Few centers in junior hockey enter their draft year as well-rounded as Nate Danielson. He currently leads the Giants in scoring and is among the top scorers in the WHL at large. He is a mobile defenseman who fits the mold of the modern puck-moving defender and power play quarterback. (other than Brad Lambert who's half Sask) but we'll see how the kids develop. When he plays with pace and intention, hes both effective and flashes his skill in all three zones. February 2023 OHL Draft Ranking Update Jordan Malette 2023 Canada Winter Games Recap - Eastern Canada Brayden Olafson 2023 Canada Winter Games: Gold Medal Game Report - Team Saskatchewan Joel Henderson 2023 Canada Winter Games: Gold Medal Game Report - Team Ontario Jordan Malette Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL Sam McGilligan . And while he played exclusively as a winger in the SHL the last two seasons, Carlsson came up as a centre and I like the way his game might fit there long term because of his combination of size, detail, and awareness. Spokane Chiefs to select first overall in 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Etienne Morin, LD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL), 50. Continue with Recommended Cookies. He has learned to use some clever movement patterns to make defencemen miss and get to his spots as a shooter. He draws tons of attention in the offensive zone and is great at making smart plays under pressure to help open teammates up to make their jobs easier. I see clear, projectable top-six tools as a play-creating winger and Im not the least bit worried about him doing it against NHL defences because of how hard he is to pin down. Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 who've had early success Joel Henderson The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview Puck Preps Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft Joel Henderson Four 2005-born OHLers trending up Sam McGilligan Its hard to be a true top-of-the-lineup forward at his size, though, and I think he projects more as a complementary scorer who gives a lineup a bit of a different look. I cant think of a first overall pick so far above the rest of the competition since Connor McDavid back in 2015, of course some tried to argue for Jack Eichel (as they do now for Adam Fantilli), but that argument doesnt hold up well. . The show will also include the unveiling of WHL Divisional Award Winners and All-Star Teams for the 2021-22 WHL season. Of course, there are also some prospects who dropped in this edition of my rankings, including Brayden Yager and David Reinbacher. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) cares about your privacy. He can get a little ahead of the play, and hes got work to do on his game defensively if he doesnt want to get hemmed in at the next level, but those are things you live with with a talent as singular as his. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. That is, of course . Elite Prospects - Erste Liga Stats 2023-2024 WHL bantam draft: A foot in the door, but not the be-all and - Yahoo! Oliver Moore is one of the best skaters in this draft class with blazing speed and solid agility. Carey Terrance, C (Erie) Wins it in OT for !!! 2022 NHL Entry Draft Rankings First Round 1. Problem-solving. 2 that you take inside the top 10, but hes got everything needed to become a good second-pairing guy and maybe slightly more than that. Catton is the early front runner for 1st overall in next years WHL bantam draft and has recently been granted exceptional player status to play up in Midget AAA next year for the Saskatoon Contacts as a underage player. Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 43. WHL Network. The beauty of Brindleys game is that while he may prove talented enough to play in a skill role at the NHL level, hes got the approach/tools to play an effective bottom-six game too. 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. One of the USHLs most talented players, Perron got off to a hot start, was briefly halted by an eight-game December stretch that saw him register justone assist, and has really turned it back on to play his best hockey of late. C Berkly Catton - Spokane Chiefs, WHL (2024 Draft) I love the way he slows down the game, adjusts and maneuvers his frame and shades pucks. Honzek was on one of the steeper ascents in the draft this season when he suffered a leg injury in Slovakias second game of the world juniors. Fantilli is currently authoring one of the most impressive draft eligible NCAA seasons in recent memory with the only competition being Jack Eichels dominant 2014-15 season where he put up 71 points in 40 games. His average SHL TOI is around 4:30, so this should be a confidence boost for the 2023 top prospect.In the J20 Nationell, Stenberg has 20pts (8G, 12A) through 23 games.pic.twitter.com/H36RVcNC4H Alexa Potack (@alexa_potack) January 24, 2023, Otto Stenberg scores his first SHL goal and point! Id be quite surprised if he slid all the way to 16 (where I have him ranked), because a right-handed centre with his shot has a ton of value to NHL teams. Yager is a prospect that I fully expect to still be drafted very early on draft day, I just havent been that impressed with his game this year. Hes a versatile, hard-working player who excels in pretty much every