Morgan Klimchuk – McKeen's Hockey

Calgary Flames Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:26:35 +0000

With the trade that sent Dougie Hamilton and Michael Ferland to Carolina, the retirement of fan-favorite Jarome Iginla, and the departure of Adam Fox -- the second-ranked prospect on the McKeen's list last season -- the offseason was equal parts difficult and eventful for fans of the Calgary Flames. Luckily enough, the aforementioned Hamilton trade executed at the NHL Draft proved to supporters that management is ready to win, which is a welcome sight in the prime talent window of league superstars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.

Signing top-six winger James Neal was another step in the right direction. But, as other franchises have proved, trying with all your might to win in a selected time frame can drain the depth of your farm system just like that. With late-round draft picks moved away and the inevitable trades of prospects for deadline rentals, farm system depth can dwindle in the blink of an eye.

Regardless, the Flames have -- especially from the blueline back -- a stout core of NHL-ready prospects prepared to make a difference in Calgary. If the goal in Cowtown is to compete for a Stanley Cup right now, it's clear the incoming farmhands will be able to provide support for their stars. The Flames are kind of unorthodox in their drafting methods, choosing high ceiling defenders and goaltenders over serviceable forwards.

Most teams, especially in the size-dominated Pacific Division, will build their team from the forwards down, hoping to use heavy forwards to dominate offensively and not have to worry much about preventing goals. Calgary may have caught lightning in a bottle in their defensive prospect core (Juuso Valimaki, Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington) and also have two potential number-one goaltenders (Jon Gillies, Tyler Parsons) cooking in the minors. Not many other franchises can say the same, especially inside of Calgary's division.

What is really impressive about the Calgary farm system is its Western Hockey League presence. With Valimaki, Dillon Dube, Matthew Phillips, Glenn Gawdin, and others, it shows that the Flames know the importance of good scouting even in, essentially, their own backyard. Nabbing guys comfortable with the environment and the regional culture will help mightily in reaching the postseason again.

Juuso Valimaki

1 Juuso Valimaki, D (16th overall, 2017. Last year: 1st) Calgary's 2017 first-rounder was taken primarily because of his size and defensive-zone play. After his last two seasons in the WHL, the point-per-game two-way defender has evidently rounded his game out to new degrees. Possessing otherworldly pure skill and NHL-ready rink senses, it was only a matter of time before the top Flames prospect reached his potential. He's a strong skater who doesn't shy away from physicality at every opportunity, and has already proven that he's ready to take the next step.

2 Dillon Dube, C (56th overall, 2016. Last year: 7th) Seen before his electric 2017-18 season as mostly a third-line, rough-and-tumble guy, Dillon Dube lit the Kelowna Rockets roster up with offensive capabilities that he had not previously shown. The captain of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship, Dube plays with an infectious energy and hustle but also has impressive offensive refinement, including great puck senses, tremendous acceleration, and an ever-improving variety of shot tools. His rink vision and use of his linemates still needs improvement, but the undersized forward is improving in that regard.

3 Andrew Mangiapane, LW (166th overall, 2015. Last year: 11th) Andrew Mangiapane was a no-risk, potentially high-reward player out of the OHL in 2015, and now the Flames are getting a massive return on their investment. An offensive catalyst at Barrie, Mangiapane has carried that same production into the AHL, but he's doing it differently. His skating lags, and therefore his finesse game is where his value sprouts; Mangiapane is an intense and versatile player with plus vision and a rapid shot. He could be a solid, above-average bottom-six winger in the NHL, and do it now.

4 Rasmus Andersson, D (53rd overall, 2015. Last year: 9th) From the same draft and from the same junior team as Mangiapane, Rasmus Andersson is part of that Grade A defensive prospect core we mentioned in the intro. Andersson is a puck-moving dynamo, and the AHL All-Star uses his uber-fast hands and exceptional vision to play that way, coupling his puck play with a splendid shot. Andersson is relatively short, but packs a punch in his checking and can take a beating to make a play. He could be a much better skater given his agility and quick feet, but his stockiness holds him back.

Jon Gillies

5 Jon Gillies, G (75th overall, 2012. Last year: 6th) They say it takes goaltenders a little longer to develop. Jon Gillies, a 24-year-old drafted back in 2012, is a good example of that, and why it can be worth it in the end. At 6-6", Gillies is able to use his length and big frame to leave shooters little to aim at. He always stays square to shooters and has a very reflexive, athletic style for someone his size. His short NHL stint last season left a lot to be desired, but he's been dynamite at the AHL level for a franchise that really needs a goalie to take the reigns.

6 Matthew Phillips, C (166th overall, 2016. Last year: 17th) Standing at 5-7", Matthew Phillips will always be a player who has to prove he belongs, regardless of where or how he's performing. Luckily for the prolific scoring center, this is the club that made Johnny Gaudreau a superstar. Philllips is a wonderful skater, has a blazing shot with more weight behind it than someone his size would normally be able to generate, and possesses remarkable vision for playmaking. After a 112-point season in the WHL, Phillips is proving -- as someone heavily overlooked in his draft year -- that he's a pro-caliber player and will make the jump this season.

7 Spencer Foo, RW (UDFA: Jul. 1. 2017. Last year: 4th) An undrafted college winger, Spencer Foo chose to turn pro with the Flames organization and instantly made an impact at the AHL level with Stockton. Foo's great speed and creativity with the puck makes him difficult to defend when he enters the offensive zone, and his plus strength and puck-shielding abilities for his size make him hard to take off the puck. He's got a natural knack for compiling points, but needs to work on his defensive game. Otherwise, he's mature enough to compete in the NHL right now.

