By Andy Miller

Cole Hutson, a carbon copy of his brother Lane? 

Cole grew up in a hockey family, his dad played in the NCAA and two of his brothers are currently playing at BU, where Cole will play next season.  His brother, fellow defender Lane was drafted in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 draft.  Cole is playing on the USNTDP at the U18 level this year after a very strong season with the U17’s recording 42 points, including 8 goals in 42 games.  He actually recorded a higher ppg with the U18’s with 26 points in 19 games.  Hutson actually eclipsed the total points of Eiserman at the U18 worlds with 12 points.  He is a much more offensive defender, which is good since he is not a giant on the back end, but is a very fluid skater who changes directions with ease.

Cole 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 responsible and a capable defender.  He has the capability to be a Tory Krug 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.

The question is why is Hutson seen as a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft in June? Andy Miller with Draft Prospects Hockey breaks down Hutson’s game as he tries to answers that question.

Skating

Hutson has good foot speed and acceleration.  He skates well backwards and his transitions are seamless with or without the puck.    Hutson capably rushes the puck up the ice and creates havoc.  He sometimes will not be square to the play, likely because he is very confident in his skating ability.

You see Hutson’s ability to retreat and pick up the puck with ease and speed.  He then appears to call an audible on the play and takes the puck into the zone when the drop pass has not worked.  Not a lot happens offensively but you can see how he uses his edges and body to protect the puck on this play.

Here you see Hutson follow up the rush and fill in the high slot as the puck is retrieved he is ready and gets off a quality shot toward the net.

Puck Skill

Hutson is very good at protecting the puck from forecheckers and uses his edges to help with that.  He can corral passes that many others couldn’t, but at times he can get a bit too showy with the puck on his stick and take more time than needed.  Hutson can dictate the pace of the play when he has the puck on his stick.

Here you see him move up the ice with the puck and he demonstrates excellent skating, puckskill, decision making and scoring sense here.  He is able to read the play and support it and transition to leading the rush.  From there  makes some nice passes to create chances for his team and buys time to open lanes that allows him to get a quality shot on net too.  He returns to his defensive position at a good time after he supports down low.

Scoring Ability

Hutson has very good shot velocity and an incredible release.  His accuracy is good, even though he misses the net on this clip, he still makes a great read and has the ability to get to the dangerous areas on the ice and puts the puck up high as the goaltender is coming from low to high and moving laterally. 

Playmaking Ability

Hutson is a very creative player who is clearly engaged in the offensive side of the game.  He generates scoring chances for himself and his teammates routinely.  He opens up well (as could be seen in the Scoring Ability clip) and adjusts to poor passes.  Hutson capably makes good passes on the tape that are easy to receive.

Here we see Cole Hutson dancing around the offensive zone with the puck buying time and space while also exhibiting patience and waiting for a lane to open to make a pass or shoot.  He eventually gets a quality shot on net.

Hockey Sense/IQ

Hutson has excellent awareness on the ice, particularly when looking at the offensive side of things.  He sees lanes that are open or that he could open and finds them with good firm passes.  He typically makes quick decisions that are good on review.  He could improve his decision making in his defensive end as he frequently is looking to rush the puck up the ice, sometimes even before his team has possession and that can create some adventures.

Here you see him on the point on a 5 on 3 and he is moving most of the time, but when the puck gets to Eiserman on the far side he could do a bit more to be a passing option here and support his teammate under pressure.  This play required elevated reads for a player looking to be selected in the first round.

Here you see Hutson’s ability to control the play with the puck on his stick and he capably directs his teammates and is very aware of where the defenders are and directs them too.  He made better reads here then in the previous clip.

Character

Hutson demonstrates leadership and character on the ice.  In this clip you see him directing traffic as the play exits the offensive zone and the team transitions to defend.  He is a reliable player who works hard and is very consistent for a young player.

Defensive play

Hutson is surprisingly responsible in the defensive zone and he frequently takes charge in his zone to ensure that the house is protected.  He is a reliable defender but this is not his area of strength as that is with the puck on the offensive side of the game.   He does use his skating ability to help him back check which will be displayed in a clip included shortly.

Here you see Hutson have a large gap in the neutral zone likely due to hinging to support his D partner, but he quickly closes due to his strong skating skills.  Moments later in the zone he uses some good edge work to work the puck out of the high slot and then keeps his hips facing his net and recovers to cover a player on the back door with ease.

You can see how Hutson maintains a good gap with his opponent and capably keeps in the lane and blocks the shot attempt with ease.  He is also still on his edges and can track down the loose puck too.  You see him enter the corner and come out with the puck and he knows exactly what he is doing and makes an excellent pass across the house to Cole Eiserman to start the breakout.

You see Hutson thinking offensive as he misreads a breakout for USNTDP that doesn’t happen and he has to rush back to help support and while he gets in the vicinity of the player out front he is not effective in checking him and gets lucky.

Hutson has a tough play where the puck ends up in his feet at the tops of the circles skating backwards and while he doesn’t do poorly his body language shows indecisiveness which ends up in a turnover and a quality chance.  He needs to find a way to keep the puck going around the boards or try to pin it to the boards here.  Not an easy play but if he is going to be a top NHL defender he needs to be able to execute that some of the time.

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If you are looking for a mid-season rundown on the 2024 draft class as a whole be sure to pick up your copy of the Draft Prospects Hockey 2024 Preview Magazine available for instant download or print through Amazon.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-order-your-2024-preview-magazine-today/

By Colin Johnson

Berkly Catton is a hockey star on the rise. 

A highly touted Centerman from the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. He is a former #1 overall pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam draft and dominated his competition in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Putting up 108 points in 30 games before the 2020/21 season was cut short due to the COIVD-19 pandemic.

The January 2006 born prospect features a wide range of skill and talent and is currently projected as a consensus top 10 pick in the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft in June. In his first full season with the Spokane Chiefs, Catton accumulated 23 goals and 32 assists, for 55 points in 63 games playing as a 16-year-old. This season, his draft year he is well over 1.5 points per game as an offensive leader for the Chiefs.

The question is why is Catton is seen as a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft in June? Colin Johnson with Draft Prospects Hockey breaks down Catton’s game as he tries to answers that question.

Puck Handling and Driving the Play

Catton is a player that controls the pace of play and forces the opposition to play the type of game that he wants. With control of the puck, he is extremely efficient at zone entries and exits, as he slithers in and out of openings and works around what the defence gives him to find open ice.

The clip below shows his ability to effortlessly exit his own zone and enter the offensive zone with possession. He calmy makes a move at center ice to open up space, uses his teammate on a give and go, pulling the defenders focus away from him, finding the dead zone between 3 Seattle defenders, gets the puck back and then makes a nifty backhand pass that tees up a grade A scoring opportunity.

He has quick reaction time and fast twitch movements, making him an excellent puck handler who is able to create space from defenders thus, opening up opportunities for himself and his teammates. These quick movements get combined with excellent footwork making him a dangerous offensive player in tight quarters. While his agility and puck possession at top speed makes him a nightmare in space for defenders and even more dangerous in 1-on-1 situations.

This next clip showcases this elusiveness as he starts by opening up space on the defender, followed up by a quick change of direction where he drives to the net for a scoring opportunity that gets blocked.

His ability to drive and control the pace of play is best shown when he is on the powerplay or in sustained offensive zone situations. With the puck he is calm and composed and can choose whether to methodically break down the defence or choosing to ratchet up the pace and pressure the defence to create disorganization and chaos, opening up passing and shooting lanes for himself and his teammates. Either way, in both situations he is effective and the longer he possesses the puck the more dangerous he seems to become.

In this next clip, Spokane is on the Powerplay and Catton starts by slowing down the play and finding his teammate across the ice with an excellent saucer pass. The play then transitions back towards Catton who receives a pass that would normally result in a one-timer; however, Catton patiently receives the pass, drawing the defender out of position and feeds a perfectly located shot pass to his teammate, who taps in the backdoor feed.

Sometimes Catton is able to control the play without even possessing the puck, in this clip his effort and tenacious play forces multiple turnovers and creates chaos for the opposition. Multiple times he has a takeaway and creates an opportunity, only to have it be unsuccessful. However instead of giving up and allowing a breakout or going for a change, Catton jumps right back into the dirty work and makes it hard for Seattle to breakout. This type of willingness and effort is what makes him a sure-fire NHL player in the future.

Shooting/Scoring Ability

Catton can score in a multitude of ways but is the most dangerous when he is coming off the rush with speed. His wrist shot has a lightning quick release and he is able to contort and adjust his release point, making his shot more and more deceptive for goaltenders. He’s able to pull the puck in or push it out at all ranges and is still strong enough to get a powerful shot off. Techniques such as this is what makes players like Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews so prolific goal scorers at the next level.

This clip shows how fast he can pull the puck in to change the angle of his shot. It is also impressive how he is able to do this at such a high speed with a defender in his face.

The next clip is Catton recognizing the bad change and using that space to turn on the jets, backing up the tired Swiss defenceman. Just before it looks like he’s going to drive by the defender, Catton pulls up makes a quick move from his backhand to his forehand, and lets a perfectly placed wrist shot go into the top left-hand corner.

Down low around the net Catton is very creative, using his hands and hockey IQ to make intelligent reads and score high percentage opportunities or somehow create something out of nothing. With possession he searches for open space and drives towards the net, taking advantage of positional errors by both the opposing defence and goalie and uses his quick hands to make split second changes to his release point and fool the goaltender. He also shows a willingness to grind it out, follow up his shot and finish the play, which is crucial for young players adjusting to the much tighter checking of the NHL.

Here Catton gets a rebound that takes him below the goal line. He recognizes the goalie is out of position, cheating towards the other side and not protecting his near post. Catton smartly looks to throw the puck off the goaltenders back, resulting in a very high IQ goal.

The next clip shows 4 separate instances where Catton drives to the net and finishes off a play with a goal. Each goal is different and requires a different skillset. Whether it’s hunting for a loose puck, finishing at high speed, bulldozing your way to the net, or making a flashy finish to elude a defender, he can do it all.

Passing Vision, IQ and Playmaking

Catton is a highly creative player with elite offensive IQ who looks to create high percentage looks for his teammates. On the Powerplay he is the Quarterback, controlling the puck and manipulating the opposing Penalty Kill to his liking before slipping quick tape-to-tape passes to wide open teammates that are swinging through or in high percentage scoring areas.

This Powerplay clip is in Overtime. Catton draws his defender towards him by opening up as if he’s going to drive the slot or shoot. As soon as the forward turns his skates towards Catton, he feeds a slick pass to his teammate who wires the one-timer home and wins the game.

