asset, as he easily finds highly dangerous shooting lanes. He is intense, and he never gives up on a play. He plays well enough in defence to get a good amount of time on the penalty kill, and he also gets time on the powerplay. On a better structured team in the pros, he will surely get even better as he plays already well away from the puck, reading passing lanes and placing himself in dangerous positions to score. He is starting to show more and more about what he could be at the next level and if he continues to improve at this rate, he is a player that should be drafted in the upcoming draft. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Antonin Verreault - Wing - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

After getting passed over two times at the NHL draft, Antonin Verreault is on a revenge tour. Leading the QMJHL in points by a good margin, he surely has more eyes on him than ever before. For a player who is currently playing his DY+2 in the league, he has more points than a lot of players that are playing their last year in the QMJHL. He will still play in the league next season (in all likelihood), and he should be dominant. Yeah, he’s 5’8”; Verreault is a small player that struggles with his physical play, but with the intensity and the speed that he brings, he shows why he scores that much. He isn’t afraid to cut to the net with the puck, to fight in front of the net and take rebounds or to battle in the corner and get the puck. Not only is he intense, but he is also an intelligent player that knows what he will do with the puck before receiving it. He will have to step up some part of his game, like his defensive ability and puck handling. His size is clearly keeping him away from getting drafted, but for a player that produces that much and has a lot of quality attributes, why not take a chance on him? He should be a serious option in the later rounds. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Jordan Tourigny - Defense - Shawinigan Cataractes

When Jordan Tourigny wasn’t selected last year, it was a little bit surprising. He had a good season, enough to be regarded as a potential pick towards the end of the draft. He was already known for his skating ability and his offensive upside, but it seems that NHL teams didn’t see enough in his game to select him. That didn’t stop Tourigny from working on his game, and since then, he has gained a lot of confidence and strength, making him even more interesting now. There are few defenders in the QMJHL that move the puck like Tourigny. He is a mobile defender that is not afraid to go in the offensive zone with the puck. He uses his edges well to create space and with his speed, he generates a lot of scoring chances on the rush. While his statistics remain similar to last year, his defensive and transition game have evolved a lot. Defensively, he uses his stick to intercept and his speed to win battles. In transition, he takes control of the puck more frequently, bringing the puck from one end to the other and generating scoring chances. His decision-making in his own zone is still something to work on. Too often, his passes in the breakout are obvious and get intercepted. If he can simplify his game and be more effective in his own zone, will it be enough to get drafted this time? (Jeremy Tremblay)

Matyas Melovsky - Center - Baie-Comeau Drakkar

The young player from Czechia is currently playing his second season in the QMJHL. Playing with the strong Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s team, his chance to get drafted may finally be there, especially after a standout performance at the World Junior Championships. Matyas Melovsky is a player that could bring a lot to his team as he plays not only on the powerplay but also on the penalty kill. His mobility is something that shows off easily while watching him as he likes to carry the puck from one end to the other. With his puck protection and his puck control, it is easy for him at the junior level to pass around the defender and attack the net. If his speed continues to improve in the years to come, there is no doubt that he will be able to do that in the big league too. While he is a slightly above average passer and shooter, he generates most offence primarily due to his understanding of the game and his presence around the net. This understanding of the game really puts him on another level, proving that he is ready for the next step. With his impressive combativeness, pace of play and skills, the NHL team that will take a chance on him could assure a top 9 player with a late pick in the draft. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Preston Lounsbury - Center - Moncton Wildcats

The linemate of Miles Muller, Preston Lounsbury, is also a player to keep an eye on. At 19 years old, he has improved a lot this season, doubling his points from last year. Close to one point per game, he plays a really intelligent game, placing the puck at places that create a lot of scoring chances. He is primarily a playmaker, as he always looks for a passing line, faking shots to pass or dangling around one player to open the lane. With his high IQ game, he seems to always know the next play before having the puck. His execution is what’s holding him back from scoring a lot more. His passes are often a little too soon or a little too late, deflecting on the defender. He knows what the right play is, but the timing just isn’t there… yet. Soon enough, he will learn to play at his high pace, and his skating ability will make a bigger difference then. He is also a responsible player, well positioned in his own zone and playing on the penalty kill here and there. Working as hard as he does, making it difficult for his opponent by intercepting a lot of pucks and playing with a lot of energy really makes him like an interesting pick at the upcoming draft. (Jeremy Tremblay)

