Author: Dan Stewart

By: Isaiah Bouchard

As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on the next season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft.

In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves on, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over moves in.

So, without further build-up, here are ten high-end players that are potentially coming out of the USA for the 2024 NHL Draft in June. (Part 1 of 2).

With exciting and competitive hockey leagues growing in the US every year, the US region is becoming increasingly more competitive towards the CHL and other junior division leagues across the globe. With leagues such as the USHL, NCAA, and team programs such as the NTDP and National U18s. Covering such a wide array of programs and leagues, spanning the entirety of the USA, it’s no wonder that America’s output of hockey stars has only continued to grow as the years go on.

Last draft, the USA provided 6 players in the 2023 NHL entry draft’s first round. That’s including non-American players who came from the region such as Adam Fantilli at #3. Following Fantilli, Will Smith came in at #4, Ryan Leonard at #8, Oliver Moore at #19, Charlie Stramel at #21, and Gabe Perreault at #23. In total 13 players came from the NDTP, 26 came from the USHL, 1 from the AYHL, and 16 from the NCAA. Combining for 56 total players coming out of American developmental leagues. With so many players coming out of the USA, it’s fair to say that one article is not enough to give them justice. So with so many players to go over, let’s get going with our first name.

Artyom Levshunov is everything you want in a defensemen. He’s already quite large at 6’2” and is already bulky for his size. On top of all that, Levshunov has a pretty strong offensive tool set. Scoring 29 assists and 42 points last season in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers. The Belarus born defensemen has a lot of scouts talking already with his high potential as a tough blue liner.

“Levshunov is a big, strong right-handed shot defenseman capable of making plays and scoring goals for his team, seems to be the type of player all NHL teams search for, a big right-handed shot d-man. Levshunov plays well defensively in his own end and has shown glimpses he can play on the powerplay” Said DraftPro’s Liam Staples.
“He is your modern-day complete defender with high upside on his offensive game as his ability to walk the blueline and get pucks through traffic is highly regarded in the NHL. His hockey IQ sets him apart from others as his split-second decision making with and without the puck tends to leave a positive impact on the play.” Added DraftPro scout Steven Pratas.

All in all, Levshunov’s highly ideally traits of being a big, right-handed, high IQ, 2-way defensemen is likely going to keep his draft stock high all year. If he continues to lead his team defensively in much tougher NCAA, then his chances of being called up on night one are almost guaranteed.

And now we have the big one, the odds-on favorite to go #1 overall, Macklin Celebrini. Hailing from Vancouver BC, Celebrini had quite the year with the Chicago Steel. Winning the following awards: USHL All rookie and All-Star teams, USHL Rookie of the year, Forward of the year, most points in the USHL, and the USHL’s player of the year. For the 2023/24 season, Celebrini is heading to the NCAA where he is playing for Boston University. If Celebrini can dominate the NCAA like he did the USHL, then that #1 spot is his and his alone.

Liam Staples had this to say: “Celebrini is a dynamic skater with the great ability to score goals and pass the puck to available teammates. A reliable forward on both ends of the ice and makes smart plays in transition. Celebrini can play a two-way game effectively making himself a reliable option to be put in any situation on the ice.”

Steven Pratas adds: “Celebrini is a consensus first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft by many and it’s for a good reason. His elite playmaking capabilities along with his confidence with the puck makes him a threat whenever he steps on the ice.”

To start the NCAA season, Celebrini is currently at 11 points in 6 games. Enough for him to lead Boston U, and enough to place him in the top ten players of the NCAA. And all in all Celebrini is looking like a must have player. Likely being considered a top 5 prospect even in last years stacked draft class. But time will tell just how much of a franchise talent Celebrini will become as the season plays out.

Next up is Celebrini’s teammate last year from the Chicago Steel, Michael Hage. Hage offers a tall and sturdy center who can produce in the USHL even without Celebrini’s assistance. Hage had a short season last year due to injury, which has hurt his draft stock as there is a lack of footage to review in the last few years. In 2021, Hage dominated in U16 AAA as he scored 116 points to finish his season as the #1 point-getter.

“His powerful and dynamic skating stride is a standout of his game as his speed is difficult to deal with when he is possessing the puck, as well as on the forecheck as breaking up plays is part of what he does. He seems to look like a natural center as his ability to read and understand his positioning on the ice makes him highly reliable on both ends of the ice.” Steven Pratas when detailing Hage’s unique skills as a centermen.
“Hage understands how to use his reach on his stick to stickhandle and protect pucks. Hage is a highly skilled player with great hands and release on his shot.” Added Liam Staples.

While Hage’s USHL seasons have been hampered with injury, his high potential as a ruthless two-way center have many scouts interested in Hage. As of right now he could dance around the late first and early second rounds. It all depends on if he can continued to showcase his excellent centermen playstyle and rack up points without Celebrini.

Scoring 24 goals, 23 assists, for 47 points with Tri-City Storm, Trevor Connelly offers a scoring touch to his team. The first American on this list, Connelly is a dynamic and fun player to watch, with a driven game that lets him keep his team competitive every night. Scoring 3 goals and 4 points in his 4 playoff games, Connelly has proven to be a reliable player in tense situations and offer’s strong offensive pressure. This is all driven by a highly competitive nature that Connelly uses to his fullest extent as our scouts were quick to pick up on:

Logan McBride, one of DraftPro’s freshest scouts had this to say after watching Connelly live: “The aspect that would catch viewer’s attentions first was Connelly’s explosive speed. Connelly started the game by picking the puck up in his own zone and beating every opponent down the ice and creating a breakaway chance for himself, and Connelly not only did this once, but on multiple occasions in all three periods. Not only Connelly’s speed would be displayed in these rushes, but also his outstanding stickhandling. Connelly could create space when completely stopped, or at full speed with his stickhandling. To complete the trifecta, Connelly demonstrates a dynamic playmaking ability. Even in achieving two assists, Connelly could’ve had many more considering the grade A opportunities he gifted to his teammates, a true setup man.”

