Category: Features

By Samuel Drummer (@Dummer_Coleman)

September 10, 2021

The ice is fresh in Hovet Arena located in the Johanneshov district of Stockholm, Sweden early in the J20 Nationell Norra season.

Three young forwards jump over the boards together for Djurgårdens IF J20 against Brynäs IF in the first of many matches together and did not look back.

A line of 17-year-old prospects slicing through the Brynäs defense like a hot knife through butter to the tune of a 7-1 win.

Since that contest where they accounted for five of their team’s seven goals, the “LOO” line of Jonathan Lekkirimäki, Noah Östlund, and Liam Öhgren have shown that they are here to dominate.

NHL scouts received the message as well.

The zone entry of the players is usually smooth and creative, they can all drive a play when needed, and while Lekkirimäki has clearly been the top goal scorer of the three, though they all seem to be able to put points on the board.

The chemistry between the players has been on display in almost every J20 game they play together. It’s not only their zone entries that keeps opposing players stuck on their toes, but how they seamlessly work together to create offensive chance after chance.

“All three are really humble, they love the game, they love to be at the rink, they love to practice, they’re interested in asking questions and want to get better every day. I would say humble is the right word for all three of them. No stress, never talking about ‘when is it my time to go out’ or anything like that. They’re out having fun and working hard every day. So, their focus is good.” said Michael Holmqvist, head coach of Djurgårdens J20 squad.

While watching the three players together, you are often left wondering why they are not a line in the SHL instead. Yes, Ostlund could probably work on his shot a little and put on a few pounds, but his other skills could carry him through until he does so. There may be times that a puck skips over a stick, or they make a bad connection, but in the end, the boys are miles beyond the J20 competition so far.

Lekkirimäki is a 5’11, 172lb centerman, still a young kid in the J20 league but he’s showing that his age won’t stop him from being one of the best players on the ice. His shot may not be the cannon of some bigger, older players, but his timing and placement are ballooning his stat lines.

“Lekkirimäki is the most shifty (of the three). He can deke an opponent and has a strong shot” says Holmqvist.

Lekkirimäki seems to be taking his strong showing at the Hlinka Tournament this summer and using it as a springboard to this season. The goal total he is amassing so far is something special in its own right. But, when you throw in his positional IQ and ability to rush an offensive zone with his linemates, you’re left with a player with a high level offensive ceiling.

His defense could use a little more focus as it usually can with most offensively gifted players. His effort is there, his legs move, and he always seems willing to rush back in a defensive play. His ability to break up a play or take away space by playing the body is the defensive area he should really look to improve.

Frölunda hockey club scout, Tommy Enroth, provided this analysis. “Lekkirimäki is a wizard with the puck. I literally haven’t seen a better stick handler than him. I grew up playing with Linus Klasen, and Lekkirimäki is as good of a stick handler as him. Phenomenal shot and he is a threat anytime he has the puck. He is a good skater, not amazing, but he’s got great edgework so he is really slippery for the opposing team to defend against.”

DraftPro scout Matt Hnatiuk was just as hyped up over the skill he’s seen so far in the young forward,
“He has a smooth, full stride that gets him to an impressive top speed. He is able to stickhandle in a phone booth, spin around a defender and maintain control the entire time. He has an accurate laser of a shot. His release is exceptional, and the puck leaves his stick as soon as it touches.”

Standing at 5’10” and tipping the scales at only 163lbs, Noah Östlund has become a surprising playmaker in the J20. His vision of the ice and ability to thread the needle with his puck distribution is just as good or better than any other player in the league. Östlund may not be the guy you look towards to fire home the game-winning goal late in a game, but he sure is one of the guys you want feeding the pass.

“Noah is a very humble and clever centerman. He always makes his friends (linemates) better because he is always looking to distribute the puck to make plays. He plays so simple and smart. He makes space for his friends.” Holmqvist says about Östlund.

His smaller stature and quick feet allow him to slide through and around defenses and he’s become fairly adept at drawing in an opposing player before setting up a pass. His size is likely his biggest downfall as he can be bullied off the puck in the dirty areas, along with his need to work on more of a scoring touch. Still being young, Östlund has time to develop and become a lethal offensive threat, much like a Brayden Point or Mitch Marner type of player in the NHL.

Enroth had some positive words to say about Östlund as well, “Noah Östlund is really skilled as well. He is more of a playmaker and can pass the puck as well as anybody in the Swedish junior leagues. He is also a good skater with great mechanics and edgework. The downside is that he is on the smaller side and lacks some strength physically.”

Head Scout for Draft Pro Hockey, Jared Brown, had some good words to say about Östlund as well. He doesn’t seem to be quite as high-up on the charts as his linemates, but Brown still believes he will be a solid NHL player one day.

“I think Ostlund has a real good chance at becoming an NHLer and play anywhere in the lineup due to his insane work ethic and ability to play a quick pace game. I see a lot of Matthew Beniers in him.”

“He brings an energetic, high tempo style of game. Constantly keeps himself involved in the play. He has outstanding hockey intelligence. He is smart in all three zones and reliable defensively. He’s a fast, quick, and agile skater with powerful movements through his edges. He has skilled hands with speed. Östlund’s skill level maybe isn’t as dynamic as some of the higher 2022 draft-eligible prospects as he doesn’t impose as a shooting/scoring threat.”

Finally, the second, but far from inferior “O” of this line; Liam Öhgren. Öhgren has taken this season as a challenge to show his worth to the world. He is certainly doing so effectively with his play. At 6’1 and 187lbs, Öhgren is unquestionably the one with close to NHL-ready size. His over one point per game average at the Hlinka tournament this summer was just a prequel to what he was planning this season.

A well-balanced skater and scorer, Öhgren is showing that he may be the most NHL ready of the three of them. All three players have high offensive ceilings and NHL potential. But, if any of them were to make a high impact on an NHL team next season, my bet would be on Öhgren.

“Liam is a very strong skater. It’s a strength in his game. He can drive through opponents and use that skating to open up for his teammates. He also has a very good shot.” said Brown.

His size, skating ability, and scoring touch make him a gem of a prospect to watch this season. Toss his responsible hockey mindset into the mix and he should be circled on just about every scouting report list for the next few months. If he continues to develop the way he has been, it would be difficult to see Öhgren waiting to be called past the first round.

Enroth continued his analysis of the trio and raved the most about Liam Öhgren, he is very high on the player and believes he could easily find his way into a first-round position.

“Liam Öhgren has started the season the best of the three. He has good size, skates well, and takes responsibility all over the ice. He is a rather “complete” player at this age, and he can do it all. Great physique, great stickhandler, great skater, and good vision of the ice. I’ve been really impressed by his play so far this season and if he continues, I think he’s going first round this summer.”

DraftPro scout Joseph Peter’s also loves what he’s seen so far from the young Öhgren, “He displays his quick instincts and offensive prowess on the man advantage. Steady feet, quick hands, and a shot in a split second. He likes to play an offensive-minded game. He has excellent edgework for quick pivots to back away from the pressure. He is sneaky with anticipation.”

Brown added, “The thing I like most about his game is his teammate utilization all over the ice and how smart of a puck distributor he is. Plays with a relentless attack too, where he can dig pucks out and set up his skilled linemates”

The kids came into this season hot. After toying around with making the full-time step last season, it seems all three of the young Swede’s decided it was best to light it up together, as a trio and an almost unstoppable offensive force.

“Noah and Liam were up with me a little bit last year. So, we knew for sure we had some great players in our system. Lekkerimäki was only up for one game before we shut the league down, so I didn’t know very much about him.” said Holmqvist. “It’s great to have them on the team, it’s huge, their talented players that love hockey. They come here every day and just love the game and want to get better everyday. That’s the main thing that we do. Of course, it’s fun to win, but our job is to develop the players and I think we’ve been doing a good job at this.”

