Thomas Milic – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #18 Winnipeg Jets – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:00:06 +0000

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 20: Boston University Terriers defenseman Sascha Boumedienne (78) skates during the Hockey East semifinal game between the Boston University Terriers and the UConn Huskies on March 20, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 18th (Last Year - 23rd)
GM: Kevin Cheveldayoff Hired: September 2011
COACH: Scott Arniel Hired: May 2024

The Winnipeg Jets boast seven prospects within McKeen’s Top 200. It's a pipeline that received a notable boost at the NHL trade deadline with the acquisition of Isak Rosen (44th) from the Buffalo Sabres, along with a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round selection. Now in his fourth season at the AHL level, Rosen has produced at nearly a point-per-game pace and enters the system as the Manitoba Moose’s top scorer.

In Manitoba, several other highly regarded prospects are working to establish themselves at the professional level. Names such as Brayden Yager (64th), Brad Lambert (141st), Nikita Chibrikov, and Colby Barlow (179th) remain key pieces within the organization’s future plans, though each is still searching for a consistent breakout in the AHL. While Winnipeg’s 2025 draft class was relatively small, the club did add an intriguing piece on the blue line with the selection of defenseman Sascha Boumedienne (71st) at 28th overall. One of the system’s biggest risers has been 2024 sixth-round pick, Kieran Walton (132nd). The forward is on pace for a second consecutive 90-point season and is trending toward finishing his OHL career at better than a point-per-game pace across four seasons.

At the NHL level, the Jets remain anchored by a stable core that includes Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, Gabe Vilardi, and Cole Perfetti — all signed long-term. The organization is now waiting for the next wave of prospects to emerge and help push the club toward sustained contention.

From a draft capital perspective, Winnipeg has maintained a relatively stable outlook, retaining its first-round picks while only parting with its 2026 second-round selection in recent trades. However, a disappointing season that has seen the Jets fall near the bottom of the NHL standings could ultimately turn that 2026 first-round pick into a valuable opportunity to add another high-end piece to the pipeline.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Wpg	1	Isak Rosen	RW	23	6-0/175	Rochester (AHL)	37	25	18	43	6
Wpg	1	Isak Rosen	RW	23	6-0/175	Buf-Wpg (NHL)	37	6	4	10	0
Wpg	1	Isak Rosen	RW	23	6-0/175	Grastorps (Swe Hockeyettan)	2	0	0	0	0
Wpg	2	Brayden Yager	C	21	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	68	10	20	30	10
Wpg	2	Brayden Yager	C	21	6-0/180	Winnipeg (NHL)	3	0	0	0	2
Wpg	3	Sascha Boumedienne	D	19	6-2/185	Boston University (NCAA)	35	2	8	10	14
Wpg	4	Elias Salomonsson	D	21	6-1/185	Winnipeg (NHL)	32	1	4	5	12
Wpg	4	Elias Salomonsson	D	21	6-1/185	Manitoba (AHL)	29	1	8	9	10
Wpg	5	Kieron Walton	C	20	6-6/210	Sby-Pbo (OHL)	62	40	48	88	26
Wpg	6	Brad Lambert	C	22	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	34	6	7	13	18
Wpg	6	Brad Lambert	C	22	6-0/180	Winnipeg (NHL)	25	3	3	6	6
Wpg	7	Colby Barlow	LW	21	6-0/195	Manitoba (AHL)	65	8	8	16	18
Wpg	8	Danny Zhilkin	C	22	6-1/195	Manitoba (AHL)	62	12	12	24	21
Wpg	8	Danny Zhilkin	C	22	6-1/195	Winnipeg (NHL)	6	0	1	1	0
Wpg	9	Domenic DiVincentiis	G	22	6-2/185	Manitoba (AHL)	34	13	16	3.03	0.896
Wpg	10	Nikita Chibrikov	RW	23	5-10/170	Manitoba (AHL)	53	6	10	16	28
Wpg	10	Nikita Chibrikov	RW	23	5-10/170	Winnipeg (NHL)	11	0	0	0	14
Wpg	11	Alfons Freij	D	20	6-1/195	Timra (SHL)	42	6	5	11	14
Wpg	11	Alfons Freij	D	20	6-1/195	Manitoba (AHL)	5	0	1	1	2
Wpg	12	Kevin He	LW	20	5-11/185	Nia-Fln (OHL)	60	39	38	77	26
Wpg	13	Zach Nehring	RW	21	6-3/180	Western Michigan (NCAA)	35	5	12	17	12
Wpg	14	Edison Engle	D	19	6-2/175	Brantford (OHL)	61	3	25	28	8
Wpg	15	Thomas Milic	G	23	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	41	20	13	2.64	0.905

Isak Rosen, RW, Rochester Americans (AHL) (Currently with the Winnipeg Jets, NHL)

In what will be his fourth full AHL season, there is little left to prove for Isak Rosen at this level. He was only three goals away from tying his career high in 24 fewer games. After being acquired by the Winnipeg Jets in a deadline deal for Logan Stanley, one has to wonder how long it will be before the Jets try out Rosen in a top nine role to see what they’ve acquired in him. He played with the NHL club after arriving receiving fourth line minutes. Rosen’s game may be one-dimensional, but it’s also highly effective. He attacks with lots of speed and then rockets the puck toward the net. He needs someone on his line who will feed him shooting opportunities, and Helenius’ emergence as that playmaker had benefitted them both this season. Can he find that partner in the Winnipeg system? Rosen is not a guy who plays a strong two-way or forechecking game, so he’ll have to play his way into a top six role. A 30-30 second-line winger is not out of reach for Rosen in the future.
Brayden Yager, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Yager is the type of prospect who is best seen as being the sum of his parts. There isn’t one element of the game that he truly excels at, but that’s OK because he can do everything at a medium to high level, and he does so while playing center. The true value of what he brings was best seen back in 2023-24, where he was the picture of consistency throughout the entire WHL regular season and then helped lead his Moose Jaw Warriors to a league championship as their go-to man down the middle, hopping over the boards for every big moment in every big game. He’s the type of player who probably won’t pull you out of your seat during a game or show up often in the highlights, but if you check the score sheet, you’ll see that he picked up a couple of points and won more faceoffs than anyone else. If the Jets want to get the most out of Yager long-term they will need to be patient and let him take another year or two to grow with the Moose.
Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)

Boumedienne has taken even more solid steps in his development here in his sophomore season, with his skating standing out the most. His ability to create space in open ice on transitions, in his own zone and in the offensive zone has improved drastically from last season and the results were shown clearly at the World Juniors. Boumedienne has even massively improved his physical game, using his 6-foot-2 frame much more to kill opposing chances left and right. However, he has been a turnover machine this season, accounting for one too many slip ups a game that put his net minder in trouble. That tendency to just throw the puck holds him back from being a play driver at the next level and fixing those turnovers should be the spotlight of his development as he looks to play his junior year next season. There are bright spots of a solid two-way defenceman who can be relied upon in a bottom or mid-pairing role, he will just need to iron out the
Elias Salomonsson, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

It came as a surprise when the 21-year-old Salomonsson got the opportunity to make his NHL debut earlier this season, which happened sooner than expected. What was even more surprising, however, was that he played so well that the Jets gave him an extended look, and now the team will find themselves in a difficult position if they have to send him back down to the AHL. The right-shooting Swede is playing the same game and relying on the same talents that he did before, which consists primarily of using his slick skating ability to break pucks out of his own zone and help transport them safely down the ice. Luckily for him, that was a problem that Winnipeg desperately needed help solving. Will he be able to do anything else in the NHL at a high level? That's a little less certain, because he's failed to really prove it at other levels. Salomonsson might be nothing more than a one-trick pony, but at least it's a pretty impressive trick.
Kieron Walton, C, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Walton is now in his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League and yet again improved on his point totals from the year previous. Simply put, someone who is 6-foot-6 shouldn’t be able to execute the things he does with the puck. Walton is anything but a perimeter player, driving to the net for chances and cutting across the ice to feed passes back against the grain. For a larger guy, his hands in tight are incredible, giving more faith he’ll be able to work in tighter windows as space closes in the NHL and AHL. He may not use his size much in a physical sense at this point, but his long reach and size allow him to protect the puck from defenders when putting his shoulder down and driving to the slot. He could work harder at being a physical presence, as this would very likely earn him in an NHL role in the coming years. Even without it, there’s a chance he becomes a top six skill forward, but a lack of a true B game does hurt his odds.
Brad Lambert, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

The Jets currently find themselves in a difficult position with Lambert. The fit between player and team hasn’t worked out as hoped in the years that followed after the Finnish forward was selected 30th overall in the 2022 draft, leading to a recent trade request that came from the prospect. However, his individual development appears to have stalled, with lackluster results in the AHL and an inability to prove that he belonged in the NHL in the handful of opportunities that were given to him. All parties probably agree that a mutual parting of ways would be ideal, but it’s always difficult for a team to trade one of their best young assets when his value is at its lowest. For his part, Lambert remains a tremendous skater and puck handler, and those are always in high demand around the NHL. This is an ugly situation that could continue to deteriorate if Lambert doesn’t find a way to turn his game around while the Jets carefully explore their options on the trade market.
Colby Barlow, LW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

The Jets were publicly quite thrilled that Barlow was still available for them at 18th overall in 2023, believing that they might have gotten the steal of that year's draft. It would be interesting to know how their front office feels now, though, as the forward prospect's stock has fallen precipitously ever since then. He's fast and powerful in straight lines, going hard to the enemy net to press for goals or pressuring the blueline while killing penalties, and he was successful in that way during his OHL days. His game is way too one note and predictable, however, which has made him ineffective at the AHL level so far. It was also telling how he was snubbed by Hockey Canada back when he was still eligible for the World Juniors, after being a go-to forward for them at earlier events. There are serious questions about how well he thinks the game and what that means for his NHL future. Barlow is under contract for two more seasons after this one, and the Jets badly need to see more growth out of him during that span.
Danny Zhilkin, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Zhilkin was fairly unremarkable and uneventful during his freshman and sophomore professional campaigns, but he has found a way to elevate himself and his impact on games this season. The two-way center is making strides in both directions, having already surpassed his combined point total from the previous two years, while also assuming a heavier defensive workload. He even dressed for a few games up with the Jets, where he was already trusted enough by the team's coaches to take faceoffs and kill penalties, which are tasks that he's been accomplishing ever since his early OHL days. There isn't very much long-term upside with Zhilkin, and he’ll probably never be particularly exciting to watch, but there are still ways that he can be a useful contributor on a successful team, and he seems to understand exactly what those are. If he can keep building upon what's working for him right now then he'll keep getting looks in the NHL as a depth forward, and he may even stick around there for the long haul.
Domenic DiVincentiis, G, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

The starting job between the pipes for Manitoba was blown wide open last season as the team went through long stretches where they couldn’t buy a save, yet it was DiVincentiis, the youngest of their goalie options, who turned out to be the biggest stabilizing presence. That was a welcome sigh of relief for both player and club, as he had lost his way a little bit at the end of 2023-24 and ended up as the backup for North Bay in the OHL by the time the playoffs rolled around. The Jets organization decided to play it safe this year and run a tandem between him and fellow goalie prospect Thomas Milic, making sure to not give either goalie too heavy of a workload, and that was probably the right call. DiVincentiis is a true Jack-of-all-trades netminder, with a perfectly adequate package all around, from his size to his technique to his reflexes to how well he processes the play in front of him. With enough patience and the right hands-on guidance there could be a future NHL goalie here.
Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Any optimism about Chibrikov that existed within the Jets organization is starting to disappear in a hurry. The offensive winger showed flashes of promise in the previous two seasons in both the AHL and the NHL, and he was expected to be a go-to player for the Manitoba Moose in 2025-26 after signing a two-year contract extension in October, but he hasn't been up to the task whatsoever, languishing near the bottom of the team in scoring. His eight-game cup of coffee with the big club this winter was pretty unremarkable, too. In his defence, injuries have played a part in slowing him down, and those issues might still be prevalent behind the scenes. Regardless of the causes of his struggles, Chibrikov's job is still to produce points, and he doesn’t have much in the way of a “B” game, so there will be problems for both him and the Jets if he doesn't find a way to start showing up on the score sheet again soon.
Alfons Freij, D, Timra IK (SHL) (Currently with Manitoba Moose, AHL)

This season in Sweden, he has taken on more responsibility and shown a steadier overall presence. Freij’s game is built on positioning and control in his own end. From a projection standpoint, Freij most realistically profiles as a depth NHL defenceman, with an outside chance of becoming a number four who can see powerplay time.
Kevin He, LW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Speed, tenacity, and scoring prowess are the highlights of He’s game. He’s always in attack mode and he’s worked hard to become a smarter player. He’ll turn pro next season and looks like a potential middle six player for the Jets.
Zach Nehring, RW, Western Michigan University (NCAA)

Nehring helped Western Michigan capture an NCAA championship last year as an effective freshman, but his numbers have dipped as a sophomore. The big winger is a highly effective complementary player, but he’ll need to break out offensively at some point to prove that he has significant NHL upside.
Edison Engle, D, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Engle made the decision to jump to the OHL this year with Brantford before joining Ohio State next year. He’s a detail oriented defender who has been really good for Brantford at even strength this year. The question remains…what’s his future NHL role?
Thomas Milic, G, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

You have to give credit to Milic for battling to earn an NHL call up this year, even if it was under dire injury circumstances. The undersized netminder has the quickness to overcome his lack of size and could end up developing into an NHL back-up for the Jets.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #18

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:00:20 +0000

_{MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 29: Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert (47) tracks the play during the Winnipeg Jets versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 29, 2022, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 18th (Previous Rank - 13th)
GM: Kevin Cheveldayoff Hired: September 2011
COACH: Scott Arniel Hired: May 2024

The Winnipeg Jets are the epitome of a middling team striving to take that next step. With just three playoff series wins to show for their seven playoff appearances since moving to Manitoba, it’s been a constant battle for the Jets to improve.

Despite this, the team has managed to stay competitive both at the NHL level and within their prospect system. With seven prospects in our top 200 and the recent graduation of Cole Perfetti, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has ensured a steady influx of youthful talent.

The Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate, has been home to an impressive crop of young players recently, all of whom have put together strong seasons early in their careers. Most notably, Brad Lambert (39th) is coming off a potent rookie campaign, finishing second among all AHL rookies with 55 points in 64 games. While he’s likely to start the year back on the farm, there’s a strong chance he will get his first taste of NHL action this season. Nikita Chibrikov (122nd), who finished with 48 points, also placed in the top 10 among AHL rookies. Chaz Lucius (105th) continues to be a highly regarded prospect, but his durability remains a concern. He has suited up in just 71 games since the start of the 2021-22 season, putting his development on hold for much of his post-draft career. When healthy, Lucius is an upside player, but the challenge has been keeping him on the ice.

On the backend, Ville Heinola (119th) continues to develop his game, and with 152 AHL games under his belt, it feels like his number should be called this upcoming season for full-time employment. He’ll be joined by 2022 second-rounder Elias Salomonsson (240th), who is set to make his North American debut after a solid career in Sweden.

Colby Barlow, who sits just outside our top 50 (53rd), is still a few years away, but another strong season with the Owen Sound Attack could see his ranking rise considerably.

GM Cheveldayoff was able to resolve a difficult situation with Rutger McGroarty, who effectively forced a trade, indicating he had no plans to join the Jets post NCAA. He moved him in a one for one trade for Brayden Yager. The two prospects are ranked closely by McKeens with McGroarty at 61st and Yager at 69th, representing a good value return with his hands tied. Yager will return to Moose Jaw for one more season in the WHL. After scoring 250 points across 211 WHL games, he is expected to go out with a bang in his fifth and final junior year.

Winnipeg Jets Top-15 Prospects

1. Brad Lambert

Getting to join the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds halfway through last season was exactly what the doctor ordered for Lambert’s development. He found himself excelling at a high level once again, he got to feed off other top prospects in his age group, he got to experience what it takes to win a league championship, and most important of all, he has carried over all that progress with him to the professional level. He had an incredible AHL rookie season with the Moose, finishing as the team’s top scorer. That barn can get pretty raucous at times, and the way that he was able to regularly feed off of that energy and use it to his advantage was a great preview to him being able to do it in the NHL. He is a thrilling center who is borderline elite with his skating ability and puck skills.

2. Colby Barlow

Barlow's game did not take a big step forward this season as expected, and while there's no reason to overreact or hit the panic button, the Jets surely would have had questions for him about what happened. In his defense, playing for an outgunned Owen Sound team that never really looked like a contender was probably a large part of the equation. And even though his assist totals cratered, he still cracked the 40-goal mark for the second consecutive year. He's an explosive skater, hard-nosed grinder, and an authoritative finisher, and he shouldn't need to make any serious adjustments to how he plays in order to be successful as an NHLer because his strengths are so useful in multiple roles and situations. He's an odds-on favourite to make the Canadian roster for the next World Juniors and might even wear a letter for that group.

3. Brayden Yager

Brayden Yager continued to terrorize WHL defences. The dynamic center amassed 95 points in 57 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors, showcasing his elite shooting ability and knack for finding teammates. He's quite strong and compact, which helps him out in various ways, whether that's staying on his feet as he fights through checks or generating a lot of power through his shot. While his offensive production is undeniable, consistency remains a talking point. There were stretches where he dominated, but there were also quieter nights. The bright spots, however, were undeniable. His work on the power play was a highlight, and his burgeoning two-way play suggests a well-rounded future. He'll need to add strength to compete at the NHL level, but the raw tools are undeniably there. Expect him to spend another year in the WHL before turning pro, but his NHL debut could be on the horizon soon.