Joseph Henneberry - Center - Victoriaville Tigres

While Henneberry won’t blow you away with his stats, being around a point per game as a 19-year-old player, there is a lot to like. He was traded a few weeks ago to Victoriaville, but this seemingly hasn’t fazed him, as he has continued producing at around the same pace, and looks very comfortable with his new linemates, already making creative plays, already showing chemistry. His skating mechanics are really advanced; he is super stable on his feet, very agile and evasive, great pace, just an all-around solid skater. More explosiveness could be added, but it’s about it. He creates plays in any situation, can play the inside and the outside, knows how to utilize his size, controls the puck well, and has a great shot. Henneberry has everything going for him and to me he has all the chances in the world to become an impactful player in the NHL someday, most likely towards the bottom of a lineup, but still an impactful player. He is not a lock to be drafted by any means, but I would not be surprised if he catches the eye of an NHL team and gets picked towards the later rounds in the draft. (Jeremi Plourde)

Justin Larose - Wing - Victoriaville Tigres

Another Player from Victoriaville, but quite different from Henneberry. Larose really came out of nowhere, jumping from only 24 points in 68 games in his draft year last year to scoring well above a point per game pace this year (67 points in 56 games). Standing at 5’9, Justin Larose is small, but deadly. He is as good of a passer as he is a goal scorer, with 33 goals and 34 assists this season. Larose is at his most dangerous when he is around the net; with his quick and accurate release, he is able to score a ton of goals from below the hash marks. In fact, all but four of his goals this year are from below that mark, close to the net. Larose loves to execute controlled zone entries with the puck and make things happen out of it. He cuts inside with ease, even making use of his body to protect the puck even given his small frame, which is a common important trait for smaller sized forwards. Overall, Larose is just a smaller forward with all the desirable traits to be an effective potential NHLer one day, which is why there is a possibility he is given a shot by an NHL team this year. (Jeremi Plourde)

Mathis Rousseau - Goaltender - Halifax Mooseheads

Most people probably got familiar with Rousseau from this year’s world juniors, where he started in all 5 games for team Canada and honestly had a pretty decent showing overall, with many highlight-reel saves, but also some lower moments. That being said, Rousseau is no stranger to anyone who closely follows the QMJHL, as he has been clearly one of the best goaltenders in the league. He currently holds the second place amongst goaltenders in save percentage, with a .922%. His record is even more impressive: 27 – 5 – 4. Rousseau does play for a very talented Halifax team, who will be looking to win it all this year after losing in the finals to the Quebec Remparts, but he has been a major part of the Mooseheads’ success in the past couple of years, and has only gotten better. His main strength is his lateral agility; he can slide from a post to another with ease while keeping his entire body straight and fully extending his legs, covering most of the net. His pure reflexes are often notably quick. Only downside in terms of NHL projection is the height. Standing at only 5’11, this might scare off quite a few GMs and scouting staffs. It is true that when a shot is screened and placed towards the top of the net, he can struggle to stop it. Rousseau has even scored a goal this year, which is always pretty fun to see. Out of any goaltenders in the QMJHL, he is the most likely to be drafted, especially when you factor in his world juniors performance and experience. (Jeremi Plourde)

Markus Vidicek - Center - Halifax Mooseheads

Vidicek is probably one of the most well-known overagers from the QMJHL, as he was fairly highly regarded in his draft year back in 2022. Not near the first round by any means, but highly enough to expect him to be drafted towards the end of the draft. He ended up not being selected that year and was overlooked once again by NHL teams last year after putting up 80 points in 68 games. His development is continuing well this year, with 77 points in only 55 games, which makes him 4th in scoring in the Q. He has been putting up these numbers without the help of Jordan Dumais for the majority of the year, which has been one of the criticisms around his game in the past couple of years. There are some flaws with Vidicek, such as size and skating (especially pure speed, but he’s decently agile), but the flashes are too great to not at least consider drafting him. Every now and then he is capable of pulling off high end flashy moves. His two main attributes are his passing skills and his stickhandling, but he has also been able to score a ton of goals this season, developing furthermore his goalscoring instincts and his shot mechanics. Although his NHL projectability is questionable, he is definitely the premier option when it comes down to available overagers in the QMJHL this year. (Jeremi Plourde)