8 Tyler Parsons, G (54th overall, 2016. Last year: 5th) One of the top goaltending prospects in hockey, Tyler Parsons is insanely athletic, a naturally intense competitor, and has smarts that go beyond his years. The 2017 WJC Gold Medalist is not a fundamentally refined netminder, but that's the beauty of his game; he's a master scrambler with Dominik Hasek-like freeranging reflexes. His size is below average and his gameplay style doesn't help him appear bigger, but his speed, reflexes, and play-reading capabilities are enough to compensate for the exciting young gun.

9 Glenn Gawdin, C (UFA: Nov. 16, 2017. Last year: IE) After Gawdin's draft team, the Blues, left the dynamic WHL pivot unsigned, the Flames found a diamond in the rough when they invited the Swift Current Bronco to development camp and later inked him to an Entry Level contract. What they get is a silky smooth offensive center with skating agility, a fantastic shot, and a gift for making plays happen from scratch. The only concern is if his point totals are natural or inflated due to talent on his line (Tyler Steenbergen and Aleksi Heponiemi), but we'll find out with a top-six AHL role coming in 2018-19.

Oliver Kylington

10 Oliver Kylington, D (60th overall, 2015. Last year: 8th) A smooth-skating offensive defenseman, Oliver Kylington fell on draft boards in 2015 and landed with the Flames. In a system rich with defensemen, he has been just fine, finishing his third year with AHL Stockton and now looking primed to compete for a job in Calgary this season. He skates supremely well, shows flashes of puck-moving brilliance and is generally reliable in that facet of the game. He also has a wicked shot that seemingly always ends up on goal. He needs to put the "defense" in "defenseman," though, but has gotten increasingly better off the puck over his AHL career.

11 Yasin Ehliz, RW (UDFA: Jun. 11, 2018. Last year: IE) A star on Germany's silver medal team from the Pyeongchang Olympics, Ehliz signed with the Flames this offseason for his first taste of North American hockey. The 25-year-old is a relatively unknown prospect on this side of the Atlantic, but combines solid rink senses, a good shot, and a tricky separation gear with a pretty strong upper-body for his size (5-10", 165 lbs). His size is against him, and adjusting to the smaller ice size in the U.S. and Canada could be a challenge without an imposing physical stance, but the Flames -- and Stockton, his likely destination -- are excited to see him play. His versatility will also help him to find a role in the North American game.

12 Milos Roman, C (122nd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) One of three fourth-round picks from June's NHL Draft, Milos Romas has perhaps the biggest upside. He is a strong skater with great technical refinement and a very responsible player defensively, but his greatest asset is his immense playmaking skillset; his vision is insane and his passes are always on the money. He is not overly fast or physical, making him lack in the most dynamic facets of the game, but he projects to be a bottom-six forward with playmaking upside. His NHL potential is likely contingent on upping his game in one of those two areas.

13 Adam Ruzicka, C (109th overall, 2017. Last year: 14th) Adam Ruzicka's most glaring issue last season, which caused his draft stock to plummet to the fourth round, was a lack of consistency. He's always had game, but in 2017-18, it appears he found the balance that had previously eluded him. His size makes him difficult to defend one-on-one and around the corners, but his blazing power skating is even more impressive given his 6-4" frame. He can snipe with his quick wrist shot release and use his disparity in size to shield the puck off in possession efforts. There's a lot to like about his game, and it seems like he's putting it all together.

14 Dmitri Zavgorodny, LW (198th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Dmitri Zavgorodny is 5-9" and extremely inconsistent, and neither fact helped his draft case last June. When he's on his game, though, his scoring ability and speed are on full display and can make an impact for any club. Zavgorodny can play all three forward spots effectively, has solid skating speed, is very crafty and resourceful with the puck, and has a nice wrist shot. He is a player with a lot of room to grow in a Flames system that has made something out of nothing quite often. In any case, it is more likely for a player to develop into consistency than it is to suddenly sprout high end skills.

Linus Lindstrom

15 Linus Lindstrom, C (96th overall, 2016. Last year: 20th) Revered for his smarts and instincts, Lindstrom is a very responsible two-way center who plays a bunch of shorthanded minutes in Sweden, sacrifices his body for gameplay advantages, and hustles for loose pucks while never giving up on a play. Lindstrom has only produced 10 points in 91 games in the SHL despite promising puck skills however, and his technical skills lag severely. Perhaps he could play a lockdown fourth-line center role similar to fellow Swede Marcus Kruger in the pro ranks. There are still rough tools lurking within the former fourth rounder, but it is time for him to make them count in play.

16 Morgan Klimchuk, LW (28th overall, 2013. Last year: 16th) The book on Morgan Klimchuk is still not out. Maybe he isn't first-round material after all, but his game has taken major strides down in Stockton and he'll make a difference with the Flames soon enough. At his core, he is a lethal shooter with good vision for his teammates in the offensive zone, he plays with a lot of effort, and has power-play triggerman capabilities. The 2013 draftee's game is about as rounded out to its ceiling as it is likely to get, and if Calgary management is confident enough in his development, the winger could be a full-time Flame this season even if his ceiling is not what they had once thought.

