Yoan Loshing – McKeen's Hockey

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

Beau Jelsma of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Beau Jelsma, F

McKeen's Hockey Rank for 2022: 112

Scouting Report:

Jelsma is a high energy forward who is always on the attack. He uses his strong skating ability to apply pressure on the forecheck and the backcheck, in addition to pushing the pace with the puck on his stick in transition. He has a good shot and profiles as a solid, pesky, complementary goal scorer. A lack of size and strength prevented him from being more consistent this year for an underwhelming Barrie Colts team.

What's Next?

Jelsma will attend the Toronto Maple Leafs’ development camp as a camp invitee. He will then return to Barrie of the OHL next season and will receive top six ice time. This should give him a shot to seriously improve his production and put himself back on the draft radar.

Brayden Schuurman, F

McKeen's Hockey Rank for 2022: 115

Scouting Report:

Schuurman is another undersized scoring forward, who finished with 54 points in 68 games for a struggling Victoria Royals team. Schuurman’s game is reliant on his ability to anticipate play in the offensive zone and use his offensive awareness to find the soft area of the ice. He is a strong shooting threat in high-danger areas both in the slot and around the crease. His hockey intelligence allows him to compete in all three zones, projecting him as a middle-six scorer if he can overcome his lack of size.

What’s next?

Schuurman was invited to join the Edmonton Oilers’ development camp. The hope is for Schuurman to continue to lead a young Royals team and aim for a playoff spot this year. Schuurman will have a large role cut out for him and should help his draft stock next year.

Ilya Kvochko, F

McKeen's Hockey Rank for 2022: 118

Scouting Report:

Kvochko, while undersized, is an energetic, creative and smart two-way centre. Kvochko has a good motor and never takes a shift off. His edgework is refined and he has good linear speed to help push the pace of play. His intelligence allows him to read the ice well and position himself to alter momentum in his team’s favour. Like almost every undersized forward, Kvochko could use some growth in his strength.

What’s next?

The Russian factor this year has really harmed Russian players’ chances of being selected in the NHL entry draft. It does not help that Russians are currently banned from being selected in the CHL Import draft as it would have been beneficial for Kvochko to come over to North America and develop. The Russian factor brings an uncertainty as to whether Kvochko will be selected, however if he is not selected in the following years, he could be an interesting UDFA down the line.

Maxim Arefyev, G

McKeen's Hockey Rank for 2022: 121

Brock Otten — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:32:51 +0000

In case you missed it, we updated our 2022 NHL Draft rankings recently. You can find that here. Shane Wright still headlines the list but the gap is unquestionably closing as other candidates elevate their play.

With this piece our intention is to briefly introduce you to each of the players that fill out the rest of the Top 100 (ranked 50-100), after previously looking at the Top 50. Below you will find a short summary of their games in addition to a top highlight. In the coming months you will see in-depth scouting reports published by our regional scouts on each of these players (like this one on Shane Wright).

Yoan Loshing. Photo by Daneil St. Louis.

Yoan Loshing - Center - Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Loshing is an interesting case study. Born and raised in Quebec, Loshing played in the GTHL for the Mississauga Senators during his QMJHL draft year. What he lacks in size (at 5’9), he makes up for with quickness and skill. He loves to lead the attack and is a very dynamic mover who can back up defenders with his speed or maneuver around them with strong edgework and nonlinear movement. This makes him such a tough cover in the offensive zone. He brings energy without the puck too and is willing to use his speed to forecheck and apply pressure. Outside of his speed, his shot is his second-best quality. He can really pick corners and doesn’t need a ton of time and space to do so. After a bit of a slow start, Loshing was playing his best hockey of the season right before the pandemic hiatus. Hopefully he is able to pick up where he left off after the restart and become a more consistent offensive contributor.