Samuel St-Hilaire - Goaltender - Sherbrooke Phoenix

In only his second season in the QMJHL, St-Hilaire has already shown that he is one of the best and most consistent goaltenders in the league. With a .921 save percentage in 27 starts, he sits third in that regard in the entire league, only .005% short of first place. He is still only 19 years old, and would still have many years left of development before making it to the NHL if the occasion presented itself, but he is undoubtedly, along with Mathis Rousseau, the best available goaltender from the QMJHL in this year’s draft. Standing at 6’2, St-Hilaire is not particularly big as a goaltender, and doesn’t play big in his net either, but that has not seemed to be a problem in his career so far. He is quite mobile when moving and sliding laterally, meaning he does not get out of position quite often; he seems in control of the play all the time. I would say that identifying the puck when screened could be something he might want to look out for, but it obviously gets better with experience. Another thing is low shots close to the posts, but then again this is a common weak point for many goaltenders. (Jeremi Plourde)

Julius Sumpf - Center - Moncton Wildcats

It’s been a very successful first season in the QMJHL for Sumpf, who was able to work around the Import Draft and sign as a free agent with Moncton due to his dual citizenship. He’s been a strong supporting cast member for Moncton, especially elevating his play post World Juniors, where he performed well for Germany. A strong skating, two-way center, Sumpf is a solid playmaker who uses his speed well to push pace and lead the attack. His pro projection is going to be completely tied to his ability to continue to add strength to become more consistent playing through traffic, and to help him become a little more physically engaged. The IQ and skating in his 6’2 frame are intriguing and he has played well overall. It wouldn’t shock me at all if he were selected this year. (Brock Otten)

Benjamin Brunelle - Wing - Rouyn Noranda Huskies

Brunelle is a power winger who has been a consistent secondary scorer and high energy player for the dominant Huskies this season. He likely doesn’t have a ton of upside for the pro level, but his puck protection ability, tenacious approach, and improving skating, wrapped in a 6’3 frame, are likely to interest NHL scouts this year. He drives wide with speed well and is able to keep the puck in his hip pocket to drive the net to create scoring chances in the slot. He works the wall well and is active in puck pursuit, both on the forecheck and backcheck. Perhaps NHL teams take a wait and see approach with him to see how his offensive skills develop further when he eventually takes on a larger offensive role with the Huskies, but, as is, the physical tools could make him a potential checking line or depth option at the pro level. (Brock Otten)

Peter Repcik - Center - Drummondville Voltigeurs

Now on his fourth CHL franchise, things seemed to have finally clicked for Repcik, as he has emerged as an offensive star in the QMJHL for Drummondville. Internationally, Repcik has always looked good for Slovakia, but that had yet to translate to consistent offensive production in the CHL since he was drafted as an Import a few years ago. A dynamic player in transition, Repcik does most of his damage when the pace increases. He is highly skilled and does possess significant offensive upside. However, he’s a pretty much non factor without the puck and his decision making with the puck does leave some to be desired. He’s very much a draft long shot, but does deserve mention on this list for finally showing some progression this year. (Brock Otten)

BCHL

Rylan Brown - Defense - Okotoks Oilers

The son of former NHLer Sean Brown, Rylan decided to stay in Okotoks for a second season after going undrafted last summer and that decision is now paying dividends for him. The Oilers have a good track record recently when it comes to producing talented prospects and now have a new Junior A star on their hands. He is a confident, explosive defender who is trusted to have the puck on his stick a lot, for obvious reasons. He uses his feet to escape pressure and open up space with ease and has a great attack mentality in the offensive zone. There is high-end quarterback ability on display when he works the powerplay, as the puck can flow through him as the main conduit. Despite a lack of size and strength he isn't afraid to grind or take bumps when the situation calls for it, and there is a legitimate edge to how he thinks and processes the game. His skating ability and puck skills are already established, and he can now spend the next few seasons putting in the necessary work on his physical endurance and resiliency before hitting the pro ranks. (Derek Neumeier)

Luke Ashton - Defense - Langley Rivermen

Profiled recently in my Tier 2 write up, Ashton is a physically imposing blueliner who has impressed with his considerable improvement this year. He has broken out in a huge way after a trade from Vernon to Langley in the BCHL, which has allowed Ashton to blossom into one of the BCHL’s top defenders and it has led to a commitment to Minnesota State. The 6’5 blueliner is more than just a physically imposing rearguard with a big shot. He has impressive linear skating ability that he uses to lead the charge in transition and his quick hands allow him to consistently carve up the neutral zone. The overall skating profile does need work and the decision making with the puck is still developing, but the physical tools here are very alluring. This is a big defender with great two-way upside who has already shown an ability to improve his skill set and projection. (Brock Otten)

