Teddy Stiga – McKeen's Hockey

2026 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Daily Recap- December 27th, 2025- Game Summaries – Standout Performances – Notable Draft Eligible Prospects

Kyle Pereira and Linc Zdancewicz — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:45:29 +0000

The second day of the 2026 World Juniors was another fun day here in Minnesota, with a loaded schedule.

SLOVAKIA v GERMANY

To kick off the day in Grand Casino Arena, Slovakia took on Germany as both teams look to bounce back from losses on day one. In the first period, Slovakia absolutely dominated. Tomas Chrenko opened the day with a seeing eye shot amidst chaos. Then, on their second power play of the day, Chrenko snagged another goal off a brilliant feed from Adam Nemec, who would record his second assist of the game. Going into the second, the Germans had an uphill battle to climb. They played much better, with Timo Kose standing out the most. However, Slovakia would get another powerplay off a really bad high stick, and Chrenko would strike yet again, recording a hat trick in his second career World Juniors game. Germany kept the momentum going into the third period, striking just past the halfway point. Dustin Willhoft, off an indirect feed, had a strong net drive that he put five hole on Michal Pradel. But Slovakia put the nail in the coffin, as Adam Belusko scored from deep in his own end on the empty net, short-handed.

MVP’s

GERMANY: Fabio Kose, Timo Kose, Carlos Handel

SLOVAKIA: Tomas Chrenko, Michal Pradel, Adam Belusko

LATVIA v CANADA

Day Two in Mariucci Arena began in a similar way to last year's matchup, and Latvia played their patented annoying and grinding style of play against the Canadians. Getting knees and sticks on lanes worked well for Latvia as they outshot the Canadians after period one as the score remained locked at zero. Canada got their first goal of the game soon after a five-minute major from Martins Klaucans, Cole Reschny converted off of a McKenna feed. The Canadians were only able to generate one goal on the five-minute advantage. As the second wound down the game went back and forth as both teams got quality chances on the rush. The Latvians and Czechs have seemed to expose a grave weakness of Canada’s on rushes as they have struggled to defend them in their first two games. The game stayed close to the wire until with just under two minutes, Rudolfs Berzkalns ties it late, bringing up bad memories for Canadians everywhere. However, crucially, the Canadians were bailed out by a delay of game penalty by Latvia’s, Roberts Naudins. The penalty carried over to OT, where McKenna found Michael Hage for the clincher. Latvia, for the second year in a row, took Canada to their absolute limit. However, the talent of the Canadians won the day in this nailbiter.

MVP’s

Canada: Michael Hage, Gavin McKenna, Porter Martone

Latvia: Nils Maurins, Rudolfs Berzkalns, Alberts Smits

USA v SWITZERLAND

The Swiss open their tournament against the back-to-back Gold medalists. Early on, Switzerland took it to the US, who were playing pretty sloppy. But when the US started getting their chances, especially on their powerplay, Christian Kirsch stood on his head. He stonewalled Cole Eiserman several times and made several stops in tight after the powerplay ended. Unfortunately for Switzerland, the US started the second with a bang, as Brodie Ziemer ripped one that was tipped off a Swiss defender and over the blocker. It was started by a great play along the boards by Will Horcoff, then a nifty drop pass by James Hagens. About halfway through the second, the US lost Cole Hutson to a scary injury, when he took a puck to the back of the neck and had to be stretchered off. Soon after, the Swiss would score off a beautiful point shot from Basile Sansonnens. A few minutes later, Will Zellers would roof a shot top corner on the short side, giving the US the lead back.

MVPs

USA: Chase Reid, Cole Eiserman, Teddy Stiga

Switzerland: Lars Steiner, Christian Krisch, Basile Sansonnens

DENMARK v CZECHIA

The final matchup on day two got underway with much fanfare at the beginning. The Czechs went up first off of a weird bounce off Vojtech Cihar’s stick. However, that momentum would be quashed after Tristan Petersen banged home a wild puck. That goal was the result of some dangerous Danish pressure that really challenged the Czechs for the majority of the first period. The Czechs would buck that early pressure by taking the lead on an amazing shot by Matej Kubiesa on a five-minute power play that was drawn by Denmark’s Jesper Olesen, who was ejected for a high hit. That Czech momentum would carry over to the second period as Vaclav Nestrasil sunk a pretty no-look snipe for the 3-1 lead on yet another power play. Though the Czechs were more talented throughout, the Danes played heavy and took advantage of many chances, creating breakaways, shutting down opposing offensive attacks. That opportunistic style of play came in handy when Oliver Larsen ripped home a quick snipe off a face off to bring the game within one score. The Czechs started to close the door at the end of the second, scoring two off the sticks off Adam Jiricek and Stepan Hoch, giving them a 5-2 lead. Starting in the third, the Czechs continued dominating with two more even strength goals from Tomas Galvas and Richard Zemlicka respectively. That was all she wrote as Czechia would fail to score on the two other power play chances given to them by Denmark, closing it out in dominant fashion, 7-2.

MVPS

Czechia: Vaclav Nestrasil, Matyas Marik, Adam Jiricek

Denmark: Oliver Green, Emil Jakobsen

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 27: Czechia's Vaclav Nestrasil #14 celebrates his second period goal against Denmark during Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at 3M Arena at Mariucci on December 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

VACLAV NESTRASIL (CZE) 1G 2A

Probably the most dangerous offensive threat for Czechia on a day where their entire offense was buzzing. I am routinely impressed with the swiftness and ease that Nestrasil can skate with the puck at his mammoth 6-foot-6 frame. His skating has been very solid and noticeably better from his draft year, that’s been evident throughout his first two games. Nestrasil was also able to showcase his blistering shot, wiring a no-look snipe past Denmark early in the second. Though both of his assists were secondary, they both showed off his adept ability to set up chances in the offensive zone and on the rush respectively. Away from the puck, Nestrasil displayed energy and truculence against a Danish team that was certainly giving it back to the Czechs earlier on. His efforts have not gone unnoticed as he now leads the Czech team in points. If he can carry over this monster start to this tournament to the rest of his season, he could be with the Blackhawks much sooner than previously thought.

CHRISTIAN KIRSCH (SUI) 0.900 SV%, 18/20

Kirsch was a massive reason behind just how close the Swiss came to winning this game. From the jump, he made several massive saves on breakaways, while also standing tall against several US powerplay attempts. While he did give up two goals in the end, if it wasn’t for Kirsch’s outstanding performance, especially in the first, the US could have pulled away fast.

COLE EISERMAN (USA)

Eiserman, while he was held off the score sheet, was one of the standouts in this game for the US. The Americans, like in their game against Germany, played sloppy, especially in the neutral zone. Eiserman was one of the few who were able to move the puck efficiently. Once in the offensive zone, especially on the powerplay, Eiserman was seemingly getting constant scoring chances. He could’ve had at least two goals in this game, if not for Kirsch.

DRAFT ELIGIBLES

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 27: Switzerland's Kimi Koerbler #89 and USAÕs Chase Reid #25 battle for the puck during Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at Grand Casino Arena on December 27, 2025 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF)

CHASE REID (USA)

As he was a standout on day one, it was very difficult to not include him again on day two. He was arguably the best defenseman on the US blueline. He is so steady on the back end, getting in the right spots to prevent scoring chances against. When it comes to transporting the puck, Reid is one of the best in the tournament. He is so quick at reading the space and finding teammates moving up ice. He can connect consistently on some difficult stretch passes as well, that can really break open a shift. If he continues to stand out like this, he could really push his way into the top of the 2026 draft.

TOMAS CHRENKO (SVK) 3G

The speedy center came alive for the Slovaks on Day Two of this tournament, netting a hat trick in his second ever World Juniors game. Chrenko was a standout for the Slovaks due to his excellent play with HK Nitra so far this season. His first two goals were very crafty, greasy goals around the net as he showed that fight that has been so characteristic of his individual game and his national team's game. Though, Chrenko’s third goal was a lucky bounce off of a defender's stick, it was on track to hitting his fellow countryman Adam Nemec’s stick for a deflection. Chrenko has given Slovakia a serious boost in speed and energy throughout their two games this tournament. He was blazing past defenders in space against Germany today and was unrecoverable in the offensive zone.

Interview with Chase Reid

McKeens: Chase, you’re a draft-eligible of course, and these tournaments are usually dominated by older players. What is it like playing with these older guys and having such a big impact already?

CR: My teammates and coaches make it very easy to go out there and play my game every night, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have the opportunity to be here.

McKeens: What can you learn from these older guys at a tournament like this?

CR: Cole Hutson does some things with the puck that you’d want to do yourself, but I think just playing my game and making sure I’m making the easy plays that the other guys do and simplifying like they do.

McKeens: Going back a couple of years ago, you played with Waterloo in the USHL, things didn’t work out there and you moved to the NAHL. What’s changed from then to now, and what’s allowed you to be such an impact player?

CR: I’d say just my mindset going into everything. If you’re not first you’re last, so I think just going in with the mindset that I want to be the best in every situation I’m in, it all trends in the right direction from there.

McKeens: Going back to the tournament here, it’s important to have a tight group. Who are some of the guys in that locker room who keep everything light-hearted and fun behind the scenes?

CR: Yeah, Brodie Ziemer for sure. Hagens, Hutty [Hutson], Eiserman, everybody pulls their strings, and everybody does what they have to do to make sure the room’s an enjoyable place to come every day. I think we have a really tight group.

McKeens: Is there anyone who stands out as a trash-talker, on the ice to the other team or even behind the scenes?

CR: No, I wouldn’t say anyone chirps too much. Obviously, you give it to guys here and there but, nothing that overdoes it.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – NASHVILLE PREDATORS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #9

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 19:13:23 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 16: Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (52) is shown during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, held on April 16, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 9th (May 2025 - 17th)
GM: Barry Trotz Hired: July 2023
COACH: Andrew Brunette Hired: May 2023

After a series of bold offseason moves, Nashville entered 2024-25 with lofty expectations. But a disappointing campaign has left them searching for a new direction. The most significant blow to the prospect pool came with the departure of goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov.

Still, GM Barry Trotz has a clear plan to speed up the retool. Fyodor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux both made the leap to full-time NHL roles this season, while sniper Joakim Kemell matched his previous AHL production with Milwaukee, putting himself on the cusp of an NHL spot.

Reinforcements are coming, too. Defenseman Tanner Molendyk and forwards Matthew Wood and David Edstrom are set to join Milwaukee, each bringing top six or top four potential. Overseas, Russian forward Yegor Surin continues to develop in the KHL, adding depth to a system that, while not elite, remains solid.

Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism lies in Nashville’s draft capital. Trotz has stockpiled an enviable arsenal of picks, with five in the first two rounds of 2025, including three first-rounders. With those selections, they took Brady Martin, Cameron Reid and Ryker Lee, all of whom take up the team’s top eight spots.

Martin is a big, physical forward who brings a relentless motor, the ability to play in all situations, and a penchant for hitting everything that moves. He immediately becomes Nashville’s top prospect.

For now, the pieces are in place. It’s just a matter of whether Trotz can turn a well-stocked draft board and a solid development base into the kind of talent infusion that powers a quick return to contention.

Nashville Predators Top-15 Prospects

1 - Brady Martin

Martin’s rapid ascension up draft boards late in the year was one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 NHL Draft. He finished the year very strongly in the OHL with the Greyhounds and then had an exceptionally strong U18’s for Canada, helping them capture gold. Martin, a farm boy from rural Ontario, personifies this workman like identity on the ice. He’s a relentless physical player and a true puck hound. He loves to get to the net. He can find success in any situation. His offensive game and upside are a polarizing topic of conversation, but we believe in his ability to put up points in the future and play on a scoring line. Martin, pending a tremendous NHL training camp, will return to the Greyhounds this year and look to emerge as one of the OHL’s premier players. With continued improvement to his skating, Martin should move quickly through the Nashville system to become an NHL regular sooner, rather than later.