Steven Pratas had this to add: “Trevor’s shot may be the best in his draft class for this upcoming draft as his power along with his accuracy makes him a shot first type of winger. Trevor loves shooting the puck and scoring goals which makes his linemates always look to dish the puck to him in scoring areas. Furthermore, Trevor is willing to throw the body around and not be outworked physically when battling for the puck. He plays with a chip on his shoulder which shows his character and willingness to become a leader when required. It’s not surprising that with his current skill, shot, and size that he would be a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft.”

From the Denver of the NCAA Zeev Buium offers coaches and GMs the skills of a highly effective two-way defensemen. Being on the slightly smaller side, Buium is not a physical powerhouse on the ice. But makes up for it in high tier skating and puck handling. And to sell you on his playmaking skills, simply look at his performance with the National U18 team, where 35 of his 40 points were assists.

DraftPro’s Alex Taxman had this to say: “Having been privy to all of his practices this year, he is the single most talented , effortless, and agile skater I’ve ever seen at his age. Not to mention he is a great dude, and his hands are filthy, and he has eyes on the back of his head.”

On top of all these highly coveted offensive skills, Buium does not take anything away from his defensive responsibilities. Still touting high plus/minus averages. Like, really high.

This 2023/24 season Zeev Buium moved from the NTDP onto the NCAA to play for the University of Denver. Buium so far is starting his year off solid. Showing that he is ready to compete at the higher NCAA level. With so many smaller player finding success in modern hockey, fans of that fast and highly skilled playstyle that you see in the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Johnny Gaudreau should be excited for Zeev Buium. As he is all those things but in a slightly bigger defensemen version.

With leagues like the USHL and NCAA establishing themselves as competitive alternatives to the CHL, it’s no wonder we need two parts to summarize the American crop this year. With yet another potential franchise guy coming out of the NCAA, and many more players who have strong arguments for first rounders, American fans can be proud of the excellent developmental system that they have established.

For more on USA prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.

By: Isaiah Bouchard

As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on the next season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft.

In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves on, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over moves in.

So, without further build-up, here are five high-end players that are potentially coming out of the WHL for the 2024 NHL Draft in June.

Hosting cities as far east as Brandon Manitoba and as south as Portland Oregon. No major juniors hockey league can cover such a wide scope as the Western Hockey League. Hosting teams in powerhouse cities such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna, Seattle, Portland and many others, the WHL is one of the largest major junior leagues in the world. And with that large size the WHL is a hot bed for young developing players from across the world to showcase their skills in this highly travel intensive hockey league.

Last year, 6 WHL players got to hear their names be selected on night one. Players such as Connor Bedard at #1, Nate Danielsson at #9, Zach Benson at #13, Brayden Yager at #14, Samuel Honzek at #16, and finally Tanner Molendyk at #24. Pretty impressive considering 5/6 of these names were in the first half of the round one. Once night two was finished the WHL provided 33 names in total for the 2023 NHL entry draft. With the WHL’s dominance last year, is 2024 going to be much more of the same?

Once taking one glance at forward Berkly Catton then we can assume it will be more of the same high-quality output from the WHL this year as well. Catton put up 23 goals, 33 assists, for 55 points last year. Almost accumulating a point per game on what was a very inconsistent Portland Winterhawks team. This all seems well and good on it’s own, until you see the absolutely stellar performance he had at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Scoring 10 points for team Canada, with 8 of those points being goals, and more than helped bring gold to team Canada.

“This guy is relentless when it comes to his shifts. Extremely hard work ethic. Always wants the puck. Incredible vision, quick hands, money in the face off. His bread and butter is his wrist shot with laser beam accuracy. On top of all that he has a gifted high-end IQ, his focus is extraordinary. Needs to work on his leg strength to produce explosive high gear. In my opinion he is a pure goal scorer, he can receive hard passes, and I mean hard passes and turn them into beautiful one timers.” Murray Caldwell added.
Overall, the former first overall pick in the WHL Bantam draft has a lot to look forward to as a future NHLer and offers a lot to his future coaches and teammates. He can score goals, he’s highly skilled, and has an absolutely pivotal way of building momentum for his team. Since Portland is projected to have another season of struggling to truly breakout and become a dangerous playoff threat, it’s fair to say more and more eyes from coaches, players, media, and fans will all look to Catton for answers during his teams toughest moments. What Catton does this year will confirm his position as a top end prospect, and maybe even land in the Top 5 by 2024.

At only 17 years old, Carter Yakemchuk led the Calgary Hitmen’s defense in scoring. The 6’2” defensemen is already looking like an intriguing prospect with his size and point scoring abilities alone. But of course there is more, there’s always more.

“The best Draft eligible defenseman coming out of the WHL. He possesses a very high ceiling with his offensive creativity and passing vision. He also comes as a late birthday in 2005 which seemed to be loaded with talent. His puck protection and skating are very good to go along with above average size. He will need to clean up his defensive game to be great at the next level.” Said DraftPro’s Colin Johnson.

The Calgary Hitmen were, and still are, a team of entirely non-drafted players. With still seasoned stars in their mix and young up-and-comers such as Yakemchuk, Calgary fought their way into the playoffs were they were eliminated first round by Red Deer. It is likely that the Hitmen will find themselves in a tough playoff situation once again this year, and while Yakemchuk put up a respectable 3 points in 5 playoff games. Many questioned his defensive performance, and a -6 to finish off the playoffs is not a great stat to hold, especially when there are plenty of other defensemen, both in the WHL and outside that would love to push Yakemchuk out of the first round. But overall, Yakemchuk has a lot to offer to any future NHL club who take a chance on him. His solid size and natural offensive skills make him an intriguing prospect to watch develop.

