Author: Dan Stewart

By Nick Malmstrom

Shane Wright, a Canadian center for the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), tops our 2022 Preliminary DraftPro list of OHL prospects.

Wright (6 foot 1, 185 pounds), is the clear-cut favourite to be drafted first overall in the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft and for good reason. He was selected by Kingston first overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Wright was granted exceptional-player status by the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to play in the OHL as a 15-year-old. He became only the fifth OHL player to ever receive that honour, joining the likes of John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Sean Day and Connor McDavid.

What Wright did in his rookie 2019-20 season with Kingston was pretty remarkable. He averaged over a point per game, scoring 66 points (39 goals, 27 assists) in 58 games, which helped win him the CHL Rookie of the Year award. In 2020-21 he suited up for Team Canada as the captain at the U18 IIHF World Junior Championships where he absolutely dominated. He put up 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in five games on his way to lead the entire tournament in points per game (2.80), along with capturing the gold medal.

Speaking with DraftPro Scout Matt Morrison about Shane Wright he had nothing but good things to say about the highly touted prospect, “Shane is an elite offensive center that plays a cerebral two-way game. His hard working effort, mixed with his crazy skill, allows him to take over and be the best player on the ice. A strong skater with quick hands and an elite release. Shane projects as a number one center and really is a franchise changing player.”

It’s pretty clear that Shane Wright is on everyone’s radar to watch this season in the OHL. There are however a lot of other exciting 2022 NHL Draft eligible prospects to watch for. This includes North Bay Battalion defenseman, Ty Nelson (CAN), Niagara Icedogs center, Pano Fimis (CAN), Sarnia Sting center, Maxim Namestnikov (RUS), and Soo Greyhounds center, Bryce McConnell-Barker (CAN), who were the top four draft picks from last year’s 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft.

Nelson (5-10, 197), “is a mobile right-shot defender that adds an offensive flair to the game,” says Morrison. In 2019-20, Nelson played for the Toronto Junior Canadiens in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) for the U16 Team, where he tallied 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 33 games. Pretty impressive for a defenseman, as the 32 points were good enough for third in scoring on the team. This clearly caught the attention of the North Bay Battalion who took Nelson first overall in the first round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft.

Morrison added, “He is an elite skater and really does most of his work on his edges. Ty is playing his best hockey when he is attacking up the ice and breaking the puck out with his feet. Once joined in the rush, he possesses offensive talent that allows him to attack the net. He is primed for a solid year in North Bay, where he will be relied upon heavily to create offense from the back end.”

Fimis (5-11, 157), like Nelson, played for the Toronto Junior Canadiens U16 Team in the GTHL in 2019-20. He had an excellent season for them where he led the team in points by averaging over a point per game, scoring 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 32 games. He was taken right after fellow Junior Canadiens teammate, Ty Nelson, in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Niagara Ice Dogs who chose Fimis second overall in the first round.

Speaking with Morrison, he said some impressive things to say about Fimis, “Pano is an exceptional two-way player that lives and dies in his work ethic. A great leader that wears a letter at every level. He is strong in the faceoff circle and reliable defensively for his age. Certainly has shut down capabilities but also brings some offensive talent as well. He reminds me of a mini Patrice Bergeron because of his IQ and defensive awareness.”

Namestnikov (5-7, 173), “is a skilled offensive forward with a creative finesse game,” says Morisson. In 2019-20 Namestnikov played in the High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) for the Honeybaked 15U AAA Team. He put up some stellar numbers posting 128 points (53 goals, 75 assists) in 59 games, good enough for fourth in points in the league. This helped him get drafted third overall by the Sarnia Sting in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft. He is also the younger brother of NHL player Vladislav Namestnikov who currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings.

Morrison added a few more things about the talented prospect, “He plays a bit on the outside but when he attacks inside, he can be a game changer. Namestnikov has super slick hands at top speed and the edge work to play in small areas with the puck. He is not afraid to attack in transition one on one and is a power play threat because of his quick release.”

McConnell-Barker (6-1, 188), is a left-handed center who played for the London Junior Knights U16 AAA Team in the Alliance U16 League in 2019-20. In 33 games with London he scored 48 points (29 goals, 19 assists), which helped him win the Alliance Player of the Year award, an award that current NHL players, Bo Horvat, Travis Konecny and Nick Suzuki had previously won when they played in the league. The Soo Greyhounds decided McConnell-Barker was the player they were going to take at the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft and drafted him fourth overall in the first round.

Morrison, when asked about McConnell-Barker, seemed to really like the prospect, saying, “He is a big offensive forward with a strong two-way ability. While he is a dangerous offensive weapon with a combination of size and skill, he has really shown the ability to shut down top lines as well. I love the way he attacks with speed in transition and is more than a shooting threat. He projects as a top six forward that can fit into a number of different roles because of his ability to adapt.”

These four high draft picks from the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft will be players to really keep an eye on during the upcoming OHL season. Another two prospects to watch for are a couple of players who were both born in Moscow, Russia. Guelph Storm center, Danny Zhilkin, and Saginaw Spirit defenseman, Pavel Mintyukov.

Zhilkin (6-2, 185), “is an offensive center that plays with an edge,” says Morrison. Zhilkin was drafted 14th overall in 2019 by the Guelph Storm in the OHL Priority Selection Draft. He was the youngest born 2003 rookie in the OHL in the 2019-20 season where he contributed with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 60 games for the Storm. Originally born in Russia, he and his family immigrated to Canada when he was six years old, making him eligible to play for Team Canada at the 2020-21 U18 IIHF World Junior Championships. He recorded two points (two assists) over seven games in the tournament and won a gold medal.

Morrison went on to add, “He is certainly a prospect I have some love for because of his battle level and motor. When you can take a kid with the offensive flair and talent he has and add that annoying grit that a Tkachuk provides, it makes a dangerous package. He is not afraid to take over a game with his individual skill and can score from in tight or distance with a quick release. Look for Zhilkin to be a player that rises in the draft once the OHL season starts.”

Mintyukov (6-2, 195), is a left-handed defenseman who played for his hometown team, the MHK Dynamo Moskva in the Russian Junior League (MHL) in 2019-20. During that season with Dynamo he registered three points (one goal, two assists) in 33 games. He also suited up for Team Russia in the 2019-20 World U17 Hockey Challenge. He led the team in points for defensemen with five points (five assists) in six games, while also taking home a gold medal. Mintyukov was selected 52nd overall in the first round of the 2020 CHL Import Draft by the Saginaw Spirit where he will play this season.

Morrison gave some high praise to Mintyukov, saying, “He is a big mobile Russian defender that provides skill and agility from the back end. He plays a fast tempo game and is always moving his feet. Mintyukov should adapt to North America quickly because of his offensive IQ. He projects as a middle pairing defender that can play the game in both ends with speed and control.”

These are seven OHL prospects that should make some noise this season as they look to hear their names called at the 2022 NHL Draft. Rounding out the ten OHL prospects to watch for this season are three players that could all be risers in the draft rankings once the OHL season begins. They are London Knights center Ben Bujold (CAN), Owen Sound Attack center Cedrick Guindon (CAN), and Barrie Colts center Hunter Haight (CAN).

Bujold (5-11, 175), played the 2019-20 season with the Kanata Lasers U18 AAA Team in the Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) U18 League where he had a solid season, posting 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) in 43 games. These numbers were good enough to get him some attention from the Hunters, as the London Knights selected him with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 OHL Priority Draft.

