Luke Ashton – McKeen's Hockey

2024 NHL DRAFT WRAP UP: The best value picks plus the biggest surprise in each round

Brock Otten — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 18:58:05 +0000

What a draft week it was! The Sphere in Vegas lived up to the hype, and then some. Perhaps, this is biased, but it was one of the most impressive spectacles that I have ever been part of. Derek Neumeier (our assistant director of scouting) and myself were blown away by the production. The feedback from fans was similar in nature; no question the live draft in Vegas was a massive success for the NHL.

But what about the actual draft action itself? Like any draft, there were things that went according to script and there were surprises.

From our Top 100 on our final draft rankings, 97 of said players were drafted. The only ones not selected were Alex Zetterberg, Daniil Ustinkov, and Tomas Galvas. Galvas was the highest of those three at 70th overall.

Let’s take a look at some of my favourite selections, some of the biggest surprises, and some of the best undrafted players.

ROUND ONE

Favourite Selection: Sam Dickinson (#11) to San Jose

Dickinson had been our favorite defender in this class nearly all season long and we really like the value San Jose got at #11 after trading up from #14 a few days prior. Dickinson is such a safe bet to a top four defender for the organization; the kind of player who can eat serious minutes for them when they’re ready to take that next step again as a playoff contender.

Favourite Selection: Stian Solberg (#23) to Anaheim

This represents one of the best fits in the draft for us. Solberg improved so much in the second half, and we saw that at the World Championships, where he was a standout playing tough minutes against NHL players with Norway. His game still needs further refinement, but he projects as the perfect partner for the likes of Olen Zellweger or Pavel Mintyukov (even though all three are left-handed shots) with his physical intense defensive presence. It’s obvious Anaheim really liked him as they traded up into this slot with Toronto.

Biggest Surprise: Terik Parascak (#17) to Washington

This one caught a lot of people by surprise on the draft floor. There was probably more talk that Parascak could be a “faller” due to concerns over pace/quickness, in combination with his average size. Even Parascak was incredibly surprised to be taken this early, with a look of bewilderment following the announcement of his name. Our Western scouts are still a bit leery of his NHL odds, but there’s no denying that he was one of the draft’s most intelligent players. Washington is banking on that, hoping that he can have a Joe Pavelski type career.

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Beckett Sennecke (#3) to Anaheim

This one wasn’t as big of a surprise to those on the floor because there was a ton of chatter about this about an hour prior to the draft. However, it’s obvious Sennecke had no idea because he was visibly shocked to hear his name, creating one of the most genuine and honest draft reactions of the weekend. Anaheim is banking on Sennecke’s athletic upside and second half improvements, which is often an intelligent thing to do.

ROUND TWO

Favourite Selection: Teddy Stiga (#55) to Nashville

Look at all the teams clamoring to sign Jake Guentzel this offseason, because of how good of a complementary offensive player he is. Stiga proved that same thing this year, playing alongside potential 2025 first overall pick James Hagens. He’s a hard worker. He’s skilled. His skating improved over the year. There’s a ton to like and we really like the fit in Nashville for him. These are the types of players Nashville had an abundance of when they were dominating the West.

Favourite Selection: Carter George (#57) to Los Angeles

Admittedly, I was a bit worried that Carter George would drop a bit because of his lack of size in a size-crazed industry (concerning goaltenders). So, it was great to see George go in the second round to Los Angeles. There’s a deep-rooted connection to Owen Sound there and George is a heck of a goaltender. He’s so polished and refined already; he’s a big game goaltender.

Biggest Surprise: Ilya Nabokov (#38) to Colorado

Speaking of goaltenders, it was a shock to see 21-year-old Ilya Nabokov as the first netminder taken…and this early. Granted, his resume spoke for itself this year as the KHL’s playoff MVP. Colorado obviously wasn’t a big fan of their goaltending this year and by selecting Nabokov, they’re taking someone who can be a potential difference maker very soon, a lot sooner than your average draft eligible netminder.

ROUND THREE

Favourite Selection: Tarin Smith (#79) to Anaheim

Anaheim has had tremendous luck drafting electric offensive defenders like Smith in recent years. Mintyukov, Zellweger and Rodwin Dionicio all fit the mold. Zellweger even came from the same Everett (WHL) program as Smith. He is very raw. However, his offensive upside from the backend is extremely high. With such a strong and deep talent pool in place, Anaheim could afford to take a chance on him.

Favourite Selection: Matvei Shuravin (#97) to Florida

We ranked Shuravin #34 in our final rankings but did realize that we were higher on him than we expected him to be selected this weekend. It would appear that his weaker second half really pushed him down some draft boards. However, that’s Florida’s gain as they selected an athletic defender who showed some terrific flashes this year at both the KHL and MHL levels.

Biggest Surprise: Henry Mews (#74) to Calgary

Personally, I had somewhat expected Mews to fall at the draft. I didn’t believe that he would be a top 40-45 pick. However, I also did not expect him to slide all the way to the mid third. He’s a fairly dynamic offensive defender. I certainly have questions about his projection, but this represents great value for Calgary, especially after they grabbed Zayne Parekh in the first.

ROUND FOUR

Favourite Selection: Heikki Ruohonen (#107) to Philadelphia

We felt that Ruohonen was being massively underrated this year due to the fact that he stayed in the Finnish U20 league in order to preserve his NCAA eligibility. He’ll play in the USHL next year then head to Harvard. The physically imposing two-way power pivot is someone who could dramatically outperform his draft slot.