17 Kerby Rychel, LW/RW (Trade: Aug. 20, 2018 [Montreal]. Last year: 13^th [Toronto]) A former first round pick with Columbus in 2013, Rychel was considered a potentially impactful power forward who could bring some of the toughness from his father Warren’s game along with good hands and offensive instincts. A scaled up Max Domi, if you will. In the five seasons since he went 19^th overall, his star has dimmed considerably, and Rychel is now a prospect journeyman, having passed through the Columbus, Toronto and Montreal organizations on his way to Calgary for another disappointing former first rounder. Rychel still has a power game, and has been relatively productive at the AHL level, but attitude questions, and sludgy startup speed, he has only appeared in four NHL games in the past two seasons. Calgary might be his last big chance.

18 Josh Healey, D (UDFA: Mar. 25, 2017. Last year: 19th) Where Kylington is a risky defenseman with a very high potential ceiling, Josh Healey is an extremely safe option. He has close to no offensive skill in the context of the professional game, but does a lot of little things in his own zone, stays very calm with and without the puck, and became a staple on the Stockton Heat penalty skill this season. He maintains great gaps, works hard to keep his man to the outside, and has good enough wheels to avoid getting burnt by speedier forwards. He is a low-ceiling defenseman in a system with better options, but he is reliable and mature, traits which could help him leap past more talented rivals for NHL jobs.

19 Zach Fischer, RW (140th overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) Drafted as an overager in 2017, Fischer was a no-risk, decent potential pick out of the WHL solely based on his size and toughness. He has room to grow around that 6-2", 207 lbs frame and has shown flashes of physical brilliance in protecting the puck with his body, using finesse moves to get past defenders, and nailing opposing skaters with open ice hits. He takes far too many silly penalties for any pro coach to trust him as he is, but his heavy wrist shot and physical skillset in a system with no solid RW depth has those around the Flames left with raised eyebrows.

20 D'Artagnan Joly, RW (171st overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) Coming off a career-best season the QMJHL with a pretty mediocre Baie-Comeau squad, D'Artagnan Joly is like Fischer in that, despite being a long-term project, you have to keep an eye on him as a natural RW in a system with few dynamic ones. Joly boasts an interesting mix between a finesse and a hustle/speed game, given his lanky body, and can assert himself physically in a number of ways. He has a hard wrist shot but more of a pass-first mentality, and his passes are crisp but his vision is slow. As he continues to grow, the Flames will keep themselves posted.

Calgary – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:51:11 +0000

Goaltending is, for many analysts, the last black box of player scouting and evaluation. Goalies that look great at 18 all too often fizzle out before they are 23. Goalies to whom no one gave a second thought at 18 sometimes end up as the best of all. For every Carey Price (5th overall, 2005), there is a Henrik Lundqvist (205th overall, 2000). For every Roberto Luongo (4th overall, 1997), there is a Pekka Rinne (258th overall in his third year of eligibility, 2004). The Pittsburgh Penguins were also well schooled in this phenomenon, as Marc-Andre Fleury (1st overall, 2003), was supplanted in the postseason, in two consecutive seasons, by Matt Murray (83rd overall, 2012).

To combat this general uncertainty, teams have a few different approaches. Some teams largely neglect goalies on draft day and subsequently stock their organization with free agents and/or late round flyers. The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers are examples of this approach. The Dallas Stars were, too, until flipping that on its head with one of their first round picks this year.

Some teams make a point of adding a goalie or two every year, essentially hoping to throw a lot of “stuff” on the wall until something sticks. The Toronto Maple Leafs having taken that approach of late, as have the Winnipeg Jets and the Colorado Avalanche. If none work out, the team can always fill the NHL slots with veteran pickups and continue to throw darts.

Other teams take a similar approach, buying in bulk, but with more of an emphasis on using premium picks on goalies. Again, they will generally not work out, but at least the team will know that they gave it their best shot. The New York Islanders have four netminders in their system that they selected in the top four rounds. The Flyers are extremists, with three third rounders and two second rounders vying for future time in the crease. And there are the Flames, with a third rounder and two second rounders in the system as well as two others signed as high profile undrafted free agents.

The Flames are approaching the time where these prospects will be put to the test. While they acquired two NHL veterans in the offseason, presumed starter Mike Smith has two years left on his contract, while Eddie Lack is in the final season of his. Thankfully, of the five young goalies in the system, two rank very highly and two others were also under consideration for the top 20. This is not to say that when an opportunity arises one of Jon Gillies or Tyler Parsons will be tapped for it, or that they would succeed if they were, but it does reflect some foresight on the part of the Flames’ brass, taking higher calculated gambles on young netminders when there was an expected need at the NHL level in the near future.

Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans.

1 Juuso Valimaki – Calgary’s most recent first round pick is two-way defender who combines a high skill level with effectiveness in his own end. Already possessing and NHL-sized frame, Valimaki is a strong skater and is not shy about playing in a physical style in all zones. With two full seasons of WHL play already in his rearview mirror, Valimaki has more than proven that he can succeed at a high level in North America and there may be more room to round out his game before rising to the NHL.

2 Adam Fox – A dynamic blueliner with the USNTDP when the Flames nabbed him with a third round pick in the 2016 draft and that has quickly been elevated into one of the steals of that draft class. He is a first-rate offensive blueliner who can both lead or support the rush. His stickhandling is near elite among his fellow defensemen. He was the runaway leader among all NCAA defensemen in points with 40 – as a freshman. If he was anywhere but Harvard, he would likely already have signed an ELC.

