Stephen Peck – McKeen's Hockey

2024 NHL DRAFT: RE-ENTRY CANDIDATES – USA

Editor: Brock Otten - Contributors - Brock Otten, Mark Dube and Ethan Hetu — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:59:49 +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 two of the series, putting the spotlight on those re-entries available from leagues based out of the United States.

USHL

Austin Burnevik. Photo courtesy of the USHL.

Austin Burnevik - Wing - Madison Capitals

Burnevik was in my opinion a surprise to be passed up at the 2023 NHL Draft last year. It may have been due to the fact that Burnevik was demoted to the U17 team towards the end of the year and left off the IIHF U18 roster, but the tools were there for him to still be selected. Quiet offensively for a stacked NTDP team last year, posting 19 points in 43 games, Burnevik has found his scoring touch with the Madison Capitols in the USHL this year where he leads the team in points (59) and goals (36) as of this writing. He is a large-bodied forward, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 201 pounds. These types of players take more time to develop as they grow into their bodies, and we are seeing this trend with Burnevik. The St. Cloud commit has an NHL-caliber shot to go along with some decent vision and passing in his repertoire. The only concern with Burnevik’s development at this point is his skating, but with some growth and strength conditioning, he may be able to overcome that deficiency and make the next jump, especially when he begins to play at the NCAA level next season. There’s a pretty good chance a team will take a chance on him at this year’s draft. (Mark Dube)

Kaden Shahan - Wing - Sioux City Musketeers

Shahan has taken a big leap forward in his development this season while playing in Sioux City of the USHL. He currently sits second in goals (35) in the entire league and has amassed 49 points in 46 games in his second season. Shahan is currently ranked as a fifth-round projection according to the NHL Central Scouting Midterm list. He is committed to the University of Connecticut next season which should help with his progression and development, playing at a higher level against older players. Shahan possesses a great motor and is always engaging on the forecheck and works hard along the boards and is not afraid to get physical, all traits that are translatable at the NHL level, in a bottom-six checking type role. The fact that he has elevated his offensive output and demonstrated some scoring touch bodes well for a potential re-entry selection at the 2024 NHL Draft. (Mark Dube)

Charlie Cerrato - Center - Youngstown Phantoms

Cerrato re-enters the NHL draft after being part of the U18 NTDP team last season where he played a limited role and ultimately ended the season skating with the U17 crew (like the aforementioned Burnevik). He brings tenacity and a willingness to challenge players along the boards and in front of the net, but his skill set is still somewhat limited at this point, even if he is seeing some offensive success with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL this season. Cerrato currently has 42 points in 35 games played and is committed to Penn State University next year where he will continue his development. He is ranked in the seventh round on the NHL Central Scouting Midterm list. (Mark Dube)

Blake Montgomery - Wing - Lincoln Stars

After spending his draft campaign playing U18 AAA hockey at Mount St. Charles Academy, Montgomery moved to the USHL for a season of preparation before he heads off to the University of Maine in the fall. While his production at Mount St. Charles (33 points in 52 games) made him a long shot to be selected in the 2023 class (he ultimately went undrafted) it’s the immense progress he’s shown in his time with USHL Lincoln that makes him a candidate to hear his name called at this summer’s draft. The core appeal of Montgomery as a prospect is his tools. The left winger stands six-foot-four and still has room to fill into that frame as he’s listed at just 175 pounds by the Stars. Montgomery’s skating is pretty good for someone his size, and he can be quite a lot to handle when he’s charging full steam ahead on the rush. His reach creates turnovers all over the ice and has been the catalyst for many a rush chance this season. For someone his size, Montgomery has quality puck skills. He’s not an out-of-this-world dangler, but he’s definitely capable of putting a highlight together here and there. That’s certainly the type of game he appears to want to play, and he’s done so with some success in the USHL. Montgomery’s tools have started to come together on a more consistent basis, and he’s been arguably the Stars’ best player this season. While there’s still a long runway ahead of him, Montgomery is an interesting prospect for a team to draft and then track as he develops at the University of Wisconsin. (Ethan Hetu)

Jake Fisher - Center - Fargo Force

A dominant high school player in his first year of draft eligibility, Fisher did not hear his name called in the 2023 draft in large part due to questions over how his game might translate at a higher level of hockey. It’s likely that teams were most likely looking to see how he’d fare playing against tougher competition in the USHL before deciding whether to invest a draft pick in him. In his draft year, Fisher’s limited USHL exposure didn’t exactly go well, as he played sparingly, didn’t make much of an impact when he did play, and Fargo won only four of twelve games with him in their lineup. This season, though, Fisher has found his way in the USHL. He’s at the moment slotted in as the Force’s second-line center (behind high-flying Penguins prospect Zam Plante) and is scoring at around a point-per-game rate. With a college career playing at the University of Denver on the horizon, Fisher could very well hear his name called at the 2024 draft by teams looking to see what one of the best coaches in college hockey (Denver’s David Carle) can do with him. Standing 6’2, 192 lbs, the main point of progress Fisher has made in morphing himself into a draft-able prospect is his physical development. He’s far better suited at the moment to survive the rigors of USHL hockey than he was a year ago, and it’s evident when comparing his shifts for Fargo last season compared to this year. He no longer looks overwhelmed and as a result is in a better position to show off his standout offensive tool, which is widely held to be his shot. Fisher is a player with whom it isn’t exactly difficult to imagine an NHL future. He works hard, brings some offense, and has all the physical tools teams look for. The question Fisher will need to answer is if he has enough dynamic quality, efficiency, or versatility to his game to be more than just an elite junior (and potentially NCAA) player. (Ethan Hetu)

Joe Connor - Center - Muskegon Lumberjacks

Although the presence of two top USHL products for the 2024 draft (Sacha Boisvert and Matvei Gridin) has drawn most of the attention among Muskegon Lumberjacks, Joe Connor’s progress is notable and has made him a prospect worthy of consideration for the 2024 draft. Like Fisher, the Avon Old Farms product only played in 12 USHL games last season, though he did keep his head above water to a degree Fisher was unable to manage. This season, Connor has emerged as one of Muskegon’s most reliable offensive producers outside of the big two in Gridin and Boisvert. While Connor was prolific playing high school hockey and wowed scouts with his work ethic and exceptional energy level, he simply was not playing against strong enough competition to confidently project how his game might translate at the pro level. Now with a full USHL campaign under his belt, Connor has put together a body of work that suggests a pro future is very much in the cards. Connor was a well-liked but ultimately undrafted prospect last season in large part due to his motor. This season, it’s how Connor has learned to better manage his motor that’s been the most significant improvement. Connor has shown the ability to moderate his energy level in order to provide more nuance and deceptive potential to his game. He’s no longer running at top speed all the time, and his ability to utilize his teammates to create offense has improved as a result. That core tool still remains, and it’s one that will carry him to Northeastern in the fall. The lack of high-end skill or true deceptive elements in Connor’s game likely means he doesn’t have a high-end ceiling at the pro level, but the easy-to-appreciate aspects of Connor’s profile such as his work rate and skating gives him legitimate potential to be a role player in the pros. (Ethan Hetu)

