Finally the NHL announced on June 2nd, 2026 that a new format for the All-Star will be introduced. At a first glance its a good step in the right direction. They are capitalizing on the success of the 4 Nations event by using 5 Nations (1 being the Rest Of World). However, I think if they are obviously playing it safe. I want them to go a step further, it needs to expand. An All-Star Weekend isn’t going to get the same amount of engagement and attention. Expanding to 8 teams and playing games across NA & EU, they will be able to sell more tickets and make the event more worthwhile. All while keeping it a similar length of break in the season that the Olympics causes to keep the schedule consistent every year would be a good thing. That being said, I’m excited to see how the 2027 All-Star event goes. That concludes my concept for the 2029 All-Star game. Thank you for spending the time to read it if you made it this far.
Later in the third, Jamie Glance sniped one from a low angle over the shoulder of Juuso Ainasto to ice the game, putting USA Blue up by 3 goals.
Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert RaidersMichal Orsulak’s stock is clearly trending upward right now, especially with Prince Albert playing in theWHL Final and after helping Czechia reach the final of the most recent World Junior Championship.Orsulak is a re-entry candidate after going undrafted last year before making the move to North Americathis season. At first glance, he has all the tools to be viewed as one of the top goalie prospects available.He’s big and possesses excellent mobility, especially through his lower body. That allows him to cover theice very effectively. His legs stay active while in the butterfly, making him highly efficient on his knees.In my recent viewings, he was extremely difficult to beat on low shots. He also uses his large frame verywell to stay square and take away a significant portion of the net. Despite his size, Orsulak moves fairlywell overall.That said, I have major questions regarding his top-end lateral speed. On many occasions, he anticipatedplays well and quickly identified the new shooter on passing sequences, but he lacked the pure speedneeded to fully cover the distance and get set in position to make the save. That issue led to goalsagainst, especially on plays coming from the corners or from behind the net. After multiple viewings, itlooked more like a recurring trend than isolated mistakes.Also, while he read releases quickly, he didn’t always seem to fully track the puck into his body, which ledto several uncontrolled rebounds into dangerous areas.For those reasons, I can’t fully buy into the trend of placing him near the top of my rankings. The lack ofelite lateral speed and the concerns surrounding his puck tracking force me to rank him behind morecomplete prospects in those areas. Still, Orsulak remains a legitimate middle-round candidate in thisdraft.
By: Isaiah Bouchard As the NHL pre-season is coming to an end and teams are finalizing their opening night rosters, all eyes are on the future as another season of hockey is finally here. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more wins, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft. In this seven-part series, we at DraftPro hope to showcase the cream of the crop in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov. But as one generation passes us by, a new one moves in. So without further build-up, here are five players that are coming out of the OHL. Hockey’s legacy is filled with rich history and interesting stories. Whether you look back at the first indoor hockey game in Montreal or the earliest forms of hockey played with simple balls and sticks. The game has come a long way and has experienced a lot of changes since we starting playing on skates in Montreal. Since the NHL’s formation, hockey has grown to become a dominant global sport. Spanning the globe and enrapturing multiple nations in this beautifully violent past time. That is why we are going to take two parts to introduce the draft eligible players that are coming from across the pond in Europe. Last year saw Leo Carlsson go #2 overall, David Reinbacher at #5, Dmitriy Simashev #6, Matvei Michkov #7, Dalibor Dvorský #10, Tom Willander #11, Daniil But #12, Axel Sandin-Pellikka #17, Eduard Sale #20, Otto Stenburg #25, Theo Lindstein #29, Mikhail Gulyayev #31, and David Edstrom at #32. And with a total of 78 players drafted from Europe in last year’s draft, (not including Europeans playing in north American leagues) it’s no wonder we need 2 separate introductions. So let’s start part 2 with none other than Aron Kiviharju. Kiviharju is a prospect that scouts have been talking about for a long time. He was projected as an easy top 10 pick last year due to his incredibly gifted skating abilities and his intriguing offensive defensemen tool set. But as the months moved on, Kiviharju’s placement as a top 10 prospect has some concerns. Scouts mainly note that Kiviharju’s progression from 2022 to 2023 was disappointing. Playing for TPS in the U20s, Kiviharju scored 30 points in 35 games in 2022 as a 15-year-old. This is where most of his hype stems from. But last year, his leap in points was not as impressive as many expected.With 20 points in 22, and a few games in Liiga, Kiviharju didn’t get the chance to showcase his skills as well he would have hoped. DraftPro’s General Manager Daniel Stewart had this to say on Kiviharju: “Has the speed to control pace, escape pressure, rush the puck, and then get back in defensive positioning. Incredibly active stick that he uses to take the puck off opponents and show off his elite transitional game. He has incredible skating ability and agility. He generates a ton of controlled exits and breakouts. Uses his skilled hands and head fakes to make his way deep into the offensive zone or skate the puck out of his own zone. The puck just finds him. He flashes offensive flare and creativity. Shows impressive vison. His current lack of strength does play into his inability to bring a physical element to his game as he often gets outmuscled in the dirty areas and relies more on positioning and smarts.” This year Kiviharju is starting off in Liiga from the get-go. His time playing with the big boys will certainly determine just how soon he is drafted. Scout interest in Kiviharju hasn’t faded quite yet, so there is still plenty of time for the young fin to regain that trust and hype he has since lost from 2022. Moving on to our next fin, and just warning you, there is a lot of them, we have Emil Hemming from TPS. Hemming offers a good size on a very explosive offensive forward. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Hemming was split between the U18 and U20 leagues. While he was never quite outstanding by any means, but scouts saw the potential in his game and so ranked him at around the 25-40 position. But if any player is going to have a positive change in his preliminary rankings and final position, it’s going to be Emil Hemming. Because as of writing this, Hemming has been phenomenal in the U20s, scoring 15 points in only 8 games. He’s earned the trust of management to go play in Liiga, where he is still scoring goals amongst men. If his trends continue in Liiga, then Emil Hemming is a safe bet to go in the first round. But while his offensive is bright, there are still flaws in Hemming’s game. DraftPro’s Joseph Stanislau had this to say about Hemming: “The biggest part of Hemming’s game is his shooting and passing. And on top of this he can skate at a good pace. But the biggest concern for Hemming is his lack of effort in the offensive zone. If his effort is improved he could be even on the level of Patrick Laine on offense. His overall lack of defensive awareness will have to make an offense first player. So he needs to improve in that area as well.” Overall Hemming is a hard player to predict. He clearly has offensive potential, and sometimes the best defense is an overwhelming offense. If Hemming can prove to be capable of changing games with his offensive skills than perhaps GMs will be more than willing to grab Hemming early in the draft. His time in Liiga will certainly be influential no matter what. Speaking of Liiga, we have next a player who is practically playing in Liiga full time already at only 17-years-old. To say hopes are high for Konsta Helenius would be an understatement. He’s already proven to be capable of scoring points with men in Liiga last year, and a whole other year has since passed, and Helenius isn’t looking like he’s going to slow down anytime soon. With 10 points in 18 games already this year, Helenius is on pace for a very impressive season in Liiga for an U18 player. DraftPro’s Dany Gelinas has this to say: “Konsta continues to develop quite well and has already taken a step forward since the start of the season. Improving on his skates and puck battles, despite facing more pressure in Liiga. His puck management is also improving, and he’s gaining confidence and maturity in the game. He has a good sense of angles to lock up his opponents, and his speed allows him to do the rest.” With his performance in Liiga, and his naturally gifted skating, Helenius is an easy top 10 pick. If he wants to get into that coveted top 5 position, he’ll need to improve his pure defensive game. While his defensive awareness is good, his lackluster size is holding him back. A finetuning in how he plays defense and properly showcasing his wide array of skills in Liiga will go a long way for GMs who are going to be considering him on draft day. Next up, from Norway, we have one of the best players to come out of the HockeyAllsvenkan this year: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. The 6’1” Norwegian has gained a lot of attention from scouts due to his good size and useful tool set. Playing his 2021/22 season in Norway, MBN moved on to Sweden to play in the J20 Nationell and HockeyAllsvenkan. He played well in his 11 HockeyAllsvenskan games, getting 3 points. This year he is the very common positon that many high end European prospects find themselves in, which is too good for the U20s but not quite good enough to impress scouts in the big leagues. MBN is in a similar positioned that Aron Kiviharju is in, which is that his progress has not been as impressive as many scouts had hoped. DraftPro’s Brogan Houston had this to say about MBN: “Offensively, he loves to wait around the top of the crease, looking for tip-ins and nifty passes. He’s also the first guy in the corners when the puck goes into that area of the ice. He also has a sharp playmaking eye on top of that. Defensively, MBN is an excellent forechecker. He consistently puts enough pressure on the defensemen to make them retreat, but he never gets sucked in too far. When he gets to the NHL, this skill will be invaluable as a dynamic defensive forward. Similar to Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar, loving to draw forecheckers out and then go right around them.” MBN is an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling. His position come draft day will depend entirely on how he grows his physical play. As of right now he is showing bursts of great potential as a strong forechecker, but if he can get his defensive game down by the time he bulks up, he could be a dangerous NHler, and one that will be playing NHL games sooner than most would expect. Lastly, we are going back to Finland to go over one Veeti Väisänen. Väisänen offers a well-built defensemen who has a reliable skill set that coaches love. A pure two-way defender if there ever was one, GMs are certainly going to be intrigued by Väisänen’s ability to play effectively at all ends of the ice. Starting off the 2023/24 season in Liiga, Väisänen is off to a solid start for a defenseman, having 4 points in 20 games. “He is a quick skater and has good edge work. Possesses great vision and can find his teammates anywhere on the ice. He’s also not afraid to rush the puck himself. Not overly creative but takes what the opposition gives him. Under pressure he displays great quickness and tight turns to escape pressure. Plays with no panic regardless of the situation he finds himself in. Though he isn’t a big defenseman, he initiates physical play and uses his body to jolt players in battles around the defensive zone. Has some bite to his defensive game. He doesn’t always win his battles, but he was consistently willing to engage. His current strength level works against his desire to physical play. He plays with good overall awareness. An all-situations defender who has some room to improve defensively.“ Said DraftPro’s GM Daniel Stewart. Overall Väisänen offers a solid argument for a top defensemen in the draft. And his main weakness is a lack of ‘X-Factors’ that could push him over the edge. He doesn’t have particularly excellent point numbers, height or weight advantage, or anything else similar. Because of this Väisänen is likely to fall around the 2nd round range, though this shouldn’t take away from his great qualities. He could very well be an easy steal if he is still around during the later rounds, though it is likely that he isn’t going too far down the draft board. For more on European prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and subscribe to our bi-monthly DraftPro newsletter full of up-to-date info and scouting reports.