Francesco Dell’Elce - Defense - Penticton Vees

Another player highlighted in my look at the tier 2 defender, Dell’Elce was ranked inside our top 100 for last year’s draft, but went undrafted due to projection concerns over his defensive ability. The UMass commit decided to head to the tremendous Penticton program before going to school and it’s had a positive impact on his development, placing him back on the draft radar. Dell’Elce’s best asset is still his skating ability, in particular his impressive edgework and linear quickness. He routinely beats the initial layer of pressure, regardless of whether he’s quarterbacking the powerplay or trying to escape the forecheck in his own end. As expected, he’s been one of the best offensive defenders in the BCHL this season. Defensively, his game has shown growth, but is simultaneously still a work in progress. He has a good stick, but still must gain the strength needed to defend high traffic areas more effectively. This is where UMass comes in. I’d still advocate for Dell’Elce to be a selection, especially considering how well the UMass program has developed defenders in the last decade. (Brock Otten)

AJHL

Easton Hewson - Defense - Calgary Canucks

A classic late bloomer, Hewson was playing AA up until only a few years ago and was not selected in the WHL draft. He’s now become one of the better two-way defenders in the AJHL (as only an ‘05) and has secured a scholarship from Minnesota State. The foundation of his game is his skating ability. He is an impressive mover for a 6’4, 200lbs defender. He routinely looks to lead the charge and push up ice to gain the offensive blueline and with long, galloping strides, he covers ground quickly. His first few strides still need work, but once he builds speed, he’s tough to stop. Hewson also flashes high end skill and is able to navigate traffic well. As a defensive player, Hewson is very physical in open ice, aggressively seeking out open ice hit opportunities. The raw, physical tools are just very intriguing. It’s safe to say Minnesota State has a type. The application of said tools is just very, very raw. He needs to pick his spots better to apply himself physically and to take chances offensively. For a player with his size, reach, and mobility, he could stand to be even more consistent in the defensive end. Five years down the road when he is graduating from Minnesota State, what will he look like? NHL scouts typically love players like this. (Brock Otten)

CCHL

Dawson Labre - Goaltender - Smiths Falls Bears

Another player mentioned in my tier 2 piece, Labre was a standout at the World Junior A Challenge, even if he had a poor performance in the gold medal game. However, since returning from the WJAC, Labre has been nearly unbeatable for Smiths Falls. The easy comparison to make here is to Devon Levi given that both players came out of nowhere to dominate the WJAC and CCHL. Let’s be clear that Labre is not on that level. However, he is still an interesting prospect as a late bloomer with an intriguing commitment to a solid school like Ohio State. Overall, I think part of the reason why Labre is so successful is that he is a competitor. He makes a lot of second/third chance save opportunities and tracks the play fairly well to try to square up shooters. He’s not the world’s best athlete in the crease; there’s room for him to improve his quickness post to post, but he controls his body well to remain square. When Labre struggles to make an initial save it’s generally because he’s not aggressive enough. It would not shock me at all if Labre was a late round selection this year based on his size and rapid development curve, even if he’s in his final year of draft eligibility. (Brock Otten)

MCKEENS 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team Germany plus an interview with Norwin Panocha

Chapin Landvogt — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 14:38:30 +0000

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA - DECEMBER 28: Germany's Roman Kechter #24 celebrates at the bench with teammates after scoring a first period goal against Canada during Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on December 28, 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

Suddenly a regular in the quarterfinals after 3 straight appearances, Team Germany entered last year’s event as the biggest underdog on paper save for Team Austria. Long gone were the entries with names such as Tim Stützle and JJ Peterka, or even Maks Szuber and Benett Rossmy, and the staff was well aware of the uphill battle at hand as they made their way to Maritimes. With relegation once again part of the whole kit and caboodle, both Austria and Germany entered tourney action with December 30th encompassed by big red circles in their calendars. As preliminary round opponents, each knew to reckon with the victor of that game most likely avoiding relegation round play. Fortunately for Team Germany, despite spending the third period doing everything it could to grab defeat from the jaws of victory, a 4-2 triumph meant that the class had been maintained. The ensuing 8-1 loss to Czechia and 11-1 thrashing in the quarterfinal match-up against the US meant little in deterring from the achievement of earning a return ticket.