4. Chaz Lucius

Is Lucius one of the unluckiest top prospects in the hockey world? It certainly seems that way. He’s only 21 years old but has already experienced his hockey career being beset with knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries that have all required surgery. It’s an incredible shame, too, because he always looks excellent when he’s healthy, and has shown no trouble at all adjusting to different leagues and levels of hockey. The greatest strengths of his game have always been in the offensive zone and around the opposing team’s crease, but that’s also an area where a lot of punishment is doled out, and there are now unfortunate yet unavoidable questions about whether his body will be able to withstand making a career out of playing that way. If good luck isn’t going to come to him naturally then he might need to make some adjustments to save his career.

5. Ville Heinola

If Heinola doesn’t make the Jets out of training camp next fall the reaction from some fans of the team could be riotous, because he’s a highly touted prospect who’s been on the cusp of making the team for five years in a row without being allowed to fully take that plunge. Making matters even more urgent, his waiver eligibility begins in 2024-25, so there would be a huge risk in trying to send him down again. He is a clever, fleet-of-foot defenceman who excels with puck retrievals and breakouts. There’s some offensive generation to his game as well, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever be a powerplay quarterback in the NHL. There are also concerns about his play-stopping ability that will be hard to ever shake. Winnipeg has three defencemen coming up for free agency this summer, so it feels like it’s going to be now or never for Heinola.

6. Nikita Chibrikov

After three straight years of splitting time across three levels of hockey, Chibrikov enjoyed newfound stability in 2023-24, dressing for 70 games with the Moose. And he must have had no complaints whatsoever about the single outlying game where he donned a different sweater, because that was his NHL debut with the Jets, and he got to celebrate it by scoring his first goal. He and fellow AHL rookie Lambert have found a lot of chemistry together, as they both possess blazing speed and slick hands that can make enemies miss, and they're bringing much-needed fresh blood into the organization's forward ranks. He’s also handled the increased physicality of hockey on this side of the world much better than was expected. As he continues to adjust to the structure of North American hockey his skill should gradually keep shining through.

7. Alfons Freij

Freij was a bit of a tricky prospect to get a comfortable read on this season. There were some games where he was a true standout, but in some others, you wouldn’t be able to pick him out of a police lineup. And while he would routinely dazzle you with his shifty footwork and deceptive dekes, a lot of those plays failed to result in goals, leaving his point totals on the season looking a little lackluster. Was he simply unlucky, or is there a disconnect somewhere in how he utilizes his teammates or reads the play? One way or the other, he possesses a high base level of skill, which could potentially be built up over time, and he’s going to keep getting looks with the Swedish national program and gain more access to their resources.

8. Elias Salomonsson

Injuries continue to be a recurring theme in Salomonsson's young career, but the good news is that they don't seem to be slowing down his long-term progression all that much. Him earning a legitimate roster spot and regular ice time on a great Skellefteå team has played a key role in keeping things on track, because they fought their way to back-to-back appearances in the SHL final, which provided him with more games to play in and a beneficial type of experience that not all prospects receive. He's a puck-moving defenceman who is slippery and serpentine on breakouts and at the offensive blueline, in an oddly similar way to Skellefteå alumnus John Klingberg, and has been rounding out his game in the time since his draft day by becoming more gritty and committed in his own zone.

9. Dmitry Rashevsky

Rashevsky isn’t exactly considered a top prospect, but when it comes to sheer entertainment value, there aren’t many others out there who can match him. He’s an offense-first winger who is almost monomaniacal about beating opposing defenders one-on-one, and it’s kind of hard to fault him for that, because he’s undeniably great at it. He’s endlessly confident, and at the drop of a hat is always ready to launch another attack. There were previous frustrations about him having horse blinders on too often and not working with his teammates enough, as well as about him not applying the same level of furious commitment to his off-puck play, but he’s made a lot of progress in those areas over the past three seasons in the KHL. Can he stick in the NHL with how he plays? If it does happen, he’ll be pretty unique among wingers in the league.

10. Jacob Julien

The secret to scouting doesn't lie with simply analyzing what a prospect is good or bad at right now, but rather, trying to project how they will develop and predict what their game will look like in the future. That was Winnipeg's philosophy when they drafted Julien, and so far it's looking pretty darn wise. The lanky center keeps growing into his body, the London Knights keep using their development expertise to grow his skillset, and the results of the project have been fantastic, with significant year-over-year growth. As of this writing he's one of the top scorers on a Knights team that is chasing an OHL title, and as their number one center he had back-to-back hat tricks to eliminate Kitchener in the second round. His long reach and fluid footwork make him hard to contain and help him navigate the ice while exerting minimum effort.

11. Danny Zhilkin

Zhilkin enjoyed some moderate success during his time in the OHL but had a disastrous first year in the AHL. Drafted relatively high because of perceived upside as a two-way center, there are now concerns because his progression in both areas seems to have stalled. None of his individual tools stand out enough and the overall package might not be enough to set him apart. Can he make a regular living in the NHL as a bottom six pivot?

12. Domenic DiVincentiis

It was a trying year for DiVincentiis, who battled injury and consistency issues, which cost him a roster spot at the World Juniors and then North Bay’s starting job in the playoffs. It was especially a shame because he had some wind under his sails coming into the season after an impressive sophomore campaign. An NHL future isn’t out of the question so long as he can get things back on track.

13. Thomas Milic

All Milic ever does is defy the odds and quiet his naysayers. After winning a WHL title in 2023 and then getting drafted as a re-entry prospect, he turned pro, before quickly surging up the organization’s goalie depth chart from fifth to third. His goalie IQ is miles above most of his peers. He’ll never be big, but does he have a bit of that magic that Dustin Wolf and Devon Levi possess as undersized netminders?

14. Dmitri Kuzmin

The jump to professional hockey proved to be a steep one this season for Kuzmin, as he failed to hold down a spot in the AHL and then didn’t really make any kind of statement a level lower in the ECHL. For as good as he is with the puck and as hard as he can shoot it, he’s not nearly quick or agile enough for his size, which he will need to rectify sooner rather than later.

15. Kevin He

Give a loud stick tap to He, who had to suit up for an atrocious Niagara team in his draft season but still came to the rink every day ready to play and to compete. There’s something to be said about getting consistently blown out on the scoreboard but still finding the inner will to pot 31 goals. He’s a speedster who is all gas and no brakes, but at least he knows how to finish plays.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #13 Winnipeg Jets – Organization Overview – Top 15 Profiles

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 15:02:11 +0000

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 29: Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert (47) tracks the play during the Winnipeg Jets versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 29, 2022, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

What a difference a year makes. The Jets have had high expectations for a number of seasons, coach Rick Bowness had inspired the team to squeak into the playoffs in 2022-23, but ultimately lost in the first round of the playoffs. There was a lot of speculation to start the season around two key players in Mark Scheifele and elite goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, and their future on the prairies. In the summer, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff traded Pierre Luc Dubois for a healthy return in Alex Iaffalo, Gabriel Vilard, Rasmus Kupari, along with Montreal’s second in 2024 (37th) suggesting further change to come. He then surprised the hockey world by signing both his key free agents to eight-year, $8.5 million AAV contracts on the eve of the start of the season, cementing them as core pieces. Retiring coach Bowness, while missing some time for health reasons, did a masterful job producing a 100-point season, good for fourth in the league. Hellebuyck returned to Vezina trophy form, and there is optimism in Winnipeg again.

Cheveldayoff was an aggressive buyer at the deadline picks to acquire Sean Monahan, Tyler Toffoli and Colin Miller, all UFA’s this summer. The return was a first (2024), second (2025), third (2024) and a fourth-round picks (2026). Effectively clearing out significant draft capital. Whether any of those players return, with only a first-round loss to Colorado to show for it, Cheveldayoff sent a message that their window is now. The prospect system remains healthy, and relatively deep. There are seven prospects in our top 200, with a couple of players who could join Cole Perfetti as a graduate next season in Brad Lambert and Ville Heinola. They know their window for a championship is open, and with picks already gone, it would not be surprising to see any of the players move for more immediate help.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Brad Lambert	C	20	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	`22(30th)	64	21	34	55	38
					Winnipeg (NHL)	`22(30th)	1	0	1	1	0
2	Colby Barlow	LW	19	6-0/195	Owen Sound (OHL)	`23(18th)	50	40	18	58	27
3	Chaz Lucius	C	20	6-1/185	Manitoba (AHL)	`21(18th)	17	2	11	13	6
4	Rutger McGroarty	LW	20	6-1/200	Michigan (B1G)	`22(14th)	36	16	36	52	6
5	Ville Heinola	D	23	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	`19(20th)	41	10	17	27	24
6	Nikita Chibrikov	RW	21	5-10/170	Manitoba (AHL)	`21(50th)	70	17	30	47	53
					Winnipeg (NHL)	`21(50th)	1	1	0	1	0
7	Elias Salomonsson	D	19	6-1/185	Skelleftea (SHL)	`22(55th)	31	2	9	11	58
8	Dmitry Rashevsky	RW	23	6-1/165	Dynamo Moskva (KHL)	`21(146th)	67	24	19	43	20
9	Jacob Julien	C	19	6-4/180	London (OHL)	`23(146th)	67	29	49	78	53
10	Danny Zhilkin	C	20	6-1/195	Manitoba (AHL)	`22(77th)	44	2	5	7	22
11	Domenic DiVincentiis	G	20	6-2/185	North Bay (OHL)	`22(207th)	42	27	9	3.13	0.895
12	Thomas Milic	G	21	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	`23(151st)	33	19	9	2.72	0.900
13	Daniel Torgersson	LW	22	6-3/200	Manitoba (AHL)	`20(40th)	52	1	8	9	12
14	Dmitri Kuzmin	D	21	5-10/175	Norfolk (ECHL)	`21(82nd)	24	2	7	9	4
					Manitoba (AHL)	`21(82nd)	18	1	2	3	6
15	Parker Ford	C	23	5-8/170	Manitoba (AHL)	FA(3/23)	72	18	23	41	57

1. Brad Lambert, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Getting to join the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds halfway through last season was exactly what the doctor ordered for Lambert’s development. He found himself excelling at a high level once again, he got to feed off of other top prospects who were his age, he got to experience what it takes to win a league championship, and most importantly of all, he has carried over all that progress with him to the professional level. He had an incredible AHL rookie season with the Moose, finishing as the team’s top scorer. That barn can get pretty raucous at times, and the way that he was able to regularly feed off of that energy and use it to his advantage was a great preview of him being able to do it in the NHL. He is a thrilling center who is borderline elite with his skating ability and puck skills.

2. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Barlow's game did not take a big step forward this season as expected, and while there's no reason to overreact or hit the panic button, the Jets surely would have had questions for him about what happened. In his defense, playing for an outgunned Owen Sound team that never really looked like a contender was probably a large part of the equation. And even though his assist totals cratered, he still cracked the 40-goal mark for the second consecutive year. He's an explosive skater, hard-nosed grinder and an authoritative finisher, and he shouldn't need to make any serious adjustments to how he plays in order to be successful as an NHLer because his strengths are so useful in different roles and situations. He's an odds-on favourite to make the Canadian roster for the next World Juniors and might even wear a letter for that group.

3. Chaz Lucius, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Is Lucius one of the unluckiest top prospects in the hockey world? It certainly seems that way. He’s only 21 years old but has already experienced his hockey career being beset with knee, ankle and shoulder injuries that have all resulted in surgery being required. It’s an incredible shame, too, because he always looks excellent when he’s healthy, and has shown no trouble at all adjusting to different leagues and levels of hockey. The greatest strengths of his game have always been in the offensive zone and around the opposing team’s crease, but that’s also an area where a lot of punishment is doled out, and there are now unfortunate yet unavoidable questions about whether his body will be able to withstand making a career out of playing that way. If good luck isn’t going to come to him naturally then he might need to make some adjustments to save his career.

4. Rutger McGroarty, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

McGroarty is a very intriguing prospect, because his game is fairly pigeonholed, yet he’s an undeniable expert in two specific areas: in the cycle and at the net front. There’s actually an art to scoring greasy, blue-collar goals, and he seems to have mastered it. He is an absolute tank sometimes down low, with an abundance of lower-body strength, and once he gets himself dug in at the top of the crease, he can be nearly impossible to box out or win body positioning against. He’s also very hard to contain when he tries to take the puck from the wall or behind the goal line into a better scoring position. His feet are, unsurprisingly based on what was just said, quite heavy and slow, but he keeps working hard to improve his quickness and mobility. There was talk of him turning pro this spring, but he elected to spend another year in college.

5. Ville Heinola, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

If Heinola doesn’t make the Jets out of training camp next fall the reaction from some fans of the team could be riotous, because he’s a highly touted prospect who’s been on the cusp of making the team for five years in a row without being allowed to fully take that plunge. Making matters even more urgent, his waiver eligibility begins in 2024-25, so there would be a huge risk in trying to send him down again. He is a clever, fleet-of-foot defenseman who excels with puck retrievals and breakouts. There’s some offensive generation to his game as well, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever be a powerplay quarterback in the NHL. There are also concerns about his play-stopping ability that will be hard to ever shake. Winnipeg has three defensemen coming up for free agency this summer, so it feels like it’s going to be now or never for Heinola.

6. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

7. Elias Salomonsson, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Injuries continue to be a recurring theme in Salomonsson's young career, but the good news is that they don't seem to be slowing down his long-term progression all that much. Him earning a legitimate roster spot and regular ice time on a great Skellefteå team has played a key role in keeping things on track, because they fought their way to back-to-back appearances in the SHL final, which provided him with more games to play in and a beneficial type of experience that not all prospects get to receive. He's a puck-moving defenseman who is slippery and serpentine on breakouts and at the offensive blueline, in an oddly similar way to Skellefteå alumnus John Klingberg, and has been rounding out his game in the time since his draft day by becoming grittier and more committed in his own zone.

8. Dmitry Rashevsky, RW, Dyanmo Moskva (KHL)

Rashevsky isn’t exactly considered to be a top prospect, but when it comes to sheer entertainment value, there aren’t many others out there who can match him. He’s an offense-first winger who is almost monomaniacal about beating opposing defenders one-on-one, and it’s kind of hard to fault him for that, because he’s undeniably great at it. He’s endlessly confident, and at the drop of a hat is always ready to launch another attack. There were previous frustrations about him having horse blinders on too often and not working with his teammates enough, as well as about him not applying the same level of furious commitment to his off-puck play, but he’s made a lot of progress in those areas over the past three seasons in the KHL. Can he stick in the NHL with how he plays? If it does happen, he’ll be pretty unique among wingers in the league.

9. Jacob Julien, C, London Knights (OHL)

10. Danny Zhilkin, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Zhilkin enjoyed some moderate success during his time in the OHL but had a disastrous first year in the AHL. Drafted because of perceived upside as a two-way center, there are now concerns because his progression in both areas seems to have stalled. None of his individual offensive tools stand out and the overall package doesn’t seem like it will be enough to set him apart, so his shot at becoming a future NHLer will rest on his skillfulness killing penalties, handling tough matchups, and eating a lot of heavy defensive zone minutes in general. Can he make a regular living in the NHL as a Bottom 6 pivot? He already has the commitment and shift-over-shift work rate in place, but he will still need to improve his top speed and mix in a little more sandpaper to his defending than he’s used to currently.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #13

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:12:09 +0000

Top 20 Winnipeg Jets Prospects

1. Colby Barlow

There are a multitude of reasons why Barlow has already been so successful as a junior, scoring 46 goals for the Owen Sound Attack last season. He plays the North/South power game to a tee. A strong forechecker, he consistently applies pressure in pursuit, and has a clear understanding for using his size and strength to get to the middle of the ice and to the net. He also has a tremendous shot, one of the better ones from the 2023 draft class. Another thing that makes Barlow so valuable is his two-way effectiveness. An excellent penalty killer and a strong board player, he is not shy in using his strength to separate players from the puck. Very few top-end goal scorers are committed two-way players like he projects as at the NHL level. On the other hand, there were reasons why some scouts were sceptical. His lack of dynamic skating can negatively impact his ability to transport the puck. Additionally, there are some limitations to his puck skill and creativity, all also limiting his play creation in transition. He is at his best when keeping the game simple and playing a complementary North/South attacking style. Advanced physically, Barlow should only need one more year in the OHL before he could be ready to take on a full-time role with the Jets.

2. Brad Lambert

Lambert is difficult to get a confident read on, because his performances can swing wildly between highs and lows. When he reaches those highs, his performances can be thrilling. His skating is magnificent, and he can pull off some truly dazzling plays with the puck in motion at top speed. He can also be a lethal shooter when he wants to be. A midseason change of scenery to WHL Seattle last season was perfect for his development, as he turned in the longest stretch of high-level hockey in years, as he was consistently at the very top of the game, and he kept getting better as the playoffs rolled along. Opposing WHL teams simply have no answer for him when he plays like that. The challenge now for Winnipeg will be finding a way to get this version of Lambert to somehow show up on a regular basis.

3. Chaz Lucius

You have to feel for Lucius after all of the bad injury luck that he has already faced in his young career. After previously battling through hand, ankle, and knee issues, he had to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after just six games with his new team, WHL Portland. The most recent loss was surely devastating for the Winterhawks as well, as he had fit in fantastically from the get-go, putting up 15 points during those six games. When healthy, the impact he makes is undeniable. Lucius is a natural goal scorer, with excellent shot mechanics and accuracy. He can also improve his shooting opportunities by fending off defenders with his reach and strength or by making smooth dekes to pull pucks into better shooting areas. The hope is that he can stay healthy from here on out and become the star he occasionally shows signs of.