“We have a system, of course, without and with the puck. We have some stuff we want to follow, but mostly with these kinds of players, I let them live free in the system. Mostly focus on things without the puck. They’re so skilled because they’ve been playing their whole lives with the puck. So, it’s the things without the puck we focus on.” Holmqvist stated, explaining that he feels that he needs to let the kids have a little fun with the puck, but understanding they still have some work to do without it.

When it came to whether Holmqvist thought they had a chance at making the NHL one day, he felt it was still a little early to say for sure but seemed to believe that they all had a great shot at it.

“It’s always up to them. If they can continue to work, keeping focus like their doing right now, then they have a great chance to play in the NHL. If I look at these three, I put them at the same level and mindset as William Eklund and Aleksander Holtz. They’re the same kind of player, leveling I would way that I mean. They love the game and want to get better. So, I think there’s a chance, but one step at a time and patience. It’s going to be good.”

In the end, these kids sure are making it interesting in Sweden. And scouts should be jumping at the chance to get looks at what these guys can bring to the table.

Photo credits: Mats Högberg & Josefin Andersson, DIF Hockey

By Samuel Dummer (@Dummer_Coleman)

JOAKIM KEMELL
JYP JYVASKYLAN, LIIGA
POSITION: RW HAND: R
HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 176 LBS

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” said Wayne Gretzky in 1983. It was during a season he was on a pace to put up 400 shots on goal. Unfortunately he didn’t quite get there.

Joakim Kemell of JYP Jyväskylä, in the Elite Finnish “Liiga”, sure seems to be trying to milk that quote for all its worth.

The JYP team has seen a bit of a surge of youth in the past year with Brad Lambert joining the squad last year and Joakim Kemell this season. They seem to be accepting youthful players with open arms. Looking at their squad, it appears that about 30% of their roster is under the age of 21. They really don’t seem to mind letting the young guns take a run with the puck.

“We hang out also outside the rink,” said Kemell of his relationship with his other teenage teammates on the Sr. team.

Marko Tuomainen, part of the coaching staff of JYP, is more than aware of some of the challenges that can come along with trying to run with so many younger guys on a Sr. team. A coach’s end goal and strategy may not change too much, but the road it takes to get there can sure be a little different. On the bright side, the young players all seem to get along and mix well together and are learning the pro game at a young age.

“We started rebuilding this year since we got rid of a lot of veterans, maybe the strategy hasn’t changed but the amount of work, on and off, the ice increased.” Said Tuomainen, adding what it is they work on with the young kids entering the league. “Getting their strength levels up and learning how to skate with the puck.”

“Everybody gets along great with each other.”

Kemell is a 17-year-old kid that has taken his opportunity on the Sr. club and hasn’t looked back. He is already further than most fans coming into the season would have expected. Kemell scored three goals in his first two games of the season. This was followed by a game in which he took 10 shots and smoked a player with a clean hip-check you don’t see used effectively much anymore. It is astounding to see the combination of skill and grit in such a small, young package. Kemell is making waves in Finnish hockey, and it won’t be long before you hear his name rolling off the tongues of our more local fanbases.

Following his strong start, Kemell continued his offensive dominance in the league. Leading the “Liiga” scoring race and showing that even a teenager can show the old boys a thing or two when it comes to the sport. In the first 11 games, Kemell would explode onto the scene with nine goals and four assists, totaling 13 points. At that pace, it would place him at about 1.18 points per game in a professional Sr league; again, Kemell is only 17.

Tuomainen is hopeful that Kemell can keep up producing the way he has. His offensive abilities were no shock to the coaching staff; however, the whole package deal they seemed to have gotten has caught them a little off guard.

“He has been our top scorer at the start of the season and will play in that role if he keeps producing. His offensive abilities were not a surprise but his all around game was, and how quick he adapted to playing against men.” When asked if the team had been keeping tabs on Kemell for quite a while Tuomainen and if he was expected to be starting the season on the roster, “We were counting on him to take a roster spot before the season, but not this way…”

From my short exchange with Kemell, he appears to be a man of few words. At least for now.
It may change as he develops into a more mature player and continues to have more interactions with people outside of his social circle. However, even with the short responses of the young man, there was nothing but confidence behind his words.

When asked whether he thought his strong showing at the Hlinka helped to lock in his current roster position with JYP, his answer was short and simple, “No.” He did make sure to clarify though, “It was a great experience and it went well.” If that doesn’t tell you he knew he was good enough, regardless of his performance at the tournament, I don’t know what would.

While Tuomainen didn’t say that the Hlinka was a dominant proving point for Kemell, he wasn’t so quick to shrug off the importance of the tournament. Call it age and maturity, or simply the difference between what a coach and player may find important, but every detail can count.

One strong showing, or even a weak one, can have the potential to make or break your hockey career.

“It gave him a lot of confidence to realize that he can play his game against the best in the world.”

Kemell’s confident attitude continued when asked about what his plans are in the game. “The NHL.” Once again, it was short and left little room for deviance. Hopefully, this confidence can carry him through for the rest of the season and continue throughout his career.

The coaching staff of JYP like what they’ve seen from the young Kemell on the ice so far on the ice, without question. Off the ice, he is beginning to show his worth as well. In the room and on the bench, it appears Kemell may be finding his voice in the room. It’s still early, but Tuomainen seems to be watching the player closely and happy with his growth.

“He is being himself. He is not the loudest guy in the room but will speak up when needed.”
“He works hard, he is a quick learner, receptive, and interested in his own development.”

With his performance so far, watching his name slide up the rankings list is an almost certainty as we move closer to the 2022 NHL Draft. His performance in the Hlinka, at least having a helping hand in cementing his place on the Sr. JYP roster, was followed by an extremely hot start to the season. With the nine goals in his first eleven games, and a shot stat that could give Ovechkin a run for his money (50+ shots in only his first 11 games). His desire to shoot the puck is eminent in his play, and he can’t seem to help himself as he consistently calls for passes – even if it may not always be the best play available. But, if Kemell keeps up with what he has done so far and is able to keep even a half-decent shooting percentage, he may just make it a battle for the top Finnish prospect with his own current teammate Lambert.
“His biggest strength is his shot, which is hard with a quick release. His weakness could be defensive zone positioning, once in a while” says Tuomainen about the game he’s seen from Kemell so far this season.

At only 5’11” and 176lbs, Kemell isn’t considered a very large guy. In the National Hockey League, it’s a size that historically could go either way. Lately, the size issue is becoming more of a distant past thing, with players like Brayden Point, Mitch Marner, and Nathan Gerbe carving out respectable careers while being considered “undersized”. Kemell is still young, at 17 he has plenty of time to develop and grow a larger frame. If Kemell can keep his handles as he grows, add weight, and continue to develop his edgework as he glides through the opposition, he will easily skate his way into a top 10 position.

Kemell looks up to Alexander Ovechkin, as a hockey player, more than anyone else. When scouting his play and comparing it to the shot-loving “Great 8”, the similarities become more apparent. It quickly becomes clear where he is modeling his game from and what he is looking to accomplish.

His confidence spills over into his abilities on the ice as well. A quick overview of his response to a question about his strengths and weaknesses on the ice left little to try to decipher.

“Strengths: Skating, shot, and skills with the puck. Weakness: Physical Training.”

When talking to Kemell, he was given an option of goal possibilities and was asked to pick which one he would prefer to score. His response was not only a confident one but one that made this writer almost cover his laptop with the beverage he was drinking. Instead of picking just one of the two options; a) great individual effort finished with a smooth move around the goalie, or b) tic tac toe snipe from the slot. Kemell simply replied, “Both.”

His quick-feet skating style, “Jergens”-would-approve soft hands, and lethal shot make him a deadly force whenever he’s on the ice. He has so much confidence for such a young age that it can almost come across as too much at times. But, when you can follow up the talk with the type of play he has brought to the table, naysayers tend to start falling behind. DraftPro Scouts rave about his stellar play. His ability to both put points on the board and drop bodies to the ice has become a bit of a talking point around our scouting world.