3 Mark Jankowksi – It is not often that a first round draft pick spends a full four years playing college hockey before turning pro, but Jankowski was one such creature. After four years with Providence, a run which included an NCAA title in his junior year, Jankowski was more than ready for the AHL, with 56 points good for second among rookies in the league. He has plus acceleration, very nice hand-eye coordination and dangerous hands. Looks NHL ready.

4 Spencer Foo – An undrafted winger from Edmonton, Foo blew up in his junior season at Union College and elected to turn pro instead of completing his NCAA eligibility, which also meant passing up on the chance to team up with younger brother Parker. He has high end top speed, combined with plus acceleration. Tricky with the puck, he goes right at defenders, forcing them to react. Possesses surprising strength from an average-sized body.

Tyler Parsons of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

5 Tyler Parsons – One of the most athletic netminders not yet in the NHL, Parsons is unbelievably competitive. He does not play with a traditional technical style, but is a master scrambler, which, when combined with his below average (by modern standards) size, will bring Dominik Hasek to mind, at least stylistically. He is incredibly difficult to beat down low and gets post to post with great quickness. As a late birthday, he is eligible to move on to the AHL this year.

6 Jon Gillies – A college teammate’s of Jankowski at Providence, Gillies was reunited with the big center last year in Stockton. Coming off a miserable rookie pro season, limited to seven games due to injury, is well stays square to the shooter, with controlled lateral movements. Has long legs that he uses well and is skilled at hugging the posts, leaving shooters little to aim at.

7 Dillon Dube – A hustler with some offensive chops, Dube plays an aggressive style of game that is well suited to a third line, energy type role as a professional. While he gets to top speed quickly, his best attribute is his hockey sense, particularly away from the puck. Not very big, he is feisty and is not at all averse to playing in the dirty areas. Still tends to try to do too much on his own, either not looking to his linemates, or misreading their intentions.

8 Oliver Kylington – The most divisive prospect in the Flames system, the Swedish-born blueliner has elite speed but suffers from a chronic inability to read opposing forwards and thus gets caught out of position with frequency. To his credit, he has spent the past two seasons playing as a teenager in the AHL, a very, very rare occurrence. He also showed much improvement in his ability to creative drives with his speed and puck movement. He is still a wildcard, although getting closer to the NHL.

HELSINKI, FINLAND - JANUARY 2: Sweden's Rasmus Asplund #18 stickhandles the puck away from Slovakia's Filip Lestan #27 during quarterfinal round action at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

9 Rasmus Andersson – Short but stocky, Andersson had a solid rookie pro season with Stockton after acclimating to the North American game for two years with Barrie. Although not a speedster, his skating has improved noticeably since his draft year. While he has a nice wrist shot that he will step up from the point to fire on net, his puck play is more impressive. Adequate in his own end with decent positioning and instincts. Not a physical player, per se, but his checks pack punch.

10 Hunter Shinkaruk – A former first round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Shinkaruk has established himself as a solid secondary scorer after three AHL seasons. He has speed to spare, with strong puck skills and enough of a shot to be a threat. Although undersized, he has some chip to his game, as he shows no fear of going into the corners for loose pucks against bigger opponents. He has little left to prove in the AHL and is ready for a more extended NHL look.

11 Andrew Mangiapane – Yet another point producer coming off a strong rookie season in the AHL, Mangiapane was drafted by the Flames in his second year of eligibility after putting up 104 points for a competitive Barrie squad. He was even better the following year, with two more points in nine fewer games. He plays bigger than his size, but being very small, that says only so much. He has plus offensive vision and his success will be predicated on his production.

12 Daniel Pribyl – One of two players, along with netminder David Rittich, signed by the Flames out of the Czech hockey last offseason, Pribyl’s first season in North America was marred by injury, but he showed sparks of the talent the Calgary hoped it was getting when he was healthy. He sees the ice very well, provides strong puck pressure in the neutral and offensive zones and puts his heavy frame to good use. He will not be a top six player, but can play in a lower role.

13 Emile Poirier – One of three players selected by Calgary in the 2013 first round, Poirier has had the roughest career to date of the trio. In three pro seasons, his point production has steadily dropped from 42 points, to 29 and down to 17 (albeit in only 43 games) last year. A few weeks ago, he admitted to struggling with addiction issues. If his personal problems are being taken care of, his speed and offensive talent may finally shine through. The context is worth giving him another chance to live up to his potential.

Adam Ruzicka of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

14 Adam Ruzicka – In a good day, Ruzicka can be a dominant player, using his size, skating and puck skills to run roughshod over his opponents. He has a quick shot release and can snipe with his wrister. The reason why he lasted on the draft board until the fourth round and sits at #14 on this list is that those good days do not come around often enough. He was a no-show in the WJC and in the OHL playoffs, although hinted at his talent once more in the WU18. He can make us all look stupid.

15 Brett Kulak – After splitting last season between Calgary and Stockton, Kulak barely qualifies for this list. He has decent size, good mobility and plays a physical brand of hockey. These are all fine things. On the down side, he makes questionable decisions both on and off the puck and is not a threat when he winds up to fire a shot from the point. He is what he is: a decent option for a team to have as its seventh defenseman.

