As we anxiously await July 23 & 24 and the 2021 NHL Draft to come, our crew is back at it watching video on next year’s crop, breaking down the prospects and getting an idea on NHL potentials, and we are excited for what the 2022 NHL Draft class has shown us and will bring to the table.

Below are some profiles and video highlights starting with the top three ranked prospects in Draft Prospects Hockey sneak peek, you can find loads more in our 2021 NHL Draft Guide and Yearbook on the 2022 class. We give you a small taste of the top end guys that NHL teams will be clamoring to call their names at the draft podium twelve months from now in Montreal Quebec.

During the summer we will be adding another handful of video highlight packages of the 2022 top prospects to our YouTube page so be sure to check it out and subscribe.

“A franchise talent. High-end skater, balanced, quick, has excellent edgework. Impressive intelligence and situational awareness, both with and without the puck. Pro grade offensive skills including a cannon of a shot. Can let his release go midstride, at top speed. Dangerous one timer that he can really get some heat on. Elite vision with the puck and makes his wingers better by giving them the puck in positions to succeed. Quick hands and decision making. Responsible 200-foot player. Sets the tempo. Elite positioning. Is not afraid to finish his checks. All-Star potential.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Offensive center with McDavidesque type speed. Impressive stride with power, agility, and sharp edge control. A play driver who pushes the offensive attack. Excellent vision, decision making and timing on his passes. Can thread passes between legs and under sticks. Slick hands and often dangles defenders senseless with his ridiculous puck skills at top speed. Big shot that he gets off in a nanosecond. Heavy wrister and dangerous one timer. Needs to hit the gym and add some muscle. Consistent defensive effort could improve. Future top line NHLer.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Impressively quick, dynamically, heads up skilled center. Possesses elite skating ability. Burner speed that he hits with just a couple of quick steps. Excellent edgework. Super creative with the puck and can dance through traffic with dekes and jukes. High IQ and skilled playmaking. Remarkable vision. Finds open lanes and reads the developing play. Agile and shifty. Skilled at the art of puck steals. Small but sturdy, can body guys off the puck. He has a tremendously accurate shot, with a disguised release. High-end offensive point producer at the NHL level.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Intelligent, poised, mature, two-way defender. Smooth stride, strong all-encompassing mobility, and dynamic acceleration. Offensively he is more smart than creative. Quick transition game. Can move the puck with a pass or rush it. Distributes the puck accurately and smartly. Has a big shot and puts it in position to allow for tips. Reads and reacts quickly. He keeps good gaps and closes off lanes. Very smart. Uses his positioning and stick to defend more than being physical. Plays a very clean game but can apply force when needed. Has top pairing NHL upside.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Highly skilled, energetic, power winger. Strong skating stride with impressive first steps and acceleration for a big man. A beast in the corners and along the wall. Strong forechecker. Loves to play the body and throw his weight around. Great attitude. Possesses a heavy, accurate wrist-shot. Smart. Uses his reach and strength to hold off pressure or create space to make a play. Plays a mature game. Has a two-way mindset. A very complete player. Needs to be more selfish and shot each opportunity. A potential big strong two-way NHL power winger.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Dangerous, electric, natural goal-scorer. Powerful skater, quick feet, and excellent edges. allowing him to constantly gets open to receive a pass. Has a lethal shot, a gunslingers release and can tuck a puck in the smallest of windows. Has a shooter’s mentality always looking to direct shots towards the net. Drives the pace of play. Ultra-quick hands, high-end offensive instincts and impressive competitiveness make him incredibly tough to defend. Wins puck battles in the offensive zone. Still lots of work to do in his own zone. Top line NHL goal scoring potential.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Big, skilled, power centre. Strong on his edges, turns, and stops. Produces good straight-line speed. Creates space with long reach. Can ripped a beauty wrist shot. Confident and intelligent playmaker. Reads the play well. Handles the puck with skilled mitts. Exhibits excellent puck control in tight. Plays a heavy game. Solid frame. Not overly physical but hard to knock off the puck. Often little to no hustle in his backcheck, will need to rectify that. Needs to bring it consistently and to round out his overall game. Has top line playmaking NHL upside.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Tall, lanky and rangy, two-way defenseman. Skating has improved this season. Still could add more footspeed. Likes to join the attack or lug the puck up ice himself. Sees the ice well, handles the puck with his head up and makes a deadly cross ice pass. Holds and walks the line well. Displays a hard, purposeful point shot. Plays with a high motor. Aggressively closes gaps in the neutral zone. Uses his long reach. Plays physical, bodying his man. Still has areas to improve defensively. Has top pairing, minute munching, two-way NHL potential.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Dynamic, quick, intelligent, offensively skilled winger. His skating ability is near flawless. Wide and sturdy stance. His first few strides are both quick and powerful. Uses his speed to beat defenders or get in on the forecheck. Hands are quick and deceptive, can beat defensemen and goaltenders one on one. His wrist shot is whippy and accurate, has a heavy one-timer. Excellent playmaker. He is strong on his stick. Gritty and physical. Size, speed and abilities with the puck make him a handful to contain. Many edges to round off but has top six NHL scoring upside.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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“Slippery, evasive, pure dynamic offensive minded defenseman. Slippery skater with astonishing lateral movement, pivots, turns, and overall elite edgework to escape pressure. Slick, skilled hands. Quick and creative ability to make skilled plays happen. Excellent vision and puck distributing capabilities. Acts as a fourth forward on most offensive attacks. Reads and reacts quickly. Has a solid work ethic. Has some work to do with regards to his physical strength and defensive positioning. Top pairing NHL offensive defenseman upside.” – 2021 DraftPro Guide

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For DraftPro’s top 64 ranking and prospect profiles on the top 32 prospects eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft pick up a copy of either our comprehensive 2021 DraftPro Guide or our extensive 2021 DraftPro Yearbook which includes hundreds of actual game reports.

Created by Kai Farenholtz

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By DraftPro Staff

The U18 World Hockey Championships just wrapped up last week in Frisco, Texas, and was a scouting hotspot in a year that was anything but the norm for NHL staffs who are charged with evaluating the next wave of NHL talent.

It is a ‘must see’ event any season holding considerable weight as a last look event, but this year in particular, it might be the only hockey some of these guys would play under the watchful eyes of NHL teams. And it was an opportunity for the players to make an impression with plenty doing just that over the two-week event.

Draft Prospects Hockey was not able to be in attendance for the event due to pandemic/logistic issues but had scheduled multiple evaluators to view each minute of play and give us a breakdown of what transpired via their video viewing.

In this ten-part series we will look at each team entry and provide some review of prospects, how they performed and how their performance might have affected their draft stock.

Canada had a spectacular tournament from start to finish, just how Hockey Canada must have dreamed it would go, running the table including two blowouts over third place Sweden. They had their two future poster boys running the offense in Wright and Bedard and had the perfect balance of defenders and offensive defenseman on the blue line helping their forwards excel. In net Milic and Gaudreau were both great with the later stealing the net and running the rest of the way with it.

Here are some player reports from our crew on the Canadian U18 players that stood out.

29 G, BENJAMIN GAUDREAU, 6’2, 174, L, DOB 01.11.2003

Gaudreau is a cool, calm, goaltender that is positionally sound. He wastes zero energy on each play and reads what is coming so well. Thinks the game a step ahead and seems to know where the shooter is targeting. Plays a little too far back in his net for our liking but will come out to challenge. Great reflexes and a quick glove hand. Both his glove and waffle board are quick, and his pads seal the ice covering down low, leaving little open net to shoot at. Closes his five hole quickly and holds a tight stance leaving no space between his arms and torso. Everything seems to hit him in the chest. Could stay on his feet a little longer on plays in his zone, but tends to prefer to get down and seal the ice. Poised and really shows a ton of confidence in the crease, giving his team confidence. Not only is he athletic and smooth side to side but he is good tracking the puck, fighting for his space and thinks the game well. He has so much poise to his game and very little unneeded movement. Has the attention of NHL teams as a top tender for the 2021 draft. Gaudreau was awarded Tournament Best Goalie by the Directorate.

1 G, THOMAS MILIC, 6’0, 170, L, DOB 04.14.2003

Milic started a couple games in Texas and could have taken a nap or two in a couple of the periods played due to lack of action in his end. Tricky for a goaltender to keep focus when you are just standing there watching the action at the other end. He demonstrates strong mobility and athleticism in his crease, he is able to slide controlled or dive wildly around his crease so freely. He needs to polish his positioning if he wants to take that next step. Plays bigger than his size would indicate but you know how the NHL likes their massive natural size. Could be a steal later if still available in the draft.

