Ryan Pilon – McKeen's Hockey

Wheeler’s Final Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League

Scott Wheeler — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:00:19 +0000

Each season, I release three instalments of my rankings of the top 60 prospects for the NHL draft. This year, these rankings will be divided by league and produced in November, February, and May, and available online at McKeen’s for the first time.

Note on the rankings: The following rankings are compiled through extensive coverage and viewings of Ottawa 67s and Gatineau Olympiques home games, which provide the chance to watch and follow a hundred or-so draft eligible players in the OHL and QMJHL who make up the majority of the top end of the draft class (especially this year in a very QMJHL-populated class) from training camps through playoffs. For prospects from the NCAA, USHL, NTDP and abroad, I make sure I have several viewings before the first publication of these rankings in November. These viewings are cumulative from this year and last (while scouting the previous class). Events viewed beyond the CHL include the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Junior Development Camps, the Subway Super Series, Under 17s, Under 18s, club play internationally, marquee U.S. events, college tournaments, and a heavy focus on a select few European players in SHL and Swe. Jr. games.

May’s Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League (overall ranking in brackets)

OHL:

Connor McDavid, Erie, C (#1)
Dylan Strome, Erie, C (#4)
Mitchell Marner, London, C/RW (#5)
Travis Konecny, Ottawa, C (#12)
Pavel Zacha, Sarnia, C (#13)
Lawson Crouse, Kingston, LW (#15)
Nikita Korostelev, Sarnia, RW (#34)
Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa, D (#45)
Blake Speers, Sault Ste. Marie, C (#48)
Dante Salituro, Ottawa, C (#50)
Vince Dunn, Niagara, D (#53)
Mitchell Stephens, Saginaw, C (#54)
Matthew Spencer, Peterborough, D (#57)

QMJHL:

Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke, D (#11)
Daniel Sprong, Charlottetown, RW (#16)
Evgeni Svechnikov, Cape Breton, LW (#18)
Timo Meier, Halifax, RW/C (#19)
Jakub Zboril, Saint John, D (#20)
Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan, C/LW (#25)
Thomas Chabot, Saint John, D (#26)
Dennis Yan, Shawinigan, LW (#28)
Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown, C (#29)
Nicholas Meloche, Baie-Comeau, D (#30)
Nathan Noel, Saint John, C (#32)
Yakov Trenin, Gatineau, LW (#33)
Dmytro Timashov, Quebec, LW/RW (#44)
Nicolas Roy, Chicoutimi, C (#55)
Alexandre Carrier, Gatineau, D (#60)

WHL:

Mathew Barzal, Seattle, C (#7)
Ivan Provorov, Brandon, D (#8)
Nick Merkley, Kelowna, C (#17)
Jansen Harkins, Prince George, C (#24)
Jake DeBrusk, Swift Current, LW (#27)
Paul Bittner, Portland, LW (#31)
Ryan Pilon, Brandon, D (#38)
Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, D (#39)
Ryan Gropp, Seattle, LW (#40)
Noah Juulsen, Everett, D (#47)
Parker Wotherspoon. Tri-City, D (#59)

United States (NCAA, USHL, NTDP):

Jack Eichel, Boston University, C (#2)
Noah Hanifin, Boston College, D (#3)
Zach Werenski, Michigan, D (#6)
Kyle Connor, Youngstown, C (#10)
Brock Boeser, Waterloo, RW (#21)
Jeremy Bracco, NTDP, RW (#22)
Colin White, NTDP, C (#23)
Thomas Novak, Waterloo, C (#35)
Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Omaha, C (#36)
Jack Roslovic, NTDP, C/RW (#41)
Christian Fischer, NTDP, C (#42)
Jordan Greenway, NTDP, LW (#56)

Sweden (SHL, Swe. Jr.):

Oliver Kylington, AIK/Farjestad, D (#14)
Jens Looke, Brynas, RW (#37)
Jacob Larsson, Frolunda, D (#43)
Joel Eriksson Ek, Farjestad, C (#49)
Sebastian Aho, Skelleftea, D (#51)
Filip Ahl, HV71, RW (#52)
Jesper Lindgren, Modo, D (#58)

Finland:

Mikko Rantanen, TPS, RW (#9)

Slovakia:

Erik Cernak, Kosice, D (#46)

Just missed: Erik Foley, Anthony Richard, Roope Hintz, Michael Spacek, Kay Schweri, Graham Knott, Gabriel Carlsson, Ethan Bear, Rasmus Andersson, Travis Dermott, Adam Musil, Tyler Soy, Glenn Gawdin, Alex Dergachyov, Denis Gurianov, Denis Kase, Jonas Siegenthaler, Julius Nattinen, Adam Marsh, Guillaume Brisebois, Zachary Senyshyn.

2015 NHL Draft – McKeen’s Top 120 Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:17:44 +0000

Ilya Samsonov made the most of his opportunity in front of NHL scouts last month in the Czech Republic.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Magnitogorsk helped lead Russia to victory at the Five Nations Tournament.