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Jack Devine - Wing - Denver (NCAA)

A freshman at the University of Denver this year, Devine was previously a member of the U.S. National Development program. He has had a really solid start to his NCAA career, especially when you consider his inconsistent ice time on a stacked Pioneers team. Devine’s best asset is his intelligence level, especially as a playmaker/facilitator. Not the most dynamic or naturally gifted skater, Devine makes the best of his skill set by protecting the puck well, reading coverage, and making quick decisions with the puck. Even without an explosive stride and terrific size, he manages to consistently find soft spots through advanced anticipation and by outworking other defenders. Without elite physical tools, you are unlikely to see him climb scouting lists much higher than this, but he has a real solid chance of becoming a quality pro because of his processing ability and work rate. Playing out of a solid program in Denver will also give him a chance to upgrade his skating and improve his strength before turning pro.

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Ruslan Gazizov - Wing - London Knights (OHL)

At this point, Dale Hunter looks a little perplexed on what to do with this talented Russian forward. Gazizov’s hands and playmaking ability are top notch. He does really well to create extra time and space for himself in the offensive end because he can keep the puck on a string. He also shows terrific vision and has even run the point of the powerplay at times this year. However, it’s clear that he has some deficiencies that need to be cleaned up before he truly earns the trust of London’s coaching staff. His defensive zone engagement and physical play has been a notch below what was expected (given his previous performances internationally). Additionally, it is clear that he will need to upgrade his explosiveness to find consistent success in North America on the smaller ice surface. All that said, his offensive ceiling is quite high because of his creativity and skill. He will be a player to truly keep an eye on in the second half to see if he can make some necessary adjustments.

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Jackson Dorrington - Defense - Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Dorrington has to be considered one of the most physical defenders available for the draft this year. He consistently lowers the boom on attackers as they try to cross the blueline and he is equally relentless near the crease and below the goal line. However, he is also a strong mover, and this allows him to really play a suffocating brand of defense. The offensive skill set is raw. He looks comfortable carrying the puck at times, and tentative at others. Playing in his first USHL season, he has plenty of time to build confidence in his ability to start the breakout with his feet. Even if the offensive game ends up having limitations, he has the skill set to develop into a strong stay at home type at the next level. Dorrington also has an interesting story. He is a distant cousin of Art Dorrington, the first black player to sign an NHL contract (with the New York Rangers in 1950). Jackson will head to Northeastern next year, a good place for his development.

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Jorian Donovan - Defense - Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

The son of former NHL’er Shean Donovan, Jorian inherited his father’s quickness and explosive stride. He looks most comfortable leading the breakout where he is extremely confident and aggressive, pushing deep into opposing territory. His transitional attacking skills give him significant offensive potential. The rest of his game is a major work in progress. His decision-making leaves some to be desired. His defensive play can be erratic as he loses himself in coverage. That said, since an extremely rocky start, he has improved with each passing month and is learning to get the best out of his strong physical toolset. The turnovers are becoming less frequent. He is playing with more physical intensity in the defensive end. Moving down the lineup and playing less has really allowed him to breathe and settle down, allowing the game to come to him, rather than forcing it. No question, given his size, skating, and skill, in addition to his pedigree, Donovan will be a player highly coveted by NHL teams, perhaps more so than independent scouting rankings (like ours) indicate.

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Jere Lassila - Center - JyP (Fin U20)

A few years ago, Lassila was thought to be, perhaps, the best of the 2004 Finnish class. Heck, even this summer he served as the captain of Finland’s entry at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. A hyper intelligent two-way center, Lassila’s physical tools just haven’t developed at the same rate as his peers who have since passed him. Pushing 5’10, and 175lbs, Lassila’s lack of strength and power prevents him from being a consistent contributor at this point in time, even at the U20 level, where he has not shown significant progression from a year ago. His skating mechanics are solid, and so is his agility, however there is room for him to get quicker and more powerful in order to get the kind of separation he needs to be the play driver that he was at the lower levels. Our Finnish scouting team still really likes him as a longer-term project, with the belief that once he matures physically, he will emerge as a solid prospect again because of his vision, creativity, and overall awareness at both ends.