Morrison seemed to like Bujold’s game, saying, “He is an offensively gifted forward with high end vision. Bujold sees the ice really well and can find teammates through tight seams. He’s not shy to make flashy plays under pressure, showing his creative IQ. A strong skater that should only improve as he adds strength.”

Guindon (5-11, 163), “is a competitive athletic forward with a high motor and passion for the game,” says Morrison. Guindon suited up in the 2019-20 season for the Rockland Nationals U18 AAA Team in the HEO U18 League. He put up some impressive numbers, tallying 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 41 games. These numbers helped him win the 2019-20 HEO Player of the Year award, an award previously won in 2018-19 by Mason McTavish, who was drafted third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

“Guindon is great in the locker room and gym as he displays a high work ethic every day and a very professional attitude. He has the offensive talent to score and play-make for others. Excels using his speed on the forecheck to disrupt play and cause turnovers. Responsible defensively with a high battle level,” added Morrison.

Haight (5-10, 167), played the 2019-20 season with the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs U16 AAA Team in the Alliance U16 League where he put up 58 points (32 goals, 26 assists) in 33 games. His 32 goals gave him top honours for most goals in the league. He continued his regular season success in a long playoff run, taking second for most points in the playoffs, scoring 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 16 games, en-route to winning the Alliance Championship.

Morrison spoke very highly when asked about Haight, saying, “Hunter is a mobile right shot center poised to break out in the OHL this year. He has quick hands and can elevate the puck in a hurry, allowing him to score from the crease area. Haight also has one on one skills that can burn you with speed. He projects as a top six center that can provide offense through his speed and IQ. I have Haight as a first round talent and expect him to rise on the draft lists once the season starts.”

For more on the OHL prospects and the 2022 draft class be sure to pick up a copy of our 2022 Draft Preview Magazine available this fall.

By Nick Malmstrom

Nathan Gaucher, a Canadian center for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), tops our 2022 Preliminary DraftPro list of QMJHL prospects.

Gaucher (6 foot 3, 207 pounds), is a big right-handed center who was drafted eighth overall in the first round of the 2019 QMJHL Draft. As a rookie in the 2019-20 season with Quebec, he scored 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 59 games. He followed that up last season averaging more than a point per game for the Remparts, putting up 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 30 games. He suited up for the Canada Red U17 Team at the 2019-20 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he contributed with a team high of five points (two goals, three assists) over five games, before eventually losing in the quarterfinals. Gaucher is currently the 25th ranked prospect overall on the DraftPro 2022 preliminary rankings list.

Speaking with DraftPro scout Antoine Tremblay, he had some good things to say about Nathan’s game. “He’s a big two-way center who plays with poise and calmness. Gaucher is powerful around the net and he can be dangerous in this area. He is smart with the puck and is able to gain time in the offensive zone by displaying great puck protection and patience.”

Like Nathan Gaucher, there are plenty of QMJHL prospects to be excited about this season in the lead up to the 2022 NHL Draft. This includes teammates, left-winger Antonin Verreault, along with defensemen Tristan Luneau and Noah Warren, who all play for the Gatineau Olympiques.

Verreault (5-8, 163), was selected second overall in the first round of 2020 QMJHL Draft by the Gatineau Olympiques where he played last season. He had an outstanding rookie season where he tallied 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) in 31 games, which helped him win the Michel-Bergeron Trophy as the QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year, along with being named to the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team. Verreault also participated in the 2020 Youth Olympics for Team Canada where he averaged over a point per game and led the team in scoring with five points (three goals, two assists) in four games, along with winning a bronze medal.

“Verreault is a dynamic winger with great offensive instincts. He can be really dangerous when paired with good linemates. He has great vision that helps him see plays develop a couple steps ahead of his opponents,” says Tremblay.

Luneau (6-2, 174), went one spot ahead of Verreault in the 2020 QMJHL Draft as the Gatineau Olympiques took him first overall. Like Verreault, Luneau didn’t disappoint in his rookie season last year for Gatineau. He put up some impressive numbers for a defenseman registering 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) over 31 games, which was good enough to win the Raymond Legace Trophy as the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was also named to the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team. Luneau also joined Verreault at the 2020 Youth Olympics playing for Team Canada where he recorded two points (two assists) in four games while taking home a bronze medal. Unfortunately, Luneau had to have surgery for an injury and will be out several months to start the upcoming season. He is still a prospect to keep an eye on in the latter part of the season after he recovers from surgery.

When asked about Luneau, Tremblay had this to say, “Luneau is a big reliable puck moving defenseman. He plays with so much poise and maturity. He has great skating abilities that allow him to maneuver his way with the puck both from his own zone and through enemy lines. Luneau has great decision making with the puck, especially in the neutral zone. His precise breakout passes allow him to find teammates quickly.”

Warren (6-5, 214), is a player that could have a bigger role this season with Luneau’s injury. Warren was drafted eighth overall in the first round of the 2020 QMJHL Draft by the Gatineau Olympiques where he played last season, scoring four points (one goal, three assists) in 29 games. He joined fellow teammates Verreault and Luneau, winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Youth Olympics for Team Canada. Standing at 6’5”, he is a mobile skater who is able to use his size to play a physical defensive game and also has a big shot. There is no shortage of athletics in the family as his father Claude used to be a swimming coach at Laval University and his mother Magalie was a nationally ranked swimmer. Also, his grandfather Raynald Boutin was a defenseman for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens back in the 1960s. Warren will hope the athletic genes can help him hear his name called at the 2022 NHL Draft.

A couple more teammates to keep an eye on during this QMJHL season are defenseman Maveric Lamoureux and center Justin Cote who play for the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

Lamoureux (6-7, 196), like Noah Warren, is a big right-handed defenseman who is a smooth skater and uses his size well to defend. He was selected 12th overall in the first round of the 2020 QMJHL Draft by Drummondville. Last season during his rookie year he racked up seven points (one goal, six assists) in 24 games. Lamoureux, like Warren, also has some hockey roots in his family. His father Patrick played three seasons in the QMJHL for the Granby Bisons back in the early 1990s. Patrick also played three seasons with Concordia University in the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) and finished up his career in the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League (QSPHL) over five seasons before retiring. Lamoureaux is a solid defender and a prospect that could rise up the draft ranking boards this season.

Cote (5-6, 163), is a player that stands a foot shorter than fellow Drummondville teammate Maveric Lamoureux, but don’t let his size fool you, this kid can score goals in bunches. Drafted with the first pick in the second round of 2020 QMJHL Draft by Drummondville, Cote impressed in his rookie season last year. He put up 25 points (17 goals, eight assists) in 34 games, which was good enough to lead all QMJHL rookies in goals scored and also helped him be named to the QMJHL All-Star Rookie Team. He wore his nation’s colours for Team Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympics where he won a bronze medal, scoring one goal over four games. If Cote can build off his successful rookie year this season, he has a good chance to rise up the draft ranking boards and hear his name called at the 2022 NHL Draft.

Sticking with the teammates trend, here is another duo to keep an eye on this season. Moncton Wildcats center Yoan Loshing and goaltender Vincent Filion.