2 - Tanner Molendyk

The one missing ingredient that the powerhouse Tigers needed before embarking upon their bold playoff run this spring was an elite puck-moving defenceman, which is why they paid a pretty penny to land Molendyk, who was one of the top prizes available overall leading up to the WHL trade deadline this spring. And totally unsurprisingly, his sublime, effortless skating ability has fit seamlessly into his new team's high-octane offensive approach, eventually leading to a league championship for Medicine Hat. Even though he doesn't rack up a lot of points his extreme mobility and breakneck pace still allow him to wreak havoc in a variety of other ways that tilt the ice in his club's favor, always keeping the opposing players on their heels or left in the dust. Molendyk might not reach quite the same heights as the Minnesota Wild's Brock Faber, who is a very similar kind of player, but it wouldn't be surprising if he got pretty close.

3 - Yegor Surin

2024 Predators first-round pick Yegor Surin earned his spot on Lokomotiv’s KHL roster through grit, hard work, and confident play. The young power forward quickly established a physical presence, using his strong frame to battle through contact and drive play. His forechecking has been ferocious, and he showed flashes of offensive upside with confident net drives, a heavy wrister, and solid playmaking. While Surin held his own in his first full KHL season, his puck decisions often felt rushed, as if he didn’t fully trust his instincts. With more experience, that confidence should grow, and his production will likely follow. He’s not NHL-ready yet, but his development is on track, even adding some championship DNA with a Gagarin Cup championship this spring. Surin projects as a future middle six, checking forward who brings energy, toughness, and scoring potential to Nashville’s lineup.

4 - Matthew Wood

Matthew Wood is the biggest wildcard in Nashville’s system. The 2023 first rounder could turn out to be a force, but he is far from a polished product. Wood spent last year with the Minnesota Golden Gophers after transferring from UConn, where he spent his first two NCAA seasons. He was a point-per-game player pretty much all through his NCAA career, which doesn’t indicate a lot of growth offensively. At his best, he looks every bit the skilled power forward teams dream of: big frame, soft hands, and a dangerous shot that can beat goalies clean. Some nights that player doesn’t show up though, leaving just a big, slower forward that makes mistakes with the puck. While there has been growth since his draft year, flashing his power game more, and growing as a playmaker, the improvements haven’t shown up on the scoresheet. If Wood can get more consistency in his game and improve his skating, the payoff could be immense. He is likely playing in the AHL this year, but there might be a top six forward in Nashville’s future here.

5 - Joakim Kemell

Going into last season, many Predators fans probably expected Joakim Kemell to make a strong push for a roster spot with the Predators, or at the very least return to the Milwaukee Admirals and put together a strong year in the AHL. Kemell didn’t necessarily have a bad training camp with the Predators, but he didn’t really force the Predators to keep him, either. Kemell was in-tough as a goal scoring option after the Predators brought in Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos, but the opportunity was there for Kemell to play more last season for a struggling Predators team. Kemell didn’t necessarily have a bad year for Milwaukee last year, either, but he hasn’t made the dynamic strides one would have hoped. The offensive ability is still there, as Kemell has the talent to make plays and score goals, but he really needs to develop consistency to forward himself as a legitimate top six NHL option. Kemell is projected to be a middle six offensive contributor at the NHL level but should get more games this season.

6 - David Edstrom

Edstrom has been the property of three NHL organizations already in his young career, but he’s stayed consistent. He played well in a third line center role for Frölunda, his presumed role in the NHL. Despite the big ask, he also played 1C for Sweden at the WJC In Ottawa and knocked it out of the park. Edstrom is a smart, versatile two-way center who does whatever is asked of him. Deployment in any zone, power play, penalty kill, you name it. He goes to the net, he’s tenacious in board battles, moves well off puck, and wins face offs. All signs point to Edstrom becoming a rock-solid bottom six center who can contribute in all three zones; although his limited explosiveness holds him back in transition a bit. Barring injury, it’s tough to see any surprises or deviations from that projection at this point in his development. The next step will be doing what he’s always done in the SHL, in the AHL. If he shows well there, it won’t be long until he’s in a Preds uniform.

7 - Cameron Reid

A strong skating defender with a high IQ, Reid was a first-round selection of the Predators in 2025. He is one of the better skaters in the OHL and this helps him to be an effective puck mover. Reid can also quarterback a power play with a strong point shot and excellent vision. The question marks surrounding Reid involve his defensive upside at the pro level. He’s not a huge defender, nor is he a physically intense player. There is a need for him to be more consistent in his own end. However, as he matures physically, his high IQ should help him to at least become adequate in the defensive end. Reid’s upside is that of a top four, puck moving defender. He’ll probably need at least a few years before he’s ready to challenge for a roster spot and would most definitely be behind the likes of Molendyk and Ufko for an offensive role over the next few seasons.

8 - Ryker Lee

One of the best indicators of how deep Nashville’s prospect pool is that Ryker Lee slots in at eighth. After lighting it up for Shattuck St. Mary’s for the better part of four years, Lee was incredible for the Madison Capitals this past season. He scored the most goals by a draft-year player in the USHL this season, and his incredible shot will be his money maker for years. Lee is overall, an offensive dynamo first and foremost. His stickhandling and vision are also advanced; all of these factors contributed to his first-round selection. The most negative factor in his game is by far his skating as a result, his strengths become limited in neutral ice. Lee will now be playing for Adam Nightingale at Michigan St. for at least the next two seasons. However, don’t count him out in that loaded lineup. He will be determined to make his mark for the Spartans this season.

9 - Reid Schaefer

Reid Schaefer battled with the injury bug all of last season, but he put together a strong sophomore pro campaign that was built on a good freshman season with the Milwaukee Admirals. When Schaefer’s in the lineup, he’s just tough to play against. He hounds loose pucks and opposing players, he’s always willing to engage with other players physically, and he never backs down from an opportunity to create havoc. This is what Schaefer needs to do to become a full-time NHL player with the Nashville Predators, and it’s great to see Schaefer stick to the game that got him here from the junior level. In terms of projections, Schaefer projects to be a hard-nosed third-line player at the NHL level, with the potential of having second-unit net-front power play time. There’s a chance he becomes more than a third-line player, perhaps a top six power forward, but he needs to keep working on his shot and playmaking abilities. We should see Schaefer become a full-time player with the Predators in the next one-to-two seasons.

10 - Teddy Stiga

Throughout last season, Stiga demonstrated consistent growth and development. Early on we highlighted his play-driving ability, offensive zone speed, and three-zone support. As the season progressed, his dynamic skating, agility, and hockey IQ became more evident, making him a constant offensive threat. His non-stop movement and knack for finding open space created scoring opportunities for himself and teammates. Defensively, Stiga showcased his awareness with an active stick, strong positioning, and well-timed stick checks, contributing in all situations. Stiga's primary strengths lie in his high-end skating, puck-handling, and decision making. His relentless forechecking pressure and creativity in tight spaces further elevate his impact. While he has shown commitment defensively, continuing to build strength and refine his physical game would enhance his effectiveness. Looking ahead, Stiga projects as a reliable middle six scoring forward with special teams upside. His blend of skill, awareness, and competitiveness suggests he could thrive in a variety of roles at higher levels, but the lack of size is always a concern.

11 - Ryan Ufko

Ufko is a mobile, puck-moving defenceman and being a right-shot makes him that much more coveted. He excels at quarterbacking the power play and has a good point shot to complement that. Ufko had a good showing as a rookie with Milwaukee in the AHL, but another year of getting stronger, to make up for his size, and increasing five-on-five-point production should serve him well.

12 - Andrew Gibson

Gibson couldn’t quite match the offensive output he did the year before and maybe that had to do with being traded midseason from Soo to Oshawa. Moving to the AHL next season, Gibson should at worst be a physical, third-pairing defenceman who can punish attackers with his size. It would be an added bonus if he finds more to his offensive game, but for now, that looks unlikely.

13 - Aiden Fink

Just like everyone expected of the seventh-round pick from the AJHL, Fink went to the NCAA, where he put up a point per game in 2023-2024 and last year was the league’s third-highest point scorer. Fink is a crafty winger who plays with high intensity and a shot that picks corners. He should remain one of Penn State’s best players on an already stacked team.

14 - Jacob Rombach

With his 6-foot-7 frame, Rombach clears defenders from dangerous areas with his elite stickwork or his size and strength. He can skate fairly well for a player his size, which allows him to efficiently spark a transition, but his offence largely stops there. He’ll need to be paired with someone more offensively capable. Nonetheless, Rombach will have all the opportunities to develop as an elite shutdown defenceman at the University of Minnesota for the next few years.

15 - Jack Ivankovic

Ivankovic makes up for his below-average stature with elite athleticism, hockey IQ, and the ability to play the puck. He anticipates the game well and it leads to his glove feeling like it’s twice its actual size. A lack of rebound control and erraticism lead to inconsistencies in his game-to-game performance. Ivankovic should be the go-to starter for Michigan next season, where he’ll face better attackers but also have a more organized defensive structure in front of him.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #17 Nashville Predators – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sun, 25 May 2025 12:33:22 +0000

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: Yegor Surin is drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round during the Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28, 2024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Subscribers can download the PDF in subscriber downloads.

Please note you can scroll through the PDF document here as well

Nashville 25 Prospects

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team USA cement themselves into World Juniors history

Kyle Watson — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:37:13 +0000

Team USA celebrate gold medal victory in the 2025 World Junior Championship. Photo by Kyle Watson.

OTTAWA — To say it was a momentous occasion for Team USA would be putting it lightly: this team made history at every corner they turned in Ottawa.

In their semifinal win over Czechia, Trey Augustine became the winningest American goaltender in World Juniors history.

Cole Hutson is the only defenseman to lead the tournament scoring outright.

David Carle is the only coach to win back-to-back gold medals for the USA.

I'd be willing to bet Teddy Stiga is the only player to score an overtime winner in the championship game with his first shot of the tournament, too.

It's fitting that with a group this deep, the Boston College freshman got to be the hero. When the "BC3" line was snakebitten early in the tournament, Danny Nelson came up with timely goals. Zeev Buium may have been on the ice for half of the tournament, but Hutson was the offensive catalyst on their blueline. Cole Eiserman tallied three goals seeing almost no ice time at 5-on-5.

In nearly every interview, Carle and his players detailed how his team were united under the goal of winning another championship. Stiga's moment in the limelight was emblematic of how Team USA came together to play their best hockey when it mattered most.

"Everyone is so grateful that we could do this together," James Hagens said after the game. "The group in that room is something special and it's something they can never take away from us."

Hagens spoke highly of Stiga, who he has played with for three seasons and is roommates with at Boston College.

"I love what he does out there. He gives it all whenever he steps on the ice and as a coach that's all you can for from a kid," he said. "Teddy is one of the hardest workers in the room, and it all paid off today. There's no other guy I'd rather see that go in [for]."

Teddy Stiga. Photo by Kyle Watson.

Stiga started the tournament as a healthy scratch in the opening game against Germany. He worked his way up from the 13th forward in the next match against Latvia and stuck as a third-line winger.

"In college, we rotate guys in and out of the lineup quite a bit, so it was a little more natural for us," explained head coach David Carle. "We wanted to keep everyone hot, so to speak and give opportunities. He made his mark in the games he had the opportunity."

"To have him out there, with his speed and how smart he is, he did a great job getting open and a great finish to put it five-hole."

TEDDY STIGA SCORES THE GOLDEN GOAL

TEAM USA WINS BACK TO BACK GOLD MEDALS!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/dkUcdLjRGB

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2025

Carle in a class of his own in junior hockey

There's a good chance most of his roster will be in the NHL shortly, but don't be surprised if David Carle beats them there.

"You see the track record he has, it's unbelievable," said captain Ryan Leonard. "His championships speak for themselves."