Benjamin Poitras - Wing - Green Bay Gamblers

While Poitras certainly had a solid USHL rookie season, his 37-point performance was not enough for him to hear his name called. As a five-foot-eleven forward with average-to-below-average physical tools, Poitras simply did not possess the kind of profile NHL teams are looking to invest in with their limited number of draft picks. Now with another season of USHL hockey under his belt, Poitras stands a better chance of hearing his name called at the 2024 draft, though his fate there is still very much up in the air. Poitras is a good skater, but not an elite one. He’s got enough zip to be an asset off the puck on the forecheck and hustling back in transition, and his speed is certainly something to build off of. Poitras also has a decent skill level, and the combination of those puck skills with his skating allows him to create a decent number of relatively clean carry-in zone entries for his team. That being said, his approach to offense can be very straightforward at times. While he works hard and has produced effectively this season, his game lacks the kind of deceptive elements that lead to offense at higher levels. It’s certainly something he can work on, but at the moment it’s hard to have a ton of confidence that he’ll pile up points against more difficult competition. Still, his skating, work rate, and basic skill level are enough to make him worth considering for the 2024 draft, especially since he’ll be at Northeastern next season which could be a strong place for him to continue his development. (Ethan Hetu)

Philippe Blais-Savoie - Defense - Tri-City Storm

Blais-Savoie’s statline certainly doesn’t stand out to the point where you’d assume he was a serious draft candidate. However, offense isn’t his game. He’s a lockdown, stay at home defender who is unquestionably one of the best defensive players in the USHL. This was also evident at the World Junior A Challenge, where he was named a tournament all star despite barely hitting the scoresheet. The issue is that Blais-Savoie doesn’t have the size/reach that you like to see from your typical stay at home types in the NHL; he’s a non-traditional defensive stalwart. However, with excellent mobility and strong defensive instincts, it’s clear that Blais-Savoie doesn’t need to be hulking to be highly effective at the junior level. Colorado College has rapidly turned into a premier program again under Kris Mayotte and scouts are bound to love that destination for Blais-Savoie. It wouldn’t shock me at all if he were a late round selection by a team who believes that his safe puck play and defensive acumen could make him a Zach Whitecloud type. (Brock Otten)

Ethan Gardula - Wing - Sioux City Musketeers

Not a dynamic player, but Gardula has been extremely effective for Sioux City this year in his first full season out of Cushing Academy. He builds in deception well by varying his pace and altering his approach offensively, reacting to what the defense gives him. More slippery than quick, Gardula is confident on his edges and can shake coverage by quickly pivoting or shifting his direction; utilizing stops and starts while maintaining possession. Gardula is also an active forechecker who plays a physical game, consistently applying pressure in retrieval opportunities. A high IQ player, NHL scouts are bound to hesitate regarding Gardula because the physical tools are currently lacking. There’s a need to improve his explosiveness and quickness, and with average size and skill, questions regarding his projection are realistic. A UConn commit, NHL teams may take a wait and see approach. (Brock Otten)

Erik Pahlsson - Center - Dubuque Fighting Saints

Pahlsson was ranked last year by us as a re-entry after a terrific season in the Swedish J20 league, but he ultimately went unselected. NHL scouts would be silly to make that mistake again after Pahlsson has been one of the best players in the USHL this year with Dubuque. The University of Minnesota commit’s pace of play may concern NHL scouts; he prefers to slow the game down and is at his best working East/West, versus North/South, however his vision, skill, and offensive zone anticipation are all impressive. He shows good speed in bursts and will use this to escape pressure initially, but his top speed would be classified as only average. Even though he’s an older draft prospect, he’s likely a longer term project still because there’s a need to add strength and improve his physical play in order to succeed at the higher levels with the way he likes to play. However, after three or four years at Minnesota, Pahlsson could be an excellent complementary offensive piece. (Brock Otten)

Jake Sondreal - Center/Wing - Dubuque Fighting Saints

One of the leading scorers in the USHL this year, Sondreal is a Boston College commit. He’s transformed himself from being a high energy, two-way support player to a go-to offensive player for Dubuque. His game is still fueled by his tenacious approach and speed, but he’s found a niche as a terrific offensive support player who gets himself in good scoring position and who shows good vision with the puck in transition and coming off the cycle. He’s not an overtly creative player with the puck and he’s probably best suited for the wing at the next level, but his game is tailored nicely to a middle six role at the pro level if he continues to develop. (Brock Otten)

Gavyn Thoreson - Wing - Waterloo Blackhawks

We ranked Thoreson 209th last year after a strong season split between the USHL and Minnesota High School hockey with Andover High. We liked his combination of competitiveness and skill, but worried about his lack of dynamic stride given his lack of size. Playing a full year in the USHL, it’s obvious that Thoreson has put in the work to improve his athleticism. He’s still not the most dynamic skater, but he’s more confident on his edges and has gained a step to make him more consistently dangerous on the counter attack. He’s still an impressive playmaker who can thread the needle, which in combination with his great work ethic and puck protection skills, make him one of the USHL’s premier set-up men. However, I’d put him as a draft long shot still, because of the same projection concerns teams would have likely had last year. (Brock Otten)

Noah Powell - Wing - Dubuque Fighting Saints

One of the most improved players in the USHL this year, Powell has been one of the USHL’s leading scorers in the second half of the season, emerging as an offensive juggernaut. The 6’0, 200lb power forward and Ohio State commit has learned how to leverage his size and skill advantage to become a dominant force at the junior level. He’s not the prettiest skater, but he builds up sufficient speed to play his North/South game. He’s extremely active in puck pursuit and he has great off puck instincts to help force turnovers, both with his stick and his body through heavy hits. Perhaps what has impressed me most this year is how strong his playmaking ability coming off the wall has been. He wins those battles, forces those turnovers, but is then able to quickly assess the ice in front of him to set up scoring chances. When he’s not looking to set up plays from behind the net or the half wall, he’s getting to the net front and has a clear understanding of how to be an effective power player. At this point, given his rapid progression, NHL teams would be silly to pass on him at this year’s NHL draft. (Brock Otten)

Brian Nicholas - Center - Sioux City Musketeers

A former highly touted player coming out of the New York area (and prep school scene), Nicholas’ first USHL season and initial NHL draft year did not go according to plan last year. He struggled with the adjustment and found himself buried in the Sioux City lineup. This year has been a different story. He finds himself just outside the top ten of assists in the entire USHL and Nicholas has been an offensive catalyst for Sioux City. The former Michigan, now Brown commit (he flipped his commitment early in the calendar year) has worked hard to improve his skating and that added extra speed has made him a more difficult cover in transition, especially when you factor in his strong puck protection skill. Nicholas is excellent in close quarters and does his best work in high traffic areas, utilizing his quick hands and strength on the puck to extend plays. If he could just find another level physically to improve his two-way outlook, many of his tendencies and skills could make him a solid pro. NHL scouts are sure to be familiar with Nicholas previously and it’s likely more than a few have been impressed by his improvement this season. (Brock Otten)

Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev - Goaltender - Muskegon Lumberjacks