4. Ville Heinola

On many other teams in the league Heinola would have been a regular, everyday NHLer by now. Unfortunately for him, he has been predominantly stuck in the minors for multiple seasons due to Winnipeg's defensive depth. His game has improved by leaps and bounds in the AHL though, and if the Jets don't give him a full-time chance at the sport's highest level this season, then he will have every right to be frustrated. He possesses and moves the puck at a high level and has largely ironed out defensive concerns that were previously apparent, though his lack of strength and reach will always be somewhat of a detriment. He's always been more of an even strength puck-mover than an offensive specialist, but his point production saw a notable uptick in 2022-23. Heinola might not reach his top four ceiling if the Jets don't commit now to taking the training wheels off.

5. Rutger McGroarty

There are few prospects in hockey who are better within 10 feet of the opponent's net than McGroarty. He's superb in 50-50 battles and with establishing body positioning through strength and sturdy balance, and he blends those abilities with top-tier anticipation and hand-eye coordination, which makes him an expert at scoring greasy goals. If that wasn't enough, he can beat goalies clean with his shot from in tight or just outside the crease if given even just a little time and space. His heavy boots are a problem, and probably always will be to some degree, but how he is able to work around that weakness and still find success in his own way is very impressive. There are a lot of natural leadership elements here to work with as well. McGroarty knows exactly what kind of player he is and is leaning into mastering the way he plays.

6. Nikita Chibrikov

There exists a fine line between possessing a lot of pure individual skill and knowing how to use that skill within the structure of a team game. That's the dilemma facing Chibrikov, and it has persisted for years. There is no denying his abundance of talent. A fast and fluid skater, he can make flashy, confident moves with the puck. He loves to challenge defenders one-on-one and has what it takes to beat them often. The problem is that his game hits the wall because he'll try to do too much by himself and not play off his teammates enough. The lack of diversification with his attack is holding him back at the KHL level, and it will be even worse in North America. Chibrikov could become an effective top six winger after learning how to make that necessary adjustment.

7. Declan Chisholm

The Jets organization is very deep with young defenders, so the competition to stand out is fierce. Chisholm recognizes the situation very well and has been continually elevating his game accordingly. He's a play driver from the back end, excelling when he has the puck on his stick and relishing the responsibility of making sure it successfully gets up the ice. His hands, feet, and vision all work very well in conjunction, and he has a very assertive and incisive mindset about beating opposing layers of defenders. Navigating through traffic is a breeze for him. He still needs to show progress off the puck, but he'll be fine if he can focus on tightening up his gap control. If the Jets don't make roster space for Chisholm this season, with his exemption from waivers running out, don't be surprised if another team jumps at the chance to add a good, young asset for no cost.

8. Dmitry Rashevsky

From a pure entertainment standpoint, Rashevsky is exceptional and nearly impossible to take your eyes off of. His bag of puck tricks is overflowing, and he rarely passes up an opportunity to try something dramatic and exciting. He also possesses a high-end motor, so if he tries something that doesn't pan out, he'll work hard to get the puck back on the same shift and try something else. He's such a natural at pulling pucks past sticks and skates and into shooting spaces, and then picking his spots to beat goalies clean. He's a late bloomer because it took him a while to master his style of play, but now he's a legitimate star in the KHL. His skating, strength, and conditioning all need further work, but if he can show some improvement in those areas, he has real upside as an NHL scoring threat.

9. Artemi Kniazev

Kniazev hasn't really changed a whole lot since his draft year, which can be both a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. He is a play-driving defenseman who operates at a high pace and wants to be a possession conduit for his team. He jumps at every opportunity to join the rush and is always ready to follow it all the way up into prime scoring territory. There is an aggressive confidence to him, which is a mentality that can be used to his advantage. Problems arise when he plays with that kind of fire a little frequently. It would also be nice to see him expand his game to additional dimensions. Even if Kniazev remains a fairly one-dimensional, pigeonholed kind of blueliner, he could be a specialist as a play driver as he continues to master his craft.

10. Elias Salomonsson

Salomonsson is a right-shot defenseman with slippery lateral mobility and smooth puck control, and those will always have value in the NHL. His primary job is to get pucks on retrievals, escape forecheck pressure, and help ensure the play heads successfully up the ice, whether that's by deferring with passes or through navigating the impending traffic himself. Overall, he succeeds in what he is supposed to do, and is increasingly being trusted to do it at Sweden's highest professional level. He's also relatively effective at the offensive blueline, keeping pucks in the zone and helping to find or create a multitude of scoring chances. At one point it looked like he could be a major point producer from the back end, however that hype has cooled off a lot. Concerns remain about how much bulk he can add to help withstand the rigors of a long NHL career without losing his mobility.

11. Domenic DiVincentiis

A seventh-round selection last year, DiVincentiis has rocketed up rankings thanks to his remarkable OHL season that saw him named as the league’s top netminder. He has learned to harness his athleticism to be more composed in the crease and consistency has followed.

12. Danny Zhilkin

The offensive production in the OHL never really reached the levels that Zhilkin was thought capable of, but he’s still a very intriguing prospect because of his speed and skill from the center position. How he adjusts to the pro level this year will be closely watched.

13. Dmitry Kuzmin

Terrific offensive defender who can be a difference maker in transition because of his skating ability and skill. Was a totally different player in the defensive end last year, becoming increasingly physically assertive despite his lack of size. Can that carry over to the pro level?

14. Fabian Wagner

While Wagner was fantastic offensively at the WJCs for Sweden last year, his production in Sweden probably gives a better indication of his NHL upside. He’s a pretty straight-forward player who can play a variety of different roles because of his IQ and skating ability. He could be a longtime fixture on an NHL third line in the future.

15. Daniel Torgersson

The Swedish missile, Torgersson struggled to be a consistent offensive contributor with Manitoba last year as an AHL rookie. As he gains confidence, he probably has more to give physically, too. Winnipeg will be looking for him to take a step forward as an AHL sophomore this season.

16. Oskari Salminen

There were ups and downs in Salminen’s first season in Manitoba after signing with Winnipeg last summer. He looked fantastic at times,but not so great at others. Finding that consistency will be key for him if he wishes to push for a backup spot in the NHL.

17. Zach Nehring

Drafted out of Shattuck St. Mary’s this year, Nehring is a power skating, North/South winger who can drive the net. He has great upside due to his physical tools, but he remains a long-term project. He’ll play with USHL Sioux Falls this year before going to Western Michigan in 2024-25.

18. Simon Lundmark

At this point, Lundmark may not have a ton of upside to offer for the NHL level, but he can still develop into a solid third pairing, PK type in the future. He moves well, thinks the game well, and has good reach. Just don’t expect much out of him offensively.

19. Kristian Vesalainen

The former highly touted first round pick was still qualified by the Jets as they retained his rights following a return to Finland. Is he still in their plans long term? That probably depends on how he plays in Liiga. He was good last year, but he’ll need to develop into one of the better players in Finland in order to earn another look from the Jets.

20. Thomas Milic

Milic was finally selected in the draft in his final year of eligibility despite strong play in the WHL over a few years. His gold medal performance for Canada at the WJCs last year have likely finally sealed the deal. Will the undersized netminder return to WHL Seattle for an OA year or will he turn pro? That will likely be determined at Winnipeg’s upcoming training camp.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2023 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES PART ONE – CANADA – 2nd and 3rd year NHL draft re-entry candidates

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Jérémi Plourde, Joely Stockl — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:33:15 +0000

In a normal year, scouting hockey is marred by imperfection. Every year high end players get skipped over at the NHL draft for various reasons. Maybe they suffered through injuries. Maybe their team struggled, and it prevented scouts from getting a good read on them. Maybe their team was too good, forcing them down the depth chart with limited minutes and exposure opportunities. Or...maybe they just were not good enough. But thankfully human development is nonlinear and therefore unpredictable. Teenage hockey players are far from a finished product on the ice as their games mature just as the rest of their body and mind does. That is why it is critical to track players as they move through their second and third years of draft eligibility (or fourth years of eligibility for some European players).

The million-dollar question is…are we still playing catch-up as a scouting community following the resumption of play post pandemic? Last year, this was definitely the case as leagues returned to full seasons. But are certain players still growing exponentially as they try to recover lost development time? This is particularly true of players in the CHL and in Europe, where most junior leagues halted.

For those unfamiliar, North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. Recently, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Calgary Flames standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. Ottawa Senators standout forward Drake Batherson was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck. Standout Tampa Bay Lightning rookie defender Nick Perbix was one.

Last year, four “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100; Dmitri Buchelnikov, Lucas Edmonds, Mikey Milne, and Aidan Thompson. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) we wrote about three of those four. In total there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 42, we identified and wrote about 25 (over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2023, we have some very interesting candidates. Adam Gajan stole the show at this year’s WJC’s for Slovakia and has been a standout in the NAHL and USHL this year. Eric Pohlkamp was one of the MVPs of the WJAC and has been at the top of the USHL defenseman scoring race all year. Austin Roest has been top ten in WHL scoring all year long and has taken huge strides forward. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

OHL

Spencer Sova of the Erie Otters. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Spencer Sova - Defense - Erie Otters

Ranked 126th by us at McKeen’s last year, there was actually a time, early on last year, where Sova was considered a likely top two round selection. However, issues with his defensive consistency and the application of his skill set to create consistent scoring chances led to him going unselected in 2022. It was quite the fall from grace. This year Sova has returned to Erie a more confident and assertive player. He finds himself near the top of the defenseman goal scoring race and has been much more consistent at both ends. Defensively, he is showing a greater intensity level and has made himself more difficult to play against. Offensively, he is using his fantastic skating ability to lead the attack and take more chances to jump up in the play. He looks poised running the point of the powerplay and has really worked hard to make his shot a weapon. One of the elite skaters in the OHL, it would be somewhat shocking if Sova went unselected again given the improvements that he has made this year. Now, it should be said that the Erie Otters have struggled mightily the last month or two and Sova’s production has dipped. However, his play has remained at a high level. (Brock Otten)

Linus Hemstrom - Wing - Kingston Frontenacs

Coming into this OHL season, I actually had a Swedish scout/agent reach out to me to let me know to keep a close eye on Hemstrom in Kingston this year. A former highly touted Swedish prospect at a younger age, he had battled some injuries recently and was now fully healthy. Lately, he seems to have hit a wall on a rebuilding Kingston team and his production has suffered. However, early on in the year he was looking fantastic. His speed is the first thing that jumps out at you. He can really fly. Dynamic in transition, Hemstrom can also use his speed to forecheck and has shown promise as a two-way player. His true offensive upside may be a bit of a mystery, but it is impossible to ignore how he started the year. I believe that eventually he will develop into a solid pro prospect. If he stays in Kingston next year, I would expect him to have a very good 19/20-year-old season, especially if he focuses on improving his conditioning this offseason. (Brock Otten)

Djibril Touré - Defense - Sudbury Wolves

What an interesting story Touré is. Signed as a free agent by the Wolves out of the CCHL, Touré is a classic late bloomer. Yes, he’s already 19 years old (as a 2003 born), but he feels physically immature compared to his peers. Standing at 6’7 and just over 200lbs, Touré is a big, lanky young man. However, the allure here is in his athleticism. He moves quite well and quite fluidly for such a massive defender. Every game he has an impressive rush or two, going end to end, using his frame to protect the puck as he carves up the neutral zone. In the defensive end, he plays a mean game and relishes the opportunity to play the body. His reads at both ends are a major work in progress. However, it is his first year playing at the OHL level and one has to wonder if, with more experience, his decision making can improve. It is hard not to be incredibly curious about Touré’s upside given his unique athletic profile and the “rawness” of his game. (Brock Otten)

Oliver Peer - Center/Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Even as an OHL rookie last year with limited ice time, Peer was the kind of player who always drew your eye because of his skating ability, work ethic and IQ. It seemed inevitable that his production would improve this year with more ice time and improve it has. He’s now over a point per game and is the perfect swiss army knife for a strong Windsor team. There are so many pro quality habits and attributes in Peer’s profile. He skates well. He plays both ends well and has a great stick in the defensive zone. He is skilled enough to play with the puck and he knows how to find his way to the net. He can be used in any situation and at any position. I actually believe that he is capable of more offensively if he were to be given the reins in Windsor next year as an OA. His pro upside may be somewhat limited, but he does enough things well to suggest that he could one day develop into a capable bottom six NHL player. (Brock Otten)

Rodwin Dionicio - Defense - Windsor Spitfires

What Dionicio has managed to accomplish since being traded to Windsor and since returning from the World Junior Championships has been incredibly impressive. Well over a point per game with Windsor, the 2004 born Swiss defender has positioned himself well to be drafted this year in his second year of eligibility. He has worked hard to clean up some issues in his decision making that led to inconsistency last year with Niagara. This is allowing his high-end skill to shine through on a nightly basis. Additionally, Dionicio has worked hard to improve his four-way mobility, which has helped him improve in the defensive end too. What we have now is a physically assertive and skilled two-way defender with size who is flourishing on a strong Windsor team. (Brock Otten)

Patrick Thomas - Centre/Wing - Hamilton Bulldogs

Stuck in a bottom six role on the top-heavy Hamilton squad last season, Patrick Thomas managed to be the only 2004 born player to play every playoff game for the Bulldogs in 2022. The defensive minded centreman has finally had the opportunity to showcase his offensive ability this season. Now playing on the wing with a pair of former Peterborough Petes, Thomas has been a large asset to the recent success of Nick Lardis and Sahil Panwar. Thomas’ playmaking ability has been elevated greatly this season, he’s gained the ability to drive play and generate high-end chances for his teammates. He has established himself as Hamilton’s most valuable penalty killing forward and as a threat in the faceoff dot. Thomas doesn’t make many mistakes with the puck, and he always seems to be in the right places. His skating mechanics are flawless, and he is relentless on the attack. A player that wasn’t really on anyone’s radar last season, has been able to make a name for himself with increased ice time, given the Bulldogs departures this season. Thomas isn’t going to light up the score sheet at the next level, but he certainly has the potential to be a supporting bottom six penalty killer who you want on the ice to defend a lead in the final minutes. (Joely Stockl)

Brady Stonehouse - Wing - Ottawa 67’s

Brady Stonehouse has been an energy player from the minute he stepped into the Ontario Hockey League. His ceiling limits him, but there are absolutely no doubts about his work ethic and drive to produce. Putting the puck in the net hasn’t been an issue for him this season, and he’s been able to play his own game while doing so. Last season, his lack of production was a big reason why his name didn’t get called at the 2022 draft. Stonehouse is a player that you can put in practically any situation and expect him to get the job done. He can be an aggravator in front of the net, and he likes to get into other player’s heads, but he is usually able to get away with it. Identifying where he fits in an NHL lineup has been the question with Stonehouse, but he has produced enough this season to show potential as a bottom six utility player at the next level. His work ethic is what ultimately separates him. Stonehouse isn’t going to be a top end producer by any means, but his immense energy, adaptability, and developed offensive smarts have made him an appealing prospect. (Joely Stockl)

Pano Fimis - Centre - Erie Otters

Pano Fimis is a name that a lot of scouts and analysts expected to be selected at the 2022 NHL Draft. With an impressive performance at Leafs rookie camp, and a successful season playing on two bottom feeder teams (Niagara & Erie), Fimis will hopefully be able to hear his name called at this year’s draft. He has developed into a much more mature play driver this season. He has been the “go-to” guy in most situations, and he has performed well under the pressure. Fimis has a strong ability to find his teammates in high traffic areas and the ability to take control of the play in the offensive zone. Last season, Fimis struggled with consistency and with his 200-foot game. He is so creative with the puck, and he is able to make decisions quickly, but he wasn’t able to produce consistently or survive in his own zone. This year, he has been more well-rounded and been able to hold down the fort defensively. He isn’t a defensive minded centre by any means, but he has learned how to keep his head above the water. His combination of hockey IQ and offensive creativity should give Fimis another opportunity to get drafted this summer, especially with the all-round improvements that he has made. (Joely Stockl)

Zak Lavoie - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

Lack of skill has never been a concern in Zak Lavoie’s game, but it is his tendency to rely on his teammates to get him the puck that holds him back. Lavoie trusts himself with the puck in the offensive zone, he has a deceptive release and the ability to shoot through traffic. Without the puck though, he lacks the ability and drive to get into the right spaces to receive or intercept passes. He often hides behind the defense, hoping to be found through traffic. In Mississauga (where he played until December 2022), he was able to receive passes in difficult areas more often when playing alongside Owen Beck/Luca Del Bel Belluz. Lavoie is most definitely a support player, and likely a longer-term project for any team that potentially selects him, but he has the potential to be a depth goal scorer. While playing for the IceDogs, he has looked uncomfortable in some offensive zone situations when he is forced to be the play driver. Having said that, Lavoie’s defensive game has become an asset with some penalty kill minutes while playing with Niagara. His shot and acceleration with the puck are the strongest aspects of his game and are currently translatable to the next level. Selecting Lavoie is going to take a team that is willing to develop and nurture him long term, but he can be a middle/bottom six scoring winger if he is able to make better decisions and be more aware away from the puck. (Joely Stockl)

WHL

Jeremy Hanzel - Defense - Seattle Thunderbirds

Hanzel has always been a toolsy blueliner with a lot of long-term upside, thanks to a rangy, fluid skating style, the ability to handle the puck well at full speed, and a frame that has room left to fill in. The problem has been him knowing how to maximize his tools and put everything together effectively and consistently. Perhaps playing on a Thunderbirds team with an embarrassment of riches prospect-wise has rubbed off on him, as his game has taken major strides from last season to this one. One of the biggest signs of his growth was how he played while talented teammate Kevin Korchinski was off at the World Juniors for a month, taking the larger slice of the pie with aplomb and producing 10 points in 11 games. It's also worth mentioning that the vast majority of his offense this season has come at even strength, as he doesn't get much cushy powerplay time. There's a lot to like about Hanzel, and even better, there's likely even more upside still that hasn't been tapped into yet. (Derek Neumeier)

Hunter Mayo - Defense - Red Deer Rebels

There aren't many players in the WHL who are stronger and sturdier than Mayo is, and nowhere does that show better than his wicked cannon of a shot from the point. He can absolutely bomb pucks and has enough control and accuracy to beat goalies clean on a regular basis, a skill that seems like it should translate somewhere beyond the junior level. His 14 goals are good for third among all WHL defenders (as of writing this), and nine of those have come with the man advantage. He's not very fast or agile, nor does he have much reach, but he nevertheless does a good job of hanging onto pucks under pressure and being difficult to beat in battles. He's a smart player who knows what he's good at and what he's not, leaning into the former and minimizing the latter to get by. He's thriving right now in Red Deer with the grinding, blue collar way the Rebels always play. Could Mayo one day find the same sort of success on an NHL team that properly lets him play to his strengths? (Derek Neumeier)

Jake Sloan. Photo by Brian Liesse.