Catton has phenomenal touch and is able to pass effectively on both his forehand and backhand. He can zip passes across the ice with velocity or put just the right amount of speed/height on a pass to feather the puck through tight windows to his teammates. He has an uncanny ability to get the puck through tightly covered passing lanes without turning the puck over. The puck seems to find it’s way to it’s intended destination consistently, just out of the reach of defenders.

The first clip is just a phenomenal cross ice backhand pass through the slot that lands perfectly for a one-timer and subsequential goal.

The next clip shows how he can put some speed on a pass, accurately to a streaking teammate without having it get intercepted by the defenceman.

Skating

Berkly Catton is not a burner. His top end speed is not next level or anything more than above average (something that you would expect from a top 10 pick), but he is extremely agile and uses elite level edgework to be elusive and dynamic on the rush and in the offensive zone. He has a second gear of acceleration that he uses to change speeds and gain a step on defenders. His first step is crucial to his game and he is very good at changing speeds when attacking, keeping the opposing team off balance.

This first clip shows how his ability to change speeds is dynamic and throws off everyone on the ice, leading to pretty easy goal.

With the puck he uses his edgework and balance to shield defenders from the puck and if he manages to get a step on the defender it’s either a blow by or a penalty incoming because he will use his body and skating to step in front and effectively rub the defender out of the play. He effectively uses his edges to gain speed without striding and make quick changes of direction. This clip displays all of those skills leading to a highlight reel finish.

Game Breaking Ability

This is what separates the good from the great. Great players can be struggling or be playing with players deeper in the lineup and still find a way to produce. It doesn’t matter if you’ve held him down all game, all it takes is a moment of lapse defensively and Catton will capitalize. Open space and puck possession is a recipe for the something to happen. Catton plays with high hockey IQ and can be an easy player to play with, meaning he can play with depth players and elevate their production or play alongside other top players and fit in and play as a unit.

The clip here is against Kelowna in a close game where Catton had been objectively shut down for most of the game. All of a sudden with a poor change and a regroup, Catton gets the puck with space and attacks the slot scoring a highlight reel goal and getting Spokane back into the thick of this game, late in the third period.

Areas in Need of Improvement

There isn’t much to complain about in Catton’s game, but one area he does need to improve in is maturing physically and growing more into his body, establishing more muscle mass and getting stronger. Catton can be shut down by physical play that smothers his ability to move with the puck and establish separation. He struggles to win battles along the wall and often can’t handle larger defenders when they tie him up in the corners. Despite his balance and edgework, physical play can knock him off the puck and he doesn’t attack well against physical defenders. The positive to this is he is only 17 and there is plenty of time before he is at his athletic potential. He also doesn’t shy away from contact and isn’t someone that plays scared. He is willing to work hard and attack the dirty areas, so his deficiency in this area can certainly be improved upon.

One sneaky concern with his game is his overall tendency to avoid his backhand when finishing. He has next to no shots taken off the backhand, which can be an effective tool to fool the goalie in tight and especially on breakaways. All of his shootout attempts in the WHL are close to carbon copies of one another and all result in the move finishing on his forehand. While shooting on your forehand does improve the percentages for success, having predictability could hinder him a bit at the next level.

The positive here is that Catton did show some flashes of a strong backhand last season (2022/23) and even just the ability to use it as a reliable breakaway/shootout move would be enough to implant that scoring idea in the back of opposing players/goalie’s minds.

Overall Summary

Overall Berkly Catton is an elite level prospect heading into the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He possesses elite offensive talent with consistent production, no matter his situation, linemates, and coaching. He presents a future top 6 forward at the NHL level and the ceiling of a top 15 scorer. An excellent shot combined with playmaking ability will help him translate his offensive game to the next level because he can attack defences and do damage in a multitude of ways. He is currently slight of frame and not mature enough physically to be an NHL ready player, but the skill level is near the top of the Draft class. Every night he provides a high effort performance and is willing to forecheck and play an all-around game. Most importantly he is a play driver, no matter the linemates, he controls the puck consistently and breaks the puck in and out of the zones with possession. His mind for the game and creativity allows him to control the flow and pace of play, forcing opposing teams to conform to his style until they regain possession. Qualities like this in a forward are minimally available in the Draft and he should be a slam dunk top 10 selection, and in my professional opinion, Catton deserves to be in the top 5 come June 2024.

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If you are looking for a mid-season rundown on the 2024 draft class as a whole be sure to pick up your copy of the Draft Prospects Hockey 2024 Preview Magazine available for instant download or print through Amazon.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-order-your-2024-preview-magazine-today/

By Steven Pratas

The United States Hockey League (USHL) has been producing elite talent for several decades, but Trevor Connelly is near the top of that list when it comes to overall NHL potential.

Connelly’s rookie season with the Tri-City Storm last year was very successful. The 16-year-old finished second on the roster with 24 goals and 47 points in just 57 games, which ultimately led him to be named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team. He continued to be impressive throughout the 2022-2023 season as he broke the franchise record with the longest point streak, tallying at a remarkable 18 games. With his exceptional play, it was no surprise he would be on the Americans Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster, which is the only best-on-best competition at the U18 level. He asserted his dominance throughout the tournament, guiding the US team to secure the bronze medal. Additionally, he shared the top spot as the points leader with 10 points. The Hlinka Gretzky competition made Trevor’s draft stock increase dramatically with his incredible play, and made scouts follow him more closely going into his draft year.

So far in the current 2023-2024 season, Connelly has continued to be the best player among the Storm as well as being a key standout player across the league. Racking up almost 1.5 points per game so far, he is projected to hit the 80-point mark which would contend to be the point leader in the league. Being left off USA’s 2024 World Junior preliminary roster was a hit for the young American forward but gave Connelly time to polish his game in the USHL.

The omission might have been a blessing as well since there is much publicized talk of past questionable company the talented forward kept due to a social media post that was made a couple years ago which Connelly has since apologized for and said he has learnt from. At DraftPro we tend to give these youngsters the benefit of the doubt, as we were all young and made stupid mistakes that we wish we could go back and correct.

Here at DraftPro Hockey, we have Connelly ranked as a mid-first round selection. But what makes him so highly coveted as a prospect in this year’s draft? Let’s deconstruct his game and see how impactful and valuable he can be to whatever team selects him in the first round, and whether there’s room for an earlier draft selection then projected.

Playing as a forward, Connelly spends most of his ice-time on the left wing but plays the occasional center position when called upon. Wearing number 16 for the Tri-City Storm, he will be hard to miss in the video clips.

Skating Ability

It’s clear when watching Trevor play that skating is a major strength of his. If he isn’t already the best skater off the rush in the draft, he sure is at the top of the list. His remarkable capability to achieve maximum speed within a few strides is truly impressive, and his acceleration is nothing short of explosive. Getting the puck along the boards or in tough situations and being able to create distance between him and the opposition is what really excites me about his play. Defenders have headaches trying to contain him toward the outside as his edgework and crossover speed is terrifying to compete against. His success rate when carrying the puck through the middle of the ice is extremely high. Watching him play you’ll quickly notice that his pace far outshines his peers, demanding the puck and constantly taking on defenders toward the net. He tends to hold onto the puck longer than the typical forward would as he wants to be a difference maker on the scoresheet each and every shift. This quicker pace is a highly coveted attribute Connelly is gifted with, which showcases his skating maturity. Connelly possesses an attack mentality when handling the puck as he excels at driving the net and beating defenders on both the inside and outside of the puck. Connelly exhibits elusiveness through the use of multiple head fakes and deceptive maneuvers, enabling him to navigate through open ice and consistently generate scoring opportunities. His high-end gas tank mixed with his confident skating talent is a deadly combo.

In this clip, Trevor displays his north to south skating ability along with his attack mentality. He makes it look incredibly easy by going coast-to-coast against the Des Moines Buccaneers and scoring a highlight reel goal, as he recognizes where he can exploit open ice paths and drives toward the net.

This shift against the Green Bay Gamblers helps showcase his ability to draw in defenders with his blazing speed through the neutral zone at top speed. The Gamblers miscalculated the gap control giving Connelly open ice to enter on the right side, which he used to draw in three opponents allowing him to dish the puck to his teammate. The second clip is at the tail end of the same shift, giving you a glimpse of his motor along with his anticipation in transition. He is quickly able to accelerate and gain positioning up the center of the ice where he magically gets past the defensemen to get a terrific scoring look. A constant threat from the start to the end of his shifts, his skating is very consistent.

Plays like this Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are a common occurrence, grabbing the puck whether it’s on the powerplay or even strength and exploding down the ice. You’ll see how effective and deceptive his shoulder fake is as soon as he enters the far blueline to confuse the defender for a split second until getting a key scoring chance. He is constantly doing some sort of deception technique to make the opposition react when he’s at full speed, it’s proven extremely effective for him.

We can’t look at Trevor’s skating ability without highlighting a clip or two from his Hlinka Gretzky tournament where he really made a name for himself. You can see that Trevor eats up a lot of puck possession time especially on the powerplay as he isn’t afraid to cut back to create another skating or passing lane for himself. As he cuts back at the blueline he realizes how deep the penalty killers are toward the net, so he decides to do what he’s best at, which is attacking the net resulting in a fabulous goal. He’s constantly looking for skating lanes in high danger areas and doesn’t always have the generic passing idea in mind which can’t be easily deciphered and covered by opponents.

Against Finland in the bronze medal game, Connelly attacks the defender, beating him to get outside with his dynamic speed. He’s just so hard to contain in 1-on-1 situations if the defender isn’t fully committed to taking the body before the puck as he will just dance around you as shown in this highlight reel goal. His puck skills are phenomenal, he’s able to stick handles at full speed and make defenders hesitate when he’s darting straight at you.

Watching his stickhandle like that at full speed is just special, that quick inside to outside maneuverer with the lighting quick toe drag is what helps showcase his speed and skill. The puck seems to stick on his blade like glue as his puck control at top speed is exceptional.

Shooting & Scoring Ability

Connelly definitely has a healthy obsession of shooting the puck as he nearly hits double digits with shots on goal per game. His release is lethal and isn’t afraid to let off shots in tough situations. It’s evident that Trevor is the main difference maker on the Tri-City Storm and makes it his mission to produce on a nightly basis on the scoresheet. His linemates are constantly looking to dish him the puck as his finishing ability is excellent. Constantly gliding into those danger areas around the crease trying to generate offensive chances, Connelly’s scoring ability is easily visible on the man advantage and odd man rushes as he is usually the main trigger man. His shot is heavy, accurate and exhibits a large shooting selection. He’s a power play specialist, extremely deadly with his scoring instincts and overall passing ability as well. When taking on defenders 1-on-1 he is able to push the puck to the inside with a quick cutback turn and release a rocket through traffic or use the defender as a screen. Also noticeable is Connelly’s backhand, showing great effectiveness at raising the puck down low after cutting toward the net, it’s an underrated weapon of his.