By: Isaiah Bouchard As the NHL pre-season is coming to an end and teams are finalizing their opening night rosters, all eyes are on the future as another season of hockey is finally here. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more wins, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft. In this seven-part series, we at DraftPro hope to showcase the cream of the crop in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov. But as one generation passes us by, a new one moves in. Hockey’s legacy is filled with rich history and interesting stories. Whether you look back at the first indoor hockey game in Montreal or the earliest forms of hockey played with simple balls and sticks. The game has come a long way and has experienced a lot of changes since we starting playing on skates in Montreal. Since the NHL’s formation, hockey has grown to become a dominant global sport. Spanning the globe and enrapturing multiple nations in this beautifully violent past time. That is why we are going to take two parts to introduce the draft eligible players that are coming from across the pond in Europe. Last year saw Leo Carlsson go #2 overall, David Reinbacher at #5, Dmitriy Simashev #6, Matvei Michkov #7, Dalibor Dvorský #10, Tom Willander #11, Daniil But #12, Axel Sandin-Pellikka #17, Eduard Sale #20, Otto Stenburg #25, Theo Lindstein #29, Mikhail Gulyayev #31, and David Edstrom at #32. And with a total of 78 players drafted from Europe in last year’s draft, (not including Europeans playing in north American leagues) it’s no wonder we need 2 separate introductions. So no more name dropping, let’s get started with our first prospect: Adam Jiricek. Hailing from Czechia and playing for HC Plzeň in the Czechia U20 league and the main Czechia league. Jiricek immediately impressed his coaching staff and skipped the U17 league last year where he played 41 games for 29 points. Not bad considering he was such a young player. Daniel Stewart, DraftPro’s General Manager, had this to say about Jiricek: “A confident, skilled, two-way defender. Has elite feet allowing him to rush the puck up ice, slip around defenders, close off gaps defensively. Shows off impressive vision and touch with the puck via his passing ability, setting up his forwards and making quick and accurate outlet passes. Smart, knows when to pinch and when to not risk it. Has skilled hands and body control to deke and weave his way through traffic. Despite not being overly heavy he uses what he has to play a physical brand. Pinning his man along the wall, stepping up to lay the body, and showing a little bit of nastiness to his game. Blessed with some of the best edgework in the entire draft. He struggled to start the year against men in Czechia, but the tool kit is still very exciting.” As of right now, Jiricek is a strong contender for #1 defender in the 2024 draft. It entirely depends on how well he can play with men in the big Czechia league. As of right now, he is struggling, but if he can turn it around for the second half of his season, then he could be an easy top ten player in the draft. From the legendary Örebro HK, next up is Sweden’s Alexander Zetterberg from the Nationell League. Splitting his seasons between the J18 and J20 leagues, (mostly the J20s) Zetterberg has impressed a lot of scouts with his point production for such a small and young player. With 34 points in 43 games in the J20s, Zetterberg played well enough to finish second overall on his team for points. “Zetterberg is an electrifying center with a wide array of skills that make him a top prospect for the 2024 draft. He brings a tremendous amount of energy to every shift and consistently works hard to gain an advantage against his opponents. He is adept at relieving pressure in the mid-section of the defensive zone and exhibits excellent passing skills, both in delivering and receiving the puck. His puck skills are at an exceptional level, showcasing great hands and a knack for getting pucks to the net. Zetterberg demonstrates excellent hockey IQ by positioning himself effectively on the ice and executing dekes when opponents are vulnerable. He also displays impressive playmaking abilities, consistently finding and executing great passing options. While Zetterberg’s game is already strong, there are areas where he can further improve. His physic could benefit from development, especially to compensate for his smaller stature. Additionally, although his skating is solid, he has room to enhance it in all aspects to elevate his game to the next level.” Said DraftPro’s Simon Forsmark. Size will always be the big question for these smaller players no matter how well they play in the juniors. As of right now Zetterberg is above a point-per-game average and continuing to showcase his exceptional point producing abilities. Because of this, it is pretty hard to predict where Zetterberg will place in the draft. As we saw with the surprising placement of Daniil But and Dimitriy Simashev last year, big guys are certainly popular right now. So Zetterberg will have to have an amazing year to secure that first round position. Speaking of giant Russians, next up is Anton Silayev from the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL. Standing at 6’7” and over 200 lbs, it’s fair to say that Silayev is going to be watched heavily by scouting groups all year. His time in the KHL is what already looks good for the young Russian. Silayev earned the trust of his staff to be moved up to the KHL, playing alongside men, where he already has matched his point output from the MHL last year. Tyler Ballesteros-Wallard, one of DraftPro’s top scouts for the Russian region had this to say about Silayev: “Very opportunistic shooting from the blue line to the point. He will let them rip from any part of the zone. He is the definition of a swan gliding on a strip of smooth water due to his incredible lateral movement and agility.” It’s obvious that Silayev has all the tools to become a dominant shut-down defensemen in the NHL. His development is still questionable, as his ceiling isn’t quite known for certain quite yet. But as of right now, Anton Silayev is playing extremely well in a men’s league, even better than his time in the MHL. His great start seems like he is already guaranteed for a first round selection in 2024, but of course the season is still young, and a lot could still happen. If Silayev can continue to pinch off forecheckers with his great skating and reach, we could see a similar situation to Dimitriy Simashev’s draft day. A big defender with excellent skating being picked higher than most would suspect. As we remain in Russia, we look at the 6’2” winger: Igor Chernyshov. Playing for the MHK Dynamo Moskva last season, Chernyshov had 38 points in 38 games. He was also given a few games in the KHL, where he got 1 goal in 5 games. This year, he’s expected some more KHL time, and like Anton Silayev, his production in the KHL will determine just how far he will go in the draft this year. Ballesteros-Willard had this to say about Chernyshov: “a hyperactive rushing winger who has a blistering shot. And he shows tremendous versatility and responsibility in all zones.”So far Chernyshov is continuing his point production trends in the MHL but has yet to do much in his first 9 games in the KHL. But despite that, Chernyshov is still a scout favorite for a few reasons. He plays a well-rounded game and can be molded into a lot of playstyles. His versatility is a good quality, and his size is commendable as well. His placement depends entirely on his compatibility with certain clubs. We’ve seen NHL clubs such as the Carolina Hurricanes draft many Russian players in the past. The Canes have gained a reputation as sort of ‘draft stealing’ experts. So even if Chernyshov’s season in the KHL is lackluster and disappointing, there may still be a team willing to grab him in round 1. To finish our list, and part 1 of our European introductions, we stay in Russia again and introduce a draft favorite: Ivan Demidov. With 63 points in 41 MHL games, Demidov has proven to be an exceptionally talented forward. Him and his brother Semyon hold the #1 and #2 position for their team in points, and Ivan is looking to go even further in the MHL this year. So far his season hasn’t really started, only playing 6 games in 3 different leagues, so it’s hard to say if Demidov is guaranteed his top 5 position at this exact moment. Tyler Ballesteros-Willard had this to say about Ivan Demidov: “Demidov has lightning quick skating abilities with tremendous agility. Allowing him to just tomahawk his way through the defense. He also has tremendous dangles up the wazoo! With the extremely allusive skating abilities on top of that.” Playing alongside last year’s Russian hype-train: Matvei Michkov, Demidov is not too far off from the player many believed to be nearing Ovechkin and Malkin levels. While Demidov hasn’t played as much KHL games as Michkov yet, that doesn’t mean that the same potential is not hidden somewhere deep within him. Scouts all agree that there is a spark there, and a ceiling as high as it gets. Without a doubt Demidov is a safe top 10 pick at the start of this year, but how he performs in the KHL this season will determine if he slips higher or lower than that. Like Michkov last season, who was expected to go as high as #2, great players can slip down the draft board for a plethora of reasons. Only time will tell if we will end up talking about Michkov and Demidov as some of the greatest draft steals in the NHL’s history. For more on European prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and subscribe to our bi-monthly DraftPro newsletter full of up-to-date info and scouting reports.