Jake Sloan - Center - Tri-City Americans

There will probably always be a place in the NHL for lengthy, strong, two-way centers who are capable with the puck and know how to handle themselves directly in front of the enemy's crease. That's Sloan in a nutshell, at least stylistically. He's not going to pull you out of your seat with any fancy or exciting plays, but he makes the job difficult for opponents physically and gets results the ugly way. His 47 points in 45 games (as of writing this) don't lie, even though he is getting prime powerplay time on an outgunned Americans club that he wouldn't be getting on a lot of different teams. Crucially, he's gotten notably quicker and smoother with his skating compared to last season, taking his biggest weakness and improving it to a level that's at least not a total deal-breaker for his potential. There's still a lot of work to be done before the NHL looks likely, though, especially when it comes to generating more offense at even strength. (Derek Neumeier)

Egor Sidorov - Wing - Saskatoon Blades

The appeal of Sidorov as a prospect is almost comically straightforward: he's really, really good at scoring goals, and does it with incredible frequency. He's certainly not a Connor Bedard level of goal-scorer (nobody in the WHL is, or might ever be again), but he's nevertheless one of the best in the league and has already eclipsed the 30-goal mark this season, following up his 23 tallies in 58 matches last year. And this is in spite of playing on a Blades team that isn't exactly great at setting him up for easy finishes. Give him the slightest bit of time and space to get a clean look and lean into his stick and the puck is almost always finding twine. He's also excellent in the preceding couple of seconds, dusting or dragging the puck into the precise shooting spot he likes. The big question is whether or not he'll ever get quick enough to adjust to the NHL level, where such time and space are rare luxuries, especially since everything else about his game is lacklustre — if he's not scoring, he's not contributing much. Still, a player like Sidorov is absolutely worth the gamble with a late-round pick. (Derek Neumeier)

Marcus Nguyen - Wing - Portland Winterhawks

Trying to stand out on a deep, successful team is no small feat. Younger players often get a little lost in the shuffle, working within smaller, more limited roles compared to their older, more experienced peers. So, give Nguyen credit for standing out as much as he does, even if it doesn't happen all the time. When you really notice him, it's usually in a big way. He's a notoriously fast skater, able to burst past opponents with his acceleration and then keep himself separated when he reaches his top gear. He's also pretty dangerous when these situations happen, with slick puck skills and a legitimate finishing touch. He doesn't get to play on Portland's lethal top powerplay unit, so he makes his penalty killing time count, using his quickness and speed to pressure the blueline and generate dangerous shorthanded chances going the other way. He's also a perfect 4-for-4 in the shootout so far this year. There's not a ton of depth or variety to Nguyen's game, but some players have been able to carve out niche NHL careers primarily by being fast penalty killers who are also able to capitalize on the frequent breakaways and odd man rushes they generate (your Michael Grabners of the world). (Derek Neumeier)

Borya Valis - Wing - Regina Pats

Just how much can a prospect absorb and improve by playing alongside an elite, generational peer? It does seem to happen to a degree from time to time, and it's a question that could be asked about a lot of players currently on the Regina Bedard’s Pats, including Valis. There's no doubt that his game is improving at a nice pace, with an increasing level of point production and a larger impact overall across all three zones. He's an athletic winger with pretty good reach, pretty good hands and pretty good skating ability, and that is a recipe that can satiate at the NHL level when the steps are followed correctly. Unfortunately, Valis often leaves you wanting more, and the concern is that will always be the case. Will his game nosedive when Bedard is no longer drawing the lion's share of opponent attention? Or will he learn from his phenom teammate's words and actions, and eventually discover the keys to unlocking more of his potential? That jury is still out. All that being said, prospects picked in the later rounds of the draft are always longshots, and there's more to like about Valis as a longshot compared to the wide majority of his peers. (Derek Neumeier)

Grayden Siepmann - Defense - Calgary Hitmen

Siepmann was one of the more surprising players to go unselected at the 2022 draft. After all, NHL teams usually covet right-shooting defensemen with high-end skating ability. He was also already playing on the top pairing for the Hitmen and was projected to keep that role for the next two seasons on the rebuilding roster (so far, so good). However, a lackadaisical passivity that seeped into far too many of his shifts was a key concern that scouts had, which amplified related worries about his scrawny frame and lack of strength. Apparently, he took that criticism and his draft snub seriously, though, as he has been significantly more assertive this season, driving more play with the puck on his stick, being more alert with his carry-outs, jumping up in transition more frequently, and keeping tighter gaps. He displays a very impressive understanding of how to defend while relying predominantly on his feet. He likely won't be a big point producer at higher levels, but the tools are there for him to be a difference-maker in all three zones through his puck possession and transition abilities. (Derek Neumeier)

Austin Roest - Center - Everett Silvertips

A top ten scorer in the WHL as of writing this, Roest has more points than any other undrafted, 2004-born WHL player by a substantial margin. Everett started the season without many of their top forwards from last year and eventually decided to become sellers before the trade deadline, creating an opening for others on the team to step up, and the son of former NHLer Stacy Roest has been absolutely thriving with the newfound opportunity. He's a well-rounded center who is making notable progress in a number of areas, including skating, finishing, playmaking, off-puck play and faceoffs. His offensive game doesn't quite pop as much as his scoring totals might suggest, but he plays a very mature, fleshed-out game that makes a positive difference in a variety of ways. If he can continue going down this path he'll keep increasing his odds of eventually carving out an NHL job as a plug-and-play forward, which are always useful to have on a roster. (Derek Neumeier)

Jackson DeSouza - Defense - Kelowna Rockets

DeSouza shows real signs of being a traditional late bloomer, the type of player who continues making a lot of development progress long after he's out of juniors. Not only is it obvious that he's still filling out his huge frame and working on his coordination, he missed a lot of playing time at a crucial development period in his career, back when COVID was at its worst. But this season in Kelowna, you can really see the seed starting to grow now that it's being watered. Playing on their top defensive pairing, he's using his strength and tenacity to intimidate and physically manhandle opponents, while also utilizing increasingly flexible footwork and a long reach to be a monster with his gaps. His effectiveness and confidence with the puck are growing steadily, though that's never going to be the calling card of his game. He's even wearing a letter on his sweater. It's not difficult to envision a future where DeSouza is an NHL defender who plays on the third pairing at even strength, while also being trusted as a key penalty killer. (Derek Neumeier)

Gabe Klassen - Center - Portland Winterhawks

Klassen has been passed over in two straight drafts, though that hasn't been due to a lack of familiarity from scouts. He was a high WHL bantam pick, he has scored at a decent clip, and Portland is a top-tier junior organization that NHL bird dogs pay close attention to, so he's been a known commodity for a while now. It just hasn't been a commodity that teams were overly interested in. But you can't deny that he keeps making steady, notable progress year over year, and those types of guys are hard to ignore or count out. As of right now he is the captain of the Winterhawks, their first-line center, and someone who plays on both sides of their special teams. His short stature and lack of high-end footspeed are undeniable concerns, but he's very smart, tenacious and competitive, and those attributes when combined can sometimes make up for physical limitations. He could realistically make the NHL one day as a bottom six forward who can plug different holes, doesn't need micro-managing from coaches, and who brings good off-ice intangibles. (Derek Neumeier)

Tomas Suchanek. Photo by Kristin Ostrowski.

Tomas Suchanek - Goalie - Tri-City Americans

Sometimes you can learn a lot about a prospect just by seeing them play in a different environment, and that looks like it might be the case with Suchanek. The Czech netminder has been playing between the pipes for a Tri-City team that has a lot of trouble defending, and he's had issues in turn finding stability and consistency. However, when given the chance to represent his home nation at the past two World Juniors tournaments he looked superb, even taking underdog Czechia within one goal of winning gold this past January. There's no one thing that is overly exceptional about his game, but he brings a bit of size, a bit of athleticism, a reasonably technical form, and a competitive mental edge. Get everything going at the same time and he can steal the odd game in dramatic fashion. His performances have seen a marked uptick over the past month as the plucky Americans try to lock down a playoff spot. A few years of NHL developmental polish might be able to do wonders for him and elevate him as a legitimate prospect. (Derek Neumeier)

Bogdans Hodass - Defense - Medicine Hat Tigers

Can athleticism be a substitute for pure skill? To a certain degree, yes. Nobody will ever mistake Hodass for a proficient puck-handler or particularly pretty skater. However, he's rangy, strong and fit, and that allows him to regularly stay involved in the play and around the puck, which is sometimes what defenders are mostly hoping for while defending, through their positioning and gap control. And don't look now, but the skill is starting to come along. His puck management has made progress. His skating mechanics are a little cleaner. He even has 24 points in 38 games (as of writing this), driven primarily by a bomb of a shot from the point that can bore holes in goalies or generate juicy rebounds. Playing on a bad, thin Medicine Hat team the past two years has been a blessing in disguise, allowing him enough playing time to grow, learn and try new things. Hodass making the NHL is far from a guarantee, but he is destined for pro hockey at some level, and his improvement over the past couple of years is an encouraging sign that he will continue finding ways to keep improving. (Derek Neumeier)

Thomas Milic - Goalie - Seattle Thunderbirds

If Milic doesn't hear his name get called at some point during 2023 draft weekend in June there are going to be a lot of furious hockey fans, both in Seattle and across Canada. As a goaltender with the Thunderbirds, he has provided impeccable steadiness and reliability over the past three seasons, which included a somewhat underdog run to the WHL finals in 2022 where he was between the pipes for every single second of his team's 25 games, a truly remarkable feat for a goalie. Internationally, he has been a rockstar, highlighted most by a heroic performance as Canada's starting goalie at the 2023 World Juniors, posting a .932 save percentage and regularly bailing his team out with some huge saves en route to winning gold. Yes, he's not the biggest netminder, and that's a natural disadvantage that can't be improved or altered, but guys his size can still succeed in the NHL when their technical abilities and mental makeup are top notch, and he checks off those boxes. Only a small handful of goalies get picked every year, and it's hard to imagine there are many who will be available in the 2023 draft who will go on to have better careers long-term than Milic will. (Derek Neumeier)

QMJHL

Halifax, Nova Scotia - Jan 14:Justin Gill #19 of the Sherbrooke Phoenix looks to make a play against Cameron Whynot #17 of the Halifax Mooseheads during the QMJHL game between the Halifax Mooseheads and Sherbrooke Phoenix on January 14 2023 at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Mooseheads)

Justin Gill - Center/Wing - Sherbrooke Phoenix

Justin Gill has taken a massive step in his development this year, as he currently stands eighth in points in the QMJHL, while last year, he was not even producing at a point per game pace. As an over-ager last year, it was understandable for NHL teams to prefer someone a year younger who has been producing at a similar pace as Gill. That being said, this year has certainly been different, and although being a double over-ager might scare some teams away, Gill should definitely garner some attention from NHL teams. Along with Joshua Roy, Gill has been nearly unstoppable and has led his team to third place in the QMJHL. His offensive game is quite diversified, as he is a dual threat forward who can not only score impressive goals with his shot, but who can also be a super effective playmaker. What makes him super translatable is that he has an excellent vision of the ice, always aware of where his teammates are and how he could work with them to create a scoring chance. Not to mention he can play both center and winger. I would not say that he is guaranteed to be picked by a team this year, but the possibility is absolutely there. (Jérémi Plourde)

Maxime Pellerin - Center - Victoriaville Tigres

Maxime Pellerin is another player who is a double over-ager, but who has been absolutely carrying his team offensively, along with Tommy Cormier. This year, he is 10th in the league in points, and has also taken a massive step production-wise. Although he is not a particularly good skater, he might draw some interest thanks to his goal scoring instincts. He is a perfect fit for a bottom six scorer in the NHL, he just needs to continue to get better. He has an excellent one-timer that not many QMJHL goaltenders can save when he has time to use it. His wrist shot is quite accurate, and I really like how he hides his intentions before shooting, something that he does super often and that is absolutely an NHL level play. I would like to see him play at a higher pace, and also be more physical, as he has the frame to do so. What makes him efficient and what could draw interest from teams the most is his off-puck game, he’s always well positioned and ready for when he gets the puck. There might be some execution problems, but if he prevents himself from overcomplicating plays and sticks to simpler paths, things should go well for him at higher levels. (Jérémi Plourde)

Yoan Loshing - Center - Moncton Wildcats

Yoan Loshing is a player who saw his teammate Maxim Barbashev be picked by the New York Rangers last year, but who was not given a chance by an NHL team. This year, Loshing is scoring at a much better pace than Barbashev, actually at over a point per game pace, on a middle of the pack Moncton Wildcats team. Although his rather small frame might be a concern of some NHL teams, there is no doubt to me that the skill is absolutely present. Loshing probably had the best shot in the entire QMJHL draft class last year and was also the fastest straight-line skater. This alone will not bring you to the NHL, but if a team is confident enough in their development system to work with Loshing to round out his game and unlock a more translatable overall game, you could get an absolute steal. He definitely has the relentless forechecking attitude, and he can be quite physical, laying booming hits, even if he is a small player. I could see the possibility that some NHL scout falls in love with his game while watching Étienne Morin, notable defenceman for this year’s draft, who also plays with Moncton. (Jérémi Plourde)

Markus Vidicek - Center - Halifax Mooseheads

Markus Vidicek has been in the shadow of the leading point scorer in the QMJHL, Jordan Dumais, both this year and last year. I was honestly surprised his name was not called in Montréal last year, as he was scoring at almost a point per game pace. I am guessing some teams were worried about his defensive effort or his somewhat weak frame, but I believe that a player like Vidicek, with the immense puck skill and creativity he has, should not be overlooked. This year, he is proving why he is among the top playmakers and all-around offensive players in the QMJHL, as he has so far scored 69 points in only 56 games. Now it is obvious that some of this production is inflated due to him playing with Dumais, but he has his own noticeable role on the team. Every once in a while, Vidicek displays flashes of amazing puck handling skills, which makes you think that if you are patient with him and develop him well, the reward could be high. He is tremendously energetic, always very hungry for the puck, especially in the offensive zone. In the NHL, I could see him become a Jake Evans type player, a great energetic forechecker with flashes of amazing skill and determination. He would have to continue to improve his speed to become that though. (Jérémi Plourde)

Jonathan Fauchon - Center - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Jonathan Fauchon is certainly one of the players who has improved the most since last year out of anyone on this list. Last year with Blainville, he played in a very defensive role, and he only managed to score at a little under half a point per game pace, which is likely why NHL teams were reluctant to draft him. This year, he has stepped up as the number one center for the Armada, scoring at well above a point per game pace, and leading his team in points by an astonishing 21-point margin. Not only has Fauchon been able to keep up his defensive prowess, but he has figured out how to use his speed to become an offensive threat. He’s excellent at working with open ice, carrying the puck in the offensive zone and always playing at a great pace. He’s a great forechecker and backchecker, always involved low in the defensive zone, and always ready to assist his teammates along the boards. He is not very big, but there is still a lot to like with Fauchon, and since he has improved so much since last year, the two-way center should be an interesting over ager to consider this year, with him just having turned 19. He probably has the most upside out of anyone on this list. (Jérémi Plourde)

Pier-Olivier Roy - Defense - Victoriaville Tigres

Pier-Olivier Roy is another player who has exploded offensively. The 5 '10 defender only had 26 points in 66 games in his draft year last year, which is why teams did not really consider picking him over other QMJHL defenceman like Langlois, Luneau or Lamoureux, who were offering more. That being said, Roy has been an offensive monster this year, scoring at a point per game pace, third in his team in points. He is also third in the entire league for points among defencemen. Roy is a tremendous passer, often connecting with teammates in ways you would not think of, but also often making the simplest but most efficient passes. He is a strong and smooth skater, excellent at both carrying the puck or completing stretch passes to a teammate on the breakout. He is always confident with the puck. He is super mobile at the blueline, both with his feet and his hands. He always showed great skill and upside but did not have many opportunities to show for it last year. This year, he has been given a much bigger role, and has been excellent at it. (Jérémi Plourde)