14 D, ETHAN DEL MASTRO, 6’3, 192, L, DOB 01.15.2003

Del Mastro is a big left shot defender that is smooth on his skates and does a lot of the little things well. One of the less talked about names started as the seventh defense but has quickly risen to getting regular top six minutes. He is big and strong plus he uses that size to his advantage throwing hits and separating man from puck. He has a long stride that is quick and compact helping him build speed. He plays a safe game but has some nice offensive touch from the blue line. He has a cannon of a shot if he is able to get it off although the release needs some work. He also makes quick passes from the point deferring to his forwards a ton. He has a high IQ, just is not very creative in terms of his style of play. Yet every team would love a 6’3 defender that can skate and move the way he does. If he can breakout offensively, he turns into a home run if not he has a safety factor to his game. Defensively he does a great job staying with his man and keeping a safe gap under pressure. He will step up and keep plays alive knowing he can get back due to his skating ability. Without the puck he is alert and finds his man and really excels in man on man situations. Would love to see him add a bit of a bit more edge to his game for someone his size. His hands are quick, and he can stick handle but seems to hold onto it a little too long at times. A big defender that can move laterally and well as he can forwards and backwards. Upside of a bottom four pairing two-way rearguard.

27 D, JACK MATIER, 6’3, 184, R, DOB 04.08.2003

Matier is a hulking right shot defender that is mobile for his size. He glides around the ice and never really seems to break stride. You would love to teach his technique to kids as he has a long powerful stride and solid foot speed. He is still learning to use his edges at top speed and once he does, he could be a whole different type of fast. Defensively is where Matier stands out and he is a new age shut down defender that can move the puck. He is played on the bottom pair in Texas and really did a good job just keeping things simple. Where we see the biggest growth in his game from last season is with the puck. He dishes strong outlets and even made some impressive stretch passes to spring the offensive attack. The offense is just a bonus for this hard-working blue liner. He brings grit to every shift and is not afraid to throw his body around either. High character. He is the first to step in to protect and defend his team and really brings a lot of energy to the game. He does not rush the puck or lead the play often but can join in at times and be effective. On the penalty kill he is a beast, eating shots and clearing everything. These type of big right shot defenders that can skate don’t last long in NHL drafts.

25 D, GUILLAUME RICHARD, 6’2, 166, L, DOB 02.10.2003

Richard is a smooth skating left shot defender. He was the lone USHL defender on the team and made his mark moving pucks and helping offensively. He played on the third pairing beside Matier. He was solid keeping it simple and easy. We really liked his puck moving ability and first pass instincts. He has his head up and can stretch the zone or hit his bumper man with a quick area pass. Able to throw surprising sauce on forehand and backhand at top speed. Under pressure he evades traffic with smooth stick handles and foot work. He is an excellent skater with quick feet. Builds speed from his edges and gains agility as he carries pucks up ice. He carries it with confidence but lacks that next layer of creativity to really attack offensively. He mostly pulls up and looks for teammates which worked out well for him on such an offensively skilled team. He follows the rush well and carries an extra layer of offense from the blue line. Where he really excels is walking the line and getting pucks on net. He can take a few hard crossovers to get to the middle of the ice and let a shot fly. He does not often hit shin pads often, due to his head up play, and keeps it low. Defensively he plays man on man defense well and has a strong compete level. Plays with a little bit of an edge, even crosses the line at times throwing hits and taking penalties. We love to see the physical side and as he gets stronger, he should have even more of an impact on the blue line defensively. He is a few years away from the NHL still as he will need AHL time first to learn the defensive systems but has the IQ and skillset to impact an NHL team once he arrives.

2 D, NOLAN ALLEN, 6’1, 174, L, DOB 04.28.2003

Allen is a mobile left shot defender that plays a strong physical and defensive minded game. He was on the top pair with Brandt Clarke really let Clarke go with confidence offensively. Allen takes care of his own end and defends the rush at such a high-level with poise. He is so smooth with the puck that he makes easy simple passes to escape trouble. He does not generate much offense himself but will jump up when the time is right. He does a great job moving the puck towards the high-end players and letting them take over. We love when a player knows his role and adapts to it. He did that to a tee in Texas and really improved as the tournament went on. He is a strong skater with long smooth strides. He can glide at top speed and has quick change of directions. Defensively he makes his money using his body as he cuts off attacking opponents by taking nice angles. Once he gets pressure on an opponent, he is looking to inflict pain with big hits. If he cannot get his body on you, he has a long reach to tip pucks away and off your stick. Without the puck he has a high IQ and reads the play well knowing where the threats are. He is dynamic on the PK where he blocks an enormous amount of shots and cuts into the lane for big defensive plays. He has a sneaky heavy slap shot as well but did not get the chance to use it often here. He competes on a shift to shift basis and he is high energy in the battles. He projects as a shutdown defender that can play second or third pair minutes at the NHL level while killing penalties.

3 D, OLEN ZELLWEGER, 5’10, 174, L, DOB 09.10.2003

Zellweger is a skilled left shot defender that has a certain pace to his game that is unmatched. The kid plays fast and does everything quick. He was up and down the pairings at this event but was one of the top options at the point on the powerplay. He was flying offensively and jumping into the rush consistently. He leads the rush a lot because of his skating ability. He has a strong compact stride with such fast footwork. His edgework is excellent as well and he carries the puck like a forward in transition because of how agile he is side to side. Responsible for zone entries on the powerplay due to his skating. Then from the top of the umbrella he was controlling puck movement. His passes are quick, and he can find the recipients tape while under pressure. Defensively he does not give up much either as he plays with pace and energy in the battles as well. He is not afraid to get physical despite his size and stay engaged. Will need to not put himself in dangerous situations as he tends to turn towards the boards when taking contact. He needs to be more smart eluding traffic and knowing sometimes the first move is enough and the second is too much. He is undersized but does not get overpowered much because of his motor and compete level. He makes a crisp first pass and plays well when he keeps things simple and only gets creative in the offensive zone. He projects as a top four defender at the next level that can move the puck and create offense. He may be a few years away due to the size and he will need to add some strength but he has the IQ and skillset to jump into a line up and contribute in a few years.

4 D, CORSON CEULEMANS, 6’1, 192, R, DOB 05.05.2003

Corson is a big right shot defender that brings an offensive punch to his game. He was on the second pair in Texas. Rushing the puck end to end cutting through the neutral zone like he was still in the AJHL. The way he thinks the game is impressive. He was on the second power play unit moving the puck well and ripping pucks on net. Dangerous one timer that he does not take long to blast on net. He puts his entire body into each shot and has some serious power. He is a strong skater and has a small but compact stride. He relies a lot on his foot speed and edgework right now and as he lengthens his stride he should become even faster. He can skate forwards and backwards with ease and is extremely hard to beat laterally due to powerful crossovers. Defensively he played a strong game protecting the middle of the ice and using his angles well. He is not afraid to let go and throw a big hit. He has a high IQ in both ends of the ice and really thinks the game at a high level. We are not sure he will produce as much offense at the next level as he probably won’t run a power play at the next level but can certainly contribute as a mobile right shot defender that can play in both ends. He could be a few years away as he is set to play NCAA hockey but he could be well worth the wait with his skillset.

5 D, BRANDT CLARKE, 6’1, 185, R, DOB 02.09.2003

Clarke is a skilled and highly intelligent offensive defender that can play in both ends of the ice. He stands out with his size skillset combo that brings so much to the game for a defender. He really does control play when he is out there like a general and one of few defenders that can make just as big of an impact defensively as he can offensively. Whether it is a big hit or a beautiful pass it seems Clarke always makes the big play when needed. His skating concerns are drastically overblown as he is an excellent skater, only looks a little awkward – knock kneed. He generates so much power in each stride that he basically looks like he is just gliding around. While his first step could see some improvements, it is not a weakness per se. His skating is so effective because of his edge work. He can pivot on a dime and controls the puck with ease in small situations making tight turns and gaining speed throughout. He played a strong tournament on the top pairing where he showed his high IQ on each shift. He shows his poise and ability to hold onto the puck under pressure. One of his best assets is his decision making under pressure. Offensively he does most of his work off the rush where he can lead it himself or join the attack. Understands where the dangerous players are and hits them with that a well-timed and well-placed pass. He ran the top unit PP from the top of the umbrella and was integral to the unit being so dangerous. Created his own chances by stickhandling deeper into the zone before ripping a shot or passing off to a better option. He has a strong heavy slap shot from the point and an accurate wrist shot. Also played on the penalty kill where he was physical and used his body and reach to impede the play. We believe he can be a game breaker at the next level and would advise NHL teams to not sleep on him early. Selected by the media vote as an all-star at the event.