Do you like big hockey players? Because lord knows that if you’re a tall player, you are going to garner a lot more interest than your smaller teammates. So if it’s big players you want, then look no further than Northern BC born, Cayden Lindstrom. Lindstrom is a 6’5” forward that is very enticing to all those power forward lovers out there. Playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers, Cayden Lindstrom is going to be fun player to see develop as he only continues to bulk up.

“Lindstrom is like Eric Lindros, similar in his playing style. He can play at either wing but is better at center, making him a real catch for an NHL team due to his versatility. He is a big and powerful player, and he is still elusive for his size. He needs to work on his skating, but that perhaps is because of his physical chance in body structure. Still a potential steal in this years draft.” Said Murray Caldwell, longtime scout for DraftPro.

With solid point production, scoring almost 20 goals last season as a rookie, Lindstrom certainly is a high risk, high reward pick. Big players always gain more attention from GMs and scouts as, yes, perhaps their encumbering movement will hinder their play and their effectiveness in the big leagues may be hampered… But, what if it doesn’t? A big man who can do it all will always have a better chance at making it to the NHL. But Lindstrom is more than simply a big player, he utilizes his natural power forward role well, and can score goals and points with ease. With a ceiling so high, many NHL teams will be considering using their first-round pick on this potential steal.

From the Prince Albert Raiders, Ryder Ritchie offers a lot of talent. Scoring 55 points (and 20 goals) Ritchie was a shining light for the below-average Prince Albert Raiders, landing in the top three for Raiders Point Leaders. This year all eyes seem to be on him as he is yet another first round option for the WHL. His ranking as a top end prospect was most likely cemented by his winning of the WHL ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in 2023. Not a small feat to pass over, as many potential future stars have missed out on such a prestigious award. Many past stars who had made their way through the WHL lost their chance to claim that title that Ritchie earned last year with his performance on a struggling Prince Albert Raiders team. Hopefully 2024 will be a step in the right direction for Ritchie and the Raiders (you can have that band name, I won’t sue) and Ritchie and his team can earn a chance to showcase their skills in playoff competition.

“A gritty, hard on the puck forward with great speed while stick handling through the neutral zone. An amazing ability to protect the puck while driving a play. He understands the fame very well, always surveying the situation knowing here to be to accept passes and set up teammates. This year he is growing his 200 ft game, working on puck possession to improve his overall board play.” Added Murray Caldwell.

To close off our introduction to the WHL top prospects, we have last years first overall pick’s right hand man: Tanner Howe.

“A highly talented winger that has shown he can produce, but he will have question marks about his game away from Bedard, and deservedly so. A season similar to last year will skyrocket his value to teams while an underwhelming one may cause him to slip out of round 1.” Said DraftPro’s Colin Johnson.

An apt summary of what many scouts are thinking when it comes to Tanner Howe. With an outstanding 69 points in 2022 and 85 points in 2023, Tanner Howe’s numbers do scream top first rounder on paper. But that Bedard question will haunt him all year. Bedard didn’t only hold Howe up, he held the entire team, dare I say, the entire league. I watched Howe and Bedard live in Prince George, and that certainly got people going out on a Friday night.

With Bedard gone, Howe’s incredible point totals are going to be in question, and Regina will likely slip out of a playoff spot. This is a lot of pressure to put on Howe alone, but with Bedard gone Howe assumes the role of the Pats top forward. And with his great start to the season, it is likely Howe’s story could have a happy ending as proves all the doubters wrong.

Without a doubt one of the most exciting prospects and stories to come out of this draft this year. And Howe certainly has the support from DraftPro to step up and continuing his highly dangerous playmaking offense in 2024.

The WHL season is already underway, and all of these players are playing up to their high expectations. Every single one of these players are leading their respective teams in points, and we can already see some rising stars appearing before our very eyes. Already, the WHL is expected to nearly double the amount of drafted players from 2023. Another year of dominance seems imminent for the Western Hockey League.

For more on WHL prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.

By: Isaiah Bouchard

As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on the next season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft.

In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in this years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves on, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over moves in.

So, without further build-up, here are five high-end players that are potentially coming out of the QMJHL for the 2024 NHL Draft in June.

The ‘Q’ did not have the year it was hoping for last draft as only 12 of their players were selected on night 2. This was an historic low for the Q offering it’s smallest crop of prospects since it’s formation in 1969. At #37, Ethan Gauthier was the earliest selection from the Q last year, being taken by the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, with moving on to 2024, the Q is far from tapped out on star players. And unlike last year, the Q is offering likely first round candidates. But only time will tell just where these players will land.

Starting with the Charlottetown Islanders forward Alexis Michaud who starting off the 2023/24 season strong with a point per game start. The Quebec City native Michaud stands at a solid height and build and is proving himself as a versatile player who can prove to be a dangerous threat when in possession of the puck. Last year he didn’t get to showcase his playoff abilities as Charlottetown ran into an absolute freight train of a Quebec Remparts team. Who went on to win the memorial cup last year.

“He is a really fast winger who can score goals and set his teammates up. Off to a hot start Alexis looks like he can really be a go to guy on the islanders offense. Great vision for the ice is what makes him dangerous. He is the type of player that if you give him too much time and too much ice he will make you pay.” Said DraftPro’s Seth Silver.

“Michaud clearly has a nose for the net and usually is responsible with finishing scoring plays. He gets a great jump off faceoffs and employs a quick release for shots in the slot. His biggest asset is his snipe of a shot.” Added long time DraftPro scout Christian B-Cote.

Next up is the man who lead the legendary Shawnigan Cataractes in points during his first year in the QMJHL, and that is Félix Lacerte. To add to his impressive first year in the Q, Félix also scored 5 goals in his 5 playoff games last year. Without a doubt a player who is going to likely surprise scouts in his rise to prominence as he only seems to be recreating his excellent performance this year as well.