Even if he has struggled a bit lately, Gadzhiev has done enough in a limited sample size this season to impress scouts. He came to Muskegon from the Slovak second league at the start of the calendar year and has emerged as the team’s starting netminder. He only has average size, but he’s clearly a strong athlete with the ability to cover post to post quickly and get in and out of the butterfly efficiently. He challenges shooters well and has a lot of potential technically because of his athleticism. He’s struggled a bit with his rebound control and positioning in the last little bit and teams have made adjustments on him, but his overall body of work has been solid enough. Where he goes from here remains to be seen (especially as a 2004 born). He could play in the USHL as an OA next year and try to search for an NCAA scholarship (if he’s deemed eligible despite playing in the Slovak second league). Depending on NHL interest, the avenues for his development are pretty vast. (Brock Otten)

NCAA

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 12: Northeastern defenseman Vinny Borgesi (22) turns up ice during the Beanpot Championship game between Boston University and Northeastern on February 12, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

Vinny Borgesi - Defense - Northeastern

As a five-foot-eight blueliner, Vinny Borgesi was always going to face an uphill battle in terms of getting drafted by an NHL club. While his work in the USHL was solid (38pts in 57 GP with Tri-City in his draft campaign) he didn’t put forth an overwhelming, undeniably impressive statistical case to be drafted. He ultimately didn’t hear his name called at the 2022 draft in Montreal, nor was he selected in Nashville for the 2023 draft after his freshman season at Northeastern. Now, in the midst of a significantly improved year two with the Huskies, Borgesi has his last and best chance of being selected in an NHL draft. In some ways, Borgesi is the same defenseman he was in the USHL. He remains a confident, aggressive blueliner who always seeks to activate and involve himself in the play. He’s still a strong skater (both in terms of stop-start ability/work on his edges and straight-line speed) with quality puck skills and strong vision. But now that he has significant college experience under his belt, he’s become a far more well-rounded player and a stronger pro prospect. He’s added more deception to his game, and he’s more efficient in his approach to creating offense from the blueline. One of his favorite things to do is utilize his skating to dart into open space in the offensive zone, drawing the attention of opponents and thereby creating space/separation for teammates. That’s led to quite a few assists this season. Borgesi is now the Huskies’ most relied-upon defenseman and is driving far better results than he did a year ago when he sometimes looked overwhelmed as a freshman. Borgesi averages more minutes per game than any other Huskies player, and with the box score numbers to back up his very real on-ice improvements, the smooth-skating undersized blueliner could be an intriguing late-round option for an NHL team looking for a player a bit closer to being pro-ready. (Ethan Hetu)

Tanner Adams - Center/Wing - Providence

As one of the younger players who were eligible to be drafted for the first time in 2023, it shouldn’t come as a massive surprise that Adams went undrafted last season but now looks to be a near-lock to become a 2024 selection. He was solid across two seasons in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm, if not at all spectacular. But it’s his early performances as a first-year player for the Friars that have really caught scouts’ attention. Adams won’t turn 19 until early September and has been one of the more effective forwards at Providence this season despite his relative inexperience. A well-rounded, detailed player, Adams has a commitment to bringing value on both ends of the ice. On defense, he’s a hard-working player who leverages a strong motor and quality defensive instincts to help kill chances and transition the puck to the neutral and offensive zones. On offense, Adams has decent puck skills and a functional shot, though he doesn’t have separating talent in any one offensive area. He’s a smart player who knows how to make an impact on the game, and he’s far from a perimeter player. But his offensive game can lack deception at times, and there are moments where one would like to see his understanding of timing and spacing relative to his teammates in the offensive zone improve. There’s a lot to work with here given Adams is such a versatile, hard-working player. But there may not be the kind of tools to write home about that would warrant spending a draft pick on Adams earlier than the middle rounds. (Ethan Hetu)

Dylan Hryckowian - Wing - Northeastern

The second Hryckowian brother to play at Northeastern University, Dylan Hryckowian is in the midst of an impressive freshman campaign. Despite scoring at a solid clip for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL last year, Hryckowian did not hear his name called at the 2023 draft. Now it’s his work as a freshman with the Huskies that gives him a solid chance to be selected at the 2024 process. The name of the game for Hryckowian is speed and work rate. He’s a lot to handle as the F1 on the forecheck, and he can be highly disruptive. That carries over to his work in his own zone, where he’s a plus contributor defensively and an asset in helping transition pucks up the ice. Offensively, Hryckowian is more of a mixed bag. He’s an intelligent player, and one can certainly appreciate the details of his game. He has a solid understanding of how offense is created, and his work off the puck is very polished. But in terms of his actual skill level when the puck is on his stick, he’s missing the kind of separating skill that most scorers at the pro level have. He has a decent shot and his puck skills are far from a liability at the NCAA level, but when he transitions to the pro game he could very well have trouble creating time and space with the puck on his stick unless he relies on his skating exclusively. Given those questions as to how his offense might transition to the pro game, Hryckowian isn’t likely to be selected as high as his strong college production (23 points in 29 games at the time of writing) might suggest. But his high-end skating, high-energy style, and refined understanding of how to contribute offensively away from the puck make him a solid candidate to be a late-round draft selection. (Ethan Hetu)

Patrick Geary - Defense - Michigan State

Although Patrick Geary does not have the sort of statistical profile that merits an NHL draft selection, looking at just his box score numbers either from this season at Michigan State (28 GP 11pts) or last year with USHL Waterloo (60 GP 13pts) would not do justice to how effective a player Geary is. He’s a throwback stay-at-home defenseman, a steady, reliable blueliner who can limit the likelihood of his team surrendering a goal whenever he hops over the boards while also bringing an imposing physical element. Geary was a fast-rising player at Waterloo, and although his offensive numbers actually declined year-over-year in the USHL, it’s hard to argue he wasn’t a significantly improved player in his sophomore campaign there. Now as a first-year player on a top NCAA program, Geary has not played as big of a role but has been similarly effective as a defense-first defenseman who plays with an edge. In his final year of draft eligibility, Geary has shown he can excel defensively against stiff NCAA competition. He’s certainly made strides in other aspects of his game, though those areas are still a work in progress. It’s possible an NHL team decides to invest a draft pick in Geary this summer in order to be in a position to reap the benefits of Geary’s continued development as an all-around player, hoping that at the very least he offers the basic upside of a strong defensive defenseman. (Ethan Hetu)

Isaac Gordon - Wing - Michigan Tech

One of the top scoring freshmen in college hockey this year, Gordon is operating near the point per game mark for the Huskies. He has a lot going for him as a complementary winger. His release is terrific, and he has shown an ability to score in a variety of different ways this season. He’s one of those players who hunts open ice well and always is in a strong shooting position with his stick on the ice, ready for the one timer; he doesn’t need much room to operate. He also operates well as an F1 and invites and initiates contact to make a play, making him an excellent boards player. He’s intelligent, energetic, and he has enough offensive talent to be a goal scorer at the next level. Really the only thing missing from his game is high end skating ability, which is obviously cause for concern. However, you simply can’t argue with the success he’s had this year as Michigan Tech’s leading scorer. (Brock Otten)

Gavin O’Connell - Wing - Michigan State

On a team with several NHL draft picks (and a few future ones), O’Connell has fit right in as a freshman, sitting tied for second on the team in goals (as of writing this). He’s not driving the bus, but he’s certainly helping to navigate it. He plays a really honest North/South game and has worked hard to improve his skating from last year, which has made him a more effective player on and off the puck. Equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, O’Connell is a chameleon who does what is needed depending on what the situation calls for. He shows well as a goal scorer in tight with soft hands, but he’s probably at his best putting defenders on his back driving wide or working the wall. It’s cliche, but O’Connell plays a very pro style game, built around attacking traffic, protecting the puck, and making quick decisions. Based on his development and play this year, he should very much be on the draft radar of many teams. (Brock Otten)