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Tucker Robertson - Center/Wing - Peterborough Petes (OHL)

We had Tucker Robertson ranked as an HM in our draft rankings last year after a really strong performance at the Erie Invitational (organized to give OHL players a chance to impress scouts after the cancellation of the season). He went undrafted in 2021 and it turns out, not only were we wrong to not have him on our final list, but so were NHL scouts. Robertson has been lights out for the Petes this year. He brings a consistently high energy level and is an aggressive forechecker who just always seems to be around the puck. However, his skill development has been terrific this year as he looks quicker, more poised and creative, and is showing the ability to make moves at full speed. Robertson has been lethal in all situations for the Petes, excelling especially as a penalty killer. There is no doubt that he will be selected this time around, the question is how high? We believe he is a strong candidate for the first three rounds.

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Noah Warren - Defense - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

Unquestionably, Warren belongs in the relatively large group of impressive big and athletic defenders available this year. The 6’5, right shot defender is an impressive skater, with especially strong four-way mobility for such a big, young man. Warren already excels in the defensive end with his ability to close gaps and physically impose his will down low. His potential as a stay-at-home defender is quite significant. However, the big, athletic defenders ranked ahead of Warren (in that first/second round range) have shown more offensively to date. Warren can struggle with his exits and his overall decision making with the puck. At this point in time, his puck skills do look somewhat limited which could, in turn, limit his NHL potential. However, the package of size and athleticism is going to be very alluring. The floor is still relatively high, but the ceiling is extremely high if he is able to harness some of his raw offensive tools.

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Zakary Lavoie - Wing - Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Selected seventh overall by the Steelheads in the 2020 Draft, Lavoie was thought to be among the best goal scorers in this Ontario age group. And while that hasn’t quite come to fruition yet, Lavoie has progressed well in his rookie OHL season. Forming excellent chemistry with Owen Beck (who is ranked inside of our first round), Lavoie has become a terrific complementary winger. He forechecks hard. He backchecks hard. He brings a physical element. He’s an above average skater who can beat defenders wide and to loose pucks. And best of all, he still has that big wrist shot that he is slowly gaining confidence in using. At this point, his strength on the puck and overall puck skills will need to improve in order for him to be the focal point and someone who can consistently lead the attack. However, even as is, there’s upside here as a hard working, middle six goal scorer.

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Boston Buckberger - Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

Another re-entry that cracks our Top 100, Buckberger is playing in his first season above the AAA level, joining the storied Brooks Bandits franchise (who have a good recent track record of developing offensive defenders). The Wisconsin commit actually attended the Philadelphia Flyers training camp this past offseason as their scouts took notice of his play in the Saskatchewan minor hockey loop. Like another former Bandit’s defender, Buckberger’s best asset is his mobility. He really stands out with his ability to lead the attack out of the defensive zone and create plays off the line. The rest of his game is a bit of a work in progress. He’s very much a long-term project. But there is a lot of offensive upside here. The cancellation of the World Junior A Challenge really hurts a player like him, but Brooks should have a lengthy playoff run in the AJHL, giving Buckberger a chance to shine down the stretch.

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2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 100

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:59:29 +0000

A new year means a new draft ranking at McKeen’s Hockey, as we expand our list at mid-season to a Top 100. Back in mid-November, we released our preliminary ranking, a top 32, so this serves not only as an update, but an expansion too.

Like many, we were disappointed with the abrupt ending of the World Junior Championships, not just because it robbed us of some terrific hockey, but because it prevented a high-quality look at some of the best talents in this draft year. While a poor showing at the World Juniors is often dismissed, a strong showing can really help elevate a player’s standing. Ultimately, the decision to stop the tournament was the correct one, given the circumstances, however, hopefully the World Under 18’s can occur in Germany as planned in April.

At this point Kingston Frontenacs center and former CHL exceptional status player Shane Wright remains at the top of our rankings, however the gap is admittedly closing between him and some of the other players inside of our top five. Defenseman Simon Nemec is having a historically good season in the Slovak men’s league and will play for Slovakia at the Olympics. Center Logan Cooley is proving to be a dynamic two-way threat and is fresh off a terrific performance at the Biosteel All American Game. Center Matthew Savoie of the Winnipeg Ice continues to lead the WHL in scoring on the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League. A year ago, it was unfathomable to imagine anyone else but Wright being selected first overall. That concept is not as far-fetched today. Without question, Wright will need to pick up his play in the second half to withstand his competitors.