Samsonov showcased a full package of skill and smarts while upsetting Team USA in a 5-4 overtime win - being outshot 51-to-16 - and then shutting down Sweden 5-1 in the final game.

He played this season in the MHL with Stalnye Lisy, Magnitogorsk's junior team, and will get another chance to bolster his draft stock at the U18 World Championships next month in Switzerland.

A number of Samsonov's U18 teammates could draw some draft interest with strong showings in Zug and Lucerne, the two host cities for the U18 Worlds.

Big, strong-shooting winger Denis Gurianov of Lada Togliatti is rated in the second round - 40th overall - on the McKeen's Top 120 rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Mikhail Vorobyev (Salavat Ufa) is rated 78th overall and is a smart, well-structured pivot in the classic old Russian style, while diminutive winger Kirill Kaprizov (Novokuznetsk) is listed as a late third-rounder - 89th overall. Just 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Kaprizov was a creative force throughout the Five Nations and demonstrated that he has the courage and work ethic to help overcome the size factor.

Samsonov is the top-rated goaltender in the McKeen's rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft - debuting in the first round in the 29th spot.

Drafting goalies in the opening round has becoming increasingly less common. In fact, only six goaltenders have been selected in the first round over the past eight drafts (2007 to 2014). That compares to the five-year period from 2002 to 2006 in which a total of 14 goalies were first-round picks.

Samsonov is one of 11 goaltenders to earn spots in the McKeen's Top 120 rankings.

Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts is next on the goalie list - ranked as an early second-rounder at 33rd overall - while a pair of QMJHL goalies hold down the next two spots - Callum Booth of Halifax at 61st and Samuel Montembeault of Blainville-Boisbriand in the No. 68 spot.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Connor McDavid	C	Erie (OHL)	6-1/195	13-Jan-97
2	Jack Eichel	C	Boston University (HE)	6-2/195	28-Oct-96
3	Noah Hanifin	D	Boston College (HE)	6-3/205	25-Jan-97
4	Mitchell Marner	C	London (OHL)	5-11/160	5-May-97
5	Ivan Provorov	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jan-97
6	Lawson Crouse	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-4/210	23-Jun-97
7	Zach Werenski	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-2/205	19-Jul-97
8	Dylan Strome	C	Erie (OHL)	6-3/190	7-May-97
9	Pavel Zacha	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/210	6-Apr-97
10	Mathew Barzal	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/175	26-May-97
11	Travis Konecny	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/175	11-Mar-97
12	Mikko Rantanen	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-3/210	29-Oct-96
13	Timo Meier	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/210	8-Oct-96
14	Kyle Connor	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/185	9-Dec-96
15	Thomas Chabot	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-97
16	Jakub Zboril	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	21-Feb-97
17	Nick Merkley	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	23-May-97
18	Joel Ek Eriksson	C	Farjestads (Swe)	6-2/180	29-Jan-97
19	Colin White	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	30-Jan-97
20	Paul Bittner	LW	Portland (WHL)	6-4/210	4-Nov-96
21	Brandon Carlo	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-5/200	26-Nov-96
22	Jeremy Roy	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/190	14-May-97
23	Evgeni Svechnikov	LW	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-2/200	31-Oct-96
24	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Swift Current (WHL)	5-11/170	17-Oct-96
25	Jacob Larsson	D	Frolunda (Swe)	6-2/190	29-Apr-97
26	Jonas Siegenthaler	D	ZSC Zurich (Sui)	6-2/220	6-May-97
27	Oliver Kylington	D	Farjestads (Swe)	6-0/185	19-May-97
28	Brock Boeser	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-Feb-97
29	Ilya Samsonov	G	Magnitogorsk (Rus)	6-3/200	22-Feb-97
30	Jack Roslovic	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	29-Jan-97

31	Erik Cernak	D	Kosice (Svk)	6-3/200	28-May-97
32	Guillaume Brisebois	D	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	6-2/170	21-Jul-97
33	Mackenzie Blackwood	G	Barrie (OHL)	6-4/215	9-Dec-96
34	Tom Novak	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/180	28-Apr-97
35	Jansen Harkins	C	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/180	23-May-97
36	Filip Chlapik	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-1/195	3-Jun-97
37	Blake Speers	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/180	2-Jan-97
38	Daniel Sprong	RW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-97
39	Matthew Spencer	D	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/200	24-Mar-97
40	Denis Gurianov	RW	Lada Togliatti (Rus)	6-2/185	7-Jun-97
41	Noah Juulsen	D	Everett (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Apr-97
42	Jordan Greenway	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-5/225	16-Feb-97
43	Alexander Dergachyov	RW	SKA St. Petersburg (Rus)	6-4/200	27-Sep-96
44	Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson	C	Omaha (USHL)	6-1/195	31-Oct-96
45	Jeremy Bracco	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-9/175	17-Mar-97
46	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/195	30-Mar-97
47	Anthony Beauvillier	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-10/175	8-Jun-97
48	Ryan Gropp	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/185	16-Sep-96
49	Dennis Yan	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-1/180	14-Apr-97
50	Jens Looke	RW	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	11-Apr-97
51	Robin Kovacs	RW	AIK (Swe)	6-0/170	16-Nov-96
52	Glenn Gawdin	C	Swift Current (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Mar-97
53	Nikita Korostelev	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/195	8-Feb-97
54	Travis Dermott	D	Erie (OHL)	5-11/195	22-Dec-96
55	Gabriel Carlsson	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-4/185	2-Jan-97
56	Adam Musil	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	6-2/200	26-Mar-97
57	Mitchell Vande Sompel	D	Oshawa (OHL)	5-10/180	11-Feb-97
58	Christian Fischer	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/215	15-Apr-97
59	Brendan Guhle	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-1/185	29-Jul-97
60	Dennis Gilbert	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-2/200	30-Oct-96