“Kid literally only has one thing on his mind… and that’s shooting his shot.” Kai Farenholtz, a DraftPro scout, had to say about Kemell, “But for real, his shooting prowess and tendencies makes him a force to be reckoned with. Tangle that up with his ferocity that he’s shown while playing in his age group, and down the line you have a pretty unique high-octane sniper in your midst.”

DraftPro Head Scout, Jared Brown, felt similarly to Farenholtz. Anytime I’ve spoken with Brown he has always been pretty high on the player. He likes what he has seen so far and has even slid him up his own ranking list to have Kemell battling it out for a top 10, possibly top 5, position.

“His confidence with the puck has been pretty amazing for a 17-year-old playing in a men’s league. Everything we’ve seen from him at the junior level and international tournaments has carried over into league play for JYP and is now making opposing teams circle his number in their pre-planning. He’s just a fearless skater out there and up against men is no different. I think at this rate he could definitely contend for a top-five selection for the draft. I have him at #6 in my latest rankings.”

Obviously, all this talent didn’t just happen to find its way into Kemell’s DNA. While he may be a naturally born athlete, Kemell still must put in the work to make sure he improves constantly.

Hockey is a sport that is always evolving, and talent focuses can change or cycle over a player’s career. Kemell uses his training time to ensure that the game doesn’t pass him by and he’s both physically and mentally prepared for whatever the game throws at him.

Kemell seems to focus on the “On-Ice training” part of his game. He pointed out himself that he needed to work on his physical training and when asked about his regular training routine, he said only the three words in quotations above. It can only be assumed that Kemell will work on his game as much as he can and let the physical size and training come as they will down the road. Whatever the mindset, it seems to be working for him for now.

Growing up in Finland, Kemell has been playing hockey for quite a while now. Born in 04’ he was barely the age of a Canadian Kindergartner when he started playing hockey.

“I grew up in Palokka, which is a suburb of Jyväskylä. I started playing in 2008 in a local hockey club, Jyki.”

“My dad.” Kemell responded when asked who his biggest mentor was early on in his hockey career.

Growing up playing in Finland must have been a fun experience for Kemell as he continued to keep playing through the years. He s beginning to develop into quite the player to watch and is a source of entertainment now for thousands of fans in his local area and beyond. What he has been able to accomplish is even more impressive when you see standings of recent years and realize that he is doing it all on a team that is only mid-tier and not packed full of offensive powerhouse players.

While the game can be fun and an obsession for many, at some point players need to turn their minds off of it for a little while and focus on something else; a break for when things can get to be too much.

“I like playing Golf, video games, or just hanging out with friends” is how Kemell explained what he does in his free time. What he fills his time with outside of the game shows a player, not unlike a lot of teenagers on this side of the Atlantic.

When he mentioned his like of video games, the inner child in me had to ask him about his Call of Duty abilities, as it is a very important piece of information for the generation of today.

“I would say I’m average ?” Kemell said, making sure to add the wink in his response.

Something tells me he may snipe on the screen, just as much as he does on the ice…

Photo Credit: Jiri Halttunen

By Samuel Dummer (@Dummer_Coleman)

PANO FIMIS
NIAGARA ICEDOGS, OHL
POSITION: C HAND: R
HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 176 LBS

With a Spartan-like attitude, geological background, and a name that fits the bill. A large impact in a small package, Pano Fimis may be pulling from Ancient Greek descendants in order to make some noise with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League this season.

The game is changing, on and off the ice. Hockey isn’t quite the rough and tough sport of decades past. It is still a contact sport, there is no doubt about that. But, with players like Nathan Gerbe, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, and Cole Caulfield paving the way, smaller players like Fimis of the Niagara Ice Dogs are finding themselves on the radars of NHL scouts with much more consistency.

“The game has turned to a much more modern game where size and weight aren’t as much of a big thing anymore. It’s turned to more speed and skill.”

“Don’t get me wrong, contact, height, and weight are all still part of the game, but there’s a lot more smaller guys and faster guys so you just go out there and just, you know, your there for a reason. You’re just one of the players on the team, then no matter your size or weight, it doesn’t stop you from being one of the hardest working guys on the ice.” Fimis says about what his size means to the game he brings to the table, “No matter how tall or heavy I am, I’m still going to go out there and be able to do what everyone else is able to do.”

His attitude toward the game is one of dedication and a drive to battle every game. Fimis doesn’t seem to stand for anyone questioning his ability because of his smaller frame. With his Spartanic view of the game and quick feet on the ice, his Canadian-Greek background is more than fitting. Growing up in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Fimis quickly moved his way up the ranks of the local Toronto hockey leagues.

While Fimis likes to keep a clear mind and tries not to think about the points he gets too much, he’s been tearing those leagues up for a little while already.

“I grew up in Richmond Hill for the most part. I have a brother and sister; Canadian-Greek is my background and I started playing in Thornhill. I started playing competitive about four or five. I started a year earlier and played my first year as an under-ager.” Fimis recalls of his start in the game. He moved on to play for the Vaughan Rangers and Willowdale Blackhawks before getting his shot on the stage of the GTHL with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.

While with the organization, Fimis would kick in the chest of his opposition with his production. He would put up an impressive 1.76 points per game (ppg) and another 19 points in only 11 playoff contests. Fimis has a proven track record of putting points on the board and better yet, has even developed a bit of a reputation for the grittiness he brings to the ice. This isn’t surprising when you dig a little deeper into who the player is as a person, and who he looks up to.

“I look a lot on like Jonathan Toews and Wendel Clark. I know he played a while ago, but he played for the Leafs which was great, he was the captain. He had that grittiness to him too, he wasn’t the biggest guy, but he was pretty cool to watch. Just the clips here and there that I’ve been fortunate to see…”
Fimis has not only been able to get some visual pointers by Clark, but maybe even some verbal ones too,
“And I’ve been fortunate enough to meet him and have a little chat with him.”

Hopefully Fimis can take whatever pieces of advice he got from Wendel and continue to rip up the ice in the OHL.

While Fimis has been a point machine wherever he’s been, he still doesn’t see it as something to focus on. He’s out there to help the team win hockey games and feels the rest will come as it will. Fimis tries to keep his mind clear while he’s on the ice and tries to only have the game in his thought processes.

“I don’t really try to think about how many goals or how many points I’m going to score each game, but like, I just try to play my game and the rest will come. Like numbers, numbers are just a little cherry on top for the rest of the other stuff, like grittiness or hard work on the ice. So, I don’t think about it too much, I just know that once we get going here and continue to get better, things like points and goals and assists will come.”

This sort of mentality is a strong one to have as a professional athlete. Like warriors in battle, everyone has a job to do, and no single person will win the war alone. Fimis seems to work with his teammates through the grind and even leads by example around some of the younger guys, even though he’s still technically a rookie himself.

“We kind of have two full batches of rookies coming into the league this season. Pano has already taken some of the new guys under his wing a little. He’s endeared himself to the older guys.”

The effort Fimis displays in his day-to-day training and interactions with the team just go to show more and more his connections to the Ancient Greeks of old. Like the warrior Spartans lived and breathed war, Fimis seems to live and breathe Hockey. Dedicated to getting better every day, and ready to bring his teammates up with him. Like King Leonidas in the movie 300, Fimis is willing to go to war with his men. He isn’t one to sit back and watch his line-mates work around him. It’s a team first mentality, and a desire to be in the middle of things, getting his hands dirty and leading by example.

“It’s very easy to forget that he’s only 17-years-old. He’s very focused, very meticulous the way he is always here early. He’s always stretching, rolling out, you know, really taking care of his body.”