Loshing (5-9, 162), is a left-handed center who isn’t afraid to put the puck in the net. In 2019-20 Loshing took the risk to move from his home province of Quebec, to Ontario, to play in the U16 Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) against some higher competition. It was a risk that ultimately paid off as he had an impressive season for the Mississauga Senators U16 AAA Team, scoring 36 points (24 goals, 12 assists) in 28 games. His 24 goals were good enough to tie him for the most goals in the league. Taking that risk to move provinces eventually helped him get drafted 13th overall in the first round of the 2020 QMJHL Draft by the Moncton Wildcats, who he played for last season contributing eight points (four goals, four assists) in 19 games.

Filion (6-0, 178), was drafted sixth overall in the first round of the 2020 QMJHL Draft by the Val-d’Or Foreurs, making him the highest drafted goalie since the Drummondville Voltigeurs drafted Olivier Rodrigue third overall in 2016. Filion didn’t end up playing a single game for Val-d’Or before being traded last season to the Moncton Wildcats in a deal for Jordan Spence, who won the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2018-19. In the 2019-20 season Filion played for Trois-Rivieres Estacades in the Quebec Midget AAA League (QMAAA) where he had a solid season, posting a .928 save percentage, 2.08 GAA, along with 14 wins in 20 games. He also played for Team Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympics where he had a 2.47 GAA and started every game, winning two of the four games en-route to taking home a bronze medal. Watch for Filion to improve on his draft stock by getting a full season under his belt in Moncton this year.

Rounding out the ten QMJHL prospects to watch for this season are two intriguing players who could catch the eyes of scouts and rise up the draft ranking boards. Halifax Mooseheads center Markus Vidicek and Victoriaville Tigres defenseman Pier-Olivier Roy.

Vidicek (5-10, 152), is a solid two-way player with plenty of offense in his game. He was drafted 14th overall in the first round of the 2020 QMJHL Draft by the Halifax Mooseheads. Last season for the Mooseheads in his rookie year he put up some impressive numbers, scoring 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 43 games. The 31 points were good enough to tie him for second in points among all QMJHL rookies. He weighed 146 pounds last season and appears to have put on an extra 15 pounds coming into training camp, which should only help his game develop more this season, as he needed to bulk up a bit. Vidicek is currently the 52nd ranked prospect overall on the 2022 DraftPro preliminary rankings list.

Roy (5-9, 170), is a left-handed defenseman that can play in all situations. In 2019-20 he played for the Levis Chevaliers in the QMAAA where he had 32 points (two goals, 30 assists) in 42 games. The 32 points gave him top honours for most points for defensemen in the entire league. He was selected seventh overall in the first round of the 2020 QMJHL Draft by the Victoriaville Tigres. Last season for the Tigres he scored 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 22 regular season games, along with five points (five assists) in 19 playoff games en-route to hoisting the President’s Cup and becoming a QMJHL champion. He was also a nominee for the 2020-21 QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but eventually lost to the winner of the award, Tristan Luneau.

Tremblay spoke highly of Pier-Olivier Roy when asked about him, “I was really impressed by his play early on in his rookie season. He played with a lot of confidence and was used in all situations of the game. He has great vision in his own end with his breakout plays being really effective. Roy has decent skating abilities and he isn’t overly flashy. He uses his smarts to make plays from his zone and likes to support the attack in the offensive zone.” Watch for Roy to build off last season as he is certainly a player that could be a riser in the draft rankings over the course of the QMJHL season.

For more on the QMJHL prospects and the 2022 draft class be sure to pick up a copy of our 2022 Draft Preview Magazine available this fall.

By Nick Malmstrom

Rutger McGroarty, a left-handed center who split time playing for the United States National U17 and U18 Team in the United States Development Program (USDP), tops our DraftPro list for United States Region prospects.

McGroarty (6 foot 1, 198 pounds), doesn’t have any issues putting the puck in the back of the net. As a 15-year-old in 2019-20 he played for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies Team in the U15 AAA League where he absolutely destroyed the competition, scoring 160 points (82 goals, 78 assists) in 63 games. Last year, he split time playing for the U.S. National U17 and U18 teams in the USDP where he averaged a point per game with the U17 Team, putting up 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) over 34 games, along with contributing six points (three goals, three assists) over 19 games with the U18 Team.

Speaking with DraftPro Scout Kai Farenholtz, he had nothing but good things to say about McGroarty, “Rutger in my eyes is kind of like an Auston Matthews lite. He’s got the same frame, deceptive stickhandling, decent vision, and a nasty wrist shot. You CANNOT give him space, you will pay the price dearly if you do. He already has no issue scoring when guys are on him, so give him a foot of empty space and he’ll be exploiting your team in no time.”

Along with McGroarty, there are a ton of U.S. Region forwards that could hear their names called in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. This includes right-wingers, Frank Nazar and Jack Devine, left-wingers, Isaac Howard and Cutter Gauthier, along with centers, Logan Cooley and Jack Hughes, who all played in the USDP last season for the U17 and U18 U.S. National Teams.

Nazar (5-9, 163), “is the definition of dynamic,” says DraftPro Scout Joseph Peters. Like McGroarty, Nazar played in the U15 AAA League as a 15-year-old for Honeybaked, where he put up some more than impressive numbers, posting 127 points (49 goals, 78 assists) in 55 games. He continued that success last season playing for the U.S. National U17 Team in the USDP by averaging more than a point per game, scoring 55 points (28 goals, 27 assists) in 45 games.

Peters went on to say, “He is highly creative, anticipates the progressing play well, and generates many scoring chances for himself and his linemates. Nazar is one of the best stick handlers in his age group. He’s a competitive forward with the will to forecheck like a maniac. There is no doubt he is a dynamic forward who can put up points.”

Devine (5-11, 172), “is a skilled and calculated forward who plays with a bit of bite to his game,” says DraftPro Scout Alex Taxman. In 2019-20 he played for the U.S. National U17 Team in the USDP where he scored 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists) in 49 games. Last season he jumped up to the U.S. National U18 Team in the USDP where he contributed with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 30 games. He was also a member of Team USA at the 2020-21 IIHF U18 World Junior Hockey Championship where he recorded one assist over five games before eventually losing in the quarterfinals.

Taxman continued on saying, “Devine’s shot is his best weapon. His wrist shot is lethal and he can bury it from range. He’s excellent at playing both the half-wall and the bumper position on the powerplay, ready to crush one-timers at all times.” Taxman also added, “Defensively, Devine has a strong stick and he’s physical. He has the ability to play center, but I think his game is better suited for the wing.”

Howard (5-10, 174), has a knack for putting the puck in the net. In 2019-20 his seven goals in four games for Team USA at the Youth Olympics was good enough for second most goals in the tournament, finishing two behind 2023 NHL Draft eligible Russian phenom Matvei Michkov who had nine. Howard and the U.S. eventually brought home a silver medal after losing to Michkov and the Russians in the gold medal game. Last season he split time between the U.S. National U17 and U18 Team in the USDP. He scored 54 points (27 goals, 27 assists) in 34 games for the U17 Team and followed that up by averaging more than a point per game for the U18 Team where he put up 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 17 games.

Gauthier (6-2, 190), “is a talented winger who loves to fire the puck on the net,” says Peters. Like Isaac Howard, he was also a member of Team USA at the Youth Olympics in 2019-20, where he helped bring home a silver medal, scoring one goal over four games. Last season he played for the U.S. National U17 Team in the USDP where he tallied 37 points (20 goals, 17 assists) in 44 games. Gauthier is currently the 23rd ranked prospect overall on the DraftPro 2022 preliminary rankings list.