Having had his playing career end at age 18 due to heart problems, the now-35-year-old has done a lot of winning behind the bench at a very young age. Carle has won three national championships at the University of Denver, twice as a head coach (2024, 2022) and once as an assistant (2017). The overtime loss to Finland in this year's preliminary round remains the only blemish on his record at the World Juniors.

Team USA will have a shot at three-peating on home soil in 2026, with the tournament in St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN.

Carle hasn't ruled out returning to the helm for another year, should he be available.

"I don't know, we haven't talked past this year, so I'm going to enjoy this night," he said with a smirk.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team USA

Jamison Derksen — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 14:00:35 +0000

_{James Hagens}

The United States has to be the definitive favorite heading into the 2025 World Junior Championships. They are coming off a dominant showing through last year's tournament in which they want a gold medal, and they should have about 10 returning players, including veteran World Junior standout goaltender Trey Augustine (DET ‘23). Anything short of a gold medal this year will be viewed as a disappointment for this American squad, as they look for their 7th gold medal of all time in the tournament. The Americans have medalled 15 times in the tournament, including getting on the podium seven of the past nine years.

It looks like the American squad this year will have perhaps the most dangerous forward group in the tournament and the best goaltender in the tournament, and while the blueline will still be good, it is not the intimidating force that the other parts of the American roster are. Up front the line of Perreault/Hagens/Leonard will be driving the bus, just as they do for Boston College. Beyond that top line, there are other dangerous forwards such as all-time USNTDP leading scorer Cole Eiserman (NYI ‘24), Oliver Moore (CHI ‘23), and Trevor Connelly (VGK ‘24), there is no doubt that this team should not have issues in the goal-scoring department. The defense will be led by Zeev Buium (MIN ‘24), who should be in contention for WJC top defenseman honours, and returnee Drew Fortescue (NYR ‘23). Cole Hutson (WSH ‘24) should have plenty of opportunities to step up on the second pairing for this team, and draft-eligible Logan Hensler has an opportunity to boost his draft stock with a strong showing. In net, Trey Augustine returns for his third WJC Tournament, if another goaltender is needed at some point, Sam Hillebrandt returns as Augustine’s very capable backup.

The United States is in Group A for the 2025 World Juniors, so their round-robin opponents will be Germany (Dec. 26), Latvia (Dec. 28), Finland (Dec. 29), and Canada (Dec. 31). Will they be able to repeat as champions?

Key Players

Ryan Leonard, RW

Ryan Leonard appears to be the leader of the American team that is going into this tournament. The Washington Capitals 2023 first-rounder will do it all for the Americans, including likely wearing the “C”. A volume shooter who plays with tenacity and a ton of skill, he is an easy fan favourite. In his second World Junior tournament, Leonard will be a fixture on the top line and the top power-play unit for the United States. He should be counted on to score big goals for USA (he leads the NCAA in game-winners, and scored a dagger in the Gold Medal Game last year to put the game out of reach), as well as draw a ton of penalties. He could end up being the tournament’s MVP.

James Hagens, C

Hagens, the longtime favourite to go 1st overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, seems to have been unseated from that spot by Canadian defender Matthew Schaefer recently. This tournament could turn the tides back in Hagens’ favour as he looks to be a key cog up front for the Americans. Hagens is currently a freshman in the NCAA with Boston College, where he has 20 points in 16 games. Hagens is a stud in virtually every aspect, but he has not been scoring goals at the rate that was expected heading into this season, let’s see if he can get some of that goal-scoring mojo back in this tournament.

Gabe Perreault, LW

The pure playmaker of the Boston College / Team USA top line, Perreault should finish the tournament near or at the top of the scoring race. The 2023 New York Rangers first-rounder had 10 points in 7 games at last year’s tournament and has 23 points in 16 games in the NCAA this season. Perreault’s passing ability and chemistry with Leonard make him an irreplaceable piece of the offense for the United States. With 7 assists in his first World Junior tournament last year, he could make a run at the all-time USA assist record at the WJC, currently held by Trevor Zegras with 20.

Trey Augustine, G

Augustine, who is locked in to be the starter for the United States, has been one of the top netminders in the NCAA for Michigan State this season. The 2023 Red Wings 2nd rounder has been the starter for the Americans at each of the past two World Junior tournaments and was tops in the tournament last year for GAA (1.75) and SV% (.936). Augustine is about as safe of a bet as you can make for good goaltending in this tournament, and he likely won’t need to be relied upon heavily in most games. When it comes down to it against a strong opponent like Canada or Sweden, one of the NHL’s top goaltending prospects should be able to hold down the fort. He is also just two wins shy of the American record for wins at the World Juniors.

Zeev Buium, D

Buium snuck onto the team as a draft-eligible last year and ended up not only being a main contributor but also leading the tournament in plus/minus at +11. The Denver Pioneers standout was the top-scoring blueliner in the NCAA last year, as well as leading the circuit in ice time, all as a freshman. He capped off his tremendous season with being selected 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in June. This season, it has been more of the same, as he once again paces NCAA blueliners in scoring, while anchoring the blueline for the powerhouse Pioneers. Buium is a dynamic puck-mover who will play all the minutes he can handle for this United States squad, and may leave the tournament as the all-time USA plus/minus leader at WJC (currently Brock Faber, +19).

Cole Eiserman, LW

It seems crazy to only have Eiserman listed at 6th here, the 2024 New York Islanders first-rounder holds the goal-scoring record for the National Team Development Program and has 9 goals in 16 games so far as a freshman for Boston University, but that is just a testament to the high-end players already present on the American roster. Eiserman has always been a standout goal scorer, blessed with an elite shot and elite offensive instincts, he was once thought to be a challenger for first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. His lack of all-around game ended up tumbling him down into the mid-first round, but he can still put the puck in the net with the best. He should be heavily involved in the offense at even strength and on the power play.

Trevor Connelly, LW

Trevor Connelly is among the most talented players on this United States roster and is probably the best skater of the bunch. Off-ice concerns pushed him down draft boards a little bit last summer, but based solely on his play on the ice he could have easily been a top 10 pick. Eventually, the Vegas Golden Knights grabbed him 19th overall, and he currently sits just a shade under a point per game as a freshman with Providence College. Connelly has shown the ability to take over an international tournament for the US before, he led the 2023/24 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in scoring.

Drew Fortescue, D

Drew Fortescue, one of three returnees on the American blueline, should be paired with Zeev Buium on the top defensive pair. The dynamic Buium will certainly be the one pushing the offense, and Fortescue will be the anchor defensively in the pair. He prototypes as a useful stay-at-home defender but is still able to get the puck up the ice to his teammates. Fortescue was a third-round pick by the New York Rangers in 2023 and is in his second season with Boston College.

Oliver Moore, C

University of Minnesota centreman Oliver Moore was barely a factor in last year’s tournament, playing less than 10:00 per game, but it’s safe to say that will not be the case this time around. Moore, the 19th overall pick in 2023 by the Chicago Blackhawks, should slot into a second-line role at his second WJC. He is an elite skater, perhaps the only one on the roster that can rival Connelly in that regard, and his playmaking chops should mesh well with the scorers on the American roster. Moore isn’t a “sleeper” entering this tournament, but he could end up surprising many with the impact he makes on this team.

Cole Hutson, D

Cole Hutson will be counted on to play a crucial role on the back end for the United States on the second pairing. The mobile, offensively-gifted blueliner was selected 43rd overall by the Washington Capitals in June and should be able to take some of the offensive load off of Zeev Buium. Hutson, the USNTDP record holder for points from a defenceman, is the younger brother of former USA WJC standout Lane Hutson and brings a lot of the same qualities in his game. Last year the United States had a nice 1-2 offensive punch with Lane and Buium, maybe it can be replicated this time around with Buium and the younger Hutson.

Sleeper Player

Teddy Stiga, LW

My sleeper pick for a player that can make an impact on this tournament for the United States is Nashville Predators 2024 2nd rounder Teddy Stiga. The Boston College freshman isn’t going to be a dominant force, and will surely be playing as a bottom-six forward for the Americans, but he is a player who works hard and always finds a way to be effective. Checking in at just 5’10, Stiga still plays with an edge and is excellent along the boards, despite his size. He’s an intelligent, energetic guy with skill, a perfect sleeper in a short tournament.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – NASHVILLE PREDATORS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #10

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Brock Otten — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:00:56 +0000

240824 Frölundas David Edstrom under ishockeymatchen i Strömstad Hockey Classic mellan Färjestad och Frölunda den 24 augusti 2024 i Skee.
Foto: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN / COP 89 / MI0707

Prospect System Ranking – 10th (Previous Rank - 6th)
GM: Barry Trotz Hired: July 2023
COACH: Andrew Brunette Hired: May 2023

Big things are happening in Music City, with Barry Trotz now guiding the ship. In his first full season as GM, the former bench boss made significant splashes during the 2024 free agency period, locking up big fish like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei.

In a somewhat surprising move, the Predators also re-signed veteran goaltender Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract. While securing a cornerstone in net makes sense in most cases, it threw a wrench in the future plans of McKeen’s top-rated goaltending prospect, and Nashville’s top prospect, Yaroslav Askarov, resulting in a trade to San Jose. The return included 109th ranked prospect David Edstrom, who slots in at the fifth ranked prospect for the Predators. They also acquired a conditional first round pick (previously acquired from Vegas) and goaltending prospect Magnus Chrona. For Trotz it did add to potential future stock but the prospects and pick also offer trade alternatives for an organization that has gone all in to win now.

Down on the farm, the Predators boast several prospects on the verge of making the leap to the NHL. Joakim Kemell (52nd), Fyodor Svechkov (159th), and Zach L'Heureux (82nd) are all coming off respectable rookie campaigns and have shown they can handle the pro ranks. Reid Schaefer (162nd), Ryan Ufko (171st), and newly acquired Jeremy Hanzel are also set to step into full-time roles with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Further from home, the Predators continue to develop a few intriguing names. Matthew Wood, playing at the University of Connecticut, Tanner Molendyk (107th), dominating at the WHL level, and recently drafted first-rounder Yegor Surin (133rd), who tore up the MHL last year and is now set to graduate to the KHL for the 2024-25 season, all represent exciting future pieces.

With recent gradations to Philip Tomasino, Juuso Parssinen, and Luke Evangelista, the process of retooling a team which has made the postseason nine out of the last 10 years is in full effect.

Nashville Predators Top-15 Prospects

1. Joakim Kemell

It’s becoming more and more common to see U20 players in the AHL these days, and it’s also becoming even more commonplace to see them performing well. Kemell left Finland to join Milwaukee two years ago and was an immediate impact player for the Admirals during their playoff run (with 8 goals in 14 playoff games). In his first full year in North America last year, Kemell was very solid, right there with the likes of Shane Wright and Jiri Kulich among the top U20 scorers in the AHL. In December, the Predators took a lot of heat for not allowing Kemell to go to the WJC’s to play for Finland, but perhaps it was best to allow him to have an uninterrupted first full year. The results spoke for themselves. Kemell’s best two attributes would be his shot and his quickness. He is absolutely dynamic in transition and he is right at home on the flank on the powerplay where he can hammer pucks with his lethal one timer. The focus moving forward remains strength on the puck so that Kemell can be more inside driven. The gains that he can make in the strength department likely dictate whether he is a full time Predator next season or not.

2. Matthew Wood

Wood, the 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft, shocked the hockey world when he announced that he was heading to the transfer portal this offseason, following a rather lateral development year with UConn as a sophomore. Now headed to the University of Minnesota, Wood will try to get things back on track with the Golden Gophers. The 6-foot-4, 200 pound forward is an absolute load to handle for defenders when he’s attacking in transition because his top speed has improved and because he protects the puck so well. Wood also dominates near the crease because of his quick hands and quick release. Moving forward, the focus will continue to be on his quickness in order to be more explosive to gaps and coming off the wall. Additionally, there’s still a lot of room for Wood to improve as a two-way player. The Predators will be looking for his physical intensity level to become more consistent and that would take his game to another level. One would expect that Wood will turn pro following his junior season at Minnesota and depending on how next year goes, he could make an immediate impact in Nashville.