“He’s a great personality, very respectful to everyone in the organization and always willing to help out no matter what it is. He’s the first guy loading, unloading the bus on exhibition games. Just a great head on his shoulders, you know it clearly comes from a great upbringing.” Billy Burke continued about Fimis.

“It’s crazy for a 17-year-old, he always wants to do video. His self accountability is outstanding. He’s not one of those guys who just wants to watch the roses, you know, he wants to get better. He’s always taking advantage of extra ice we have, whether its working on his face-offs or picking up pucks on the rim. He’s definitely a guy who’s not satisfied. You can definitely tell that desire to work hard, and understand how hard it is. How detailed you have to be, how hard you have to practice. Again, compared to a guy that sort of had his 16-year-old year here, Pano’s showing up here with a great mindset and you can really see his leadership qualities shining through already.”

The dedication shown by the player is even more impressive when it’s put up against the lifestyle they need to live in order to have a chance at making the big show. Hours at the gym, on the ice, or watching video are all things that players need to find time for. All of that on top of continuing their own high school education, which from what I remember, were a tough few years on their own.

“It’s harder on the high school guys. It’s a big adjustment. New School, new league, you know, going from being the big shooter to kind of the small fish. With COVID rules, high school is a little bit different this year. The guys are in the school for only a couple hours in the morning, for one class, and then the rest of it is online. So, Pano’s lucky that he’ll be up to the rink by about 11am. When he’s done school, he’ll get an opportunity to get any treatment that he wants or needs, an opportunity to stretch and then the high school guys workout starts at noon.”

Talking about the day’s routine a little more, Billy describes, in-depth, the kind of grind these kids see in a day and it begins to open your eyes to the development of Jr hockey over the years,
“It’s very structured, very monitored. It’s individually driven. So, when he gets done his workout, then he’ll usually grab some lunch. Then they’ll be back in here for video around 1:30, then hit the ice around 2:00 to practice from 2-3:00 or 3:15. Then the guys have open ice practice after that, another opportunity to stretch, and cool down in our gym. Then they’re usually out of here by about 4:30-5:00.

The guys that really want to make the most of, really want to try to be pro’s, this environment is certainly built for those guys.”

IceDogs General Manager Joey Burke seems to hold Fimis in the same high regards. Excited about his first-round pick in 2020 and looking forward to seeing what the young player can bring to the ice, Joey speaks highly of the young man making waves in the dressing room. His tenacious attitude on the ice and personality off it have more than rubbed off on the organizations management team.

“He holds himself very professionally. He shows great leadership qualities. He has a maturity beyond his years. He has elite abilities in everything; he can get points but he’s also a bulldog on the puck.” Joey started to say about Fimis before continuing, “His skating is elite, it may not be the north south speed of a guy like Philip Tomasino, who was just so much faster than everyone else, and he may not win every foot battle against guys like Ty Nelson, but his overall footwork is at an elite level.”

Fimis plays for his team, it’s that sort of “stronger together” mentality that further connects him to the might Spartans of old. He recognizes that no one player is bigger than the team and he will be right in the trenches with his linemates, breaking up the plays as much as he is starting them.

“We’ve seen it already; he sacrifices often for the benefit of the team, for the benefit of defensive zone play. He’s not out there just sniffing for goals and all that stuff, he’s very responsible down low.” Head Coach Billy Burke has to say about Fimis’ display in training camp, “You can see him on the back check, pointing and talking. He’s a very smart player, he’s a great guy that I’m sure if he keeps working hard and keeps his focus and the internal drive, then, you know, the ceiling is very high for him.”

Matt Morrison, DraftPro Scout, was at the IceDogs season opener and while he liked what he saw and knows there is a star waiting to break out, he also pegs out what it is he would love to see more of from the player.

“I love his two-way presence as he is so reliable in his own end as well as the back check. He grinds shifts out and rushes back to help the defense every play. He has good vision with the puck and finds his open man with ease. I would like to see him generate more offense in the middle of the ice, especially in transition.”

“He is great net-front and below the goal line. He has leadership qualities galore and already seems like a leader on the team as they look for him to create and play in both ends against the top lines. Fimis plays on the top power play unit, net-front, and mainly on his strong side where he looks to thread the needle cross seem. He is mainly trying to cause screens and bang in rebounds but does have the skill to back out to open ice and fire it home. He needs to work on his shot so he can be a threat from outside as well inside.”

The draft class of 2020 have a bit of an uphill battle ahead of them. The months of Covid restrictions and habit changes made it much more difficult for players to train and really get the most out of being a part of their teams. Despite all the guidelines and rules involved with doing much of anything in Ontario, Pano did what he could to make the most of his time and get whatever training in he could.

“We weren’t able to go in person with a trainer and be with a bunch of other guys that are able to push you. But, at the same time, I was very fortunate that my dad and my brother and I were able to build a gym in the basement, just a mini one and were able to continue to train there. But I also take full advantage of all the resources around me. We got the road we can run on; we got a backyard where we can just do hurdles and stuff like that. I was lucky enough that my brother was able to push me through it, and I was able to push him. During the winter, my dad, brother, grandfather and I, we built a backyard rink, so I was able to go on that quite a bit with the weather we had.”

Coach Billy Burke couldn’t help but agree with the work he’s seen from Pano during Covid, “It’s a whole year without playing so your expectations tend to grow and grow and grow which can be unfair to some of these guys. But (Pano) absolutely exceeded that.”

“Guys like Pano and the higher-end draft picks from the 2004 draft class, certainly, you know, are in a tougher position than a normal 15 or 16-year-old rookie that was kind of drafted in the spring, goes through the summer, and now is entering their first year. Pano should have already had a year in the league under his belt. So, to come in, as a kind of top prospect guy that didn’t get to play a 16-year-old year, is a hurdle for all these guys, there’s do doubt about that. But Pano handled it incredibly.”

The expectations can be tough on a player. The high draft pick and year “off” could seem like a lot, but Fimis seems to be handling it all with a certain calmness and manner around him that isn’t seen often in such a young man.

Fimis looks to take on the expectations head on and just play his game. While the management and coaching staff can evaluate what it is they think they have in the player, Pano is just looking to get on the ice and get the show on the road this season.

“We were looking for a franchise type center for the team. I think we found that with Pano” is how Joey described what he thought Fimis could potentially turn into. As a coach, Billy describes how he handles the elite playing ability of a player like Pano, “It’s definitely a give and take. His IQ is very high so he has no problem picking up a system and things like that. So, obviously he understands the importance of details away from the puck and details in the defensive zone. Stops and starts, communication, and all those things allow him to get the puck back and play offense. But yeah, I mean, you want to treat everyone fairly, but you don’t necessarily treat everybody the same. You know guys like Pano, they’re going to have to try to make moves and try to beat guys, and you know maybe at times it’s a turnover; it doesn’t work. But the biggest thing for us, is not necessarily the mistake, its what you do after and the second effort to get the puck back and clean things up.”

Fimis has been a star since a young age, yet Niagara didn’t get a good look at him until his draft year. By the sounds of my chat with Joey Burke, this might be more by design than a missed opportunity. It seems that the IceDogs have a strategy in their scouting system that keeps it efficient and smooth without much wasted time too early in a player’s development.

“Here in Niagara, we don’t usually start scouting guys until after the start of their draft year. But then we go all out. It’s funny actually, the first time I saw Pano in September I thought, “who is this kid? We need to keep eyes on him.”

So far, Fimis is proving every thought by Joey right. He didn’t get a chance to hit the ice for the IceDogs last season and still as a rookie himself, he is showing that he didn’t miss much of a step in how he works with the team. His attitude shines through and it shouldn’t be long before he’s seen as a true leader by his teammates and team staff.