17 RW, CONNOR BEDARD, 5’9, 181, R, DOB 06.17.2005

Bedard is an exceptional status recipient and top talent who quickly, along with Russian phenom Michkov, took over the storyline in Texas. The story with Bedard is he just thinks quicker than everyone else on the ice. He is creative but the decision making, and senses are what set him apart. But that is not it, he is super skilled with the puck, able to cut and peel away from pressure just about every time he touches the puck. He is smaller but does not let that stop him as he funnels the play towards the net. He slows the play down, draws defenders like a magnet, distributes the puck with such skill and does it all with a smile on his face. Has a firecracker shot that is pin-point accurate. You would think the velocity would need work as he is only a young teen but no, he scores NHL highlight type bar down snipes. The puck tends to follow him as he is so smart in his positioning. His feet are always moving and he has elite edgework and agility. He gets to top speed in a flash with quick acceleration. Just exceptional vision and passing ability at top speed. Sneaky on the forecheck, So dangerous in transition. He is so active and hard on his stick he strips and turns over pucks at a high rate. Defensively he brings a high motor and effort and can be a one-man breakout. He was trusted late in games and on defensive draws mostly because of his IQ. We have Bedard and Michkov in a pretty close race for top spot in 2023 and are looking forward to watching these two battle it out for two years. He projects as a complete 200-foot superstar player with high IQ. Was selected as a tournament all-star by the media.

15 C, SHANE WRIGHT, 6’1, 187, R, DOB 01.05.2004

Wright continued looking like his old dominant self after missing over 400 days of playing a competitive hockey game. Was able to show his elite wrister and shooting mechanics early and often. Creates tremendous downforce through his bottom hand and using his top hand as a lever to zip the puck with incredible speed and power. Labelled the top corners on multiple goals often shooting off balanced and with a defender in hugging distance. Elite hockey sense attacking coverage off the rush linearly and side-to-side. Excellent at using space given to him. Always moving in the offensive zone, attacking open spots swiftly with his explosive acceleration. His positioning on both sides of the puck is phenomenal. Incredible change of pace in his skating and ability to explode out of turns. Picks apart the defense creating seams with and without the puck. Dominated the faceoff dot, clean wins on his strong side equating to quick shot chances off the faceoff. Plays hard off the puck looking to create turnovers in his own end through intelligent positional play and a strong stick. If he moves from the #1 spot, it will be because he changed sports. The next franchise player that has the generational talent to turn an NHL team around.

8 C, BRETT HARRISON, 6’1, 167, L, DOB 06.07.2003

Harrison is a skilled left shot center that can play the wing as well. Not only is he extremely versatile, he also brings a unique skill set for his size. Not the prettiest skater but once he hits top speed he really carries it well and can become a threat in transition. He could use a bit more flexion in his knees and a lot more foot speed. As he gets stronger the assumption is he fills into his body and skating should improve. Offensively is dangerous and is one of those players that just finds the score sheet no matter where he plays. He started as the thirteenth forward but was bounced around the lineup as the event went on showing his versatility. He has a heavy shot, one-time, snap shot or wrister. He attacks the open ice. Great goal scorers find open ice when you did not know it was there and he seems to do that more often than not. Not sure if he is a play driver or a secondary player that can play with solid playmakers. Either way there is a spot for his skill set in the NHL especially when he can finish and shoot it like he can. He has surprisingly quick hands in tight and can finish from around the net or from a distance. Likely three years away due to his skating and strength but once he gets there, we’d imagine he makes an immediate impact.

11 RW, LOGAN STANKOVEN, 5’8, 170, R, DOB 02.26.2003

Stankoven is a hard working right shot winger that can play the game any way you want it. He was on the stacked second line for the Canadian team that includes Bedard and McTavish. They do such a good job and he is the energetic part of the line. Very much a Brendan Gallagher style type of player. Very undersized but does not play that way at all. Drives the dirty areas and plays like he is 6’8. Offensively he is gifted as well with a quick release and soft hands. He has an accurate shot and is not afraid to shoot from anywhere. He can hammer the one-timer or make a slick deke play in tight. Impressive heart and motor, giving max effort every shift. He also does everything so fast. No doubt the fastest feet in the draft he needs it because of the length of his legs but man can he get going in a hurry. He skates so compact and low to the ice he is hard to hit because he dips under your shoulder and beats you with pure speed. He is a transition threat that can beat you wide or cut back and embarrass you one on one. Versatile. He is not a perimeter player and drives offense too much to not contribute each game. He probably isn’t as far away from the NHL as he should be at 5’8 and that’s due to his IQ and heart. A possible steal in this year’s draft, always the hardest working player when he steps on the ice.

19 C, WYATT JOHNSTON, 5’11, 178, R, DOB 05.14.2003

Johnston is a skilled right shot center that plays a poised two-way game. He centered the fourth line for Canada and really played his role well. Not only was he a beast in the faceoff circle but he was relied upon right off the drop and trusted by his coaches. Without the puck he does not chase and locates his man before making a play. With the puck he uses his size well as he does have a long reach. He has quick hands and can stick handle his way through traffic and will take you on one on one if he has the chance. Without the puck he hunts open ice looking for the open lanes. He has a quick release and needs to use it more as he was a little too passive playing with talented wingers. Johnston was strong on the penalty kill and excellent at using his feet to dictate play defensively. He will stay in front of his man and has an active stick to break up pucks. Down low he protects the puck and can defend his space with his back while he buys time to make a play. He rushes to the middle with the puck and attacks the front of the net looking for loose pucks. He has a long but compact stride that packs a punch and really helps him gain speed through the neutral zone. He could have been useful on the power play because of his skill set but with so many talented options he was used more in a shutdown role on this team. His ability to play with energy in this role and succeed has been impressive and adds another element to his game because we project he will finish at the next level. He has a ton of potential and could be a steal as someone who was not really able to show what he could do this season.

10 LW, DANNY ZHILKIN, 6’2, 183, L, DOB 12.19.2003

Zhilkin is a skilled left shot center that has literally was all over the lineup in this tournament. He started as a depth forward and after just a few shifts in the first game was moved to center on the third line for a couple games. It worked well when they were missing Shane Wright. He is a strong skater and has an excellent first step. He gets going in a hurry and builds most of his speed off his edges and cross overs. He can skate side to side so quick that he becomes hard to hit. Will eat a big hit but still make the play and kept it moving. He brings a certain edge to his game and is chirpy after the whistle. He has such fast hands to make passes under pressure. He also has some creative thoughts with the puck and tries some high risk dekes. When it works it is pretty when it does not, he turns it over at the wrong time. He has a heavy wrist shot and can pick corners from distance, but he can also go stretches where he struggles offensively. Still shows a high motor and compete to each shift that helps his game overall. Defensively he is aware and has a high IQ but gets caught cheating for offense at times. He played a lot better here defensively than he does in Guelph. He can be a handful in the faceoff circle and bring a lot of power to his game. Projects as a skilled two-way center with size and skating ability. He could be just a few years away as he has the drive and skill level to compete it will be fine tuning the risk factor.

7 LW, BRENNAN OTHMANN, 5’11, 170, L, DOB 01.05.2003

Othmann is a skilled winger had star moments for Canada in this one. Starting on the top line with his buddy Shane Wright they picked up right where they left off with Don Mills. Right from the first shift he was throwing hits and you could tell he has added a ton of muscle and strength since last season. Also very noticeable in the way he could protected the puck. He is just way more engaged in the battle than his on and off play of last season and has added more elements to his game than the goal scoring he is known for. He showed a bit of his playmaking ability with a gorgeous touch pass in the slot to Wright for a goal. He has a cannon of a shot and will be able to score at the next level, his challenge is finding more elements to add to his toolbox. He is a player that has grown so much since his last OHL shift that it is shocking. His play away from the puck has improved tenfold evidenced by the coaches trusting him on the penalty kill. He has improved his stride as it is not as choppy as before and generates way more power. He brought the energy from beginning to end and created a ton of chances offensively himself and his linemates. We would have liked to see him shoot more as the tournament played out as he passed up some chances he usually buries. He has improved a ton and shows all the elements of a top six winger at the next level. His production is there but with these added elements he could be just a year or two out from playing meaningful NHL minutes.