When I said Connelly’s backhand was a weapon of his I wasn’t kidding. You’ll notice in this clip that Trevor beats his opponent to the outside and is cutting toward the goal, his head up gives him the ability to see if the passing option was available but decides to take the goalie on himself. You’ll notice Trevor doesn’t stickhandle once after his initial move on the defender, it sort of gives the impression that he is corralling the puck to bring it onto his forehand to tuck it on the far post but doesn’t.

Here, you’ll see Trevor receive the puck along the wall with open ice to work with and immediately has his eyes on the goal. He notices the traffic being built up near the crease and his linemate screening the goaltender. Trevor is able to pick the top corner with ease before the goalie is able to see or read the release. The quick lateral fake he delivered helped keep the defender flat footed and gave him valuable real estate on the left side to enter for a split second before shooting.

Connelly displays a shoot first mentality and scoring confidence in odd man rushes. He doesn’t even consider passing the puck in this short-lived 3-on-1 and has his eyes strictly on the net to where he will place his shot. Look at the power he produces with his back heel on his release, as he fully leans onto his stick with his follow through.

His quick release in unorthodox shooting situations helps him score impressive goals like this one. You’ll notice the numerous passing options that are presented to him after entering the zone but instead he decides to shoot the puck as his linemate is crashing the net with a screen.

Once he enters that high danger area around the slot with the puck on his stick, it’s gone in a flash.

Offensive Vision & Playmaking Ability

The game seems to slow down for Connelly whenever he has the puck. His brain is able to process and anticipate plays that are being developed and make instant opportunities for his team. Trevor controls the play of the game and can create constant pressure in the o-zone. His execution of passes may not be a strong element of his playmaking, but he has the right idea in mind when it comes to dishing the puck in tight and tough situations. As noted, he’s a constant threat to shoot the puck, making him even more deadly when he decides to pass in instances where you least expect it. Trevor makes key in-game reads to be able to get into the correct offensive positioning to gain the puck. He’s creative down low, wanting to produce the unexpected as compared to the generic passing plays most forwards would execute. His understanding of the game helps him to read and predict where the puck and his teammates will likely be in certain plays. Connelly can identify weaknesses in the opposing defense and exploit gaps in coverage. His overall decision-making skills are still a work in progress as he looks to move with a quicker intent.

There’s a lot to take in from this play. Early on in this play, he recognizes his teammate rushing behind him with an open lane toward the net. Later in this shift, he attempts a pass to a teammate (#9) in a high scoring position on the face off dot, followed by a final play making chance with a backdoor pass to his rushing defenseman on the back post. While this clip showcases Connelly’s great vision and sense of awareness, his passing execution was lacking.

In this clip, Connelly sets his teammate up with an instant cross-seam pass on the man advantage. It’s important he executed his pass quickly and without hesitation, as getting pucks through traffic is difficult.

As soon as he corralled the puck against the boards his head was up looking for passing options before circling behind the goal and delivering a tremendous scoring opportunity to his teammate. Like I said, he’s creative and tries to avoid the most generic passing option, in this case it would’ve been back to the point

Areas of Improvement

Although Trevor is offensively gifted, there’s other aspects of his game that need work. Connelly lacks defensive responsibilities in his own zone, continuously puck watching at times and not keeping proper position as a winger should. His work ethic is very inconsistent, his skating off the puck is worrying near the end of his shifts. He tends to consume most of his energy for when he receives the puck rather than staying defensively sound. Connelly’s heavy puck possession game sometimes gives the impression that he is selfish, holding onto the puck too long often causing preventable turnovers. His over skating with the puck tends to position teammates in open areas, but he needs to trust his teammates more and dish them the puck. He’s light on his feet but will need to improve his frame to be competitive in puck battles against heavier opposition as he makes his way out of junior hockey. I wouldn’t say that weighing 161 pounds is a negative, I’m just saying there’s always room to add muscle to his game. Trevor is durable but a bigger physique would improve his puck battle percentage and puck protection skills which is a major facet of his game. His persona has been a topic of debate since last year as he has had on and off-ice incidents to deal with. His character has been called into questionable, but everyone makes mistakes, he is constantly learning to become a professional adult and hockey player.

Summary

Overall, it’s apparent Trevor is an offensive force, using his dynamic skating ability mixed with his lightning quick hands, Connelly is a constant threat to his opponents. He excels at attacking the net aggressively, has an excellent motor and work ethic to match more often than none. His skillset is hard to come by, making him a very intriguing prospect in this year’s draft. His speed is what sets him apart from his peers, playing a step ahead of his competition. Without proper gap control or body positioning, he’ll make sure to exploit your weaknesses to his advantage. Talented at holding on the puck to create additional passing or shooting options for himself, a dual threat to shoot and score. A powerplay wizard, the extra open ice gives him the chance to display his explosive end to end rushes. His shot is high quality, able to easily pick the corners and can release the puck in unexpected locations. Trevor doesn’t back down from physicality, he makes sure to dish back the punishment he receives. His confidence with the puck is unparalleled, truly keeping you wanting to see more. Trevor’s passing game is constantly growing as he realizes he can’t do it himself every shift. His upside is through the roof, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls off the board sooner than projected at the draft if his game continues to impress.

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If you are looking for a mid-season rundown on the 2024 draft class as a whole be sure to pick up your copy of the Draft Prospects Hockey 2024 Preview Magazine available for instant download or print through Amazon.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-order-your-2024-preview-magazine-today/

By: Tyler Ballesteros-Willard

The CHL Top Prospects Event in Moncton was well represented by highly skilled draft eligible players that have truly risen to the occasion this season and did not disappoint in the game itself as well as the on-ice testing. The game was closely competitive, only a 3-1 score in which an empty net goal was scored.

In this article, we will be reviewing players from this event from all leagues and positions. From the QMJHL, Maxim Massé and Raoul Boilard have truly risen to the occasion physically and mentally. From the OHL, rising stars Liam Greentree, Beckett Sennecke, Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh, as well as Henry Mews have truly displayed their reasons why they deserve top be 1^st round draft picks. From the WHL, the formidable faces Tij Iginla, Berkly Catton, Charlie Elick, and many more from the CHL will be highlighted due to their impressive display.

Starting from the QMJHL, we have Chicoutimi star forward Maxim Massé. The goal scoring power-forward is on pace to have a 30-goal season while having a physical net-front presence. When it came to the on-ice testing, even though he may have not had the most outstanding performance, he truly displayed his acceleration in the 30M Forward Skate by earning himself 3^rd place with a time of 4.063 seconds. This test truly correlated to him having excellent long strides which created maximum acceleration. When it came to his performance for Team Red, he truly showed why he truly can be havoc in front of the net for Team White’s Carter George and Dawson Cowan. Even though he did not score, he truly showcased his lethal and heavy shot as he made the goaltenders make very difficult saves. What he will need to work on is his stickwork as he did take a tripping penalty in which that has been a major theme of his season. Even though there are some inconsistencies in his defensive game, NHL teams should not look away to what he brings offensively and physically.

When it comes to major risers from the QMJHL draft class, Raoul Boilard of Drakkar truly showcased an unforgettable performance in the Top Prospects Game and testing. Boilard had a point on all 3 goals for Team Red in which he scored a crucial game winning goal by crashing the net, as well as an empty net goal. His play truly showcased why he is seen to have high offensive IQ as he can cause havoc for any player in any situation. Even though he is not a big player, he is for sure one of the fistier players on the ice as he truly shows a desire to win as it was seen on one of his goals against Spokane Chiefs goaltender Dawson Cowan. What he will need to work on is to build more muscle so he can be more stable on his feet, which will help him improve his agility in the future.

Speaking of chaos, this translates to one of the goaltenders who faces it on a daily basis in the OHL. That is Owen Sound Attack goaltender Carter George. When it comes to really keeping his composure in chaotic moments, George shows great poise as he does not scramble all over the place, which for a goaltender is a very positive attribute. During his play, he stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced in which the goal he gave up, was a very difficult one-timer from Ben Danford of Team Red. He displayed great flexibility and most importantly, he displayed great focus which he was not very distracted, even when there was a lot of traffic in front of him. When it comes to showing improvement, an aspect could be that he could improve his foot speed at getting to post to post in order to become stronger at stopping the very difficult cross crease shots.

One of the true bright spots of Team White from the OHL is Windsor Spitfires captain Liam Greentree. When it comes to having size and special puck skills, Liam truly showcased it throughout the season, as well as showcasing it in the Top Prospects Game. When it came to the reaction tests by selecting lanes in milliseconds, Liam earned himself 4^th place which is very impressive. This shows that he has excellent decision making and instant reaction time which truly shows in his timing at making big plays. When it comes to unique playstyles, for a bigger player, Greentree is one of the silkier and more creative players with the puck which makes it very challenging for the opponent due to his reach and active mind. Not to mention, Greentree was the one who scored for Team White due to his excellent release. If it was not for Liam Greentree, “Ordinary Day” would not have played during the prospects event. When it comes to signs of weakness, the main aspect that Liam will have to work on will be his agility and lateral movement in his skating. Yes, he is a bigger guy which is normal for a player like him to be slower at, but it is something that he can work on throughout the season to be even more effective.

Heading into one of the shining stars from the Western Hockey League is Team White MVP Tij Iginla. Unlike his father Jarome, Tij truly showcased his incredible skating ability. Even though may not have displayed it in the on-ice testing, Tij truly displayed it during practice which his smooth and fast transitioning abilities as well as his excellent speed while turning and doing his crossovers. Even though he may not have gotten a point in a very tightly defensive game, he absolutely generated quite the offense due to his excellent wrist shot from the top of the hashmarks. What makes him so dangerous as well as that with the combination of his amazing shot as well as his relatively fast hands, he truly displays his offensive awareness as he not only understands where the puck is going to be, but he understands how to make himself open quite often in spots where defenders aren’t keeping a close eye on. A weakness that could be worked on could be that he would need to gain some strength in order to enter the physicality level of his player type, as well as becoming a bit more active in the defensive end which he can play a bit too low, leaving the goaltender wide open.

Speaking of tightly defensive game, Sam Dickinson truly was the superstar defenseman of Team Red all around as the most important aspects needed from a defenseman, he displayed it consistently. A player at 6 foot 3, 200 pounds at 17 years old, he is considered to be one of the better skaters in this draft class at his size. When it came to the on-ice testing, Sam came 2^nd overall out of the 36 players who have completed the testing which truly displays his incredible skating ability in both directions. When it came to his game performance, he truly displayed his great passing ability as he connected many long stretch passes. When it came to gap control, he was probably the best defenseman in the whole game when it came to stopping the opposing rushes. His underrated shot was truly displayed as well as when he seemed like he was just feathering them for deflections, they had a lot of power to them. At the end of the day, what you gain in Sam Dickinson is a mega package who is truly versatile in all situations. The minor concern in which he will need to work on is getting rid of the puck quicker as he may hold the puck for a tad too long which causes turnovers.