Germany is now entering this year’s event with some good vibes after strong summer showings and a recent 3-game bout against a group of selects from Finland, losing each contest by just one goal, with one game having gone to overtime. Granted, key returnees Rayan Bettahar (broken jaw) and Phillip Krening (having missed the entire season due to an undisclosed injury) aren’t going to be part of the fray, but Coach Abstreiter will be able to welcome four North American legionnaires to the line-up, with Arizona’s 2022 2nd rounder Julian Lutz being the most prominent of them. In addition, a line featuring former OHLer Moritz Elias, captain Roman Kechter, and current Detroit Red Wings 5th rounder Kevin Bicker went bonkers against Finland in the aforementioned test games, each accumulating between 6-8 points. All three are taking regular shifts in the DEL and will be joined up front in that capacity by Veit Oswald and Eric Hördler, with Oswald currently the DEL’s shooting “youngstar”. In fact, of the roster nominees playing in Germany, all of the forwards are gaining experience at the pro level this season.

Which brings us to the blueline, where we regret to inform you that there are no Mortiz Seiders to wonder at. In fact, the only returnee from last winter’s squad looks to be Philipp Sinn, a Red Bull Juniors regular who made highlight reels last winter with mindboggling defensive miscues. Spearheading the defensive efforts should be Buffalo Sabres 7th rounder Norwin Panocha and DEL youngster Lua Niehus, both of whom were go-to players for the U18 squad, which - we must mention - was unceremoniously relegated last spring. The scouting community would love to see 2024 prospect Paul Mayer, who has gained plenty of DEL experience this season (despite minimal minutes), in action, but he’s not even a lock to be in the top 6. Jakob Weber has been a DEL surprise this year, suiting up 20 times for reigning champ Red Bull Munich, while 6’2” Niklas Hübner brings not only DEL and DEL2 experience, but also spent 23 games in Finland’s top U20 circuit last season. Don’t be surprised to see Michael Reich or Samuel Schindler in the equation as the two program faves have been playing pro hockey all season, with the latter actually making a good bit of music as an Oberliga producer from the blueline.

What is as clear now as with last winter’s squad, is that any German goaltender seeing ice time simply has to reckon with more shots against than his peer on the other side of the ice. Probably far more. Had you asked us this time last year, we’d have said 6’3” Simon Wolf was the given #1 goaltender and he still should be, but his outings for Germany’s U20 squad simply haven’t been impressive this year. Phillip Dietl has been a bright light in Germany’s junior scene but is coming in with precious little pro playing time to date this season. He’s even splitting goaltending duties on his junior team. Third stringer Matthias Bittner has also spent most of his time in goal this season at the junior level but does have a 2-2 record and decent stats in 5 DEL2 outings.

Long story short, none of these guys is a Nikita Quapp, but as with years past, the team likely needs just one preliminary round victory to avoid the relegation round. That win will most likely have to come against Team Latvia, because odds are that group opponents Canada, Finland, and hometown favorite Sweden are simply a number too big. Weighing heavy for Germany could be the fact that Latvia has not only done extremely well against German U20 and U18 outfits over the past decade but is also bringing perhaps its most solid U20 team ever to Gothenburg later this month. While contemplating how Germany fell to Norway at the U18 Worlds last spring, we can’t help but think that Germany may have no choice but to try and return the favor early this January in the relegation round. Or will the cross-program shellshock vis-a-vis the Norwegians be too much to overcome? Without wanting to paint the Norwegians as a lock for the relegation round, you might want to plan with Team Germany being a relegation round participant if the squad doesn’t have any surprises up its sleeve in the preliminary round.

10 to Watch plus a Sleeper

Julian Lutz F

As a 2022 2nd rounder of the Arizona Coyotes, Lutz comes in as Germany’s clearcut go-to player. Truth be told, he’s finally giving his NHL organization a reason to experience a collective sigh of relief. After all, last season was anything but promising and gave reason for concern as he once again dealt with undisclosed injury issues while only producing very modestly with little sustained ice time at the DEL level. His 2 assists in last year’s WJC did little to inspire confidence as well. Now he’s in North America playing for the Green Bay Gamblers and seems to have a new lease on life, already registering 23 points in 19 games. As nice as that is, it’s nothing off the charts for a 19-year-old in a league geared towards producing NCAA players. For sure, Lutz has the power, skating, and offensive wherewithal to be a cog if this German team is going to push its way into a quarterfinal spot. But for that to happen, we’re going to pretty much need to see the best version of Julian Lutz we’ve seen to date.