By: Isaiah Bouchard As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on the next season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft. In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves on, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over moves in. So, without further build-up, here are ten high-end players that are potentially coming out of the USA for the 2024 NHL Draft in June. (Part 2 of 2). With exciting and competitive hockey leagues growing in the US every year, the US region is becoming increasingly more competitive towards the CHL and other junior division leagues across the globe. With leagues such as the USHL, NCAA, and team programs such as the NTDP and National U18s. Covering such a wide array of programs and leagues, spanning the entirety of the USA, it’s no wonder that America’s output of hockey stars has only continued to grow as the years go on. Last draft, the USA provided 6 players in the 2023 NHL entry draft’s first round. That’s including non-American players who came from the region such as Adam Fantilli at #3. Following Fantilli, Will Smith came in at #4, Ryan Leonard at #8, Oliver Moore at #19, Charlie Stramel at #21, and Gabe Perreault at #23. In total 13 players came from the NDTP, 26 came from the USHL, 1 from the AYHL, and 16 from the NCAA. Combining for 56 total players coming out of American developmental leagues. With so many players coming out of the USA, it’s fair to say that one article is not enough to give them justice. In Part 1, we went over: Artyom Levshunov, Macklin Celebrini, Michael Hage, Trevor Connelly, and Zeev Buium. Let’s star Part 2 by going over a player who is expected to go top 5 on draft day: Cole Eiserman. Playing for the USNTDP Juniors and the US National U18 team last season, Eiserman wow’d a lot of fans and scouts alike with his natural goal scoring ability. Scoring 43 goals with the U17 National team, 26 with the U18, and 28 in the USHL, Cole Eiserman scored 97 goals last year. Eiserman without a doubt is the best pure goal scorer to come out of this years draft. “Eiserman has arguably the best shot and skill in this year’s draft class, and has the ability to score from anywhere on the ice. He recorded 43 goals in 42 games last season setting the record for most goals in a U17 season with the U17 development team. Eiserman is an above average skater who competes hard for loose pucks and can find open teammates. Eiserman’s best ability as a player is his goal scoring which is gold to NHL teams, but his passing cannot be overshadowed either. Eiserman will challenge Celebrini for the top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.” Said DraftPro’s Liam Staples. Eiserman’s dominant scoring ability is going to get him far come draft day. And while his skating is lacking, there are still plenty of highly effective goal scorers out there who are not on the upper threshold of skating. Eiserman is still young, and has plenty of years to develop in the USHL and NCAA to become a highly dynamic goal scorer in the NHL. Next up is Cole Hutson from the USNTDP Juniors, same as Eiserman. Brother of Montreal Canadien’s draft pick Lane Hutson, Cole looks to follow in his brother’s footsteps as potential steal in the draft. Hutson is on the smaller end for defenders, at 5’10” and a little under 160lbs. Splitting last season in the NTDP and USHL, Hutson impressed many with his highly skilled stick play and offensive defensemen potential. Long time DraftPro scout, Andy Miller had this to say: “Hutson likely has more potential than Lane, who most now think was a steal in the late second round. He is an electric player on the ice who dances around with the puck on his stick and often dictates the play. Hutson has the potential to be a PP1 Quarterback at the NHL level and be the offensive catalyst for a team from the back end. While his defensive game is not his strength it is not a deficiency either as he is a responsible and capable defender. He has the capability to be a Tyson Barrie or Sam Girard type defender at the NHL level in about 5 years’ time. These are the best comparisons as his offensive side of the game is his strength.” As of right now Cole Hutson is looking like a late first/early second rounder for the draft. His placement depends on how well he plays, of course, and also how willing a GM is to gambling on a smaller defensemen. Hutson has one more season in the NTDP and USHL, and then he is off to the NCAA for the 2024/25 season. And so far it looks like Hutson is capable of driving offense for his team night in and night out. And looks more than capable of finishing the season as a point per game defensemen. Next up is Christian Humphreys from, you guessed it, the USNTDP Juniors and US National U18 team. Playing most of his time in the UTDP, where he scored 23 goals, 20 assists, for 43 points in 58 games. He was equally effective in his 6 games in the USHL as well. This year he is looking to have a slight improvement, most likely finishing around the 60 point mark. “Christian has top line NHL centerman written all over him, as he has necessary tools and skills to carry play and produce offense through the middle of the ice. Highly skilled with the puck, his dual threat to shoot or pass keeps goalies guessing. This is a player who demands the puck as he excels at finding open ice around the net. Jumping on loose pucks and overworking the opposition is part of his game, his work ethic speaks for itself. He has a lethal heavy shot and is able to pick corners in tough areas of the ice.” Said Steven Pratas from DraftPro, quick to point out Christian’s high potential. Potential is the key word here for Christian Humphreys. While his stats are not anything special, especially when compared to his US National teammates like Cole Hutson and Cole Eiserman, Humphreys plays the center position so well already as a young player, which is a rare occurrence. His work ethic is also a lot higher than most other prospects, and his height and weight are nothing to gawk at. Expect Humphreys to become a sort of ‘piece of clay’ prospect, a type of player that a team’s developmental program can mold into any player they want. Humphreys is highly versatile in this regard, which could lead to him being drafted earlier than many would expect. From the Muskegon Lumberjacks, Sacha Boisvert is our first non-American on this list. With 45 points in 57 games in the USHL, that was enough to place the Quebec-born Boisvert above a lot of the drafted players on his team. Boisvert offers a similar package to Christian Humphreys. He’s a well built centermen who’s already showing his versatile game in the USHL. He’s starting off with a strong 2023/24 season as well, hoping, like Humphreys, to land around the 60 point mark. Steven Pratas placed Sacha Boisvert in his top 5 USHL players and had this to say: “Boisvert is exceptionally good at creating space while having the puck on his stick as his speed and agility as a centerman are key to his success. Sacha possesses terrific hockey instincts which help him read the play and ensure he’s in the correct position on the ice. He has soft hands which impact his playmaking skills in between the face off dots. Sacha’s shooting ability may be mediocre however, as he tends to be a pass first type of centerman. With more accommodability in his draft year, I’m curious if he’ll take the next step in his development.” Overall Sacha Boisvert seems like a safe pick to make in the #20-50 range. He’s a naturally conscious and safe player, making him good for the Two-way forward role. As of right now it is likely that Boisvert will place near the top of his team for points again this year. His height and weight are also good qualities and could grow into a very solid centerman if give the proper attention. To finish off our list, and the list of USA prospects as whole, we have Will Skahan. Skahan is an intriguing prospect entirely due to his massive lock-down potential. Standing at 6’4” and over 200lbs, Skahan has the potential to be one the best lock-down defensemen to come out of the draft in years. Usually, for the defensive defensemen role, a prospect starts out as a two-way and usually embraces the lock-down position as a necessity to stay competitive. It’s an important role, and it isn’t going away anytime soon. But it is rare to see a young player start off with such drive and potential in this less-glamourous position. “Standing at 6’4”, 212 pounds, Will Skahan is a force to be reckoned with on the ice. His sheer size is immensely intimating for the opposition as he is a brick wall on the back end. His defensive game is what excites team’s as he has the potential to be a dominant lockdown defenseman for years to come. He uses his frame to keep excellent gap control against speedy forwards and plays a physical relentless game that slows down and breaks up plays. Although his offensive spark isn’t fully developed, his hard shot from the point is intriguing.” Said Steven Pratas when asked about the big defenseman. Like Pratas said, Skahan’s offense is not his strong suit. Scoring only 17 points last year, Skahan is not going to wow audiences with his fast hands, or incredible deeks. But without a doubt Will Skahan could be one of the first defensemen called up this year, as his size and potential is just too great to pass up. Will Skahan is playing for the USNTDP again this year, likely splitting most of his games between the USHL and NTDP. To secure a high draft position, Skahan will need to A.) Showcase that his lock-down play can indeed be game changing on a nightly basis, or B.) Show improvement in his offensive output. Like Pratas noted, his shot is not too shabby. And could be capable of catching goalies off guard with heavy slappers from the blueline. For more on USA prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.