Speaking with one of our DraftPro Contributors, Nick Malmstrom – who just recently saw Fimis play in the opener – and he was just as ecstatic about the player as the IceDogs’ management team. “Fimis is extremely poised while carrying the puck. He’s a very smooth skater and has a nasty release on his shot with some laser precision. The thing that impressed me the most was his ability to create space off of defenders.”

It really is a little extraordinary to see such high praises for a player who has yet to seriously crack top 10 discussions for the Draft this year. Malmstrom isn’t afraid to get close though and say his piece.

“Currently I have Fimis as a first round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft and the number two OHL prospect behind Shane Wright.”

Fimis can seamlessly transition from the offensive to defensive zones. Like the mythological Hermes of Ancient Greek lore could run between worlds, Fimis can jump from an offensive threat in the oppositions zone to a superior defensive stalwart in his own; all in the blink of an eye. While I missed asking Pano where his Greek roots originate, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was somewhere in the Mt. Olympus region. His light and seemingly “winged” feet, elite ability to transition between zones, and deceivingly strong stick strength make a connection to Hermes, son of Zeus, almost believable.

Coincidentally, Hermes was also believed to have had a son, named Pan… (were just going to pretend like that’s not more than a coincidence).

Malmstrom was amazed at the kind of patience and play shown by the young rookie. It was without question that he was holding something more than the average kid playing on the ice these days.

“He’s great at skating full speed into the offensive zone, then slowing it down by pulling up and cutting to the middle of the ice, giving himself all of the time in the world to shoot or pass the puck. It’s very Barzal/Marner like. The patience he shows with the puck is pretty absurd given his age.”

Regardless of whether his roots have ancient origins or not, Fimis is more than aware as to where he needs to give the most respect for the way he is. Both his mentality and love for the game had earth dwelling beginnings. It wasn’t in the hands of the coaches or expensive management teams. It wasn’t a teacher or professional player that Fimis truly admired the most. No, it was a couple much closer to home for the ripe young forward. A couple that could be thought to have given Fimis everything he has in life, in a way, and one that asks for next to nothing but love in return.

“A big one is definitely my dad, he got me on skates when I was really little, around two and a half I think. When I was around 3/4/5 we built a backyard rink and he’d get me on there every day he could. He would be the one maintaining it and doing all the dirty work for me, which was great. Then, he’s the one that drove me around everywhere, he spent all the money on me and my brothers and sisters to get us into sports. He made sure we were always doing something and keeping us busy. But I also have to give it to my mom, she’s the chef of the house, cooking meals constantly. She’s also my Uber driver. She’s been driving me around like crazy for the last 16 years. So yeah, my parents have definitely been a huge influence on me playing hockey and without them I definitely wouldn’t be able to continue to play.”

With the season now underway, it didn’t take long for Fimis to show his appreciation to the team and to his parents through his opening night performance. His first OHL goal in his first season game and an assist to go along with it. Fimis looked lethal through the night and seems to be everything that Joey and Billy Burke were looking for when they selected him with the Niagara IceDogs highest ever draft pick.

Like a gift from Mt. Olympus in Ancient Greece, Fimis seems to be paying off dividends in abundance and we can only hope it doesn’t slow down.

With his constant progression and style of play, even with his smaller stature, Fimis should battle for a first round pick position in the upcoming 2022 NHL draft.

Photo Credit: Vivid Eye Photography

By Samuel Dummer

JORIAN DONOVAN
HAMILTON BULLDOGS, OHL
POSITION: D HAND: L
HEIGHT: 6’2” WEIGHT: 181 LBS

The start of the OHL season is tonight. Fans around the province are beginning to reach into the depths of their dresser drawers or closets. They reach for the comforting feel of their favourite team’s jersey, forgotten by all but the most die-hard fans for well over a year. Whether it dons the name of a player recently enlisted to aid the team or one that has long moved on. In the streets of Hamilton jerseys are seen and the chatter is beginning to develop on the state of the team and what could lie ahead in the upcoming OHL season.

The previous OHL season, last played some 500 plus days ago, had left long-time fans of the team a little disappointed. It may have left newer fans already questioning their fresh loyalty to the team. Going from a Championship winner, to being 14th of a 20-team league in less time than an average junior player’s career can have that kind of effect on a fanbase.

While this seemed to be on a fast swing to the downside, like a forgotten stock buried in the depths of an exchange, they may just find the potential to find their support again and bounce back with the strength to find themselves on the return path to another strong season.

By using their high draft pick effectively in 2020 and selecting Jorian Donovan, from the Kanata Lasers, sixth overall in the first round, the path to finding that potential may have just been made a little clearer with the addition of their new pup. He brings with him a new bark and a little more bite to the team of grown dogs. The fanbase has been chomping at the bit to see what this kid can do, and it is only a short time now before they can really see what he brings to the table. With optimism around the choice, the fanbase can believe that their new “toy” is built tough. He won’t be torn and chewed quickly, left to spend his days laying under the couch.

Team president Steve Staios has high hopes for the team, as he should with some of the new talents he has brought aboard. Staios strongly believes the team should be one to watch this season and should be competitive in the league. The new young pups should be a big part of that move up the ranks too.

“We feel very comfortable with where the group is, I mean we haven’t seen them in 18 months, we feel confident that we have the depth and the character to be very good.” When asked if he felt Donovan would have a large part to play in the competitiveness of the team, Staios didn’t hesitate to point it out, “Without a doubt.”

When it comes to first-round pick Donovan, Staios has a boatload of confidence in the young player and holds him in high regard. Based on my conversations with the player, and Staios’ feelings about him, I think it’s safe to say that Jorian should be a promising prospect with a great professional attitude.

“We don’t pass go here in Hamilton on drafting players without knowing what the character of the individual is. Jorian’s a 10 out of 10. Incredible enthusiasm for the game, respectful young man, high work ethic, very, very strong student as well, so incredibly well rounded and highly motivated.”

Donovan has spent his entire life loving the game of Hockey. His father, Shean Donovan, was a former NHL hockey player with a career spanning 15 years and 7 teams. He was considered a hard-working player, a team-first kind of guy, and a penalty kill specialist.

When it comes to developing a work ethic, learning how to play in the dirty areas of the ice, and keeping the needs of the team above the needs of yourself, there are few better teachers to learn from than a man who specialized in all of it.

“Every time my dad would make a mistake in a game, he would use the phrase “park it”. This would help him reset himself to be in the right mindset for the next play. Another quote my dad would always say is that “if you want to have success in the sport of hockey, you have to hate losing more than you like winning.” I have taken this quote with me to every game I play, and I use this when I play anything from cards to Ping-Pong to Hockey. I always play by this quote.” Says Donovan about one of his dad’s favourite lines.

Developing under the watchful eye and directive hand of his father, Jorian Donovan has become an intelligent young player. He is one to keep an eye on as the season progresses, heading into the 2022 NHL Draft.

“Having a dad that played hockey, he was a huge role model for me to follow in his footsteps to become a player at a young age. I believe that having a dad with that NHL experience is always a tool to use when I need help. I don’t think it’s tougher to play with my dad having that experience because he always has helpful advice that will keep me in line to fulfill my goals.”

Not only was Donovan able to turn to his dad for hockey advice at home, but he had a hands-on experience of his dad’s hockey knowledge and ability to teach the game. Shean Donovan would use his wealth of experience and pass it on to the next generation, to his son, and all the kids that were lucky enough to play for his teams.

“Having my dad as a coach and someone to look up to in the hockey world has taught me many useful and handy tricks to use while I’m playing. It started with how I taped my stick “black tape from the heel to just before the toe” to how my mindset should be on the ice.”

Donovan was born in Calgary but spent most of his childhood in the Ottawa area.

“I first started hockey sometime around the age of 4 in a town named Carp just outside of Ottawa.”

Getting to be around professional NHL players and the Ottawa Senators organization was an experience for Donovan that he remembers fondly and appreciates when looking back.