Looking specifically at those ranked inside our first round (top 32), the positional breakdown is as follows: 10 defenders, 22 forwards, and zero goaltenders. In fact, we do not have a single goaltender ranked inside the first two rounds. Tyler Brennan and Topias Leinonen are our top goaltenders, ranked 84th and 87th, respectively. The quality and depth of goaltenders available this year may be the worst that we have ever seen as a scouting staff.

Regionally, the breakdown is as follows: ten players from the CHL, seven players from the USHL (more specifically the NTDP), four players in Sweden, four players in Russia, three players in Finland, two players in Slovakia, and two players in Czechia. The U.S. National Development program is extremely well represented with ten players inside of our first two rounds.

This top 100 was formed in consultation with our regional scouts and our video scouting team. Now that we have our midseason list formed, look for our annual, in-depth individual scouting reports to start being published in the very near future.

Shane Wright of the KIngston Frontenacs. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Shane Wright	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/190	5-Jan-04	25-12-19-31
2	Simon Nemec	D	HK Nitra (Svk)	6-1/190	15-Feb-04	28-0-19-19
3	Matthew Savoie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	5-9/180	1-Jan-04	35-19-34-53
4	Logan Cooley	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	4-May-04	25-15-20-35
5	Danila Yurov	RW	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/175	22-Dec-03	21-0-0-0
6	Joakim Kemell	RW	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/175	27-Apr-04	21-12-6-18
7	Juraj Slafkovsky	LW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-4/225	30-Mar-04	20-1-3-4
8	Conor Geekie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-4/205	5-May-04	35-11-27-38
9	Brad Lambert	C	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/180	19-Dec-03	24-2-4-6
10	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	6-1/185	4-Feb-04	30-9-6-15
11	David Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Cze)	6-3/190	28-Nov-03	29-5-6-11
12	Filip Mesar	C	HK Poprad (Svk)	5-10/165	3-Jan-04	22-6-5-11
13	Pavel Mintyukov	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/190	25-Nov-03	31-6-17-23
14	Denton Mateychuk	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Jul-04	35-7-24-31
15	Marco Kasper	C	Rogle BK (SHL)	6-1/185	8-Apr-04	27-4-2-6
16	Alexander Perevalov	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-0/190	16-Apr-04	29-19-20-39
17	Seamus Casey	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	8-Jan-04	31-5-13-18
18	Frank Nazar	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	14-Jan-04	33-15-23-38
19	Noah Ostlund	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-10/160	11-Mar-04	19-6-18-24
20	Cutter Gauthier	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/190	19-Jan-04	33-20-12-32
21	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-11/170	24-Jul-04	25-19-15-34
22	Tristan Luneau	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/175	12-Jan-04	26-5-10-15
23	Nathan Gaucher	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/205	6-Nov-03	30-15-11-26
24	Ty Nelson	D	North Bay (OHL)	5-9/195	30-Mar-04	33-5-21-26
25	Vladimir Grudinin	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	5-10/160	9-Dec-03	15-2-7-9
26	Owen Beck	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/190	3-Feb-04	33-13-16-29
27	Simon Forsmark	D	Orebro (SHL)	6-2/195	17-Oct-03	22-0-1-1
28	Mats Lindgren	D	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/175	26-Aug-04	34-2-19-21
29	Rutger McGroarty	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/205	30-Mar-04	27-15-17-32
30	Jiri Kulich	C	Karlovy Vary (Cze)	6-0/175	14-Apr-04	31-7-4-11
31	Isaac Howard	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	30-Mar-04	33-15-24-39
32	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/185	1-Jun-04	33-16-22-38
33	Filip Bystedt	C	Linkopings (SHL)	6-4/185	4-Feb-04	14-1-1-2
34	Brandon Lisowsky	LW	Saskatoon (WHL)	5-8/175	13-Apr-04	35-19-10-29
35	Jagger Firkus	RW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-10/155	29-Apr-04	38-23-21-44
36	Maveric Lamoureux	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-7/195	13-Jan-04	30-3-8-11
37	Matthew Poitras	C	Guelph (OHL)	5-11/175	10-Mar-04	29-10-13-23
38	Adam Ingram	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-2/165	14-Oct-03	27-16-20-36
39	Liam Ohgren	LW	Djurgardens (SHL)	6-0/185	28-Jan-04	21-1-1-2
40	Calle Odelius	D	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/185	30-May-04	28-4-17-21
41	Sam Rinzel	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	6-4/180	25-Jun-04	13-3-13-16