Roman Kechter C

When Kechter was 16, he jumped down from Swedish juniors to spend the bulk of the pandemic-impacted DEL season with the Nuremberg Ice Tigers, looking like a terribly exciting prospect along the way. He hasn’t been able to build upon that since, despite renewed time with the Rögle organization, a U18 Worlds, and 3 points in 5 games at last winter’s WJC. Now 19, he’s entering this tournament as the team’s captain and he’s, well, red hot. With 15 points in 5 U20 test games this fall, his international play is only confirming his strong DEL showing, where he’s been a 3rd line catalyst for Nuremberg, collecting 5 goals and 12 points in 26 games. Put simply, Kechter is arriving as a serious pro player and he’s exactly what Team Germany needs in Sweden, where he’ll be lining up against a number of players he’s competed against in years past. There’s little talk about Kechter as an overage draftee option, but that could change real quick if he can spearhead an unexpectedly successful tourney for this underdog.

Luca Hauf C/LW

Similar in build and style to Kechter, Hauf is joining Team Germany all the way from Seattle, where he plays for the Thunderbirds of the WHL. It’s his second season in the WHL, having chipped in 21 points in 45 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings last year. He’s upped the ante a tick this season with 10 goals and 16 points in 25 games, but for this German squad, he’s going to need to play bigger. Already a heavy Oberliga contributor as a 16/17-year-old, Hauf has been looked to by the German program to assume a productive role up front, something he did well at the U18 Worlds (3 goals in 4 games) and not so well at this tournament last winter (only 1 assist). But there’s no time like the present for him to make more of his tools and simply be a hard player to defend against. His experience will surely be key, especially as a player who has often been lined up with Lutz in past international events. A first line role is there to be had.

Julius Sumpf C

Half Canadian, Sumpf comes in as Germany’s top overall playmaker and one of the few German players in recent years to have had such a successful transition to CHL hockey.

Currently 5th in scoring for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL with 28 points and +12 in 30 games, Sumpf has been pivoting one of the top two lines since preseason action. For Germany, he was one of the few noticeable players at last spring’s disappointing U18 Worlds, serving as the team’s topscorer with 2 goals and 4 points in 6 games. What he won’t have in Gothenburg are linemates he’s all that familiar with, although he’s a lock for the top 6 and likely scheduled to line up next to Julian Lutz and Luca Hauf as a trio of North American legionnaires. We’re inclined to think that a strong WJC followed by a big second half push with a solid Moncton team could see Sumpf hear his name taken in next summer’s draft. He’ll have to show his true colors a few times in Sweden for Germany to have any real shot at avoiding relegation.

Norwin Panocha D

Without a doubt, Panocha was the fastest rising talent in Germany last winter. Featuring skating mechanics that may remind a few of Phil Housley, Panocha’s combination of mobility, puckhandling, and strong on-ice awareness allowed him to be a dominant figure in Germany’s junior league while sticking out as one of few German defensemen of international class throughout the season. The Buffalo Sabres snagged him last summer at the top of the 7th round and within weeks, he was scheduled to head to Chicoutimi of the QMJHL, where he’s taken on a regular role and collected 11 assists in 30 games. Granted, only two of those points have come in the last 10 games as Panocha has settled into more of bottom-3 style defensemen after an eye-opening preseason camp with the Sabres and a strong offensive showing in Chicoutimi’s preseason games. At this tournament, Coach Abstreiter will surely have a top 4 role in store for Panocha, even if Abstreiter generally looks to lean on his older players with bigger minutes. Thinkable is that Panocha will man the point on one of the powerplay units, something precious few of his blueline colleagues have been doing this winter.

Kevin Bicker LW

We won’t blame you for being surprised to see Bicker’s name in last summer’s draft, much less as a 5th round pick of the Detroit Red Wings and the first of 3 German players selected. Some may even think that whatever sold the Red Wings on Bicker, they saw it at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where Bicker had his speed and strong offensive skills on display with 4 points in 4 games for a heavily undermanned German side. His 22-23 season wasn’t all that bad, but definitely marred by injury, and featured a single game of pro play outside the DNL, where he did clip at over a point per game. His drafting was followed by a surprising DEL contract with Frankfurt, with whom he’s managed to suit up 24 times this season, despite just a single goal. Internationally though, Bicker has always contributed and is currently on a 3-game international U20 heater, collecting 8 points along the way. He’s here to outskate the opposition and ideally, continue to gel with Kechter and Moritz Elias in an offensive capacity. Enjoy what you see because Bicker can really turn on the turbo when heading up ice.