Favourite Selection: Hagen Burrows (#128) to Tampa Bay

We get the concerns over the feet. Burrows needs to improve his skating. But the 2024 Mr. Hockey Award winner plays a mature, pro-style game. He is a strong playmaker, and he can find his way to the net. Once he fills out his frame, he could be a terrific middle six NHL player.

Biggest Surprise: Trevor Hoskin (#106) to Calgary

As someone who covers Ontario, I just didn’t see this one coming. I thought that maybe Hoskin had a chance to go late in the draft after a strong World Junior A Challenge performance, however, this early? It’s very, very rare to see a double re-entry selected from Canadian Tier 2, let alone almost in the Top 100. We’ll see how this one works out for Calgary in the long run.

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Aron Kiviharju (#122) to Minnesota

I mean, how could we not include Kiviharju here. Yes, we expected him to fall. But, to the end of the fourth? So, what’s next for Kiviharju? Would he consider coming to the OHL next year to help recover his former top prospect status?

ROUND FIVE

Favourite Selection: Luke Misa (#150) to Calgary

No question, we could have listed this as the biggest surprise of round five. Seeing Misa fall to the mid-5th round was shocking. However, this is also an excellent value pick by Calgary. Did Misa close out this past OHL season on a high note? No. But, does he have the skating ability, tenacity, and skill to be an NHL player in some capacity? Absolutely.

Favourite Selection: Justin Poirier (#156) to Carolina

At some point, a player becomes just too good to pass up, even if you have concerns over projectability. In the 5th round, Poirier is terrific value for the Hurricanes. The size, skating, and IQ components of his game are dicey. But you can’t argue with the production and the offensive upside. Bottom line, you’re not going to find many guys in round five who could be top six scorers and that’s Poirier.

Biggest Surprise: Max Graham (#139) to New Jersey

No offense intended to Graham, but when he was drafted, I turned to Derek (who also scouts the West for us) and asked him who? He was flabbergasted that Graham, a double overager, was selected. He didn’t come close to hitting the point per game mark as a 20-year-old and it certainly brings to light questions over NHL upside.

ROUND SIX

Favourite Selection: Anthony Romani (#162) to Vancouver

I get the hesitation from NHL scouts. Is his offensive skill set translatable? He’s purely a complementary guy; one of the “quietest” CHL leading scorers in recent memory. But, at some point you have to bet on players who think the game at an elite level and that’s Romani. One team used a 17th overall selection on a player with pace/strength concerns, but high-end hockey sense, and another used the 162nd overall pick. Who got the best value?

Favourite Selection: Luke Ashton (#165) to Columbus

A re-entry out of the BCHL, Ashton is a really intriguing defensive prospect. He’s big. He’s mean. He’s athletic. He flashes high end skill. How it all comes together at a higher level remains to be seen. But we really like the upside. We also really like that he’s going to Minnesota State, a program that has developed defenders like him well.

Biggest Surprise: Stevie Leskovar (#174) to Minnesota

Again, no offense meant to Leskovar, but Derek had the same reaction to him as I did Graham. If you had told me that Leskovar would be drafted ahead of Leenders, Fibigr, and Finn Harding from that same Mississauga team, I would have called you crazy. Leskovar is a big, mean, throwback on the back end. He got better this year in his first full year with the Steelheads. But an NHL draft selection?

ROUND SEVEN

Favourite Selection: Ryerson Leenders (#219) to Buffalo

It worked with Devon Levi. It could work again with Leenders. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s very athletic. Quick post to post and solid in scramble mode, Leenders just needs to refine his approach and improve technically. He’s capable of stealing games and he could end up being a draft steal when all is said and done, similar to the way Florida got Levi (then traded him to Buffalo).

Favourite Selection: Erik Pahlsson (#213) to Nashville

We’ve had Pahlsson ranked for a few years now, so it was great to see him finally get selected after a solid year in the USHL. Again, there are some projection concerns over the athletic profile, but he finds a way to be productive. He’s intelligent. He’s shifty. He’s probably going to produce at the college level too with Minnesota.

Biggest Surprise: Alex Zetterberg Goes Undrafted, but Mac Swanson gets selected

Again, you hit a point in the draft where players are worth selecting despite some limitations. Mac Swanson’s size and skating combination are worrisome, but he’s one heck of a smart player. If he hits, he’s going to be a home run. The same could be said of Alex Zetterberg, the Swedish equivalent, who did nothing but produce this year. If you’re taking a chance on Swanson this late, Zetterberg deserved to go too.

OUR BEST UNDRAFTED PLAYERS

Tomas Galvas

The undersized defender was one of the draft’s best skaters, but it wasn’t enough for NHL teams. He’ll need to take his offensive game to another level. Would be great to see him in the CHL next year.

Daniil Ustinkov

Ustinkov started the year as a potential first round candidate and ended up not being selected. Concerns over his processing ability ultimately scared off teams. Does he come over to London next year to try to turn his career around?

Alex Zetterberg

Again, this one feels like a misstep. Yes, he’s small. Yes, there are strength concerns. But he’s ultra talented. Few players available in the 7th round would have had the upside of Zetterberg.

Nolan Roed

Our aggressive ranking of Roed came mostly from me, as he was a player I was very impressed with at the USHL and high school levels. I liked the competitive drive in his game. Next year’s Joe Connor?