“He is shaping up to be a very exciting prospect. With great speed and a goal scoring ability along with great playmaking and vision. Felix could really challenge some of the top dogs on the QMJHL draft eligible list.” Seth Silver said when asked to name his favorite Q prospects.

A common debate across the entire CHL is how exactly the current QMJHL stacks up against the WHL and OHL. It seems many make the claim that the Q is ‘lacking’ in competitiveness when compared to the others. This could be the only reason Lacerte doesn’t hear his name called on night one, but that shouldn’t deter any GMs from considering this highly talented player. When it comes to talk about steals in the draft, Lacerte’s name should certainly come up in that discussion.

Next up is the big man Gabe Smith playing for the Moncton Wildcats. Smith stands at 6’4” which gives him a natural allure for the Q league scouts. Though his points totals are not as high when compared to others on this list, Gabe Smith’s main selling factor is his natural potential. Having a big body and still playing a highly competitive game makes him look really good compared to some other big guys.

“Already looks like a pro given his shape. He still skates a little funky with his long legs but once he stops growing and starts bulking up even further I think he will get that additional power and strength. He makes smart plays with the puck in the neutral zone, getting it down the ice for a change. He’s also strong at carrying the puck in spite of pressure. He might not be a regular in the contending Wildcats roster this season, which may hurt his draft stock but I’m fairly confident he will be a pro player in the long run.” A good summary of Smith’s potential by Christian B-Cote.

Seth Silver also adds: “He’s a big strong two-way playmaking Center who has lots of great offensive and defensive tools. His creativity helps him create offensive chances for not only himself but his teammates and his work ethic in the defensive end helps keep the puck out of his net.”

Overall, Gabe Smith is unlikely to be called up on night 1, unless he has an exceptional year. But he is still going to be a player that GMs will likely consider on night 2, giving his unique combination of traits.

Just barely losing their 7-game series last year to Gabe Smith and the Moncton Wildcats, we have the Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s Justin Poirier. While Poirier may have lost in round 1, no one is going to put the blame on the rookie’s incredible playoffs as he put up 9 points in those 7 games. Poirier was second overall in points for his team, scoring 28 goals, 20 assists, for 48 points. Almost becoming a 30-goal scorer during your rookie season is nothing to snuff at what so ever.

“With natural goal scoring ability Justin is sure to challenge for the top QMJHL draft eligible spot. From scoring highlight real goals and being an offensive threat whenever he is on the ice Justin will be a player to watch closing this season.” Said Seth Silver.

“Poirier could produce at any given moment he’s on the ice. In the offensive zone, he places pucks in high-threat areas then gets himself into the slot for rebounds. Overall he has a great ‘nose for the net,’ you will notice him all game long. Opponents have no choice but to respect his lethal shot.” Added Christian B-Cote.

In short, Poirier is a player who is full of talent that is going to be impossible to ignore. His only downside is his shorter stature. At 5’8” Poirier will have to work extra hard to prove his worth. So far he is starting his season at a point per game level, so with all things being considered, Poirier has a strong argument for being the first Q player to have his name called at this year’s draft.

But there is still one more player to review, and that is the Chicoutimi Saguenéens’ Maxim Massé. The QMJHL rookie of the year, offensive rookie of the year, the CHL rookie of the year, and a gold medal winner for team Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky, Maxim Massé is all sorts of hyped as he continues to impress. Placing second on his team for scoring, only being beat out by the Seattle Kraken draft pick Andrei Loshko. Massé finished the year with 29 goals, 33 assists, for 62 points. That’s the highest point total so far on this list, and only one of the reasons that make’s Massé such an intriguing prospect.

“highly skilled forward with a great shot and release. Maxim is ready to lead the charge of QMJHL draft eligibles this year as well as lead an exciting young Chicoutimi team to playoff success.” Said Seth Silver, who ranked Massé #1 for draft eligible Q players.

Christian B-Cote also praised Massé, adding: “He’s very quick and possesses a deceptive wrist shot from close. He’s absolutely lethal when he’s ON.”

With a disappointing playoff performance last year, Chicoutimi fans are excited to see where Massé is going to lead them. With Loshko gone, it is likely Massé will lead Chicoutimi in points and to another playoff run, baring any potential injuries. Massé was awarded the ‘A’ for his team as well, only solidifying the confidence and trust coaches and management have for the 17-year-old.

Players like Massé prove that the Q still has a lot to offer. And while this year looks similarly slow like last year, especially when comparing to the OHL and WHL. Players like Maxim Massé and Justin Poirier are strong candidates for first round picks, and other players such as Gabe Smith, Alexis Michaud, and Félix Michaud all have qualities that make them great hockey players, and one shouldn’t sleep on either name listed above. And in conclusion, the QMJHL should never be passed over, and could be the source of some surprising sleeper picks as the year continues.

For more on QMJHL prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.

By: Isaiah Bouchard

As the NHL season gets underway, all eyes are on another season of hockey. And if there is one thing that is consistent, it’s that hockey fans are never satisfied. We want more games, more goals, more cups, and more superstars. And what better place to start looking for future stars than the NHL entry draft.

In this seven-part series, we at Draft Prospects Hockey hope to showcase the cream of the crop of who is available in the years NHL entry draft. Last year’s flock saw the likes of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov all drafted as potential franchise building blocks. But as one draft crop moves up, a new wave of youth for NHL talent hounds to salivate over one moves in.

So, without further build-up, here are five high-end players that are potentially coming out of the OHL for the 2024 NHL Draft in June.