42	Ludwig Persson	LW	Frolunda J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/180	8-Oct-03	24-16-19-35
43	Artyom Duda	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (Rus)	6-1/180	8-Apr-04	36-11-20-31
44	Jani Nyman	RW	KOOVEE (Fin-Mestis)	6-3/210	30-Jul-04	23-14-9-23
45	Matyas Sapovaliv	C	Saginaw (OHL)	6-3/180	12-Feb-04	31-10-16-26
46	Kevin Korchinski	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/185	21-Jun-04	32-4-24-28
47	Gleb Trikozov	RW	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	6-1/185	12-Aug-04	17-9-8-17
48	David Goyette	C	Sudbury (OHL)	5-11/170	27-Mar-04	32-12-18-30
49	Owen Pickering	D	Swift Current (WHL)	6-3/180	27-Jan-04	34-6-15-21
50	Lian Bichsel	D	Leksands (SHL)	6-5/215	18-May-04	13-0-1-1
51	Paul Ludwinski	LW	Kingston (OHL)	5-11/175	23-Apr-04	28-6-13-19
52	Jordan Dumais	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-8/165	15-Apr-04	30-16-31-47
53	Aleksanteri Kaskimaki	LW	HIFK (Fin U20)	6-0/185	6-Feb-04	22-15-14-29
54	Luca Del Bel Belluz	C	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/180	10-Nov-03	33-18-27-45
55	Ryan Chesley	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	27-Feb-04	32-2-5-7
56	Danny Zhilkin	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-2/185	19-Dec-03	27-10-14-24
57	Isaiah George	D	London (OHL)	6-0/195	15-Feb-04	29-1-9-10
58	Rieger Lorenz	LW	Okotoks (AJHL)	6-1/185	30-Mar-04	43-28-39-67
59	Tyler Duke	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/180	19-Jul-04	27-1-7-8
60	Mattias Havelid	D	Linkopings (SHL)	5-9/170	1-Jan-04	12-0-0-0
61	Arseni Koromyslov	D	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	6-3/180	3-Nov-03	22-0-8-8
62	Jack Hughes 2	C	Northeastern (NCAA-HE)	6-0/165	2-Nov-03	22-5-4-9
63	Lane Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/150	14-Feb-04	33-4-25-29
64	Gavin Hayes	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-1/175	14-May-04	30-8-9-17
65	Otto Salin	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/185	7-Mar-04	5-0-1-1
66	Hunter Haight	C	Barrie (OHL)	5-10/175	4-Apr-04	24-8-6-14
67	Antonin Verreault	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	5-8/165	28-Jul-04	29-8-18-26
68	Cameron Lund	RW	Green Bay (USHL)	6-2/185	7-Jun-04	30-11-9-20
69	Bryce McConnell-Barker	C	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-1/185	4-Jun-04	34-11-12-23
70	Brennan Ali	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/195	9-Feb-04	2-0-0-0
71	David Spacek	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/170	18-Feb-03	27-5-20-25
72	Angus Booth	D	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/175	27-Apr-04	30-1-20-21
73	Jake Livanavage	D	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/160	6-May-04	32-2-25-27
74	Markus Vidicek	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-10/160	21-Mar-04	30-9-18-27
75	Matthew Seminoff	RW	Kamloops (WHL)	5-10/160	27-Dec-03	30-15-18-33
76	Kasper Kulonummi	D	Jokerit (Fin U20)	6-0/175	1-Mar-04	25-2-16-18
77	Vinzenz Rohrer	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/160	9-Sep-04	30-9-14-23
78	Elias Salomonsson	D	Skelleftea J20 (Swe J20)	6-1/170	31-Aug-04	24-8-9-17
79	Liam Arnsby	C	North Bay (OHL)	5-10/180	20-Nov-03	32-8-10-18
80	Daniil Orlov	D	Sakhalinskiye Akuly (MHL)	6-2/180	21-Dec-03	44-8-18-26
81	Quinn Finley	LW	Madison (USHL)	6-0/170	8-Aug-04	14-5-5-10
82	Topi Ronni	C	Tappara (Fin U20)	6-1/180	5-May-04	21-7-11-18
83	Jordan Gustafson	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/180	20-Jan-04	29-13-18-31
84	Tyler Brennan	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-4/190	27-Sep-03	8-11-2, 3.34, .902
85	Cole Spicer	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	13-Jun-04	31-10-12-22
86	Ryan Greene	C	Green Bay (USHL)	6-1/175	21-Oct-03	28-10-16-26
87	Topias Leinonen	G	JyP (Fin U20)	6-4/215	19-Jul-04	17GP, 2.17, .919
88	Alexander Suzdalev	LW	HV 71 J20 (Swe J20)	6-2/175	5-Mar-04	31-11-22-33
89	Pano Fimis	C	Niagara (OHL)	5-10/175	17-Jun-04	27-5-14-19
90	Spencer Sova	D	Erie (OHL)	6-1/185	10-Jan-04	30-2-12-14
91	Yoan Loshing	C	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/160	29-Feb-04	19-8-5-13
92	Jack Devine	RW	Denver (NCHC)	5-11/175	1-Oct-03	19-2-12-14
93	Ruslan Gazizov	RW	London (OHL)	5-11/185	21-Jan-04	20-5-11-16
94	Jackson Dorrington	D	Des Moines (USHL)	6-2/190	13-Apr-04	27-3-7-10
95	Jorian Donovan	D	Hamilton (OHL)	6-1/180	5-Apr-04	31-3-9-12
96	Jere Lassila	C	JyP (Fin U20)	5-9/170	8-Mar-04	13-7-4-11
97	Tucker Robertson	C	Peterborough (OHL)	5-11/190	22-Jun-03	31-19-23-42
98	Noah Warren	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-5/215	15-Jul-04	29-3-9-12
99	Zakary Lavoie	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/170	15-Mar-04	31-10-15-25
100	Boston Buckberger	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-10/175	1-Jun-03	42-11-9-20