By: Isaiah Bouchard As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on the next season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft. In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves on, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over moves in. So, without further build-up, here are ten high-end players that are potentially coming out of the USA for the 2024 NHL Draft in June. (Part 1 of 2). With exciting and competitive hockey leagues growing in the US every year, the US region is becoming increasingly more competitive towards the CHL and other junior division leagues across the globe. With leagues such as the USHL, NCAA, and team programs such as the NTDP and National U18s. Covering such a wide array of programs and leagues, spanning the entirety of the USA, it’s no wonder that America’s output of hockey stars has only continued to grow as the years go on. Last draft, the USA provided 6 players in the 2023 NHL entry draft’s first round. That’s including non-American players who came from the region such as Adam Fantilli at #3. Following Fantilli, Will Smith came in at #4, Ryan Leonard at #8, Oliver Moore at #19, Charlie Stramel at #21, and Gabe Perreault at #23. In total 13 players came from the NDTP, 26 came from the USHL, 1 from the AYHL, and 16 from the NCAA. Combining for 56 total players coming out of American developmental leagues. With so many players coming out of the USA, it’s fair to say that one article is not enough to give them justice. So with so many players to go over, let’s get going with our first name. Artyom Levshunov is everything you want in a defensemen. He’s already quite large at 6’2” and is already bulky for his size. On top of all that, Levshunov has a pretty strong offensive tool set. Scoring 29 assists and 42 points last season in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers. The Belarus born defensemen has a lot of scouts talking already with his high potential as a tough blue liner. “Levshunov is a big, strong right-handed shot defenseman capable of making plays and scoring goals for his team, seems to be the type of player all NHL teams search for, a big right-handed shot d-man. Levshunov plays well defensively in his own end and has shown glimpses he can play on the powerplay” Said DraftPro’s Liam Staples.“He is your modern-day complete defender with high upside on his offensive game as his ability to walk the blueline and get pucks through traffic is highly regarded in the NHL. His hockey IQ sets him apart from others as his split-second decision making with and without the puck tends to leave a positive impact on the play.” Added DraftPro scout Steven Pratas. All in all, Levshunov’s highly ideally traits of being a big, right-handed, high IQ, 2-way defensemen is likely going to keep his draft stock high all year. If he continues to lead his team defensively in much tougher NCAA, then his chances of being called up on night one are almost guaranteed. And now we have the big one, the odds-on favorite to go #1 overall, Macklin Celebrini. Hailing from Vancouver BC, Celebrini had quite the year with the Chicago Steel. Winning the following awards: USHL All rookie and All-Star teams, USHL Rookie of the year, Forward of the year, most points in the USHL, and the USHL’s player of the year. For the 2023/24 season, Celebrini is heading to the NCAA where he is playing for Boston University. If Celebrini can dominate the NCAA like he did the USHL, then that #1 spot is his and his alone. Liam Staples had this to say: “Celebrini is a dynamic skater with the great ability to score goals and pass the puck to available teammates. A reliable forward on both ends of the ice and makes smart plays in transition. Celebrini can play a two-way game effectively making himself a reliable option to be put in any situation on the ice.” Steven Pratas adds: “Celebrini is a consensus first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft by many and it’s for a good reason. His elite playmaking capabilities along with his confidence with the puck makes him a threat whenever he steps on the ice.” To start the NCAA season, Celebrini is currently at 11 points in 6 games. Enough for him to lead Boston U, and enough to place him in the top ten players of the NCAA. And all in all Celebrini is looking like a must have player. Likely being considered a top 5 prospect even in last years stacked draft class. But time will tell just how much of a franchise talent Celebrini will become as the season plays out. Next up is Celebrini’s teammate last year from the Chicago Steel, Michael Hage. Hage offers a tall and sturdy center who can produce in the USHL even without Celebrini’s assistance. Hage had a short season last year due to injury, which has hurt his draft stock as there is a lack of footage to review in the last few years. In 2021, Hage dominated in U16 AAA as he scored 116 points to finish his season as the #1 point-getter. “His powerful and dynamic skating stride is a standout of his game as his speed is difficult to deal with when he is possessing the puck, as well as on the forecheck as breaking up plays is part of what he does. He seems to look like a natural center as his ability to read and understand his positioning on the ice makes him highly reliable on both ends of the ice.” Steven Pratas when detailing Hage’s unique skills as a centermen.“Hage understands how to use his reach on his stick to stickhandle and protect pucks. Hage is a highly skilled player with great hands and release on his shot.” Added Liam Staples. While Hage’s USHL seasons have been hampered with injury, his high potential as a ruthless two-way center have many scouts interested in Hage. As of right now he could dance around the late first and early second rounds. It all depends on if he can continued to showcase his excellent centermen playstyle and rack up points without Celebrini. Scoring 24 goals, 23 assists, for 47 points with Tri-City Storm, Trevor Connelly offers a scoring touch to his team. The first American on this list, Connelly is a dynamic and fun player to watch, with a driven game that lets him keep his team competitive every night. Scoring 3 goals and 4 points in his 4 playoff games, Connelly has proven to be a reliable player in tense situations and offer’s strong offensive pressure. This is all driven by a highly competitive nature that Connelly uses to his fullest extent as our scouts were quick to pick up on: Logan McBride, one of DraftPro’s freshest scouts had this to say after watching Connelly live: “The aspect that would catch viewer’s attentions first was Connelly’s explosive speed. Connelly started the game by picking the puck up in his own zone and beating every opponent down the ice and creating a breakaway chance for himself, and Connelly not only did this once, but on multiple occasions in all three periods. Not only Connelly’s speed would be displayed in these rushes, but also his outstanding stickhandling. Connelly could create space when completely stopped, or at full speed with his stickhandling. To complete the trifecta, Connelly demonstrates a dynamic playmaking ability. Even in achieving two assists, Connelly could’ve had many more considering the grade A opportunities he gifted to his teammates, a true setup man.” Steven Pratas had this to add: “Trevor’s shot may be the best in his draft class for this upcoming draft as his power along with his accuracy makes him a shot first type of winger. Trevor loves shooting the puck and scoring goals which makes his linemates always look to dish the puck to him in scoring areas. Furthermore, Trevor is willing to throw the body around and not be outworked physically when battling for the puck. He plays with a chip on his shoulder which shows his character and willingness to become a leader when required. It’s not surprising that with his current skill, shot, and size that he would be a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft.” From the Denver of the NCAA Zeev Buium offers coaches and GMs the skills of a highly effective two-way defensemen. Being on the slightly smaller side, Buium is not a physical powerhouse on the ice. But makes up for it in high tier skating and puck handling. And to sell you on his playmaking skills, simply look at his performance with the National U18 team, where 35 of his 40 points were assists. DraftPro’s Alex Taxman had this to say: “Having been privy to all of his practices this year, he is the single most talented , effortless, and agile skater I’ve ever seen at his age. Not to mention he is a great dude, and his hands are filthy, and he has eyes on the back of his head.” On top of all these highly coveted offensive skills, Buium does not take anything away from his defensive responsibilities. Still touting high plus/minus averages. Like, really high. This 2023/24 season Zeev Buium moved from the NTDP onto the NCAA to play for the University of Denver. Buium so far is starting his year off solid. Showing that he is ready to compete at the higher NCAA level. With so many smaller player finding success in modern hockey, fans of that fast and highly skilled playstyle that you see in the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Johnny Gaudreau should be excited for Zeev Buium. As he is all those things but in a slightly bigger defensemen version. With leagues like the USHL and NCAA establishing themselves as competitive alternatives to the CHL, it’s no wonder we need two parts to summarize the American crop this year. With yet another potential franchise guy coming out of the NCAA, and many more players who have strong arguments for first rounders, American fans can be proud of the excellent developmental system that they have established. For more on USA prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.