“He is a fine puck handler, able to maneuver and roam around the ice to create himself a better shot opportunity. He shows an interest in fast starts, putting the pedal to the metal, when an offensive rush can turn into an outburst of opportunities. Offensively consistent, shooting and playmaking, with the typical winger lag in the defensive category of the game,” added Peters.

Logan Cooley (5-10, 179), is a solid two-way center who split time last season playing for the U.S. National U17 and U18 Team in the USDP. He put up 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) over 28 games for the U17 Team and 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) over 19 games for the U18 Team. He also put on his nation’s colours for Team USA at the 2020-21 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship where he recorded two assists in five games, before heading home after a quarterfinal loss. Cooley currently ranks as the 14th prospect overall on the DraftPro 2022 preliminary rankings list.

Jack Hughes (6-0, 165), is currently the 18th ranked prospect overall on the DraftPro 2022 preliminary rankings list. This Jack Hughes has no relation to NHLers Quinn and Luke Hughes and is not to be confused with 2019 first overall pick of the New Jersey Devils, Jack Hughes. Last season he played for the U.S. National U18 Team where recorded 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists), in 38 games. He suited up for Team USA at the 2019-20 World U17 Hockey Challenge where he won a silver medal and averaged more than a point per game, contributing with seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games. The seven points were good enough to tie him for second in points for all 2022 NHL Draft eligible players in the tournament.

Those are seven U.S. Region forward prospects that are definitely going to gather a lot of attention from scouts over the upcoming season. Rounding out the ten U.S. Region prospects to watch for this season are three defensemen, Seamus Casey, Ryan Chesley, and Lane Hutson, who all played in the USDP last season.

Casey (5-10, 161), “is an elusive skating, high octane, offensive defenseman,” says Peters. Casey, a right-handed defenseman, played last season for the U.S. National U17 Team in the USDP where he put up some impressive numbers, posting 36 points (eight goals, 28 assists) over 46 games. He is a defenseman that should hear his name called pretty early at the 2022 NHL Draft. Currently on the DraftPro 2022 preliminary rankings list, he sits in the top 10 as the 10th overall ranked prospect.

Speaking with Peters, he mentioned a lot of good things about Casey’s game, “He is like an extra forward in the offensive zone. Crazy skating ability that easily allows him to join rushes. He can skate circles around defenders with insane edgework and pivots. Casey has silky hands and accurate shot placement that get his team countless opportunities to get on the scoreboard. He is highly intelligent and creative in the offensive end of the ice.”

Chesley (6-0, 187), is a right-handed defenseman who split time playing last year for the U.S. National U17 and U18 Team in the USDP. Last season he averaged just under a point per game with the U17 Team, scoring 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 37 games. Over 12 games he registered two points (one goal, one assist) for the U18 Team. He suited up in 2019-20 for Team USA at the Youth Olympics and put up three points (one goal, two assists) along with taking home the silver medal. Chesley is currently the
20th ranked overall prospect on the DraftPro 2022 preliminary rankings list.

Hutson (5-6, 165), is a left-handed defenseman who only stands at 5’6”, but, don’t let his size fool you, this kid can play. Last season he split time with the U.S. National U17 and U18 Team in the USDP. Over 39 games he put up 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) for the U17 Team to go along with eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 10 games for the U18 Team. Hutson dawned the Team USA colours at the 2020-21 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship where he averaged a point per game, scoring five assists in five games, before eventually losing out in the quarterfinals. Those five points were good enough to tie Russian prospect Vladimir Grudinin for most points in the tournament for 2022 NHL Draft eligible defensemen. Hutson can certainly be a prospect that can rise up the draft ranking boards this season.

For more on the U.S. Region prospects and the 2022 draft class be sure to pick up a copy of our 2022 Draft Preview Magazine available this fall.

By Nick Malmstrom

Brad Lambert, a Finnish center for JYP of the Finnish Elite League, tops the 2022 Preliminary Draft Prospects Hockey list of Western European prospects.

Lambert (6 feet, 179 pounds), scored 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) over 46 games with JYP last season, where he saw significant playing time in the Finnish Elite League. He also helped capture a bronze medal at the 2020-21 IIHF U-20 World Junior Championship, adding four points (one goal, three assists) in seven games, while playing top six minutes as the youngest player on Team Finland.

DraftPro Head Scout Jared Brown had this to say about the highly touted prospect, “Speed Kills. That’s how I would describe Lambert’s game. His puck handling ability is NHL like. His acceleration through the puck is some of the best I’ve seen out of recent draft eligible prospects.” Another DraftPro scout Alex Taxman joined in on the Lambert parade by saying, “He’s also one of the most accurate snipers eligible for this draft. Lambert can pick corners from a serious distance, and has a bomb of a one-timer. He projects as a top line scoring forward with all-star potential.”

Brad Lambert is the clear number one Western European prospect on DraftPro’s list but there are plenty of other intriguing prospects. Rounding out the DraftPro top five Western European prospects are defenseman Simon Nemec of the Slovak Extraliga, right wing Juraj Slafkovsky of the TPS Under-20 team, defenseman David Jiricek of HC Plzen and Djurgardens IF center in the J20 Nationell, Noah Ostlund.

Nemec (6-1, 192), is an offensive defenseman who can lead the rush, and also quarterback a power play. He put up 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 37 games with HK Nitra in the Slovak Extraliga last season. More recently the 17-year-old impressed at the 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he helped the Slovaks capture a surprise silver medal by contributing with six points (one goal, five assists) in five games, which was good enough for him to finish the tournament tied second in points among all defensemen.

“Nemec is already an extremely polished defenseman. His hockey sense is elite and he can process the game at high speeds.” Brown says when asked about the player, “The composure Nemec exudes and his high level of intelligence is quite magnetizing and makes him currently the highest ranked defenseman for the 2022 draft.”

Slafkovsky (6-4, 218), “Plays like a well oiled machine.” says DraftPro scout Joseph Peters. He put up some pretty good numbers last season in the U20 SM-Sarja for TPS U20 notching 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 16 games. He, like fellow teammate Simon Nemec, was also on the Slovakian team that won silver at the 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The big left winger averaged a little under two points per game, scoring nine points (three goals, six assists) in five games. Those numbers were good enough to tie him for second among all eligible 2022 NHL Draft prospects in the tournament.

Peters went on to say, “His size can be deceptive as he can turn defenders inside out with his agility and silky hands. He is fearless of going one on one. Full of relentless drive and determination, he can drive down the wing like a locomotive, setting up a backdoor pass or ripping a shot top corner.”

Jiricek (6-3, 183), a Czech born right-handed defenseman who “is an intense competitor at both ends of the ice,” said DraftPro Head Scout Jared Brown. Jiricek scored nine points (three goals, six assists) in 34 games for HC Plzen in the top Czech men’s league last season. This helped him be named as the Czech Extraliga’s 2020-21 Rookie of the Year. The 17-year-old will look to build on that again this year by getting another year under his belt with HC Plzen.

Brown spoke very highly of Jiricek saying, “He comes with the same energy every game and even against older competition as he showed last year. He shows solid offensive instincts and will attack past the faceoff circles while scanning his options. He’s very raw in his abilities but the ceiling is very high to be an all-situation type defenseman.”