61	Callum Booth	G	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/200	21-May-97
62	Sebastian Aho	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	5-11/175	26-Jul-97
63	Ryan Pilon	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/210	10-Oct-96
64	Nicolas Roy	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-4/200	5-Feb-97
65	Austin Wagner	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-1/180	23-Jun-97
66	Graham Knott	LW	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/195	13-Jan-97
67	Michael Spacek	C	Pardubice (Cze)	5-11/190	9-Apr-97
68	Samuel Montembeault	G	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-2/165	30-Oct-96
69	Yakov Trenin	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/195	13-Jan-97
70	Daniel Vladar	G	Kladno (Cze)	6-5/185	20-Aug-97
71	Kyle Capobianco	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/180	13-Aug-97
72	David Kase	C	Chomutov (Cze)	5-11/170	28-Jan-97
73	Bailey Webster	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-3/210	8-Sep-97
74	Felix Sandstrom	G	Brynas (Swe)	6-2/190	12-Jan-97
75	Jesper Lindgren	D	MoDo (Swe)	6-0/160	19-May-97
76	Keegan Kolesar	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	8-Apr-97
77	Kevin Davis	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/185	14-Mar-97
78	Mikhail Vorobyev	C	Salavat Ufa (Rus)	6-2/195	5-Jan-97
79	Vince Dunn	D	Niagara (OHL)	6-0/185	29-Oct-96
80	Nathan Noel	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/175	21-Jun-97
81	Gustav Bouramman	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/185	24-Jan-97
82	Matej Tomek	G	Topeka (NAHL)	6-2/180	24-May-97
83	Lukas Jasek	RW	Trinec (Cze)	5-11/165	28-Aug-97
84	Nicolas Meloche	D	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-2/200	18-Jul-97
85	Roope Hintz	LW	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	6-2/185	17-Nov-96
86	Mitchell Stephens	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/185	5-Feb-97
87	Jean-Christophe Beaudin	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/185	27-Mar-97
88	Filip Ahl	LW	HV 71 (Swe)	6-3/210	12-Jun-97
89	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	Novokuznetsk (Rus)	5-9/185	26-Apr-97
90	John Marino	D	South Shore (USPHL)	6-0/175	21-May-97

91	Chaz Reddekopp	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-3/220	1-Jan-97
92	Adam Marsh	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	22-Aug-97
93	Parker Wotherspoon	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/170	24-Aug-97
94	Loik Leveille	D	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	5-11/220	25-Sep-96
95	Adam Gaudette	C	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	6-1/175	3-Oct-96
96	Justin Lemcke	D	Belleville (OHL)	6-2/200	13-Feb-97
97	Gabriel Gagne	RW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-5/190	11-Nov-96
98	Thomas Schemitsch	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-3/205	26-Oct-96
99	Jesse Gabrielle	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/205	17-Jun-97
100	Jonne Tammela	LW	KalPa (Fin)	5-10/180	5-Aug-97
101	Christian Jaros	D	Lulea (Swe)	6-3/200	2-Apr-96
102	Ales Stezka	G	Liberec (Cze)	6-3/180	6-Jan-97
103	Ethan Bear	D	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/200	26-Jun-97
104	Mathieu Joseph	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	9-Feb-97
105	Jeremiah Addison	LW	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	21-Oct-96
106	Devante Stephens	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Jan-97
107	Michael McNiven	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/205	9-Jul-97
108	Jeremy Lauzon	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-2/195	28-Apr-97
109	Luke Opilka	G	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	27-Feb-97
110	Philippe Myers	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-5/195	25-Jan-97
111	Adam Werner	G	Farjestads (Swe)	6-5/185	2-May-97
112	Brendan Warren	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/190	7-May-97
113	Julius Nattinen	C	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	6-2/190	14-Jan-97
114	Colton White	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/185	3-May-97
115	Samuel Dove-McFalls	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-2/205	10-Apr-97
116	Veeti Vainio	D	Blues (Fin)	6-2/170	16-Jun-97
117	Matt Bradley	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/185	22-Jan-97
118	Tyler Soy	C	Victoria (WHL)	5-11/170	10-Feb-97
119	Dmytro Timashov	LW	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/190	1-Oct-96
120	A.J. Greer	LW	Boston University (HE)	6-2/205	14-Dec-96

2015 NHL Draft – Top 20 WHL Prospects

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 04:18:15 +0000

Mathew Barzal unquestionably boasts the wheels to play catch up.