Once taking one glance at forward Berkly Catton then we can assume it will be more of the same high-quality output from the WHL this year as well. Catton put up 23 goals, 33 assists, for 55 points last year. Almost accumulating a point per game on what was a very inconsistent Portland Winterhawks team. This all seems well and good on it’s own, until you see the absolutely stellar performance he had at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Scoring 10 points for team Canada, with 8 of those points being goals, and more than helped bring gold to team Canada.
By: Isaiah Bouchard As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on the next season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft. In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves on, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over moves in. So, without further build-up, here are five high-end players that are potentially coming out of the QMJHL for the 2024 NHL Draft in June. The ‘Q’ did not have the year it was hoping for last draft as only 12 of their players were selected on night 2. This was an historic low for the Q offering it’s smallest crop of prospects since it’s formation in 1969. At #37, Ethan Gauthier was the earliest selection from the Q last year, being taken by the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, with moving on to 2024, the Q is far from tapped out on star players. And unlike last year, the Q is offering likely first round candidates. But only time will tell just where these players will land. Starting with the Charlottetown Islanders forward Alexis Michaud who starting off the 2023/24 season strong with a point per game start. The Quebec City native Michaud stands at a solid height and build and is proving himself as a versatile player who can prove to be a dangerous threat when in possession of the puck. Last year he didn’t get to showcase his playoff abilities as Charlottetown ran into an absolute freight train of a Quebec Remparts team. Who went on to win the memorial cup last year. “He is a really fast winger who can score goals and set his teammates up. Off to a hot start Alexis looks like he can really be a go to guy on the islanders offense. Great vision for the ice is what makes him dangerous. He is the type of player that if you give him too much time and too much ice he will make you pay.” Said DraftPro’s Seth Silver. “Michaud clearly has a nose for the net and usually is responsible with finishing scoring plays. He gets a great jump off faceoffs and employs a quick release for shots in the slot. His biggest asset is his snipe of a shot.” Added long time DraftPro scout Christian B-Cote. Next up is the man who lead the legendary Shawnigan Cataractes in points during his first year in the QMJHL, and that is Félix Lacerte. To add to his impressive first year in the Q, Félix also scored 5 goals in his 5 playoff games last year. Without a doubt a player who is going to likely surprise scouts in his rise to prominence as he only seems to be recreating his excellent performance this year as well. “He is shaping up to be a very exciting prospect. With great speed and a goal scoring ability along with great playmaking and vision. Felix could really challenge some of the top dogs on the QMJHL draft eligible list.” Seth Silver said when asked to name his favorite Q prospects. A common debate across the entire CHL is how exactly the current QMJHL stacks up against the WHL and OHL. It seems many make the claim that the Q is ‘lacking’ in competitiveness when compared to the others. This could be the only reason Lacerte doesn’t hear his name called on night one, but that shouldn’t deter any GMs from considering this highly talented player. When it comes to talk about steals in the draft, Lacerte’s name should certainly come up in that discussion. Next up is the big man Gabe Smith playing for the Moncton Wildcats. Smith stands at 6’4” which gives him a natural allure for the Q league scouts. Though his points totals are not as high when compared to others on this list, Gabe Smith’s main selling factor is his natural potential. Having a big body and still playing a highly competitive game makes him look really good compared to some other big guys. “Already looks like a pro given his shape. He still skates a little funky with his long legs but once he stops growing and starts bulking up even further I think he will get that additional power and strength. He makes smart plays with the puck in the neutral zone, getting it down the ice for a change. He’s also strong at carrying the puck in spite of pressure. He might not be a regular in the contending Wildcats roster this season, which may hurt his draft stock but I’m fairly confident he will be a pro player in the long run.” A good summary of Smith’s potential by Christian B-Cote. Seth Silver also adds: “He’s a big strong two-way playmaking Center who has lots of great offensive and defensive tools. His creativity helps him create offensive chances for not only himself but his teammates and his work ethic in the defensive end helps keep the puck out of his net.” Overall, Gabe Smith is unlikely to be called up on night 1, unless he has an exceptional year. But he is still going to be a player that GMs will likely consider on night 2, giving his unique combination of traits. Just barely losing their 7-game series last year to Gabe Smith and the Moncton Wildcats, we have the Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s Justin Poirier. While Poirier may have lost in round 1, no one is going to put the blame on the rookie’s incredible playoffs as he put up 9 points in those 7 games. Poirier was second overall in points for his team, scoring 28 goals, 20 assists, for 48 points. Almost becoming a 30-goal scorer during your rookie season is nothing to snuff at what so ever. “With natural goal scoring ability Justin is sure to challenge for the top QMJHL draft eligible spot. From scoring highlight real goals and being an offensive threat whenever he is on the ice Justin will be a player to watch closing this season.” Said Seth Silver. “Poirier could produce at any given moment he’s on the ice. In the offensive zone, he places pucks in high-threat areas then gets himself into the slot for rebounds. Overall he has a great ‘nose for the net,’ you will notice him all game long. Opponents have no choice but to respect his lethal shot.” Added Christian B-Cote. In short, Poirier is a player who is full of talent that is going to be impossible to ignore. His only downside is his shorter stature. At 5’8” Poirier will have to work extra hard to prove his worth. So far he is starting his season at a point per game level, so with all things being considered, Poirier has a strong argument for being the first Q player to have his name called at this year’s draft. But there is still one more player to review, and that is the Chicoutimi Saguenéens’ Maxim Massé. The QMJHL rookie of the year, offensive rookie of the year, the CHL rookie of the year, and a gold medal winner for team Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky, Maxim Massé is all sorts of hyped as he continues to impress. Placing second on his team for scoring, only being beat out by the Seattle Kraken draft pick Andrei Loshko. Massé finished the year with 29 goals, 33 assists, for 62 points. That’s the highest point total so far on this list, and only one of the reasons that make’s Massé such an intriguing prospect. “highly skilled forward with a great shot and release. Maxim is ready to lead the charge of QMJHL draft eligibles this year as well as lead an exciting young Chicoutimi team to playoff success.” Said Seth Silver, who ranked Massé #1 for draft eligible Q players. Christian B-Cote also praised Massé, adding: “He’s very quick and possesses a deceptive wrist shot from close. He’s absolutely lethal when he’s ON.” With a disappointing playoff performance last year, Chicoutimi fans are excited to see where Massé is going to lead them. With Loshko gone, it is likely Massé will lead Chicoutimi in points and to another playoff run, baring any potential injuries. Massé was awarded the ‘A’ for his team as well, only solidifying the confidence and trust coaches and management have for the 17-year-old. Players like Massé prove that the Q still has a lot to offer. And while this year looks similarly slow like last year, especially when comparing to the OHL and WHL. Players like Maxim Massé and Justin Poirier are strong candidates for first round picks, and other players such as Gabe Smith, Alexis Michaud, and Félix Michaud all have qualities that make them great hockey players, and one shouldn’t sleep on either name listed above. And in conclusion, the QMJHL should never be passed over, and could be the source of some surprising sleeper picks as the year continues. For more on QMJHL prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.