Noah Ostlund (5-10, 161), is a solid playmaking center who can also play wing. Last season with Djurgardens IF in the J20 Nationell he registered 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in ten games. This was good enough to earn Ostlund most points by an U17 junior in the J20 Nationell League. He also attended this year’s 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Sweden and contributed two points (two assists) in five games, helping them win the bronze medal.

“He is a crafty playmaking center. Plays with high intensity, always moving on and off the puck. The effort he puts in defensively to disrupt plays makes him a solid two-way forward.” said DraftPro scout Andrew Leblanc about Ostlund.

Like Noah Ostlund there are a lot of Swedes that will look to hear their names called in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. This includes a fellow teammate of Ostlund’s, left winger Liam Ohgren of Djurgardens IF in the J20 Nationell. Also, Filip Bystedt (center) and Mattias Havelid (defenseman), are teammates who play for Linkoping HC in the J20 Nationell, and another J20 Nationell player in defenseman Elias Salomonsson who plays for Skelleftea AIK.

Liam Ohgren (6-1, 187), is the son of Andreas Ohgren, a popular personal trainer in Sweden, who has trained some big names in the NHL including Nicklas Backstrom, Gabriel Landeskog and Niklas Kronwall. Liam put up six points (four goals, two assists) in eight games last season for Djurgardens IF in the J20 Nationell. He followed that up this year at the 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with seven points (four goals, three assists) in five games, en route to winning a bronze medal with Sweden.

“I was most impressed by his intelligence, his puck facilitating ability and the level of maturity he showed in his game,” said Brown. “He has the explosiveness out of his edges and turns to spin away from pressure which is something NHL scouts really look for. I fully expect Ohgren to be an A-tier prospect in the upcoming draft and 1st round candidate.”

Filip Bystedt (6-3, 181), is a big two-way center who plays for Linkoping HC in the J20 Nationell. Last season for them he scored 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 15 games as a 16-year-old. Filip also attended the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this year and was on the same line as Liam Ohgren. They complimented each other well as Bystedt also put up seven points (three goals, four assists) in five games along with adding a bronze medal to his resume, as he looks to rise up the draft rankings this season.

Mattias Havelid (5-9, 168), is a right-handed defenseman that can move the puck with ease and has a real ability to create plays in the offensive zone. Last season he played with fellow teammate Filip Bystedt for Linkoping HC in the J20 Nationell where he contributed with six points (six assists) in 12 games. He joined Bystedt at this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup and really impressed, putting up nine points (two goals, seven assists) in five games. That was good enough to lead all Swedish skaters in points, as well as all defensemen in the tournament by a whopping three points.

If the Havelid name sounds familiar you would be correct, as his Father Niclas Havelid played in the NHL over nine seasons, splitting time with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils. Mattias also has a twin brother Hugo who is a 2022 NHL Draft eligible goalie and joined him in winning bronze on Team Sweden, both at the IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship in 2020-21 and the 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Elias Salomonsson (6-2, 183), is a solid two-way defenseman with great hands and is amazing at moving the puck. He plays for Skelleftea AIK in the J20 Nationell. Last season as a 16-year-old he impressed by putting up 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 14 games. That was good enough to lead all defensemen in assists (11) and points (15) in the entire J20 Nationell League.

Brown had a lot of good things to say about Salomonsson, “He’s got outstanding mobility and is an incredibly smooth skater. He pairs his skating with his hockey IQ and visions to easily transport the puck from his own end. He’s a composed puck handler using a high grip to protect pucks away from forecheckers while keeping his head up.”

We would need all day to talk about all the talented prospects from Sweden in this upcoming 2022 NHL Draft as there are a lot of them, but like the old saying goes, “All Swedish, No Finnish.” This next prospect can “Finnish” with the best of them.

Joakim Kemell (5-11, 176), “He’s a pure goal scorer.” says Brown. Last season playing for JYP in the U-20 SM-Sarja league, Kemell posted some impressive stats, scoring 36 points (22 goals, 14 assists) in 38 games. He followed that up at the 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup averaging a goal per game by posting six points (five goals, one assist) in five games, where he and the Finns eventually lost to Sweden in the bronze medal game.

Brown added, “He constantly looks at putting pucks on net with a shot heavy mentality. Kemell has an elite level release and is a consistent threat on the powerplay from the faceoff circle. He also has a feisty side to him and is willing to throw his body around.”

Today you’ve been introduced to a lot of Swedes, a couple of Finns and Slovaks, plus a Czech. These are ten Eastern European Prospects you will become more familiar with over the course of this season in the lead up to the 2022 NHL Draft. The next and last prospect on DraftPro’s list to watch for is a German player whose name might not be very familiar yet to some.

Julian Lutz (6-2, 179), is an effective two-way forward who is an excellent skater. Playing for RB Hockey Juniors in the AlpsHL last year, he put together a very solid season posting 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 31 games. He was part of a weak German team at the 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup that was outscored 27-10 over four games. However, Lutz came up big in the fourth and final game for the Germans against Switzerland. He scored Germany’s only two goals that game and added another one in the shootout to help Germany capture seventh place with a 3-2 win as he finished the tournament with two points (two goals) in four games.

“Lutz is a quick forward that can fly down the left wing and make plays at top speed,” says Leblanc. He followed that up by saying, “His combination of great creativity and an excellent compete level could see him fly up draft boards this year.” Lutz will be playing in the DEL, the top tier men’s league in Germany for EHC Munchen this season as he looks to improve his draft stock.

For more on the Western European prospects and the 2022 draft class be sure to pick up a copy of our 2022 Draft Preview Magazine available this fall.

By Samuel Dummer

Martin Luther King Jr once said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

This holds true in the North American Jr hockey world today. Canadian fans watched the Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament and grumbled at the fact that Canada did not participate. And we were left with little consolation by the showing of our American friends.

This year, with America being the only representative from this side of the pond, many Canadians were cheering for a successful trip for our neighbors south of the border.

So, how did it go? Well, as far as the American entry was concerned, the tournament didn’t go as planned.

As a fellow North American, my heart goes out to those kids. As it was with high hopes that Team USA entered the Hlinka Gretzky tournament.

Although It would be difficult to find a team entering the tournament that did not truly believe they had the chance to win it. And I can assume the Americans were high on themselves with those same expectations.

However, when it came down to it, their play was up and down throughout the tournament. I am not sure if it was the extended lockdowns or the canceled/shortened seasons compared to the European teams. But, for large stretches of almost every game, the Americans seemed worn out, out of gas.

Players were left chasing the puck in a disorganized mess, many were outskated, or simply outworked at the end of a foot race. While the team did have flashes of great potential and were able to produce a few beautiful shots for the highlight reels, the fans of the USA were left as disappointed as Leaf fans tend to be, year after year.

Jackson Dorrington was easily the most consistent defenseman on the American team. While he may have been on the ice for a goal against or two, his smooth play and general awareness usually lead to the right decisions. When a goal was coughed up on his watch, it was not usually because of an error on his part.

6’2” tall and 192lbs, Dorrington has the size to be a capable NHL rearguard. Remembering that he is only 17 years old, makes you think that he could probably pass as his friend’s cool older brother. The kind they could ring up whenever they needed to sneak into the latest R-rated flick at the local theatre. His stature and general on-ice demeanor will get him looks from the NHL, his play may get him a few calls.