3. Zachary L'Heureux

Coming into the year, if someone had told you that L’Heureux would be second in the AHL in penalty minutes in his first pro season, would you have been surprised? We certainly wouldn’t have. However, it should also be noted that he finished first in the AHL playoffs in goal scoring, an extremely impressive accolade. L’Heureux is at his best when he’s playing on the edge…or even crossing it, and it’s the combination of his pest-like qualities with his skill and offensive zone awareness that makes him a bit of a unicorn these days. L’Heureux is very much on track to be a quality middle six player for Nashville and that could happen as early as next season if he can continue to learn to rein things in a bit to stay out of the box. The former Halifax Mooseheads standout and 27th overall pick is right on track developmentally and Nashville has to be happy with his performance as a first-year pro.

4. Tanner Molendyk

Molendyk’s draft plus one year went extremely well as he has emerged as one of the WHL’s top two-way defenders. He was one of six defenders to average over one point per game and his Saskatoon Blades finished the regular season with the most wins in the league. Just as was the case when he was drafted, Molendyk’s best asset is his mobility. A phenomenal and effortless four-way skater, Molendyk’s skating ability makes up the foundation of his game. He’s aggressive in attacking the offensive zone and leading the charge in transition. He quarterbacks the powerplay well by consistently beating the initial layer of pressure. His rush defense is excellent because of his terrific gap control and ability to keep the action ahead of him. Would it be shocking at all to see Molendyk copy Kevin Korchinski’s development path by making the NHL next season? Stranger things have happened, especially after Tyson Barrie was allowed to walk. However, Ryan Ufko would probably be ahead of him on the depth chart.

5. David Edstrom

There probably isn't a hockey coach in the world who wouldn't fall in love with Edstrom almost immediately. He is about as consistent, versatile, and low-maintenance as hockey players come, and there is a ton of plug-and-play value to him, especially as a center. He can play the game any way you like and fit anywhere in a team's lineup. He’s already so wise and mature as a hockey player, and as a teenager this season in the SHL he looked like someone who could have already been in the league for 10 years. He's reminiscent of another former Frolunda center in Lars Eller, in the sense that he'll likely never be a superstar, but it's easy to foresee him as someone who plays 1,000 games in the NHL and is always great to have on your roster come playoff time.

6. Yegor Surin

Can you imagine Zachary L'Heureux and Yegor Surin on the same line? The Predators sure could. Absolute chaos. That’s why the Predators used the 22nd overall pick on him this year. Surin plays the game on (or even over) the edge consistently. It’s even fair to say that his physicality knows no bounds. He is a Tasmanian devil on the ice. However, like L'Heureux, Surin is also a skilled player who can make plays with the puck and who is capable of playing alongside other skilled players in an offensive role. That’s what makes him unique. We saw how valuable he can be in this past season’s MHL playoffs, where Surin was one of the top performers. The only real question is, how well does he process the game? That’s yet to be determined. The answer will dictate his future place in an NHL lineup. For now, he’ll return to Russia and look to earn more time in the KHL this season with Lokomotiv.

7. Fyodor Svechkov

After a few tumultuous post draft years in Russia, the Predators have to be very happy with the development of Svechkov this past season in Milwaukee. Not only did he continue to be a strong defensive presence, which was part of his allure as a draft eligible player in 2021, but his offensive game translated nicely too. He was right in the mix with the other top young forwards on Milwaukee’s roster and his attention to detail and versatility are sure to make him a coaches’ favourite during his likely long NHL career. He looks like a safe bet to at least become a very good third line forward for the Predators in the near future, although at this point, he would appear to be behind Kemell and L’Heureux in the pecking order. Returning to Milwaukee next year as an AHL sophomore would actually be best for his development, especially considering the likelihood that one of those other top young forwards gets promoted, which would open up even more ice time and responsibility for him.

8. Reid Schaefer

One of the prize pieces of the Mattias Ekholm trade with Edmonton, Schaefer is a former first round selection by the Oilers, and he just completed his first pro season with AHL Milwaukee. Given the depth of Nashville’s talent pool at the pro level, Schaefer played more of a bottom six role for the Admirals. Considering his play style as a two-way, power winger, that’s been a great fit for him, easing him into the increased pace of the pro game. He wasn’t able to find his way to the net to create scoring chances with the same sort of consistency as he did in the WHL, but he proved to be sound away from the puck and brought it physically despite being a younger player. He definitely did not look overwhelmed at the AHL level. Schaefer is likely to receive more playing time and responsibility this season and that will give us a better indication of his offensive upside as an NHL player. As is, he looks like a future NHL’er in some capacity, but he’s just further behind in his development compared to the other young star forwards in the system.

9. Ryan Ufko

The captain of UMass last season, Ufko signed at the end of the college season and immediately became an impact player at the AHL level for Milwaukee. He was an integral part of their playoff run and that has Nashville fans excited about his prospects for the future. Ufko’s biggest knock has always been his size, but he’s worked hard to improve his overall skating profile and his strength away from the puck. He’s more than just a powerplay quarterback, as he is a strong, heady, two-way defender. He has proven that he could be a potential top four fixture for Nashville in the future. What’s in store for him this year? Likely a full year in Milwaukee, so that he can continue to gain confidence. However, as mentioned with Tanner Molendyk, there’s a strong chance that Ufko could see NHL time this year based on how he looked to close out the last AHL season.

10. Teddy Stiga

Based on his rapid improvement over the course of his draft season, Stiga entered the draft as one of our favourite targets in the late first round, early second round range. Needless to say, we feel that Nashville made a great selection at 55th overall. Stiga is one of those players who is designed to be a tremendous complement to other skilled players. He proved that this past year playing with potential 2025 first overall pick James Hagens. He’s tenacious. He’s intelligent. He’s skilled. His skating has already improved a lot and should continue to do so. Sure, he’s not huge, but neither is a guy like Jake Guentzel, and he just earned himself a lot of money this offseason for being the perfect complementary piece. Stiga will attend Boston College this coming season as a freshman, and we expect his production to be immediately solid. Look for him to slot in alongside Hagens in BC’s top six.

11. Semyon Chistyakov

The Nashville Predators have been patient with their 2019 draft pick and that patience will need to continue given that his KHL contract runs another two years. But good things come to those that wait. Chistyakov is already one of the top young defenders in the KHL and he should most definitely be NHL ready by that time. A mobile, puck mover, Chistyakov projects as a solid second or third pairing two-way defender who can help manage the puck and even quarterback the secondary powerplay unit.

12. Andrew Gibson

Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings this past offseason, Gibson is a competitive, defensively oriented defender from the OHL. The big right shot blueliner is physically assertive and he makes opposing forwards earn their touches when he’s on the ice. Gibson blocks shots, clears the crease, and is generally just a solid defensive presence. This past year, his offensive game took a nice jump with Sault Ste. Marie, but his calling card will likely be in the defensive end at the next level.

13. Felix Nilsson

Nilsson was very much a draft favourite of many members of the McKeen’s Hockey scouting staff for last year’s NHL Draft, however his post draft year wasn’t a tremendous step forward. When he plays at the J20 level, he’s a key offensive contributor. When he plays at the SHL level, like he did most of the season with Rogle, he is a non-factor due to limited ice time as well as strength deficits. Nilsson is tenacious and a strong playmaker, but there’s a need to get quicker and stronger to perform well against men.

14. Adam Ingram

Ingram will be returning to St. Cloud State for his junior season and the expectation is that he continues to improve. He’s shown growth through both of his first two NCAA years, improving his skating and strength on and off the puck. The well-rounded pivot projects as a versatile pro as long as Nashville continues to be patient with him.

15. Kalan Lind

For the second straight year, Lind battled injuries with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL as he dipped below the point per game mark. The physical winger plays an aggressive North/South game and projects as a quality bottom six player. The coming season will be a big one for him as he tries to play a full year and aims to take his goal scoring to the next level.

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROUND ONE

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

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

Favourite Selection: Stian Solberg (#23) to Anaheim

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

Biggest Surprise: Terik Parascak (#17) to Washington

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

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

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

ROUND TWO

Favourite Selection: Teddy Stiga (#55) to Nashville

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

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

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

Biggest Surprise: Ilya Nabokov (#38) to Colorado

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

ROUND THREE

Favourite Selection: Tarin Smith (#79) to Anaheim

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

Favourite Selection: Matvei Shuravin (#97) to Florida

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

Biggest Surprise: Henry Mews (#74) to Calgary

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

ROUND FOUR

Favourite Selection: Heikki Ruohonen (#107) to Philadelphia

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

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

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

Biggest Surprise: Trevor Hoskin (#106) to Calgary

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

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

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

ROUND FIVE

Favourite Selection: Luke Misa (#150) to Calgary

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

Favourite Selection: Justin Poirier (#156) to Carolina

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

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

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

ROUND SIX

Favourite Selection: Anthony Romani (#162) to Vancouver

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

Favourite Selection: Luke Ashton (#165) to Columbus

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

Biggest Surprise: Stevie Leskovar (#174) to Minnesota

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

ROUND SEVEN

Favourite Selection: Ryerson Leenders (#219) to Buffalo

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

Favourite Selection: Erik Pahlsson (#213) to Nashville

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

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

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

OUR BEST UNDRAFTED PLAYERS

Tomas Galvas

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

Daniil Ustinkov

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

Alex Zetterberg

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

Nolan Roed

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

Lukas Matecha

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

Matthew Van Blaricom

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

Frankie Marrelli

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

Gian Meier

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

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

Brock Otten — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:03:17 +0000

#1. San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini - C - Boston University (HE)

At this point, San Jose might as well announce this now. The entire hockey world knows that Celebrini is going to be its guy. This is a pivot without any true weaknesses who projects as a franchise leader for the Sharks moving forward. Think of the impact that Jonathan Toews had on turning the Blackhawks rebuild around.

#2. Chicago Blackhawks - Artyom Levshunov – D - Michigan State (B1G)

Part of me believes that Chicago might really like Sam Dickinson because of how much value they have been placing on skating in recent drafts, but another part believes that Levshunov will be the Hawks guy. We prefer Dickinson, but there’s no doubting that Levshunov has among the highest two-way upside of any defender in this draft. With his high-end skill and offensive aggressiveness, he’ll be able to give the Hawks a dynamic puck mover on both of their first two pairings (with Korchinski).

#3. Anaheim Ducks - Anton Silayev – D - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

On one hand, the Ducks haven’t used a Top 50 pick on a Russian based player (as in playing in the KHL, MHL, etc) since Stanislav Chistov in 2001. It’s obvious that they have preferences for other regions. However, what’s also obvious is the fit here. The Ducks have so many terrific puck moving defenders. The system is loaded. However, the team’s high end defensively oriented prospects have had their development stall like Noah Warren and Drew Helleson. Anaheim could see Silayev as an amazing fit beside guys like Mintyukov and Zellweger, allowing them to play freely and aggressively.

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets - Ivan Demidov – RW - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

The Jackets have had great success with young Russian players recently, even forming a great Russian kid line involving Chinakhov, Voronkov, and Marchenko. Not only is Demidov clearly the best player available at this point, but he also helps add significant skill to the wing for the organization that needs it. This is an offensive play driver solely needed.

#5. Montreal Canadiens - Cayden Lindstrom – C - Medicine Hat (WHL)

This is one of the best-case scenarios for Montreal. Is Lindstrom’s injury history a concern? Likely for some teams. However, the upside here is too large for Montreal to pass up. Not only is Lindstrom a fantastic young player, but he also helps the Canadiens get bigger and heavier up front, which was a reason for preferring Slafkovsky at first overall two years ago.