“Growing up with a dad that played professional hockey, it was always a super fun and cool experience to be around all of the players in the room. I think that the coolest thing about that experience was meeting your favourite players. For example, I have always been a fan of Erik Karlsson when he was in Ottawa, and it was so cool as a young kid to meet someone like that in person.”

Meeting the players isn’t the only thing Donovan took away from his dad’s ties with the Senators. Donovan was sure to learn from the best and continue to show his understanding of the inner workings of the sport. He paid attention to some of the things that would have flown over the heads of many kids and teenagers in a similar position.

“It is also very cool to see how a team works as a coaching staff. As a player, you usually don’t understand all of the behind-the-scenes hard work the coaches put in to have a good system. Also, seeing how scouts look for people and what they see in a player with no filters.”

As Donovan so effectively pointed out, there are many boxes that scouts must check off on a young player looking to take the next step. Size, mobility, playmaking ability, hockey IQ, etc.; when it comes to Jorian, the Hamilton Bulldogs may have found a defenseman with all the boxes checked, and then some.

DraftPro scout Matt Morrison likes what he sees from Donovan so far. He thinks the player still has some work to do but seems to believe he’s a player with solid leadership potential and a strong two-way game.

“Jorian Donovan is a weird prospect in the fact he doesn’t have a specialty skill that makes him stand out. Instead, he is your reliable two-way defender that plays the game with a high IQ. Not overly offensive but has some untapped potential, scoring from the blue line especially. He has good footwork and can create space for himself and others with his skating ability. Really good first pass and solid under pressure. (He) can play physical but needs to bring his compete level on a shift-to-shift basis. Strong leader that should develop into a smart two-way defender.”

The canceled OHL season last year made it difficult to get good looks at players like Donovan. His games were limited, and ice time was restricted. Head Scout Jared Brown has had a limited view of Jorian, but when chatting with him quickly over direct messages, he seems to have come to similar conclusions in his assessments of the player.

“Donovan is an active, smooth-skating defenseman that can lead the transition using his feet to transport the puck. He looked to have a bit of a mean side with strong physical play when playing man-on-man defense. He shows confidence as a puck carrier” said Brown.

Donovan has the size to be a driving force on the blue line. Standing at 6’2” and weighing in at a lean 181lbs, the defenceman is already playing with the body of a full-grown man and yet is still young with room to grow. Physically speaking, Donovan is growing into everything a hockey team would be looking for. His long limbs and big body, allow him to get his stick in passing lanes and clear out any opposing net-front presence. His body on the ice does not look out of place in any way, and he should not have much to worry about in terms of his physical attributes in the game. He is learning how to use his body against the boards and beginning to develop the ability to protect the puck when playing a possession game.

His game could use a little more consistent aggression and he could learn to use his weight to really lean in on opposing players. His shots could also use a little more weight. The right eating plan and workout schedule could put the young man well on his way to being a top-tier prospect for any team. He is a desirable choice for anyone on the hunt for a long and strong left-handed defenseman.

Donovan is aware of his shortcomings and is working hard on improving them. He knows the parts of his game that can carry him through and where he needs to improve the most. His open and honest response was actually a little surprising and deserves a little recognition. He was more than willing to offer up his thoughts on his own development openly,

“My biggest strength I would say is my skating ability and my hockey sense. I have always been a really good skater so I have used it to build my game around. My biggest weakness on the ice would probably be my shot and strength. I have always had a weaker shot since I was young. It has been a big focus point for me this season over the summer. I said my strength because when you are a younger guy playing against bigger older guys, you want to make sure you have the strength and fitness to battle with the older guys. Training in the gym hard this summer to get my weight and strength up was a huge focus point for me so I can have the most successful season.”

At only 17, Donovan is proving to have the work ethic he needs to make the push to the NHL. Not only is he aware of where he needs to improve, but he is willing to put in the hours and work needed to make the improvements.

“A general training session for me will be 1.5-2 hours and would consist of a mobility and activations warm up. Then we will work on some speed and balance movement to work on quickness. Next, we will move on to some heavy lifting like cleans, bench, squats, and others. Finally, we will end off with a core or conditioning circuit.”

Getting better is something Donovan takes seriously and seems to enjoy doing, “Training has always been really important to me, and I always take a lot of pride in it. I am usually on the ice 4-5 times a week, either doing skills or team skates for 1-2 hours and sometimes more if I can get the ice. But I spend a lot of my time in the gym, usually 5 times a week, working on strength and speed. When I get home, I like to work on my skills off-ice, like my shot and hands. Also, I like to have video after my games and throughout the week to work on defensive positioning.”

It would look clear that the hard work ethic and team-first mentality of his dad is shining through the younger Donovan after all. It is not only the weight room that he puts in the work, like White Goodman would say in the movie Dodgeball, Donovan “likes to break a mental sweat too.” Donovan is currently listening to two audiobooks, and they may not be what you would think to expect a teenager to be reading. His drive for success and dedication shines through strongly with what he spends his time on.

“I have really been enjoying the audiobook called Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins and the audiobook called Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success by James Wooden”

Both books are focused on improving your mental state and attitude, as well as building the foundation for a successful future. Neither book is usually the kind you find in the hands or ears, of a 17-year-old. The drive and work ethic are there. It’s up to his skillset and scout opinions now.

These aren’t just the words of a teenager either. All the things Donovan said about his training routines and work ethic are ecstatically confirmed by Staois and the Bulldogs’ Management team.

“I think we’re even more impressed. The practice habits, things that we couldn’t see on a day-to-day basis, you know, his commitment in the gym. His enthusiasm for each rep and practice. He’s even more than what we thought he was.”

The Hamilton Bulldogs are currently pleased to work with the player, and they will continue to develop his skills. Hopefully, they will be able to bring out the best of him; draw out the maximum potential of the young defender, and howl in solidarity as they watch him chase the flashing lights of the NHL.

“He’s the best defense prospect that I’ve had the ability to draft in all my time here in Hamilton. He is the best defenseman prospect we’ve seen come through. I don’t see any holes in his game, he’s an elite skater, he’s got range, he’s got a competitive edge, great hockey sense, so I just, again, I think he’s the best defenseman prospect I’ve seen come through this draft” says Staois of the young defenseman.

He doesn’t stop there either. When it comes to Donovan, there was nothing but good things coming from the mouth of management. It can be difficult to find a player that has the skillset and personality that is so easily likable; the Bulldogs seemed to have found their diamond in the rough. The first half of his season leading into his draft, Donovan hadn’t quite hit the radar of a lot of scouts yet, but Staois was ahead of the pack,

“The first moment I saw him to be quite honest, even in the first half of the year. I saw qualities in him that showed me that he’s going to be an elite prospect. You know, I saw his skating ability and the range, I saw the competitiveness on puck battles, and then I think when it really dawned on me with him was just his ability to join the rush at the right time. A lot of these young offensive defenseman prospects, you know, get up in the play and they can do their thing on sheer skill, but his timing was really good and really sort of proved that he had some hockey sense and spatial awareness as well”

When it comes to his strengths, weaknesses, and his scouting report leading up to the OHL draft, it was all good things. And in the time since, Staois still seems blown away by the player,

“Strengths? I can go down a list. Skating would be the first thing that would jump out to anyone, I think. And then, just his hockey sense and compete level as well. I think those are all top class. As far as areas to work on, no different than any high-end and high-skilled prospect coming into our league. There’s stuff that you can get away with, you know, in minor hockey leading up to the Ontario Hockey League. We’re the best development league in the world, and I think just knowing when to use all that skill that he has and being a little more efficient. And that just comes with some game time, you know, so we’re looking forward to seeing him in all situations with us.”

Coming off a championship team before joining the Bulldogs, Donovan has a lot of hockey moments and experiences to help him along the way, “I have tons of favourite hockey moments, so I can’t really pick one. But if I had to pick one, I would say winning with my u18 team the Kanata Lasers last year. I just think we had such a close group and it was so much fun to win with great guys.”