Daniil Bourosh - Center - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

Daniil Bourosh has emerged as one of the best goal scorers in the QMJHL this year, sharing the 8th place in the league in goals. He is producing at over a point per game rate and is one of the youngest over agers being born in April 2004. He is currently the same age as some QMJHL top prospects from this year’s draft, like Ethan Gauthier and Tyler Peddle. He’s obviously a few months older, but he is quite ahead of some of them in his development. Although you could have made the argument to draft him last year, Bourosh was probably not bringing enough for some NHL teams. This year, the Belarussian looks like a much more translatable goal scoring power forward. His main way of finding success offensively is without a doubt his shot. There are many guys in this list who have amazing shot, and Bourosh is absolutely one of them. His one-timer is especially what is the scariest, it is impressively powerful and precise. His skating definitely needs improvement, but the goal scoring instincts, in addition to his great shot are what could draw some interest for the draft. (Jérémi Plourde)

William Rousseau - Goaltender - Quebec Remparts

William Rousseau has been stellar for the Québec Remparts this season, as he currently holds a .913 sv%, good enough to be tied for third in the league. Although a big part of his statistical success has been because he is on the best team in the entire QMJHL, Rousseau has also been himself an important part of his team’s success. He only has one more regular time loss than his backup, but he has 13 more wins. He is super mobile laterally, always ready to power slide his way from one post to the other. He plays rather low, which he might have to be careful with, especially given his size, but he’s very good at finding the puck in traffic and at using his lateral mobility. The Trois-Rivières native has taken a while to develop, and it is understandable that NHL teams did not take a chance on him last year, but this year feels different. He has taken such a massive step since last year, and there’s also a pretty solid possibility that he wins the memorial cup, or at least participates in it, which would be a big addition to his resume and would draw some interest from some NHL teams. (Jérémi Plourde)

AJHL

Hudson Malinoski - Center - Brooks Bandits

Back in 2017, Malinoski ended up with a torn vertebral artery after falling off his roof. After a successful experimental surgery, Malinoski was kept out of hockey for a year and had to work his way back up the hockey ladder. Passed over in his WHL draft and a late bloomer physically, Malinoski (2004 born) is now playing in his first year in the AJHL with Brooks and he’s been one of the best players in the league as a rookie. The Providence College commit was also great for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge, finishing with seven points in six games. He has a very intriguing package of size (6’1), speed, and skill. Not only is he a strong and powerful linear skater who seems to love attacking the offensive zone with speed, but his edgework and agility also seem like real strengths, as he uses this to help him navigate traffic to get his shot off. He has a really good shot, part of why he is frequently utilized on the point of the powerplay. More of a playmaker at the AJHL level, he has great scoring potential because his release is deceptive, and he creates a ton of velocity on the shots in his arsenal. Without question, adding strength to his frame will be the next step at Providence, as he can be knocked off the puck or knocked off stride too easily at times. However, NHL scouts would have unquestionably taken notice of his performance this year. (Brock Otten)

Sam Court - Defense - Brooks Bandits

It’s been a long and winding road for Court. A former high pick in the WHL draft, he’s bounced around the last few years in order to keep his NCAA eligibility. A former University of New Hampshire commit (it sounds like he’s decommitted), Court played last year, his initial NHL draft year, with Avon Old Farms in the U.S. prep loop. Rather than play in the USHL (his rights held by Fargo), Court returned to Canada this year to play in the AJHL with the storied Brooks Bandits. It’s been a good move as Court currently leads the AJHL in defenseman scoring by a significant amount. In a lot of ways, Court reminds me of former Brooks’ defender Zach Bookman, who tore up the AJHL last year, but failed to get drafted (although is having a great freshman year at Merrimack this season). He’s not big. He’s not the world’s most dynamic skater, especially for an undersized/average sized defender. But he is skilled. He makes quick and sound decisions with the puck. His overall IQ as an offensive defender is very high. As a defender, he’s far from a pushover physically. However, with his roving tendencies, he can take himself out of the play and does not possess the kind of high-end mobility to recover consistently. His upside as a future pro player will likely be tied to his ability to move the puck and quarterback the powerplay. It will be interesting to see which NCAA program Court settles on, if he has indeed de-committed from UNH. (Brock Otten)

Andrew Ness - Goaltender - Fort McMurray Oil Barons

Is Ness a classic late blooming goaltender? All signs would point to yes. He has gone from playing in (more like starring in) the Manitoba U18 league last year to being one of the best goalies in the AJHL this year for Fort McMurray. This has earned him a scholarship to Bemidji State and his strong performance at the WJAC surely turned some heads in the NHL scouting community. Ness is extremely athletic, which is impressive given his length (at 6’2). He covers post to post extremely well and is able to challenge shooters by being aggressive. He can fall into some scrambling tendencies, which opens up some holes and makes him susceptible to the odd “bad” goal, but he has significant potential because of his quickness and play tracking ability. (Brock Otten)

BCHL

Tate Taylor - Defense - Surrey Eagles

One of the most improved players in the BCHL this year, Taylor is a classic late bloomer. Not only did he hit a growth spurt late, but he also switched positions from forward to defense late in minor hockey. This year, he appears fully comfortable and has gained significant confidence in his offensive abilities. An aggressive offensive defender, Taylor is a master facilitator and one of the highest scoring defenders in the BCHL. However, Taylor has also worked hard to improve his play in the defensive end to add an element of physicality. A Clarkson commit, Taylor will need to continue to focus on skating development, but he has significant potential as an offensive defender at the college level (at the very least). (Brock Otten)

Josh Nadeau - Wing - Penticton Vees

Already one of the better players in the BCHL last year, Nadeau went unselected in his first year of draft eligibility likely due to size concerns. Nadeau has returned to the BCHL to dominate even more alongside his brother Bradley, a potential top 50 pick this year. A Maine commit, Josh is an electric offensive player. He has great hands and creativity, and his high-end agility gives him great elusiveness at the junior level. Of course, there will be concerns that his offensive dominance does not translate to the higher levels, but one has to wonder if the NHL team that selects Bradley, also selects Josh in the later rounds in hopes of unlocking the immense upside of both. (Brock Otten)

Ryan Hopkins - Defense - Penticton Vees

Hopkins was ranked by us at #207 last year after winning a BCHL Championship and earning a spot on the BCHL All Rookie team. But it wasn’t enough for the Maine commit to get drafted. He has returned to Penticton and has become one of the best defenders in the BCHL, improving his production and confidence from an offensive perspective. He has also worked hard to improve his overall mobility and quickness, helping him to take that next step as an offensive defender. Of course, he remains a highly competitive and suffocating player in the defensive end, one with a penchant for the big hit and who rarely loses a 50/50 battle. There is certainly a path to the NHL for a feisty, right shot defender like Hopkins and it would not be surprising to see him selected this time around. (Brock Otten)

Luca Di Pasquo - Goaltender - Penticton Vees

Another player ranked late by us last year (205), Di Pasquo was a standout in the NAHL before moving to the BCHL this year. In both stops, he has been one of the best netminders in his league. Now in his final year of draft eligibility, scouts may be interested in securing the rights to this future Michigan State Spartan. Di Pasquo’s biggest strength in the crease is his athleticism. Ultra quick post to post, he routinely makes highlight reel saves. He has worked hard to refine his movements and looks quieter in the crease this year, resulting in less scrambling, taking him out of position. Yes, playing behind a dominant Penticton team helps, but his strong play has also been a big part of their success. (Brock Otten)

MJHL

Warren Clark - Defense - Steinbach Pistons

Clark is a really interesting case because of his late growth spurt and the somewhat non-traditional market he currently plays in. The MJHL hasn’t had an NHL draft pick since 2018 (Matthew Thiessen). Yet, Clark is bound to generate some NHL interest because of his profile. He has jumped from around 5’11 to 6' 5 the last few years, he has some really intriguing athletic tools, and he plays the right side. Born in late August, Clark missed being first time draft eligible this year by only a few months. His linear quickness and ability to control the puck are very impressive and this allows him to be an impressive playmaker leading the attack or when holding down the offensive blueline. In a lot of ways, he looks like London Knights defender (and Montreal Canadiens prospect) Logan Mailloux on the attack. However, the rest of his game is very raw. His four-way mobility will need to improve and his defensive play is inconsistent at best. Headed to St. Cloud State, Clark could be a draft target for teams intrigued by his physical tools and upside. (Brock Otten)

2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: MEDAL ROUND RECAP

Will Scouch — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 18:15:21 +0000

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA - JANUARY 5: Czechia vs Canada Gold Medal Game action at 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on January 5, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

2023 World Juniors Medal Round Recap

Ok now we can all exhale together, eh? What a tournament that was. The unpredictability of the round robin stage continues to upend expectations, leading to some remarkable quarterfinal matchups, exemplifying why performing at that early stage can help you immensely when elimination is on the line. To say we were spoiled with the quality of most of these matches is an understatement. As someone with many years of experience watching this tournament, this is as standard as seatbelts, but even I was on the edge of my seat watching this all go down all the way through the medal round.

Yes, some games were lopsided, and I do think that there are divides showing in junior hockey at the lower end of the current crop of teams in this tournament, but I’ll throw out that the Norwegian team probably should’ve been here, and we should be excited to see an exciting crop of young players from that country that dominated the Division 1A tournament with 16 eligible returnees. At the same time, I also have to commend the Swiss. They may have lost their quarterfinal 9-1 but winning three times in overtime in the round robin and dethroning great teams like Finland and Slovakia is no small feat. That team certainly outperformed my expectations and came together well. As always, this tournament was a heck of a meal, and the medal round was an excellent dessert to send us home happy about the whole experience.

Quarterfinal #1 - Finland 2 - Sweden 3

This game was a treat. I came in expecting a bit more output from Sweden, but the game, like a few others in this medal round, seemed to be a war of attrition until push came to shove in the 3rd period of the game. There were strong performances from Jani Lampinen and Carl Lindbom to keep the game close, with play that seemed to alternate between sloppy and tight. Leo Carlsson was a standout in this game, landing two goals, but I felt Ludvig Jansson and Filip Bystedt were pivotal for keeping Sweden in the game and driving offense. Originally, my expectation was to see a lot more out of the Djurgarden boys in Ostlund, Lekkerimaki and Ohgren as well as Fabian Lysell, who may have had the best (and at times not so best) zero-point tournament I’ve seen in a long, long time, but the physical skill that the previous names bring helped gain an advantage of the tight, physical play of the Finns.

The events of the last four minutes of the game were simply heartbreaking for one side, and completely unbelievable for the other. Heartbreak is nothing new in this tournament, and like the tying goal, it can come from absolutely nothing but a good player in Leo Carlsson being in the right place at the right time. The go-ahead that sealed it was an uncharacteristic bobble at the offensive blueline for Aleksi Heimosalmi and his feet just couldn’t challenge Victor Stjernborg enough, and just like that, with some late heroics from Lindbom, the Swedes pulled off the stunning victory to land in the semis. This game was largely the story of the Bystedt/Carlsson connection and Carl Lindbom continuing to do the thing he does, but to say the first couple periods were surprisingly underwhelming shouldn’t be a shock. The way it ended though? One for the long Finnish/Swedish sagas for sure.

Quarterfinal #2 - Czechia 9 - Switzerland 1

The Swiss showed that they could play as a unit and counterattack effectively to punch above their weight class in the round robin, but the mana seemingly completely depleted in this game against a top-class Czech team once the Swiss took the lead 20 seconds in. Louis Robin was a surprise for me in this tournament with his speed and hands in tight, and for a moment there, there were thoughts crossing my mind after what I had seen from the Swiss previously. Just a few minutes later however, the game was largely out of control with three goals in the next nine minutes from Jiri Kulich, Marcel Marcel, and Petr Hauser. The Czechs played physical hockey throughout the tournament, but their big players like Marcel, Hauser, David Jiricek, and others are all players that can really move as well with some strong finishing ability, and they all showed those traits off early and often.

As the 2nd period went on, my notes got a little less interesting as the Czechs continued to blast pucks into the net, but I did want to highlight Eduard Sale’s play a little bit, as I felt he’s been maligned in this tournament. He’s a player where his weaknesses were certainly exposed here, but his two points in the 2nd period really exemplified what he does bring to the game in the offensive zone. Simple, but excellent reads on play that draw himself into a bit more space or catch opponents a little off guard. He spotted his seam pass on the assist, executed quickly, and in it goes. On the goal, he showed great patience to create a clean look at the goaltender between him and Maximilan Streule, and there’s a great shot he can place well that landed the Czechs their 7th of the game. Perhaps he’s a player who you don’t notice much until he’s got two points on the night, and he didn’t have the best tournament, but I felt that there were good moments in this game that illustrate what makes him a high-end prospect, even if he doesn’t carry the same flash as other eligibles. The Czechs just kept overwhelming the Swiss with physical play, getting hard pucks on net from talented perimeter shooters, and they’re off to the semifinals.

Quarterfinal #3 - United States 11 - Germany 1

Well, the Germans were at least better than the Austrians, right? Like the Swiss quarterfinal matchup, within 10 minutes the game was out of hand as the US finished the period up 3-0. The Germans played hard and tried to keep up, but there’s only so much you can do when the States brought so many skilled players, some of whom specialize in shooting and others with passing and vision. It was a relentless onslaught driven by the usual suspects in Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud, Chaz Lucius and their bunch of merry men. I thought Nikita Quapp had a decent tournament, and then this game happened, but there’s only so much you can say on this one. The States scored 8 goals in 20 minutes which is a heck of an achievement in and of itself, especially when they all came at 5v5, save Red Savage’s shorthanded goal.

The States certainly could take away how much they gelled and came together as a team, attacking the net, supporting teammates in transition, pushing pace as much as they can, and bringing the physical edge they may need in the future against teams like Canada. I’ll also take this chance to throw some respect on Gavin Brindley’s name, who while he only landed a single point in this game, looked excellent all tournament and surpassed my expectations with his 200-foot energy level and transition skill to create for his linemates at high pace. The Germans? Well at least they haven’t been relegated and will be back next year?

Quarterfinal #4 - Canada 4 - Slovakia 3 (OT)

After this game I’m pretty sure I need to see a cardiologist. I honestly was thinking this game could be close, but not this close. The Slovak team brought a number of young players who are eligible to return that all bring a ton of size, skill, and intensity to the game and I knew they wouldn’t go into a game against Canada afraid or lying down. Adam Gajan was simply spectacular in what was most certainly the biggest game of his young career. I felt that Martin Misiak, an injury replacement, was out there every shift at some points and just laying the body on Canada at every juncture, exemplifying just how tightly the Slovaks wanted to squeeze the Canadians into submission and knock them off their game. An old late-round favourite of mine in Libor Nemec had a great performance in this tournament chipping in with his big frame and skill combination in the net area, and while overtime didn’t go his way, and Adam Sykora brought the physical edge I was hoping to see coming into the tournament.

The biggest story of this game with a few great stories was Connor Bedard. Slovakia was coming at him all night, and through it all, he found a way to sneak through defenses and magically string together passing and shooting sequences, culminating in one of the most spectacular overtime winners I can remember in this tournament. Even Connor Bedard’s ability to get under your skin with a few “yeah I’m Connor Bedard and you are not sir and do not forget” moments is always fun to see. He was simply sublime at times, even if a bit of a botched giveaway due to overhandling and terrible defensive play directly lead to Slovakia building some momentum going into the 3rd.

The tide seemed to shift a little bit as Adam Gajan continued to stand on his head and Slovakia landed themselves some great chances on Thomas Milic, culminating in a brutal positional mistake from Brandt Clarke left Libor Nemec in front for the tying goal. Going into overtime and leading up to Bedard’s winner, that game could’ve gone either way with Bedard nearly putting Canada up in regulation a few times, and Slovakia very nearly ending it with 10 seconds left. With some heroics from Thomas Milic, the stage was set, and Bedard danced the Canadians into the semifinals. This damn Canadian team at this damn tournament just cannot stop clawing their way through tough games, but they don’t ask how, they ask how many, and off Canada goes, leaving even broken hearts in their wake.

Semifinal #1 - Czechia 2 - Sweden 1 (OT)

In Swedish fashion at this tournament, this game was a big snoozer with just 29 total shots on goal through two periods, until the Czechs remembered what they were here to do, outshooting the Swedes 14-3 in the final 20 minutes, getting themselves back into the game in the last minute of the game. Carl Lindbom once again played well in a losing effort facing almost 50% more shots than Tomas Suchanek. Once again, Fabian Lysell had a game of ups and downs, and if “almost points” were a thing, he would probably have led the team in that regard. Could they have used a single 3v3 shift from Lysell? Perhaps, but hindsight is 20/20 and his performance throughout the tournament wasn’t exactly confidence-inspiring in a tenuous game scenario. David Jiricek certainly showed his skill and shooting ability, culminating in the tying goal to send things to overtime. As is usual, this overtime could’ve gone either way. A tremendous zone entry from the Carlsson-Bystedt connection and a great chance from the Djurgarden boys nearly ended things relatively quickly, but the feisty Czechs came right back before a potential shootout as Jiri Kulich absolutely pilfered Fabian Wagner’s lunch money and did what he does best to get the Czechs through to their first gold medal game since 2001 and guaranteeing their first medal since 2005. A deserving and worthy result for this Czech team, and the Swedes go home with plenty of questions for next year in my opinion.