Since returning from a 27-game absence to November knee surgery, Barzal has been making up for lost ground.

The Coquitlam, B.C. native has been turning heads with his speed and playmaking abilities, racking up 30 points in his past 18 games (18-5-25-30) - to move into second in scoring for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

His draft stock is improving steadily as he shows scouts more of an 'inside' game - and helps dispel concerns early on the season that he plays too much on the perimeter.

Barzal moves into the top 10 on the McKeen's rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft - and sits second among WHL players behind Brandon's Ivan Provorov.

Barzal is one of four Seattle Thunderbirds to earn a place in the WHL Top 20 list of draft-eligible prospects.

Winger Ryan Gropp is ranked ninth among WHL players - and 48th overall - with Keegan Kolesar 15th (76 overall) and blueliner Ethan Bear at No. 20 (103rd overall).

WHL	ALL	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	5	Ivan Provorov	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jan-97
2	10	Mathew Barzal	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/175	26-May-97
3	17	Nick Merkley	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	23-May-97
4	20	Paul Bittner	LW	Portland (WHL)	6-4/210	4-Nov-96
5	21	Brandon Carlo	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-5/200	26-Nov-96
6	24	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Swift Current (WHL)	5-11/170	17-Oct-96
7	35	Jansen Harkins	C	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/180	23-May-97
8	41	Noah Juulsen	D	Everett (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Apr-97
9	48	Ryan Gropp	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/185	16-Sep-96
10	52	Glenn Gawdin	C	Swift Current (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Mar-97
11	56	Adam Musil	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	6-2/200	26-Mar-97
12	59	Brendan Guhle	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-1/185	29-Jul-97
13	63	Ryan Pilon	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/210	10-Oct-96
14	65	Austin Wagner	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-1/180	23-Jun-97
15	76	Keegan Kolesar	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	8-Apr-97
16	77	Kevin Davis	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/185	14-Mar-97
17	91	Chaz Reddekopp	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-3/220	1-Jan-97
18	93	Parker Wotherspoon	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/170	24-Aug-97
19	99	Jesse Gabrielle	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/205	17-Jun-97
20	103	Ethan Bear	D	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/200	26-Jun-97

Wheeler’s Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League (February)

Scott Wheeler — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 19:01:56 +0000

Each season, I release three instalments of my rankings of the top 60 prospects for the NHL draft. This year, these rankings will be divided by league and produced in November, February and May (prior to the draft itself) and available online at McKeen’s for the first time.

Note on the rankings: The following rankings are compiled through extensive coverage and viewings of Ottawa 67s and Gatineau Olympiques home games, which provide the chance to watch and follow a hundred or-so draft eligible players in the OHL and QMJHL who make up the majority of the top end of the draft class (especially this year in a very QMJHL-populated class) from training camps through playoffs. For prospects from the NCAA, USHL, NTDP and abroad, I make sure I have several viewings before the first publication of these rankings in November. These viewings are cumulative from this year and last (while scouting the previous class). Events viewed beyond the CHL include the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Junior Development Camps, the Subway Super Series, Under 17s, Under 18s, club play internationally, marquee U.S. events and a heavy focus on a select few European players in SHL and Swe. Jr. games.

February’s Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League (overall ranking in brackets)

OHL:

Connor McDavid, Erie, C (#1)
Dylan Strome, Erie, C (#4)
Mitchell Marner, London, C (#5)
Pavel Zacha, Sarnia, C (#12)
Travis Konecny, Ottawa, C (#14)
Lawson Crouse, Kingston, LW (#15)
Nikita Korostelev, Sarnia, RW (#29)
Matthew Spencer, Peterborough, D (#46)
Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa, D (#51)
Blake Speers, Sault Ste. Marie, C (#52)
Dante Salituro, Ottawa, C (#54)
Vince Dunn, Niagara, D (#57)

QMJHL:

Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke, D (#13)
Daniel Sprong, Charlottetown, RW (#16)
Evgeni Svechnikov, Cape Breton, LW (#18)
Jakub Zboril, Saint John, D (#19)
Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan, C/LW (#24)
Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown, C (#25)
Timo Meier, Halifax, RW/C (#26)
Thomas Chabot, Saint John, D (#28)
Dennis Yan, Shawinigan, LW (#30)
Nathan Noel, Saint John, C (#34)
Nicolas Meloche, Baie-Comeau, D (#35)
Yakov Trenin, Gatineau, LW (#38)
Guillaume Brisebois, Acadie-Bathurst, D (#47)
Dmytro Timashov, Quebec, LW/RW (#48)
Nicolas Roy, Chicoutimi, C (#49)
Alexandre Carrier, Gatineau, D (59)

WHL:

Ivan Provorov, Brandon, D (#7)
Mathew Barzal, Seattle, C (#8)
Nick Merkley, Kelowna, C (#11)
Jansen Harkins, Prince George, C (#23)
Jake DeBrusk, Swift Current, LW (#27)
Ryan Pilon, Brandon, D (#32)
Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, D (#33)
Paul Bittner, Portland, LW (#39)
Ryan Gropp, Seattle, LW (#40)
Noah Juulsen, Everett, D (#45)
Adam Musil, Red Deer, C (#50)