While his stats are limited on his short career thus far, he has steadily been forming into an almost-point-per-game defenceman.

He is a steady and balanced player in his own end. He keeps an active stick to interfere with the passing lanes and he is already beginning to use his larger frame to his advantage. He doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice and even looks for engagement.

Watching this player develop should be a blessing and pleasure for the United States.

If he continues to commit himself to getting better every day and he learns from the downfalls of disappointing games, Dorrington should find himself one day playing with the big boys of the NHL.

Brennan Ali appeared to be one of the players worth keeping an eye on as the tournament progressed.

The center’s speed and tenacity oftentimes led to turnovers or chances for his team. It was unfortunate that so many of his line-mates had such a hard time burying their opportunities.

His dynamic footwork and agility allow him to create space for himself and cause separation between himself and the defense.

When done well, the Americans were able to capitalize on this with dump and chase opportunities that allowed Ali to switch into high gear.

Ali can use a little work on his scoring touch if he’s looking to really make a name for himself.

While his hard work and quick feet style of play is desirable, without the high goal-scoring pedigree, it can often be looked over for a more “skilled” prospect.

If Ali can get his scoring touch together, lookout for a dynamic player with just a little bit of everything.

Jimmy Clark started the tournament slower than he may have liked. At 6’0” and 174lbs, you would expect to see a tall body with lean speed and decent reach. Clark shows all of this and a little more, even though it may have taken him a little longer to get there.

In the first two games, Clark was almost invisible. He seemed to struggle to get involved or really make anything happen. It was hard to tell if this was simply because of the quality of the competition, or if the American team still needed to knock off the rust of the recent pandemic season. Whatever the reason, it didn’t appear to be a good look for Jimmy or the rest of the American team.

Clark entered his third game of the tournament after losing two straight with his fellow countrymen. After those losses, Clark’s competitive nature seemed to come alive. He came out deciding to play like an early 2000’s racing game; full speed and without a care of who he cut off or hit.

Pressuring the German team relentlessly, he tossed opposing players off their feet behind the net in his own defensive zone and generally made himself a presence felt around the ice. Clarke made it his mission to be involved in what seemed like everything.

While he may not have led the team in goals, assists, or total points, he will do well to continue playing with the same determination and focus in his game. If he can do so, it won’t be long before the VIPs of the hockey world start knocking on his door.

Winger Michael DeAngelo was a pleasant surprise. While he may not yet be seen as a high-end prospect, the potential for a growing flame in his future may still be burning. At 5’11” and 174lbs, he is not the most physically intimidating of players. With a slim build and nearing the age of adulthood, it is difficult to judge whether a player is done growing. This can be a question mark for many developing prospects. At the very least, DeAngelo does well to make you, look past his thin frame and think about what he can do with his feet instead.

DeAngelo appeared to be a player that didn’t mind being in the dirty areas, Despite his relatively slim size and light feet. I wouldn’t count on him quite yet to be a team’s main source of offense, but he could make a beautiful compliment to a high-end skilled forward.

While it is still too early to determine if he is the kind of player that will consistently put points on the board, it was apparent throughout the tournament that he was able to use his slim build and quick feet to generate breakouts and create pressure against the opposition. He was regularly seen jumping the blue line on the forecheck and, much like Ali, the Americans were able to use his speed to their advantage during times they were at their best.

Center Cameron Lund is another player who made the decision to pop off against Germany and make them the victim of a break-out game.

Lund entered the tournament at a reported 6’2” and 181lbs, this made him one of the taller players in the tournament. He could do well to put a few extra pounds onto his tall build, but he was able to use his long limbs and frame effectively in the defensive zone. He also used his long reach to block passing lanes during the forecheck.

After making just a little noise in the first two losses for the American team, Lund put the offense on his back and followed those performances with a four-goal game against the much weaker German team. You could write this off as a fluke of a game. You could believe that he is nothing more than his recorded stats have shown up until now – just shy of a point per game player. But you would be doing the player’s mental toughness and his effort a great disservice.

His patience with the puck and his complete confidence to shoot when he had his chances should just go to show his all-around game is developing as a young playmaker. He is not usually a go-to goal scorer but seems to have a creative knack for finding an open linemate.

Against Germany, he showcased his ability to shoot the puck. Lund showed his abilities to pass with confidence and accuracy. He took this opportunity to quite possibly open the eyes of a few new scouts. They’ll be scribbling notes by his number as they comb over the latest batch of young talent entering eligibility.

It isn’t often that a player can leave an international tournament with a hat-trick under his belt. It is even less likely to have it with a fourth goal to top it off, just for good measure.

The sample size is still small with Lund, as it is with all the new draft-eligible prospects, and the jury may still be out on the ceiling of his potential. But, in the Hlinka tournament, he may have pushed the door open a little further to a bright future.

Lucas Szyszka had to be one of the most aggravating goaltenders to watch in quite some time. He seemed to be technically sound. His butterfly appeared clean, for the most part, and his instincts were there. His ability to track the puck was on display as he made some massive saves when he needed to.

The issues with Szyszka were not whether he had the athleticism or ability to stop the puck. But rather, the question was how to get him to hold out strong in a game that appears to be slipping away.

There are times when an opportunity for greatness can knock on your door. Times when you get the choice of opening one of two doors. Through one door, you rise to the occasion. Through the other, you allow it to slip away and move on to the next name on the list. This time, the American goaltender fell into the latter of these choices.

While he turned in a valiant effort by the end of the tournament, Szyszka’s shutout in his game against Germany was, unfortunately, a little too late. He had already cracked to the pressure when it mattered most.

There is still plenty of promise for the young goaltender and he should not allow a disappointing showing by his team to keep him down for long.

In terms of Szyszka’s technical game, there really wasn’t much that could’ve been a big contributing factor to the losses. Keeping a stick down here, a bad rebound there was all that really led to his goals-against-average. It seemed to be a mix of defensive mistakes within the team, a couple of almost-perfect plays, and just a little down-right awful luck that ultimately led to his GAA. If pressed, Szyszka could work on staying up a little longer, as he seemed to drop a little early for the circumstances.

At 6’2” and 187lbs, Szyszka has the size and technical ability to make it all the way. If he can mentally focus his mind to block out the noise when it is all on the line, he will find improvement in his game. If he can move on from the heavy emotions of a disappointing finish, Szyszka can pave himself the right path to one day playing with the pros.

All in all, the Americans could have come to Slovakia with a little more fight in their game. With the history of America’s accomplishments in the Hlinka tournament fading further in the rear-view, the hopes of their fans may fade with it.

Photos: Jan Beneš

By Samuel Dummer

“I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve.”

That quote was lifted from the film 1970 film ‘Tora! Tora! Tora!’ and believed to have been said at one time by the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Isoroku Yamamoto regarding the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. But last week teams might have felt the same way at the Hlinka Wayne Gretzky Cup in Slovakia when facing off against the host nation, a once easy win for most in the eight team best on best U18 event.

While you may be hard-pressed to name all the NHL players with Slovakian roots, they are there.

While the nation went through a dry spell during the past 21 years since Y2K. The past couple seasons that trend has started a change.

Over the past couple of seasons, the numbers of high-end Slovakian draftees have begun to creep up once again. And if the most recent 2021 Hlinka Wayne Gretzky Cup tournament has anything to say about it, it should continue, and the tiny nation could be in for a breakout over the next couple seasons.