16 Morgan Klimchuk – Along with Poirier and Sean Monahan, Klimchuk completes the Flames’ three first round picks from the 2013 draft. After a horrid first AHL season, Klimchuck rebounded nicely last year, with 43 points in 66 games. He has a nice blend of offensive skills, including solid drive, decent vision and passing skills and a promising shot release. There does not yet seem to be room for him in Calgary, but it is too early to call him a bust.

17 Matthew Phillips – It is fitting that the organization that turned Johnny Gaudreau into a star would take a chance on a WHL powerhouse who is only 5-7”, 160. That’s right, Phillips has to look up to Gaudreau. An offensive powerhouse with Victoria of the WHL, he skates well and has plus puck skills. Although he scored 87 goals in the last two seasons, he is a better playmaker than shooter. He will have to prove he belongs at every new level.

18 Rushan Rafikov – Finally getting his career going in the KHL, Rafikov’s team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl recently signed him to a two year extension. Projects at around average in all facets of the game, with only his shot peaking clearly above that line. With Calgary rather stocked on the blueline, both in the NHL and below, he is probably going to develop further with a bigger role in Russia for now. Consider this ranking a “forget-me-not”.

19 Josh Healey – The other NCAA free agent signing made by Calgary this offseason, the Edmonton native played for four years at Ohio State, increasing his point production each year (5->9->21->25). Very comfortable carrying the puck up the ice, he is a solid skater with a high panic threshold. He could stand to play with more urgency, but performs well in his own zone, working to keep his man to the outside. He does not have a high ceiling, but is fairly safe as prospects go.

20 Linus Lindstrom – Considered a smart two-way center in his draft year, Lindstrom struggled mightily to produce even a fraction of the offense in the SHL as he did in SuperElit, finishing the year with only six points in 50 games for Skelleftea. He still flashes promising puck skills and ability to read the play in all three zones, but his skating is average at best and his shot and physical game are both below that mark.

Although the system’s depth of talented goaltenders earns top billing here, with seven defensemen in the top 20, including both of the top two, Calgary should be strong at the back for years to come. And that is without even addressing the fact that the Flames have a top five at the NHL level (Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic, and Stone) that rivals any other team in the league. As they are all locked up for at least three more years, the team can afford to be patient with their next generation.

Connor McDavid steals spotlight, Team Canada and Team USA U18 reports

David Burstyn — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:02:59 +0000

Connor McDavid is blowing the hype out of the water.

The 1997-born forward dominated competition that were mostly two years his senior. McDavid not only led the tournament in scoring, but was named MVP and Best Forward following his exceptional play.

McDavid helped lead Canada back to prominence with a gold medal. It was the first time the Americans didn’t capture gold in the past five tournaments.

Several players increased their draft stock with solid tournament performances. Here’s a look at some of the players from Team Canada and Team USA that left a lasting impression in Sochi, Russia.

Team Canada

Connor McDavid (C, 2015)

Named tournament MVP after producing 6-8-6-14 totals, setting a new Team Canada point total .. recorded back-to-back hat tricks in round robin play against Sweden and Switzerland .. electrifying talent with the puck as he was able to generate offense out of innocent-looking plays .. double under-ager used this tournament to put himself on the hockey world map .. the most heralded prospect to come out of the CHL since Sidney Crosby.

Morgan Klimchuk (RW, 2013)

Tied for 7^th in tournament scoring riding shotgun with McDavid on Team Canada’s first line .. highly involved in the offensive zone due to his ability to stay with plays and makes incredible use of his shot selection .. a permanent fixture for head coach Don Hay in PP situations where Klimchuk delivered the offensive goods.

Nicholas Baptiste (RW, 2013)

Recorded two key assists in the gold medal game, including the GWG .. was used in all situations and played a simple, yet effective game showcasing his above-average skill-set .. took advantage of his ice-time and played in all situations, including the dying minutes of both the gold medal and semi-final game to help Team Canada preserve its lead.

Laurent Dauphin (LW, 2013)

Showed up when it mattered most with his best performance in the gold-medal game where he scored a goal and an assist in the gold-medal final .. a fearless and hard-nosed competitor who would always fight his way into the slot or go hard to the net .. skating was exposed at times but made up for it with keen attention to detail and uncompromising work ethic.

Samuel Morin (D, 2013)

Cool, calm and collected, he logged a ton of minutes and was very practical in terms of his decision-making .. simplistic in his approach, he utilized his speed advantageously and kept forwards to the outside with his long reach .. played with a heightened intensity .. his draft stock soared after this tournament as he has great size and is only scratching the tip of his potential.

Dillon Heatherington (D, 2013)

Consummate two-way tower of power, he was always involved along the boards and winning loose puck battles .. showed a keen sense of anticipation and was never out of position .. staunch defensive efforts coupled with the ability to make a play with the puck made him highly-serviceable.

Philippe Desrosiers (G, 2013)

Only undefeated goalie in the entire tournament went 6-0 while only allowing six goals against all tournament .. recorded back-to-back shutouts, including final game of round robin against Sweden as well as the quarterfinal game against Czechs .. never fell behind in one game this tournament as he always played with the lead .. aggressive in his reads and handling the puck, plays a determined butterfly style and was very diligent with his rebounds .. upped his draft stock considerably with stand-out performance.

Team USA

Steven Santini (D, 2013)

Named the tournament’s best defenseman .. Santini’s no nonsense approach, coupled with his physical brand of play, kept the opposition not only in check but off the scoreboard .. one of the most physically-imposing defensemen at the tournament despite going pointless, he recorded the highest +/- for his team (+8) second-highest in the tournament.