United States (NCAA, USHL, NTDP):

Jack Eichel, Boston University, C (#2)
Noah Hanifin, Boston College, D (#3)
Zach Werenski, Michigan, D (#6)
Kyle Connor, Youngstown, C (#17)
Jeremy Bracco, NTDP, RW (#20)
Brock Boeser, Waterloo, RW (#21)
Colin White, NTDP, C (#22)
Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Omaha, C (#36)
Thomas Novak, Waterloo, C (#37)
Jordan Greenway, NTDP, LW (#41)
Christian Fischer, NTDP, C (#43)

Sweden (SHL, Swe. Jr.):

Oliver Kylington, AIK/Farjestad, D (#9)
Jens Looke, Brynas, RW (#31)
Jacob Larsson, Frolunda, D (#44)
Filip Ahl, HV71, RW (#53)
Sebastian Aho, Skelleftea, D (#56)
Jesper Lindgren, Modo, D (#58)

Finland:

Mikko Rantanen, TPS, RW (#10)
Roope Hintz, Ilves, RW (#60)

Slovakia:

Erik Cernak, Kosice, D (#42)

Czech Republic:

Michael Spacek, HC Pardubice, RW (#55)

Just missed: Mitchell Stephens, Anthony Richard, Kay Schweri, Graham Knott, Gabriel Carlsson, Ethan Bear, Rasmus Andersson, Travis Dermott, Tyler Soy, Glenn Gawdin, Alex Dergachyov, Denis Gurianov, Denis Kase, Jonas Siegenthaler, Julius Nattinen, Adam Marsh, Parker Wotherspoon.

If you have any questions regarding a player, or his ranking, don’t hesitate to contact me @scottcwheeler. Be sure to check out the latest edition of the McKeen’s 2015 Top 30 NHL Draft Rankings as well.

McKeen’s 2015 NHL Top 75 Draft Rankings (Jan-2015)

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:24:53 +0000

A quick demographic breakdown of the McKeen's Top 75 rankings suggests the 2015 NHL Draft is shaping up to have not only good depth but also balance.

The five primary regions are represented fairly equally with the QMJHL leading the way with 17 prospects ranked - followed closely by the OHL (16), Europe/International (16), the WHL (15), and the U.S. (11).