If there is one junior league that always provides the NHL young talent, it is the OHL. Last year the OHL gave us 5 players that made it to the first round: Colby Barlow, Oliver Bonk, Quentin Musty, Callum Ritchie, and Easton Cowan. Throughout rounds 2-7 of the draft the OHL provided thirty additional players. There is a reason why some OHL cities attendance records are not too far off from the big leagues. Many player’s careers start in the OHL, and the league has nearly 100 years of history providing Ontario with exciting games and future NHL stars.

The Oshawa Generals winger Beckett Sennecke is one to watch. Playing along side last year’s first rounder, Callum Ritchie, Sennecke caught many scouts’ eyes with his impressive 2022/23 season. Scoring 20 goals, 35 assists, for 55 points, that was enough to put Sennecke in the top 5 points leaders for the Oshawa Generals. Being only 4 points behind Ritchie.

 “Sennecke is a skilled forward who is very good with the puck on his stick and has very good vision.  He is a good forechecker who is energetic and makes others rush plays. Sennecke has a good shot and can put some weight behind it to get it through and deter someone from blocking it. His decisions need to improve this year so that he can be more impactful offensively. Sennecke is an effective player on the powerplay who can finish or set others up. He still needs to improve his play away from the puck to be a more versatile player.  He has the confidence to carry the puck into the zone and is able to protect it too. He is skilled but at times appears to either not make a decision or to change his mind and that frequently costs him.” Said DraftPro’s Andy Miller about the skilled forward.

All in all, Sennecke is certainly a high ceiling player, with an unknown floor. Simply, Sennecke’s potential is high, but there are some questions surrounding him. Sennecke is likely going to be drafted in the first round but could slip higher or lower depending on this crucial 2023-24 season. With key players leaving Oshawa like Ryan Gagnier and Cameron Butler, Beckett Sennecke has a huge season ahead of him. And we at DraftPro are excited to see Sennecke develop.

Next up we have one of the draft’s top defensemen, Henry Mews from the Ottawa 67s. Playing on a stacked team, Mews has a lot of excitement surrounding him this year. Despite playing with a lot of competition on his team, Mews has been able to impress with the ice time he did have. With key defensemen leaving the 67s this year, such as Jack Matier, Anthony Constantini, and Pavel Mintyukov, Henry Mews is going to need to step up in order to keep the Ottawa 67s a threatening playoff team again this year.

“Lots of greatness in Mews game. An all-around defenseman who you just want and need on your team. Great puck movement and an excellent shot in Mews game. He’s a guy coaches can rely on in all situations.” adds Jordan Greenburg, OHL scout with DraftPro Hockey.

As of right now, Mews is looking like a first rounder. And if he can bring the 67s playoff success this season, then don’t be surprised hearing Mews’ name sooner rather than later on draft day.

From the Windsor Spitfires, Liam Greentree is going to need to shoulder quite the workload with Shane Wright and Matthew Maggio leaving the Spitfire’s offensive core. While also playing for a *projected* weaker team than the 67s or Generals, the 6’2” Greentree has a wonderful opportunity to showcase his skills. And also, a lot of expectations from fans, coaches, and scouts alike. Last season, he made a considerable impact by putting up 20 goals, 25 assists, for 45 points. Greentree was also good enough to make it to the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where he scored 1 assist, and helped bring gold to Canada.

“Greentree is a big skilled winger. He has an NHL-ready shot and some prolific offensive instincts that are hard to handle with his size in the offensive zone.” Says Carson Klein of DraftPro when asked.

He’s going to need a sizeable increase in his point totals, as well as showcase that he’s a player who can drive the ship. If all things line up for Greentree, then a first-round appearance could be very likely.

Next, we have the ever-so hyped, Sam Dickinson playing for the London Knights, who pump out names like John Tavares, Matthew Tkachuk, Mitch Marner and so much more that it’s almost offensive. Joining a alumni rank such as that can’t be easy to ignore for a kid, but Dickinson is proving to be more than capable. He’s largely considered to be a top-ranking prospect this season. An easy first rounder, and early.

“Sam uses his crossovers and quick strides to generate speed. He can create separation in the defensive zone when leading the rush and gain a step when coming back on defense. He also has a good defensive stick; he is constantly on his opponents trying to steal the puck.” Noted Zach Morris of DraftPro.

Last year, the Knights provided to first rounders in Oliver Bonk and Easton Cowan. Oliver Bonk is returning this season, giving Dickinson some solid defensive back up. And with many more drafted players coming back to London, Sam Dickinson has the team to showcase his talents. In other words, it’s his season to lose.

To close out the OHL introduction, we have Zayne Parekh playing defense for the Saginaw Spirit, Parekh has developed a lot of credentials as a rookie defenseman. He was on the OHL first rookie roster, the CHL rookie roster, and the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup roster. Like Henry Mews, Zayne Parekh is looking to fill in the defensive shoes of his team as teammates either moved to the big leagues or aged out of the OHL. And also, like Henry Mews, Pavel Mintyukov is one of those star defensemen leaving a slot open.

“Parekh had a rough first month to his OHL rookie season. The narrative changed when he was invited to play for Canada at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in November 2022, he was able to make the transition to junior hockey much smoother and found confidence in his game. Parekh is an offensive minded defenseman who can quarterback a power play and can put the puck in the net.” said Liam Staples of DraftPro Hockey.

Another DraftPro evaluator Steven Pratas added this. “Zayne is a dynamic offensive defenseman who directs play from his own goal. His breakout puck decision making skills are exceptional, as he often tends to bring the puck through the neutral zone as a winger would. His awareness and puck skills has given him the ability to quarterback Saginaw’s powerplay. Let’s not forget his shooting ability which helped him rack up 21 goals last year which is a new OHL record for most goals scored by a U17 defender. Overall, he is assertive on both ends of the ice, but his defensive capabilities may continue to be a concern in his upcoming draft season.”