6 RW, CHASE STILLMAN, 5’11, 170, R, DOB 03.19.2003

Stillman is a skilled hardnosed two-way winger that provides a little bit of everything in his game. Not only is he visibility taller than 5’11 now, a vital that has not been updated, he seems to have added healthy functional weight and strength as well. He is still quick on his feet with a speedy style of play. But now has the frame to hold his own in the battles which is needed as his temperament is edgy. A nice mix of top six talents with bottom six grit and he packages it well together offensively. He showed his abilities by bringing energy and sticking his nose in it and chipping in some offense. He threw some big hits and was a beast on the penalty kill. He also got some power play time net front where he did a great job creating traffic and providing a bumper pass if need be. He has a high IQ and can really play any role you ask of him. An energetic winger with a nice mix of skill and grit almost like a Bryan Rust.

22 RW, DYLAN GUENTHER, 6’1, 181, R, DOB 04.10.2003

Guenther is another piece to the puzzle on this madly talented Canada lineup. He looked good in Texas doing so many little things to help Canada be successful. He played a strong role being effective at five-on-five, on the penalty kill and on the powerplay. He was skating hard, fighting through checks, filling open ice, digging for pucks, riving in deep on the forecheck, blocking lanes on the defensive side and even using his body to step up on opponents. He was a little hesitant to fire pucks on net here unlike his games in Edmonton. Still showed the high-end vision and playmaking, soft touch passes and skilled saucer when needed. But did not take over the play and dominate as you would have hoped for a potential top five pick but did so many little things to steer the direction of this team to the gold that it would be hard to see his stock fall based on a lack of offensive dominance. We see him as having top line winger two-way playmaking NHL upside.

23 C, MASON MCTAVISH, 6’0, 198, L, DOB 01.30.2003

McTavish is a big offensive center with an NHL ready shot package. He centered the second line in Texas was very effective throughout the event. We noticed a much more physical presence then we have seen before as he laid multiple big hits on the forecheck. His skating has improved as well, his footwork and edgework. He carries his speed well and once he gets going is a problem to handle with his size. His foot speed will be his area of improvement to target going forward as his first step isn’t the best. He relies a lot on his power to generate speed. Offensively he is one of the most gifted centers in the draft. He has a heavy shot and can fire the puck from anywhere and finish. His release is similar to Auston Matthews, masked and ferocious. Bullet on-timer that is deadly. Showed it off often on the powerplay. A beast on the faceoff dot. Creates offense for his teammates. Defensively he is sound and plays on the right side of the puck without cheating which has been a vast improvement from last season. Plays a strong and heavy two-way game without being a liability. Was involved in and around the crease play after play. Really was a heart and soul guy that without him the Gold might have been in question. He elevated his draft stock no doubt based on this performance.

21 RW, RYAN WINTERTON, 6’2, 190, R, DOB 09.04.2003

Winterton is a skilled right shot forward that is a pure goal scorer. He was on the fourth line in Texas and was excellent playing a supporting role. He skates well. Great stride getting full use out of his leg extensions. Smartly recognizes when he cannot beat a defender one-on-one and will chip it by them and use his speed to get around them. He will want to work on his edges, his turns are noticeably heavy. Love the way he transitions the puck with his head up but would love to see him pull up instead of attacking each time. Not sure he can create much if any offense himself, but he does little things well. He gets in on the forecheck and has a good stick defensively. He is able to turn pucks over but his processing after that needs work. He is much better off in open ice where he can set up for a shot. His wrist shot is his money maker. The way he can generate power off either foot is impressive and will be a big reason, along with his ability to play a 200 ft game, he is selected in the upcoming NHL draft. Defensively he plays a sound game, you don’t have to worry about him toe dragging in his own end. He has a high IQ and it will get even better as his confidence grows considering he hasn’t played real hockey in months. He might be a few years away as he has some filling out to do but should be a decent sized winger at the next level.

9 C, FRANCESCO PINELLI, 6’0, 184, L, DOB 04.11.2003

Pinelli is a skilled center that plays the game with a ton of finesse and creativity. He centered the third line but also jumped up to the second with Wright out for a couple contests. He was flying around throwing body checks creating energy early on and showing off his offensive weapons. His shot is improved a ton from last season. The way he carries the puck at distance before dragging it into his shot pocket creates a ton of velocity and he is accurate with it from anywhere. Scores from distance with the snap shot and quick release or in tight with super soft hands. Some of the one on one skill he shows in the battle is mind boggling considering his size. He becomes so elusive with the puck you would swear he is the size of Patrick Kane. But having his size he also protects the puck well and generates offense off the rush. He was used on the second power play in the slot where he is the bumper option with a quick release. He also got some penalty killing time where he fared well due to his skating. He is a strong skater with a long stride. He creates speed with quick footwork and strong edges. Defensively he has come a long way and it shows the coaches trust him in the middle of the ice instead of the wing. A versatile player that can play wing or center but belongs in the top six due to his skill level and high IQ. The way he thinks the game should help him translate to the NHL as an offensive producer whether that’s from the wing or the middle. Overall Pinelli showed some excellent flashes of play but was also invisible for stretches at a time. But the biggest takeaway was he stepped up his game when other premier talents were unable to go.

12 LW, CONNER ROULLETE, 5’11, 161, L, DOB 05.13.2003

Roulette is a hard-nosed left winger with some offensive touch. He was a solid foot soldier in Texas although he had a few “teaching” moments with coach Barr. He battled, drove the net and showed off some flashes of his finishing ability. Has a quick wrist shot. He often is shoot first but is no doubt trying to look for his teammates in this tournament with the stacked roster. He provides a physical presence and can throw some big hits for a high-end player. We question his IQ , as he struggles at times reading the play under pressure. Yet when he is playing that high tempo game, he is effective because of his athletic ability and hard work. He is high motor shift to shift and creates issues on the forecheck with the body. He is not the prettiest skater and has sluggish first steps. Once he is at top speed he carries his weight well and has strong edge work. He will need to get stronger on his feet as he seems to get knocked off stride too easy. Defensively he is an aware player but still struggles with making plays under pressure. Yet because he will run through a brick wall, he usually can get pucks out. He excels when he is playing straight line hockey and drives that right to the net. We like him as a gritty left winger with some finishing ability around the net but he needs some time to add strength and improve his feet.

Canada was led in scoring by two underage phenoms, 2022 eligible Wright had fourteen points, including nine goals, in just five games and 2023 eligible Bedard had fourteen points in seven games.

Contributors to this report included Dan Stewart, Matt Morrison, Alex Taxman, Kai Farenholtz and Jared Brown.
Photo credit IIHF.com & Hockey Canada

If you would like to learn more about the 2021 NHL Draft and its prospects be sure to pick up one of the below draft resources and support the #DraftPro crew.

By DraftPro Staff

The U18 World Hockey Championships just wrapped up last week in Frisco, Texas, and was a scouting hotspot in a year that was anything but the norm for NHL staffs who are charged with evaluating the next wave of NHL talent.

It is a ‘must see’ event any season holding considerable weight as a last look event, but this year in particular, it might be the only hockey some of these guys would play under the watchful eyes of NHL teams. And it was an opportunity for the players to make an impression with plenty doing just that over the two-week event.

Draft Prospects Hockey was not able to be in attendance for the event due to pandemic/logistic issues but had scheduled multiple evaluators to view each minute of play and give us a breakdown of what transpired via their video viewing.

In this ten-part series we will look at each team entry and provide some review of prospects, how they performed and how their performance might have affected their draft stock.

Russia had a strong tournament from beginning to end and finished with a silver medal. They hung with Canada, often kept their pace throughout the game and used their speed to dictate transition, making the gold medal game close but fell two goals short from gold.

They had a lethal power play and two units that can score in no time. The power play came in clutch in the final game but overall, they struggled to find defensive pairings that worked and really lacked the talent on the back end to help their skilled group of forwards.

Mitchov is a superstar in the making and captain Chibrikov took over games in stretches as well. The line of Yurov, Svechkov and Miroshnichenko were dangerous offensively every time they hit the ice commanding the attention of opponents. They should be dangerous next year with the young guns leading the way.

Here are some player reports from our crew on the Russian U18 players that stood out.