By: Isaiah Bouchard As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on another season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft. In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in the years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves up, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over one moves in. So, without further build-up, here are five high-end players that are potentially coming out of the OHL for the 2024 NHL Draft in June. If there is one junior league that always provides the NHL young talent, it is the OHL. Last year the OHL gave us 5 players that made it to the first round: Colby Barlow, Oliver Bonk, Quentin Musty, Callum Ritchie, and Easton Cowan. Throughout rounds 2-7 of the draft the OHL provided thirty additional players. There is a reason why some OHL cities attendance records are not too far off from the big leagues. Many player’s careers start in the OHL, and the league has nearly 100 years of history providing Ontario with exciting games and future NHL stars. The Oshawa Generals winger Beckett Sennecke is one to watch. Playing along side last year’s first rounder, Callum Ritchie, Sennecke caught many scouts’ eyes with his impressive 2022/23 season. Scoring 20 goals, 35 assists, for 55 points, that was enough to put Sennecke in the top 5 points leaders for the Oshawa Generals. Being only 4 points behind Ritchie. “Sennecke is a skilled forward who is very good with the puck on his stick and has very good vision. He is a good forechecker who is energetic and makes others rush plays. Sennecke has a good shot and can put some weight behind it to get it through and deter someone from blocking it. His decisions need to improve this year so that he can be more impactful offensively. Sennecke is an effective player on the powerplay who can finish or set others up. He still needs to improve his play away from the puck to be a more versatile player. He has the confidence to carry the puck into the zone and is able to protect it too. He is skilled but at times appears to either not make a decision or to change his mind and that frequently costs him.” Said DraftPro’s Andy Miller about the skilled forward. All in all, Sennecke is certainly a high ceiling player, with an unknown floor. Simply, Sennecke’s potential is high, but there are some questions surrounding him. Sennecke is likely going to be drafted in the first round but could slip higher or lower depending on this crucial 2023-24 season. With key players leaving Oshawa like Ryan Gagnier and Cameron Butler, Beckett Sennecke has a huge season ahead of him. And we at DraftPro are excited to see Sennecke develop. Next up we have one of the draft’s top defensemen, Henry Mews from the Ottawa 67s. Playing on a stacked team, Mews has a lot of excitement surrounding him this year. Despite playing with a lot of competition on his team, Mews has been able to impress with the ice time he did have. With key defensemen leaving the 67s this year, such as Jack Matier, Anthony Constantini, and Pavel Mintyukov, Henry Mews is going to need to step up in order to keep the Ottawa 67s a threatening playoff team again this year. “Lots of greatness in Mews game. An all-around defenseman who you just want and need on your team. Great puck movement and an excellent shot in Mews game. He’s a guy coaches can rely on in all situations.” adds Jordan Greenburg, OHL scout with DraftPro Hockey. As of right now, Mews is looking like a first rounder. And if he can bring the 67s playoff success this season, then don’t be surprised hearing Mews’ name sooner rather than later on draft day. From the Windsor Spitfires, Liam Greentree is going to need to shoulder quite the workload with Shane Wright and Matthew Maggio leaving the Spitfire’s offensive core. While also playing for a *projected* weaker team than the 67s or Generals, the 6’2” Greentree has a wonderful opportunity to showcase his skills. And also, a lot of expectations from fans, coaches, and scouts alike. Last season, he made a considerable impact by putting up 20 goals, 25 assists, for 45 points. Greentree was also good enough to make it to the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where he scored 1 assist, and helped bring gold to Canada. “Greentree is a big skilled winger. He has an NHL-ready shot and some prolific offensive instincts that are hard to handle with his size in the offensive zone.” Says Carson Klein of DraftPro when asked. He’s going to need a sizeable increase in his point totals, as well as showcase that he’s a player who can drive the ship. If all things line up for Greentree, then a first-round appearance could be very likely. Next, we have the ever-so hyped, Sam Dickinson playing for the London Knights, who pump out names like John Tavares, Matthew Tkachuk, Mitch Marner and so much more that it’s almost offensive. Joining a alumni rank such as that can’t be easy to ignore for a kid, but Dickinson is proving to be more than capable. He’s largely considered to be a top-ranking prospect this season. An easy first rounder, and early. “Sam uses his crossovers and quick strides to generate speed. He can create separation in the defensive zone when leading the rush and gain a step when coming back on defense. He also has a good defensive stick; he is constantly on his opponents trying to steal the puck.” Noted Zach Morris of DraftPro. Last year, the Knights provided to first rounders in Oliver Bonk and Easton Cowan. Oliver Bonk is returning this season, giving Dickinson some solid defensive back up. And with many more drafted players coming back to London, Sam Dickinson has the team to showcase his talents. In other words, it’s his season to lose. To close out the OHL introduction, we have Zayne Parekh playing defense for the Saginaw Spirit, Parekh has developed a lot of credentials as a rookie defenseman. He was on the OHL first rookie roster, the CHL rookie roster, and the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup roster. Like Henry Mews, Zayne Parekh is looking to fill in the defensive shoes of his team as teammates either moved to the big leagues or aged out of the OHL. And also, like Henry Mews, Pavel Mintyukov is one of those star defensemen leaving a slot open. “Parekh had a rough first month to his OHL rookie season. The narrative changed when he was invited to play for Canada at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in November 2022, he was able to make the transition to junior hockey much smoother and found confidence in his game. Parekh is an offensive minded defenseman who can quarterback a power play and can put the puck in the net.” said Liam Staples of DraftPro Hockey. Another DraftPro evaluator Steven Pratas added this. “Zayne is a dynamic offensive defenseman who directs play from his own goal. His breakout puck decision making skills are exceptional, as he often tends to bring the puck through the neutral zone as a winger would. His awareness and puck skills has given him the ability to quarterback Saginaw’s powerplay. Let’s not forget his shooting ability which helped him rack up 21 goals last year which is a new OHL record for most goals scored by a U17 defender. Overall, he is assertive on both ends of the ice, but his defensive capabilities may continue to be a concern in his upcoming draft season.” What else is there to say about Zayne Parekh? He’s an offensive defenseman who shoots first. 21 goals was highly impressive for a rookie defenseman. And it’s likely he will be a top goal scorer for all defensemen in the OHL. His final draft position will depend on just how much he can balance the offense and defense in his position. While the offensive defensemen has become more and more common recently, it is never a good idea to become an absent defensive presence. As the OHL season is underway, we can already see these players playing up to their projected hype. 2023’s draft class was considered a slow year for defensemen, but if these five players can showcase anything to predict in 2024’s draft class, it’s that this is the year for defensemen to shine and for NHL clubs to clamor for the rights to sign these future stars. Henry Mews, Sam Dickinson, and Zayne Parekh all have something special to offer, and just who will be picked first is going to be a heated debate all season. As for the forwards, Beckett Sennecke and Liam Greentree are both prospects scouts have been excited about for a while. Just how much damage can Sennecke cause playing alongside Callum Ritchie? And will Greentree grow to become a well-rounded power forward? Once the 2024 draft day comes, hopefully all of these questions will be answered. For more on OHL prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.
Mackinnon’s stats may not pop out at first glance, but one shouldn’t pass over the fact he helped team Canada in the HGC, getting himself 1 assist, and finishing with a positive plus/minus. “I believe he will continue to make positive contributions in his second season with the Mooseheads.” B-Cote stated to summarize his thoughts on Mackinnon.