Ben Robertson - Defense - Cornell

Part of a very strong freshmen class for the Big Red, Robertson has had an immediate impact, playing well over 20 minutes per night on a lot of occasions. On a blueline with three NHL drafted players, Robertson has been the most effective of that group and it should bode well for his chances of being selected this year in his final year of eligibility. He doesn’t have the most efficient linear stride, but he’s quite mobile and confident on his edges, part of what makes him such a competent powerplay quarterback. He’s playing with a ton of confidence offensively despite being a freshman and is constantly looking to attack by carrying up ice into the offensive zone. Defensively, he’s been better than expected and has fit into Cornell’s system really well. Being only 5’11, there will be question marks regarding his ability to defend at the pro level. There will also be question marks surrounding whether he’s creative or innately skilled enough to be a powerplay quarterback at the pro level. However, as a heads up puck mover who gets pucks through and who can use his mobility to his advantage in all three ones, Robertson has value. (Brock Otten)

Albin Boija - Goaltender - Maine

Got confirmation that standout freshman netminder for Maine, Albin Boija, is indeed eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, despite turning 21 this year while playing in NA. Same reasoning Lucas Edmonds and Andrei Buyalsky were eligible previously. Boija has come in and stolen the starter’s job away from senior and fellow Swede Victor Ostman, posting some of the most impressive numbers in the NCAA. Boija is only average sized at 6’1, but he’s very technically sound. He is ultra-aggressive in counting down angles and lives at the edge of the blue paint. His movements are calculated to ensure that he’s covering his angles, and his rebound control is quite refined. While his pads are quick and he competes hard to make second chance saves, there’s going to be a need for him to improve his lower body strength to get quicker post to post. At times he has to take a secondary push to go post to post and might not be as quick as NHL scouts might like given his average size. However, you can’t argue with his success this year and the upside he might possess. (Brock Otten)

NAHL

Stephen Peck - Goaltender - Bismarck Bobcats

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 himself 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 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. (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

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jackson_smithknecht_-_2nd_period_11_40_-_12_2.mp4

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.

2023 NHL DRAFT: Round by round review – Brock Otten’s favourite picks and questionable selections.

Brock Otten — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:19:13 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 28: An NHL microphone setup for press conferences during the Upper Deck NHL Draft, June 28, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire)

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone. I was fortunate enough to be in Nashville for the event, representing McKeen’s. Covering the draft is always such a whirlwind, as you try to balance conversations and social media analysis, while paying attention to each and every selection. Every year, when I reflect back on the draft, especially day two, it seems like I come across a few players that make me say, “wait…they got drafted!”

The draft itself also represents the conclusion of a season’s worth of hard work. It’s not just the draft guide. It’s all the coverage leading up to that; live viewings, video work, reports, notes, etc. This year, 99 out of McKeen’s Hockey’s Top 100 were drafted. While the accuracy of an independent scouting organization’s coverage is not truly assessed until five or ten years down the line (in comparison to actual NHL draft position), the immediate feedback given by that sort of parallel (with the opinion of NHL scouts) is encouraging and fulfilling.

So, let’s talk about my review of the draft. Chase Rochon, who was with me in Nashville, has written a comprehensive article that ranks and grades the performance of each team through his lens. I’m going to be doing something a little different. For each round, I’m going to highlight my two favourite picks and the pick that I have the most questions about. I’m also going to highlight five of my favourite players who went unselected this year.

Round One

Favourite Selection - Oliver Moore, 19th to Chicago

The opinions on Moore’s offensive upside vary. But at 19th, even if he only ends up as an Andrew Cogliano type role player, the value is great. But, if he does end up as a Dylan Larkin type, it suddenly becomes one of the best, if not the best pick in the first round. The best skater in the draft and one of the better defensive forwards in the draft, Moore was a personal favourite of ours at McKeen’s.

Favourite Selection - Ryan Leonard, 8th to Washington

Simply put, I would have taken Leonard earlier than this and preferred him to a few of the players who went ahead of him. Every year we look around the NHL playoffs and see teams finding success because of players like Leonard. This is someone who can have a similar impact in the league to the Tkachuk brothers. Leonard can really do it all on the ice; his game is so mature and consistent. This is the perfect selection for a team who wants to keep their competitive window open. Leonard may only need one year in the NCAA with Boston College.

Questionable Selection - Charlie Stramel, 21st to Minnesota

I know that his season in Wisconsin didn’t go according to plan, but why were NHL scouts so willing to give him a pass for poor play when they weren’t willing to do the same for the likes of Cam Allen or Caden Price. Because he’s a big, athletic pivot? So is a guy like David Edstrom and he went later in the first, despite showing a much steeper development curve than Stramel. If I was the Wild, I would be doing everything in my power to get him out of Wisconsin next year and into the WHL, where his power game would be highly appreciated.

Round Two

Favourite Selection - Lukas Dragicevic, 57th to Seattle

I’m far from a Dragicevic hype man. I think his game is flawed and I didn’t think he deserved to be a first-round pick (unlike others on the McKeen’s team). However, in the late second round? The upside is well worth the risk outside of the top 50. Seattle is a team that has drafted extremely well, and they could afford to bank on Dragicevic’s insanely high offensive potential. They drafted Ty Nelson last year and his defensive game made great strides this year. Dragicevic can do the same.

Favourite Selection - Danny Nelson, 49th to New York Islanders

Nelson was one of the most improved players in the second half of the draft year after switching to pivot full time and emerging at the U.S. shutdown center on the U18 team. He’s got size. He’s athletic. His on puck play and scoring ability improved greatly over the year. Is he someone that is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential? Did playing behind two unreal centers in Smith and Moore hide his abilities?

Questionable Selection - Brady Cleveland, 47th to Detroit

Quite frankly, I just feel that there were better defenders on the board still at this pick. I don’t see the upside with Cleveland. I think he can be an NHL defender in some capacity. He is a physical rock in the defensive end. But I don’t see the mobility or skill that would lead to him playing a significant role for Detroit in the future. This is especially true since I believe Detroit drafted a better shut down type in Andrew Gibson only a few picks earlier.

Jacob Fowler

Round Three

Favourite Selection - Nick Lardis, 67th to Chicago

We ranked Lardis 32nd fully knowing that he would end up falling a bit in the draft. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with it. Lardis was one of the OHL’s best players in the second half and in the first round of the playoffs. His speed is electric, and his shot will play. Other parts of his game will need to improve, but the upside is quite high. He could be a great linemate to Connor Bedard in the future.

Favourite Selection - Jacob Fowler, 69th to Montreal

I’ve said many times on social media and in work for McKeen’s, that Fowler is my favourite netminder in the class. He’s like DJ Khaled, all he does is win. He was terrific in the USHL this year. He was terrific at the WJAC’s. He is so composed and focused in the crease. Sure, there is a need for him to improve his quickness and agility, but that can happen in the NCAA with Boston College, where he could start for a great team and be a Mike Richter contender as a freshman.