29 G, SERGEI IVANOV, 5’11, 157, LG, DOB 03.04.2004

Ivanov is a smaller stature goalie with electric reflexes. For a small goalie you expect him to be all over the place to make saves, but he is quite the opposite. No doubt he plays aggressive when cutting down angles due to his size but he is direct with his motions and gets from point a to point b efficiently. He brings a steady presence in between the pipes that never sees him out of position. He reads the game extremely well and seems to square up every shot. He has excellent rebound control, either swallows it up or directs it too the corner leaving little garbage in front of the net. When he does have to scramble, he has a high motor and will dive across crease to make saves. He has such fast motions in the net everything he does is quick but efficient. His glove hand is electric and one of his bigger strengths as he almost seems to leave it low on purpose before bringing it high and ripping sure goals away. He doesn’t play the puck as well as you would like and will need to work on that. He did show some ability as he gets out there quick but lacks the ability to make strong passes from there. He thinks the game so well it’s like he reads the shooters before the shot even comes. He stole the net as a younger goalie and performed well the whole tournament. Teams will be hesitant due to his size but if all he does it make big saves how can you not target him. He projects as a starter that can play big games due to his mental strength and quickness. Ivanov was selected the media all-star team’s goaltender.

18 D, NIKOLAI MAKAROV, 6’4, 234, L, DOB 01.12.2003

Makarov is a physical left shot defender that can be hit or miss. He can do some really nice things with the puck and dance his checker under pressure before making a crisp pass. Or he reads the play wrong and either passes into traffic or skate into a dead-end. He is a strong skater and has a ton of power in each stride. Mostly a straight up skater keeping his height, but he creates a ton of speed still. Brutal hips and struggles pivoting at top speed. He was burned against speed a few times in Texas. Without the puck he hunts hits too often and it takes him out of position. He walks that line and can let his emotions get the best of him, take a bad penalty here or there. With the puck he makes some nice plays but but lacks the creativity to create much. Too stationary, does not walk the line at all and is a play killer from the point. He either shoots right away or rims it and caused loss of possession. He does have a big, hard shot but it is not accurate and he blew it wide on multiple occasions. He is also prone to the classic shin pad shot because he doesn’t have his head up when he shoots. He can kill penalties but is just super aggressive with a high motor. The kind of prospect that would just frustrate you to death. Not on our draft list.

4 D, NIKITA NOVIKOV, 6’4, 207, L, DOB 06.25.2003

A left shot defender that is a hulking presence. He stands out because of his size and reach and provides a good rangy stick. He seems a little simple and that is okay. He is a decent skater, but will no doubt need to improve. He actually looks like he could fix a lot to do with his stride. He creates little power and struggles generating the speed that can help him catch opponents, but when he is already moving, he stays with his check. The way he does get around is because of his long legs and he does have fairly quick feet. Not a great passer but can make the simple ones fine. He did stand out because many of the other defenders were struggling to make a first pass and he was on top of that aspect. Has a heavy point shot but was not always on target. Needs to improve his gap control. He kills penalties for the Russians where he is trying to keep anything from the slot. Offensively he has almost no upside as he plays everything very safe. He can shoot the puck from a standstill but does not move at the point to create at all. His vision under pressure is very limited and results in simple plays. If he gets drafted it will be as a later option and as a development project.

20 D, VLADIMIR GRUDININ, 5’9, 150, L, DOB 12.9.2003

Grudinin is a flashy skater with high end agility. He is extremely smooth on the ice and will take every opportunity he can to flash his 10-2 style. He passes the puck well, and does a solid job controlling the puck at the point. He is able to walk the line while scanning for options, evading pressure from his opponents. Ability to snipe with a deceptive wrister that he uses from in close and at the point. Plucky and will stick his nose in there physically despite being very small and lacking strength. Defensively, he is growing and learning. He uses his skating, edge, and a quick stick. Able to pick pocket opponents along the wall and quickly transition back on the attack. His skating allows him to keep up, but he is prone to making risky pinches and stepping up when unnecessary. Very promising stuff from the creative-mobile defender. He will be an interesting prospect to keep an eye on for 2022.

17 RW, MATVEI MICHKOV, 5’10, 159, L, DOB 12.9.2004

It was only a matter of time before Michkov vs Bedard started getting all the headlines. He flat out dominated this tournament. He is a pure goal scorer, potting twelve of them in all different fashion, including a lacrosse goal and a through-the-legs goal from about 12 feet out. His finishing IQ is unparalleled, as he quickly exposes the tiniest of breakdowns in a defensive scheme. His hands are elite, as is his shot accuracy. His release is not elite, but his accuracy is unreal. Despite being arguably the most skilled player in the tournament, he forechecks and backchecks with intensity on every shift. He’s got a sneaky defensive stick and is always looking to pick pockets. He is a future NHL star, a game breaking, top line, better than a point per game type of player. Michkov was named the MVP of the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship and was also named Best Forward and made the media all-star team. Not bad for a sixteen-year-old.

25 RW, DANILA YUROV, 6’1, 172, LW, DOB 12.23.2003

Highly skilled, strong winger who makes his presence felt on every shift. Yurov is a long lanky winger with tremendous offensive skillset. He is constantly attempting highlight reel plays and pulling them off at high rates. He is a monster in transition, able to weave his way through nearly anything in his path, and has some excellent passing vision. He does everything well offensively and doesn’t have many holes in his game. He had been dynamite this tournament, close to the top of the scoring race the whole way. He plays with such a high skill set it really stands out especially with the puck. The reason he can play on the top line with so many talented players is because he thinks the game so well. He is a long stride skater with quick feet. He can get going in transition and has some giddy up in his first few steps. He gains speed with the puck and can score on single rushes. Great at creating chances for others using his vision. He has beautiful touch to his passes, timing them perfectly. He played on the top power play unit on the half wall where he can be equal parts shooter or passer. He has a heavy shot and can pick corners from distance. Defensively he stands out as a super responsible player despite bringing the offensive talent. He looks after his own zone and turns back up ice once it is safe. He can play man on man or zone because of his IQ and physical ability. He is quite light still and will need to get stronger, but his effort is there. He may be a few years away still as he will need time to put on weight but is going to be a very high pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

10 LW, IVAN MIROSHNICHENKO, 6’1, 185, R, DOB 4.4.2004

Miroshnichenko was integral part of the Russian attack in Texas. He is showing more and more that he is not just a one-dimensional goal scorer. He was instrumental in creating offense for sure but also used his skating and physical strength away from the scoresheet. A quick stick helped him strip pucks and quickly transition play back up ice. He still has some positioning to learn in both the defensive and offensive zone. For a young player, he is extremely strong, and plays a hard, physical game. Sometimes crossing the line of dirty. But with the combination of his elite shot, solid skating, two-way and physical games, he is growing into a true top end prospect for 2022.

8 C DANIIL LAZUTIN, 6’2, 174, L, DOB 07.25.2003

Lazutin is a skilled left shot center that plays a poised game. Cerebral and thinks the game really well. He centered the third and fourth lines with the grittier players flanking his wing. He plays from below the puck so he is never caught on the wrong side of things. He is a bit lean and will need to get stronger as he is a bit easy to outmuscle in battles. He is a decent skater with strong edgework but not the fastest feet. He just seems a bit sluggish in the first step department. Once he gets going he carries speed well, stick handles really close to the body in transition. He played on the second power play unit net front where he is mostly a screen option. He does have a bit of skill and will provide a bit of offense with an accurate shot. Just takes him a lot of time to get a release off. Soft hands allow him to throw saucer passes and really get creative. Whether he ends up getting to the NHL is a bit of a risk and project as he is a few years away at the very least.

9 C, FYODOR SVECHKOV, 6’0, 179, L, DOB 4.5.2003

Svechkov is a skilled left shot center that can play in all-situations. He centers the top line and plays big minutes down the middle of the ice. If there is an important face-off he will be hopping over the boards. He is a strong skater and it allows him to keep up with most top line players offensively and defensively. He will need to improve his foot speed, but he creates a ton of power in each stride and that is how he generates his speed despite skating with a very straight up stance. Excellent shot release quickly gets the puck on net. He has some tremendous lower body strength and shields the puck well. Skilled but straight forward playmaker. Plays in the slot on the top power play and is a threat to tip pucks while he generates traffic net front. His quick hands help him finish in tight. He also kills penalties and does a good job keeping things basic there. Defensively he is sound and plays beneath the puck and is rarely caught cheating for offense. He has the potential to be a first round pick due to his skill and offensive IQ. He may only be a year or two away from being able to compete in the NHL due to his strength and skillset.