#6. Utah Hockey Club - Zeev Buium – D - Denver (NCHC)

Seems likely that Utah could lean towards taking one of the high-end offensive defenders available with this pick. In the last five drafts, the Coyotes have not taken a single player out of the OHL. This leads me to believe that Buium is a guy that the team could find really attractive at #6. He’s such an intelligent playmaker from the backend and he would really help Utah improve their transitional game and powerplay production.

#7. Ottawa Senators - Sam Dickinson – D - London (OHL)

Dickinson is the perfect defender for the modern era thanks to his high-end skating ability. He’s the kind of blueliner who projects as an all situations, minute eater. Given how terrific he has been in this year’s OHL playoffs (and the Memorial Cup), Ottawa likely sees him as a terrific fit as a “winner” who can help them get over the hump in the coming years. The Sens really need to hit on this pick and Dickinson is as safe as safe can be to be an impact player.

#8. Seattle Kraken - Beckett Sennecke – RW - Oshawa (OHL)

There is a ton of traction for Sennecke to be a high pick and Seattle strikes us as a likely landing spot. They’ve targeted the OHL pretty heavily and, playing in the Pacific, they want to load up their lineup with heavier players who can withstand the punishing style in the division. Sennecke oozes upside as an athletic winger still growing into his frame. He is skilled, physical, and intelligent. A great combination. Logic says Seattle finally uses their first on a defender, but something about this spot screams Sennecke.

#9. Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla – C - Kelowna (WHL)

Maybe this is far-fetched. But maybe it’s not. Teams don’t use top ten selections for the sole purpose of nostalgia. But how can you pass up the opportunity to draft an iconic name, who also happens to be worthy in this spot. Iginla was terrific in the second half of the year, and this gives Calgary an injection of skill and tenacity. He could have a similar impact to his father in Calgary.

#10. New Jersey Devils - Konsta Helenius – C - Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)

The Devils are a team that definitely don’t want to be picking in this range. The organization has been trying to escape the rebuilding phase, so would it not make sense for them to target a player who has great upside, but who can also make an impact pretty quickly? Helenius fits in well with the players already in New Jersey and the Devils have liked the region in recent drafts.

#11. Buffalo Sabres - Zayne Parekh – D - Saginaw (OHL)

Yeah, we know that the Sabres already have Dahlin and Power on the back end. That powerplay unit is already loaded. However, at some point, you have to say that Parekh is too good to let slide further. One of the draft’s most creative and intelligent defenders, Parekh is the ultimate wild card. He could go as high as the top five or fall out of the lottery all together. This would be great value for the Sabres.

#12. Philadelphia Flyers - Cole Eiserman – LW - U. S. NTDP U18

Often tagged as being the draft’s purest goal scorer, Eiserman had an up and down year with the NTDP. However, he still managed to break the program’s scoring record and that is impressive. Big wingers who can put the puck in the net do not grow on trees. While the Flyers could go defense here, having just dealt top prospect Cutter Gauthier for defender Jamie Drysdale, it seems unlikely that they will go that route.

#13. Minnesota Wild - Carter Yakemchuk – D - Calgary (WHL)

This seems low for Yakemchuk. But someone is going to need to fall a bit considering the talent available in the lottery. While Yakemchuk’s upside is significant, we think teams may have concerns over his puck management and skating combination. That said, he’s a great fit in Minnesota as a potential puck mover and triggerman who can help their powerplay and move quickly through the system.

#14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins) - Stian Solberg – D - Valerenga (Norway)

The draft is bound to get pretty wild around this point given the wild fluctuation among rankings. Solberg has had a ton of momentum the last month and we really like this fit. Solberg was tremendous at the World Championships, showing that he can impact the game in a lot of different ways. This is someone who can come in and be a defensive stalwart for the Sharks in the future.

#15. Detroit Red Wings - Berkly Catton – C - Spokane (WHL)

This is much lower than our ranking for Catton, but we realize that we may be more aggressive on him compared to the NHL community. He is the kind of play driver who can elevate Detroit’s first two lines in the future. He’s more skilled than Danielson and Kasper, but he has that same kind of high-end work ethic. If Catton is still available at fifteen, this should one hundred percent be his landing spot.

#16. St. Louis Blues - Trevor Connelly – LW - Tri-City (USHL)

Where does Connelly go? That’s one of the draft’s biggest questions considering the noise around his off-ice “issues.” However, we do think that someone bites considering Connelly has among the highest offensive upsides of any forward in this draft. The Blues need more firepower. They need more play drivers. Connelly is someone who can make this St. Louis team better down the line if he progresses well.

#17. Washington Capitals - Adam Jiricek – D - Plzen (Czechia)

It was a pretty tough draft year for Jiricek, after he missed the majority of the year with injury. However, he came into the year as a potential top ten selection for a reason. He’s talented and a potential two-way stalwart like his brother David. So many options here but could see the Caps lean defense if Jiricek is still on the board.

#18. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - Michael Brandsegg Nygard – RW - Mora (Allsvenskan)

The Hawks have really been focusing on selecting strong skaters in recent years, so there’s a chance that they team will jump on a guy like Jett Luchanko here. However, we like Brandsegg Nygard here for a few reasons. One, he’s one of the best players available. Two, he’s an excellent fit alongside some of the high-end skill that Chicago has brought in. His hard work and attention to detail could make him the kind of high-end role player that Chicago had during their Cup runs.

#19. Vegas Golden Knights - EJ Emery – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Did you know that Vegas has never drafted a player out of the U.S. NTDP? Seems wild, but this could be the year. Vegas has used their first selection on a center every year of existence. That kind of commitment is impressive. However, we believe that this is the year that the streak breaks. We love Emery’s physical tools and upside as a defensive stalwart, and he fits the exact mold of the kind of defender Vegas seems to love. The team’s defensive core is getting older, and he could be a great fit there in a few years.

#20. New York Islanders (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Michael Hage – C - Chicago (USHL)

We like this potential landing spot for Hage. He was, perhaps, the best player in the USHL in the second half of the year. This was the real Michael Hage, after he put some personal turmoil behind him. He has upside as a top six, power center and his skill is badly needed in a prospect pool that is currently lacking it.

#21. Los Angeles Kings - Jett Luchanko – C - Guelph (OHL)

We know the Kings love the OHL. Luchanko would be a great pick here. The tenacious and intelligent pivot brings speed and playmaking ability to the table and looks like a future fixture as a second line center. There aren’t a ton of natural pivots in the system right now, so it also makes sense for Los Angeles to target that position, if a good one is available.

#22. Nashville Predators - Leo Sahlin Wallenius – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

A strong skating, potential two-way defender, Sahlin Wallenius proved to be a bit of a chameleon in his draft year. What’s his real future role? Regardless, the physical tools are going to be intriguing to a team like Nashville.

#23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Harrison Brunicke – D - Kamloops (WHL)

This would be the first time since 2018 that Toronto uses its first-round selection on a defender. We’d say it’s needed. Brunicke is a strong skating rearguard with upside at both ends. He excelled defensively at the U18’s and he’s the kind of modern-day defender that Toronto sorely lacks. The organization would have also seen a fair amount of Brunicke while scouting Fraser Minten in Kamloops.

#24. Colorado Avalanche - Igor Chernyshov – LW - Dynamo Moskva (KHL)

We could see Colorado moving this pick at the draft for some immediate help after their disappointing playoff performance. However, if they keep this selection, a guy like Chernyshov could make a ton of sense. He can attack with speed and power, playing a North/South game that fits their system.

#25. Ottawa Senators (via Boston Bruins) - Liam Greentree – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Back-to-back OHL players for Ottawa in our mock, this time the team selects Windsor winger Greentree, who has the potential to be a Jason Robertson kind of player in the future. He is creative and skilled but needs to improve his skating. We believe improving the team’s skill and finishing ability on the wing should be a focus.

#26. Montreal Canadiens (via Winnipeg Jets) - Sam O’Reilly – RW - London (OHL)

With a strong OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup performance, O’Reilly has surged up draft rankings to close out the year. The physical, two-way center has more offensive upside than he has shown thus far playing in a secondary scoring role. Worst case scenario could see him developing into a Scott Laughton type, which would still be terrific value at this point of the first.

#27. Carolina Hurricanes - Alfons Freij – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

The Hurricanes always seem to love the same kind of players that the amateur scouting community love. Freij is one of those amateur scouting darlings this year that we (as a community) seem to love more than the NHL community (as a whole). The skating ability and skill are evident. He was a standout at nearly every international event for Sweden and projects as a skilled top four defende

#28. Calgary Flames (via Vancouver Canucks) - Cole Beaudoin – C - Barrie (OHL)

After drafting Iginla early, the Flames opt for a different kind of forward late in the first. Beaudoin projects as the kind of guy you win in the playoffs with. He brings versatility. He brings leadership. He brings consistency. He is an intelligent playmaker and can excel as a middle six complementary piece. Just seems very likely that at least one NHL team likes his intangibles enough to draft him in the first.

#29. Dallas Stars - Emil Hemming – RW - TPS (Fin-Liiga)

The Stars haven’t drafted a player out of Finland since Miro Heiskanen in 2017, but we’d say that has worked out pretty well. At this point, Hemming fills a need and represents the best player available. He brings tenaciousness and he is one of the draft’s best goal scorers from the wing.

#30. New York Rangers - Charlie Elick - D - Brandon (WHL)

Elick has a similar profile to Braden Schneider when the Rangers drafted him and that worked out pretty well. The size, skating, and physicality combination make Elick a potential shutdown defender for a decade. His decision making needs to improve, but New York has actually improved this component in several of their defensive prospects.

#31. Anaheim Ducks (via Edmonton Oilers) - Julius Miettinen – C - Everett (WHL)

Miettinen improved by leaps and bounds over the course of the year and represents a big body with skill. His skating took a big leap from the beginning of the year to the end, and it has really improved his projection as a top six forward. Anaheim really seems to favor forwards with a well-rounded profile and that’s Miettinen.

#32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Florida Panthers) - Ben Danford – D - Oshawa (OHL)

This pick might surprise some people, but Danford is a player who rocketed up rankings in the second half as part of an Oshawa team that went to the OHL finals. He’s one of the better defensive players in the draft; a shot blocking expert who has terrific defensive instincts. He’s also a strong skater who has shown flashes of more offensively. Shades of Oliver Bonk here and that worked out really well so far.

—----------------------------

#33. San Jose Sharks - Dean Letourneau – C - St. Andrew's (CHS-Ontario)

There’s definitely a chance that Letourneau goes in the first, but we feel that teams may be more comfortable using a second on a prep player given that many of those chosen in the first have not developed well. The Sharks can take a chance on Letourneau, given the team’s window is a ways away. The big man oozes upside because of his athleticism.

#34. Chicago Blackhawks - Henry Mews – D - Ottawa (OHL)

With the Hawks focusing so much on strong skating ability, Mews makes sense here. He’s a terrific four-way mover who possesses excellent upside as an offensive defender. He’s a creative rush attacker and his defense did improve over the course of the season.

#35. Anaheim Ducks - Terik Parascak – RW - Prince George (WHL)

A highly intelligent playmaker, Parascak makes up for only average skating by being a step ahead of others mentally. He’s skilled. He’s tenacious. He projects as a quality complementary piece in the top six and he would fit in perfectly with what Anaheim already has in the system.

#36. Philadelphia Flyers (via Columbus Blue Jackets) - Sacha Boisvert – C - Muskegon (USHL)

Why not double down on a top goal scorer? After drafting the draft’s best in Cole Eiserman, the Flyers now take one of the other best options in power center Sasha Boivert. His skating needs to continue to improve, but he can really fire it.

#37. Winnipeg Jets (via Montreal Canadiens) - Cole Hutson – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Wouldn’t it be fitting if the Jets used the Montreal pick to select Lane’s brother Cole? Cole battled some injuries this year, but he closed out the year on a high note by returning for the U18’s. He can control the tempo with his handling ability and mobility. His defensive game is also probably more advanced compared to Lane’s at the same age.