Tommy Vannelli (D, 2013)

Hard to imagine that he only joined the Program a few weeks before the start of the U18 World Championships as he took over the PP duties and was on the ice for the dying stages of the gold-medal game looking for the equalizer .. calculated and ultra-poised on the line to make a play .. showed good defensive awareness to complement his maturing offensive game.

JT Compher (C, 2013)

Returned for his second consecutive U18 World Championship (won gold in 2012 as an under-ager), capturing a silver medal in 2013 for his efforts .. heart and soul player went to the wall each and every game with gutsy performances, including the shootout winner in semi-final game against Team Russia .. team captain averaged a point a game and was relied upon by Coach Granato to score goals and kill penalties .. a jack of all trades.

Tyler Motte (C, 2013)

Recorded the highest amount of goals for Team USA with five while providing clutch scoring .. a dual-threat due to his work ethic, Motte was always in motion and could make plays by quickly charging up ice .. great in transition, he would often catch the opposition off guard with timely stick raises.

Michael McCarron (RW, 2013)

Biggest player up front in the entire tournament came slightly unraveled against Team Sweden with undisciplined penalties but rebounded nicely in both the semi-final and gold-medal game .. imposed his will and was extremely effective down low when charging the net .. caught up ice on a handful of occasions as he struggled with the big ice surface but showed good patience and offensive prowess.

Q & A with Morgan Klimchuk – Regina Pats

Randy Gorman — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:44:30 +0000

Morgan Klimchuk aims to be 'the hardest working guy on the ice' - and this drive and tenacity have been on display throughout a solid sophomore WHL season.

The Calgary native has also shown off his speed and goal-scoring abilities, and steadily enhanced his stock for the upcoming 2013 NHL Draft.

His career-high 31 goals are an impressive feat given his Regina Pats are among the league's lowest-scoring teams.

In fact, of the 24 WHLers to crack 30 goals so far this season, only two players have scored a greater percentage of their team's goals than Klimchuk.

Winnipeg Jets third-rounder Adam Lowry has accounted for a whopping 23.1 percent of Swift Current's goals (40 of 173), while Klimchuk currently ranks third among the 30-goal club having scored 19.5 percent of Regina's 159 goals. Pats' teammate Lane Scheidl is second at 20.7 percent (33 of 159).

Coincidentally, league goal-scoring leader Brendan Leipsic is at 15.1 percent (44 of 292) with Nicolas Petan and his 43 goals right behind at 14.7 percent.

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McKeen’s: Where did you play your minor hockey?

Klimchuk (MK): I played all my minor hockey in Calgary, first with the Shaw Metal’s Lightning right up until I reached bantam, and from there I played for the Calgary Buffaloes.

McKeen’s: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make coming from minor hockey, to playing in the WHL for the Regina Pats?

MK: Well the speed, and of course the strength of the guys in this league are tough to handle and you have to get stronger in order to keep up with that. I had to work a little extra on both my skating and my off-ice weight training to get stronger in both areas.

McKeen’s: Did you set any personal or team goals at the beginning of the season ?

MK: I try not to focus on the personal goals too much, team wise, it’s really big for us to make the playoffs this season, and that’s really what I’m focused on.

McKeen’s: How much international experience have you had with Team Canada at the under-17 or under-16 tournaments?

MK: Yes, I had the honor in both the U-16’s and U-17’s, and it was a great learning experience to play against the best international players for your country. I have taken what I’ve learned from these experiences into major junior here with the Pats.

McKeen’s: What are the major differences for playing at the International level, compared with the WHL club level in major junior?

MK: For sure, at the International level, the arena's are much bigger and you have more room out there, so it’s that much faster and a lot more skilled players you have to worry about. In the WHL, it’s fast, but much more physically demanding and defensive minded.

McKeen’s: You are a top 10 WHL draft-eligible prospect, and a top prospect for the NHL draft. How does that make you feel to be considered in that group?

MK: It’s an honor, I mean this will be another great draft year in the WHL, and just to have my name in there being compared to the other great players is very special, and I just look forward to how things will end up in June.

McKeen’s: Does it bother you that several NHL scouts will be watching and analyzing your game night after night?

MK: No, not really I try to be consistent and play the game the same every night. It’s good to know they are there, but I put it at the back of my mind.

McKeen’s: How important is off-ice training in the weight room and more specifically the development of core strength, to help battle bigger players by getting stronger in key areas of your body?

MK: That’s huge, I take my off-ice training very seriously. I train in the off season during the summer 5 days a week, along with yoga, which helps with balance, and the extra strength in the core will help when facing bigger players.

McKeen’s: What’s the strongest part of your game, and what are the things you want to work on?

MK: The strongest part of my game is my tenacity and work ethic. I’m always battling for pucks and I never want to give up on a play, and I just want to be the hardest working guy on the ice. The things I want to work on is my skating, especially my first four steps. It’s something that I have been working on over the past summer. I know coming into this year that I needed to improve on that if I’m going to play at the next level.

McKeen’s: I’ve observed that you have good hands to finish around the net, and also a great quick release shot. Do you constantly work on this with coaching staff and your linemates in practice?

MK: Yes, for sure, you don’t get a lot of time and space in this league to move the puck, and you have to let it go when you have the chance or an opening. And yes, I do work a lot with the coaches and my teammates to maneuver myself to get in position to get my shot away quick and accurate.

McKeen’s: Who has the greatest impact on your hockey career to date?