13 LW, PROHKOR POLTAPOV, 5’10, 161, L, 01.01.2003

Poltapov is a spark plug player that creates a ton of energy for Russia. He was a winger on the third line and fit that role to a tee. Right from the jump he was throwing his body around and in on the fore check heavy. He is a quick skater and almost skates around like he is hunting for prey. Plays far heavier than he physically is. Once the puck is turned over, he jumps on it and can attack from anywhere. Consider his offense very straight line as he is directing everything to the net once he is in the zone whether he takes it there or shoots it. Love his game below the dots as he generates a ton of battles for pucks and usually comes out with it himself. His motor is high, shift to shift. Loves running around causing havoc. He plays on the penalty kill and does a good job moving his feet to intercept passes. Needs to remember to maintain defensive position as he can be too aggressive and run around a bit. A solid complimentary offensive player. Love the energy and explosiveness, his heart and battle level. Skilled players with his grit are hard to come by.

19 LW, NIKITA CHIBRIKOV, 5’10, 172, L, DOB 2.16.2003

Chibrikov, the Russian captain, had an excellent tournament, producing offense when needed. He was buzzing all over the ice, creating plays nearly every time he touched the puck. He’s so smooth with the puck and is able to thread passes through extremely tight seams. He is also elite when it comes to drawing defensemen towards him and opening up lanes for teammates. When he gets the puck on an odd man rush, you can expect something special to happen. His skating is excellent too, he is quick, agile, and strong on his skates, allowing him to keep possession for extended periods in the offensive zone. Every once in a while, he’ll pull off a move that’ll bring you out of your seat, and he’s a constant threat in the offensive zone. He’s a first round prospect and has the potential to be a top six scoring forward in the NHL.

22 RW, MATVEI PETROV, 6’1, 163, R, DOB 03.12.2003

Petrov is a skilled winger that loves to play the off wing due to his shooting ability. Excellent shot, including his release as he can get it off from anywhere. Great flex into his stick. Strong on the forecheck, he has grown a lot in effort. He seems to be more engaged shift to shift and has added a physical presence as well. He will no doubt need to add some strength as he is quite lean, but he isn’t afraid to hit. More of his problems come towards not wanting to get hit and throwing the puck away. If he is feeling confident, he holds onto it and makes a play with it even under pressure. He is not the prettiest skater either as he struggles to generate power through his footwork. Once at top speed he carries it fine but is still quite light on the puck in transition. Not sure how well he creates for others, more so camps out in open ice waiting for his shot. Defensively he is quite aware but needs to focus on his assignment as looks lost at times. The effort shown here in Texas is much improved from some past viewings. He has a high IQ but does make some glaring errors. A mid-round pick as a skilled winger that can play in your top six as a finisher. Needs some time as he is still needing to add strength and round out his game. Was injured and missed the final couple games for Russia.

6 C, ILYA IVANTSOV, 5’10, 154, L, DOB 01.27.2003

Ivanstov is a skilled but small left shot center that can play up and down the line up in any position. Strong foot speed and shiftiness with the puck in the neutral zone. Generates solid speed with quick steps and strong crossovers. Needs to attack he middle more. He is kind of a swiss army knife type of player. He was centering the third line in Texas and was solid in that role. He has got a high motor that is constantly running and managed to generate multiple turnovers on the forecheck. He plays a strong two-way game and the coach clearly trusted him to take big faceoffs. Not sure how much offense is there but he seems to get it into the zone efficiently, but we question his offensive creativity. He is able to run an offense from the half-wall and has some fantastic escapability skills thanks to his edge work and stick handling abilities. His laser-like passing is another weapon. He anchors the penalty kill and usually starts it by winning the draw in the faceoff circle. Is willing to put his body on the line and block shots. He is a few years away and are not sure if his offense will translate.

Michkov was fantastic as he chased the Ovechkin/Caufield record of 14 goals in a U18 tournament. He finished with twelve and led the Russians with sixteen points in seven games. Chibrikov finished second with thirteen points in seven contests.

Contributors to this report included Dan Stewart, Matt Morrison, Alex Taxman, Kai Farenholtz and Jared Brown.
Photo credit IIHF.com

If you would like to learn more about the 2021 NHL Draft and its prospects be sure to pick up one of the below draft resources and support the #DraftPro crew.

Get the 411 on 2021 NHL Draft prospect Jesper Wallstedt of Lulea in the SHL.

Created by Kai Farenholtz

If you would like to learn more about the 2021 NHL Draft and its prospects be sure to pick up one of the below draft resources and support the #DraftPro crew.

By DraftPro Staff

The U18 World Hockey Championships just wrapped up last week in Frisco, Texas, and was a scouting hotspot in a year that was anything but the norm for NHL staffs who are charged with evaluating the next wave of NHL talent.

It is a ‘must see’ event any season holding considerable weight as a last look event, but this year in particular, it might be the only hockey some of these guys would play under the watchful eyes of NHL teams. And it was an opportunity for the players to make an impression with plenty doing just that over the two-week event.

Draft Prospects Hockey was not able to be in attendance for the event due to pandemic/logistic issues but had scheduled multiple evaluators to view each minute of play and give us a breakdown of what transpired via their video viewing.

In this ten-part series we will look at each team entry and provide some review of prospects, how they performed and how their performance might have affected their draft stock.

Sweden had an up and down tournament but still finished third taking home the bronze. There were two game in particular that left them with a sour taste the way they were dismantled by Canada in each. Their first game of the tournament, giving up twelve goals in a blowout to the Canadians hurt them. And many did not think they would recover, but they did for the most part, and played a lot better hockey throughout their other games. They were able to get by their QF matchup before meeting Canada again in the semis.

They held in there in the quarter finals but eventually Canada turned the intensity up and again dropped eight goals on the overmatched Swedes. They did have some players that boosted their stock at this tournament as well as a couple who did not.

Here are some player reports from our crew on the Swedish U18 players that stood out.

35 G, HUGO HAVELID, 5’10, 170, L, DOB 01.01.2004

Havelid played a structured, positional game that gave the opponent a hard time finding any holes to shoot through. He is an undersized goalie playing a hybrid style with quickness to pop up and down from his butterfly. On top of that, he is technically sound with excellent control of his movements when following the play. The calmness and focus are there as there is not a sense of panic in his body language. Gets out on top of his crease challenging shooters. Plays his angles well. Moving laterally does a strong job of anchoring his foot to the post. Quick blocker punching pucks out. Controlled a ton of shots into his gut, sealing them into his body to get the whistle. The poise and ability to get squared up to the puck quickly keeps things under control. Solid stick positioning. Havelid’s game looks very mature and the size concern does not really cross ones mind when watching him. But the fact is NHL teams love their goalies with size. Has some mid-round potential for the 2022 draft.

30 G, CARL LINDBOM, 6’1, 179, L, DOB 05.20.2003

Lindbom had a ups and down tournament. Towards the beginning he looked like ol’ “Red Light” Racicot back in his Montreal days not able to stop a beach ball and then as the tournament progressed he found his game, and his confidence. He was out aggressively challenging shooters. Has a wide stance which helps him be so solid downlow as he drops down rapidly quick getting his pads flush. Downfall to this is he is constantly making himself small as he gets square to the puck and pro players will be able to pick him apart above his shoulders. Showing off his flexibility, athleticism, and above average quickness. Good job at following the play. His tracking is an area to improve as he really had a hard time fighting to see the puck. Rebound control continues to look strong. Pucks sticking to him like Velcro. If he bobbles the puck, he is quick to pounce and keep the puck close to him. Effective use of the RVH. Hard to jam pucks by him in tight. Seals off angles well. Though I like his controlled post-to-post movement again he makes himself look smaller than 6’1” moving side-to-side. While this event may have seen him crossed off some NHL teams list he still has some upside for the right team to pick him up and developing him.

4 D, ANTON OLSSON, 6’0, 183, L, DOB 1.26.2003

Olsson’s tremendous decision making and safe defensive first mentality really stood out. While not at all flashy, Olsson’s calculated style of hockey sends calming vibes across the ice and through his team. He makes it look so effortless to neutralize nearly any situation. His passing is a little underrated as he hit some impressive no-look tried for offensive chances in this tournament. Although not to be considered an offensive minded defender in the slightest. He handled his own end well, blocking shots, skating the puck out of trouble consistently, and finding solid outlet passes. He’s able to find solutions so quickly and execute them to perfection. He likely cemented his status as one of the top defensive defenders in this class.