#38. Utah Hockey Club - Teddy Stiga – C - U. S. NTDP U18

Back-to-back NTDP members are chosen here as Stiga ends up being Utah’s pick. He is a terrific complementary piece who was one of the NTDP’s most improved players this year. He plays at a feverish pace, and he is skilled and intelligent enough to play with high end, creative playmakers. Could be the perfect future linemate for Logan Cooley.

#39. Ottawa Senators - Linus Eriksson – C - Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

Erikson is a strong skating, two-way center with a strong chance of developing into an excellent and versatile middle six piece. He was solid for Sweden internationally this year and adds great depth to Ottawa’s center position down the line.

#40. Seattle Kraken - Will Skahan – D - U. S. NTDP U18

One of the draft’s most physical defenders, Skahan is big, reasonably mobile, and projects as a top four shutdown blueliner. Seattle has never really drafted a player like Skahan, and we would argue that in order for them to take that next step, they’ll need players like him in the Pacific.

#41. Calgary Flames - Dominik Badinka – D - Malmo (SHL)

Strong, two-way defender who played a ton at the SHL level. His true offensive upside was hidden by playing sheltered minutes against men. The Flames opt for defense here and have had some luck taking Swedish based defenders in recent years (Badinka is Czech but played out of Sweden).

#42. San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey Devils) - Andrew Basha – LW - Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Sharks opt for a bit of a safer selection at this spot after really rolling the dice with the previous two picks. Basha is an excellent complementary piece who projects as someone who can elevate the play of a creative and skilled pivot. He could be the perfect linemate for the likes of Celebrini, Smith, or Eklund because he is skilled and does the dirty work to open up ice.

#43. Buffalo Sabres - Maxim Masse – RW - Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Buffalo makes Masse the first QMJHL player off the board. He’s one of the better pure goal scorers in the draft and he plays a mature, pro style game that sees him get to the middle of the ice. The skating needs to keep improving, but this is a player who could fit in well with some of the others in Buffalo’s system.

#44. Pittsburgh Penguins (via Philadelphia Flyers) - Lucas Pettersson – C - MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)

With their first pick in the draft, the Penguins opt for Swedish center Lucas Pettersson. He’s a strong skating, two-way pivot who projects as a solid middle six piece who can play in a variety of different situations. Building up prospect depth needs to be a focus of Kyle Dubas, after the system was bled dry for the last half a decade.

#45. Minnesota Wild - Brodie Ziemer – RW - U. S. NTDP U18

A Minnesota native heading to the University of Minnesota, the Wild get the captain of this year’s NTDP. He projects as a terrific complementary piece in the top nine who can help bring out the best in more skilled players. He plays a heavier game, which fits in with the theme that Minnesota seems to be focusing on at the draft in recent years.

#46. Pittsburgh Penguins - Aron Kiviharju – D - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

If there is a team that is going to take a chance on Kiviharju bringing everything together, the Penguins make a ton of sense. With a couple of seconds, they should be focusing on bringing in high upside players and Kiviharju is just that. Is there concern that he has plateaued? Absolutely. However, there’s also a chance that injuries this year really prevented him from being at his best.

#47. Detroit Red Wings - Leon Muggli – D - Zug (Sui-NL)

The Red Wings opt for Leon Muggli, a Swiss defender who really emerged as a top-notch NHL prospect this year. He showed well playing against men in the NL. He’s intelligent and mobile and should have a solid floor as an NHL rearguard in some capacity.

#48. St. Louis Blues - Matvei Shuravin – C - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Long and lean Russian defender with intriguing two-way upside. He was a player who was hard to get a read on this year with his limited minutes in the KHL, however he has an intriguing combination of size and mobility. It’s possible that he reminds the Blues of drafting Colton Parayko back in the day.

#49. Utah Hockey Club (via Washington Capitals) - Yegor Surin – C - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Utah and their scouts have not been shy about selecting Russian players in recent drafts. Surin is better than the 49th player selected. He is a competitive, but skilled pivot who could end up developing into a versatile player for Utah down the line. Maybe the perfect linemate for fellow Russian Daniil But?

#50. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - John Mustard – C - Waterloo (USHL)

One of the best names in the draft, but also one of the best skaters. Mustard had a breakout campaign in the USHL this year. He’s an explosive player and a talented goal scorer. However, he is also an intense competitor, something that should make Mustard an NHL player in some capacity if the offensive game doesn’t translate.

#51. Philadelphia Flyers (Compensation Pick for Jay O’Brien) - Ryder Ritchie – RW - Prince Albert (WHL)

Ranked as a first rounder by us, there is thought that we are higher on him than NHL scouts after a bit of a disappointing second half mired by injuries. Ritchie is a competitive winger who plays bigger than his size (excuse the cliche). He has solid upside as a complementary piece on a scoring line. This is a nice swing for Philadelphia with their compensation pick.

#52. Washington Capitals (via Vegas Golden Knights) - Marek Vanacker – LW - Brantford (OHL)

The Capitals opt for speedy Hamilton winger Marek Vanacker, the last of our first round graded players. He was extremely consistent all year long and has intriguing offensive upside because of the pace he can play at. Washington would be very familiar with him thanks to their scouting of Patrick Thomas.

#53. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Heikki Ruohonen – C - Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)

The Preds have long loved Finnish players, with a strong presence in that market. Ruohonen was one of the biggest risers in the second half of the year; he was excellent at the U18’s for the Finns. He is a competitive, two-way, power center eventually heading to Harvard.

#54. New York Islanders (via Los Angeles Kings) - Adam Kleber – D - Lincoln (USHL)

Kleber is a massive defender whose game really improved over the second half of the year. His mobility, in particular, really took a positive step forward. The USHL rearguard projects as a physical stay at home type, but he does flash some intriguing offensive tools too.

#55. Nashville Predators - Mikhail Yegorov – G - Omaha (USHL)

There has been a ton of talk about Nashville moving on from Juuse Saros, handing over the keys to Askarov. However, there isn’t much of a back-up plan behind Askarov if he doesn't pan out. Taking a goalie makes sense for the Preds in round two and Yegorov is an excellent athlete who their goaltending development coaches can really work with.

#56. St. Louis Blues (via Toronto Maple Leafs) - Luke Misa – C - Mississauga (OHL)

Misa is a speedy, two-way forward who projects as a solid middle six option for St. Louis down the line. He had a solid year for Mississauga in the OHL and is the type of player who could move quickly through the system as a later birthday.

#57. Montreal Canadiens (via Colorado Avalanche) - Tory Pitner - Youngstown (USHL)

Montreal has done well by selecting heady defenders in recent years and Pitner is definitely that. He’s one of the draft's most intelligent blueliners, especially in the defensive end. He competes hard and projects as a solid two-way, second pairing type.

#58. Anaheim Ducks (via Boston Bruins) - Tarin Smith – D - Everett (WHL)

A team with an already loaded defensive talent pool can afford to take chances on high upside defenders like Smith. He’s very raw, but his physical tools are excellent. He skates well. He can create offense. How it all comes together remains to be seen, but Anaheim can afford to be patient.

#59. Nashville Predators (via Winnipeg Jets) - Adam Jecho – C - Edmonton (WHL)

An enigma to the highest degree, Jecho is one of the draft’s ultimate boom or bust prospects. At times, he dominates in the offensive end with his size and skill. Other times, he looks lumbering, lazy, and disengaged. Which Jecho will emerge as the real one? Nashville has always loved wingers like this with high end physical tools.

#60. Carolina Hurricanes - Nikita Artamonov – LW - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

This just seems like an amazing fit. The Canes have loved players like Artamanov. High end processor. Not the quickest or most physical, but efficient. They’ve also been one of the most aggressive NHL franchises in drafting Russian talent recently.

#61. New York Islanders (via Vancouver Canucks) - AJ Spellacy – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Spellacy was outstanding in the second half of the OHL season after he fully recovered from a knee injury. He has great length and speed and projects as a high end third line player who can be an elite penalty killer and defensive forward. The last Windsor forward NYI took worked out well.

#62. Calgary Flames (via Dallas Stars) - Raoul Boilard – C - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

What’s the finished product going to look like with Boilard? This is completely unknown due to some consistency issues. However, the Flames need to improve their center depth in the organization and Boilard is a rangy pivot who could end up being a solid middle six piece.

#63. Seattle Kraken (via New York Rangers) - Jesse Pulkkinen – D - JYP (Fin-Liiga)

The first re-entry to go in this mock draft, Seattle has not shied away from selecting players outside of their first year of eligibility. Pulkkinen is a big offensive defender who plays an aggressive style. He needs major refinement, but the tools are there.

#64. Edmonton Oilers - Pavel Moysevich – G - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Have to think the Oilers go with a goalie here if there is one on the board that they really like. Moysevich is a re-entry who was fantastic in the KHL this past season. He is one of the draft’s best athletes and he could move quickly through the system.

#65. Utah Hockey Club (via Florida Panthers) - Jack Pridham – RW - West Kelowna (BCHL)

There is a connection between Utah (previously Arizona) and the St. Andrew’s College program of late. Pridham is a graduate of that program who had a solid year in the BCHL. He is a big winger with great skating ability. The upside is a bit of a mystery, but the tools are legitimate.

2024 NHL DRAFT: FULL FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFT – 32 PICKS

Steven Graves — Fri, 10 May 2024 16:09:44 +0000

NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: NCAA men's hockey at Lawler Rink on December 1, 2023 in North Andover, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon)

With the Draft Lottery now concluded - we now know definitively where all the lottery selections are situated. Mind you, nothing changed from before the draft, but I digress. This draft really opens up at #2 after Macklin Celebrini. There are a ton of great defenders that offer high end potential, a few high-octane offensive forwards, and a couple of raw toolsy players that scream the word “upside”. There is no consensus after #1 so it’ll be fascinating to see how this class goes. Here’s my shot at it:

#1: San Jose Sharks - C - Macklin Celebrini

After a horrid season that saw the Sharks finish as the worst team in the NHL, the organization will be rewarded with a potential franchise altering talent in Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini will return to the Bay Area where he spent some of his formative years growing up, as his father - Rick Celebrini works with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, so Macklin is quite familiar already. He will step right into the NHL next season and projects as a #1 center. For a franchise that has been in a rough patch the past few seasons, getting a talent like Celebrini will really help the team going forward.

#2: Chicago Blackhawks - RW - Ivan Demidov

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team that is difficult to pinpoint who they’ll select, they’re a team that are in need of everything. Because of this I have them selecting the second most talented player in this class in Ivan Demidov. He might just be the most skilled player in the draft class. If he had played in North America this season, there is a chance he could have challenged Celebrini for #1. Demidov is an offensive weapon that can leave your jaw on the floor watching him play - Pairing him next to Connor Bedard could see both players putting up gaudy offensive totals playing off of each other and could set up Chicago’s offense for years to come.

#3: Anaheim Ducks - C/RW - Konsta Helenius

Anaheim is a weird team for this draft, they’re a team that needs time more than anything because they have a lot of talent already in their system, it’s just a few years too soon before we start to see that translate in the NHL. Looking throughout their roster they’re set up well for the future up the middle and on the back end. They have Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson at center and on defence you have promising players in Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov and Tristian Luneau. There is improvement to be had on the wing, however as Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry are really the only two names of note. Because of this at this spot I have them selecting Konsta Helenius, a player who can play both center and wing, however I have him as more of a winger in the NHL. He is a very mature player that can be a fantastic complementary piece to more skilled linemates. He is a great 200’ player and a kid that will complement bigger guys like Gauthier, McTavish and Carlsson well.

#4: Columbus Blue Jackets - LD - Anton Silayev

Columbus’ biggest need right now is probably on defense and a shutdown defender at that. Anton Silayev is one of the most polarizing players in this class, he is massive at 6’7” and just finished the season playing full time in the KHL, something that never happens for 17-year-old defenders. However, after having a red-hot start in the KHL, he really cooled down in the last 40 or so games. Silayev provides some of the most intriguing upside in the draft - it’s not often a 6’7” defender that can skate, move the puck well and be imposing physically come through the NHL draft. Columbus would be betting on that upside coming to fruition as the NHL returns to valuing big defenders as it has shown to be successful come playoff time.