RANK	PREV	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	1	Connor McDavid	C	Erie (OHL)	6-1/195	13-Jan-97
2	2	Jack Eichel	C	Boston University (HE)	6-2/195	28-Oct-96
3	3	Noah Hanifin	D	Boston College (HE)	6-3/205	25-Jan-97
4	6	Mitchell Marner	C	London (OHL)	5-11/160	5-May-97
5	5	Lawson Crouse	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-4/210	23-Jun-97
6	7	Dylan Strome	C	Erie (OHL)	6-3/190	7-May-97
7	11	Zach Werenski	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-2/205	19-Jul-97
8	22	Ivan Provorov	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jan-97
9	4	Pavel Zacha	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/210	6-Apr-97
10	9	Nick Merkley	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	23-May-97
11	18	Mikko Rantanen	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-3/210	29-Oct-96
12	10	Mathew Barzal	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/175	26-May-97
13	17	Jeremy Roy	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/190	14-May-97
14	8	Kyle Connor	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/185	9-Dec-96
15	26	Evgeni Svechnikov	LW	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-2/200	31-Oct-96
16	13	Travis Konecny	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/175	11-Mar-97
17	14	Oliver Kylington	D	Farjestads (Swe)	6-0/185	19-May-97
18	12	Colin White	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	30-Jan-97
19	16	Paul Bittner	LW	Portland (WHL)	6-4/210	4-Nov-96
20	NR	Thomas Chabot	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-97
21	15	Jakub Zboril	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	21-Feb-97
22	20	Matthew Spencer	D	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/200	24-Mar-97
23	30	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Swift Current (WHL)	5-11/170	17-Oct-96
24	NR	Timo Meier	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/210	8-Oct-96
25	19	Brandon Carlo	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-5/200	26-Nov-96
26	28	Daniel Sprong	RW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-97
27	24	Jansen Harkins	C	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/180	23-May-97
28	NR	Guillaume Brisebois	D	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	6-2/170	21-Jul-97
29	NR	Brock Boeser	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-Feb-97
30	NR	Jens Looke	RW	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	11-Apr-97
31	NR	Mackenzie Blackwood	G	Barrie (OHL)	6-4/215	9-Dec-96
32	21	Jacob Larsson	D	Frolunda (Swe)	6-2/190	29-Apr-97
33	25	Dennis Yan	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-1/180	14-Apr-97
34	NR	Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson	C	Omaha (USHL)	6-1/195	31-Oct-96
35	NR	Callum Booth	G	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/200	21-May-97
36	NR	Jonas Siegenthaler	D	ZSC Zurich (Sui)	6-2/220	6-May-97
37	29	Tom Novak	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/180	28-Apr-97
38	NR	Blake Speers	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/180	2-Jan-97
39	NR	Alexander Dergachyov	RW	SKA St. Petersburg (Rus)	6-4/200	27-Sep-96
40	NR	Nikita Korostelev	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/195	8-Feb-97
41	NR	Sebastian Aho	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	5-11/175	26-Jul-97
42	23	Nicolas Roy	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-4/200	5-Feb-97
43	NR	David Kase	C	Chomutov (Cze)	5-11/170	28-Jan-97
44	NR	Yakov Trenin	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/195	13-Jan-97
45	NR	Gabriel Carlsson	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-4/185	2-Jan-97
46	NR	Filip Ahl	LW	HV 71 (Swe)	6-3/210	12-Jun-97
47	NR	Glenn Gawdin	C	Swift Current (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Mar-97
48	NR	Adam Musil	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	6-2/200	26-Mar-97
49	NR	Jeremy Bracco	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-9/175	17-Mar-97
50	NR	Ryan Pilon	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/210	10-Oct-96
51	NR	Filip Chlapik	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-1/195	3-Jun-97
52	NR	Nathan Noel	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/175	21-Jun-97
53	NR	Graham Knott	LW	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/195	13-Jan-97
54	NR	Daniel Vladar	G	Kladno (Cze)	6-5/185	20-Aug-97
55	27	Jordan Greenway	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-5/225	16-Feb-97
56	NR	Michael Spacek	C	Pardubice (Cze)	5-11/190	9-Apr-97
57	NR	Anthony Beauvillier	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-10/175	8-Jun-97
58	NR	Ryan Gropp	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/185	16-Sep-96
59	NR	Felix Sandstrom	G	Brynas (Swe)	6-2/190	12-Jan-97
60	NR	Parker Wotherspoon	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/170	24-Aug-97
61	NR	Nicolas Meloche	D	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-2/200	18-Jul-97
62	NR	Roope Hintz	LW	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	6-2/185	17-Nov-96
63	NR	Noah Juulsen	D	Everett (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Apr-97
64	NR	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/195	30-Mar-97
65	NR	Erik Cernak	D	Kosice (Svk)	6-3/200	28-May-97
66	NR	Brendan Guhle	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/180	29-Jul-97
67	NR	Mitchell Stephens	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/185	5-Feb-97
68	NR	Mitchell Vande Sompel	D	Oshawa (OHL)	5-10/180	11-Feb-97
69	NR	Adam Marsh	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	22-Aug-97
70	NR	Jesse Gabrielle	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/205	17-Jun-97
71	NR	Denis Gurianov	RW	Lada Togliatti (Rus)	6-2/185	7-Jun-97
72	NR	Rasmus Andersson	D	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/215	27-Oct-96
73	NR	Dmytro Timashov	LW	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/190	1-Oct-96
74	NR	Justin Lemcke	D	Belleville (OHL)	6-2/200	13-Feb-97
75	NR	Matej Tomek	G	Topeka (NAHL)	6-2/180	24-May-97

Wheeler’s Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League (November)

Scott Wheeler — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 16:22:15 +0000

Each season, I release three installments of my rankings of the top 60 prospects for the NHL draft. This year, these rankings will be divided by league and produced in November, February and May (prior to the draft itself) and available online at McKeen’s for the first time.

Note on the rankings: The following rankings are compiled through extensive coverage and viewings of Ottawa 67s and Gatineau Olympiques home games, which provide the chance to watch and follow a hundred or-so draft eligible players in the OHL and QMJHL who make up the majority of the top end of the draft class (especially this year in a very QMJHL-populated class) from training camps through playoffs. For prospects from the NCAA, USHL, NTDP and abroad, I make sure I have several viewings before the first publication of these rankings in November. These viewings are cumulative from this year and last (while scouting the previous class). Events viewed beyond the CHL include the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Junior Development Camps, the Subway Super Series, Under 17s, Under 18s, club play internationally, marquee U.S. events and a heavy focus on a select few European players in SHL and Swe. Jr. games.

November’s Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League (overall ranking in brackets)

OHL:

Connor McDavid, Erie, C (#1)
Dylan Strome, Erie, C (#4)
Mitchell Marner, London, C (#5)
Pavel Zacha, Sarnia, C (#7)
Travis Konecny, Ottawa, C (#12)
Lawson Crouse, Kingston, LW (#15)
Nikita Korostelev, Sarnia, RW (#26)
Matthew Spencer, Peterborough, D (#41)
Blake Speers, Sault Ste. Marie, C (#45)
Graham Knott, Niagara, LW (#46)
Mitchell Stephens, Saginaw, C/RW (#48)
Dante Salituro, Ottawa, C (#53)
Vince Dunn, Niagara, D (#54)
Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa, D (#57)

QMJHL:

Daniel Sprong, Charlottetown, RW (#11)
Evgeni Svechnikov, Cape Breton, LW (#16)
Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix, D (#17)
Jakub Zboril, Saint John, D (#19)
Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown, C (#24)
Dennis Yan, Shawinigan, LW (#27)
Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan, C (#28)
Nicolas Roy, Chicoutimi, C (#29)
Nicolas Meloche, Baie-Comeau, D(#31)
Nathan Noel, Saint John (#32), C
Thomas Chabot, Saint John, D (#42)
Yakov Trenin, Gatineau, LW (#43)
Guillaume Brisebois, Acadie-Bathurst, D (#44)
Alexandre Carrier, Gatineau, D (#60)

WHL:

Matthew Barzal, Seattle, C (#6)
Nick Merkley, Kelowna, RW (#10)
Ivan Provorov, Brandon, D (#22)
Jansen Harkins, Prince George, C (#23)
Ryan Pilon, Brandon, D (#30)
Paul Bittner, Portland, LW (#33)
Adam Musil, Red Deer, C (#35)
Ryan Gropp, Seattle, LW (#36)
Jake DeBrusk, Swift Current, LW (#37)
Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, D (#39)
Noah Juulsen, Everett, D (#52)
Ethan Bear, Seattle, D (#58)

United States (NCAA, USHL, NTDP):

Jack Eichel, Boston University, C (#2)
Noah Hanifin, Boston College, D (#3)
Kyle Connor, Youngstown, C (#9)
Zach Werenski, Michigan, D (#13)
Colin White, NTDP, C (#14)
Brock Boeser, Waterloo, C (#20)
Jeremy Bracco, NTDP, RW (#21)
Jordan Greenway, NTDP, LW (#25)
Tom Novak, Waterloo, C (#34)
Christian Fischer, NTDP, C (#38)
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Omaha, C (#51)

Sweden (SHL, Swe. Jr.):

Oliver Kylington, Farjestad, D (#8)
Jacob Larsson, Frolunda Jr., D (#40)
Filip Ahl, HV71 Jr., RW (#47)
Gabriel Carlsson, Linkoping Jr., D (#50)
Jesper Lindgren, Modo Jr., D (#59)

Finland:

Mikko Rantanen, TPS Turku, RW (#18)
Julius Nattinen, JYP, C (#49)

Czech Republic:

Michael Spacek, HC Pardubice, RW(#55)

Slovakia:

Erik Cernak, Kosice, D (#56)

Scout’s Notebook: Provorov approved; tracking Trocheck

McKeen's Hockey — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:23:31 +0000

Observations, scouting analysis, and game reports from around the McKeen's network - and beyond....

Photo by Tim Smith

PRAIRIE RICH... The Brandon Wheat Kings have produced first-round NHL picks in each of the past two drafts (Ryan Pulock, John Quenneville) and likely will make it three straight - with a chance to hit a double. Ivan Provorov is the Russian import from Yaroslavl who has taken the league by storm with eight goals to lead all WHL blueliners. He also leads all rookies with 24 points - tied for 17th in league scoring - with Portland's leading scorer Chase De Leo. Provorov is smart, poised and mature for his age particularly as a puckmover. Staying calm under pressure and finding clean outlets is just part of Provorov's arsenal - yet he also possesses the fine puck skills to execute on his ideas. We will want to see if he continues to find innovative - and fairly timely - ways to integrate himself into the offence and exploit sharp shooting abilities. Pucks don't stay on his stick for long - as his release is quick and compact - and shots seem to arrive earlier than goalies anticipate. He is ranked 22nd in the McKeen's top 30 preliminary list - with teammate Ryan Pilon not far behind - among a pack of players jockeying for position early in our second round. Pilon, the nephew of former NHLer Rich Pilon, is wearing an 'A' and handling a heavy workload - filling the void left by the pro departures of Pulock and Rene Hunter, a pair of minute-munchers last season on Brandon's blueline. However, both Pilon and Provorov have work to do in terms of developing their overall defensive play - the progress of which will dictate where they ultimately end up being selected on draft day. The Wheaties also have Jesse Gabrielle, a rugged, thick-bodied winger who began the season playing alongside 16-year-old Nolan Patrick, a prized prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft, and has worked his way up the lineup. Gabrielle is off to a breakout start in his second year having already matched his 12-goal rookie totals from `13-14 - after just 22 games. The native of Moosomin, Saskatchewan is a grinding, up-and-down type of winger capable of complementing skilled linemates with a physical and agitating presence. There are lots of stops and starts in his game - a reflection of a 'reactive' type of game - which have the scouts wanting to see more 'invention' in his play. At this stage, Gabrielle is a top-60 candidate - with upside.