MK: I would have to say coach Pat Conacher, he taught me how to play defense. And how to round out my game, and he has been able to teach and show me what to expect for what it will be like at the pro level.

McKeen’s: What is it like to play for a team that is steeped in tradition like the Regina Pats?

MK: It’s huge, we take pride in the jersey we put on every night, and the legacy and tradition that goes along with that. We are playing for the Regina Pats, it’s one of the most cherished franchises in junior hockey, so you have to show up each night so as you're not embarrassing the team and yourself.

McKeen’s: How important is it to learn and play defense in order to become a complete player, and to go on and play at the pro level?

MK: Coach Conacher really stresses this, when I came into the league last year I needed to work on that. He made it simple for me and told me that he knew I could score goals, but playing at both ends of the ice is what it will take to play at the next level, and that I would have to do that here in order to earn ice time. It has worked out well for me, and I credit Pat for stressing how important that part of the game is, in order to play at the next level.

McKeen’s: Was there any player that you watched growing up that you admired and wanted to pattern your game after?

MK: I love the way Jonathan Toews plays, and the leadership role that he brings to his team each and every game. Just how he competes every game, he was one of the youngest captains to win a Stanley Cup, so I really admire his style of play.

McKeen’s: How important is play away from the puck, especially in the neutral ice area?

MK: You have to find open seams and holes throughout the neutral zone and look for passes from your teammates, as well as being responsible in that part of the ice defensively, to prevent odd man rushes.

McKeen’s: Do you pay much attention to the various rankings from scouting services throughout the season or do you just look ahead to draft day in June?

MK: You really can’t look too far ahead - or at the rankings at any given time. It’s a 72-game season , so things will likely change throughout the season. I take things day to day, obviously, you hear other players talking about it, but I try to focus on other things.

McKeen’s: Is there any other sports or things you like to do in the off season?

MK: In my spare time, I like to get away to play a little paintball for some fun. But I really just try to focus on hockey for much of my time.

2013 Draft Notebook: Up And Adam

McKeen's Staff — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:33:05 +0000

Everything is coming together for Quebec winger Adam Erne.

The industry and creativity never stops from the hard-working New Haven, C.T. native - among the biggest risers on our December list - moving solidly into the top 15.

Erne's truncated skating stride has been identified as a shortcoming in the past, however his quickness and top speed have improved significantly over the past year.

Another of this month's chartbusters is Baie-Comeau winger and Russian import Valentin Zykov. Although taking a Russian with your first-round pick is sometimes akin to writing your own pink slip, Zykov has been too good to dismiss any longer.

Strength and skill in a compact, subtly-dynamic package, Zykov possesses remarkable power for his size and age thanks to a well-developed body. Opponents are just bouncing off the St. Petersburg native, whose ability to hold off checkers, protect the puck, and create plays to the net - makes him a tantalizing NHL prospect.

Solid two-way defenseman Linus Arnesson also turned heads for Sweden at the U-20 4-Nations last month, and has moved into the top-40 discussions - bolstering what is going to be an exceptional second round. If this were a regular NHL season, general managers would be valuing second-round holdings as first-round commodities.

PETAN-ICAL GROWTH

Out west, Seth Jones' Portland teammate Nicolas Petan has been 'lights out' over the past two months, delivering goals at a clip that is making it easier to overlook his diminutive stature.

Already blessed with top-drawer playmaking vision and skill, the Delta, B.C. native has an eye-popping 16 goals in his past 20 games, blowing by his 14 goals as a rookie in `11-12.

Some will see Petan and his tiny 5-foot-8, 165-pound frame as a non-starter, that he simply isn't big enough to replicate his game against meaty NHL opponents. Other 'glass-half-full' thinkers could project a brighter NHL future based on his innate talent and impressive development.

Petan, like Arnesson, is another fast-developing prospect entering the top-40 fray upon starting the year pencilled into the third round or thereabouts.

Add another from the Portland hockey factory in Oliver Bjorkstrand to the mix, as the Danish winger has impressed in every viewing and is one to watch over the second half of the WHL season. Bjorkstrand is tricky and slippery - and looks taller than his 5-foot-10 listing. There's a bit of Kris Versteeg in the Dane's skill set - which is highlighted by a wicked wristshot.

Sleek Val d'Or winger Anthony Mantha continues to vault up the rankings and terrorize QMJHL goalies with his spectacular shot. The Longueuil, Quebec native has 28 goals from 155 shots - second-most in the league. Though still a project defensively, Mantha has been a consistent force at the other end of the rink, recording at least two shots in all but one of his 34 games this season.

THE STRAIGHT SANTINI

Aside from Zykov, the other player that managed to dislodge an incumbent from the top 30 November rankings was hard-hitting NTDP blueliner Steven Santini of Mahopac, New York.

Santini has always been admired for an efficient, straight-forward style - and this season has shown steady progress in his puckmoving and skill development.

Dropping down this month are London Knights center Bo Horvat and Seattle Thunderbirds rearguard Shea Theodore, who drew a lofty No. 2 ranking from Central Scouting on the preliminary WHL list.

Horvat would make an ideal second rounder as his skill and hockey sense are at a first-round level, but can expect trouble keeping up at the NHL level unless his mobility improves. While Theodore, a skilled and offensively-inclined blueliner, will need to develop better defensive structure - and prove that he can defend capably against outside speed.