Semifinal #2 - United States 2 - Canada 6

This may have been the closest 6-2 game I’ve seen in a while. The story completely transformed on the disallowed goal from Jackson Blake and the game seemed to get away from the Americans as Canada relentlessly capitalized on multiple chances through the middle of the 3rd period. I was hoping for a heroic performance from Trey Augustine, but for a 17-year-old there’s often only so much you can ask for, and a tough outing had him pulled in the 3rd for Kaidan Mberenko which frankly surprised me a bit. Logan Cooley once again had a strong game, getting things started early capitalizing on a weird rebound, and once again Gavin Brindley did his thing with trademark pace and speed to create the 2-0 goal. Brindley exemplified a ton of traits even on that one play of what is necessary to deal with these Canadian teams. Push them around and counter attack well, and if you can’t push them around, push them back on their heels so their big physical defenders can’t touch you. I love Gavin Brindley’s game, in case you haven’t picked up on that.

The rest of the show was pretty much all Canada though, as Ryan Ufko couldn’t handle the Bedard Bot, Logan Stankoven got Stanky, Tyler Boucher and Luke Mittelstadt completely forgetting Adam Fantilli exists, Josh Roy being a coach’s dream going to the net and getting a lovely setup from Stankoven, and a mystifying giveaway from Luke Hughes leading to another belated Christmas gift for Josh Roy. It was another one for the ages, and I have to commend the States for how they played largely through this game. They were getting chances, and got penalized for being a bit too aggressive in the net area which will always be touchy in this tournament. The Canadian engine just kept rolling though, and off they went to yet another gold medal game.

Bronze Medal - United States 8 - Sweden 7 (OT)

What even is this Swedish team? Where was this offense all game long? Why did the last two games completely annihilate Trey Augustine’s solid performance in the round robin? Why!? How!? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game where 9 goals were scored in 20 minutes, let alone an 8-7 overtime game. Again, I felt Sweden came out lacking the pace and intensity that the States matched up with but settled into tactical mode and started chipping away at the American lead. Fabian Lysell again did not do himself any favours getting thrown out 8 minutes into the game, capping off a very, very frustrating few weeks I think he’ll want to forget quickly. I felt that the Djurgarden boys were better this game, with some great chances from Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Liam Ohgren, but sometimes when you’re good, your opponents are better, with Chaz Lucius, Cutter Gauthier and Rutger McGroarty creating and burying chances over and over again. Sweden did push the softer defenses of the United States onto their heels more and more as the game went on, leading to some of the absolutely insane lead changes and comebacks, but the States also did the same on a few occasions to keep the game close. Leo Carlsson and Filip Bystedt continued their great tournaments against a faltering Trey Augustine, whose brutal misplay with less than a minute left in the 2nd gave the Swedes life with a tie going into the third period.

There is just so much that happened in this game that either was a sudden ignition of the Swedish scoring forwards, or they massively regressed positively in a single game, but the trouble is that it came against a very talented US Team. A great resilient play from Luke Hughes helped make up for the brutal Josh Roy giveaway, together they are also an indicator of the confidence of Luke Hughes, almost to his detriment. He had a strange tournament of ups and downs, but those ups sure are something. I was stunned when Filip Bystedt buried a gift of a drifting puck on Kaidan Mbereko, and honestly just wanted the game to end because my aorta was poking out of both my ears at this point. Chaz Lucius ices it on a beautiful backhand that went completely unchallenged on a chance created by one Lane Hutson, and the States find a way to go home with some metalware. I hoped for more out of the Swedes, as they have the capability of playing with pace, they have the goaltending, and they have the skill, but struggling to meet expectations and drive consistent modern offense seems to be a bit of a worrying trend internationally over the last few years, and we’ll have to see if things change moving forward.

Gold Medal - Czechia 2 - Canada 3 (OT)

And so, we arrive at the gold medal game. La creme de la creme, as they say. The Czechs earned their way here through hard work, hard shots, and teamwork where the Canadians earned their way by having the best young scorer in the world and a loaded roster full of pure, raw talent that can drive results physically or with skill depending on who is on the ice. I definitely anticipated a close one so long as Tomas Suchanek kept the door closed, and well, he did. When he got hurt, I thought this might be it for the Czechs, but he hung in there and finished the game in excellent fashion in a losing effort turning away 35 of 38. A performance in line with his time with the Tri-City Americans, capping a remarkable tournament.

The Czechs did what they could to neutralize Connor Bedard, holding him off the scoreboard for just the second time this season outside of the first game of the year with Regina. Bonkers. A few silly penalties from the Czechs trying to pound Canada into submission breaks the cardinal rule of “do not take penalties against the 2023 Canadian junior team”, and they made them pay going up one before the period ended. Brennan Othmann definitely showed why the Rangers drafted him as high as they did with his combination of deep offensive zone playmaking and punishing physical ability. Shane Wright did a Shane Wright thing to put Canada up two with a beautiful skill play under double coverage burying one on a wonderful backhand. That’s the Shane Wright I remember seeing here and there over the years, and I’m hoping he gains a bit of confidence from this tournament as he heads back to the OHL to an unnamed team.

Tomas Suchanek continued to stand on his head, and the Czechs chipped away at the Canadian lead in the third period, and very nearly pulled off the upset as the clock wound down which I’m sure would have gone over extremely well considering the proximity of multiple hungry central European athletes slapping at a hockey puck to a Canadian goaltender sprawled out on the ice. As is tradition, Canada can’t just win this tournament. They have to take us to the brink of extinction and then give us moments we’ll see on highlights and have produced segments about until I’m 65 years old. This time? A wonderful sense of patience and good skill from Josh Roy added the extra play that gave Dylan Guenther the green light to etch his name into the history of this tournament with his second of the game. It was a phenomenal game, the Czechs deserve every ounce of metal in their medals, and my heart breaks for both them and the Slovaks based on the efforts they gave to the Canadians and just how close they came to turning this entire tournament upside down. The Canadians? Well, they were heavily favoured on paper as usual, and as usual, they accomplished the goal in the most painful way imaginable. Well done! I can finally breathe.

Biggest Surprises and Performers

I had high expectations for the Czechs and Slovaks, and they blew me away with how well they played against opponents that were heavily favoured against them. The Czechs won their group and the Slovaks scored more than enough to make Adam Gajan’s effort worth it. I still think Tomas Suchanek takes home my best goalie award, but if you want to talk about making a name for yourself, look no further than Adam Gajan. David Spacek and Marcel Marcel were nice surprises on the Czech side and seeing a growing role for Martin Misiak made me happy. Gavin Brindley, Axel Sandin Pellikka, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson and Charlie Stramel all showed well to me for draft eligibles and I liked what Dalibor Dvorsky and Alex Ciernik brought to the table, but the biggest story was Connor Bedard. He surprised me with just how absolutely overwhelming he was in this tournament. Granted, Germany and Austria are meaningless opponents for him, but even still, he would well surpass scoring totals for all other draft eligibles this year for good reason. I thought Adam Fantilli played great, and there are things he does better, but Bedard has cemented himself as the top player available this year now that I’ve seen more of him outside of Regina. He’s a spectacular shooter with tremendous skill and confidence and I hope his NHL career keeps rolling along like his junior career has.

Biggest Disappointments

I have to say I expected better from Finland and Sweden. Sweden was too quiet for too long until their backs were against the wall. Finland was skilled without speed and agility, and tried to play slow, heavy hockey that just couldn’t match up against teams that should have been beneath them. I expected Fabian Lysell to lead the Swedes, and while he had moments where he felt like the only one willing to push opponents on their heels, he’d waste too many of those moments with overhandling and overthinking, and when he had bad moments, they were very very bad. I don’t think it’s that hot of a take to suggest that we may just need to lump the Czechs and Slovaks in with the Swedes and Finns at this level until we see a reason not to do so.

2022 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES, PART 1 – NHL Draft Re-Entry Candidates from Canada

Fri, 20 May 2022 15:10:42 +0000

This year, it feels like we are playing catch-up because of how disjointed last year was in the scouting community. The OHL did not play. Other leagues played only partially. How much was development stunted? Better yet, how many players have surprised this year with their progression given that they were not able to show said progression last year (such as the OHL players). Will we see an extraordinary number of “re-entry” players selected this year as NHL scouting teams gobble up all of these players who slipped through the cracks of the pandemic scouting year?

North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. Recently, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Florida Panthers standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck. Standout Arizona Coyotes rookie Janis Moser was one last year.

Speaking of last year, ten “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100; Ryker Evans, Josh Doan, Janis Moser, Carter Mazur, Alexei Kolosov, Taige Harding, Andrei Buyalsky, Josh Lopina, Ville Ottavainen, and Jakub Malek In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1:) (Part 2: )( Part 3) we wrote about eight of these ten. In total there were 34 taken, actually below the trend of over 40 being selected in other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 34, we identified and wrote about 17 (half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2022, we have some very interesting candidates. Lucas Edmonds of the Kingston Frontenacs was near the top of OHL scoring all season. Stephen Halliday of Dubuque had one of the best statistical seasons in the history of the USHL. Dmitri Buchelnikov completely obliterated the MHL, a year after being passed over as one of the youngest eligible players in 2021. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% (if the average is restored) this year.

OHL

Lucas Edmonds of the Kingston Frontenacs. Brandon Taylor/OHL Images

Lucas Edmonds - Wing - Kingston Frontenacs

Edmonds is a strange case. Playing as an overager in the OHL (2001 born), Edmonds falls under European eligibility requirements because of his playing past. The same thing happened with Colorado Avalanche 2021 selection Andrei Buyalsky (who we mentioned above) when he played in the USHL a year ago. Edmonds grew up playing in the GTHL (even playing with Nashville Predator Phil Tomasino) but moved to Sweden as a teenager. The 5’11, 185lbs winger is not your average overage player physically. A late bloomer, Edmonds struggled to make an impact playing against men in Sweden, so he returned to Ontario to play in the OHL this season (not an import as he was originally drafted into the OHL in 2017). The decision was a good one as Edmonds was consistently one of the best players in the league and consistently among its leading scorers. On a lot of nights, Edmonds (and Kingston’s strong second line with the recently signed Jordan Frasca and Dallas pick Francesco Arcuri) overshadowed potential first overall pick Shane Wright. It would appear that it is not a case of whether Edmonds gets drafted this year, but when.

“The two things that immediately jump out at you about Edmonds are his hands and his intelligence. He always has his head up and his anticipation in the offensive end is terrific. The puck just gravitates in his direction, and he always seems to be around it. He creates time and space so well with his hands too. He can stickhandle in a phone booth; he has elite escapability. Equal parts playmaker and finisher there really is not a weak spot in his game as an offensive player.

The only question mark is his skating. East/West Edmonds is solid. He uses his edges well and can evade checks at the OHL level with strong agility. He is also strong and balanced, giving him the ability to consistently win battles in traffic. However, his acceleration and linear quickness is below average. As an average sized skilled forward, can he overcome that? Can his quickness be improved? There is certainly a chance that he won’t be able to keep pace in the NHL, and/or earn the kind of puck touches he will need to produce. That said, what he has shown this year has been extremely impressive and he is more than worthy of a draft selection.” - Brock Otten

Samuel Mayer - Defense - Peterborough Petes

It was not a terrific year for the Petes, but one of the few positives was the emergence of Samuel Mayer as the team’s number one defender. The 6’3, 200lbs blueliner came out of nowhere to not only claim a roster spot (he was a U18 draft pick, a source of talent that rarely pays off), but become a minute eater. He played in all situations for the Petes and was the team’s defensive scoring leader by a significant margin. In fact, among all U19 defenders in the OHL, Mayer finished in the top ten, ahead of many NHL drafted players.

“The first time I saw Mayer play, I was surprised with how effective he was. Given his size and lack of experience at a higher level, I expected his mobility to be poor. However, for a bigger defender, his mobility is good. There is certainly room for him to improve his quickness, but the four-way mobility is better than some of the 2003 defenders taken last year by NHL teams. Mayer impresses with his ability to lead the rush and run the point inside the offensive blueline. His puck skills are surprisingly sound, and he has a big point shot that will be a huge weapon in the OHL over the next few seasons. Best of all, Mayer is very solid in the defensive end. He is a physically intense competitor with a penchant for the big hit. And he routinely blows up transitional attacks. As he gains experience, he has a chance to become one of the better two-way defenders in the OHL. His pro aspirations will hinge on continued improvement in his quickness and decision making, but without question, his season has put him on some draft lists.” - Brock Otten

Gavin White - Defense - Hamilton Bulldogs

The Hamilton Bulldogs are one of the best teams in the OHL this year and a potential favourite for the Memorial Cup. Just look at how they’ve blown up the playoffs thus far. One of the reasons? The breakout season of mobile, puck mover Gavin White. A depth player the last time the OHL took the ice, White is now a critical, top four defender on a dominant offensive team. The 6’0, right shot defender was actually a U18 pick, much like Samuel Mayer (discussed above). He was in the top ten of blueline scoring all season long and is a truly dynamic puck mover because of his effortless stride and movement capabilities.

“I actually thought that there could be a chance White got drafted last year after how good he looked at that OHL showcase event organized in Erie. He was one of the better defenders there and even earned an invite to the San Jose Sharks training camp because of it. White’s game is perfectly tailored for the modern-day NHL. His four-way mobility is terrific. His confidence on his edges, ability to build speed out of cuts, and his four-way quickness are all among the best of any defender in the OHL. He is so elusive and creative in the offensive zone because of this. Defensively, I think he still has room to grow as a player, but his game seems to improve with each passing month. This year’s OHL playoffs will be a great test for him to prove to scouts that he can dominate at both ends when it matters most (so far so good).” - Brock Otten

Patrick Leaver - Goaltender - Oshawa Generals

Leaver narrowly missed being eligible for the draft for the first time this year by only a few weeks (born September 4th, 2003). But with no hockey in Ontario last year, he did not have a chance to showcase his abilities at a higher level after playing in the CCHL2 as a 16-year-old. Even this year, Leaver was supposed to be the backup to overage standout Zachary Paputsakis. However, with Paputsakis getting a late start to the year, Leaver was thrust into a starting role in Oshawa and pretty much never relinquished it (however, the Generals crease did become more of a platoon).

Oshawa was a bit all over the map this season, but Leaver was consistently solid as an OHL rookie and the stats back that up. A poor stretch to close out the year ruined his save percentage a bit, but it was among the best in the league nearly all season. Leaver does not have the size scouts are looking for; he is only 6’0. However, more and more small netminders are having success at the pro level and Leaver is certainly worthy of an opportunity.

“Leaver has that elite athleticism that you look for in smaller netminders. Post to post, he is one of the quickest in the OHL. It seems like he is hitting the highlight reels monthly with a miraculous athletic save. And quite frankly, he keeps the Generals in a lot of games with the big saves he comes up with and the way he tracks the play. He always seems to get himself square to shooters. Leaver is just downright fun to watch.

There are some things that will probably concern NHL scouts. His rebound control is a work in progress. He needs to do a better job of playing bigger in the crease by fighting through traffic and being more aggressive in challenging shooters. He can be beaten high for that reason. Yet, these are coachable and improvable attributes. Given how young he is and how weak this year’s goaltending crop is, I absolutely view Leaver as a potential pick this year.” - Brock Otten

Kirill Steklov - Defense - London Knights

The journey back to the OHL has been a long and arduous one for Steklov. He played for London in his original draft year (2019/20) but returned home to Russia after the pandemic started. This year, he split time between the KHL and MHL and made the Russian roster for the abruptly halted World Juniors. It was after that event that Steklov decided to return to the Knights after a year and a half away. In London, he was an absolute workhorse, stepping right into a top four role. Just about every facet of his game has improved and the 6’4 defender commands attention when he is on the ice.

“I remember I watched one of Steklov’s first games back in the OHL and I couldn’t believe that it was the same player I saw struggle in his rookie year as an Import nearly two years ago. Night and day. There are not many 6’4 defenders who can move like he does. He covers the ice so effortlessly. His play and confidence with the puck has really improved too. There are still some moments with the puck that make you wonder how well he sees the ice/processes the game at a higher pace, however he is unquestionably a significantly improved player and prospect. It would be shocking if an NHL team did not give him a look this year given his floor as a Dmitri Kulikov type who can defend pace with his feet and reach.” - Brock Otten

Matt Maggio - Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Maggio is another of the OHL’s most improved players this year (a year where there are obviously a lot of them). With a late 2002 birthday, Maggio was first time eligible last year, where he played out the pandemic in the Swedish third league. Unfortunately, his disappointing rookie season in the OHL the year prior really left a sour taste in the mouths of scouts. This year, however, Maggio has consistently been one of Windsor’s best players, which has helped them to be one of the surprise teams in the OHL (and still going in this year’s playoffs). One of the league’s leading goal scorers, Maggio is an extremely dangerous player in transition and his tenaciousness really gives him a chance of being a pro.

“I have been trying to watch more of Windsor of late and every time I do, Maggio stands out. His linear quickness and explosiveness have really improved. And this is great because his confidence on his edges and overall agility has always been good. These improvements have allowed Maggio to become one of the OHL’s best counter attackers. His shot is also a major weapon. He consistently seems to find his way to the middle of the ice and when he gets the puck in the home plate area, he rarely seems to miss. Maggio is also a competitive player who likes to get under the skin of the opposition. I wouldn’t call him a power forward, but he has become the perfect complementary winger, especially when paired with Wyatt Johnston, because of how active he is without the puck, how quickly he can strike, and how well he plays with pace.” - Brock Otten

Tucker Robertson - Center - Peterborough Petes

At this point, the competition for the top re-entry this year could be between two OHL’ers, Tucker Robertson and the aforementioned Edmonds. Robertson was a standout as an OHL rookie two seasons ago because of his high energy approach and tenaciousness, however the OHL hiatus did not give him an opportunity to show that he could be a standout offensively. Fast forward to this season and Robertson has done just that. Not only did he remain a standout energy player (a terrific penalty killer, great on faceoffs, physical and tenacious), but Robertson finished as one of the highest scoring 2003 born players in the OHL this year. He is proving that, without a doubt, he should have been selected last year after being one of the top players at the makeshift Erie showcase.