facet of the game, gets to the middle of the ice, and makes plays around the net through skill and timing. Western Hockey League. He loves attacking defenders and beating them in one-on-one skill battles. But even when things arent going his way and the points arent falling, Ive always liked his involvement level, so its hard to get too down on him. Gabriel Perrault looks like someone who could be a power play specialist at the next level with great skill and smarts in the offensive zone. And while hes probably not going to be a star at the next level, I like Ziemmer as a potential second-line winger who can contribute offensively in a variety of ways. The Scouting News Though he doesnt play the game with some of the shine of the three players in front of him, Carlsson, the top Swede in the draft, has emerged as my clear No. Noah Dower Nilsson is purely an offensive player at this point, but hes a very skilled one. Hes got really good edges and mobility, though he doesnt have the speed in straight lines to pull away from faster chasers. Finesse. Its impossible not to. On talent, and upside, and pedigree, his game checks all three boxes. Carson Bjarnason, G (Brandon) Player Rankings - PuckPreps Add in the strength and power that comes with his physically mature frame, an ability to drive and shed contact when he gets bumped, and a defensive conscience, and theres more than just a hands-shot-worker skill set. And yet most believe hes the third-most compelling and projectable prospect on USAs top line. He can run the wall or the point on the PP, effortlessly picking coverage apart and feathering pucks through seams. Cameron Allen, RD, Guelph Storm (OHL), 62. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. Although he is just 5-foot-9, Perron is earning more and more buzz as a potential first rounder due to his excellent skating, playmaking, and offensive awareness. Roman Kantserov, RW (Magnitogorsk) Hes scoring roughly half a point per game there and has spent a few games in the J20 Nationell as well, Swedens top junior league, where he has shown that he is clearly a step above his age group, scoring nearly two points per game there. Last season was certainly a strange one for WHL scouts as they anticipated the task of two drafts in one calendar year. He passes the eye test. One of my favourites in this class, Cristall isa creative, slippery playmaker who isnt afraid to try things and possesses a rare ability to hang onto pucks, pull eyes and bodies towards him, and then expose opposing structures to the weak side of coverage. I watch him and I see an NHL player with the kind of well-rounded, high-effort skill set that could see him move around an NHL lineup (in a good way) someday. Hes eager physically. His skill and power combination make him a nightmare for defenders as he can beat you with his hands or by tossing his large frame into you to protect the puck. Note: Though I consult scouts, coaches, general managers, team staff, and agents in building my draft boards, the following evaluations are strictly my own. His actual statistical profile is good without being great, though. At the time of writing, he leads all defenseman in points per game and is on pace to have one of the most impressive offensive seasons in league history amongst defensemen of any age, not just draft eligible ones. One of three draft eligibles on this list playing college hockey this season, Brindley hasnt just settled in at the University of Michigan, he has looked anywhere from comfortable to impactful in every game, including at centre and on the wing. NHL Draft Rankings: Horn's Top 64 for January Hes the kind of player who can beat you with a pass, a dangerous wrister (in fact, while he has played facilitator so often in games this year, hes got an excellent wrister while moving), or a deke. Hes a pro-sized, hardworking pivot who can skate and excels in driving through the middle of the ice, pushing tempo, and playing with energy. The BCHLs leading scorer while playing on a line with his older brother Josh (a playerI vouched for as a worthy late-round flier ahead of last years draft), Nadeau is a multi-dimensional forward whose hands, skating, and shooting all get very high grades. Calgary, Alta. Hes got poise and patience on the puck. The top pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Musty is one the focal points of the Wolves offence and would be their leader in shots on goal, assists and points were it not for a few weeks lost in January to a hand injury (following up on a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer). David Edstrom, C (Frolunda) Hedid that after notching five points in five games at lastyears Hlinka Gretzky Cup as a young 16-year-old, too. Only time will tell if they can do the same for him as a pro. 