Following up on the loaded defensive prospects on Team Red is Oshawa Generals’ blueline Ben Danford. When it came to sparking secondary offense, he absolutely lighted the lamp with his heavy one-timer that beat Carter George. When it came to the on-ice testing, he displayed great acceleration with and without the puck due to his excellent long strides. Even though many beat him in the agility category, he still displayed great transitioning and momentum. When it comes to demonstrating a complete 200ft game, Ben showed exactly how he can turn defense into offense as he displayed great stickwork and gap control. When Team White created their fast rushes, Ben did an excellent job at turning those rushes into pretzels. On the offensive side, Ben truly displayed his great positional awareness on the ice as he was excellent at providing support to his wingers so he could bump the puck more to either direction. When it comes to finding an aspect of him improving his game, even though his skating is at a high level, his lateral movement while stopping the rushes can get him at a misbalance. Otherwise, it would him getting stronger and wanting to throw more checks.

Transitioning back to Team White’s stars, captain Berkly Catton displayed an incredibly fast paced game at both ends of the ice. Berkly in the on-ice testing showed why he was one of the best at transitioning from forward to reverse and vice versa. This is because of his excellent footwork as well as his full intensity to perfect every stride. When it came to his on-ice performance, he was a major catalyst for Team White when it came to creating offense. He is one of the best at cycling the puck in the offensive zone due to his excellent offensive and positional awareness, but most importantly, this is where his skating was truly displayed. Even though his shot is very good, this wouldn’t be considered his WOW factor as he is truly known for his playmaking and puck handling abilities. Similar to Jack Hughes, the main aspect that he will need to improve in order to be that potential 1^st line centerman would absolutely build a lot of muscle in order to be stronger on the puck, but most importantly, for his checks to become effective. When it came to his defensive ability, even though he played the center position well defensively, he can improve his work on faceoffs and be willing to sacrifice a bit more by blocking shots.

Back to the blueliners, one who truly surprised many when it came to his physicality is Ottawa 67’s superstar defenseman Henry Mews. The hometown native truly displayed why he is considered to be one of the smoother skating offensive defensemen of this draft class. In the on-ice testing, Henry earned himself 1^st place in both transitioning drills as well as 3^rd in the weave agility test. While performing each test, he truly showcased in each crossover he made that there was not one stint that was choppy to the point where it resembled a synchronized orchestra. When it came to on-ice play, even though he did not display any flash to his game, he absolutely showed consistency with the puck due to his excellent offensive mind as well as his poise by keeping calm under pressure. When it came to his physicality, he is displaying that his work ethic by gaining more strength is paying off as he threw many effective checks, one of them open ice on Saginaw Spirit defenseman Zayne Parekh. When it comes to showing possible improvement in his game is that there are stills stints here and there that his gap control is miscalculated even though he has been improving it throughout the season.

Onto one of the steadier defenders on Team Red, a major surprise to many was the steady awareness of Charlie Elick of the Brandon Wheat Kings. When it came to the on-ice testing, Charlie Elick was in the top 5 in all skates when it came to completing all the tests. This truly showed that Charlie truly is consistent on his feet in all situations which allowed him to truly become diversified and more confident in his game. When it came to his in-game performance, there was nothing that really phased him due to his great poise and stickwork at diffusing any offensive situations, especially playing a crucial part on the penalty kill. This was also because of his great size as well which allowed him to have a better reach which it helps him with his gap control work. When it comes to finding any improvements, he can work on, the main aspect is his offense. That being his shot. Even though he has great shot power and understands how to use it, what is lacking is his intent to really shoot the puck as he is very much so a pass first player. This does not help him to a certain degree as forwards later will understand more and more about how Charlie plays the puck. When throwing more pucks to the net, he may become more unpredictable which will keep the opposition guessing.

Speaking of the term unpredictability, Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke on Team White truly displayed his silky hands and unique mind offensively. Flashing back to the on-ice testing, even though Beckett’s form may not be the best at all means, that did not stop him earning himself 4^th best overall out of the 36 skaters who completed the tests. Beckett truly displayed his fast times due to his incredible quick foot speed and edges. For someone who is 6’2, he skates like someone who is 5’10, which for this case is a very positive sign as he may use his size to his advantage in his career. Like Liam Greentree, Beckett may have the best puck skills out of the whole roster list in the top prospects game. During his on-ice performance, he earned himself one assist as he was playing on Greentree’s line. What is so unpredictable about Sennecke is how he uses his arsenal as what is truly unique is that he starts to really mix it up offensively when it comes to his pass/shot ratio which always creates unease for the opposing defenders. What he will need to work on is his strength overall, but most importantly, on his feet. This is because he lacks balance, especially after getting checked. When it comes to his defensive traits, he will need to play a bit higher up on the defensive to not leave the defense wide open and just walk the line with ease.

When it comes to the definition of hard work and displaying full intensity while skating, look no further than Carson Wetsch of the Calgary Hitmen on Team White. When it comes to pure skating, he earned himself 3^rd overall in the on-ice testing due to the combination of full extension as well as having incredibly quick feet. When it came to his in-game performance, Carson truly showcased his work ethic by displaying an incredible forecheck which created some turnovers from the opposition. His lightning speed is very difficult to defend off the rush for the opposition. The times he was able to shoot the puck, he made the goaltender try as hard as he could to make every save. When trying to find one word, the one word that would come to mind with Wetsch is pest. The true highlighting part of his game is his work ethic and conditioning. When it comes to weaknesses, the main aspect would be that sometimes, he can play a bit too high up which does not fully provide support to his teammates when it comes to making the breakout pass, otherwise minor inconsistencies such as having a larger desire to block shots can be improved if suggested to him.

Lastly, when it comes to defining the word electrifying back on the blueline, do not look passed rising star Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit. The Saginaw blueline truly displayed why he is considered to be one of the more hyperactive skating offensive defensemen of the 2024 draft class. In the on-ice testing, Zayne earned himself 1^st and 2^nd place in both backwards skating. While performing each test, there seemed to be no flaw in his ability to skate in reverse. In fact, his skating seems better when skating at an angle and in reverse instead of just going forward due to his incredible edgework and lateral movement. When it came to on-ice play, even though he did not post a point on the scoreboard, he absolutely displayed flash n dash. The way he was able to weave the puck through the neutral effortlessly is very satisfying due to his forward like hands. When it came to his physicality, this was a major weakness for Zayne as not only he seemed to not have any effective in his checks, but he can get rocked very easily. This is because of his lack in size. Not to mention, in the defensive end, even though he has a greatly active stick, what is not impressive is his lack of desire to play defense which could give hints to NHL teams that he may become one dimensional. Even in the defensive zone, he may start to become lanky at using his reach which allows the opposition to potentially create more space.

When it comes to having a bright young future, all the prospects who participated at the CHL Top Prospects game certainly have a bright future ahead of them as long as they work hard and have the discipline to work on their weaknesses in order to become NHL players one day.

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For more detailed information on the 2024 NHL Draft Class be sure to pick up your copy of the 2024 NHL Draft Preview Magazine.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-order-your-2024-preview-magazine-today/

By DraftPro Staff

There was a palpable excitement in the air at the USA Hockey Arena when hundreds of NHL scouts, GM’s and other hockey ops personnel gathered back on Monday January 15 for the 2024 Chipotle All-American Game.

The rosters participating in this annual event were full of highly skilled, intriguing 2024 draft eligible as well as 2025 draft eligible prospects.

The split of the NTDP combining with other USHL top talents had scouts excited to see how these kids would play with peers they were not used to playing with on a regular basis. The game did not disappoint with team White coming out on top in overtime of team Blue by a score of 5-4.

Our scout Liam Staples was in attendance and submitted this report on who stood out to him.

January 15, 2024

USA Hockey Arena

L.Staples

#24 F Cole Eiserman, USA Blue (USNTDP), 6’0” 197, L. 29-08-2006

From early on into the contest, Eiserman was showing off his great speed, leading the rush and crashing hard to the net. He was noticeable on the ice every shift, trying to find open space so his linemate Trevor Connelly could feed him the puck. He was able to find quick chemistry playing alongside Connelly. Eiserman displayed his quick release by scoring the game-tying goal down low in the zone. It became evident that Eiserman knew the cameras were on him. He bobbled a few breakout passes and tried to make the fancy play when the smarter play was available. Early in the first period, he tried to skate through three opponents in the offensive zone, turning the puck over during the entry while he had a teammate available cross ice. The skill and speed were definitely evident in Eiserman’s game but he lacked certain elements, he needs improvement in using his teammates more and developing the habit of making correct choices with the puck, even if the play does not make the highlight reel.

#10 F James Hagens, USA White (USNTDP), 5’10” 168, L. 03-11-2006

As the potential number-one pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Hagens had a terrific game displaying why he is the best player for his age group. Awarded Player of the Game with a multi-point effort, Hagens was the best player on the ice for every shift. He drove the play offensively for team White and scored a nice goal on a two-on-one short side. Hagens has a wide skating base making him more difficult to knock off the puck. His wide skating base allows him to match the pace of play very nicely. On the goal he scored off the rush, he had to beat his man to the net by accelerating hard and quickly slow his speed down to match the speed of his teammate in order to become a scoring option. Hagens overall skill, skating ability, and hockey IQ is next level. Be prepared to hear his name a lot in the future because he will be a top talent in the NHL very soon.

#23 D Cole Hutson, USA Blue (USNTDP), 5’10” 158, L. 28-06-2006

Much like his older brother Lane Hutson, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, Cole Hutson is a smooth-skating defenseman with strong foot speed. In the offensive zone, Cole can create passing lanes for his teammates through his great ability to walk the blue line with the puck as well as use a variety of head fakes to deceive his opponents to find an open passing or shooting lane. He was one of the highly notable top prospects to not record a point in the game. For a player standing under six feet, Hutson defends zone entries extremely well through his play with his stick as well as how he positions his body to separate his man from the puck. The question remains as to whether Hutson could grow into becoming a #1 type of defenseman in the NHL or will he develop into a top 4 type of defenseman.

#16 D Logan Hensler, USA White (USNTDP), 6’2” 197, R. 14-10-2006

Hensler is another name to familiarize yourself with because the hockey world will get used to hearing his name a lot next season, alongside teammate James Hagens, as a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. Hensler is an outstanding skater through his ability to use his edgework to spin off opponents escaping pressure. Hensler displayed his ability to escape pressure by using his feet as well as his passing ability. Hensler did not record a point in the game however, his skating and IQ showed he has the tools to be a #1 type of defenceman at the NHL level. He can quarterback a powerplay through his strong lateral crossover ability and poise with the puck, he does not settle, he waits for shot lanes to open up before releasing a shot. Hensler is committed to the University of Wisconsin next season. The Badgers are receiving arguably the top defenseman in the 2025 NHL Draft.