“Many players in the OHL that lost their draft-year season needed to have big re-entry seasons to really catch scouts’ attention. Tucker Robertson is one player that started the year very hot and never seemed to slow down. He’s an all-around player who brings great energy on each shift. He’s not afraid to go to dirty areas for redirections and rebounds. He has great hands along the boards and in-tight and is able to control and protect the puck well in traffic. He has a scoring mentality, always attacking the slot and driving to the net to create chances. He has a quick release on his wrist shot but could improve the power.

Not only is he an effective goal scorer, his vision and playmaking are just as good. Displaying great patience to wait for passing lanes to open, avoiding forced passes that could lead to turnovers. Robertson reads plays very well and is almost always in the right spot at the right time. Consistently supporting teammates in the defensive zone, getting into open space to give passing options, and also having great awareness and positioning on the penalty kill.

He has a great motor that never seems to quit, out-battling opponents for the puck and playing physical when needed, showing he can handle a limited role and still be effective. One area that Robertson still needs to improve is when he’s skating with the puck in transition, before entering the offensive zone, he seems to stop moving his feet and just glides into the zone, losing speed and momentum, making it much easier on defenders to read and shutdown. I believe Robertson could become a middle-six forward that has the ability to kill penalties and also become a depth scorer in the NHL.”- Dylan Krill

James Hardie - Wing - Mississauga Steelheads

It seems like Hardie has been a mainstay on this list the last two seasons after he shockingly went undrafted following a 34-goal season in 2019/20. But scouts had concerns about how well his scoring numbers would translate given his lack of dynamic skating ability, outside shooting tendencies, and one-dimensional play. Now an OHL veteran and in his final year of draft eligibility, Hardie makes this list again because he helped the Steelheads to a surprisingly solid season and because he has improved many of the areas of concern. He is never going to win a Selke trophy, but Hardie has found a way to be more middle lane focused and has increased his physical intensity. Of course, he still has one of the OHL’s best shots and has the potential to be a solid complementary scorer at the pro level.

“James Hardie is a player who many in the public sphere thought would be drafted, both last year and in his original draft eligible season. This is the last draft that Hardie is eligible for, and I think that he's proved himself worthy of being selected. After missing his DY+1, Hardie knew he had to produce more this year and he didn’t hold back, putting up new career highs in both goals (41) and assists (36), finishing the year with 77 points in 68 games. Hardie had a very successful season and It’s clear that Hardie can find the back of the net. His shot is very quick and accurate, but what makes him so effective is his offensive awareness and ability to understand where to be and when to get there in perfect time. He doesn’t make it easy on defenders, always looking for open space to set-up teammates for high-danger scoring chances.

Hardie has made significant improvement in his skating. His first three steps are much stronger and quicker, producing much more efficient acceleration. His top speed looks faster, and he’s been able create many chances on breakaways because of it. He’s been much more active on the transition and is someone the Steelheads often look at to drive play. One area Hardie could look to improve is his passing accuracy and becoming less impulsive with the puck. There are times where he could wait an extra second or two to give himself more time to read the play and choose the best play possible, avoiding turnovers and prolonging his team’s puck possession. With Hardie’s offensive tools, he could become an effective middle-six depth scorer on a team at the next level. Having the ability to compliment a playmaker very well with his goal scoring touch.” - Dylan Krill

Kyle Jackson - Center - North Bay Battalion

There are a lot of parallels between Jackson and the aforementioned Matt Maggio. Both late born 2002’s. Both Ottawa area kids. Both highly hyped but struggled in their rookie OHL seasons. Unlike Maggio, Jackson did not head overseas last year, making it a lost year of development for him. However, like Maggio, Jackson was a standout this year, proving that he was originally worth the hype as a young CCHL player. While he has struggled with injuries this year, when healthy he has been an impact player for the Battalion, who have also been surprisingly strong in the Eastern Conference. This includes the playoffs, where Jackson has been terrific. The 6’2 forward is both versatile and skilled and should be on the draft radar this season.

“Kyle Jackson started the year on the second line, but it didn’t take long until he gained the trust of his coaches and became the Battalions first line center for the rest of the year. Despite battling injury, Jackson still managed to produce 62 points (30G,32A) in 45 games, finishing 4th on his team in points. Not only did he score over a point per game, he also went two consecutive games without scoring only three times during the season, bringing value to his team every night. Jackson is a strong player who uses his size to drive play well. He’s able to out-battle opponents for the puck often and is strong on his stick, forcing many turnovers in both the defensive and neutral zone. He is a strong finisher by the net, having a nose for the dirty areas, being able to clean up rebounds and tap-ins. There’s still room for Jackson to improve with his skating, as there are times where he quits moving his feet and isn’t able to accelerate quick enough. Also, his feet look a bit heavy at times, so he could look to improve there as well. He’s very aware defensively and is active at suppressing chances, using both his body and stick to takeaway space quickly. I believe Jackson has proved that he’s worth being drafted because of his ability to handle a bottom-six role at the next level.” - Dylan Krill

Amadeus Lombardi - Center - Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Lombardi has to be considered one of the league's most underrated players after a very positive rookie season. He had barely played above the AAA level before this year, but came into Flint, locked down a top six role, and finished as the team's second leading scorer. He has continued that success into the OHL playoffs too. An intelligent, playmaking pivot, Lombardi has likely put himself on many draft lists with his solid progression over the course of the year.

“I really love how he sees the ice. Just so calm and composed in the offensive zone. As he gets stronger, I think he has a chance to be one of the league's best playmaking centers. His vision and poise with the puck is a standout quality. There is lots of room for him to improve on some of those classic physical tools (quickness, strength through traffic, etc), but he is essentially playing in his first year of hockey above the AAA level. That is a HUGE jump. If he puts in the work, the innate qualities of his game have the opportunity to shine even brighter. His playoff performance likely dictates whether he gets drafted and thus far, he's been excellent.” - Brock Otten

WHL

Graham Sward. Photo by Larry Brunt

Mikey Milne - Wing - Winnipeg Ice (WHL)

One of the most improved players in the WHL this year, Milne exploded offensively for the WHL leading Ice. Sure, he plays with some talented offensive players, but Milne’s hard work, determination, speed, and awareness have made him the perfect complement to the likes of Savoie, Geekie, McClennon, Finley, etc. He excels in all situations and finished just outside the top 10 of WHL scoring. Additionally, his +56 was second in the entire WHL this year. In our opinion (at McKeen’s) he is one of the top re-entry players eligible this year (across all leagues and countries).

“It’s hard to turn on a Winnipeg Ice game and not be entertained by the star talent they have. Whether it’s draft eligibles Matthew Savoie or Conor Geekie, or even a young star like Zach Benson, the Ice have the talent to catch your eye and make your jaw drop on a game-to-game basis. One of these eye-catchers is overager Mikey Milne, the 5’11”, 185lbs left wing from Abbotsford, British Columbia. The skilled winger has totaled 81 points in 68 WHL games, trailing only Savoie in scoring for the Ice, and finishing twelfth in scoring for the entire league. It’s difficult for an overager to prove that the league made a mistake passing on them, but I believe Milne has done this in spades. The forward may never be a high-impact scorer for an NHL team, but his off-puck routing, work ethic and contact fundamentals allow Milne to be an aggressive forechecker that constantly applies calculated pressure on the opposition. There is certainly a role for Milne in the future, one where he can complement more dynamic puck carriers by being the skilled finisher that leaps into the dirty areas of the ice to ensure possession. There are few overagers in this class that project to the NHL in a versatile role, but Mikey Milne is certainly one of them. A team taking him in the third or beyond could find a useful NHLer within just a few years.” - Sam McGilligan

Graham Sward - Defense - Spokane Chiefs

A former highly touted prospect and one of the youngest players eligible in 2021, Sward went unselected after playing sparingly in a shortened WHL season. He returned with a bang this season, emerging as a top defender for Spokane. Among ‘03 defenders in the WHL, Sward’s 43 points were top five overall and ahead of highly touted and highly drafted players like Stanislav Svozil and Nolan Allan. Considering his calling card is probably in the defensive end, this is just gravy and points to really positive progression.

“Graham Sward is a staunch, reliable defender who enjoyed a breakout offensive season in his third year in the league. Billed strictly as a shut-down guy last year, Sward took another step in rounding out his game with 43 points in 57 games as an all-situations player for the rebuilding Spokane Chiefs. His calling card remains his combination of skating ability and physical presence. As a mid to late-round pick, Sward could project as a bottom-pairing NHL defender if his game continues to evolve.” - Arlo Schulz

James Stefan - Wing - Portland Winterhawks

Last year was a tumultuous one for Stefan. He decided to go to the USHL with the WHL delayed and he struggled with Lincoln. Then he left Lincoln and returned briefly to Portland before the season ended. Just not a strong draft year for a former promising prospect. The son of former first overall pick Patrik Stefan, James has rebounded nicely this year. His 79 points were second on the Winterhawks behind Red Wings prospect Cross Hanas, while his 34 goals were tops.

“In Portland, James Stefan broke out for a 79-point season as a third-year junior playing in Mike Johnston’s pro-calibre development system, placing him firmly on scouts’ radar for the upcoming draft. Despite not being a great skater, Stefan is adept at getting to the right spots on the ice and exhibits good hockey sense and timing. A functional player who can be an asset on the forecheck, Stefan can produce on the powerplay as well with an accurate shot that he finally began to utilize more this past season. The son of former 1st overall pick Patrik Stefan is also fairly industrious without the puck and is rounding into a reliable player that won’t necessarily blow you away in any one category, but exhibits a good enough floor as a player that he may evolve into a decent pro.” - Arlo Schulz

Thomas Milic - Goaltender - Seattle Thunderbirds

Size bias is a real thing for goaltenders these days, even with some smaller netminders finding success in the NHL. The sample size was small but Milic was solid last year between the WHL and the U18’s. However, the 6’0 stopper went unselected. So what did he do? Return to Seattle and put together another solid year over a full year’s work this time. His .912 save percentage was just outside the top five in the league. A strong playoff performance for Seattle could lead him to be selected late this time around.

“Perhaps no position was as affected by last year’s shortened season as much as goaltenders, who simply didn’t get the reps needed for development and as a result were passed over in 2021. Thomas Milic of the Seattle Thunderbirds is one example. He lacks the size that NHL scouts covet these days but reads the play well and is a terrific skater. He tracks pucks fairly well and can elevate his play in pressure situations. His rebound control needs work as do his puck skills. Smaller goalies will always need to do extra in order to attract scouts’ attention (fairly or not), so we will see if this ends up keeping him out of the 2022 draft or not.” - Arlo Schulz

Braden Holt - Goaltender - Everett Silvertips

Holt split starting duties for Everett this year but was generally solid after barely playing last season. Even a spot on the US U18 team did not give Holt playing time as he spent the tournament as the third goaltender. Even though he finished the season on a bit of a down note, he might be more highly touted this year than he was last.

“Braden Holt’s stats improved in his third year, but it remains to be seen if he did enough to get drafted this upcoming summer. His positioning and athleticism are his strongest traits, and he reads the play fairly well, but can lose sight of the puck in traffic and doesn’t display quick enough footwork. He needs to improve his decision making when handling the puck and continue to refine his focus and consistency." - Arlo Schulz

Bogdans Hodass - Defense - Medicine Hat Tigers

A 6’3 defender from Latvia, Hodass had a very positive first year in the WHL, emerging as a top four defender for the rebuilding Tigers. He was named Medicine Hat’s rookie of the year this season and played in all situations. It is very likely you have heard of Hodass based on his name alone as it appears quite often on lists of the best names available, however his play on the ice also deserves recognition.

“Medicine Hat was really, really bad this year. Logan Barlage led the team in scoring…with 33 points. That was both a blessing and a curse for Hodass. He received a ton of minutes. Early in the year, he looked great. However, as the year went on, the season appeared to take a toll on him as he went the final 16 games without registering a point. Hodass’ skating and overall four way mobility isn’t bad. There is potential there for it to improve further, making him a real standout defensive player. He is aggressive in denying entry to the defensive zone and plays a physical game down low. Offensively, playing on such a poor team made it difficult to truly ascertain what he’s capable of. He can lead the attack and he can make a clean exit, but the offensive ceiling may have been hidden due to his constant defending. Overall, there is a solid overall profile here with potential to be better at both ends due to some positive athletic traits.” - Brock Otten

Michal Gut - Center - Everett Silvertips

While Everett’s season didn’t exactly go according to plan after an upset in round one of the WHL playoffs, they did have a good season and Gut’s emergence as a topflight playmaking center has to be considered one of the main reasons for that. Returning to the WHL after a year playing in the Czech men’s second league, Gut finished just outside the top ten of assists with 53. He also looked great at the World Juniors for Czechia before the tournament was abruptly canceled.

“Once upon a time ago, Gut came to Everett with lofty expectations in his NHL Draft year. However, his battles with consistency, along with a clunky skating stride led him to go unselected. Fast forward to 2022 and Gut looks like a different player after a year away. Even when he’s not helping to create offensively, he is making a positive impact with his energy, physicality, and improving defensive awareness/abilities. His ability to control the puck down low, in and around traffic remains his best quality. He consistently prolongs possession with his hands and quick feet. When you combine that with his great vision, you have a playmaker who can be a difference maker. Gut still isn’t the quickest or fastest player on the ice, but improvements made to nearly every other component should make him a possible draft selection.” - Brock Otten

Ben King - Center - Red Deer Rebels

A former highly touted prospect, we started to see the breakout of King last year in the pandemic shortened WHL season. However, this year it came to fruition as King emerged as one of the top offensive players in the WHL. His 52 goals led the WHL. His 105 points were second to teammate Arshdeep Bains. The 6’3, 200lbs center plays a heavy game that should translate very well to the next level and his ability to put Red Deer on his back at times this year was impressive. In fact, his 15 game winning goals were the second most all time in the WHL for a single season, one off Brian Propp’s record of 16 in 1979.

“While King is far from the WHL’s most impressive skater, he has worked to improve his quickness and that has allowed him to really take a positive step forward. Now, his skating still has a ways to go before he can be an NHL player, but there are so many other components to his game that translate well. He’s a physical, two-way center who is very difficult to play against. He competes consistently away from the puck and his ability to protect the puck down low is impressive. His shot is a major weapon, and he hunts down scoring opportunities well, pointing to great offensive awareness. When you look at how his overall profile has improved this year, he should definitely get a look in 2022.” - Brock Otten

QMJHL

David Spacek, Sherbrooke. Photo by Iften Redjah/QMJHL

David Spacek - Defense - Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

The son of former NHL defender Jaroslav Spacek, David had a terrific rookie season in the QMJHL with Sherbrooke after not playing much last year (due to pandemic related effects on the Czech junior leagues). His 50 points were ninth among all defenders this year and as of writing this, he leads all defenders in playoff scoring so far. After progressing so well in the Q this year, Spacek was also named to the Czech U20 roster, where he would have played a large role had the tournament actually occurred.

“The Sherbrooke Phoenix is an incredible team loaded with talent across their roster -notably with QMJHL top scorer and Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Joshua Roy, who’s having a fantastic DY+1 season after somewhat of a lackluster draft year. Another player who’s shining this year is their top-scoring defenseman, overager David Spacek. This season, the Czech defenseman tallied 50 points in 57 regular season games, placing him 4th in team scoring. The Columbus, Ohio native isn’t going to “wow” you with high-end skills or blazing speed but instead, will shine with his excellent understanding of the game and intelligence. David is very efficient at both ends of the ice.

On defense, he ties up his man well, maintains a good stick-gap in rushes, and communicates a lot with his teammates to ensure the maintenance of a good defensive structure. Offensively, the smart defenseman will make hard and precise passes to launch the attack, remain calm when facing pressure and has a powerful and accurate shot from the point. Being the son of former NHLer Jaroslav Spacek, David displays a very mature and well-rounded brand of hockey on the ice, which much of it could be credited to his father. Spacek has a great chance to become a well-rounded, bottom-pairing defenseman at the NHL level. Teams should be looking to draft him in the 3rd or 4th round of the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft.” - Éloi Biondo

Frédéric Brunet – Defense - Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

A converted forward, Brunet has been one of the QMJHL’s most improved players this season. The 6’2, offensive blueliner emerged as Rimouski’s primary powerplay quarterback and was one of the team’s most important players this year. Given that he has not always played defense, there could be some untapped potential and upside to Brunet’s game.

“Tall, puck-moving defensemen are a rare asset in today’s NHL, and Frédéric Brunet might have the potential to become just that. Last year, the Gatineau, QC native had a relatively modest draft year season in the Circuit Courteau, putting up nine points in 33 games. But this campaign, the 6’2 defenseman exploded offensively, amassing 46 points in 63 games, leading over the second-best scoring defenseman of his team by double the points. Brunet possesses some very tempting attributes that teams might be interested in; he’s a very mobile defender who plays with confidence and loves to carry the puck through the neutral zone. He walks the blue line on the power-play for the Oceanic as he dictates the play from the point with his great playmaking abilities and deceptive moves to fake defenders.