Lukas Matecha

He just couldn’t recover from his poor second half. If he can put together a more consistent season next year, he’ll be back on the draft radar.

Matthew Van Blaricom

This one is shocking to me. Loved the aggressive and tenacious approach. Had a terrific WJAC. Here’s hoping that he goes somewhere next year (USHL, NCAA) where he can show that he should have been selected.

Frankie Marrelli

I get it. He’s an undersized stay at home type. But this young man is just such a smart defensive player. He competes hard and he’s going to get better at the offensive end too.

Gian Meier

A breakout performer at the U18’s with Switzerland, we figured someone would take Meier given the flashes he showed this year as a two-way defender.

2024 NHL DRAFT: RE-ENTRY CANDIDATES – CANADA

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

2024 NHL DRAFT: Top “Tier 2” Players Available with Video – Part One – Goaltending and Defense

Brock Otten — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:00:15 +0000

_{Francesco Dell’Elce of the Penticton Vees (Cherie Morgan Photography)}

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

Goaltenders

Sebastian Gatto - Leamington Flyers (OJHL)

6’3, 185lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 55, Compete/Temperament: 55, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 47.5, Rebound Control: 50, Puck Handling: 45

OFP: 52.125

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sebastian_gatto_-_1st_period_16_54_-_17_7.mp4

Notes: The former Honeybaked and Muskegon (USHL) netminder came North of the border to play this year in Leamington and the move has paid off in a big way. Gatto finds himself second (as of writing this) in the OJHL in save percentage, which is a very impressive feat for an 18-year-old. Gatto is an impressive athlete in the crease and it allows him to be extremely aggressive in challenging shooters. Given his natural size, this gives him a major advantage as he looks to cut down angles and fight through screens. Gatto is also great in goal-mouth scramble situations as he has quick pads that kick out shots and he holds his posts well, a testament to a strong lower body. He controls rebounds pretty well to the upper half of the net and exhibits a strong glove hand, limiting second-chance opportunities. From a technical perspective, Gatto is a major work in progress. His body control needs work as he tends to open up massive holes as he moves in his crease. This makes him susceptible to shots squeaking through the five-hole and through his body. Additionally, when he’s trying to move to set up position, he doesn’t always have his angles covered and can give up weaker goals as forwards push East/West to create shooting lanes. A member of Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge, he probably played his worst game of the year in his lone start at the event against the United States. Watching that game, compared to his usual OJHL performance, it was obvious how nervous he was. The next step for Gatto remains to be seen as he is currently without an NCAA commitment. He could sign with an OHL team as a free agent, or he could commit at any time, likely to a major NCAA program. If drafted, an NHL team would likely steer him in one direction or another. Gatto will be a very intriguing mid-late-round prospect for NHL teams this year based on his size and athleticism.

Dawson Labre - Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL)

6’3, 180lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 50, Compete/Temperament: 55, Play Reading: 50, Technique: 50, Rebound Control: 50, Puck Handling: 50

OFP: 50.75

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Notes: A breakout star at the World Junior A Challenge, Labre is a 2004-born netminder in his final year of draft eligibility. He has been one of the CCHL’s best netminders this year and has parlayed his strong performance into a commitment to Ohio State. Now we’re not talking about Devon Levi's levels of dominance here, but Labre has been very impressive overall. Impressive enough to be drafted? That remains unlikely, but he is worthy of mentioning in this article. 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. He gets himself caught too deep in his crease and, even with his size, it prevents him from seeing through screens or cutting down angles appropriately. We saw this in the gold medal game at the World Junior A Challenge when he had a bad game against Canada West. At the higher levels, this will be exposed and it needs to be the focal point of his development moving forward.

Stephen Peck - Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL)

6’2, 175lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 45, Compete/Temperament: 55, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 55, Rebound Control: 55, Puck Handling: 45

OFP: 52

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Notes: We ranked Peck pretty aggressively last year (106th) after a terrific season with Avon Old Farms in the prep circuit, but he ended up going unselected. This year, Peck has taken his talents to the NAHL with Bismarck and his strong season has put him back on the scouting map as a re-entry. What’s most impressive about Peck’s year is that he’s improved considerably since the start of the season. Things didn’t start great for him, but he’s been nearly unbeatable the last few months. The University of Michigan commit even got a cup of coffee in the USHL with Muskegon, winning his only appearance. Peck remains a calming presence in the crease because of his play-tracking ability, strong positioning, and excellent rebound control. He limits second-chance opportunities and always seems to be in a great position to make the initial save when play moves North/South. However, it doesn’t appear that his quickness/agility has improved from last year and until that happens, his upside as a pro will be limited. He’s still susceptible to being caught out of position when the play moves quickly East/West and he struggles to get in and out of the butterfly to make second-chance saves when needed, or when he has to react to a redirect or blocked shot. IMO, athleticism can be improved. And this is why I’d still advocate for Peck to be selected this year. He has a chance to be a long-term starter as part of a great program in Michigan (with Barczewski graduating and Peck/Korpi coming in) and he’s going to get the off-ice development needed to improve the weaker points of his game.