Going into the tournament, it would be expected to keep an eye on the usual suspects – Russia, USA, Sweden and normally Canada who this season decided to not participate due to the COVID19 pandemic.

While those teams held impressive talent as expected – for the most part – one teams became a “pleasant surprise.” Slovakia had scouts and other Hlinka followers fixated on what they could do from puck drop.

From the first game against Russia (exhibition), they left fans of the game both surprised and impressed. Their ability to maintain possession of the puck and hold the offensive zone was on full display.

While the Russians won the game by capitalizing on more scoring chances. The Slovakians controlled the play and kept the puck out of their own zone for long stretches of the game.

Top 2022 prospects like defenseman Simon Nemec, winger Juraj Slafkovsky, and winger Filip Mesar all looked like the top talents they are, but it was the depth of this team that really stood out.

The game drew attention to three particular players; Samuel Honzek, Adam Sykora and goaltender Ratislav Elias. These names quickly became the Slovakian shortlist as the tournament progressed. I only became more impressed as the games and tournament wore on.

The calm nature and dominating force residing in the small package of Adam Sykora was a pleasure to see. Due to his play, I raced to Google to look further into the background of the player looking so patient with the puck. I was even more astounded by what I uncovered.

While standing at a height of only 5’9” and carrying a weight of less than 170lbs, Sykora has consistently dominated against players his own age.

In the 2 seasons pre-pandemic, Sykora had put up 51 points in 38 games and 63 points in 31 games. His size may make it difficult for this young man to really make a demanding case for a high-ranked draft position. This shouldn’t be a surprise, as it is a known fact that the NHL tends to gravitate towards bigger, meaner players. If you can look past his size though, you will be both excited and giddy over his ability to play with the puck. Watching him skate around defenders and carry the puck with confidence was jaw-dropping.

Sykora’s ability to remain calm while doing the ol’ shimmy-and-shake with the puck – like it was his partner in a tango – had you searching for his number whenever his line touched the ice.

His elite vision of the ice and his ability to find line-mates for passes was showcased effectively. As was his desire to shoot the puck when the opportunity presented itself. He wasn’t afraid to make the pass on an odd-man rush, but he knew when the shot was more attractive.

He showed he was not afraid to have the puck on his stick and showed the patience of maturity past his years. His greatest downside, as is often the case with smaller snipers, is that he seemed to disappear when the puck went towards his own zone.

He is quick and should have no issues keeping up with the pace of the play. He is small, however, and can be pushed around when trying to engage the body. It can become clear that his desire to play the defensive game may not always be there. This is something he should work on if he wants to truly make a push to join the long list of Slovakian picks.

Another player on my hastily prepared shortlist, was that of Samuel Honzek (and not just because we share a first name).

He caught my attention early in the game. While he wasn’t the driving force of their offense, he loved to create zone pressure. The board play that Honzek brought to the table was effective and often worked out for him. He was hard on the puck and would chase down pucks like a hound released in the fall duck hunt. I seldom saw him lose a board battle, and on many occasions watched him come out of them with the puck. He was great at puck retrieval and always looked to feed a pass to a fellow teammate.

Pulling from the NHL, made me think strongly of Zach Hyman digging out pucks for his fellow teammates. Except, with his scoring history, he could be shaping up to be more like the outcome of mixing Hyman and Auston Matthews together.

In 2017-18, his first season for the U-16s, he finished with only three points in 17 games, his lowest totals on record. Coming back the following year, he would show the league what his style of play can do.

The season of 2018-2019 saw Honzek put up 45 points in only 33 games, enough to draw the attention of an older crowd.

At over a point per game, Honzek was quickly becoming a dominating name in Slovakian hockey.

In 2019-2020, while playing for the U16’s, Honzek followed his impressive sophomore campaign with an even one. Honzek put up 26 points in 13 games that season, before getting the call-up to the next level.

Honzek would finish the season with U18’s. He would put up 34 points in 36 games as a 16-year-old, and cement himself as a rostered player for the following year.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is just another continuation of this player’s stellar career. As the world becomes introduced to his abilities, a commitment to improving his overall game should be his main goal. He could also look to increase his tenacity on the puck to really put him over the edge of a draft pool.

The next one was a surprise player. Not originally making the list, and left as a surprise for you too. At only 16, he is not even eligible for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. But watch out, he could be one to keep a close eye on for 2023. Call it my ignorance of the Slovakian Jr Hockey pool, but Dalibor Dvorsky, No.15, hit me like a sack of bricks. He took this tournament as his means to show the hockey world that he is here, and he means business.

While in the first game against Russia he didn’t seem to be very noticeable, Dvorksy opened the tournament with a game that demanded respect. Dvorsky scored a hat-trick in the opening game and made it look easy. Slovakia saw this as an opportunity and took it. They were going to take every advantage of his early developed shot and body.

Dvorsky is only 16, but he stands at 6’0” and weighs almost 190lbs. At his size, Dvorsky is already in the body of an NHLer and we aren’t even sure if he’s done growing yet.

He appears to love scoring and has a knack for it. The goals of the Hat-Trick weren’t the only goals he scored during the tournament. I would expect him to continue to fill the net as he only ages and develops more. I would expect to see his name called in the first half of the 2023 NHL Draft. His physical stature, offensive abilities, and nose for the net should make him hard to pass up for most teams looking to solidify their young depth.

Another noteworthy name to mention on the Slovakian team is that of Ratislav Elias. As a former goalie myself, I always tend to gravitate towards the position. I have a love of breaking it down. I love pausing the video and trying to imagine how the puck would look from the goalie’s position, or what they could have done differently.

His early showing was less than spectacular.

Partially because of this writers own goaltending experience, partially because he shares the name “Elias” with my own brother (pronounced differently but spelled the same), partially because I was a fan of “Patrick Elias,” and in no way because of any actual prior hockey knowledge of his play; I went in with high hopes.

I was a little disappointed and my high hopes were quickly reduced early on, but he showed his worth by the end.

I found Elias to be a bit of a rollercoaster to watch. On one hand, his athleticism is there, and he can come up with some spectacular saves. His glove hand was strong when he was given the chance to see the puck. His side-to-side movements were respectable, and his butterflies were consistently clean. His rebound control and aggression are where Elias’ game began to unravel.

Watching Elias in the tournament, one could often be left wondering “How did that one make it through?” or, “What happened there?” Elias seemed to go from making incredible stops, to letting out a plethora of juicy rebounds.

Let’s get real, a goalie making big save after big save is always an exciting game for the fan. But, the lack of rebound control only makes it more difficult than it needs to be for the goaltender. This was capitalized abundantly by Russia in the exhibition game. It was even seen in Slovakia’s own 12-2 demolition of the German team.

Their 5-2 win against the USA, showcased Elias’ other apparent major flaw; his lack of aggression for his own space. It would appear that the young Slovakian has a little more to learn when it comes to the value of “Real Estate” on the ice. It can be a flaw found in a lot of young goalies. It can be adjusted, and that small adjustment can bring surprisingly good results. It seems basic and fundamental in a sport like hockey, yet so many goalies fall prey to the lack of its use.

Aggression. Fight for space.

