There’s a lot to like when you can draft a 6-5, right-shot, mobile defenseman, and that’s what the Rangers get in Barnhill. He has very fluid backwards skating and can keep up with speedy forwards by pivoting with ease and effortless crossovers. His size and range allow him to excel in gap control by covering a large area of ice and angling players out. He isn’t a flashy player, but a simple and effective one. He doesn’t like to take risks; he plays a stay-at-home style, is positionally sound, and is highly effective on the penalty-kill. When you’re holding onto a one-goal lead, Barnhill is the type of player coaches put out on the ice. Committed to Michigan State University, if he can continue to develop some more offensive tools, don’t be surprised to see him in a Rangers jersey sooner rather than later.

Selected 70th overall, Sean Barnhill is now a member of the New York Rangers.

Sean Barnhill is a guy who many of us appreciated at Dobber over the year and now, in our final rankings, has earned a spot on our list. He’s a 6-4, right-handed defenseman out of Dubuque in the USHL who boasts one exceptional element in his game, his skating. Barnhill’s four-way mobility allows him to get around the ice effortlessly, covering space quickly with his reach as well. He only posted 11 points with the Fighting Saints, but don’t let these stats fool you, he’s a project pick and has all the tools in his toolkit to hit his potential. The next steps for Barnhill will be taking everything to the next level, ramping up his play driving, physicality, and overall assertiveness. He’s a good project in the 2nd or 3rd round. Barnhill is a Northeastern commit.

Final Rankings – In a draft chock-full of 6-4+ D-men, Barnhill stands out from the pack for his strong skating and poise. Not a finished product, but the perfect ball of clay for the right development team.—