By Jonah Fleisher With the 2021 Draft having come and gone, the DraftPro team has shifted its sights to the next crop of draft eligible players. And after a relatively thin draft class in 2021 with no clear-cut superstars and minimal depth, this upcoming draft class has lots to offer, from a potential superstar in Shane Wright all the way down through a stacked first round. This year looks to be the first since 2018 to without a potential franchise goaltender in the first round after the last three saw Spencer Knight, Yaroslav Askarov, Sebastian Cossa, and Jesper Wallstedt all taken with a top-20 pick. The 2022 crop is also one dominated by Swedes and Americans, with six projected first-rounders calling Sweden home while 11 Americans are ranked in the first round, the two nations making up more than half of our preliminary top 32. But enough generalizations about the draft class — we know you just want to learn about the prospects. So, without further ado, here are DraftPro’s preliminary top-32 for the 2022 draft, organized by nationality. Canada (6): #1 Ranked Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Shane Wright stands out as the crown jewel of this draft class. Simply put, he is a franchise talent, and one who was given exceptional status by the OHL so he could play in the league at 15. He has high-end skating ability and impressive hockey sense, both with the puck and without it. He projects very well offensively with a cannot of a shot, a lethal one-timer, and an easy, quick release, even at top speed. He has elite vision and is the type of franchise centre who can elevate his linemates by putting them in positions to succeed. Truly the full package. #3 Ranked Matthew Savoie, C, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) Savoie is a quick, dynamic, heads-up threat down the middle. He is an elite skater with lightning-fast top speed, impressive acceleration, and great edgework. He is a high-IQ, creative playmaker with a filthy set of mitts and great vision, always able to find the open lanes and read the play before it develops. To complement his playmaking ability, he also owns a tremendously accurate shot with a deceptive release. He has a small but sturdy. His potential is a high-end offensive point producer at the highest level. #21 Ranked Ty Nelson, D, North Bay Battalion (OHL) Nelson is a hardworking offensive defender. He is very mobile with quick lateral movements, amazing edgework, and excellent footspeed. He possesses a quick snapshot and a booming slapshot from the point. He is an ultra-competitive player with elite drive. While he is a short player he is built like a tank, which gives him good balance and the ability to absorb contact to make a play. He also never shies away from using the body on defense. He has top-four NHL potential in the NHL. #24 Ranked Ryan Greene, C, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) Greene is a skilled, creative centre who plays a smart fast-paced game. He is an outstanding skater, able to stop and turn on a dime and possessing strong edgework. He always plays with his head up, reading the defense, and is quick to pick apart the opposition. He has silky hands that can get him past defenders in one-on-one situations and create chances for himself and for teammates. His vision is amazing allowing him to thread the puck in tight spots with a soft pass. Greene also has a quick release on his shot and is smart defensively. #25 Ranked Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) Gaucher is a smart, competitive, physical, and hard-working centre. He isn’t overly fast but has a strong balanced stride and effective speed despite limited quickness and explosiveness. He is not flashy, but rather competent offensively. He has a great shot but needs space to get it off, and he has slick hands for a player of his size. He can make skilled passes and uses his large frame to protect the puck, rarely losing a battle along the boards. He is a mature, fierce competitor who plays with high effort every shift. #31 Ranked Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) Luneau is a reliable, mature, two-way defenseman. He is agile and balanced on his skates, possessing solid speed and good backwards mobility which helps him to stick with faster opponents. He is a quick decision-maker and distributes the puck with smart, precise passes. He remains calm under pressure, able to walk the blue line to find lanes. He has a good active stick and strong defensive positioning, reading the play well and adapting quickly. Still needs to gain strength and improve his first step and transitions, but has top-four, two-way potential. Czech Republic (1): #8 Ranked David Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Czech Extraliga) Jiricek is a tall, and lanky two-way defenseman. He is rangy but he can still use more footspeed. Prefers to join the rush or skate the puck up himself. He has strong vision, handling the puck with his head up and able to make deadly cross-ice passes. Also has the ability to hold and walk the line well with a hard, purposeful point shot. He plays with a high motor, aggressively closing gaps in the neutral zone with his long reach. He plays a physical brand of defense, opting to take the body. Has top-pairing, minute eating potential as a two-way defender. Finland (2): #2 Ranked Brad Lambert, C, JYP (Liiga) Brad Lambert is an offensive centre with elite speed. He has an impressive stride — powerful and agile, with good edge control. He can drive play, pushing the offensive attack with excellent vision, decision making, and timing on his passes. A dangerous passer, able to thread it through tight spaces. Filthy hands, even at top speed, that can juke defenders out of their skates. And if the rest of his offensive game wasn’t enough, he adds a big, heavy shot with an ultra-quick release and a dangerous one-timer. #15 Ranked Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP U20 (U20 SM-sarja) Kemell is a pure goal-scoring winger with an elite release. He is a great skater with impressive foot speed and edgework, fluid pivots, turns and lateral movement, and quick crossovers to gather speed and push defenders on their heels. He is a skilled puck handler with an accurate, precise shot, able to pick corners from range. Has a shooter’s mentality and doesn’t pass up an opportunity to fire it on net. He plays bigger than he is, always willing to engage in puck battles. He is also an elusive player, adept at slipping loose and finding open ice. Russia (4): #6 Ranked Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omskie Yastreby (MHL) Miroshnichenko is a dangerous, electric forward with natural goal-scoring ability. He is a powerful skater with quick feet and excellent edge work, allowing him to get open in good spots to receive pucks. He has an absolutely lethal shot with a quick, gunslingers release that can rifle the pick into the smallest of spaces. Has a true shooter’s mentality looking to score whenever he has the puck and is a tremendous play driver. He has quick hands, incredible offensive instincts and an impressive compete level which makes him very hard to defend. #9 Ranked Danila Yurov, RW, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL) Yurov is a dynamic, quick offensively oriented winger. His skating ability is nearly flawless, with a quick and powerful first few strides, and speed that can easily beat defenders so he can get in on the forecheck. He has quick and deceptive puck handing ability that can beat both defensemen and goalies one-on-one. He has an accurate, whippy wrist shot and a heavy one-timer. He is an outstanding playmaker. A gritty and physical player as well, he is strong on the puck and can be a handful to contain especially with his size, speed, and dynamic skills. #28 Ranked Gleb Trikozov, LW, Omskie Yastreby (MHL) Trikozov is a skilled winger with an intriguing blend of size, skill, strength, and hockey sense. He is strong on his edges and has solid acceleration. His quickness and speed often catch his opponents off-guard. He is an excellent puck handler, generating controlled entries at a very high rate. A play driver, with a lethal wrister, and is also dangerous off the cycle. There are areas in his game to work on, but the potential is there for a top-line winger in the NHL. #32 Ranked Alexander Suzdalev, LW, HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell) Suzdalev is a skilled winger with a heavy offensive punch. He skates with a wide base and can generate strong speed with just a couple of powerful strides. Has displayed the ability to cut, weave, and shift his way through traffic. He possesses a hard shot with a deceptive release and an equally dangerous backhander. Suzdalev is creative and confident with the puck on his stick, using subtle hand dekes and shiftiness to embarrass defenders with his one-on-one ability. He puts in a full effort on the defensive side as well. Slovakia (3): #4 Ranked Simon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Slovak Extraliga) Nemek is a mature, smart, poised two-way defender. He is a strong skater, possessing a smooth stride, quick acceleration, and tremendous general mobility. On the offensive side, he prefers simple, smart plays to overly creative ones. He excels in getting the puck up in transition, able to both skate it in for a controlled entry or pass it off to a teammate. He passes accurately and smartly, also owning a big shot that he frequently uses to look for tips in front of the net. He reads and reacts quickly, holding a tight gap at his blue line, closing off lanes effectively. Likes to use an active stick and good positioning to defend rather than physicality. #5 Ranked Juraj Slafkovsky, RW, TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja) Slafkovsky is a highly skilled, energetic power winger with strong forechecking ability. He is a beast along the boards and loves to throw his big frame around. He has an impressive stride, first step, and acceleration for a player of his size. He has a heavy, accurate wrist shot and plays a mature, two-way game. A smart player with a great attitude and slick hands. He can use his reach and strength defensively to hold off pressure, and also to create space for him and his teammates on the other side of the ice. He is a very complete player. #22 Ranked Filip Mesar, RW, HK Poprad (Slovak Extraliga) Mesar is a hard-working, energetic, offensive-minded winger. He is a solid skater and despite a short stride, he has good straight-line speed, acceleration, and agility. He plays a fast-paced game and can really dart around the ice with quick changes in direction to create space. He is quite the creative player both as a playmaker and a finisher. He possesses skilled and quick hands can has the ability to both make skilled passes but also pick a corner with his excellent wrist shot. He is disruptive on the forecheck but does not engage much physically — rather, he