When watching Donovan play, scouts and coaches are quick to point out his skating ability. For a young man in a large body, Donovan seems to have been able to handle the awkward teenage growth years in stride. While many players can be negatively affected by the quick changes a boy’s body can make on its way to being a man, Donvan has seemed to be able to continue his progression without much hindrance.

He has a smooth long stride, his balance and edgework appear to be strong (especially for his age and size), he is not afraid to skate backward with speed and agility, and he has enough foot speed to get back on defense after jumping up to join in on a rush.

With a little more work and dedication to a plan, Donovan could become a defenceman with the elite skating ability to go along with his growing size. His drive to being a great skater could stem from his love of Erik Karlsson, the player Donovan stated to be one of his biggest inspirations for his style of play.

“When I was younger, I loved watching Karlsson and I still watch his highlights and try to model my game off when he was in Ottawa. Now, I love to watch Thomas Chabot and Cale Makar, but I like to model my game off Chabot more because we have similar size and strides.”

Some defencemen prefer to “stay-at-home” and play a strong defensive game. They focus on removing a body from a puck, taking passing lanes away, blocking shots, or not getting embarrassed à la Reilly vs McDavid circa. 2020. Donovan, while generally being a solid and responsible defensive player, does not seem to have that same desire to be leashed to the blue line. With Donovan’s apparent strong skating ability, comes a willingness to join the offense and jump up on the rush. Whenever a desirable opportunity presents itself. Donovan is not afraid to act as a fourth forward when he is able, as he uses his speed and mobility to get back into position when the opportunity has passed by.

Watching his offensive play, his fondness of Karlsson shines through. This play style has done Donovan well enough so far, and if he can continue to develop his confidence and patience with the puck, it should only add to his already deep pockets of potential.

However, on the flip side, maybe pairing him with a typical defensive “stay-at-home” kind of guy, could be a good strategy. The downside of having the confidence to join a rush can naturally lead to a disaster the other way when things do not quite go as planned. It does not take long for a storm to rip through the doghouse when the house has been ill-prepared and left exposed. His tall and long frame should help his defensive game, however, as he can use his reach to clog up the passing lanes in his own end. A little more work on hand-eye and stick checking can do wonders for a long body like Donovan.

As a defenceman, Donovan is not necessarily on the team to fill the net, at least not primarily. His main job is to keep the other guys out of his zone, and away from his own (at least it should be). Whether that be through puck possession or brute force, his focus should always be defense first. Play aggressive, always look to remove bodies from the puck, take away passing lanes, take away space, and above all else; protect the front of the net like a dog and a freshly stripped ham bone.

Donovan does have the ability to put points on the board. His 27 points in 38 games with the Kanata Lasers, does much to show his knack for getting on the score sheet. Whether it be from finding an open man, jumping up on a rush, or rifling a quick shot from the blue line, Donovan’s scoring ability from the back-end will make him a desirable piece for teams looking to improve on their defensive depth. He loves being in positions to produce and will drool over any sort of chances he may get in the offensive zone. While his first focus is and should be, defense; his burning desire to join the pack on a hunt and pounce on the prey in a weak moment is a large part of this player’s on-ice game.

Even with the benefits of having a dad that played in the NHL, it wasn’t that long ago that Donovan was not completely sure that he had a shot at making a career out of it. He flew under the radar for a lot of his developing days, and it wasn’t until one of his most recent years that it really sunk in for him.

“The age that it clicked to me that I might have a chance to make a career out of hockey was my last year of AAA. I had a great year and really saw how I was growing as a player. I always understood that you have to make some sacrifices to make time for what matters most to you, but I always make sure to have a strong social life with the time that I give myself.”

That social life is important for the young developing players of today. The constant pressures of the hockey world and lifestyle can be hard on a kid’s mental state and having that social release should be considered a good thing. So long as they aren’t breaking any rules that is.

Donovan seems to have a strong head on his shoulders and spends his free time much like a lot of teens and young adults would in today’s world, with friends and family if he gets the chance.

“If I had to pick one thing to kill time with outside of hockey, it would be to hang out with my brother. Things we like to do are swim, shoot pucks, play basketball, hang around the farm or watch a movie. Another thing I like to do is have a buddy over. Because I am busy with hockey, I like to use my free time to hang out with friends.”

Donovan, as well as the rest of the new generation of hockey players, also has some other experience that players before them didn’t have to worry about… the Covid-19 sized elephant in the room. Donovan understood that he was in a very lucky situation and that a lot of people around the country didn’t have the same luxuries. He was sure to make clear that he understood the luck he had to be in the situation he is in, and the attitude he carries is a respectable one.

“Over the summer Covid was a big impact on lots of people and lots of hockey players. I was lucky to have a gym and shooting room at my house to be able to still stay in shape, and work on my skills. Also, I was super lucky to have a buddy with his own ODR that I could skate on at the start of the summer.”

Despite it all, Donovan is looking to the 2022 NHL Draft with excitement, nervousness, and an honest look on himself. He didn’t try to over-project himself or overcommit to what he could do. He believes he still needs a little work, but he is ready and open for an opportunity if it were to present itself.

“I think that I am super excited but also nervous for this upcoming NHL draft. Because, if I am lucky enough to be selected, then this is when you can see all of your hard work pay off and your dreams come true. I also believe that if I was lucky enough to be selected, I would still have some things I need to work on to make that next step. But, saying so, I still think that I would be able to make that next step with some time to get stronger and work on my skills as a player.”

Donovan and the Bulldogs will be entering the season with a lot of eyes on them, looking to see what their next move might be. With a pack mentality and the strength of working as a team, it should be a fun season to see what they can put together. Regardless of where the team finishes at the end of the year, where Donovan sits in the changeroom, or if he wears a letter or not; he does like to be the leader in one department, no matter the circumstance.

“I’m not really a superstitious guy, but I have one superstition… I have to be the first person with my helmet on before a game.”

Photo Credit: ProAm Images

By Nick Malmstrom

Matthew Savoie, a Canadian center for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL), tops our 2022 Preliminary DraftPro list of WHL prospects.

Savoie (5 foot 9, 178 pounds) is a dynamic right-handed center that possesses an elite skating ability. Savoie was selected first overall in the first round by the Winnipeg Ice in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. In his rookie 2019-20 season with Winnipeg he contributed seven points (seven assists) in 22 games. He also got the chance to play for Team Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympics where he tied for third in scoring on the team with three points (one goal, two assists) in four games, as well as winning a bronze medal.

Last year with the COVID-19 pandemic leaving a lot of leagues up in the air, Savoie decided to go play on loan in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the Dubuque Fighting Saints where he averaged over a point per game, scoring 38 points (21 goals, 17 assists) in 34 games, along with making the USHL All-Rookie Team. Savoie is currently ranked as the third overall prospect on the 2022 DraftPro preliminary rankings list.

I spoke briefly with DraftPro scout Matt Hnatiuk and he had this to say about Savoie, “Matthew Savoie is a player with an extremely high hockey IQ. He is able to think/read the game at a high pace and play continuously at it. Savoie has incredibly fast feet that are always moving and he has amazing acceleration from a stand still. He’s a player that everyone notices and watches when he is on the ice.”

One prospect that will give Savoie a run for his money as being the top WHL prospect this season is his Winnipeg Ice teammate, center Conor Geekie.

Geekie (6-4, 205), “A big, strong forward who has incredible puck ability,” says Hnatiuk. Geekie was taken second overall, one spot after his Winnipeg Ice teammate Matthew Savoie in the first round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, after the Ice made a couple trades during the draft to move up to take him. Last season with Winnipeg, the left-handed center averaged just under a point per game notching 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 24 games, which was good enough to lead all 2022 NHL Draft eligible prospects in points. There is definitely no shortage of hockey roots in the Geekie family. Conor’s older brother Morgan has spent time in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes and now the Seattle Kraken. His dad Craig also played in the WHL in the early 90s for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Spokane Chiefs.