Questionable Selection - Emil Pieniniemi, 91st to Pittsburgh

Simply put, we didn’t see the upside with Pieniniemi. We ranked him 191st for a reason. The profile grades out about average across the board and that screams projection concerns. What is he at the next level? I may have been able to put all of Pittsburgh’s selections in my questionable selection spot, if I’m being honest.

Round Four

Favourite Selection - Larry Keenan, 117th to Detroit

In reality, the third or fourth round was probably the right spot for Keenan to go. He’s a major long-term project. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t love the pick. A similar player in Sam Rinzel went in the first-round last year. Keenan combines size, mobility, and skill together to give him outstanding upside if everything hits. I also love that he is heading to Penticton and then UMass, two outstanding programs. His development will be in good hands.

Favourite Selection - Luca Pinelli, 114th to Columbus

I wasn’t as high on Pinelli as some of my contemporaries who cover the OHL, but even I can admit that this was terrific value for Pinelli. If his quickness improves, he could be a really good middle six player at the NHL level; someone who can bring serious versatility to a coach in the future. His motor never quits and his vision/sense in the offensive end is high end.

Questionable Selection - Konnor Smith, 97th to Anaheim

The allure of Smith is that he’s a mammoth defender who plays an ultra-aggressive defensive game. He’s a real throwback to yesteryears. But the mobility, puck skill, and puck management will all need to improve drastically in order for him to be an NHL player. Other similar defenders have been taken out of the CHL in recent years and many have not even been signed. Inside the top 100, I would have had many other preferences…especially if the target was a potential shut down type.

Round Five

Favourite Selection - Cam Allen, 136th to Washington

Allen did not have a great year, there’s no denying that. But he was arguably the top defender available heading into this season. He still has upside, even if his decision making leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully an offseason reset, in combination with consultation from NHL coaches at development, helps to get him back on the right track. In the fifth round, you won’t find better value.

Favourite Selection - Eric Pohlkamp, 132nd to San Jose

The USHL defenseman of the year award is a pretty prestigious one to win. Guys like Owen Power, Neal Pionk, Brandon Montour, and Jeff Petry have won it in recent years. Pohlkamp is a very interesting player. His game does need a fair amount of refinement; it can be very erratic. However, he also has some very good tools, including mobility, a mammoth point shot, and a physically aggressive approach. He’ll be able to take on an immediate top four role in Bemidji State next year and we should get an idea pretty quickly as to how well his game translates to the NCAA level.

Questionable Selection - Melvin Strahl, 156th to Columbus

Strahl is a goaltender who wasn’t on our radar this year. In fact, I don’t think he was really on the radar of any independent scouting organization. For good reason it would appear too, as he struggled in the J20 this season, even getting demoted to the J18 level. I would have definitely preferred a handful of other netminders at this spot, if goaltending was the target.

Jeremy Hanzel. Photo by Brian Liesse.

Round Six

Favourite Selection - Jeremy Hanzel, 187th to Colorado

Our Western scouts at McKeen’s loved Hanzel as one of the top re-entry guys available this year. He was outstanding for Seattle through the season and into the playoffs/Memorial Cup. On a Thunderbirds team that was stacked with NHL talent, Hanzel was often the team’s best defender. I would be shocked if he returns to the WHL for his overage season. He could have an immediate pro impact similar to Ryker Evans.

Favourite Selection - Filip Eriksson, 165th to Montreal

Kind of a random one here as there were a bunch of great value picks in the sixth round. We actually didn’t even have Eriksson ranked, but I would have had him ranked on my own list. He didn’t play a ton this year due to injury, but he was good at the J20 level and even looked comfortable in the SHL in a cup of coffee. The athletic tools need to improve, but the IQ will play. Can the speed and strength improve as he plays more? These are the types of players you take in the later rounds.

Questionable Selection - Yegor Yegorov, 176th to Calgary

Another questionable goaltending selection if you ask me. The stats weren’t terrific by MHL standards (to give you an idea, a .915 save percentage placed him 42nd among MHL goalies this year). He also was part of a three headed goalie platoon this year, posting the weakest stats of the three. Stats aren’t everything of course, but I love our Russian scouts and Yegorov really wasn’t someone who was brought to our attention by them. Again, give me Stephen Peck, Alexander Hellnemo, or Noah Erliden here over Yegorov.

Round Seven

Favourite Selection - Aiden Fink, 218th to Nashville

Fink piled up the accolades this year in the AJHL. He was the league’s MVP. He won the Centennial Cup. He was one of the best players at the WJAC’s. He’s small and he’s not a dynamic skater. That recipe was sure to make him fall. But in the seventh? That’s outstanding value for Fink, who has terrific offensive potential. Penn State will be a great spot for him too.

Favourite Selection - Tyler Peddle, 224th to Columbus

Mr. Irrelevant! Peddle took quite the mighty tumble thanks to a pretty indifferent season in the QMJHL this year on a middling Drummondville team. But he still has great power forward potential, particularly as a goal scorer. The athletic profile is interesting and at the back of the seventh round that could end up being a great pick for the Blue Jackets. The next Josh Anderson?

Questionable Selection - Sebastian Bradshaw, 221st to Dallas

Hard to truly argue against a seventh-round selection. They’re all longer shots. But Bradshaw is an interesting one. He’s a big kid, but he only played in the AYHL this year with Elite Hockey Academy, a school in Connecticut. He wasn’t the leading scorer on his team, and he didn’t exactly light up Ontario U16 and U18 before making the move south of the border. A London Knights U18 draft pick, Bradshaw seems headed to play for Brooks of the AJHL next year. A solid destination, no doubt, but I would have wanted to see him play at a higher level first. Especially given some of the players still on the board

Best of the Unselected

1. Francesco Dell’Elce - Defense, St. Andrew’s College, CISAA

This one shocked me. I knew that some scouts were concerned about his slight frame and defensive IQ, but I didn’t think that he’d go completely undrafted. His offensive potential from the blueline is through the roof and I think that alone was worth a late selection. He’ll have a great chance of being selected in the coming years. He’s going to play with BCHL powerhouse Penticton next year and then head to UMass after that. Strong play at either of those spots could put him on the re-entry radar over the next few drafts.

2. Stephen Peck - Goaltender, Avon Old Farms, USHS Prep

Another one that shocked me considering that both Slukynsky and Guimond were selected. Peck helped Avon Old Farms capture the New England Prep Championship this year and he was one of my favourite goaltenders eligible this year. Tracks the play really well and is incredibly composed in his crease. He’s got a scholarship to Michigan in his back pocket, but likely suits up in the USHL or NAHL next year.

3. Joe Connor - Center, Avon Old Farms, USHS Prep

Speaking of Prep champion Avon Old Farms, insert their leading scorer Joe Connor, who had a really good year for a Prep level player. He was good for the U.S. at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer. He played great in the prep circuit and was also solid in a cup of coffee in the USHL. Do I wish he were a more dynamic skater given his lack of size? Absolutely. But he competes hard in all areas of the ice, and I really like his odds of becoming a quality NCAA player for Northeastern in the future.