5 D, MATTIAS HAVELID, 5’9, 168, R, DOB 01.01.2004

Havelid played top pairing minutes for most of the tournament alongside top prospect Edvinsson and hasn’t shown a lot of flashy skills playing this many minutes, but it was his hockey IQ and ability to do the small things well that has seen him trusted in this role. An offensive defenseman with great transitioning skills but was most impressed with his defense and shutting down opponents both off the rush and in possession downlow. Aggressive reads to intercept passes and close gaps in the neutral zone. Light-footed movement used to maintain tight gaps. Defensively in proper position consistently. Excellent stick positioning when defending. More inclined to use his stick to breakup possession as his strength and size are not assets. Liked how he continually tied up players sticks, leaning on them hard despite a strength disadvantage. Good aggressiveness blocking the shooting lanes on the PK. He had some issues dealing with a heavy forecheck. Losing puck control as contact ensued. Will need to counter this better and move the puck quicker before he is under duress. Shoots for the net with a screen in front but his shot alone isn’t a threat as it lacks power. Has top four two-way, puck moving potential but still has physical growth needed.

8 D, SIMON EDVINSSON, 6’5, 207, L, DOB 02.05.2003

A big mobile left shot defender. He really controls the play through his offense as he continuously looks to jump in and produce offense. He was on the top pair in Texas and got lots of big minutes. He is able to eat so many minutes because his skating is so good, and he wastes little energy in his movements. He is at his best when he keeps his feet moving and rushes the puck by everyone. He is a fairly straight up skater looking tall in his stance while still having some decent knee bend. It never looks like he is working too hard as he glides around at top speed. For the most part it is pretty to watch, but he can get lazy and stop moving his feet. No denying he has an elite skill level carrying the puck. His ability to attack defenders 1-on-1 and go straight through them is insane. His wingspan helps him navigate through traffic both controlling the puck and when making an outlet pass. He was skating the puck into dead ends and holding onto it too long. Solid offensive instincts but also comes with a high turnover rate. He will need to get stronger on his stick at the next level. An overall poor event in our eyes by Edvinsson who was turning over the puck too often, getting burned wide and leaving his defense partner out to dry. Still has intriguing first round tools, just not sold on the top three talk we have been hearing. If we were drafting for an NHL team, we would be scared to death to both take him or not take him knowing in both accounts what he could end up becoming.

6 D, VICTOR SJOHOLM, 5’9, 172, R, DOB 07.08.2003

A spark plug on the backend. Sjoholm is small but a battler. Even when the team was getting blown out, he made it known that he wouldn’t stop throwing his weight around every chance he gets. Physically competitive along the boards and in front of his net. Not afraid to get chippy and nasty. Needs to do a better job defending odd man rushes. Not getting assertive and closing the gap on the puck carrier or taking away the passing lane. Solid long-range outlet passes, one of the few defenders on Sweden that was consistently hitting his passes tape-to-tape to exit the zone. The competitive nature he brings will benefit him turning pro. We like him as a mid-round pick that you can leave marinating for a few years.

19 RW, ISAK ROSEN, 5’11, 161, L, DOB 3.15.2003

Rosen’s speed and skill really stood out in this event which was nice to see as he often looked muted playing against men. He showed the ability to skate the puck into the zone with speed, control, and an element of dynamism. While Rosen is used to playing the part of distributor with his club team, he was constantly being set up as the shooter while Sweden had offensive zone time, including on the PP. His one-timer was getting a workout and looked impressive as he made adjustments to pucks and hammered them on net repeatedly. So quick to get it off his blade. His wrister is also solid, a real heavy release. He showed off his slick hands, going end to end, making deceptive little moves to open up shooting opportunities. Sees the ice well, possesses great instincts, shows a knack for finding open teammates at the right time with a skilled dish as well. He is a solid skater with quick footwork that he uses to get through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone. Being that his legs are still toothpicks this excites for how strong of a skater he could become with added muscle. He is strong on his edges and is agile side to side. Despite playing against men he is likely a couple years away due to his lack of strength. We would spend a first on him.

11 LW, FABIAN LYSELL, 5’10, 172, R, DOB 1.19.2003

Lysell is a skilled right shot winger that can play either side. He was the top line right wing and was excellent from the start. Didn’t take long for him to explode offensively with a couple highlight reel chances early. Using quick crossovers, building excellent speed, he cut through the opposition making sic dekes and dangles, using his entire reach to control the puck on his way to the net. Quick hands. A truly dynamic puck handler with explosive speed. Quick release and put pucks on target. Not great velocity but he was not trying to score from the blueline either. Not afraid to go to the net and play in traffic. He used his elite vision to also make some skilled passes. Showed good smarts, willingness to take the body, a solid two-way mindset as he drives back deep into his own zone. Dangerous threat in transition. Not cocky but was always having fun and doing a little showboating as well. Elevated himself in our view as a prospect for the 2021 NHL Draft.

28 RW SIMON ROBERTSSON, 6’0, 190, L, DOB 02.05.2003

A big left shot winger with a heavy shot release. He played second line left wing in Texas but struggled creating offense chances. Doesn’t really create much for himself but is an excellent trigger man the way he creeps in empty ice until he is able to pounce. But even that he struggled with in Texas as he missed numerous chances as a trigger man. When he can get the shot off his wrist shot is the shot of choice. Loads up in his backfoot and gets a ton of weight transfer into the shot getting some serious whip in his stick and can pick corners from distance. Possesses a one-timer with a lot of heat. More effective as a take what is there type playmaker at this tournament. An efficient puck handler, holding it in his hip pocket efficiently seemingly always having control and changing up the angles of his passes. Excellent at changing the pace switching between acting quickly and staying patient with his approach to an offensive chance. He is always thinking and instead of admiring his pass, he is quick to get in position to receive a pass back or slide into an open area. A balanced skater with agile pivots, facing the play keeping pucks on his forehand. Had a strong two-way game as well. He uses his body along the boards effectively to cut the skating lane and separating the man from the puck. Not much elite in his game but does so much like a pro and has that heavy shot. He could be a first rounder if a NHL team really likes him but we feel he is a strong early second value that is NHL ready in a year.

22 C, LUDWIG PERSSON, 5’11, 168, L, DOB 10.08.2003

Persson plays with a ton of pace and defenders need to be on high alert when the play is transitioning against them and on the ice. A fantastic skater. Accelerates quickly and has great top speed carrying the puck. Able to absolutely fly generating chances off the rush. Great use of lateral crossovers to start gathering speed in his own zone. Jumps out giving his defensemen a target to hit on the breakout. There are times where his feet may be moving a bit quicker than his hands and mind as he can get tunnel vision on a specific play and not see the options for a better one. Solid use of his speed on the forecheck. Reaches in with a quick stick stealing pucks. Can look less involved in his own end. Persson has a full year to continue developing his ability to process more efficiently off the rush and improve his Defensive zone coverage. A first round talent for 2022.

14 C, LIAM DOWER-NILSSON, 6’0, 172, L, DOB 04.14.2003

Dower-Nilsson is a solid team first player. Does many of the little things that do not show up on the score board but are important to getting the win. His two-way awareness was on full display in Texas. From the moment his skates touched the ice, he was breaking up any and every play that the opposition attempted. His speed and slick defensive stick aided him in creating turnover after turnover. He also dominated the faceoff circle, letting Sweden have nearly full offensive zone control on all of their power plays. He is a solid thinker. Constantly moving in the Ozone making himself an option. Soft hands. Such a smooth passer that has great weight control on his passing ability. Clean passes in transition out wide to his wingers hitting them while they were gathering a step to try and beat a defender with speed. Strong awareness of his teammates positioning. Solid positioning coming back and defending his net in support for his defenseman. Skating is not anything to wright home about, but he gets by with an efficient stride and decent edges to turn away in tight areas. He shows great maturity in his play. His impressive play will have boosted his draft stock with some NHL teams looking for a safe two-way option in the middle rounds.

15 C NOAH HASA, 5’11, 161, L, DOB 03.06.2003

Hasa is not the most flashy or dynamic player out there, but he was able to make noticeable plays away from the puck to help escape pressure. He is always deep in corners helping his defensemen and wingers dig out free pucks and has that quick instinct to get that puck out of his end as quickly as possible. One of the few players on Sweden actually initiating successful breakouts. He was a complimentary presence playing alongside top guys like Isak Rosen, playing hard, going to the crease and opening up space for higher skilled line mates so they could attempt to inflict some damage. He plays a strong physical game for someone of his stature and demonstrates he has a solid awareness for where the play will advance. Not a high-end skill guy but NHL teams could see some potential as a later round option.