Veit Oswald RW

Oswald is a bit of a curiosity because all he’s done to date is excel at every step of the way. During his draft year, he was the German DNL’s topscorer and followed that with a solid U18 Worlds performance (3 points in 4 games) in his native Landshut. The next season saw him get into 23 DEL games while looking very comfortable in a secondary scoring role in the nation’s 3rd pro circuit. Now still just 19, he’s been a regular for Red Bull Munich all season long, delighting fans with 5 goals and 7 points in 24 games. More importantly, he’s a joker who has shown himself to be full of intangibles, something that has led to the coaching staff feeling very comfortable about putting him on the ice in all situations. We can expect Coach Abstreiter to lean on this attribute as well with serious top 9 minutes at this tournament. Oswald remains undrafted but there’s little doubt that he’s in the notebooks of scouts throughout the NHL. Will this tourney push him into “surefire overager” territory?

Simon Wolf G

Wolf is a big man who covers a lot of net. He can look hauntingly stoic only to be surprisingly quick on his feet while smothering pucks. Unfortunately, there are times when that puck-smothering turns into rebound city. There are also questions about his ability to read attacks through traffic. Either trend could lead to some ugly results at a WJC. After seeing Arno Tiefensee be drafted as a double overager last summer, Wolf definitely has some incentive in using this tournament to throw his name in the hat this time around. Unlike Tiefensee, he’s not spending this season splitting duties in a DEL net, but rather with Austrian Thomas Pfarrmaier for the Red Bull Juniors. There, Wolf has played 13 of 23 games including 4 of the last 5, putting up an 8-5 record with a 2.52 GAA and 9.15 SV%. He also got into two games a league higher for Salzburg, standing tall with a 1.92 GAA and .933 SV% in those outings. Alas, Wolf has been part of the program for several years now, even being the starter at the 2022 U18 Worlds, but it hasn’t been good. In fact, he hasn’t sported better than a 5.00 GAA in the past 4 years. Ouch!

Moritz Elias RW

A member of the Saskatoon Blades to kick off the 21-22 season (8 points and -8 in 28 games), Elias packed his tent and headed home by the holidays that season, proceeding to collect 15 points over 71 DEL2 games in two seasons before getting picked up last summer by expected DEL bottom-feeder Augsburg. Now officially one of the biggest junior surprises of the DEL season, the 5’8”, 172-pounder has already put up 9 points in 26 games in a lower line capacity, displaying savvy and confidence every step of the way. More importantly, the strong-skating battler has found a niche on the U20 squad together with captain Roman Kechter and Detroit 2023 5th rounder Kevin Bicker, having put up 7 points in 4 test games this fall. Elias will have to be a quiet generator in the background for Team Germany if a playoff spot is going to be a realizable goal.

Paul Mayer D

One of very few German defensemen currently considered to be of draft interest next summer (Edwin Tropmann being the other), Mayer was basically force-fed into DEL play this season by a Mannheim Adler team that has been losing many of its junior talents in recent summers. Only getting a handful of minutes at a time, he then spent 10 games with the team’s DEL2 partner in Bietigheim where he got plenty of action for a struggling team. Two more games with Mannheim, including a showing with almost 15 minutes of ice time, were put on the resume before joining the U20 squad in Gothenburg. For Mayer, this tournament will be less about excelling and more about showing that he can do a lot more swimming than sinking. Despite gobs of size, he just turned 18 three months ago and will see peer competition he’s seldom been exposed to. Germany’s blueline has precious little to offer, so it’d be telling if he isn’t taking a regular shift.

Sleeper

Lia Niehus D

Understandably passed over in the draft last summer, Niehus is a player insiders have been watching closely, and favorably, the past few years. After a fantastic DY-1, he failed to deliver with another step in progress in his draft year, even doing precious little in preventing Germany’s U18 team from relegation last spring. The surprise was rather large around ice hockey Germany when Niehus nonetheless received a DEL contract from regional rival Frankfurt, for whom he’s now suited up 15 times while also getting in 5 games of Oberliga play with farm team Stuttgart. What he’s shown though is that he’s an incredibly confident and shifty defenseman with strong overall mobility and a keen ability of getting pucks to the net. In two recent test games against Switzerland, Niehus was seen manning the point on the power play and jumping out as one of the top overall skaters on the ice. If he doesn’t end up being the sleeper on this club, then 6’3” forward Eric Hördler will be.