4. Hannes Hellberg - Wing, Leksands IF J20, J20 Nationell

In my opinion, Hellberg was one of the top re-entry guys available this year after he was named the J20’s top forward this year and led the J20 circuit in playoff scoring. Hellberg also only missed being first time draft eligible this year by a few weeks, with an early September birth date. He’s a big winger with a great goal scoring touch. I know that Hellberg already signed with HockeyAllsvenskan for next year, but I would have loved to see him come to the CHL to find success like Lucas Edmonds.

5. Ondrej Molnar - Wing, Erie Otters, OHL

Look, I understand why Molnar wasn’t selected. An undersized winger who had trouble getting inside the dots at the OHL level this year while playing for a bad team. Additionally, that floorball incident in Slovakia hangs over his head, forcing the move to the OHL and preventing him from competing internationally. Yet, this is also a player who came into the season as a first-round candidate because of his skill and ability to impact the game in transition. The offensive potential is still sky high.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2023 NHL DRAFT: Top “Tier 2” players available for the draft this year (AJHL, BCHL, CAHS, CJHL, OJHL, USHS) with video – Part Two – Goaltending and Defense

Brock Otten — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 12:31:57 +0000

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, CJHL, etc). The second in the series highlights the goaltenders and defense.

Goaltenders

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK - DECEMBER 28: Adam Gajan #30 of Slovakia stretches to make a save against USA in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Avenir Centre on December 28, 2022 in Moncton, New Brunswick. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Adam Gajan

Goaltender - Chippewa (NAHL)/Green Bay (USHL)

6’4, 176lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 55, Compete/Temperament: 60, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 50, Rebound Control: 50, Puck Handling: 50

OFP: 53.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/adam_gajan_-_3rd_period_30_50_-_31_2.mp4

Notes: Gajan exploded onto the draft radar with his performance at the World Junior Championships for Slovakia, capturing the tournament’s top goaltender award. In his second year of draft eligibility, the move to North America has done wonders for Gajan’s confidence and development and it has put him in contention to be one of the first netminders off the board in June. He has mostly played with Chippewa in the NAHL (along with a cup of coffee with Green Bay in the USHL) and recently committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for next year. Gajan’s combination of size, athleticism, and compete makes him incredibly intriguing. He battles for sight lines. He is aggressive in challenging shooters. He never gives up on a play and routinely makes second and third chance saves. He covers post to post very well for a larger netminder and is able to play more of a hybrid style because of how well he moves in and out of the butterfly. The focus of his development moving forward should be on his body control. He has a tendency to overcommit or overslide, taking him out of position. This means that his angles are not always perfect. Additionally, because he can get a bit “scrambly,” his rebound control can be inconsistent. The College route is actually a great one for Gajan to take. It will allow him to focus on adding more strength to his frame to improve his control. It will allow him time to iron out some technical inconsistencies over potentially four years with UMD. History has shown it can be a bit dangerous to overrank or overrate goaltenders based purely on their WJC performances, but Gajan looks to be different.

Stephen Peck

Goaltender - Avon Old Farms (USHS-Prep)

6’2, 175lbs

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

OFP: 53

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/stephen_peck_-_2nd_period_17_17_-_17_30.mp4

Notes: Avon Old Farms was an absolute wagon this year and were rarely beaten in the prep loop. One of the main reasons for that was the play of netminder Stephen Peck. Calm and composed in the crease, Peck already exhibits advanced technical traits. His movement is very refined in the crease and he covers his angles well, ensuring that he does not over slide or overcommit. His rebound control is especially impressive. He controls shots to his chest well and has a good glove hand, swallowing up perimeter shots without giving up second chance opportunities. Peck battles for sight lines and is consistently aggressive in coming out to the top of his crease to challenge shooters. There’s definitely some room for improvement in his agility and quickness post to post. This would give him a better chance of making those second and third chance saves. However, he limits those currently and at the prep level, this does not hurt his performance. A draft pick of the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, one has to figure that the currently uncommitted Peck will suit up in the USHL next year before deciding on an NCAA program. The last time a netminder was drafted solely out of the prep scene was 2015 (unless you count Dominic Basse in 2019 out of South Kent Selects) when Mike Robinson was taken by San Jose (3rd round), Joey Daccord was taken by Ottawa (7th round), yet Peck seems to be firmly on the draft radar and with good reason. Let’s not forget that a netminder by the name of Jonathan Quick was taken out of Avon Old Farms back in 2005.

Hampton Slukynsky

Goaltender - Warroad High (USHS-MN)

6’1, 170lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 50, Compete/Temperament: 60, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 50, Rebound Control: 45, Puck Handling: 45

OFP: 51.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hampton_slukynsky_-_2nd_period_15_34_-_15_46.mp4

Notes: One of the top netminders in the U.S. high school loop, Slukynsky also happens to play for one of the best teams in Warroad High. He doesn’t see a ton of rubber, but his composure and consistency in the crease are integral components of Warroad High’s success this year. Slukynsky was also one of the U.S.’ goaltenders at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup this summer, where he played well. He has a penchant for the highlight reel save because of his play reading ability and because he never quits on a save, always competing for sight lines and to push to make those second/third chance saves. A classic butterfly netminder, Slukynsky does have a tendency to scramble in his crease and can be taken out of position. He will need to improve his rebound control to limit those second/third chance opportunities. For a “smaller” netminder, he could also stand to improve his quickness post to post, as sometimes he doesn’t get enough power on his pushes to cover his angles completely, or quick enough. However, Slukynsky is fairly young for the draft (July birth date) and fairly physically immature. As he fills out and further improves his conditioning, his skating should improve further. Next season he will play in the USHL with Fargo before heading to Northern Michigan the following year. NHL teams may wait to see how he plays in the USHL before opting to use a draft selection on him. However, NHL teams may also be incredibly impressed with his mind and maturity in the crease and be eager to work with him to improve other areas. Slukynsky has great upside and should definitely be considered a sleeper for this year’s draft.

Defenseman

Francesco Dell’Elce

Defense - St. Andrew’s College (CAHS)

6’0, 160lbs

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

OFP: 52.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/francesco_dell_elce_-_1st_period_0_38_-_0_50.mp4

Notes: Dell’Elce, a UMass commit, is an intelligent and smooth skating puck moving defender. He is an effortless four way mover and a strong linear attacker, something that he uses exceptionally well to create space for himself on the attack. His agility is extremely impressive, and with his ability to stop and start on a dime, he evades forecheckers easily at the prep level. Dell’Elce also does a great job of varying his pace. This allows him to survey the ice to locate passing lanes. By attacking both North/South and East/West, he becomes a very tough cover as he slices up the neutral zone. Dell’Elce also looks comfortable running the point of the powerplay. He uses his mobility to his advantage to work his way in tight, often beating the top layer of pressure. His point shot is good, but it is his scoring instincts and ability to get to the inside that have led to his high scoring totals this year. As a defender, Dell’Elce defends pace well. He often neutralizes transitional attacks and has a good stick and gap control. He will occasionally assert himself physically, but he seems much more comfortable as a stick on puck defender at this time. This brings us to Dell’Elce’s weakest area, which is defending the net front. He can struggle to tie up opposing forwards near the crease and he will need to add strength to his frame to consistently win positional battles at higher levels. It looks like Dell’Elce will play in the BCHL (with Penticton) or in the USHL next year before going to UMass in 2024, which is a smart play on his part to allow him to mature physically before such a large step in a tough conference. Overall, I’m not entirely convinced that his puck skill and creativity are strong enough to be a true offensive standout at the NCAA and NHL levels, but his mobility and vision are real assets. There’s definitely a chance that he could develop into a Calvin de Haan type of player with patience.