#23 F John Mustard, USA White (Waterloo), 6’0” 185, L. 17-08-2006

Mustard may be a name that goes under the radar in regards to the American prospects pool in this years NHL Draft. Mustard caught the eye of scouts through his powerful skating ability & great speed with the puck. Mustard scored the overtime winning goal for Team White displaying his strength with the puck to keep possession & release a nice shot far side beating the goaltender. Mustard is committed to play at Providence College next season.

#19 F Lucas Van Vliet, USA Blue (USNTDP), 6’1 181, L. 10-01-2006

Lucas got the offence started for Team Blue by scoring the first goal of the hockey game. Van Vliet capitalized on the mistakes of his opponents, taking advantage of the time and space he was given, showing off his shot release beating the Team White goaltender from the faceoff dot. Lucas finished the night with one goal and one assist in the hockey game. Van Vliet was noticeable throughout the hockey game playing with speed and creating turnovers through his combination of stick play and excellent skating ability. Van Vliet is committed to play at Michigan State next season. It certainly helps scoring the first goal of the hockey game while your future college hockey coach, Adam Nightingale is in attendance. By the end of the game, Van Vliet was a player to keep an eye on moving forward.

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For more on the 2024 NHL Draft Class be sure to pick up a copy of the DraftPro 2024 NHL Draft Preview Magazine and be sure to come back to order your 2024 Draft Guide in June.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-order-your-2024-preview-magazine-today/

By: Isaiah Bouchard

The 2024 World Juniors has come and gone, and team USA gets to walk away with gold. After an exciting tournament with many upset losses, surprising performances, and future stars taking the center stage, there is certainly a lot that we need to go over, so let’s not waste anytime. Starting with the last place team and moving on to the victorious team USA, let’s review the players who seized their moment at the 2024 World Juniors.

Team Norway. (0-4-1) Last Place Regulation.

After losing their 4 games, and a crushing overtime defeat against Germany in the regulation match, Norway will be demoted to Division 1 and be replaced by Kazakhstan next year. Since the 1980s Norway has never been able to remain in the top Division of the World Juniors, history repeats itself yet again as Norway has once again been regulated.

But is it all terrible news for team Norway? Not at all, there were a few bright spots for Norway in fact.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora IK (Hockeyallsvenskan), Right Hand, 6’1”, 198lbs. Born October 5^th, 2005.

Scoring 5 points and 3 goals to finish amongst the top of his team. MBN has proven he can still produce a respectable offense even when facing much better teams. Many already believe MBN had first round potential, and now he has solidified the confidence in many scouts eyes that he is a player to be taken seriously. Norway may not be the first country people think about when asked about future NHL stars, but every now and then an under the radar player such as MBN comes along, proving that Norway still has a lot to offer the hockey world.

“Brandsegg-Nygard is a robust and powerful winger who excels in physical play. His skating is characterized by effortless, long strides, contributing to his effectiveness in the 200-foot game. Notably, he displays persistence on the puck during backchecks and puck pursuits, utilizing his long reach to initiate contact on the puck carrier, leading to turnovers and intense pressure.” – DraftPro’s Steven Pratas.

Petter Vesterheim, F, Mora IK (Hockeyallsvenskan), Left Hand, 5’11”, 172lbs. Born September 30^th, 2004.

A quick mention should be given to Petter Vesterheim, MBN’s linemate both at the World Juniors and with Mora IK. Petter Vesterheim showed a lot of determination when facing stiff competition, and perhaps even proven he should be considered as a viable option on draft day. So far Vesterheim has gone unnoticed, and at 19 years old, his chances for being drafted are not certain. So if anyone needed this respectable performance with Norway, it was Petter Vesterheim. Here’s hoping that in the very least a camp invite is offered to Vesterheim.

Stian Solberg, D, Vålerenga (Norway), Left Hand, 6’2”, 192lbs. Born December 29^th, 2005.

Stian Solberg did all he could do on an outmatched Norway team, but there is a good chance this performance helped Solberg more than one may think on first perception. He carried Norway’s defense in a lot of ways, and despite all of this pressure on the 18-year-old, he still managed to grab two points with Norway. Coming from an often overlooked European region, it’s unlikely Solberg will be picked up early, but he proved that there is value in his old school defensive game. Here’s hoping a GM on draft day takes the gamble on the very underrated Stian Solberg.

Team Germany (2-3) Regulation Elimination.

Germany is a country that often faces ups and downs when it comes to the World Juniors. Being too good to be eliminated, but not good enough to make it far in the top division. This year, they narrowly missed out on the quarter finals and ended up in a real seat clencher against Norway, where they won in overtime. Germany’s highlight this year was their upset victory over Finland in the regulation round, showing that they can still provide some upset victories at the big World Juniors Stage.

Veit Oswald, LW, EHC München (DEL), Left Hand, 6’2”, 179lbs. Born August 31^st, 2004.

At 19 years old, Veit Oswald needed a good showing in order to get noticed by the World Junior Scouts. Despite having a good size and a DEL championship, Veit Oswald hasn’t been able to properly get himself over in the eyes of the scouts. With 5 points and 3 goals, including a pivotal 2 goal game against Finland, Veit Oswald had an overall excellent showing. Oswald continues to play well with equal competition, and is not too shabby playing with grown men in DEL. Perhaps this was the performance he needed to grab the attention of someone or anyone on draft day.

“He is a very effective forechecker who is aware of the passing options and consistently eliminates them with his reach. He’s a player who protects the puck effectively and can buy time and space for his team.” – DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Phillip Sinn, D, RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL), Left Hand, 6’2”, 192lbs. Born January 13^th, 2004.

A quick mention should go to one of the most underrated defensemen in the World Juniors this year, one Phillip Sinn. 4 points and a goal on a struggling team Germany is pretty good showing for a player who struggles to get the attention needed to get properly considered by scouts. On top of this he has a solid size to him, which could push him over the edge as a potentially viable defensive prospect.

Julius Sumpf, C, Moncton Wild Cats (QMJHL), Left Hand, 6’2”, 185lbs. Born January 11^th, 2005.

One of team Germany’s youngest players, Sumpf had a respectable performance, scoring 3 points and a goal. Not as high as most other young players in the World Juniors, it is still worth a mentioning considering the team he played for. Since making the move to the QMJHL, Sumpf has proven he can hang with stiff competition and still produce good numbers. Now he proved that he can still produce offense even when completely outmatched. Without out a doubt his draft stock shot up candidly after this WC.

Paul Mayer, D, Adler Mannheim (DEL), Left Hand, 6’3”, 187lbs. Born September 25^th, 2005.

Mayer has built up a solid amount of attention heading into the World Juniors. He’s a big defensemen, has a high ceiling as a potential defensive defensemen or possibly even a two-way defensemen. Mayer may not have wow’d many on the scoresheet, but that isn’t his kind of game. Mayer has been praised numerous times for his shut-down style and his skills were fully displayed at the juniors. While this may not have been the outcome that Mayer wanted, it still felt right to give him a shout out.

Team Latvia (1-4) Quarter Finals Loss

Like Germany and Norway, Latvia has a rough history at the World Juniors. Stuck in the not good enough to challenge the big teams, too good to stay in Division 1 for more than a year or two. With a respectable performance against Slovakia and a strong win against Germany, Latvia still has a lot to be proud of this year. Their drafted players: Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis had a good year, showcasing that Latvia can still produce NHL worthy hockey players. But their young players were lacking in any real chance to showcase what they can properly do.

Peteris Bulans, D, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL), Left Hand, 6’0”, 185lbs. Born March 8^th, 2005.

If any draft eligible player could be mentioned for team Latvia, it would be Peteris Bulans from the QMJHL. Bulans has a few good qualities, he was able to score 2 points for a team that was shutout more than once this year. And in the QMJHL, he has the potential to be an excellent playmaking defensemen. So while 2 points isn’t very eye grabbing, it’s at least something for the still young defensemen to build off of.

Eriks Mateiko, F, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL), Left Hand, 6’4”, 201lbs. Born November 18^th, 2005.

While Mateiko did not have an eye-caching world juniors, he is sill a high-interest player coming into the tournament. While he did not make a strong case to be a top end draft pick, his big stature and great potential is too much to ignore. Mateiko could be an excellent late round pick for a team who want to take a gamble on a potential power forward in Mateiko. His QMJHL season is also going well, so there could potentially be a hidden diamond in the rough here with Eriks Mateiko.

Team Switzerland (1-3-1) Quarter Finals Loss

After going 1-3 in regulation, Switzerland was put in the unfortunate position to go up against the powerhouse team that was team Sweden in the quarter finals. It was not as one sided as many expected as Switzerland put up a good fight, forcing Sweden into overtime. But at the end of the day Sweden did win, and it was another lower-mid finish for Switzerland. But still, Switzerland has a plethora of young players to get excited about:

Jonas Taibal, F, EHC Winterthur (SL), Left Hand, 5’11”, 183lbs. Born August 19^th, 2004.

This is Taibal’s 3^rd World Juniors appearance, and his highest scoring appearance yet. Scoring 5 points in 5 games is a solid tournament for a player who has struggled to make any real convincing arguments to be drafted. Taibal continues to provide evidence that he is a competitive player who can produce results. So while his chances on being drafted are still small, his future as an undrafted free agent is still respectable, and a camp invite is likely in his future is a draft selection is not.

Gregory Weber, RW, Bern U20 (U20 Elit), Right Hand, 5’9”, 154lbs. Born January 7^th, 2004.

Similar to Taibal, Weber needed this good showing to get any sort of attention from scouts. In fact, much of what I said about Jonas Taibal can also be applied to Weber. They are both players who have struggled to get attention in their European leagues, though have proven time and again in these international tournaments that they can still play with the big boys. Only time will tell where these two will end up in the future. DraftPro’s long time scout Murray Caldwell was impressed with Weber’s performance at the WJs however, and had this to say:

“A small player with great wheels. He’s tenacious with good work ethic, creating turnovers on the backcheck. He has great balance when taking the body too. He often works the boards, coming out with the puck by using his sick rather than his body.”

Daniil Ustinkov, D, ZSC Lions (NL), Left Hand, 6’0”, 198lbs. Born August 26^th, 2006.

To many, Ustinkov properly stepped up for Switzerland as he managed to grab 2 assists after it was all said and done. There are still many who don’t know Ustinkov as a potential sleeper pick in the 2^nd/3^rd rounds. His solid size and underrated hockey IQ will go a long way in selling Ustinkov to many GMs on draft day.