What else is there to say about Zayne Parekh? He’s an offensive defenseman who shoots first. 21 goals was highly impressive for a rookie defenseman. And it’s likely he will be a top goal scorer for all defensemen in the OHL. His final draft position will depend on just how much he can balance the offense and defense in his position. While the offensive defensemen has become more and more common recently, it is never a good idea to become an absent defensive presence.

As the OHL season is underway, we can already see these players playing up to their projected hype. 2023’s draft class was considered a slow year for defensemen, but if these five players can showcase anything to predict in 2024’s draft class, it’s that this is the year for defensemen to shine and for NHL clubs to clamor for the rights to sign these future stars. Henry Mews, Sam Dickinson, and Zayne Parekh all have something special to offer, and just who will be picked first is going to be a heated debate all season.

As for the forwards, Beckett Sennecke and Liam Greentree are both prospects scouts have been excited about for a while. Just how much damage can Sennecke cause playing alongside Callum Ritchie? And will Greentree grow to become a well-rounded power forward? Once the 2024 draft day comes, hopefully all of these questions will be answered.

For more on OHL prospects, and the 2024 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2024 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and keep your eyes peeled for exciting content and scouting reports all season long on the website.

By DraftPro Staff

A few of our scouts from this season have been asked to give us what they think are some ‘hot takes’ on the 2023 NHL draft as we are just hours away from the first round.

‘Hot Takes’ are draft thoughts or even opinions that might be a bit of a shock to the public consensus but what they believe could or will happen. Thoughts from our evaluators after two years watching these prospects develop and seeing the NHL talent hounds following their every move.

We know many of these will not happen, but this is a fun little exercise that will hopefully give our readers some entertainment, even discussion points, as you wait for the first pick to be announced in mere hours.

Draft Picks

“In a year highlighted by Russian risk, it’s been a very prominent storyline in the NHL all season. At the top end of the draft, you have a talent too good to pass up in Matvei Michkov, and not far behind him, Daniil But and Dmitriy Simashev who are too good to pass up as well. But aside from those 3, multiple Russian talents have gone under-scouted and under-appreciated. My hot take is very simple: I believe the duo of Alexander Rykov and Timur Mukhanov will show to have first-round talent careers going forward and will be well worth the wait for whoever drafts these players no matter which round they may be drafted in.” – Seth Ditchfield

“After being passed over as a first-time draft eligible last year, Windsor Spitfires defenseman Rodwin Dionicio will be selected anywhere between the fifth and seventh rounds and go on to be a steal for his team as a bonafide top-four offensive defenceman who can put up points in the NHL, despite some defensive deficiencies.” – Jonah Fleisher

“Theo Lindstein has had a great second half of the season during his draft year. He spent much of the first half of the year in Axel Sandin Pellikka’s shadow and as scouts started to look for other top defenders they looked back to Sweden and found another excellent defender who is agile and can move the puck. Lindstein is not the biggest player but he develops into a Jeff Petry type second pair defender. His skating is average but his hockey IQ is what separates him from the pack, he sees the ice and what is going to happen next. Lindstein will end up being a very consistent defender with a good offensive touch who is placed properly as the top guy on the second pair on a deep team that can make a long playoff run. Much like Petry again, he is traded away by the team that drafts him as he takes at least four years to start to really show his potential.” – Andy Miller

“Connor Bedard will NOT win the Calder in 2023-24, That will go to Buffalo’s Matthew Savoie, an older and a bit more experienced prospect. Bedard will play well but he will be a streaky player playing on a team that is not very deep in talent. Another issue that Bedard will have to deal with is that the Chicago forwards are not the biggest and will not buy him much time or space on the ice. Bedard will be fine and become a star in the NHL, but his bust-out season will not be his rookie season.” – Andy Miller

“Despite being the fifth defenseman selected and near the end of the first round, Lukas Dragicevic will lead this draft class in career points by a defenseman and will be a top 10 player overall at the position after three or four years in the league.” – Jody Horak

“Tanner Adams will likely be a late second or third round pick, but could slide in the draft and will be a solid NHLer with a long productive career. In the USHL this season he was a very productive player who elevated those who were on the ice with him. He is not a big player but can play tough and works hard. He will take a few years to get to the top stage but when he arrives and is put on a line with one or two other skilled players he will become an excellent third line player or a very good second liner. He will round out his defensive abilities and he will continue to be able to both set up and finish in the offensive zone.” – Andy Miller

“The first three goaltenders selected in the NHL draft (Carson Bjarnson, Michael Hrabal and Trey Augustine) will all be busts in the league and relegated to a backup role or playing in the minors. Jacob Fowler will establish himself as a solid starter after developing for two seasons at Boston College and winning the Mike Richter Award while leading BC to back-to-back Frozen Fours.” – Jody Horak

“This isn’t so much of a hot take as it looks more and more likely as the days go on. Michkov’s off ice antics are making it very apparent he only wants to be drafted by one team. The Russian prospect wants to be taken by the Capitals and take over for the Great 8. Ovechkin’s deal ends at the conclusion of the 25-26 season as does Michkov’s KHL deal. Andrei Nikolishin the Caps’ Russian Scout is not sold on Michkov’s work ethic or attitude which is very concerning and could lead to the Caps passing over the Russian. Vancouver would be the next logical destination and that would be at 11. Only time will tell but as the draft draws nearer It looks like Michkov could be waiting awhile.” – Tyler Karoway

“Predator’s fifth rounder, Cooper Foster from the Ottawa 67s in only three years becomes a reliable NHL player. By year four or maybe five he is a very responsible third line player with an offensive upside as the Nashville development worked with him and helped to further develop his skill set to become a well rounded NHL player who is a strong penalty killer and a reliable five on five player. The organization’s defense first attitude really helps Foster round out his game. Foster’s work ethic has improved and puts forth the same effort from puck drop to the final buzzer. He has gotten in the gym and added size and strength to allow him to utilize the offensive vision he has.” – Andy Miller