#5: Montreal Canadiens - C - Cayden Lindstrom

Montreal definitely won’t be scared away from drafting a big, fast, toolsy forward this year after seeing how well Juraj Slafkovsky played in his sophomore campaign in the NHL. Lindstrom would be a massive get for Montreal as they’ll finally get that big center that the franchise has been yearning for in what seems like forever. Lindstrom has some of the most fascinating upside in this draft class, and Montreal would be ecstatic to get him into their organization.

#6: Utah - RD - Artyom Levshunov

The former Arizona Coyotes could go many directions at this spot, they have many great prospects in their system and there isn’t an obvious position of need. I have them going for the best player I believe will be available in this spot in Artyom Levshunov. Levshunov is one of the most NHL ready players in this draft and would be a massive get for the new Utah franchise. He would shore up the right side of the defense on this Utah team moving forward and should give the team a very good top four defender, moving forward with potential of being more than that.

#7: Ottawa Senators - RW - Tij Iginla

Two years in a row the Ottawa Senators have traded out of the draft lottery. They will make their selection this year following a very disappointing season in which they had playoff aspirations. At this spot I have them taking one of the most improved players in the class in Tij Iginla. Tij, the son of former Calgary Flames captain and Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla saw a massive spike in production this year after getting moved to Kelowna from Seattle. He went from .38 points per game last year to 1.31 points per game this year. A fantastic progression from last year. Ottawa will hope Iginla becomes a great offensive player that is able to contribute physically to help them as they seek the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

#8: Seattle Kraken - LD - Sam Dickinson

With the 8th overall selection, I have the Seattle Kraken picking London Knights defender Sam Dickinson. The 6’ 3” left shot Dickinson would be a godsend for Seattle as there are scouts who think he could end up being the best defenseman in the draft. He is a strong skating two-way defender that can impact the game in all three zones, there are question marks about his decision-making ability but there is just too much to like about Dickinson for Seattle to not pick him if he falls to this spot. In a few years, you can conceivably see him becoming Seattle’s #1 defender, and getting that value at #8 overall would make their fans very happy.

#9: Calgary Flames - RW - Beckett Sennecke

This is a tough pick to nail down, Calgary could go many different directions here, but I have them taking one of the most interesting prospects in the second half of the season in Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke. Sennecke who stood at just 5’ 10” just two seasons ago now stands at 6’ 3”. Through his growth spurt he has kept his strong offensive skill set and clearly is still adjusting to the change. The name of the game for him is “potential” because he hasn’t learned to use his newfound size yet and still needs to fill out to put him in a position to better utilize that size, If Sennecke’s playoffs are anything to go off of, it shows that he is just scratching the surface on what he could become, and Calgary would be a great franchise to help him harness his potential.

#10: New Jersey Devils - LD - Zeev Buium

The New Jersey Devils already have a great group of defenders but if they’re lucky enough to have a talent like Zeev Buium fall to them at #10, they’re going to jump at that opportunity. He gives the Devils one of the most exciting young defensive cores in the NHL with Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes already in the fold. Buium just had one of the best freshman campaigns in NCAA history and is fresh off a national championship with Denver. He would solidify a Devil’s defense that is already seen as promising.

#11: Buffalo Sabres - C - Berkly Catton

With the 11th overall selection in the 2024 draft, I have the Buffalo Sabres going for one of the most talented offensive players in the draft in Berkly Catton. Catton, a former first overall selection in the WHL draft had a massive year for Spokane in the WHL where he had 54 goals and 114 points in 68 games - good for 4th in league scoring. Catton is a couple years away from being a full time NHL player but with Buffalo on the upswing, they can afford to wait a couple years. Simply put, Buffalo would be getting the best player available at this spot.

#12: Philadelphia Flyers - RD - Carter Yakemchuk

At number twelve, the Philadelphia Flyers select Carter Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk would be heading into a really good situation in Philadelphia since other than Oliver Bonk, their defensive prospects are looking rather thin. He is a big defender that loves to push pace with the puck on his stick, he is able to take over in the offensive zone at times and loves to activate from the blueline. While a dangerous offensive defender, he will need to focus on his play in his own zone to really reach his potential.

#13: Minnesota Wild - RD- Zayne Parekh

Minnesota would be jumping for joy if a talent like Parekh falls to them at this point. They would get one of the best offensive defenders to come through the NHL Draft in a long time. He delivered one of the best seasons as a draft eligible defender in nearly 35 years, tallying 33 goals and 96 points for Saginaw in the OHL. Parekh is deadly in the offensive zone. He is able to manipulate defenders and open shooting lanes like very few defenders can. As a result, he is able to get great shot opportunities that more often than not beat the goalie or create rebound chances. He has star potential written all over him - unfortunately there are some red flags with his game and his defensive engagement is a work in progress. Because of those concerns can see him falling in the draft.

#14: San Jose Sharks (Via Pittsburgh) - LW - Cole Eiserman

With the selection acquired via the Erik Karlsson trade, the Sharks will select a player who was once thought to be Celebrini’s biggest challenger for #1. Eiserman is a deadly goal scorer and is the best one in the draft class. He just surpassed Cole Caufield’s USNTDP record for goals for the program with 127. Unfortunately, he didn’t see much improvement in his game from last year and it allows San Jose an opportunity to snag him here and potentially pair him with Celebrini as a potential trigger man for that could see the two set themselves up for success for many years.

#15; Detroit Red Wings - RW - Liam Greentree

After a fantastic season that saw them miss out on the last playoff spot by an empty net goal, the Detroit Red Wings are in win now mode. They have a ton of promising prospects that have yet to graduate to the NHL, however they don’t have a player that can dominate as a net front presence. That’s why I have them selecting the Windsor Spitfires captain here. Greentree had a fantastic year for the OHL’s second worst team, scoring 90 points when the second leading scorer on his team had 66. Greentree is a very intelligent big, bodied forward that puts himself in great positions to score and is great around the net. Detroit could use a kid like him as they start to make the playoffs consistently in the future.

#16: St.Louis Blues - LW - Trevor Connelly

St.Louis was the last team to miss the playoffs after catching fire following the trade deadline. At one point this season, they were looking like they would be a player in the lottery for first overall. While the results were encouraging for next season, it landed them at 16^th, and will land on Trevor Connelly, one of the highest scoring players in the USHL this season. He is a big, bodied forward that is able to skate well and create plays for himself, he isn’t afraid to use his size to his advantage and can produce in many different ways. There are questions teams will have to answer here, and he could fall further, but probably the most talented option left on the board.

#17: Washington Capitals - C - Michael Hage

With the 17th pick the Washington Capitals select Chicago Steel centerman Michael Hage. After missing nearly his entire 16-year-old season to injury, Hage came into the year on a mission. He had a fantastic offensive campaign that showcased his ability to affect the game in both the offensive and defensive zones. With both Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov leaving the franchise in the past 12 months, they’re going to be in need of centermen going forward and Hage is the best one at this spot in the draft.

#18: New York Islanders - LW - Teddy Stiga

The New York Islanders are a team that always seems to like to go for fast, pesky forwards that can really change the tempo of the game when they’re on the ice. Guys like J. G. Pageau, Casey Cizkas and Cal Clutterbuck are just a few examples of this. Teddy Stiga of the USNTDP is yet another example of this, he is a kid who has seen incredible progression since last year. He went from being a bottom six energy forward to showcasing a previously unknown offensive skill set that could make him a great complementary piece in the NHL one day. One of this year’s biggest risers and a player that just seems like an Islander pick.

#19: Vegas Golden Knights - LD - Alfons Freij

With an aging Vegas blueline and the lack of quality defensive prospects in their system - I suspect the franchise will be targeting a defender with this selection. One of the best ones at this spot is Alfons Freij, a great skating two-way defender that has shown great improvement in his offensive game as the year has progressed. Freij would be in a great position to succeed in Vegas if given the proper time to develop. He could be a key piece to building this blueline in the future.

#20: Chicago Blackhawks (Via Tampa Bay) - RW - Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

With the pick that Chicago received in the Brandon Hagel trade, the Blackhawks go with Michael Brandsegg Nygard, poised to be the highest drafted Norwegian player in the history of the NHL Draft. Nygård is a kid that may not be able to create offense for himself, but he is going to put himself in positions to score and to get the puck. Having a center as smart as Bedard could really elevate a big, bodied winger like Nygard, since he doesn’t need the puck on his stick to be effective. He is excellent at moving his feet, keeping up with the pace of play, and has some of the best off-puck positioning in the class. Truly a player that is destined to succeed next to a Bedard level talent.

#21: Los Angeles Kings - RD - Adam Jiricek

It was a nightmare season for Adam Jiricek who started the season off poorly in Czechia’s top men’s league then was injured at the World Juniors and missed the rest of the season. Los Angeles could be a team that takes a gamble on the talent of Jiricek. Before he was injured, he was seen as a potential top-10 selection for the draft. He has a lot of what you want as a defender, good size, skating, defensive play along with good offensive instincts. It’s impossible to know how he has progressed since the injury and it would be a risky selection, but one absolutely worth making if you’re LA.

#22: Nashville Predators - LD - Matvei Shuravin

Nashville has been a defensive factory since their inception into the NHL. They have churned out quality defenders one after another. I have them going with the big Russian rearguard with the 22nd spot here. Shuravin is a 6’ 4” Russian defender that possesses strong skating and great defensive abilities. He’s still rather raw and needs to continue to improve his offensive game as well as learn to harness his size more effectively, but he is a project defender that could really explode into the NHL in a few seasons if given the right development time. I think Nashville is the perfect spot for that to come to fruition.

#23: Toronto Maple Leafs - RD - Ben Danford

Toronto addresses their biggest need with their first-round selection this year, as Ben Danford of the Oshawa Generals is a right-shot, top pairing defender that enjoyed a great season for the OHL’s Eastern Conference champions. It’s so difficult to get defenders like Danford via trade in the NHL, so your best bet is to draft them. It will take a few years for him to play in the NHL, but if he develops as intended, he could be a nightmare to play against in the NHL. The Maple Leafs sorely need a player like him.

#24: Anaheim Ducks (Via Edmonton) - LW - Nikita Artamonov

With the puck acquired via the Adam Henrique trade, I have the Anaheim Ducks going with Nikita Artamonov. Artamonov quietly had one of the most impressive statistical outputs ever for a 17-year-old in the KHL. Artamonov is a few years away from the NHL, however the Ducks are a great place for him since they’re loaded with great prospects already, and can be patient with as he further develops his game in Russia. Hopefully by the time he comes overseas, the Ducks will already be competing for a playoff spot,

#25: Colorado Avalanche - RD - E. J. Emery

In this spot I have the Avs going with one of the rawest prospects in the draft class in American E. J. Emery. He is no sure thing. He has a lot that he needs to work on with his game, but he also has some very intriguing upside. He is a defense-first defender that is intimidating to play against. He can shut down opponents by using his skating and long stick to keep opponents at bay. There are decision making concerns here, and there is limited offensive potential, but he could be a perfect complementary piece for a more offensive minded partner. Colorado would love to have someone like Emery in their system down the road.

#26: Ottawa Senators (Via Boston) - RD - Dominik Badinka

Ottawa’s second selection of the first round, a selection they received in the Alex DeBrincat trade. With this pick I have them going for a right-handed defender in Dominik Badinka. Badinka is a late born ‘05 born and played a majority of the past season in the SHL. He is 6’ 3” and isn’t afraid to lay the body. His skating is great and has some offensive skill as well. The right side of Ottawa’s defense needs a lot of help, getting Badinka here would be a step in the right direction for the Sens.