Hnatiuk went on to say more good things about Geekie, “He can move well with the puck in tight, high pressure areas and comes out with it on the other side. Geekie has a smooth, long stride that propels him with very good top speed. He is able to make seeing eye passes right on the bullseye and can rip home shots with laser-like accuracy. A top tier power forward with incredible skills.”

Like Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie, there are a lot of 2022 NHL Draft eligible prospects to be excited about in the WHL this season. This includes a trio of defensemen, Mats Lindgren of the Kamloops Blazers, Keaton Dowhaniuk of the Prince George Cougars and Denton Mateychuk of the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Lindgren (5-11, 165), is a left-handed defenseman who was selected seventh overall in the first round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft by the Kamloops Blazers. In 2019-20 he played for the Burnaby Winter Club Prep Team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) where he put up some impressive numbers for a defenseman, scoring 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) in 31 games. Last season for Kamloops he contributed with 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 21 games. If you think the name sounds familiar, you would be correct. His father, also named Mats Lindgren, was a former first round pick of the Winnipeg Jets and played seven seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, and Vancouver Canucks.

Speaking with Hnatiuk about Lindgren he had this to say, “As a quick-footed, agile, two-way defender, he possesses elite skating ability and edge work. Lindgren has incredible vision and sense, both with and without the puck. Even though he lacks some size right now, he isn’t afraid to lead the rush and he does so with speed and unbelievable skill. He never comes at you the same way on the rush. Possibly one of the best skaters in this draft class.”

Dowhaniuk (6-0, 158), is a left-handed defenseman who is currently the 50th ranked prospect overall on the 2022 DraftPro preliminary rankings list. He was the third overall selection in the first round of the WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince George Cougars, becoming the first defenseman taken in the draft. In 2019-20 he played for the OHA Edmonton Prep Team in the CSSHL where he had a great season, posting 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 25 games. Last season with Prince George he registered eight points (three goals, five assists) in 22 games. The 17-year-old who was born in the small town of Star City, Saskatchewan (POP 460), will hope to have a solid 2021-22 season with Prince George and hear his name called at the 2022 NHL Draft.

Mateychuk (5-11, 186), is a left-handed offensive defenseman who loves to jump up in the rush. Mateychuk was taken 11th overall in the first round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft by the Moose Jaw Warriors. In 2019-20 he played for the Eastman Selects U18 AAA Team in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League (MU18HL) where he averaged a point per game, notching 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 30 games. Last season with Moose Jaw he pitched in with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 16 games. He also got the chance to play for Team Canada at the 2020-21 IIHF U18 World Junior Championships where he played three games and didn’t record any points, but still walked away with a gold medal to put on his resume.

When asked about the prospect, DraftPro scout Kai Farenholtz had this to say, “Mateychuk will be highly sought after once people recognize the skating abilities he possesses. He leaves a trail of smoke on the ice every single shift. His straight-line speed for a 16-year-old defenseman last year made him really thrilling to watch. Tie that in with his piping-hot motor and heart for the game, and you’ve got a wicked two-way defenseman. I have no doubt in my mind that Mateychuk will be an all-out monster in his upcoming draft year across the whole ice.”

These are three defensemen to definitely watch for this WHL season who all currently sit inside the top 60 on the 2022 DraftPro preliminary rankings. Any single one of them could break out this year and become a riser at this year’s draft. Jumping up to the forward position here are three prospects to keep an eye on this season. They are Medicine Hat Tigers center Oasiz Wiesblatt, Calgary Hitmen forward Tristan Zandee and Saskatoon Blades center Brandon Lisowsky.

Wiesblatt (5-8, 184), “A shifty, forward attacking player who loves to carry the puck up the ice,” says Hnatiuk. Wiesblatt was selected 12th overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the first round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. In 2019-20 he played for the Calgary Buffaloes U18 AAA Team in the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL) where he scored 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 29 games. Last season for Medicine Hat he got his first taste of rookie WHL action and contributed with five points (two goals, three assists) in 22 games. There’s no shortage of hockey roots or unique names in the family, as Oasiz has three older brothers who all play professional hockey, Ocean, Orca, and Ozzy. His brother Ozzy was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

Hnatiuk continued saying, “Once gaining the offensive zone, he has the ability to drive hard to the net or dish off smooth passes to teammates. His vision in the offensive zone is way above average and he makes positive decisions that create chances for his team. As a smaller player in height, he does not let that scare him. He charges through like a bull in a china shop and does anything to get the puck on his stick.”

Zandee (6-3, 202), is a big left-handed power forward who can play center and the wing. He was selected 36th overall in the second round of the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft by the Calgary Hitmen. In 2019-20 he played for the Canmore Eagles in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) where he came top five in points for 16-year-olds, scoring 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 46 games. Last season with Calgary he accumulated nine points (one goal, eight assists) over 21 games. Zandee is currently the 39th ranked prospect overall on the 2022 DraftPro preliminary rankings list.

Lisowsky (5-8, 177), was taken ninth overall in the first round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft by the Saskatoon Blades. During the 2019-20 season he played in the CSSHL for the Burnaby Winter Club Prep Team where he averaged well over a point per game, scoring 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 13 games. Last season he played his rookie WHL season for Saskatoon and had a solid year, posting 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 24 games. Those totals were good enough for fifth in scoring on the team. If Lisowsky can put another solid season this year under his belt, he is definitely a prospect that can rise up the draft ranking boards.

“Lisowsky didn’t offer a whole lot to the skating department in his rookie campaign, as he has a bit of a choppy style and didn’t produce a true head of steam down on the breakout, although he makes up for this with some stellar offensive awareness. There almost isn’t a moment where Lisowsky is not in prime position for a scoring chance on the ice. His hockey IQ makes him a vital piece anywhere on the ice and as he enters his sophomore season in the WHL, maybe he’s added some more dimensions to his skating to become an even bigger offensive threat,” says Farenholtz.

So far you’ve been introduced to eight WHL Prospects that will all hope to hear their names called in the 2022 NHL Draft. Rounding out the top 10 are two prospects that play for the Kamloops Blazers, who could both be risers this season. They are right winger Matthew Seminoff and goaltender Dylan Ernst.

Seminoff (5-11, 178), “is a diligent skater and a better puck carrier,” says Farenholtz. Seminoff was taken 93rd overall in the fifth round by the Kamloops Blazers in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. In his rookie 2019-20 season with Kamloops he contributed with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 48 games. Last year with the Blazers he had a solid season, scoring 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 22 games. His 11 goals were good enough to lead all 2022 NHL Draft eligible prospects in the league for goals scored.

Farenholtz continued saying, “He’s demonstrated he could be a little spark plug in his opponent’s half with his good speed and slick release on his wrist shot. Entering his third full season with the Kamloops Blazers this Fall in a top-six role with ensured power play time, I believe Seminoff can easily be a point per game player and an offensive threat throughout the entirety of the season with his instinctive offensive talents.”

Ernst (6-2, 195), was the highest goalie selected at the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft when the Kamloops Blazers took him 28th overall in the second round. During the 2019-20 season he played for the Moose Jaw Warriors U18 AAA Team in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL). He put up some very impressive numbers, posting a 2.30 GAA, .920 save percentage, along with 12 wins and four losses. Ernst also earned a spot as the backup goalie on Team Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympics where he won a bronze medal. Last season with Kamloops he won three of the four games he played. Watch for Ernst to get more playing time this season with Kamloops as he tries to improve his draft stock in the lead up to the 2022 NHL Draft.

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

By Nick Malmstrom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Nick Malmstrom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Nick Malmstrom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Nick Malmstrom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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