Ajay White - Chippewa Steel (NAHL)

6’3, 190lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 50, Compete/Temperament: 50, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 50, Rebound Control: 50, Puck Handling: 50

OFP: 51.25

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Notes: A classic butterfly stopper, White has had a strong first season in higher-level hockey, after coming up through the minor ranks in Philadelphia. The University of St. Thomas commit has played the majority of the year with Chippewa of the NAHL but did see some limited action with Sioux City of the USHL. His good size does give him an advantage, especially when he’s aggressive in challenging shooters. He can square up shooters well head on and he competes for sight lines to make saves through traffic. He catches and traps pucks cleanly on shots to the body and does a good job of limiting second-chance opportunities. White is also a confident puck handler and is active in trying to play the puck like a third defender. But, much of his game is a work in progress. He can drop down into the butterfly too early and this makes him susceptible to high shots, in addition to forcing him to scramble unnecessarily during plays in the slot. White also can struggle to push consistently East/West and this means that he does not always cover his angles appropriately, often leaving the short side susceptible. The overall skill set is solid, but nothing screams top-notch goaltending prospect. Given his size and rapid improvement, it would not be surprising to see him selected late, but I would have other preferences for the position.

Aiden Wright - New Hampshire Mountain Kings (NAHL)

6’1, 180lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 55, Compete/Temperament: 55, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 50, Rebound Control: 45, Puck Handling: 50

OFP: 52.25

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Notes: Wright, a former Carolina Jr. Hurricanes product, has played the majority of this year with New Hampshire of the NAHL, but recently had his rights transferred to Youngstown of the USHL where he has played outstanding in limited action. Currently without an NCAA commitment, Wright is a prospect worth taking note of considering his rapid ascension through the U.S. hockey ranks. Wright’s combination of athleticism and compete are impressive. He covers his posts extremely well and never gives up on plays, pushing laterally to try to make saves in goal mouth scrambles and off rebounds. Sometimes Wright is too quick moving laterally to the point where he takes himself out of position, but that can be corrected as he learns to refine his movements. Wright also excels in reading the play, showing above-average tracking tendencies that allow him to be quick to square up shooters. Goaltending coaches, as Wright moves up the ladder, will definitely work with him to eliminate some scrambling tendencies as he can drop down into the butterfly too early. The main area of need would be rebound control. Wright has really active pads, but too many rebounds kick back into the slot and he can struggle to catch pucks cleanly through traffic. Given that he doesn’t possess elite size, this will likely be concerning to NHL scouts. All that said, he’s had a very impressive year split between the NAHL and USHL. If he can continue to play well down the stretch and into the USHL playoffs, Wright should put himself firmly on the NHL draft radar (despite being unranked by NHL Central Scouting at midseason).

Marko Bilic - Cushing Academy (USHS-Prep)

6’3, 180lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 55, Compete/Temperament: 50, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 55, Rebound Control: 47.5, Puck Handling: 45

OFP: 52.125

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Notes: A former minor hockey teammate of Sam Dickinson and Beckett Sennecke (as part of the GTHL’s Toronto Marlboros), Bilic decided to head to Prep school south of the border this year. As part of Cushing Academy, Bilic has been one of the top netminders in Prep hockey this season. The program is not without success stories too, with NHL breakout star Joey Daccord drafted out of Cushing in 2015. The Arizona State commit has impressive athleticism considering his 6’3 frame. He moves well post to post, but also up and down out of the butterfly. His impressive body control at an early age speaks volumes to the work that he has put in already to improve his craft. With excellent agility and solid play-reading tendencies, Bilic has a penchant for making difficult saves look easy. The one obvious weakness for him right now is rebound control, which is not uncommon for younger netminders. Not only do his pads kick out second-chance opportunities, but Bilic can struggle to trap pucks to his chest and that often puts him in scramble mode. Drafting netminders out of prep school can be daunting, but there have been some terrific success stories. Ranked 15th by NHL Central Scouting at midseason, Bilic would appear to be a solid candidate to be selected this year, something that I would agree with. He’s come a long way since his time in the GTHL.

Kam Hendrickson - Chanhassen High (USHS-MN)

6’0, 170lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 50, Compete/Temperament: 55, Play Reading: 52.5, Technique: 55, Rebound Control: 52.5, Puck Handling: 45

OFP: 52

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Notes: Here’s a stat for you, Hendrickson has let in more than one goal only five times this entire season. Here’s another one, Henrickson made 43 saves to help Chanhassen High upset Minnetonka High (handing them their first loss of the season) in the state playoffs recently. Currently without an NCAA commitment, Hendrickson did join the U.S. Hlinka/Gretzky team last summer as a third-stringer and participated in Chicago Steel (USHL) training camp. Let’s state the obvious, Hendrickson doesn’t have the size NHL scouts are looking for these days, even if his height is listed differently across many outlets (US Hockey lists him at 6’0). What you’ll notice about Hendrickson is how calm and composed he is in the crease. Very quiet in his movement. Always seems to have his angles covered. Challenges shooters to compensate for a lack of size. He limits second-chance opportunities. From a technical point of view, he’s very solid. Reminds me a lot of watching Stephen Peck last year. A right-catching goalie, Hendrickson does get beat glove side from time to time and doesn’t always catch pucks cleanly, so that will be an area of focus for him moving forward. Additionally, for his lack of length, he’s certainly not the quickest goalie post to post and he can struggle at times to get out quick to the top of the blue paint quick enough to cut down angles, leaving him too deep in his crease. With him not being ranked by NHL Central Scouting, I would imagine that they felt his play style and lack of size would leave him susceptible to the quicker pace of higher levels. All that said, I love his compete level. He battles hard to make second and third-chance saves and I’ve read a lot about his terrific work ethic. NHL scouts may opt to wait to see him perform at a higher level first (just as they did with Peck), but he fully deserves to be on the NHL draft radar.