prefers to use his high-level hockey sense instead. Sweden (6): #12 Ranked Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell) Ostlund is an intelligent, versatile, creative playmaking centre. He plays a smart game and creates space with his good speed and skating skill. He is also an elusive player, constantly moving his feet and using his elite edge work to evade pressure. He is an intense competitor and has quick hands and excellent vision, able to distribute the puck with creative and precise passes. He is also dangerous off the cycle with good passes but could stand to drive the net more in those situations. #13 Ranked Elias Salomonsson, Skelleftea AIK J20 (J20 Nationell) Salomonsson is a prototypical modern, two-way defenseman who is strong at both ends of the ice. He has excellent mobility due to great top-end speed and a smooth stride, but can improve on his first steps. He has good balance and strength, not easily pushed around and adept at protecting the puck. He doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game. Salomonsson is a smart defender with the ability to walk the line and find lanes. When the opportunity presents itself, he has a strong slap shot that he uses to try to get deflections. He is an all-situations player who defends excellently with both his positioning and active stick. #16 Ranked Ludwig Persson, C/LW, Frolunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell) Persson is an electric, fast-paced, offensive-minded forward. He has a strong stride, allowing him to effortlessly gain speed and back up defenders as he enters the zone. He plays with a high-pace, making quick-decisions, but is still very patient and poised. He has highly skilled hands with fancy, effective stickhandling and high-end vision and hockey sense. He’s a great distributor, able to dish out a soft saucer or a quick, snappy pass. Likes to drive the net to create both shooting and passing opportunities. #17 Ranked Simon Forsmark, D, Orebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell) Forsmark is a big, strong, minute-eating defenseman with shutdown abilities. He’s not flashy but a simple, effective defender. He is a fluid, powerful skater with room to improve on his first step. Likes to skate the puck up ice and is an intelligent passer with skilled hands and a strong shot. Forsmark keeps a tight gap and uses his stick well defensively. He is strong, using his big frame to lean on defenders. He also has a long reach and is skilled at intercepting passes. He is a cerebral, high-IQ player who takes care of his own end with a calming presence and his superb situational awareness. #27 Ranked Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping HC J20 (J20 Nationell) Bystedt is a big, skilled, offensive-minded centre. He is slippery and hard to contain in transition with his fluid skating stride that incorporates excellent use of crossovers and quick feet. When top speed he is hard to catch, especially with his quick changes in direction. He has smooth edgework and pivots. He has goal-scoring instincts and good heads up vision, but his passes can be inconsistent at times. Loves to shoot the puck, possessing a quick release. His long stick helps him battle for loose pucks, but overall he has some work to do defensively. #29 Ranked Ludvig Jansson, D, Sodertalje SK J20 (J20 Nationell) Jansson is a smooth-skating defender who plays a strong two-way game. He has dynamic skating ability with multi-directional agility. He is dangerous in transition, both fast and elusive, and he is also fluid skating backwards with a quick defensive stick. Jansson makes an excellent first pass to start the attack or a quick outlet to evade forechecking pressure. He is an all-situations player. He runs the powerplay well, always walking the line and looking for lanes. On the penalty kill, he is not afraid to play physical to get the puck out of the zone or to block shots. He plays a smart game and has top-four, two-way potential at the next level. USA (10): #7 Ranked Rutger McGroarty, C, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) McGroarty is a big, skilled power centre. He is a strong skater with good edge work, and he can turn and stop on a dime. Also has good straight-line speed but could still improve. He can create space with his long reach and has a dangerous wrist shot. He is a confident, intelligent playmaker with strong hockey sense, reading the play well. He is an excellent puck handler with great control in tight spaces. While not overly physical, McGroarty uses his solid frame to play a heavy game and his hard to knock off the puck. #10 Ranked Seamus Casey, D, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) Casey is a slippery, evasive, and dynamic offensive defenseman. He is a talented skater with astonishing lateral movement, pivots, turns, and edgework that allows him to effortlessly evade pressure. He is a skilled puck handler with excellent vision who can make quick, creative decisions with the puck. Has quick reads and reactions and likes to act as a fourth forward on most offensive rushes. He has a solid work ethic but still needs to add some strength and work on his defensive positioning. #11 Ranked Isaac Howard, LW, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) Howard is a fast-paced, offensively skilled winger. He has an explosive first step, quick stops and turns, and can reach a strong top speed. He plays a smart, determined game and is willing to get to the dirty areas to score. He has quick and deadly hands and is dangerous with the puck around the crease. He has an elite shot, with a quick release on both his snapshot and wrist shot. He has good decision making on when to use his shot, showing excellent patience for his age when getting in a shooting position. #14 Ranked Logan Cooley, C, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) Cooley is a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ centre who brings his full effort each game. He has a high-end skating stride but nothing flashy. He’s dangerous in tight with quick hands and has great vision to find open teammates. He is a cerebral player who makes the right reads and decisions. He has a quick, accurate shot with a good release and is strong in the faceoff circle. Cooley has no glaring weaknesses in his game. He is the perfect complimentary forward who can elevate his teammates play with not just his skills, but impressive intangibles. #18 Ranked Jack Hughes, C, U.S. National U18 Team (USNTDP) No, not that Jack Hughes. The younger Jack Hughes (no relation to the New Jersey Devils’ centre) is a smooth-skating, hardworking centre. He is not flashy but a very responsible two-way player. He makes great reads with his high-end anticipation and hockey sense. Gives his all each and every shift. He is a tenacious checker but he can transition to the offensive side on a dime. Is a creative passer, able to thread the puck through legs and under sticks. He is a skilled puck handler and has a powerful, accurate shot with a quick release. Hughes likes to drive the net hard and battle on the walls. He is relentless on the forechecks, blocking shots and is also quite proficient at the dot. #19 Ranked Frank Nazar, RW, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) Nazar is a dangerous, highly skilled offensive threat. He’s quick and agile, and his long powerful stride generates dynamic speed. He can create opportunities out of nothing, able to masterfully deke out a defender and get his shot off quickly, which, while deadly accurate, has a tricky release. He is also a skilled playmaker with excellent vision and quick offensive instincts, able to distribute the puck effectively with perfectly placed, well-timed passes. He is sneakily good at stripping pucks and lifting the oppositions’ sticks on defense. #20 Ranked Ryan Chesley, D, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) Chesley is a smooth-skating offensive defenseman. His skating is powerful and sturdy, with strong balance and exceptional footwork. He likes to jump up into the attack, making accurate passes and using his big shot that gets on target a fair amount. He has sound defensive positioning and awareness, yet also often opts to pinch aggressively in the offensive zone, even in times when it is not sensible to do so. Defending the rush, he keeps a close gap and effectively angles attackers towards the boards and then takes the body. He plays with a physical edge and loves to hit and use his body. #23 Ranked Cutter Gauthier, LW, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) Gauthier is a strong two-way, well rounded centre. He is not a great skater but can capably get up and down the ice, mixing in some crossovers and linear strides to generate speed. He has great balance and is hard to knock off the puck. He also possesses decent edgework but can stand to improve on his acceleration. He is a very capable puck carrier due to his quick hands and impressive ability to protect the puck. He can make deceptive passes and his shot also has a disguised release. He likes to use his body, engaging physically, and has a very well-rounded game. #26 Ranked Jack Devine, RW, U.S. National U18 Team (USNTDP) Devine is a creative, smart, two-way winger who is a very strong skater, agile and balanced, with strong edge work and quick starts and stops. His vision is excellent and distributes the puck well. While not a flashy player, he effectively handles the puck and makes quick decisions with superb offensive instincts. He is strong on the forecheck and owns an accurate wrist shot. Devine is a smart player, responsible in all three zones, and often learns from his mistakes. #30 Ranked Maddox Fleming, C, U.S. National U17 Team (USNTDP) Fleming is a natural two-way playmaking centre with excellent awareness who plays a fast-paced game powered by his exceptional skating. He accelerates with a few quick, powerful strides, exploding up the ice, and backs up the defense with his high-level speed and puck control through the neutral zone. He has soft hands and uses his superb vision and hockey sense to find the open man with a well-timed pass. He can also wire the puck with a good wrist shot. For more on the 2022 draft class be sure to pick up a copy of our 2022 Draft Preview Magazine available this fall.
Abbotsford Canucks
Bakersfield Condors
Calgary Wranglers
Coachella Valley Firebirds
Colorado Eagles
Henderson Silver Knights
Iowa Wild
Manitoba Moose
Milwaukee Admirals
Ontario Reign
Rockford IceHogs
San Diego Gulls
San Jose Barracuda
Springfield Thunderbirds
Texas Stars
Tucson Roadrunners
Belleville Senators
Charlotte Checkers
Chicago Wolves
Cleveland Monsters
Grand Rapids Griffins
Hamilton Hammers
Hartford Wolf Pack
Hershey Bears
Laval Rocket
Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Providence Bruins
Rochester Americans
Syracuse Crunch
Toronto Marlies
Utica Comets
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
USA