“With Stamkos getting older and his body wearing down Tampa will need a new premier sniper. Insert Daniil Bourosh, the Belarus native has one of the most lethal shots in this draft and due to him being an overage draft eligible he won’t have the same pedigree as other prospects allowing him to slide to the 6th or 7th round. With Stamkos being 34 next year and being a UFA, he’ll only get a 3-year deal at max allowing DB to develop and take over the powerplay Sniper role. GM Patrice Brisebois and Al Murray looks like genius’ once again with a draft steal and Tampa continued terrorizes the league.” – Tyler Karoway

Trade Frenzy

“Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman uses the 2023 NHL Draft to reshape his Wings roster and shave off years in the rebuild by make a couple trades to bring in much needed goal-scoring talent. His first move is trading pick #9 and Boston’s 2024 first round selection to Montreal for pick #5 where they take highly skilled Russian W Matvei Michkov with the understanding they will not have him until the scoring winger turns 22 years old. He then turns around and trades pick #17, Pick #43, W Filip Zadina and D Gustav Lindstrom to Ottawa for W Alex DeBrincat. In making these trades Yzerman adds two prime talents in the desired age bracket for his rebuild.” – Dan Stewart

“New GM Danny Briere got an absolute nightmare situation handed to him. No blue-chip prospects outside of Cutter Gauthier and a team that’s full of underperforming players. With Provorov already being moved it might be time to set the nukes off. Travis Konency, Travis Sanheim, Carter Hart, Joel Farabee, and Scott Laughton could all be in new homes once the Draft concludes. With such a deep draft the Flyers are in a prime position to reload the prospect drawer. Wednesday night concludes with these blockbuster deals. Konecny to Detroit in exchange for 17th overall and Cross Hanas. Hart and Laughton to Toronto in exchange for Joey Woll, Nick Robertson and 28th overall pick. Travis Sanheim to Buffalo for Henri Jokiharju and Philly gets it 2nd rounder back in this draft.” – Tyler Karoway

“Buffalo makes a big splash to make their team more competitive, trading their first rounder among other assets to Winnipeg in exchange for Nikolaj Ehlers and Dylan DeMelo, signing the latter to an extension to pair with one of Dahlin or Power for the foreseeable future.” – Jonah Fleisher

“In a blockbuster three team trade between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis, the Penguins get goaltender Carter Hart from Philly and the #29 pick in the 2023 draft from the Blues. The Blues receive C Kevin Hayes from Philly and Pittsburgh’s first round pick at #14. The Flyers haul in Defenseman Colton Parayko (waveing his no move clause), and the Blues pick at #25 and also receive from the Penguins, G Casey DeSmith and a 2024 2nd round selection that becomes a first if the Penguins make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Blues go on to draft David Reinbacher and Brayden Yager at picks #10 and #14 while gaining a veteran center as they continue to work on re-tooling and not re-building. Same goes for the Flyers who get a solid D man in Parayko and haul in another first round pick they use to select the versatile Danny Nelson from the USNTDP. Pittsburgh gets forward Samuel Honzek to fall into their lap at #29 and he thrives with Crosby and Guentzel, becoming one of the biggest steals in the draft. Pittsburgh wins one more cup and has this trade to thank for it as Honzek goes on to enjoy a better NHL career than either Reinbacher and Yager.” – Jody Horak

By Zackery Robert

Coming up next we have the Washington Capitals. They have had one of the greatest draft picks of all time in their franchise’s history and it surely has paid off for them. We will see what else they have done in the draft throughout their history.

To start it off we will get the easiest one out of the way. Alexander Ovechkin was the first overall selection in the 2004 entry draft and for good reason. He has been an unstoppable goal scoring force since his first year in the league in 2005. He is the second highest goal scorer in the history of the league and he still has some years left in him so we may see him leave the league as the number one goal scorer in the history of the NHL. Ovechkin has a ridiculous nine Rocket Richard trophies as the league’s leading goal scorer. He also has a combined nine other indivisible trophies including: Hart trophies, Ted Lindsay trophies, a Conn Smythe trophy, a Calder trophy and an Art Ross trophy. He has accumulated nine 50+ goal seasons and one of those he went as high as 65. Ovechkin has been nothing short of generational in his time and this is a no brainer of a selection as one of the best all time picks by the Capitals.

Up next we will go to the goal and take a look at the 1989 draft where Washington held the 19th pick overall and chose goalie Olaf Kolzig. Kolzig was the star for the Capitals in goal. He played over 700 games for the team and won just over 300 games in that jersey. He took home a Vezina trophy in the 1999-2000 season as the league’s top goalie and for good reason, he finished with 41 wins, a 917 save percentage and a 2.24 goals against average. Kolzig would have seven seasons of 25 plus wins for the Capitals.

Finishing up with the 2006 draft where in the first round at pick number four the Capitals would unknowingly pick Ovechkin’s running mate for their entire careers, Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom was the playmaker that Ovechkin needed, Backstrom has immense skill and was able to pass his way to a career high of 101 points in the 2009-2010 season. Backstrom has had five seasons of a point per game or better so far in his career and has been a top line centre throughout his time in the league. He finished with 23 points in 20 games during the Capitals first ever Stanley Cup winning playoff run in 2018. He has helped build this franchise to where it is today so Backstrom will go down as one of the best Capitals draft day picks of all time.

Moving along to picks that Washington gained the least value out of, we will first look at the 1990 draft where they held the ninth pick overall. With this pick they chose defenseman John Slaney, Slaney would make his Capitals debut in the 1993-1994 season where he played 47 games and scored 16 points. In the following season Slaney would play in 16 games for the Capitals registering three points. It was that summer in 1995 where Slaney would be traded to the Colorado Avalanche for a third round pick in the 1996 draft. Slaney being a ninth overall pick never lived up to any hype that he had gained before going into the NHL. In his short stint in the NHL with the Capitals Slaney played in 63 games and scored 19 points.