Defense

Francesco Dell’Elce - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

6’0, 175lbs

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

OFP: 52

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Notes: Now in his second year of NHL draft eligibility, Dell’Elce delayed his commitment to UMass to play a year with powerhouse Penticton of the BCHL. The move has largely been a positive one for him, serving as a bridge between the prep scene (with St. Andrew’s College) and the competitive Hockey East. As of writing this, Dell’Elce leads Penticton in defenseman scoring (well ahead of Detroit Red Wings prospect Larry Keenan) and sits fourth in the BCHL. This strong play has him returning to the discussion as a draft candidate. The reality is that Dell’Elce is still the player we thought he was last year when we ranked him just inside of our top 100. He’s transitioned seamlessly to the BCHL level from the prep scene. His skating is still an asset for him. He’s consistently beating layers of pressure with his quick hands and ability to blend his mobility and skill. He has been one of the top powerplay quarterbacks in the BCHL this year with how he creates space and exploits it coming off the line. The decision-making with the puck remains a strength as he mitigates risk well, understanding when to play it safe (dump-ins, quick exits), and when to be aggressive and take chances (leading rushes, pinching in, etc). Defensively, he remains a stick-on puck defender who uses his mobility to mind his gaps well, defending transitional attacks consistently and effectively. There is still a need to add strength to make him more difficult to play against in tighter spaces. Given all of that, his projection remains the same. If he makes it, it will be in the mould of a Calvin de Haan type of NHL defender who uses his mobility and vision to be a steady influence at both ends. UMass has developed defenders really well in recent years, so I’d still advocate for Dell’Elce to be a draft selection, knowing that they can bring the best out of him.

Luke Ashton - Langley Rivermen (BCHL)

6’5, 230lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 52.5, Smarts: 47.5, Physicality/Compete: 57.5

OFP: 51.875

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Notes: Ashton is a really interesting prospect available this year. The massive blueliner is in his second year of draft eligibility but has broken out in a huge way after a trade from Vernon to Langley in the BCHL. The trade has allowed Ashton to blossom into one of the BCHL’s top defenders and it has led to a commitment to Minnesota State. The physical tools here are extremely alluring and, as such (especially when factoring in the massive growth he’s shown), I’d be shocked if he wasn’t an NHL pick this June. Looking at the stat line (with Ashton leading the BCHL in goals from the blueline), I was expecting a Sheldon Souray type of defender whose offense was solely generated from a massive point shot. That couldn’t be further from the truth. While Ashton’s point shot is a major weapon and does create a large amount of his production (both a quick snapshot and a heavy one-timer), he’s actually aggressive in leading the rush and activating at even strength. He moves very well North/South for a bigger defender, with strides that swallow up ice and allow him to power past opposing players in the neutral zone. He has an aggressive mindset with the puck and always seems to be looking for opportunities in transition. Perhaps what is most impressive is that Ashton’s hands are quite good too. He consistently misses sticks and maneuvers out of traffic to get pucks deeper or to the middle of the ice, blending quick hands and surprisingly quick feet/edgework. Where Ashton struggles, at times, is in his decision-making with the puck in the defensive zone. He needs to work on better scanning habits and exhibit more patience with the puck, trusting his size and skill to help him evade the forecheck. Defensively, Ashton is an active physical player and an aggressive defender overall. He has an active stick in the neutral zone and defends high, looking to disrupt clean entries. I somewhat expected him to be tougher to win battles against down low and near the crease, given his size advantage, but some of that seems to come from a lack of focus. Minnesota State will be a great place for him to go, as they will likely bring out the best in his physical tools from a defensive perspective. Additionally, from a mobility perspective, Ashton’s transitions and overall backward stride do need work. He’s a bit bumbling in this regard and it affects his positioning and gap control negatively. His approach in the defensive zone is also raw. Sometimes he chases and gets caught out of position. Other times he’s not aggressive enough and never leaves the net front, allowing too much real estate to attackers. All this said, I have a ton of time for players like Ashton who are late bloomers and have terrific physical tools. Sign me up.

Matthew Lahey - Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)

6’4, 200lbs

Grades: Skating: 52.5, Shot: 40, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 50.875

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Notes: There’s absolutely no doubt that Lahey should develop into a quality, defensive first, blueliner for Clarkson in the future (where Lahey’s NCAA commitment lies). His overall mobility for a 6’4 defender is solid. He shows physical potential by being assertive in high-traffic areas like near or below the goal line. He has a good defensive stick and shows strong gap control when defending pace. He largely executes his breakout passes well and will keep things simple to mitigate risk. He’s just a steady overall presence. But, the question is, what’s the NHL upside? A wide stride likely limits his ability to improve his mobility further and his puck skill and creativity are fairly limited. There’s very limited offensive upside. As a defender, he could stand to upgrade his physical intensity level to be tougher to play against. The 55 grade does insinuate that I believe this area grows further after he graduates, but the bottom line is that Lahey currently does not stand out as a true defensive stalwart at the BCHL level, let alone as he moves up the ladder. The upside for that is there, but the limitations offensively would lead me to believe that Lahey likely tops out as a solid four-year Clarkson player and nothing more. The reality is that every program has players like Lahey.