Hoyt Stanley

Defense - Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)

6’2, 196lbs

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

OFP: 52.25

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hoyt_stanley_-_2nd_period_15_40_-_16_10.mp4

Notes: After missing most of last year with a concussion, Stanley has returned this year as, essentially, a BCHL rookie. He possesses an intriguing blend of size, skill, and mobility from the back end (in addition to playing the right side). He has long, powerful strides that help him chew up ground quickly and he blends puck skill with his speed to be an effective puck carrier. Stanley routinely leads the charge up ice in transition and often gains the offensive blueline with ease. However, his impressive rushes often fail to create significant scoring chances and he can miss open teammates and good passing options when attacking, leading one to wonder how well he sees the ice. Does that impact his offensive upside and ability to utilize his tools as he progresses up the hockey ladder?

Defensively, he defends pace quite well with his length and mobility. He also takes good routes to pucks in pursuit and wins the majority of his 50/50 battles by applying himself physically. He is not an overtly physical player, per say, but he does engage to gain leverage. However, much like his play with the puck, Stanley can have lapses of judgment in the defensive end and can play with too much complacency when defending the middle of the ice. He could stand to be more aggressive given his length and quickness, but instead, can let opponents dictate the play and pace. Additionally, Stanley has a big point shot and he does well to open up shooting lanes with his feet. However, too often his shot gets blocked or fired wide. He needs to do a much better job of hitting the net, keeping point shots low. All that said, are these limitations in his game currently a result of his inexperience? Or do they point to a lack of awareness/IQ? Stanley is headed to Cornell, a program that will do well to help him be more assertive defensively. The tools are impressive, and the upside is high if you believe Stanley can make large strides in his decision making as he plays more at the higher levels.

Larry Keenan

Defense - Culver Military Academy (USHS-Prep)

6’3, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 57.5, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 45, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.125

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/larry_keenan_-_1st_period_17_16_-_17_33.mp4

Notes: Yes, Keenan is related to the St. Louis Blues legend of the same name; he’s his grandson. Raw would be the best word to describe this powerful defender with a commitment to UMass. His upside is through the roof. Keenan is both an effortless and powerful skater from the back end. Given his 6’3 frame, he covers so much ground with his movement capabilities. He’s always looking to lead or jump up into the attack and he can strike quickly with how powerful he is coming off the line. Keenan also has a big point shot which is a primary weapon for him to create offense. He one times pucks cleanly and has great shooting mechanics, squaring himself to his target and getting pucks to the net. His hands are also good, allowing him to control the puck at full speed as he attacks the offensive zone. Blending his quickness, puck protection ability (thanks to his frame), and silky hands, Keenan can be a difficult player to stop from gaining the line. Due to the combination of the aforementioned, Keenan’s upside as an offensive defender is significant. However, as mentioned, his game is very raw.

He’s very much a project (although what prep player isn’t?). His decision making currently leaves a lot to be desired. A riverboat gambler of sorts, he needs to pick his spots better to activate or attempt to challenge opposing defenders. Considering his level of skill, you can live with the odd turnover if he is creating scoring chances, however he may get eaten alive at the NCAA level (and above) without refinement in his approach.

The same could be said about his defensive play. He flashes ability in his own end thanks to his mobility affording him the ability to play aggressively. However, he is currently too passive at times and is simply not consistently tough enough to play against below the hash marks. With his roving tendencies, he can get himself taken out of position and, at times, can be too complacent in returning to coverage. With his frame, he should eventually develop into a more consistent physical player, but it may take time. Without question, Keenan deserves to be an NHL selection and is very likely to be one. He has the bloodlines. He’s headed to a great program that has had success developing defenders recently. His upside is significant. He’s just a ways away and will require patience.

Ryan Koering

Defense - Eden Prairie High (USHS-MN)

6’3, 175lbs

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

OFP: 51.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ryan_koering_-_3rd_period_23_11_-_23_23.mp4

Notes: The allure of Koering will unquestionably be his combination of mobility and size. An excellent athlete, Koering covers ground quickly and efficiently with strong, powerful strides in all four directions. While he doesn’t possess the kind of skill needed to be a consistent puck mover, he can lead the attack with his feet alone, exploding across the opposing blueline by driving wide and beating flat footed defenders. In the defensive end, his mobility helps him to defend aggressively. He consistently steps up early on attackers, squashing plays in the neutral zone before they develop, and he will play the body in open ice, especially near his own blueline. With his length, mobility, and physical potential, his upside as a defensive defender is very high. Koering does quarterback the Eden Prairie powerplay and his feet do help him move the puck efficiently. His point shot does not appear to be a significant weapon for him, as he often opts for a quick snap shot under pressure that rarely finds the target.

A Mr. Hockey finalist, Koering is effective as an offensive defender at the high school level, but one does wonder what his offensive upside would be. He can get bottled up in his own end and turnovers can result. He does not seem to possess the hands to escape heavy forecheckers and his breakout pass efficiency is inconsistent under duress. Additionally, as a defensive player, he can have lapses of concentration, where his aggressive approach backfires on him as he fails to recover to defend down low or near the net front. His net front coverage will need to improve, and he will need to become more consistently physical below the hash marks to truly reach his excellent potential as a Drew Helleson stay at home type. Koering is slated to attend Colorado College.

Nathaniel Davis

Defense - Burlington (OJHL)

6’2, 185lbs

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

OFP: 51.625

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Notes: Davis, a right shot defender with size, is an intriguing athlete with the potential to impact play at both ends as he continues to improve. He was a third pairing defender for Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge and played reasonably well in a limited role. Since being drafted by the Soo Greyhounds out of the Toronto Titans of the GTHL, Davis has both filled out and grown, making him a pretty solid and reliable player in his own end for Burlington, improving significantly from last year. He skates quite well, especially laterally and linearly, which allows him to have a positive impact on the transition game. His confidence has really grown over the course of the year as a carrier and transporter, and he is now jumping up in the play consistently to try to create. His hands are good, but not great. He can make players miss when in motion, blending skill and speed well, but when static, his hands become a little more rigid and he can get bottled in at both ends.

From a defensive perspective, he’s definitely a physical player and that’s an asset. He shows flashes of being a really good transitional defender, but his backwards footwork can get sloppy at times, and he also can struggle to be decisive about his aggressiveness, causing his gaps to be poor. Sometimes he can get himself all turned around in the defensive end too, from chasing hits, chasing the puck, or simply missing assignments by puck watching. Other times, he looks the part of a crease clearer and someone who is very tough to win one on one battles against below the hash marks. At the end of the day, you have to view Davis as what he is, a very raw, but intriguing athlete who is still trying to figure out what kind of defenseman he wants to be and can be. With the right development program and under the right tutelage, he has upside as a pro defender.