#27: Montreal Canadiens (Via Winnipeg) - LW - Igor Chernyshov

Montreal will go for the best player still on the board with this selection, and that is Russian power forward Igor Chernyshov. He is a strong skating big body who really showcased a lot of potential playing in Russia this year. He could be scratching the surface of what he could be offensively. There is still a lot of growth to be done with his game. Montreal would love to take that bet here with the selection they received in the Sean Monahan trade.

#28: Carolina Hurricanes - C - Cole Beaudoin

Carolina’s drafting in the past five or so years has been clinical. They constantly find talent in every round of the draft and have one of the league's best prospect pools despite being one of the league's best teams year in, year out. In this spot they go with Cole Beaudoin out of Barrie in the OHL. Cole doesn’t have the best upside to be a top six player in the NHL but looks to be a sure bet to be a very good bottom sixer going forward. He has a fantastic motor and is relentless on the forecheck. He really has a game suited for the NHL.

#29: Calgary Flames (Via Vancouver) - C - Jett Luchenko

With the pick Calgary acquired in the Elias Lindholm deal they go with Guelph Storm pest Jett Luchenko. Luchenko is just a honey badger. He always has his feet going and always wants to do something on the ice. The Flames will bet on Luchenko being a bottom six energy guy going forward and a key piece to when they start to compete for a playoff spot again.

#30: Philadelphia Flyers (Via Florida) - RW - Sam O’Reilly

At #30, I gave the Flyers going with a player that has seen steady progression as the year has gone on with Sam O’Reilly. O’Reilly is a teammate of last year’s first round pick, Oliver Bonk, and Denver Barkey, so you know the Flyers are very familiar with him. O’Reilly has really showcased an excellent two-way game all season long. He has been a consistent contributor in all three zones and has potential to hit another level offensively next season.

#31: Dallas Stars - RW - Emil Hemming

Hemming is one of the better goal scorers in the draft, I have Dallas going here to help replenish their prospect pool after seeing a good number of graduations as of late. The Finnish winger is a goal scoring power forward that can really rip the puck. He showcased this ability at the U18’s. He has flaws, but at this point in the draft I don’t know how you can go wrong betting on a player like Hemming.

#32: New York Rangers - C - Sacha Boisvert

With the last pick in the first round, I have the Rangers going for centreman Sacha Boisvert. Boisvert had a great year in the USHL for Muskegon and plans to go to the University of North Dakota next year. He is an offensive centreman that can be really dangerous in front of the net. He can finish off plays to great effect and isn’t afraid to stand his ground. The Rangers would be very happy to add a player like Boisvert to their pipeline.

2024 IIHF U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Biggest Risers for the 2024 NHL Draft

Brock Otten — Sun, 05 May 2024 22:15:31 +0000

ESPOO, FINLAND - MAY 5: Canada's Carter George #30 and USAÕs Kamil Bednarik #11 look on during Gold Medal Game action at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Metro Arena on May 5, 2024 in Espoo, Finland. (Photo by Andr Ringuette/IIHF)

The 2024 IIHF World Under 18 Championships have concluded. What a wild ride it was! Canada/USA did not disappoint as a gold medal final, with Canada using a five-minute major to Trevor Connelly to springboard them to victory. Meanwhile, the Swedes recovered from a slow start to the tournament to capture Bronze, their sixth straight medal at the U18’s. Perhaps the biggest story of this event was how future NHL draft prospects and underage players took over the event. James Hagens broke the tournament scoring record. Porter Martone and Gavin McKenna starred for Canada. The pesky, young Slovaks surprised by making the bronze medal game. This was supposed to be a springboard for 2024 draft eligibles but ended up being one for 2025 and 2026 eligibles.

While it is important to not be hyper reactive to a single tournament as a scouting team, there were certainly some individual players whose performances helped to increase their draft stock as we commence the discussion of our final rankings and as the 2024 Draft in Vegas draws near. This is only one small piece of the puzzle; what players have done previous to this tournament is still important, however you cannot overlook the positive performances of some players against many of the best players in the age group. This article aims to highlight several players who elevated their draft stock with strong performances. It excludes players who entered the tournament already extremely highly regarded (such as Tij Iginla or Konsta Helenius), instead focusing on those who had room to “move up.”

Teddy Stiga - USA

Stiga’s rise this year has been fairly steady. He’s been improving month after month, and as such, so has his draft ranking. One of the U.S.’ most integral complementary scorers around James Hagens and Cole Eiserman, Stiga has been a model of consistency at the last few major tournaments. A lot of his success this year has come from improvements made to his skating ability. A high-end processor and playmaker, Stiga looks the part of a future NHL player. Even without some of those high-end physical tools, he has likely put himself in first round consideration after yet another strong performance.

Cole Hutson - USA

Evaluating Hutson in the second half of the year has been tough due to injury, so he really needed to come into this tournament and have a strong performance. He did just that, capturing the tournament’s top defender award. He oozed confidence with the puck in the offensive, consistently keeping plays alive with his feet and ability to escape pressure. Best of all, Hutson was more than adequate defensively too. I’m not sure that he’s a first-round pick given the strength of this defensive crop, but Hutson’s rebound from injury has to have cemented his status as a top 50 selection.

Brodie Ziemer - USA

We’ve been pretty lukewarm on Ziemer this year as a scouting agency. The captain of the US’s U18 team, Ziemer is unquestionably a solid player, but we struggled to see significant upside as an NHL player. However, Ziemer was absolutely fantastic at the U18’s, showing even more offensively than he had previously, playing with Hagens and Stiga. The attention to detail away from the puck and effort remained consistent, but he was much more of a factor on the puck, creating through the cycle and with speed through the neutral zone. This is a player NHL scouts are going to like earlier than the amateur scouting community.

Max Plante - USA

Max has been another team USA member that we’ve been a bit hesitant with so far this year. Similar to his brother Zam, we’ve struggled with the kind of role that he’d play at the NHL level. However, much like Ziemer, Plante impressed playing a scoring line role alongside Cole Eiserman at this event. He showed well because of an attacking mentality; consistently around the puck, working hard to earn touches. At this point, Max has to be a lock to be drafted ahead of his brother Zam (150th in 2022).

EJ Emery - USA

Emery has been a borderline first round prospect for us all year, but his play at this event may have cemented that status. I really liked Emery’s play with the puck at the U18’s; it was unquestionably the most confident that he has looked this season as an offensive player. Point production will never be his bread and butter; he’s a future defensive stalwart. However, it was great to see progress in areas of his game that were previously very inconsistent. Emerging as a two-way stud, and given his impressive athleticism, Emery should be a first-round selection in Vegas.

Heikki Ruohonen - Finland

Committed to Harvard for next year, Ruohonen is an athletic, power center who had a very impressive tournament for the hosts. With good size and skating ability, in combination with physicality and strong three zone awareness, Ruohonen has a solid projection as an NHL player in some capacity. As he showed in this tournament, his offensive skill set has improved a lot over the course of the year. He could be flying under the radar right now because he hasn’t played above the U20 level in order to keep his NCAA commitment.

Tuomas Suoniemi - Finland

After failing to appear on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking for 2024, Suoniemi had a very strong tournament for Finland, oftentimes outperforming star Konsta Helenius as a play driver. Suoniemi’s league play this year has left a lot to be desired, but you cannot argue with his performances internationally. At the very least, he’s likely put himself on a similar level to a guy like Alex Zetterberg. They have parallels as undersized players without high end physical tools, however, they also have great offensive upside as they mature.

Mitja Jokinen - Finland

This was supposed to be the breakout tournament for Aron Kiviharju, after he returned from a lengthy injury. However, it was Jokinen who ended up being Finland’s most impressive defender. He showed a ton of poise with the puck and was confident jumping up in the rush to help create offense for the hosts. He’s not huge, but he was essentially what Kiviharju was supposed to be here.

Mathias Dehli - Norway

Dehli was outstanding for Norway in helping them remain competitive in the round robin, in addition to staving off relegation. He showed a really mature, complete game and drove pace from the middle of the ice. Coming into the U18’s, he was probably a long shot to be selected. After? He’s improved his odds considerably.

Jett Luchanko - Canada

How could you not be impressed by the Guelph Storm center? We’ve been telling you how good Luchanko is all season long, and his performance at this event should have cemented his status as a first-round pick. There’s so much to like about his game, but Luchanko’s vision and defensive play really stuck out at the U18’s. Lately, the media have been using Nick Suzuki as a comparable and I believe that Suzuki is a good representation of Luchanko’s high end upside.

Harrison Brunicke - Canada

The U18’s started off pretty rough for Brunicke. He struggled in the opening games with his puck management. However, it was important to remember that he was coming off of an injury and hadn’t played in a while. By the end of the tournament, Brunicke was one of Canada’s best defenders. His work on the penalty kill was phenomenal and integral to Canada’s success. Similar to a player like EJ Emery, Brunicke’s size and athleticism give him a ton of runway to improve.

Frankie Marrelli - Canada

Coming into the tournament, I wasn’t confident Marrelli would be drafted. I’ve always liked his play, but I’ve also struggled with his future role at the NHL level. While I do still see some projection issues, you’d be hard pressed to argue that Marrelli wasn’t impressive at the U18’s. He was a rock defensively, bringing physicality and strong rush defense to the table. Scouts will wish he were bigger given that he projects as more of a defensive type, but he has improved his draft odds considerably.

Cole Beaudoin - Canada

Don’t look at the stat sheet. Beaudoin’s value to Canada was enormous, even if he wasn’t among the team’s leading scorers. In the medal round he was among Canada’s ice time leaders and his attention to detail in the defensive end needs to be highlighted. It seemed like Beaudoin was always around the puck, generating or preventing chances. Yeah, his skating isn’t the prettiest. But, he’s a physical freak with a chance at a long NHL career.

Carter George - Canada

What else can you say about George, the tournament’s top netminder…other than he was outstanding. He was a model of consistency all tournament long and then he stood on his head to keep Canada in the gold medal game at a time when all hope looked lost. George may not have the ideal size of today’s NHL netminder, but he’s got everything else. He’s been our top ranked netminder all season long and nothing is going to change that now.

Gian Meier - Switzerland

This tournament was supposed to highlight the play of Leon Muggli and Daniil Ustinkov, two highly regarded Swiss defenders. Muggli ended up getting hurt and Ustinkov was only average, opening up the door for Meier to be a defensive leader for the Swiss. His size and mobility combination is impressive from the right side. He had some beautiful rushes in the tournament and really improved his chances of being selected in Vegas.

Linus Eriksson - Sweden

The captain for Sweden, Eriksson was the team’s most consistent forward, stepping up in key situations for them. He excelled on both sides of the puck and really drove play below the goal line. His vision and playmaking stood out positively and he has definitely helped his odds of becoming an NHL first round selection in June.

Alfons Freij - Sweden

I thought that it was a disastrous start for Freij at the event. Quite frankly, he was quite bad the first few games. However, he seemed to get better every game and he saved his best performances for the medal round. We’ve had Freij locked into our first round all season long and that’s not quite to change. However, after this tournament, I would guess many NHL scouting teams have moved Freij up their lists thanks to his ability to create chances in the offensive end.

Lucas Pettersson - Sweden

Sweden’s best player in the Bronze Medal game, Pettersson got better as the tournament went on. Once Alex Zetterberg went down to injury, I felt Pettersson really stepped up his game. His speed made him a very dangerous player in transition and he showed a great knack for finding soft spots in the offensive zone in order to use his big shot. Could be a coin flip as to whether Eriksson or Pettersson gets drafted first.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius - Sweden

One of the tournament leaders in ice time, Sahlin Wallenius was a rock for Sweden. He wasn’t as flashy or productive as Freij, but he was way more consistent at both ends. Previously, I’ve found Sahlin Wallenius’ off puck play and on puck decision making to be very inconsistent, but that wasn’t the case at this event. He was as steady as can be. I still prefer Freij’s upside, but I’m coming around on Sahlin Wallenius as a potential two-way NHL defender.