Keith McInnis - Brooks Bandits (AJHL/BCHL)

6’1, 190lbs

Grades: Skating: 52.5, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 45, Physicality/Compete: 60

OFP: 51.375

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Notes: There were some scouting outlets who saw McInnis as a possible first-round selection heading into 2023/24. McInnis, born and raised in Red Deer, has been on the scouting radar for several years now, but his development in the last few seasons has not gone according to plan. As a North Dakota commit, McInnis opted to head south of the border to play with Waterloo (USHL) rather than play in the WHL or AJHL. His rookie season last year was mired by injury and it’s clearly had a negative impact on his development as a whole. This year has been a mess for other reasons. Not happy with how things were going in Waterloo, McInnis opted to return home to play for the powerhouse Brooks Bandits of the AJHL. However, shortly after arriving, Brooks left the AJHL and is now playing in a small Alberta loop of the BCHL as the league transitions to including the defected AJHL teams. The good news is that McInnis appears to have his swagger back and is contributing more offensively and playing better overall. But, has this saved his draft stock? It’s hard to say. His puck management has definitely been better at the BCHL/AJHL level. This has allowed him to be more aggressive offensively, looking to jump up in the play. But, is this a result of a decrease in competition and speed? The pace of the USHL is certainly quicker and that means less time to process. His best asset would be his physical approach and compete level. McInnis is a punishing physical presence who has a penchant for the big hit and who is great at taking time and space away from opposing players as they push toward the middle. He has good overall mobility and is able to play aggressively because of this. His forward stride does lack some explosiveness limiting his upside as a puck mover, but the overall skating profile is solid. I guess the question is, what’s the upside here? What’s McInnis’ future pro role going to be? The answer is, I’m not sure and I’d guess that NHL scouts probably feel similarly at this point. He’s looking like a pretty vanilla player at this point whose chances of reaching the NHL appear to be tied to further growth in the defensive end. That said, he is a former hyped prospect for a reason. There are some tools and he does show flashes of offensive upside. An argument could be made that McInnis could serve as an interesting late-round selection, operating under the assumption that injuries and extenuating circumstances have only interrupted, but not ruined his development.

Rylan Brown - Okotoks Oilers (BCHL/AJHL)

6’0, 160lbs

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

OFP: 51.25

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Notes: Another defender in his second year of draft eligibility, Brown is the son of former NHL stay-at-home defender Sean Brown. Ironically, they couldn’t be more different. The elder Brown was an NHL pugilist who used his size and physicality to carve out a long career as a depth defender. Rylan is a highly mobile, puck mover who can quarterback the power play but struggles to defend at times. Headed to Michigan Tech, there is no doubt that Brown has improved significantly this year, emerging as one of the top defenders in the AJHL/BCHL. He also had a very strong showing at the World Junior A Challenge for Canada West. It’s easy to project him as a puck mover and powerplay quarterback at the NCAA level. He has very quick feet and is great on his edges, allowing him to not only hold the blue line but evade pressure to help create scoring chances inside the zone. He looks to push the pace and is aggressive with the puck on his stick; he has an attacking mindset. The ability to extend plays with his feet will help him as he moves up the ladder. Is he innately skilled enough to be a powerplay QB at the pro level? I’m not quite sure. Additionally, he still struggles defensively, especially at or below the goal line. He’s too slight and can get pushed around, oftentimes too passive to be a difference maker in the defensive end. As he gets stronger, will that change? It’s possible and it’s why the NCAA route is a great one for him. However, I also wonder just how well he thinks the game from a defensive perspective. He gets himself turned around a lot in the defensive end and can be slow to react to defend the slot and net front. Overall, I like the offensive upside and I like the progression he has shown this season after a disappointing draft year.

David Green - St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)

6’2, 195lbs

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

OFP: 52.125

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Notes: A couple of drafts ago we ranked another OJHL defender pretty highly in George Fegaras and Green is having a similar kind of season statistically. In fact, the two do have a fair amount in common. Both possess big point shots and do a great job getting shots through to the net. Both have a penchant for playing physically and are aggressive in their approach to playing defence. However, I would argue that Fegaras is/was the better overall skater. I’ve had the chance to actually see Green live a few times this year (along with teammate Jonathan Morello who I’ll write about in part two). I think the best way to describe him is an efficient floor general. In the NFL, in recent months, the term “game manager,” has been used a lot to describe quarterbacks who simply get the job done even though they don’t possess elite-level tools, such as San Fran’s Brock Purdy. This is David Green, IMO. I have been impressed with many components of his game. He builds speed well North/South and can be an impact player in transition. He looks confident and poised holding the offensive blue line and understands how to use his shot to create scoring opportunities. He is difficult to play against and takes time/space away from opposing forwards. He’s particularly aggressive in stopping the cycle by looking to leverage his size. That said, I’m not sure he’s innately skilled/creative enough to be an offensive leader at the next level. And I think his backward and lateral mobility needs work, leaving him somewhat susceptible to defending pace, which will only be highlighted as he moves up the ladder. In a nutshell, for as good as Green has been this year for St. Mike’s, I wonder if he does anything well enough to be a future NHL fixture. However, I will add that Green is one of the younger players eligible this year and he’s going to get a ton of playing time at Merrimack in the future. I wouldn’t advocate using an early selection on him, but I would rank him higher than NHL Central Scouting has him currently (161st). He’s a late-round selection for me.