***

PORRENTRUY, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 29: Norway's Stian Solberg #10 gets tripped up by a stick while Germany's Norwin Panocha #6 and Linus Brandl #23 look on during Relegation Round action at the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Raiffeisen Arena on April 29, 2023 in Porrentruy, Switzerland. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Q&A with defenseman Norwin Panocha

Here at McKeen’s Hockey, we were thrilled to watch mobile defender Norwin Panocha go from relative anonymity to a player deemed draftable by the NHL within a season’s time. Poise and maturity were regularly put on display in a junior league not quite on par with most of the circuits out there from which players are drafted, but we saw enough to know that what he was doing was above and beyond the norm. Ultimately ranking him 203rd overall in our draft guide, Panocha was selected 205th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in Nashville and proceeded to display his finest traits in the organization’s camp last fall, even getting to suit up for the NHL team for a preseason game in which he went +1.

Expected to be a cog on Germany’s blueline at the WJC, we conducted a short Q&A to get his thoughts on a variety of pertinent topics.

McKeen’s Hockey: Norwin, you find yourself in Sweden where you will be participating in your first ever WJC as a member of Team Germany. When you think about this opportunity to represent your country at this renowned tournament, what goes through your mind?

Norwin Panocha: It’s always a great honor to get to represent your county in any tournament and I’m now all that much more excited to get to do just that at this incredibly important event where we’ll be testing our metal against the best players in the world at this level. I’m also really excited about playing in this tournament with the class players ahead of me - those born in 2004 - and facing the challenges ahead with them.

MH: Your Group A opponents are Canada, Finland, Latvia, and hometown Sweden. It’s a group where no opponent can be taken lightly. Quite the opposite, in fact. What should spectators expect to see from Team Germany over the next 10 days?

NP: A strong team that is very unpleasant to play against. We’ve got a lot of character in this locker room and no matter who the opponent is, they’re going to have to battle hard for every inch out there.

MH: What are you looking forward to the most in the days to come in Gothenburg?

NP: I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to spend the Christmas holidays with my teammates. We’ve got a fantastic group of guys here and I can’t wait to go to war with them and put in a strong performance at this tournament.

MH: This past year has been anything but quiet for you personally. You developed in leaps and bounds with the Eisbären Berlin organization back home. Then you played at the U18 Worlds in Switzerland. Then you got drafted by the Buffalo Sabres and took part in their rookie camp. Now you’re playing for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL, a league that regularly produces NHL stars. How have you grown as a player and person over this period of time?

NP: Oh yes, this past year has been an unbelievable ride and a ton of fun. I’ve met so many new, interesting, and admirable people, all of whom I’ve been able to watch and learn something from.I’m truly thankful for everything I’ve been able to experience, both on and off the ice. I think it’s all helped me a lot in becoming a more mature and responsible player in every facet of the game.

MH: Looking back at the U18 Worlds, a tournament where a lot happens in a short period of time, what does a player go through when his team is relegated at such an event?

NP: It was a very disappointing and frustrating experience in a lot of ways, but especially in knowing that the next generation is now going to have to battle its way back up out of the D1A group. It’s not going to get show what it can do against the best at the highest level. Personally, and perhaps also due in part to the outcome, the U18 tournament in Switzerland was a very positive experience that taught me quite a bit moving forward. Also in preparation for this tournament.

MH: This season, you’re playing for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL. How’s it been going with the transition to a new league and life in a francophone region of Canada?

NP: It was admittedly quite an adjustment at the beginning. In comparison to the junior league I know and am familiar with back home, the game here is much faster and harder, it’s more aggressive, and the competition is generally much larger in size. However, I think I’ve slowly started to arrive in the league and figure everything out.

My life off the ice is running smoothly. My billet family and the people in the organization are wonderful. And I’m at a point where the language isn’t a problem anymore.

MH: With a good 30 games under your belt, what are you expecting from yourself and your team in the second half of the QMJHL season?

NP: I now know what to expect when I head back for the rest of the season. I’m actively trying to improve myself and develop from game to game and shift to shift. Our team is very young but is getting better from game to game as well, and we keep getting more close-knit. It’s all coming together just in time to put in a good playoff push. The experience of this WJC will help me as well moving forward.

MH: What kind of feedback have you received to date from the Buffalo Sabres?

NP: Most particularly after the main camp, but also during the regular season since then, I’ve been hearing from them and getting very positive feedback.

MH: We’re curious. What did you hear from current Buffalo Sabre and German national team member JJ Peterka, perhaps in the days following the draft?

NP: Yes, I got to know JJ at camp with the Sabres. He’s one of my big role models and I can't emphasize enough how cool it was that he promptly congratulated me on getting drafted and offered me his help and support with everything I’ll be encountering in this new environment. That means the world to me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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