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DRAFT MOVERS & WILDCARDS

Filip Ahl (2015), LW, HV 71 (Swe)... Among the more intriguing wildcards in this draft class, the Swedish winger is appealing due to soft hands and a hulking 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame. Can be a monster when aggressively using his body, but is inconsistent and seems to favour finesse over power. Could be a potential home-run pick. On a humourous note, resident draft guru Grant McCagg wryly observes, 'this kid has 'AHL' written all over him'.... Draft Ranking: 25-40

Tory Dello (2015), D, Tri-City (USHL).... The Crystal Lake, Illinois native is making a name for himself as a reliable, all-rounded blueliner who eschews flash for substance. Dello doesn't dazzle in any specific area, yet is a player that delivers more than the sum of his parts. A steady defender who makes calm, calculated decisions with the puck. Boasts a strong lower body plus good mobility and range. Turned in solid performances at the Ivan Hlinka and All-American Prospects Game - and is committed to the University of Notre Dame.... Draft Ranking: 90-100

Nicolas Meloche (2015), D, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL).... Meloche has shown more offensive ability than was expected early on during a breakout second season. Already matched his rookie totals from `13-14 in only 25 games - and sits tied for the QMJHL lead among blueliners with six goals. Packs a big slapshot and is a balanced skater who turns, pivots, and transitions well. Knows how to use his large 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and long reach defending. From Rosemère, Quebec and the 15th-overall pick in the 2013 QMJHL Draft.... Draft Ranking: 40-50

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ON THE RADAR... Recent game reports on a pair of draft-eligible blueline prospects playing with the NTDP

Grant Gabriele (2015), D, NTDP-18 (USA)
Joins the Program on a full-time basis after capturing a silver medal at the Ivan Hlinka tournament .. a full-bodied defenseman who is an upright skater .. skates point inwards - yet boasts slightly better-than-average straight-ahead speed .. his lateral movement is okay, though shows some chunky footwork at times as his mechanics lack fluidity .. an opportunistic puck-rusher who doesn't hesitate to spring out of the zone to make a play .. can show a lack of regard for his defensive partner however as he will take off suddenly and can get caught deep, unable to recover .. his play with the puck shows enthusiasm but lacks structure - not an elite puckhandler .. needs to make plays to his strong side as he shows a penchant to waffle at times and will force plays to his backhand without taking an extra step to evaluate his options better .. his defensive game requires refinement .. can lose his man around the goal and needs to apply more pressure in down-low situations .. leaned on by his coach to assume the bulk of the offensive duties as he is a regular on the PP, however may be playing ahead of his position - and would benefit from having time to settle into his new surroundings and role.

Casey Fitzgerald (2015), D, NTDP-18 (USA)
The son of Tom and brother of Ryan Fitzgerald (Bos, 2013-120th) and set to follow in their footsteps having committed to Boston College .. a small yet extremely slick, agile and intelligent blueliner .. good under pressure - makes plays .. reads and reacts well to a developing play, yet struggled when the play shifted down low as he could not contain size and stronger players .. does a solid job of getting to the play first and knocking the puck away from a potentially dangerous scoring situation .. always moving and constantly giving his defence partner an outlet .. rushes the puck and is (currently) the most experienced and capable puckmoving defender on the back-end .. plays are well thought out and executed at a reasonably high rate of speed .. sees the ice well and can handle the puck .. his skating lacks an explosive element, however he is able to sidestep the opposition and slither into good positions on the ice .. his size and strength hold him back at this level, but he should have plenty of time to develop at the collegiate level - and obviously has sound hockey bloodlines.

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PRO PROSPECT TRACKER... Monitoring the development of NHL prospects with McKeen's director of pro scouting & analytics, Gus Katsaros.

Mark McNeill (Chi), RW, Rockford (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs sophomore overcame a brutally slow start - with two unimpressive viewings early in the season through Hamilton and Toronto where he lagged the play, stayed to the outside of defenders and stopping cold to make plays .. former pivot, has been used as a winger, defensively prepped at the top of the zone as per winger's duties and less inclined to make a lot of individual plays .. he's turned it right around to lead Rockford in scoring through a scorching November (6-7-1-8), ranking sixth in the AHL in points and second overall in AHL goals (9) - two via empty net .. on-ice numbers are divergent from the hot November, with an on-ice goals percentage of 42.5% meaning he's been on the ice for more goals against than goals for - considering for the small sample of just over a dozen hockey games .. has recorded a point on 94% of the goals scored while he's been on the ice .. he's recorded seven assists, with only two as primary and five secondary .. there's a Jekyll and Hyde performance to the former Prince Albert Raiders that has to settle into some consistency in his second season before he gets into a Blackhawks uniform.

Vincent Trocheck (Fla), C, San Antonio (AHL)
Second-year Panther earned a Halloween promotion to the parent club after starting off the season with six points in the first eight games with San Antonio (8-2-4-6), earning points in 54.6% of the goals scored while he was on the ice - 45% as even strength .. in addition the team scored 64.7% of the goals (9 goals for, 3 against) while he was on the ice averaging about 18 minutes per game .. work stems from a wide base and solid edges, legs a fair width apart for balance without the puck .. creatively tries to maneuver around defensemen, with foot shuffles and shifty feet .. can be a bit of a rover and find space all over the playing surface instead of maintaining a patrol as a winger would while playing as center .. playing secondary situations with a Florida team desperately starved for offense, directing play for the most part in the proper direction and chipping in five points in seven games (7-1-4-5) all at even strength .. looks like he's earned a full-time promotion to the parent club.