Up next we will move to the 1994 draft where Washington held the last pick in the top ten. At number 10 they went on to choose Calgary defenseman Nolan Baumgartner. Baumgartner would spend the next six years in the Washington organisation playing in only 18 games for the big club. He would spend the majority of his time once turning pro in 1996 in the AHL. He struggled quite a bit to gain traction in the NHL and finally after the six years of being in this organisation he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer of 2000. In those 18 games Baumgartner registered a total of two assists for two points in total.

Sticking with the 1994 draft, after Washington went up at number 10 they had another opportunity to select in the first round of this draft at number 15. Using pick number 15 they chose Russian winger Alexander Kharlamov, the closest the Capitals got to Kharlamov playing in the NHL was the two years he played with their farm team for the Pirates in Portland in between 1995-1997 where he played a total of 121 games registering 56 points. After these two years would spend the remainder of his career in three different leagues, the ECHL, WCHL, and in Russia, he would retire at the D end of the 2003-2004 season never making it to the Capitals lineup rendering this pick on this list.

Moving ahead to today, we see the Washington Capitals perhaps at the end of their era with Ovechkin and Backstrom and will have to begin to look to the future and rebuild with prospects. Good for them in the sense that they will have five picks in the draft to do so and they will have a rather high first round pick. Coming in with the eighth pick the Washington Capitals have a chance at a really good player in this draft. This is one of the deepest drafts for talent in the past eight years since 2015. Washington has not had this high of a pick since they were fifth overall in 2007 where they chose Karl Alzner. With their current makeup of prospects we see Washington a little on the low end of top tier prospects, a downside to being one of the best teams for over a decade, nevertheless they have a great opportunity to pick up the pace here at eight. Being this high in the draft the most sensible thing for them to do would be to pick the best available player, so for that here are three options that should make the Capitals very happy to be so high in the draft. NTDP winger Ryan Leonard, NTDP centre Oliver Moore or OHL winger Colby Barlow. All three of these players are held in very high regard. All of them have talents to which the Capitals can begin to retool their future around in a few years time when they come into their own in the NHL. If they choose any of these three players they will come out of this draft ahead.

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

By Zackery Robert

Coming along to the second newest team in the NHL we have the Vegas Golden Knights who have found quite the amount of success early on into their franchise history with now making their second Stanley Cup finals in their short six year history.

This team in particular is very odd, they’ve been around for six years so some of their picks they have made would’ve had time to develop and begin their career with Vegas. However this is not the case for the majority of their higher value and skill prospects because they have traded nearly all of them away before allowing them to play in Vegas. For example all of their first round picks from 2017, their first ever draft, have been traded away for older players, Cody Glass is on Nashville right now, he was originally drafted sixth in 2017. Nick Suzuki is on Montreal after being the centre piece in the Max Pacioretty trade. For their third pick in the first round of 2017 at number 15 Erik Brannstrom, he is now currently on Ottawa as part of the Mark Stone trade.

Clearly Vegas has not learned the value of having top prospects in their pipeline because they did it two more times, 2019 first round pick Peyton Krebs was traded away to Buffalo in the Jack Eichel trade, Krebs at least played 13 games for Vegas before leaving. Finally their most recent display of draft then trade is with 2021 first round draftee Zachary Dean, Dean was the 30th pick in the 2021 draft and was just traded this past deadline time to St Louis for Ivan Barbashev. Now some of these trades have brought in some good players that have led them to early success but this success will taper off real quick with their ageing core and part of their core being injury prone. Pacioretty is one already that is no longer in Vegas after only four seasons in which he never played every game of a season. Mark Stone has been injured, Jack Eichel has had his injured neck surgically repaired just last year. These players are ageing and in a short time Vegas will be in deep trouble as they will not be able to unload their big contracts on old players to anyone, and with no first round prospects staying around for very long Vegas will not have those higher skilled players to help dig them out of the bottom of the league.

In 2022 they did not have a first round pick and the same goes for 2018 which means that their only first round prospect remaining is that of 2020 29th overall centre Brendan Brisson who is currently their best prospect. He played in 58 games in the AHL this year scoring 56 points. A very good showing by the young centre gives hope that they have one good forward prospect currently but this will not be enough in 3-5 years time.

To round out let’s say a top four of best current prospects for Vegas you would have to put 2021 second round pick Daniil Chayka as one and 2019 second round pick Kaeden Korczak and USHL goalie Cameron Whitehead who was a 2022 fourth round pick. These are to all go along with 2020 first rounder Brendan Brisson as their number one prospect.

Vegas has taken a much different approach than what most teams and GM’s would do, they have taken away their future in return of a fierce first few years. Vegas has been a contender for a few years now and that is great for their fans and to grow their base and status but when their fierceness turns into dullness and their players that they made big moves for or have big contracts to just cannot keep up what will happen to Vegas. They will turn into a team that will be a bottom team trying to recreate or re imagine themselves but they will not have the tools to do so because they have either traded away their top draft picks for older players at the latter halves of their primes or they traded away their higher potential prospects within a couple years for someone who has already shown what they can do. They wanted to be good right away and it may have seriously hurt their future in doing so.

This year Vegas will look to have a first round pick along with four other picks for a total of five in the draft, 1st, 3rd, 3rd (BUF), 6th, 7th. With how the playoffs have gone their first rounder will be either 31st or 32nd and at that area in the draft, players that they could look at could be winger Gavin Brindley, centre Danny Nelson or defenseman Tanner Molendyk. Whether or not they keep this first round prospect long enough to see them develop and turn into a potential key player for their franchise in the future is up to them.

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.