“One thing that stood out about his game with the puck was that when he accelerates and plays with speed. Everything seems easier for him, though his timing is something he struggles with. It’s important for him to quickly get into the right rhythm and take up his responsibilities.” – DraftPro’s Dany Gelinas.

Leon Muggli, D, EV Zug (NL), Left Hand, 6’0”, 165lbs. Born July 9^th, 2006.

Switzerland greatly benefitted from having Muggli on their team. While Rodwin Dionicio was their main support on the blue line, Muggli played a pivotal role in easing the pressure off of Dionicio. If there is one word to sell you on Muggli, it is potential. His high ceiling as a potential elite puck moving defensemen should be everyone’s main takeaway on Leon Muggli.

“Léon was the Swiss team’s most-used defenseman, playing in all game situations (PP, PK). Technically solid in 1-on-1 battles, with good body position and stickchecking. On the other hand, he needs to be careful with his play with the puck, which can sometimes be too soft. It’s obvious that he can create play and carry it if need be though.” – DraftPro’s Dany Gelinas.

Simon Meier, F, Penticton Vees (BCHL), Left Hand, 5’10”, 161lbs. Born March 10^th, 2005.

While Meier only had 2 goals and 2 points this year, his point per game season so far in the BCHL should also be mentioned as a selling point. Simon Meier would have benefitted greatly if Switzerland was able to have a U19 team in the World Junior A Challenge from a month ago. But as of right now Meier will have to accept with what he was given. And he showcased a decent amount of offensive potential with team Switzerland’s U20 team.

“Meier capably leads the rush up the ice and is comfortable with the puck on his stick.  He has some skill and can dish the puck capably.  Meier is a player with some speed and skill and he has a good hockey IQ, but he is not the most patient player.” DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Alessio Beglieri, G, Biel-Bienne U20 (U20 Elit), Left Hand, 5’11”, 174lbs. Born January 5^th, 2004.

One of the best goalies in the World Juniors this year if you factor in the team he was playing for, Beglieri should be proud that he kept his numbers solid throughout the tournament. The only reason Switzerland had as many close games as they did was because they had a red hot Beglieri in net. And if it wasn’t for the powerhouse that was the USA, who beat Switzerland 11-3, Beglieri’s numbers would be even better. He’s turned 20 since these World Juniors, and he’s under that coveted height of 6’2” that scouts expect from Goaltenders. Even if he remains undrafted, suspect a camp invite for this criminally underrated goaltender.

Team Canada (3-2) Quarter Finals Loss.

Yes, Canada is being mentioned this early. After a solid 3-1 regulation, Canada was upset by Czechia with mere seconds left in the third period. No doubt, hockey fans will be talking about this loss for a long time. What was the reason for Canada’s collapse? Likely a plethora of reasons, but certainly it’s not due to a lack of talent. Since Canada is, Canada, there isn’t many draft eligible prospects that could find a spot on the competitive U20 team. But let’s go over the ones that did make it in:

Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA), Left Hand, 6’0”, 190lbs. Born June 13^th, 2006.

One can’t help but almost feel disappointed with Macklin Celebrini and the rest of team Canada this year. Big names like Matthew Savoie, Connor Geekie, Brayden Yager, Nate Danielson and many more struggled to even make it to a point per game level. The second highest scoring player on team Canada was Brayden Yager, who scored 5 points. So depending on how you look at it, Celebrini’s 8 points are either a good thing or bad thing. 2024’s top prospect outscored all other players on team Canada, which is nice and all, but Celebrini couldn’t even crack the top 15 of players in the entire tournament. It’s still unlikely that this performance will hurt Celebrini’s chances of going first overall, but hockey fans can’t help but feel that they were sold a little short with team Canada this year. Still, Celebrini is insanely talented, and it’s nearly impossible NOT to talk about his exciting potential as an elite NHL forward. Here is just a small blurb of DraftPro’s Liam Staples, who was very impressed with Celebrini:

“The skating ability of Celebrini is magnificent, he has powerful strides that allow him to attack through the middle of the ice with ease. He played very confidently with the puck on his stick, yet he was even more aggressive to win the puck back when he lost it. The level of his hockey IQ allows him to read the situation on the ice providing him a step on his opponents before they can adjust.”

Mathis Rousseau, G, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL), Left Hand, 5’11”, 172lbs. Born September 10^th, 2004.

While Canada was overall a disappointment this year the blame can not be put on the goaltending. Throughout Rousseau’s career he has never had a save percentage below a .900, and these World Juniors let him display his skills in net and prove that he can handle the pressure better than most goalies today. Going .912 in save percentage this year, and .924 for the Moosehead’s playoff run, Rousseau is a goalie worth considering come draft day. To handle oneself under pressure is one of the best traits for a goaltender, and Rousseau has it in spades.

“He holds his edges and is a patient goaltender. Rousseau is a goalie who tracks the puck extremely well and is well aware of where all the potential passes are. On top of this he has very good box control and excellent lateral movement. He moves well and is compact but doesn’t look small in the net.” – DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Owen Allard, C, Soo Greyhounds (OHL), Left Hand, 6’2”, 201lbs. Born January 13^th, 2004.

Owen Allard only had 3 points this year, but that was still higher than Matthew Savoie, tied Connor Geekie, and was much higher than many other drafted players on team Canada got. Owen Allard proved that he can hang with the big names, even if the team is struggling to find any cohesion on the ice. Allard is a likely option to be picked, but it’s unlikely this performance demands a high selection.

“Allard is a quick player who makes good reads on the ice and finds the seams routinely. He can pass the puck through players or indirect and make it easy to receive. Allard is an effective player at supporting the rush on the weak side and reads the play well with whether to go to the net or stay in the middle” – DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Team Slovakia (3-1-1) Quarter Finals Loss.

Team Slovakia seemed as if they were poised for a medal this year. But a tough OT loss to Finland stopped their journey early in the quarter finals. With a roster filled with drafted players, Slovakia’s efforts to build more hockey stars are starting bear fruit. Big names like Servac Petrovsky, Filip Mesar, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Maxim Strbak are proving to be high end players, so Slovakia’s run for a medal are by no means over. As on top of these drafted players, there were also a few names that emerged as potential future NHLers:

Luka Radivojevic, D, Örebro HK (J20 Nationell), Right Hand, 5’10”, 161lbs. Born January 3^rd, 2007.

Though Slovakia doesn’t have many 2024 draft eligible players this year, there is a 2025 eligible player that needs mentioning: Luka Radviojevic. At 17 years old Radviojevic is already playing in the U20 leagues, scoring a lot for an under-aged defensemen. This year at the World Juniors he proved that not only could he step up to the even stiffer competition, he can score points, including a goal. Without a doubt this is only the start for Luka Radviojevic, as it’s likely we are looking at a future first round pick in 2025. He’ll most certainly be returning to the World Juniors next year, where he could be challenging for the top defensemen in the whole tournament.

“He is like Letang with impressive speed. If he gets caught deep, he has the ability to come back and take away the rush. He consistently shoots the puck with authority and accuracy, looking for tips or deflections. Makes puck distribution look much too simple.” – DraftPro’s Murray Caldwell.

Team Finland (3-4) Semi Finals Loss.

It never feels good to get so far and to come back with nothing, this year, that was team Finland. After going 2-2 in regulation, Finland needed to dig deep against a very game team Slovakia in the quarter finals and pushed team USA to their limit as well, but sadly came up short against the best team in the tournament. Finally they came up short in a chaotic 8-5 game against Czechia. 4^th place is the position no one wants, but Finland has a lot of notable players to go through.

Jere Lassila, C, JYP (Liiga), Left Hand, 5’10”, 176lbs. Born March 8^th, 2004.

Playing amongst men in Liiga, Jere Lassila led team Finland in points this year. At 19 years old he is a bit old for the ideal top round draft pick, but without a doubt Jere Lassila proved his value at the World Juniors, scoring 8 points to put him on the upper echelon of players. Every year there is a player like Jere Lassila that proves initial impressions false. Lassila is a top end prospect that deserves a consideration at the draft this year.

“He is a confident player in the faceoff circle and wins many important draws.  He is more mature than most who is responsible and can find the lanes as an effective passer who can put the puck on the stick. Lassila is a clutch player and would be very helpful for some key minutes on a great team in the playoffs.” – DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Konsta Helenius, F, Jukurit (Liiga), Right Hand, 5’11”, 181lbs. Born May 11^th, 2006.

Ranking in the upper half of the first round before this tournament, it’s unlikely Konsta Helenius will see a major change in his placement. Scoring 2 points is neither a disappointing nor a satisfying conclusion to Helenius’ World Juniors considering his age. His skill was on full display and even though he didn’t make the impact many would have hoped, he still blended in very well with all the other top tier athletes on team Finland.

“A very effort-driven, hard working, board-battling forward who can possess the pace of  a game on the wing. He does everything to get open and does a good job getting a quick shot on net.” DraftPro’s Joeseph Stanislau.

Jesse Pulkinen, D, JYP (Liiga), Left Hand, 6’6”, 216lbs. Born December 27^th, 2004.

One of the most impressive draft-eligible defensemen this year was Finland’s Jesse Pulkinen. The big defensemen has captured a lot of intention from scouts as he stepped up for team Finland, providing multiple offensive and defensive highlights. He scored 3 points this tournament and impressed many who were not initially convinced Pulkinen earned a position on Finland’s defensive roster.

“Despite occasional difficulties in corralling passes, he possesses relatively soft hands for a big man. His offensive instincts are growing, constantly utilizing his heavy shot. Pulkkinen’s offensive upside is evident in surprising the opposition with impressive rushes through the neutral zone, showcasing quick hands to navigate around or through bodies.” – DraftPro’s Steven Pratas

Tommi Männistö, RW, Michigan State University (NCAA), Left Hand, 6’0”, 194lbs. Born February 7^th, 2004.

A quick mention to Michigan State’s Tommi Männistö. He competed exceptionally well, easily keeping up with an already speedy team Finland. On top of that he scored 3 goals for Finland, supplying Finland with constant offensive pressure that helped the team tremendously. Männistö clearly displayed his impressive blend of goal scoring and skating ability.

“Männistö is a player who is not afraid to drive the center lane with the puck on his stick. He clearly wants to make a difference and often does.  Männistö needs talented players to be an effective player but he has a good skill set.  When he is with other talented players his game elevates and he can help support the play.  He always has his head up and is ready to intercept the puck and is patient to take all the ice that the defense will give him.” – DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Liiga), Right Hand, 6’2”, 194lbs. Born June 27^th, 2006.

Like Konsta Helenius, this was not an exceptionally good or bad showing for Emil Hemming. He proved he could keep up with his older teammates but didn’t quite grab the attention for himself. As of right now Emil Hemming is considered a late first rounder or early second rounder. He showed that he doesn’t necessarily have to hide in Konsta Helenius’ shadow, this could be spun into a positive for his future draft position.