Roarke (Rory) Gilmour - St. Andrew’s College (CAHS)

5’11, 154lbs

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

OFP: 50.75

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Notes: A leader on the blueline for St. Andrew’s College, Gilmour has had a ton of eyes on him this year as NHL teams flock to Aurora to see Dean Letourneau. At this point, I would not consider Gilmour a legitimate NHL draft prospect, but he is someone teams will likely keep an eye on over the next few years. He will eventually attend Maine, but likely suits up in the USHL or BCHL next year as a stepping stone. When you compare Gilmour to SAC’s blueline leader last year, Francesco Dell’Elce (also on this list as a re-entry), Gilmour is not as dynamic or skilled. And considering Dell’Elce went unselected…enough said. However, Gilmour does have a great skating base and can be very active offensively because of his quickness and confidence on his edges. He can make quick cuts to evade pressure without losing speed and this helps SAC’s transitional attack massively. As a defensive player, Gilmour plays bigger than his size. It’s a cliche, but he competes for space and pucks and will throw the body around despite being pretty slight. Overall, Gilmour is a pretty well-rounded player, but outside of his skating, I would not classify any area as being above average in comparison to other draft prospects. Can that improve? Absolutely. As mentioned, teams will be keeping tabs on him moving forward.

Colin Ralph - Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS-Prep)

6’4, 216lbs

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

OFP: 53

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Notes: Playing in his second season at Shattuck St. Mary’s, Ralph is a late-born 2005 with intriguing physical tools. He’s physically imposing, especially for the prep level, but he’s not reliant on his size advantage to make plays in the defensive end. Perhaps most impressive is Ralph’s fluid skating stride. It’s rare to see bigger defenders at the prep level move as effortlessly as Ralph does. With terrific agility, tight crossovers, and great reach, Ralph is nearly impossible to beat off the rush at the prep level. He keeps attacking forwards to the perimeter and has terrific gap control as he angles them to the wall where he can use his size to separate them from the puck. He’s unquestionably a physical player, however in an economical way. He doesn’t actively seek contact in the way of big open ice hits, but instead makes life difficult for opposing players in tight spaces by leveraging his size and leaning in to get inside of them or to pin them to the wall. Offensively, he keeps things simple. He’s not consistently aggressive with the puck. It’s rare to see him go for a rip or carry past his own blue line. Instead, he’s looking to start the breakout with a quick pass. Sometimes those exits aren’t the most clean and that’s something he’ll need to work on. In the offensive end, his production is tied to his ability to get a quick snapshot through to the net. He keeps it low and shoots to generate second chances or redirections. I’ve seen some suggest that his offensive upside could be significant, but I don’t necessarily see it, especially given his age and size advantage at the prep level. He’s not a high-skill defender, but he is incredibly efficient. I do, however, see a very intriguing potential pro defender who could be a solid #4 and penalty-kill anchor. He’ll attend St. Cloud State either next year or following a year in the USHL with Dubuque.

Jackson Smithknecht - Rogers High (USHS-MN)

6’5, 185lbs

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

OFP: 51.625

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Notes: A Colorado College commit, Smithknecht is a very raw defender with impressive size/reach. The athletic tools really jump off the page at you, but the utilization/application of said tools is inconsistent. At first glance, his offensive production this year at the high school level isn’t eye-popping, yet after watching several games of his, it’s easy to see why he’s receiving NHL draft attention; there is upside. Smithknecht skates well in straight lines and he’s actually quite aggressive in using his quickness and reach at both ends. He’ll pinch in to keep pucks in the offensive zone and is confident playing down low, using his length to protect the puck and keep plays alive along the wall. He has quick hands and can work his way into the middle, activating off the blue line. Occasionally, he’s even used as a net-front presence on the powerplay. Defensively, he closes gaps quickly and doesn’t shy away from defending the neutral zone to disrupt entries or cut off passing lanes. His reach gives him a nice advantage. His backward stride is fluid and he transitions well North/South, making him tough to work around. He’s not physical in the classical sense, but he competes hard for space. If the physical engagement level gets taken up another notch as he adds strength, he could turn into a real defensive stalwart. His edgework and lateral mobility do need work. He’s a bit awkward and can be beaten when forwards drive east/west on him. This also limits his true impact offensively as the feet don’t work in complete sync with the hands. For a massive defender, the shot isn’t really a weapon for him currently. He seeks to get pucks to the net quickly, but his snapper lacks significant velocity. Like many high school defenders, his game will need refinement at the NCAA too. He chases the play at times and relies on his reach to save him, but a stronger system should help that. Colorado College may be one of the more underrated programs in the circuit right now and it will be a great place for him to develop. I’d have a lot of time for Smithknecht as a later-round pick because the athletic tools do give him upside to be a quality pro. What that role is remains to be seen, but there are some really impressive moments at both ends when you watch him play.