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 32

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:58:52 +0000

Shane Wright of the KIngston Frontenacs. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Shane Wright	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/190	5-Jan-04	25-12-19-31
2	Simon Nemec	D	HK Nitra (Svk)	6-1/190	15-Feb-04	28-0-19-19
3	Matthew Savoie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	5-9/180	1-Jan-04	35-19-34-53
4	Logan Cooley	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	4-May-04	25-15-20-35
5	Danila Yurov	RW	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/175	22-Dec-03	21-0-0-0
6	Joakim Kemell	RW	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/175	27-Apr-04	21-12-6-18
7	Juraj Slafkovsky	LW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-4/225	30-Mar-04	20-1-3-4
8	Conor Geekie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-4/205	5-May-04	35-11-27-38
9	Brad Lambert	C	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/180	19-Dec-03	24-2-4-6
10	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	6-1/185	4-Feb-04	30-9-6-15
11	David Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Cze)	6-3/190	28-Nov-03	29-5-6-11
12	Filip Mesar	C	HK Poprad (Svk)	5-10/165	3-Jan-04	22-6-5-11
13	Pavel Mintyukov	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/190	25-Nov-03	31-6-17-23
14	Denton Mateychuk	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Jul-04	35-7-24-31
15	Marco Kasper	C	Rogle BK (SHL)	6-1/185	8-Apr-04	27-4-2-6
16	Alexander Perevalov	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-0/190	16-Apr-04	29-19-20-39
17	Seamus Casey	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	8-Jan-04	31-5-13-18
18	Frank Nazar	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	14-Jan-04	33-15-23-38
19	Noah Ostlund	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-10/160	11-Mar-04	19-6-18-24
20	Cutter Gauthier	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/190	19-Jan-04	33-20-12-32
21	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-11/170	24-Jul-04	25-19-15-34
22	Tristan Luneau	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/175	12-Jan-04	26-5-10-15
23	Nathan Gaucher	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/205	6-Nov-03	30-15-11-26
24	Ty Nelson	D	North Bay (OHL)	5-9/195	30-Mar-04	33-5-21-26
25	Vladimir Grudinin	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	5-10/160	9-Dec-03	15-2-7-9
26	Owen Beck	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/190	3-Feb-04	33-13-16-29
27	Simon Forsmark	D	Orebro (SHL)	6-2/195	17-Oct-03	22-0-1-1
28	Mats Lindgren	D	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/175	26-Aug-04	34-2-19-21
29	Rutger McGroarty	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/205	30-Mar-04	27-15-17-32
30	Jiri Kulich	C	Karlovy Vary (Cze)	6-0/175	14-Apr-04	31-7-4-11
31	Isaac Howard	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	30-Mar-04	33-15-24-39
32	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/185	1-Jun-04	33-16-22-38