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. DraftPro's #1 prospect for the 2023 NHL entry draft, Connor Bedard finished the 2021/22 . by. And he just always seems to play well, no matter the role/usage/stage. Perron is so agile that his lack of size and strength dont often hinder his game, however he will need to develop a bit of a physical game (like Logan Stankoven) if he wants to grow into his full potential as a top-six forward in the NHL. He was an alternate captain and second-leading scorer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and isan alternate captain and leading scorer with Moose Jaw. There was a time when folks thought Musty was the best American-born 2005 prospect and while thats no longer the case theres still a lot to get excited about. Carson Bjarnasson, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), 47. His gifts in control of the puck are undeniable. The Scouting News. 7 overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft and he made his debut in 2019-20 playing in four games. Watch out for Stenberg in the last months of the season, hes been playing better and better and I think hell go in the first round despite his lack of production in the SHL this year. There has been souring on him as a top-10 candidate because of the point-per-game clip he has played at (though in saying that scouts still have a lot of respect for his game) but I expect his production to take a big leap next season. with the Wolverines). I think the former outcome is the more likely, which is why Id probably steer clear of him in the teens (where some believe he belongs). Before the season began, many people saw Otto Stenberg as a top-10 prospect for this draft following his incredible performance for Team Sweden at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. When you think youve got him trapped, you usually dont. His skills make him very well suited as a center at the next level with good size, a coveted right-handed shot, good defensive habits (kills penalties quite well), and solid faceoff results. Its not just his dominant, record-breaking performance at the World Juniors, dragging an underperforming Canada team to the gold medal, and its not just his 12 goals and 16 points in five games since returning to the WHL. He has a great release on his shot, and he has a knack for manipulating shooting lanes or goalie positioning in just a split second to give himself a better scoring chance. 33. For all the talk about how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia, Dvorsky leads another excellent group into 2023. With the 268th overall selection (Round 13) the Vancouver Giants have selected 2007-born defender Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver, BC) in the 2022 @TheWHL Prospects Draft. While there are some great prospects in the top-five of the draft, theres no doubt that Bedard is the reason teams are tanking. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. ), but he has shown that his timing and puck protection skills are strong enough for him to succeed in college. Moores game is defined by his skating (both in straight lines, where he turns defenders with ease out wide, and in quick bursts from explosive stops and starts) and presence on the ice. There has been a lot of hockey since my. Jayden Perron is an excellent play-driving winger with tons of offensive talent. Beyond his natural skill in possession, he also impresses with his smarts with the puck, his cerebral play style, and his ability to play to his linemates. - The Western Hockey League announced today the results of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery will be broadcast in a free WHL Live event Thursday, April 21 at 2 p.m. MT. . Holding steady at about two points per game, Cristall has already shown improvements following his impressive 69-point WHL rookie season last year. The raw potential is there in spades and the production is starting to catch up to it. Elite Prospects - CCHL Bantam Protected Draft 2023 Tomas Suchanek, G, Tri-City Americans (WHL), 59. Elite Prospects - NHL Entry Draft -3005 Elite Prospects - Poland Stats 2023-2024 For some, it will be. A number of years ago, WHL Clubs were allowed to list first-year bantam players as of a set date in September. But youll also see him make the heady escape play out of his own zone under pressure at five-on-five, or slide into a passing line to intercept a pass, or disrupt an opposing carrier with a tight gap and active stick. Priority Draft including defenceman Blake Fiddler, picked first-overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings. Hes strong. The combination of his skating, shot, and playmaking skills makes him a true offensive weapon. Hes great along the wall on the cycle, but he can also occasionally make a play that pulls you out of your seat. Good habits away from the puck lead me to believe he will be a reliable NHLer with top-six forward upside. Calum Ritchie has great puck skills and sometimes it looks like he has glued the puck to his stick while carving through defenders or when hes on a breakaway. He can beat you along the wall on the cycle. Brayden Yager has been talked about in the public scouting sphere for nearly as long as Connor Bedard, being drafted third overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and winning the CHL Rookie of the Year award last year on the back of a remarkable 34-goal, 59-point rookie season. Honourable mentions (sorted alphabetically): Beau Akey, RHD (Barrie) Luke Mittelstadt, LHD (U. of Minnesota) After playing on Russias Hlinka Gretzky team twosummers ago, But played to a point-per-game level in the MHL as one of its top 2005s last season and began his draft year on a tear in the MHL, scoring 11 goals in his first 15 games of the season before earning a mid-October promotion to the KHL for the first time (he has since scored his first two pro goals and has bounced between the KHL and MHL). He profiles similarly to David Jiricek physically, but with a more defensive tilt to his game. He keeps his head up in the neutral and defensive zones and is a confident puck carrier on exits and entries. Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. Matvei Michkov might just be the smartest player in this draft class, with an incredible ability to manipulate opposing defenses. Hes a treat to watch in possession and processes the game at such an advanced and rapid level. He can score from mid range consistently with his low-kick wrister, hes got an ability to protect the puck and shade in and out of coverage, hes got a dangerous curl-and-drag wrister, and hes comfortable in traffic. Logan Cooley, C, U.S. National U18. Hes got quick hick hands (hes prolific on breakaways/in the shootout), a cleverness to his game as a passer (whether through seams or often blind), slick skill in traffic sliding pucks under sticks and rotating through coverage or past checks, and a knack for finessing pucks into spots for himself or his linemates to skate onto. About 2023 Draft Nhl Prospects . Last year, he led Prince George in goals (30) and finished second in points (57, one back of Heidt). Crafty is the best word to describe his game. Michkovs brilliance comes primarily from his ability to read and process the play at an extremely advanced level, make his decisions quickly, and execute on them with incredible proficiency, whether thats ripping a patterned shot (his one-timer, his standstill wrister, his curl-and-drag, etc. He was more impressive than his already-impressive 61-points-in-68-games season last year (where he led the Cougars in scoring), and the same is true in his strong production on a middle-of-the-pack Cougars team this year. Smith is flanked by the two best wingers in the program while Moore has found incredible success without that level of supporting talent. 2022 NHL Draft: WHL Players to Watch - FCHockey Hes also a very selfless player for his age who is quick to change in the offensive zone and will sooner make the right play than trying to overdo it. We believe in fully disclosing the methods to which we collect and use your personal information. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This year, he has been pretty clearly one of the most talented players in J20 whenever he has been there, has shown some really positive signs in spurts in HockeyAllsvenskan (he has actually been equally as productive on a rate basis as Dvrosky), and I liked him at the world juniors before a quiet quarterfinal against Team Canada. He started to come on before the world juniors, though, and then he was good in a bottom-six role for Team USA and he has played quite well in his return to college hockey. My best guess at a player who has great skill but might slide on draft day due to his height is Gavin Brindley. He stays on pucks, hes got good instincts and takes smart routes around the ice, hes sound positionally, he applies pressure off of the puck and comes up with possession despite not being very physical, and he just always seems to be involved in positive things inside the offensive zone. He provides a ton of offense in transition as well as in the offensive zone where he seems to create scoring chances at will. But thats what the Austrian has done in Switzerlands top flight this season, where he plays over 20 minutes in a game more often than he plays under it. His combination of speed and effort will make him a very flexible player who can fill in whatever role is needed of him, which has earned him the second-line center spot for a stacked University of Michigan team. Ravndahl spent parts of three seasons with the Prince Albert Mintos program, recording 25 points in 50 games played. They are: 1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-22, 23-33, 34-64+. He can pick apart opposing defenses with pin-point passes and sly fakes, and his effort level is admirable. Finally, Barlow has been one of the best goal scorers in junior hockey so far this year, scoring 36 goals in just 42 Ontario Hockey League (OHL), a 56-goal pace over the rest of the season. Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who is playing lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerlands top professional mens league. He walks the line and bends coverage as an impressive and tactical power-play quarterback. With a hot start in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) as a 17-year-old Leo Carlsson has shot up draft boards and quickly made the top tier of the draft a four-player group. The Rebels' first game was on September 25, 1992, in Red Deer against the Prince Albert Raiders (the Rebels won 6 to 3 in front of 5,240 fans). Gauthier brings a lot to the table. During the bantam draft (typically held in early May), players from the four Western Provinces and the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are eligible to be selected. Heidt, taken No. Ziemmer often seems to have the puck on a string and thats part of why he has been one of the leading scorers in the WHL this year as a 17-year-old. Manage Settings Logan Cooley2. Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 - Elite Prospects Elite Prospects - WHL Bantam Draft 2023