“There’s potential for Emil to evolve into a dynamic power forward with numerous offensive attributes, but leveraging his raw strength more effectively in tough puck battles could significantly boost his draft stock. Seeing him play with more grit would enhance his overall game.” – DraftPro’s Steven Pratas.

Noa Vali, G, TPS (Liiga), Left Hand, 6’1”, 159lbs. Born April 19^th, 2005.

The 18-year-old goaltender may have only had 2 games this tournament but he proved why he could be a potential candidate for a late round goalie selection. He finished with a save percentage of .928, and a GAA of 1.94. This places him easily in the top 5 goalies for the tournament, though again he only had 2 games. Nonetheless this gives hope to fans of Noa Vali, and seeing how this is a slower draft year for goaltending, all hope is not loss for this especially underrated goalie.

Team Czechia (4-3-1) Bronze Medal.

No team has faced more ups and downs that team Czechia this year, from their gritty and well-earned wins over Canada and Finland to the crushing defeat to Sweden in the semi finals, no doubt the Czech fans had a lot of drama this year. Not only was team Czechia one of the most exciting teams to watch, but they also had many great showings from their drafted and undrafted players alike.

Matyas Melovsky, C, Baie-Commeau Drakkar (QMJHL), Right Hand, 6’0”, 183lbs. Born May 25^th, 2004.

With 11 points at the World Juniors, Matyas Melovsky has a strong argument as the best undrafted player in the entire tournament. 11 Points is enough to place him in the top 3 for all skaters, and amongst the highest for his entire team aside from Jiri Kulich. This couldn’t have gone better for Melovsky, as GMs will have to be willingly blind to overlook a performance such as this. Consider Melovsky officially on everyone’s radar as he made a strong argument to go in the top half of the draft.

Ondrej Becher, F, Prince George Cougars (WHL), Left Hand, 6’0”, 172lbs. Born February 22^nd, 2004.

Czechia was blessed this year as they have two excellent showings from their draft eligible roster. Ondrej Becher from the WHL got to showcase just why he should be considered a top-end draft pick. He’s on pace for a big break out season with the Cougars this year and was a top 5 player in the World Juniors this year. This blew many former draft picks out of the water and it’s likely no one suspected a showing such as this from Becher. A player with excellent offensive creativity and shooting power, Becher proved a lot of his initial doubters wrong this year at the World Juniors.

“Becher supports the puck well and can keep up with some higher end talent and be a key piece on a line.  He is a player who can elevate his game at times, and he can play with some speed and size.” – DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Dominik Rymon, F, Everett Silvertips (WHL), Left Hand, 5’10”, 154lbs. Born May 29^th, 2004.

One should mention the Everett Silvertip’s Dominik Rymon. Rymon is in a similar situation to Ondrej Becher as he is a 19-year-old player who has gone mostly under the radar, on pace for an excellent WHL season after a strong World Juniors Performance. Rymon’s size may play against him, but he proved he can be a reliable force on the ice during high stakes games.

“He can drive the center lane or is comfortable going to the wall and being a physical player.  Rymon has great hands and is an offensively skilled player who can dictate the play as an older player in the tournament.  At times his decision making at the offensive blueline can be too risky and he can turnover the puck.” – DraftPro’s Andy Miller.

Tomas Galvas, D, Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia), Left Hand, 5’10”, 148lbs. Born February 11^th, 2006.

While the speedy and highly skilled Galvas was not on the opening roster for team Czechia, an unfortunate injury to Adam Jiricek left a space open for Tomas Galvas to fill in. The 17-year-old defensemen did not spoil his opportunity, giving Czechia some solid offense. His determination and excellent skating skills were on full display, Steven Pratas had to say on Galvas:

“Galvas possesses an extra step that allows him to create separation from the opposition, making his overall skating ability a significant strength. He demonstrates intelligence in his positional game, fearlessly jumping into offensive opportunities when they arise. His excellent vision up the middle of the ice and ability to anticipate pressure result in accurate passes to his defensive partner.”

Team Sweden (5-1-1) Silver Medal.

Sweden had another good showing this year as they settled on the silver medal after losing to team USA in the finals. You can’t really blame them, as it seems team USA could beat the San Jose Sharks let alone Sweden’s U20 team. Sweden only had three listed players that are eligible for the draft this year, but fans of the Vancouver Canucks should be excited for Jonathon Lekkerimaki who scored 10 points and 7 goals this year. Sabre’s prospect Noah Ostlund also finished with 10 points. And Sweden had 3 of the best defensemen in the whole tournament with Axel Sandin-Pekilla, Theo Lindstein, and Tom Willander.

Hugo Hävelid, G, Djurgårdens (Hockeyallsvenskan), Left Hand, 5’10”, 179lbs. Born January 1^st, 2004.

Sweden’s roster was filled mostly of drafted players, but there goalie Hugo Hävelid earned this placement on his team and did not squander his opportunity. Hävelid’s NHL path is going to be a rough and rocky road. Being only 5’10” puts a big ‘con’ on his player sheet in many scouts eyes, and whether justified or not, it’s a sad reality for many goaltenders. While his draft likeliness is low, there will almost certainly be a GM or two whose willing to invite Hävelid to a training camp, especially after his performance at this year’s World Juniors, where many would place him as the #2 goalie in the whole tournament.

Team USA (7-0) Gold Medal.

What else is there to say about team USA? It’s rare we see such a clear favourite at the World Juniors and this year the US did not disappoint. With big names such as Gabriel Perreault, Gavin Brindley, Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and so many more, it’s going to be a long time before we see a team USA at his caliber again. They earned their gold medal, as they dominated the tournament in nearly every category.

Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver (NCAA), Left Hand, 6’0”, 183lbs. Born December 7^th, 2005.

Like Sweden, team USA was filled with primarily drafted players. So there is really only one name to name, but he certainly earned it. Zeev Buium was without a doubt the best undrafted defensemen in the World Juniors and is certainly in the conversation for best defensemen overall in the tournament. This was huge for Buium, who, while making a strong argument for being a first round pick early in the year, has solidified his position and erased all doubt from skeptics. This goes double for Buium who had two staunch draft rivals in the World Juniors in Konsta Helenius and Emil Hemming. Buium was nearly a point per game defensemen, scoring goals, setting up plays, moving the puck, and doing everything a high-quality offensive defensemen should be doing in order to sell himself to the scouts. If anyone benefitted from the World Juniors this year, it was Zeev Buium.

“His hockey sense is outstanding, rarely making incorrect plays or executing poor passes. Excelling in breaking out of his zone, he is adept at making long, accurate stretch passes. His reads allow him to make timely decisions about whether to join the offensive play, a tactic he employs frequently, or to stay back and defend.” – DraftPro’s Steven Pratas.

For more 2024 NHL Draft content be sure to pick up your copy of the DraftPro 2024 NHL Draft Preview Magazine in either digital or physical copy available now.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-order-your-2024-preview-magazine-today/

By DraftPro Staff

Each gameday DraftPro Scouts can be found in the corner seats of junior rinks watching the next wave of talent develop into potentially one day becoming the next Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, or Andrei Vasilevskiy.

At DraftPro we want to share some of those reports gathers from those views in this feature we call “From the Corner Seats”. For the first instalment we bring you game reports from earlier this fall.

October 13, 2023
Prince George Cougars 4 vs Kelowna Rockets 5 (WHL)
Prospera Place, Kelowna B.C.
DraftPro Scout: Matt Hnatiuk

11 F, Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets (WHL), 6’0″, 181, L, DOB 08.01.2006

Tij is a growing power forward who is starting to play more like his father. He has a powerful skating stride and stance and uses it well to propel himself around the ice. His pace is about average, but it’s his ability to turn his backside towards an opponent and make himself about 8 feet wide and protect the puck. This ability makes him very useful to maintain puck possession as well as create offense out of nothing. His ability to control zone exits and entries is directly tied to his ability to protect the puck. He has a near NHL level shot (again similar to his fathers) and he can get it away quickly. He plays a methodically thought out game and sees the ice well at both ends of the rink. Being an Iginla, there is no questioning his compete level, ever. The only thing I would like to see him develop and use more is the physical/aggressive side of his game. He can show flashes of it, but it is never consistent. As a player who can play in any situation, and be plugged into any position up front and perform as required, Tij should be looked at as a top player this season.

October 14, 2023
Rouyn-Noranda vs Cap Breton – QMJHL
Centre 200
DraftPro Scout: Samuel Laplant

3 D Tomas Lavoie, Cap Breton (QMJHL), 6’4”, 220, R, DOB 03.31.2006

An extremely reliable defenseman on both sides of the ice. His defensive game is excellent. He uses his long reach so well to block opponents’ passing lines. That’s one of the reasons he’s used on the power play kill. He’s rarely beaten 1-on-1 because of his stick work and positioning. He positions himself well to either block the opponent’s space with his stick or to just poke-check the opponent. In front of the net, Lavoie isn’t afraid to let his presence be known by pushing the opponent and sometimes even cross-checking them. It’s also quite rare for an opposing player to take advantage of a puck in front of the net. He’s very good at using his strength, his physical game and his stick to prevent them from making a play. When an opposing player gets too close to his goalie, he doesn’t hesitate to protect him and push him off. Lavoie already has the physique of an NHL player. He finishes his checks well and separates the player from the puck. He wins his battles along the boards where he uses his physical play or his stick to retrieve the puck. His passing game is what makes him reliable in his zone. His first pass is excellent and he always makes the simple play. He moves well with the puck to give himself a better passing line. His first 3-4 strides allow him to create a good distance between himself and a player trying to chase him into his own zone. This acceleration also allows him to support the attack and carry the puck into the offensive zone. His skating stroke is very interesting for his size. He handles the puck well, but he’s not considered a player with a lot of skill handling. He tries to make 1-on-1 moves but gets the puck taken away because his hands aren’t fast enough. His slapshot is powerful. Cap Breton uses it very often on the powerplay. He’s also very intelligent in his shot selection. He shoots when there’s traffic in front of the net or when a teammate is heading for the net to deflect. However, his wrist shot needs more precision. He often shoots over the net. Lavoie is very intelligent. His decisions are smart and that’s why he’s an extremely reliable player. He reminds me of Alex Pietriangelo, only faster. In my opinion, if he’s still available in the second half of the first round, I’d jump on him.