Jimmy Dodig - Cretin-Derham Hall (USHS-MN)

6’5, 205lbs

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

OFP: 50.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jameson_dodig_-_3rd_period_2_25_-_2_43.mp4

Notes: Dodig is an extremely physically imposing defender who relies on his size advantage to dominate shifts at the high school level. He would easily be in contention for the most physical defenders available this year. He is always looking for opportunities to lay the big hit and he is a disruptive force in the defensive end. My concern would be around the application of his physicality. His hits take him out of the play at times and he’ll need to reign that in at the NCAA levels and beyond. Additionally, at times he seems more interested in playing the body than he is in making a play for the puck. By that, I mean he’ll hammer an opposing forward down low, but not gain possession of the puck, allowing the cycle to continue. Dodig’s overall mobility would be classified as average, which is still impressive for a larger defender. His explosiveness needs work, as it hurts him in closing gaps or tracking down pucks, but his transitions and edgework are fairly clean for a larger player. The upside here is that of a confident defensive stalwart, but he’s going to be a big-time project for Merrimack College. Offensively, his shot can be a weapon; it is heavy. But he struggles to get it through to the net consistently. His release needs work. Once he builds a head of steam, he can be an impactful player in transition and he outmuscles high school players to work inside to create chances. My concern would be that he’s become a very good high school defender because of his size advantage and not because he’s incredibly smart or skilled. I’ll be keeping close tabs on Dodig to close out the season to see if he squeaks in some games at the USHL or NAHL level. Would be interesting to see how he transitions his game to that level where his size advantage would be neutralized.

Drake Murray - Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS-Prep)

6’1, 200lbs

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

OFP: 50

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/drake_murray_-_1st_period_23_39_-_23_54.mp4

Notes: The son of former NHL winger Glen Murray, Drake has been on the scouting scene for several years now, thanks to his strong play at Shattuck St. Mary’s. Two years ago he was a fairly high-profile cut from the U.S. NTDP team (U17), along with Shattuck teammate Aidan Park. Since then, I’m not entirely sure Murray has developed to expectations. No question, the Harvard commit is a quality defender at the prep level. His well-rounded skill set makes him a standout in all situations. His calm, heads-up approach allows him to be a steady presence at both ends. He takes good routes to retrievals and has good scanning habits allowing him to quickly start the breakout with an outlet pass. His mobility is solid and he can maintain tight gaps at the prep level by keeping attacking players to the perimeter. The physical intensity level seems to waver (this has been a criticism dating back to his NTDP cut), but at this level, he doesn’t need to be a physical monster to be effective. Offensively, he holds the blueline well and can be utilized on the powerplay. He displays a quick snapshot and can execute a clean one-timer to get pucks on net quickly. I suppose the question is, what’s the upside here? Murray doesn’t jump off the page as a high-end player at either end moving forward to the higher levels. What role does his skill set make him most likely to excel in? The jack-of-all-trades archetype is a difficult one to project. Heading to Harvard, Murray will have several years to develop as part of a solid program. After that? Who knows. As is, he’s a long shot to be selected this year.

Caeden Herrington - Holderness School (USHS-Prep)

6’1, 185lbs

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

OFP: 51.125

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/caeden_herrington_-_3rd_period_6_8_-_6_21.mp4

Notes: Herrington is a right-shot defender with good mobility and solid reach who can have a positive effect at both ends at the prep school level. He made waves last year with a Michigan goal (a rarity for defenders), but he’s generally more reserved and calculated in his approach. He’s more likely to find a quick outlet than try to skate the puck out of trouble. He uses c-cuts and pivots well to escape pressure and has a fairly fluid stride, even though it does lack some power. He loves to defend aggressively in the neutral zone, looking to use his reach to disrupt entry attempts. This leads to him getting burned occasionally; there’s a need to defend more with his feet. Offensively, Herrington’s top weapon is his shot. He quarterbacks the powerplay at Holderness with a heavy one-timer that can both beat goaltenders clean and generate second-chance opportunities. Heading to Vermont, he has a chance to score his share of goals from the back end at the collegiate level. A relatively steady presence, I’m just not sure what the upside is currently. Solid across the board, but will his defensive or offensive prowess translate to the higher levels without high-end skill or a physical mindset? Would be very curious to see him at the USHL or BCHL level next year first.

John Stout - Minnetonka High (USHS-MN)

6’2, 187lbs

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

OFP: 51.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/john_stout_-_3rd_period_13_30_-_13_49.mp4

Notes: The only defender to be nominated for the prestigious Minnesota Mr. Hockey award this year, Stout is a UMD commit. He is a rock for Minnetonka High, playing well over 25 minutes in close games (although much less in the team’s many blowouts this year). He excels at both ends with his strong positional awareness and anticipation. He has great scanning habits and is terrific at starting the breakout, calm under duress. Inside the offensive end, his shot is a big-time weapon. He loves to shoot the puck and is aggressive in seeking out opportunities to use his big slapper. He can one-time pucks cleanly as a powerplay QB and is not shy about jumping up into the rush as a third or fourth man in. Defensively, he shows a good understanding of how to take advantage of his reach and exhibits good gap control, even without above-average mobility. Overall, he’s just a steady influence back there who rarely seems to make a miscalculation. But, this begs the question about Stout’s projection moving forward. Is he a dynamic enough skater or skilled enough handler to be a powerplay QB or point producer at the NCAA level or beyond? He can certainly provide support as more of a triggerman, but I don’t see him as being creative enough to be a true facilitator. From a defensive perspective, he’s not much of a physical threat and this is where he runs into trouble even at the high school level. His defensive intensity will need to increase given his only average mobility; the reach won’t be enough to make him a top-flight defender. I do really like UMD as a spot for him as Minnesota-Duluth has done well to squeeze the best out of high IQ, but moderately athletic defenders. If you were to put Stout on a less dominant HS program, would he be as much of a difference maker? I’d probably grade him as a late-round pick or HM; someone scouts will be following closely but may not love enough to select this year.