Among those knocking on the first-round door include slick Finnish winger Artturi Lehkonen, the top junior-aged rookie scorer in the Finnish SM-liiga. The Piikkio, Finland native sits third overall among newcomers behind veteran Steve Moses and 24-year-old former OHL star Justin Azevedo.

Regina winger Morgan Klimchuk had been coming on like gangbusters through November (14-10-16-26) after a subpar start, but fell off the radar again this month, recording just a pair of assists in his last seven games. The Calgary native is the type of prospect that NHL clubs will have plenty of time for on draft day - even overlooking some inherent flaws. He boasts excellent strength on the puck for his size which is complemented by an accurate shot and good offensive instincts. When the goals dry up though, Klimchuk doesn't provide the same defensive competency like a Curtis Lazar does.

The Everett Silvertips also have an intriguing package in Swiss-born blueliner Mirco Mueller, who was moving into first-round range prior to losing partner Ryan Murray, the second-overall pick last summer. The Winterthur native has regressed since Murray was lost for the season to a shoulder injury, and is not showing the same confidence in his physical play.

WHAT THE DICKINSON

On the flip side, the last month wasn't a great one for Guelph forward and Georgetown, Ontario native Jason Dickinson.

What appeared to be untapped upside in October - looked more like unfulfilled potential in November as Dickinson has failed to bulge the twine in 17 of the past 18 games, the exception being a hat trick against Mississauga.

Getting more involved and filling in the intensity gaps while be imperatives if he is to prevent further slides. His skill set coupled with an erratic compete level, compares somewhat to that of former Guelph player Peter Holland, who subsequently blossomed in the pros following an underachieving junior career.

Another player whose stock has softened over the past month is Prince Albert blueliner Josh Morrissey (Calgary, AB).

Despite being arguably the cream of this year's crop in terms of pure puckmoving savvy, Morrissey has raised plenty of red flags with his play in his own end. Nevertheless, he remains a legitimate top-ten candidate if he can tighten up the defensive efforts and bring a more consistent physical element.

As far as wildcards go, talented Russian winger Valeri Nichushkin is a classic.

Blessed with an enticing mix of size, speed, skill, and power, Nichushkin is capable of scoring NHL-caliber goals when motivated and playing a courageous game.

Yet there have always been questions about how well he reads and senses the game - concerns which remained unanswered based on his flashy - and fruitless - performance during the CHL Subway Series.

CREEPERS & SLEEPERS

Steadily sneaking up the list has been speedy and tenacious two-way winger Marc-Olivier Roy of the Blainville-Broisbriand Armada.

A former third-round pick of Montreal in the 2010 QMJHL Midget Draft, Roy has already matched his rookie totals from `11-12 and is attracting notice with his penalty totals (52) - and plus-rating rating which stands at a striking plus-51 over his 109-game QMJHL career including playoffs.

Chicago Steel rookie Thomas Ebbing may fit the bill in the department of smooth, versatile two-way centermen. The Troy, Michigan native and Bowling Green recruit has adapted quickly to the USHL and continues to show improvements with each game.

Scouts are keeping tabs on the Medicine Hat blueline where the Tigers feature a pair of intriguing wildcards in Kyle Becker and Spenser Jensen.

Both offer excellent size as well as some attractive attributes, with Becker an efficient, mobile puckmover who has put up an impressive 16 points as a rookie after going unclaimed in his draft year. The Langley, B.C. native fired 13 goals in `11-12 to lead all defensemen in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League, where he had been re-assigned by the Tigers following wrist surgery in August of 2011.

Conversely, Jensen is more a stay-at-home type with a physical dimension, and carries higher expectations having been the 14th overall pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.

A diligent and responsible defender who is tough to beat 1-on-1, the Airdrie, Alberta native has improved dramatically from his rookie season in which he played primarily at forward. Expect his stock to keep rising if the puckmoving and finesse skills can be upgraded.

AUGER'S WELL FOR FUTURE

Among the most improved players in the OHL this season has been 6-foot-7 Guelph winger Justin Auger (Waterloo, ON). Bypassed in the last draft, Auger has since taken a leap forward thanks to vastly improved skating. The new mobility is allowing him to make use of his gigantic reach and excellent compete level - and the by-product has been a more poised and confident puckhandler and playmaker.

Another towering prospect to entice NHL clubs will be 6-foot-6, 225-pound winger Tyler Hill, a Hagersville, Ontario native with dual citizen ship and playing at Hotchkiss High School following a brief USHL appearance with Chicago.

A former fifth-round OHL pick of the Ottawa 67's, Hill will be scrutinized this season as he is a classic Jekyll-and-Hyde type prone to coasting through games only to burst out with a flashy end-to-end rush and stickhandling clinic.

The quest for beef is drawing a crowd in Rimouski to see the intriguing duo of Frederik Gauthier and Samuel Morin.

Gauthier is 6-foot-5 and sits third among QMJHL rookie scorers, while Morin is the tallest player in the draft at 6-foot-7.

A native of St-Henri, Quebec and the seventh-overall pick in the 2011 QMJHL Priority Selection, Morin moves well for his size and is throwing his frame around with more authority this season - as reflected in his 78 penalty minutes - seventh-most in the league.

However, mark him a 'long term' project as there are gaps that contribute to a more difficult projection. Not a gifted puckhandler nor intuitive defender, Morin must continue to solidify his defensive decisions while developing as a suffocating defender that exploits his aggression and mammoth wingspan. His reactions and body language need to progress substantially.