October 21, 2023
Torpedo Nizhny 4 vs Amur Khabarovsk 2
Trade Union Sports Palace
DraftPro Scout: Tyler Ballesteros-Willard

21 D, Anton Silayev, Russia (Torpedo, KHL), 6’7”, 207, L, DOB 04.11.2006

Anton Silayev is the definition of the future when it comes to big, strong and agile defensemen. He has such tremendous transitioning and edgework to the point where he looks like he is gliding on water. Anton Silayev is the definition of a smooth and patient defensive defenseman who has tremendous raw offensive upside. Yes he may not be the fastest skating defenseman on the ice as due to his size, he does not have the same quickness in feet, but the way he transitions, his lateral movement alone is equivalent to NHL worthy skating. When it comes to defining what raw means on his offensive upside, he is very opportunistic at shooting the puck from the point as each shot is a missile. The aspect that is raw is that he absolutely needs to refine his accuracy as many times he likes to shoot high during screens which goes over the goaltender. When discussing his puck handling abilities, he absolutely needs to work on his hand speed when deking as his moves can be telegraphed by the opponents. Not many can get the biscuit off of him due to his fantastic body positioning. When it comes to his passing, this is by far his best aspect of his puck skills as every pass comes flat and crisp, even with the high saucers from end to end. Even though he has such a big frame, it seems like he does not necessarily like to throw the body so much which there is some work needed at effectively throwing many checks to become NHL worthy. The highlighting aspect of Silayev’s game is absolutely the way he vision’s the game. It seems that every play, he understands the aspect of using proper stick work when stopping a pass, as well as him seemingly being in the perfect position in any situation which because of this, not many teams pass through him. With no mistake about it, Anton Silayev is the future of big and agile defensemen as he is a crucial candidate to be selected top 10 in the 2024 NHL draft similar to his counter part Dmitri Simashev.

October 27, 2023
Windsor Spitfires vs Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Budweiser Garden
DraftPro Scout: Zach Morris

66 RW Liam Greentree, Windsor (OHL), 6’2” 198lbs, L, DOB 01.01.2006

Greentree is the offensive powerhouse for the Spitfires and although he only record one primary assist, it was extremely evident. He was all over the ice controlling play and dominating possession in the offensive zone. His skating looked extremely smooth and was a key part of his game. He displayed excellent open face skating as well as edge work to get by defenders and keep them off of him. When leading the rush you could see his high level stickhandling ability on full display. He was deeking by opponents and moving his stick in a way that was very William Nylander esq. He has excellent scoring instincts and isn’t afraid to shoot. In tight he has great hands and a deadly backhand shot. One downside is he is sometimes hesitant to pass the puck and holds on too long trying to create a scoring chance. Instead he should look to reset and hope another opportunity will arise or just ensure the team keeps possession.

November 5th 2023
New Jersey 8 vs Nichols 5 (USHS-Prep)
Northtowns Center
DraftPro Scout: Steven Pratas

2 D Jack Sullivan, Nichols School (USHS-Prep), 6’1”, 174, L, DOB 03.24.2006

Jack plays an offensively active game as his shot gives him the ability to exploit the opposition when they’re out of position. He’s able to quickly turn his hips when receiving the puck on the point or from the top of the circle and release a missile toward the net. The power he produces is quite impressive as noted from his back leg being lifted into the air after his wind up. Sullivan is a true leader on the ice, he eats up most ice time on the team, plays in all situations, and heavily relied on to produce on the score sheet. He plays the same game despite the score and isn’t easily demotivated. Smooth skater, edgework from forward to backward starting is done in a split-second. He’s able to swiftly get into proper position after gliding into the play. Powerplay specialist, his playmaking ability really shows on the man advantage. Accurate passer through traffic and sticks. His neutral zone coverage and gap control is usually excellent, but his active stick often breaks up plays from occurring. Beating him on the inside is a challenging mission for forwards, he constantly has his eyes on their chest rather than the puck. Towering at 6’1”, Jack uses his body to hide the puck when being pressured and isn’t afraid to lay the body in the open ice. Sullivan oozes confidence with the puck even when heavily pursued, he often acts as if there’s no one around him. Plays a heavy game when taking opponents on-on-one, which can cause penalties. Excels at being the last line of defense as he understands when or not to pinch along the boards. His vision up the ice is very inconsistent as he doesn’t take advantage of the opposition’s long changes and tired players. Sullivan doesn’t make the correct passes to his wingers at times which causes him to turn back toward his goal ultimately causing turnovers. Urgency and awareness are a weakness, communication with his d-partner may be the culprit.

November 11th, 2023
Green Bay 5 v Lincoln 2 (USHL)
Resoch Center
DraftPro Scout: Andy Miller

2 Adam Kleber, D, Lincoln Stars (USHL), R, 6’4”, 210, DOB 3.24.2006

Kleber moves well for a big player. He is a defender who can jump up in the play and he is able to recover with some speed and get back in time often. Kleber is a very good player at boxing out at the net front. He makes excellent reads on the ice and often intercepts the pass to turn the puck out of the defensive zone. Kleber could improve his lateral movement, it looks laboured at times. He is a good defender who can gauge players speed and use effective gap control to limit their speed. Kleber has an ability to see the ice and retain that information when going into the corner to retrieve the puck and be able to initiate the breakout under pressure. He is miserable to play against when he is on the penalty kill, but needs to ensure he doesn’t run around for hits and focuses on protecting the net front. Kleber has a nice long reach and capably uses that to get in the passing lanes. He makes good passes and reads, but is not an elite passer. He is a player who consistently makes a good decision. Kleber can jump up into the play and has a shot that can be tough to stop. He can get his shot off quickly when needed. If things go well in his development he could be an Ian Cole/Ben Chiarot type defender in a few years, likely a solid second pair defenseman. He is worth a look in the late second or third round in the upcoming draft.

November 11, 2023
Calgary Hitmen vs Edmonton Oil Kings – WHL
Rogers Place
DraftPro Scout: Colin Johnson

26 D Carter Yakemchuk, Calgary Hitmen (WHL), 6’3’’, 194, R, DOB 2005.09.29

A better game than I’ve seen him play previously. He did less rushing of the puck and made more outlet passes to exit the zone. Unfortunately, he still has some major red flags in his game. Decision making is questionable as he makes low percentage attempts for plays and is making the extra move rather than passing the puck because he is looking to open up a lane for himself. He is a primarily shoot fist defenceman and isn’t looking to get his teammates involved. Lastly, he is a player that plays on the edge a lot causing him to take unnecessary bad penalties. These are significant question marks in his game that don’t seem to be fixing themselves and pose an issue to his transferability to the next level. The undisputed part about is that he is massively talented. Big body, strong and willing to be physical defensively. A good skater that uses footwork in the offensive zone and speed to exit and enter the zones. Most importantly is his shot. It is just an elite level shot that could score on NHL goalies right now. Both wrist shot and slap shot are powerful with deadly accuracy. He pinpoints exactly where he wants to put each shot and doesn’t normally miss his spot. If his game matures and he begins to use his teammates more he will be a top offensive defenceman from this draft. But due to his lack of awareness on defence, where he looks lost at occasionally, he doesn’t project out as a great two-way defender until his effort from the offensive end is transferred to the defensive end.

November 17, 2023
Fargo 4 USNTDP 5
USA Hockey Arena
DraftPro Scout: Liam Staples

23 D Cole Hutson, USNTDP, 5’10” 158 L. 28-06-2006

Cole is a smooth skating defenceman and similar to his brother Lane, Cole is also a pass first, puck moving defenceman. The first impression of Cole was noticing how well he plays defensively with his stick. Cole managed to time his challenge with his stick well and did not get burned by getting his timing wrong. Listed at 5’10” Cole is a smaller defenceman that relies on mobility and efficient puck moving. A common trend NHL teams are strongly taking into consideration when drafting a defenseman is the prospects height. The last five Stanley Cup Champions, St. Louis, Tampa Bay x2, Colorado and Vegas, all had defencemen on their playoff roster listed as six feet or taller, there are two exceptions to this trend with Samuel Girard and Cale Makar on Colorado listed as 5’10” and 5’11” respectfully, but every hockey fan would tell you, both are elite level defencemen and a very rare commodity to come by. A positive for Hutson is he will have several years for his body to develop and grow into a bigger and stronger frame although this trend is an important thought to consider. The trend is not saying to avoid drafting or never draft defenceman listed as under six feet, the trend is saying that NHL organizations that are successful in the playoffs winning the Stanley Cup have focused on building their blueline on defenceman that are tall and strong because they know they will be relied upon to take heavy damage and punishment during a Stanley Cup run. Defencemen that are smaller are more susceptible to injury from obtaining heavy punishing hits against larger forwards game in and game out for four rounds of the playoffs. Hutson is a skilled-puck moving defenceman, he has a good habit of checking his shoulder to observe the ice before skating in for a puck retrieval and showed he is capable of making breakout passes to teammates while under pressure from his opponent. An interesting note made about Hutson from his viewing against Fargo was his ability to draw in his opponent to then spin off of him to skate off in the other direction. This is a very effective maneuver for smaller players battling against larger opponents in the corner as it will allow the player to protect the puck better as well as create separation space from his opponent to skate into open ice. Hutson plays cool defensively and does not show a lot of panic to his game, he did make a few errors in the defensive zone leading to turnovers, if he can limit errors in the defensive zone, his stock will rise.

November 19, 2023
HC Plzen 4 vs Rytiri Kladno 2 (Tipsport Extraliga)
CEZ Stadium
DraftPro Scout: Brogan Houston

5, RD Adam Jiricek, HC Plzen (Tipsport Extraliga), 6’1”, 152, R, DOB 6.28.2006

As a 152-pound 17-year-old playing among fully grown men in the Czech Extraliga, Adam Jiricek holds his own. Once he grows a little more, he will dominate — and judging by the size of his older brother, David Jiricek, he could put on three inches and 50 pounds. Jiricek excels at both ends of the ice, although his statline doesn’t show it. In the offensive zone, he plays the quarterback position, and does quite well under pressure from the opposing team’s wingers. He makes lots of nifty passes around defenders in the offensive zone to set his teammates up. Think of Quinn Hughes in the offensive zone — that’s Adam Jiricek. In his own end, Jiricek is the most fearless shot blocker in his draft class. He’d much prefer to take a shot to the legs than have the puck stay in his zone for another second. His positioning on the penalty kill is also something to write home about. He covers two attackers at once, blocking them from passing to each other and shooting. If he can do this in the NHL, he will be very valuable. Jiricek’s first pass is also excellent. In one instance in Sunday’s game against Rytiri Kladno, Jiricek broke up a rush and immediately sprung a 50-foot pass off the boards to his teammate, who then had a one-on-one chance. Jiricek had several other notable first passes that could have turned into goals. At the moment, Jiricek has zero points through 16 games in the big league. Last year, however, he potted 12 goals and 29 points in 41 games at the U-20 level. As he grows and adjusts to the more rigourous style of play, his offensive game should improve to at least what it was last year. Jiricek has the chance to be a star defenseman in the NHL, although he will have to grow and develop more before that dream becomes a reality.