Yoan Loshing – McKeen's Hockey

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

Jeremy Hanzel - Defense - Seattle Thunderbirds

Hunter Mayo - Defense - Red Deer Rebels

Jake Sloan - Center - Tri-City Americans

Egor Sidorov - Wing - Saskatoon Blades

Marcus Nguyen - Wing - Portland Winterhawks

Borya Valis - Wing - Regina Pats

Grayden Siepmann - Defense - Calgary Hitmen

Austin Roest - Center - Everett Silvertips

Jackson DeSouza - Defense - Kelowna Rockets

Gabe Klassen - Center - Portland Winterhawks

Tomas Suchanek - Goalie - Tri-City Americans

Bogdans Hodass - Defense - Medicine Hat Tigers

Thomas Milic - Goalie - Seattle Thunderbirds

QMJHL

Justin Gill - Center/Wing - Sherbrooke Phoenix

Maxime Pellerin - Center - Victoriaville Tigres

Yoan Loshing - Center - Moncton Wildcats

Markus Vidicek - Center - Halifax Mooseheads

Jonathan Fauchon - Center - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Pier-Olivier Roy - Defense - Victoriaville Tigres

Daniil Bourosh - Center - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

William Rousseau - Goaltender - Quebec Remparts

AJHL

Hudson Malinoski - Center - Brooks Bandits

Sam Court - Defense - Brooks Bandits

Andrew Ness - Goaltender - Fort McMurray Oil Barons

BCHL

Tate Taylor - Defense - Surrey Eagles

Josh Nadeau - Wing - Penticton Vees

Ryan Hopkins - Defense - Penticton Vees

Luca Di Pasquo - Goaltender - Penticton Vees

MJHL

Warren Clark - Defense - Steinbach Pistons

2022 NHL DRAFT: The Best of the Rest – 20 undrafted players to keep an eye on

Cole Knuble, F

Niks Fenenko, D

Yoan Loshing, F

Markus Vidicek, F

Marcus Nguyen, F

Beau Jelsma, F

Brayden Schuurman, F

Ilya Kvochko, F

Maxim Arefyev, G

Maros Jedlicka, F

Spencer Sova, D

Owen Van Steensel, F

Tyler Duke, D

Kocha Delic, F

Matthew Ward, F

Brady Stonehouse, F

Pano Fimis, F

Hugo Havelid, G

Lukas Gustafsson, D

Jere Lassila, F

2022 NHL DRAFT MIDSEASON RANKING: TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES WITH VIDEO – #91 thru #100

Yoan Loshing - Center - Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Jack Devine - Wing - Denver (NCAA)

Ruslan Gazizov - Wing - London Knights (OHL)

Jackson Dorrington - Defense - Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Jorian Donovan - Defense - Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

Jere Lassila - Center - JyP (Fin U20)

Tucker Robertson - Center/Wing - Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Noah Warren - Defense - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

Zakary Lavoie - Wing - Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Boston Buckberger - Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 100

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 32