On the flip side, Frédéric is not as effective defensively; he’s not the most aggressive on the puck carrier, and he frequently makes mistakes in his zone with the puck on his stick. He also gets caught flat-footed from time to time when defending rushes. However, he can correct himself sometimes due to his excellent skating ability, but that won’t cut it at the next level. If he manages to fix those inconsistencies, I think he could be a nice project pick for a team in the draft's later rounds.” - Éloi Biondo

Ivan Zhigalov - Goaltender - Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

A Belarussian import netminder, Zhigalov has been largely excellent in his first North American season. The 6’3, right-handed catcher (a rarity) combines athleticism and size in a way that has intrigued NHL scouts to the point where he could very well be the first goaltender off the board in Montreal. The second ranked North American goaltender by NHL Central Scouting was also excellent at the CHL Top Prospect’s Game this year.

“Another player from the talented Sherbrooke Phoenix, Ivan Zhigalov, impressed more than one with his highlight-reel saves and confidence in his crease this season. The 6’3 Belarussian goaltender shouldn’t go undrafted in the 2022 draft - his size, lateral mobility, and work ethic are too prevalent for teams to pass on. The athletic netminder never gives up on a play. While his goaltending style creates more rebound chances for the opposition, he still manages to give a second effort on a play and uses his great side-to-side movements to make saves skillfully. On the weaker side, Zhigalov plays a bit deep in his crease, which creates more openings for shooters. Also, the big netminder isn’t great at handling the puck, as he’ll often make bad reads with it and make not-so-well-timed net exits. Due to the lack of elite goaltending talent this year, I could see a team take a swing at him as early as the third round.” - Éloi Biondo

William Rousseau - Goaltender - Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

A former highly touted netminder from the Trois-Rivieres area, Rousseau has been considerably better in his second QMJHL season after struggling last year as a rookie (in limited action). The 6’1 netminder split duties with veteran overager Fabio Iacobo and should be ready to be a full-time starter for the Remparts next year.

“Continuing on the topic of goaltenders, William Rousseau has been one of the better ones in the QMJHL this season. The 6’1’’ netminder has put up a .899% save percentage this campaign, improving his numbers drastically compared to last year, where he put up more disappointing numbers in his short sample size of games with a .833% save percentage. Playing for the mighty Québec Remparts, Rousseau has been a very calming presence in front of their net. He is always well positioned; he places himself up in the crease to challenge shooters and leaves very few rebounds to the opposition. However, he doesn’t have the best lateral mobility and can move too far from his net from time to time.

Despite having a good season, he has had to split the net with his partner Fabio Iacobo for the season, which might affect his draft stock down the line. Due to his good size and a good understanding of the position, he might get drafted later in the draft if he continues to perform well for his team. With Patrick Roy as a coach, I don’t think it’s crazy to say that Rousseau has much chance of seeing improvement in his game in the near future.” - Éloi Biondo

Maxime Pellerin - Center - Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

The captain of the Tigres, Pellerin was a depth player during the team’s championship run last season. Now the former first round QMJHL draft selection has had his chance to shine as the team’s top line center and leading scorer. Pellerin nearly doubled the offensive production of his next closest teammate this year, giving you an indication of his importance.

“Some players take more time than others to blossom into their full potential, which is the case with Maxime Pellerin. Playing for his hometown team, he didn’t impress the most in his first two seasons, putting up 12 points in 56 games in his rookie season and seven points in 26 games last year. Maxime seems to have risen from adversity and has elevated his game to an entirely new level this year, scoring 60 points in 65 games and being named captain of his team. With an average size of 6’0”, I was surprised by Pellerin's ability to win puck battles along the walls, using clever body positioning and balance to outsmart bigger opponents.

He has some decent puck handling to create lanes for himself in transition. Although he has good hands, Maxime doesn’t have the best skating; his top speed is decent enough, but his acceleration is limited due to his short skating strides, restricting him from creating separation from players. He’s a decent player defensively, supporting his teammates along the walls and is not afraid to block shots in crucial moments in a game. At last, Pellerin seems to have blossomed into a great junior player at 19, but he doesn’t offer enough upside, in my opinion, for him to get drafted by an NHL organization.” - Éloi Biondo

Zach Biggar - Defense - Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)

Ranked last year by NHL Central Scouting, Biggar ultimately went unselected, possibly due to the limited number of games the maritime teams played last season. This year, Biggar has emerged as one of the Titan’s most important defenders as they look to challenge for a QMJHL Championship.

“Zach Biggar is a responsible puck-moving defenseman playing for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. The Prince Edward Island native has upgraded his points totals from 11 in 33 games last season to 32 in 63 this year. At the time I’m writing this, the 6’0”, 179lbs blue-liner has been one of the main point-getters for his franchise in the playoffs, tallying 5 points in 4 games played. Zach Biggar plays a sound defensive game. He maintains good gap control between the attackers to prevent them from gaining access to the middle of the ice, always knows where the opponents are and will position himself accordingly to neutralize them.

His defensive acumen doesn’t prevent him from contributing offensively, as he’ll frequently join the rush, make accurate first passes and quarterback the power play efficiently. Although Biggar moves smoothly around the ice, he’s an average skater and doesn’t possess that extra gear to create much separation between defenders. In the end, Zach is a pretty complete player but could work on expanding his skill set and top speed to garner more attention from scouts. If he continues to make noise in the playoffs, I think he could be picked in the draft’s later rounds.” - Éloi Biondo

Miguël Tourigny – Defense - Acadie-Bathurst Titan

This is Tourigny’s second straight year appearing in this article. The undersized defender was one of the QMJHL’s leading blueline scorers last season, however, he’s taken his game to an even higher level this season with 80 points in 65 games. That was a single point back of Vegas Golden Knights third rounder Lukas Cormier for the league lead among defensemen.

“Lots of players have all the talent in the world and an irreproachable work ethic, but only one detail holds them back: their size. Miguel Tourigny is the perfect example of that, with a height of 5’8” and weighing 172lbs, he’s been scaring off a lot of scouts for the past few years. This season, the dynamic blueliner tallied an astounding 80 points in 65 games, with 31 of them being goals. Miguël has now been ignored in two consecutive drafts, but with the season he’s had, he’s making it very hard for NHL organizations to ignore him for the third time.

The Victoriaville native can take over a game with his jaw-dropping puck skills, slick skating and impressive offensive instincts. The little defenseman fancies carrying the puck by himself in transitions, where he won’t be shy to challenge opponents directly one-on-one or navigate himself through heavy traffic with impressive dangles. Tourigny is also no slouch defensively as he aggressively battles in the corners and, surprisingly, will often come out on top, even against bigger opponents. That combativity is due to his excellent work ethic, which allowed his game to progress to where it is through his years in junior. The offensive upside is just too good to pass on, and Miguël could reward a lucky team for taking a chance on him later in the draft.” - Éloi Biondo

Evan Boucher - Wing - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

The sample size might be too small for NHL scouts to take a chance on him, but you can’t look past the success he had this year after transitioning from the CCHL. A gifted goal scorer, Boucher was signed as a free agent by Halifax half way through the year and scored 25 goals in 37 games for them to close out the year. Lethal on the powerplay, Boucher combines great size with a menacing shot and goal scoring instincts. In his last year of draft eligibility, NHL teams may want to see him play an overage year before they truly offer up, but he is certainly one to watch.

“It’s uncommon to see players make their QMJHL debut at 19 years old, but Evan Boucher did just that. The forward started this season with the Brockville Braves of the CCHL in Ontario before signing as a free agent with the Mooseheads in December. To say Boucher adapted quickly to his new environment would be an understatement, as he notched five goals and had two assists in his first three games as a moose. The Timmins native finished the regular season with an impressive 40 points in 37 games, 25 of them being goals. The best part of Evan's game is, without a doubt, his goalscoring instincts. He’s got a heavy and accurate wrist shot he can release from anywhere on the ice. He can also use his big frame to battle for rebounds in front of the net, displaying great versatility in his goal scoring.

Boucher isn’t the best skater mechanically; he’s got heavy feet and lacks quickness and acceleration, but once he reaches his top speed, he can be pretty hard to stop down the wing for defenders. A drawback of his game would be his playmaking. His vision is a bit lackluster as he’ll often make blind passes without scanning or make a play too quickly, resulting in passes to no one. This year, Boucher might find some interest in the later rounds of the draft due to how well he’s played this season. He has a slight chance of becoming a complementary goalscoring option at the next level.” - Éloi Biondo

Julien Beland - Center - Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

It hasn’t been the easiest road for Beland thus far in his hockey career. Injuries and crowded lineups have prevented him from previously cracking a QMJHL roster. But this year he finally did it and he was an impact player for the Oceanic in a depth role. Combining size (6’3), with speed and physicality, Beland has put himself on the draft radar, even if his offensive production isn’t outstanding.

“So far, the tall 6’3’’ and 183 lbs. forward’s young career has been ravaged with injuries and bad luck. Béland missed his 16-year-old season in the Quebec U16 AAA league due to a concussion. The next year, he was cut from Gatineau Olympiques’ training camp, therefore, missed an entire season of play due to the COVID-19 stopping the AAA circuit’s activities. The Rimouski Oceanic then acquired him in the offseason for Gabriel Jackson and two 4th round picks. The Québec, QC native has proven to be a great addition to the rebuilding Bas-Saint-Laurent's formation, bringing some physicality and experience to their young players.

Béland plays a simple yet effective game style; the centerman uses his great reach and speed to pressure hard on the forecheck and to steal pucks from opponents frequently.

He also plays a good net-front game and is responsible defensively. But apart from that, there’s not much else that stands out from the 18 years old’s game. There are no ‘’skills’’ that particularly stand out. While his frame allows him to be effective against junior players, I don’t think it will enable him to produce at a level where opponents are more physically mature. He also doesn’t have a great point production as an overager, having only 29 points in 53 games. That being said, while I don’t think that Béland should be drafted this year, if he works on expanding his puck skills and creativity, he could garner some NHL team’s attention in the future.” - Éloi Biondo

AJHL

Zach Bookman - Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

How could you not be impressed with what Bookman was able to do this year in the AJHL? In his final year of draft eligibility, the Merrimack commit has produced at a clip rarely seen in the AJHL. His 1.86 point per game is by far the best this millennium (Cale Makar and Michael Benning were at 1.39 in their draft years, albeit at a younger age).

“It should come as no surprise for me to say that Bookman is a highly aggressive offensive defender. He consistently activates in transition and will even push deep down low in the offensive zone, earning breakaways and clear looks in tight (his heat map does not look like the typical defender profile). His stride is not the most powerful, but his hands and anticipation are excellent, helping to afford him the time and space he needs to operate. He defends similarly to how he plays offensively; aggressively. He tries to jump passing lanes. He steps up early on attackers with stick checks. This leads to some bad plays. But it also leads to some positive ones.

No doubt his approach will need to be refined at the NCAA level, let alone the pro level.

He will also need to put in the work to improve his quickness and his physical engagement and strength down low. However, you have to applaud what he has done this year, even if he has an age advantage over the competition. He is well worth a draft selection as a re-entry player because of his vision, puck skill, and overall offensive potential from the back end.” - Brock Otten

Boston Buckberger - Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

Ironically, Buckberger is the common defensive partner for the aforementioned Bookman on a strong Brooks team. At first glance, Buckberger’s production is nothing to scoff at. He is in his second year of draft eligibility (born in June of 2003) and sits outside of the Top 20 of league defenseman scoring. However, there is more to the story. Firstly, he is playing in his first year above the Saskatchewan AAA level, barely playing last year due to the pandemic. Secondly, the majority of his production this year has come at even strength with the aforementioned Zach Bookman swallowing up powerplay time with Brooks (although he does pair with Bookman at even strength on the top pairing).

“Without question, Buckberger passes the eye test, and it is why a prestigious program like the University of Wisconsin has given him a scholarship. As a skater, Buckberger has a lot of potential. Moving forward he shows solid explosiveness and agility, with the ability to use quick and sharp linear crossovers to alter direction but maintain pace. This helps him to be an effective transitional catalyst. However, similar to a guy like Brandt Clarke, his legs are a bit stiff when transitioning or trying to defend and it limits his four-way mobility. Buckberger also shows well as a physical defender, eager to close gaps quickly and aggressively. The rest of his game is a major work in progress, with inconsistencies showing in his puck management, multi-zone awareness, and overall effectiveness at both ends. It is very obvious that he has not played much at a higher level. Yet this also makes him somewhat alluring as with the right development team and program to guide him, there is raw potential.” - Brock Otten

SJHL

Kevin Anderson - Center - Notre Dame (SJHL)

Anderson missed the cut-off to be first time draft eligible this year by a single day (with a September 15 birth date). The Princeton commit led a storied Notre Dame Hounds program in scoring this season and finished second overall in SJHL scoring. A disappointing playoff performance and a first-round loss might have taken a bit of shine off that, but his overall body of work is impressive. It has been nearly 20 years since the SJHL had an NHL draft pick, but perhaps this year that streak is broken.

“Leave no stone unturned. That should be every NHL team’s scouting mantra. The SJHL surely isn’t the powerhouse of a league that it once was in the 1980’s, but it still produces talent. Anderson is a very strong linear skater who generates power quickly. He also alters pace well, making him dynamic in transition, as he looks to attack the offensive zone and puts opposing defenders on their heels. Anderson is also a competitive player who battles hard along the wall and near the crease. Honestly, it’s pretty difficult to ascertain the high-end potential. But Princeton is a good spot for him. They bring out the best in competitive, quick, and skilled forwards and he will have a long time to develop physically in the Ivy League. He may not end up being selected, but he’s worth tracking down the line.” - Brock Otten

Connor McGrath - Center - Humboldt (SJHL)

Like Anderson, McGrath is a September birthday who just narrowly missed being first time eligible for the draft. And like Anderson, McGrath has a chance to be the league’s first draft selection in some time on the back of a remarkable season. McGrath led the SJHL in scoring with 84 points, which was the most by a U19 player in the SJHL in nearly 15 years (Rylan Schwartz, brother of Seattle’s Jaden, had 88 in 2009 before starring for Colorado College). A Ferris State commit, McGrath is an intriguing name to watch.

“As mentioned with Anderson, NHL scouts need to be doing their due diligence on these two SJHL standouts. For my money, McGrath might be the better pro prospect. His skating stands out in a big way. He skates circles around the competition in the SJHL and is just too much for opposing defenders to handle on a lot of shifts. What really impresses me is his vision at full speed. He draws in multiple defenders by circling the zone or by attacking with pace, and then exploits those openings by finding teammates in the slot for scoring chances. As he gets stronger, he could be a really good player at the NCAA level. It’s really too bad that the World Junior A Challenge didn’t happen this year. It would have been a great event to showcase talents like McGrath this season.” - Brock Otten

Thomas Milic – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #18 Winnipeg Jets – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 18th (Last Year - 23rd) GM: Kevin Cheveldayoff Hired: September 2011 COACH: Scott Arniel Hired: May 2024

Isak Rosen, RW, Rochester Americans (AHL) (Currently with the Winnipeg Jets, NHL)

Brayden Yager, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)

Elias Salomonsson, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Kieron Walton, C, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Brad Lambert, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Colby Barlow, LW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Danny Zhilkin, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Domenic DiVincentiis, G, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Alfons Freij, D, Timra IK (SHL) (Currently with Manitoba Moose, AHL)

Kevin He, LW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Zach Nehring, RW, Western Michigan University (NCAA)

Edison Engle, D, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Thomas Milic, G, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #18

Winnipeg Jets Top-15 Prospects

1. Brad Lambert

2. Colby Barlow

3. Brayden Yager

4. Chaz Lucius

5. Ville Heinola

6. Nikita Chibrikov

7. Alfons Freij

8. Elias Salomonsson

9. Dmitry Rashevsky

10. Jacob Julien

11. Danny Zhilkin

12. Domenic DiVincentiis

13. Thomas Milic

14. Dmitri Kuzmin

15. Kevin He

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #13 Winnipeg Jets – Organization Overview – Top 15 Profiles

1. Brad Lambert, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

2. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

3. Chaz Lucius, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

4. Rutger McGroarty, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

5. Ville Heinola, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

6. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

7. Elias Salomonsson, D, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

8. Dmitry Rashevsky, RW, Dyanmo Moskva (KHL)

9. Jacob Julien, C, London Knights (OHL)

10. Danny Zhilkin, C, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – WINNIPEG JETS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #13

1. Colby Barlow

2. Brad Lambert

3. Chaz Lucius

4. Ville Heinola

5. Rutger McGroarty

6. Nikita Chibrikov

7. Declan Chisholm

8. Dmitry Rashevsky

9. Artemi Kniazev

10. Elias Salomonsson

11. Domenic DiVincentiis

12. Danny Zhilkin

13. Dmitry Kuzmin

14. Fabian Wagner

15. Daniel Torgersson

16. Oskari Salminen

17. Zach Nehring

18. Simon Lundmark

19. Kristian Vesalainen

20. Thomas Milic

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

2023 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES PART ONE – CANADA – 2nd and 3rd year NHL draft re-entry candidates

OHL

Spencer Sova - Defense - Erie Otters

Linus Hemstrom - Wing - Kingston Frontenacs

Djibril Touré - Defense - Sudbury Wolves

Oliver Peer - Center/Wing - Windsor Spitfires

Rodwin Dionicio - Defense - Windsor Spitfires

Patrick Thomas - Centre/Wing - Hamilton Bulldogs

Brady Stonehouse - Wing - Ottawa 67’s

Pano Fimis - Centre - Erie Otters

Zak Lavoie - Wing - Niagara IceDogs

WHL

Prospect System Ranking – 18th (Last Year - 23rd)
GM: Kevin Cheveldayoff Hired: September 2011
COACH: Scott Arniel Hired: May 2024