Players are always actively trying to take space away. A goalie should be just as aggressive – if not more so – than the players in front of them. Elias often found himself behind the traffic and left pining for his own space. He succumbed to hanging back further in his blue paint than he should have been. In doing so, he allowed the net behind him to open up for the shooter. He was beaten too many times from the blue line throughout the tournament due to this “small” play.

As the tournament progressed, Elias seemed to find his groove. He continued to play better each game and though Russia seemed to have his number, he can leave with his head high. Elias played a heck of series, and it would be expected that he may have garnered himself a few extra looks.

If Elias can improve on just a few parts of his game, I think there may be a diamond in the rough, looking for a good polish. Otherwise, he may fall to his local leagues and his NHL aspirations may become too far gone to grasp.

Like the players that came before them, it is only with the right combination of skill, determination, hard work, and a love of the game, that prospects find themselves on the path to the NHL.

All in all, Slovakia had a great showing; there is a lot of young promise seeming to make its way through their system. It may only be a matter of time before we see a new wave of Slovakian superstars. New faces to be plastered across the billboards of North America or finding their way into the latest video game.

Slovakia as a country has seen enough adversity to ensure their players are battle-tested and mentally prepared for the nuances of the game. The question becomes whether they really have the impenetrable DNA.

Do they have that first-round DNA of so many great Slovakians in recent memory and beyond?

Maybe these players will continue to carry the torch of their predecessors, maybe they continue to add to the long list of fellow countrymen, jumping onto a plane and joining the best hockey league in the world or, maybe they fall to the wayside, left battling for ice-time on their own local teams.

It is only a matter of time before all our questions are answered.

I, for one, will be excited to see where their names fall on the board in the coming year(s).

While they may have recently taken a light nap, you can no longer sleep on Slovakia.

They might just surprise you.

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For more check this video on Slovakia’s talent created by DraftPro contributor Kai Farenholtz.

Photos: Jakub Homola / Sportnet.sk / Lukas Grinaj / Hockey Slovakia

By Samuel Dummer

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is a best-on-best U18 hockey tournament that runs every year in August. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup, although known by various other names over the years, has been a medium for young developing players since 1991. Most times, scouts already have plenty of information or past views to go off regarding the players in the tournament. This year has been a little different than most. With the Covid-19 pandemic still strong in some areas, it was difficult to get eyes on international or even local, players. Because of this, the Hlinka Gretzky Cup of 2021 was the very first time many evaluators and media personnel had a chance to really see what the current generation of players can bring.

The draft class of 2022 appears to be shaping up nicely. Even with the altered development of players during the unknown days of the pandemic, early returns suggest it is going to be a deep draft. After the showings at the Hlinka, it is proving that it should be just that.

A few players came out of the woodwork or the relative unknown and showcased what they could do. A few players that most scouts had not seen in action before, and even others that were completely unheard of. Most of these players are young enough to still worry about a fresh pimple, or who they are going to ask to this year’s Spring sock-hop. “Underager” is the term commonly coined for a player younger than most and not yet eligible for the upcoming draft. As the Hlinka is a U18 tournament, the majority of the players are 17 and just entering their NHL draft.

While there are still plenty of 2022 fish to fry, the 2023 class is looking even tastier at the top.

Russia, being the dominating force with Canada staying home and sitting this one due to Covid-19, easily won the 2021 tournament. With what seemed to be a blow-out score almost every game, Russia showed the world that they used their pandemic time effectively. Unsurprisingly, Russia came into the tournament with only one thing in mind, winning. The Russian team is almost always a competitive one, dating back as far as I know. They have regularly been a force to be reckoned with in the hockey world. For the tournament, their training was effective, and their finish was off-the-charts. The same could be said of the play of a player who would barely be old enough to drive a car in Canada.

At 16 years of age, Matvei Michkov stands at only 5’10 and weighs 159lbs. He wouldn’t appear to be the kind of body you would expect to be breaking records in a full-contact sport, but here we are. Michkov came to the tournament to play and did so. “He does not let his size bring him down, as he uses his intelligence to quickly adapt and attack,” spoken by DraftPro scout Joseph Peters, is just one of the many things that can be said about this young player.

Watching him play in the tournament was like watching a pro fill in for your Sunday night beer league team; you were often left wondering if it could even be fun for him. Scoring 13pts in only 5 games, Michkov has unseated Canadian Cole Perfetti’s 12pts and taken the thrown for most points in the tournament’s history.

“He sees everything miles ahead of when they happen. But the height of his game lies in his professional-level shot…” Kai Farenholtz, another DraftPro scout, could hardly contain his excitement for the player.

“There’s no other player I can name that can put away the puck like he does, he literally can score from anywhere on the ice, any angle, any situation.” Accolades not given to just any player, especially not one playing in an older age bracket.

2023 eligible defender Mikhail Gulyayev and 2024 eligible forward Ivan Demidov also had impressive showing for the eventual tournament Champs.

The Slovakians shocked the Hockey world with a second-place finish and gained a whole lot of attention in the process. Largely due to the play of some upcoming draft-eligible, but when they needed the push to go over the top, it was another underager stepping up to the plate.

Dalibor Dvorsky, 6’0 and 187lbs, “He can play in all situations. A powerful, smooth skater, with an accurate shooting selection in his arsenal…” states Peters in a quick email exchange, “He is a competitive battler for the puck.”

When speaking about the player around scouts, his projectable frame and defensive play are quickly pointed out to go along with his ability to fill the net. Farenholtz had this to say when asked about the player, “What makes Dvorsky so dangerous is his elite IQ and spontaneous edge work. His heads-up vision and accurate wrister make him a threat from nearly anywhere in the offensive end.”

When drawing the attention of scouts like that, it is fair to say that Dvorsky has a strong eye on the bright lights of his future hockey career.

The Slovakian team not only shocked the hockey world this week but did so with multiple young pups running in the pack. While Dvorsky was the biggest standout, names like Ondrej Molnar and Maxim Strbak cannot be left out. Both played very impressive tournaments, even more so when considering their young ages in comparison to the competition.

Molnar was a firecracker all tournament. “The way he picks up speed in the neutral zone with his long powerful stride makes him an immediate threat the moment he crosses the blue line. His creative stick handling and lateral movement and lateral movement and you got a prospect that screams top-6 scoring potential” says Farenholt.

Throw in the big, young defensive body of Maxim Strbak and it became disappointing to see the team falter to the mighty Russians. Fans always love the underdog.

“His large frame still has room to grow, and his skating is only a fraction of what it could be, showcasing promising edgework and agility in tight situations” Farenholtz responds when asked about the player. “His offensive IQ is there, but as of now has some trouble executing his plays.”

While the Slovakians fell short in their quest for the full Cinderella finish, they can look back at the tournament with pride. Their young team gained invaluable experience and they did nothing but show the world that they will be a force to be reckoned with. The next few years should be an interesting resurgence of interest in Eastern Europe.

Others such as Czechia winger Dominik Petr and Finnish winger Emil Jarventie, both eligible in 2023, also looked solid but did not have the impact of some of their other underage peers.

Looking to next summer, Russia will be looking to go back-to-back, and Slovakia could have a handful of experienced returning players. The 2022 tournament is already garnering interest and we’re barely a day out of this one. As a fellow colleague said while chatting European teams, and after witnessing this event I am starting to agree with his sentiments, “I think this may potentially shape up to be the deepest European draft in NHL history.”

Photo: Hockey Slovakia