The million-dollar question is…what is his next step? He could sign with the Greyhounds and play in the OHL. However, I think that route is far-fetched. He would have done that already, especially given the rebuilding nature of the Soo’s roster currently. More likely he heads south of the border to the NCAA, but he does not have a commitment currently. Would he be interested in going to play in the USHL next year to possibly open up more opportunities for him before deciding on a program? If I’m an NHL team with an extra late round pick or two, I’d definitely look at throwing one Davis’ way and then helping him with his next steps. This is a player who oozes athleticism and whose development trajectory has been steep thus far.

Aiden Celebrini

Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

6’1, 190lbs

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

OFP: 51.5

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Notes: Yes, Aiden is the older brother of 2024 top prospect Macklin Celebrini. He is a hard-nosed and aggressive defender with a commitment to Boston University, much like his brother. He relishes the opportunity to play the body and consistently makes life difficult by taking away time and space from the opposition. He moves fairly well in all four directions and is strong on his edges to make him difficult to maneuver around. He will occasionally lead the attack out of the offensive zone and does show some potential as a puck mover, but generally plays a simpler game. Overall, his game needs refinement. He has a tendency to chase the play and the big hit, which can take him out of position in the defensive end. He also can get bottled up with the puck in the defensive end, either from poor scanning habits or because he’s not making quick enough decisions with his breakouts. With decent size, mobility, physicality, all from the right side, there is some potential for Celebrini to develop into a usable defensive defender at the next level. It seems likely that Aiden will join Macklin with Chicago of the USHL next year before going to Boston University, as they own his rights. There was actually some thought he would play with Chicago this year, but he ended up being released from training camp due to Chicago’s depth. Under the right tutelage, there are some workable physical traits. However, don’t expect Aiden to have anywhere close to the kind of upside that his brother possesses.

Ryan Hopkins

Defense - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

6’1, 183lbs

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

OFP: 51.25

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Notes: Hopkins was ranked as a 7th rounder by us at McKeens last year after a strong rookie year with Penticton, but he ultimately went unselected. He has returned to Penticton this year, improving on his offensive production and confidence with the puck. The University of Maine commit is the defensive anchor for the first place Vees, playing 22 minutes a night and in all situations. He has greatly improved his point shot this year, giving him an offensive weapon that can project to the next level. He one times pucks cleanly and does a great job getting pucks on net with a hard, low point shot. The majority of his offensive production this year has been generated from his shot or the threat of his shot. Hopkins remains an aggressive defender too, someone who loves to lean on opposing forwards, making them earn every inch of ice. He steps up early on attackers and he defends well below the hash marks. Unfortunately, his skating hasn’t really improved much from a year ago. His transitional footwork still needs improving and he could still stand to be a little more explosive out of the gate to help him get to pucks first. This was likely one of the main reasons why Hopkins was not selected last year. His puck skill remains below average too, as he elects to keep plays simple most of the time. Quick, clean exits are a strength, but don’t expect him to lead the rush or consistently beat layers of pressure to keep pucks in. That said, there are still some pro level attributes wrapped up in Hopkins’ game. His upside may not be significant, but there is a path for him to develop into a Riley Stillman level third pairing defender should his skating improve over his years at Maine. Scouts would have surely been flocking to Penticton this year and it’s possible that he hears his name called late this time around.

Sam Court

Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

5’10, 190lbs

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

OFP: 51

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Notes: In more ways than one Court reminds one of Zach Bookman, who shredded the AJHL in his final year of draft eligibility last year. They have similar size, similar strengths/weaknesses, and both spent the previous year playing in the U.S. prep scene. Unfortunately, Bookman went unselected (but has since had a terrific freshman year at Merrimack), but hopefully Court can hear his name called. Court’s biggest strength are his hands. Even without high end linear quickness and speed, he manages to carve up open ice with his ability to miss sticks and make quick cuts. His lateral quickness and confidence on his edges gives him escapability when holding the offensive blueline and this, in combination with his vision and passing precision, makes him a terrific powerplay quarterback. His offensive skill set was on full display at this year’s World Junior A Challenge where he was one of the better defenders at the event. Defensively, he is aggressive to try to overcome his size and skating disadvantages. This leads to him being out of position at times, but with development and strong coaching he could become an asset at both ends. Headed to the University of New Hampshire next year, Court is a long-term project…like any player on this list. With some improvements to his athleticism and refinements to his playing style, he should develop into a quality offensive blueliner at the NCAA level, at the very least.

Sean Keohane

Defense - Dexter Southfield (USHS-Prep)

6’4, 194lbs

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

OFP: 50.75

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Notes: A Harvard commit, Keohane is a massive defender with an intriguing athletic skill set. He’s a solid skater for such a big, young defender and his mobility serves as the foundation for his game and success on the ice. More of a stick on puck defender, Keohane has a good stick in the defensive end and his reach can be very disruptive. He’s a solid transition player who can make a good breakout pass to clear the zone quickly or use his feet to aid in the exit. This season he has become more assertive offensively and is using his quickness to jump up into the play more. He will activate off the blueline to hold pucks in and he will work the give and go to get into the slot. Once he gets moving and escapes his own zone, stopping him with the puck in the neutral zone can be a difficult task for prep players due to how strong he is on the puck and how well he skates for his size. I’m not entirely sure the offensive ceiling is extremely high. His point shot is hard, but he can struggle with his release and his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. He’s not likely to be much of a scorer from the point at the higher levels. Additionally, his vision and creativity with the puck in the offensive zone is somewhat limited. As a defensive player, I’d love to see him use his size to be more of a physically dominant player. Again, his reach and mobility combination is impressive at stopping transitional attacks, but he has the potential to be a real defensive stalwart if he can get stronger off the puck and be tougher to play against. Harvard is a really interesting landing spot for him. Ian Moore, perhaps a similar kind of projectable player to Keohane, has had success recently coming out of the Prep loop. NHL teams will be intrigued by the athletic tools, but he is very much a long-term project.

Warren Clark

Defense - Steinbach (MJHL)

6’5, 185lbs

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

OFP: 49.75

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Notes: Clark is a really interesting case because of his late growth spurt and the somewhat non-traditional market he currently plays in. The MJHL hasn’t had an NHL draft pick since 2018 (Matthew Thiessen). Yet, Clark is bound to generate some NHL interest because of his profile. He has jumped from around 5’11 to 6' 5 the last few years, he has some really intriguing athletic tools, and he plays the right side. Clark gallops up the ice and chews up ground quickly, blending skilled control and pace well. This allows him to be a difference maker as a transitional leader. In a lot of ways, Clark bears some resemblance to Montreal Canadiens defender Logan Mailloux in that regard. Clark also shows nice skill working the point and when holding the offensive blueline, often beating the initial layer of pressure to help get pucks on net or work the puck down low. The rest of his game is a major work in progress. His four-way mobility is awkward and his backward skating mechanics need work. He can have trouble defending pace because of his tendency to get caught flat footed. He also needs to be more decisive in the defensive end. His gap control is inconsistent, and he doesn’t win enough puck battles down low for a player of his size. As a puck carrier, his decision making leaves some to be desired. He can have some very impressive rushes, but they can result in turnovers as he tries to attack defenders head on, rather than alter his pace or utilize his teammates. All that said, I could easily see an NHL team using a late round selection on Clark. He has already improved massively (no pun intended) over the last few years, has intriguing athletic potential, and is headed to a good program at St. Cloud State. Most definitely a long term project, the NCAA route will allow him to slowly grow into his frame.