23 LW, WILLIAM STROMGREN, 6’3, 176, L, DOB 06.07.2003

A tall, rangy offensive winger. Hard to contain. Smooth skater with powerful stride using tight crossovers to gather speed. Full capable of carrying the puck from his zone and into the Ozone. Terrific puck control and stickhandling ability to maneuver his way through traffic. He’s a north-south skater but has great edges in tight and quickness to pull up along the boards. Created issues on the forecheck using his size and speed to disrupt breakouts. Efficiently used his body on the man. Will bulldoze through anything to be first on the puck. Has a big shot that is very heavy and can pick his target. Lanky and plenty of room to fill out his frame that should improve his balance, shot and physicality. The stickhandling ability and puck skills could make him a dangerous offensive driver but an area that is missing is the creativity to consistently drive play. A very diligent two-way forward that NHL clubs will want to nab early on day two of the 2021 NHL Draft.

21 RW, OLIVER MOBERG, 6’3, 203, L, DOB 02.23.2003

Moberg is a big, strong, versatile forward that can play centre or the wing. He has great physical attributes and at times downlow can be a pain to knock off the puck. Plays a pro, heavy on his stick style game. Mature and thinks the game at a solid level. Recognizes he is not the fastest skater, finds ways to utilize his teammates like drop passes and then continuing to push forward in attempt to draw the defender off. Has a bit of unpredictability in his passes as he likes to make quick short-range passes. Smart playmaker making great decisions with the puck along the perimeter but is not overly creative. Found parked in front of the net a ton using his big body to screen and look for tips and rebounds. Played on the PP for Sweden and contributed in and around the net. Plays a 200ft game. Battles hard on the boards in his end and using his strength to win those battles. Strong positioning to assist his defenseman. Skating is the main area of concern as while he shows decently solid top speed, he has a slow sluggish first steps. If a team can fix his skating, then they will have a hard working, bottom six two-way forward.

24 C, ARVID ELJAS, 5’11, 179, L, DOB 06.01.2003

Eljas did not see as much as ice time as he was on the fourth line role. Being flashy is not his style, working hard is. A 200ft centreman with a strong understanding of where to be in his own end and defending the transition. Strong stick and ability to stop players in their tracks with takeaways. Good work in tight to find and move the puck. Great awareness on the PK. Shoulder checks frequently watching the weak side man. Has some solidness to him so the physical aspect of the game is an area he can play well in. Plays with speed entering the zone either forechecking or making himself an option for the pass as a trailer. Strong linear strides. Solid leg extensions and takes him a bit to get up to speed but is effective. Using the edges of his skate is not pretty. Poor hip rotation hurts his turns and pivots. Also, is not quick out of the gate from a hard stop. Away from the puck he shows potential, with the puck his hands are just average as his ability to skillfully get past defenders 1 v 1. A potential late rounder or re-entry next year if he can improve his skating.

29 RW, ARVID SUNDIN, 5’10, 176, L, DOB 08.02.2003

Sundin was given PP time with Sweden’s top unit. Good vision while holding the puck. Off the rush and after entering the zone, he will peek at where his teammates are, weighing out his passing options. Showed a strong use of going 10-2 using a hip swivel to throw the defender off and get by them on the outside. Quick touch on his passes in transition. Can execute these types of passes thanks to his heads-up play. Skating is awkward and a bit deceptive. His feet move quickly in his straight-line stride, but he does not look to be accelerating very fast. Solid speed to carry pucks off the wing. Defensively just alright. We would like to see him engage more on the puck. He can get stationary in his positioning. Willing to play physical, chasing down hits. Made a couple of bad line changes as the puck was going the other way. Questionable intelligence. Worry the work ethic to play defense is not there. Might not hear his name in July.

25 RW, ALBERT SJOBERG, 6’0, 174, L, DOB 03.19.2003

Sjoberg playing in a bottom six role for Sweden provided energy every shift and playing with speed and pace to press the attack. Balanced skater with a strong stride, edgework, and top-level gear. Uses his speed to retrieve loose pucks and position himself in battles, where he likes to be. His speed can also be used to coast around the Offensive zone in possession. Spending many shifts 5v5 in the attacking zone. He is not a finesse kind of player and won’t blow you away with all around puck skills, instead works hard for his space and applying pressure to win pucks back for his team. He makes the most of the limited ice time he receives on this team by wearing down opposition’s top-lines. A guy we believe is capable of more if he saw more ice time. Has a style that will allow him to play a grinding game that benefits a bottom six spot for a franchise.

Flashy scoring wingers Rosen and Lysell shared the scoring lead with nine points in seven games.

Contributors to this report included Dan Stewart, Matt Morrison, Alex Taxman, Kai Farenholtz and Jared Brown.
Photo credit IIHF.com

If you would like to learn more about the 2021 NHL Draft and its prospects be sure to pick up one of the below draft resources and support the #DraftPro crew.

By DraftPro Staff

The U18 World Hockey Championships just wrapped up last week in Frisco, Texas, and was a scouting hotspot in a year that was anything but the norm for NHL staffs who are charged with evaluating the next wave of NHL talent.

It is a ‘must see’ event any season holding considerable weight as a last look event, but this year in particular, it might be the only hockey some of these guys would play under the watchful eyes of NHL teams. And it was an opportunity for the players to make an impression with plenty doing just that over the two-week event.

Draft Prospects Hockey was not able to be in attendance for the event due to pandemic/logistic issues but had scheduled multiple evaluators to view each minute of play and give us a breakdown of what transpired via their video viewing.

In this ten-part series we will look at each team entry and provide some review of prospects, how they performed and how their performance might have affected their draft stock.

Finland had an up and down tournament as they were able to play some solid hockey despite the losses. They were eventually eliminated in a tough game against the Russians falling behind in the semifinal game due to penalty trouble and the Russians lethal power play.

They had some solid offensive players but lacked the team defense needed to excel at the tournament. They had some solid flashes on defense with offensive puck movers driving the play up ice, but they lacked a clamp down defensive pairing.

Goal scoring winger Tuomalla was great all tournament for them especially on the power play. And he made us believers that he will score more than his share of powerplay goals at the next level. Koivunen was one of the best players, creating offensive opportunities five-on-five while still playing sold defense. Salminen was another stand out as the captain as he produced on the power play and while providing solid defensive responsibility.

Here are some player reports from our crew on the Finnish U18 players that stood out.

30 G, AKU KOSKENVUO, 6’4, 181, LG, DOB 02.27.2003

Koskenvuo is a hulking presence in goal with an athletic ability to boot. He provides a calming presence in the net and not really from his play. He is side to side and battling all over the ice but the calmness comes from what he provides his teammates when he is in goal. He was making such big saves he stole the starters role in this tournament and really allowed Finland to play an offensive game at times. He cuts down angles well because of his size. But despite his size he will still come out to challenge you knowing he has the quickness to get side to side in case a pass is made. His pad work is especially impressive he has such quick footwork from the butterfly he takes up basically the whole lower half of the net. Once he feels the shooter has him beat, he battles hard to cover the net and it resulted in multiple high light reel saves. He has also a great sense of timing and made some huge saves to keep things close. He has a quick glove but does have a tendency to reach across his body with his with shots from distance. Nothing wrong with that as he made the saves but will have to use his blocker more to control rebounds at the next level. He does leave some pucks sitting right in front of him forcing him to make a second save if he or his defense can’t get to the puck. As he gets better with his positioning, he could become a solid goaltending prospect for the NHL due to his mix of size and athletic ability. He will play the puck when he has too but certainly has room to improve in that area as well. This tournament has cemented him as a prospect to watch. We have him as a late round pick, a big mobile goalie with tons of effort and battle between the posts. Could end up a diamond unearthed late in the draft.

2 D, JIMI SUOMI, 5’10, 154, L, DOB 3.1.2003

First off… not enough talk about his name…imagine if there was a Corey Canada or a Sami Sweden. Suomi is a small mobile puck mover with excellent wheels. He was on the second pair where I thought he really controlled play for his unit. He was a leader on his team and relied a ton on playing big minutes. He eats those minutes against top competition but really excels when he gets a mismatch offensively. He is able to use his excellent skating to wind up ice and break the puck out of his own end with ease. Whether it’s a one touch pass to the middle or a stretch pass he shows excellent first pass abilities. He gets his head up right away and is always thinking one play ahead. He has a high IQ but is risky with the puck at times. Can make just one too many moves or hold onto it too long at times. If he keeps things simple he is at his best due to his offensive ability and skating. Strong edge work that helps him float across the ice without really breaking a sweat. Nothing he does seems explosive or fast but boy can he create speed. One thing he will need to change is his propensity to attacks mostly on the outside. For a perimeter player he sees the ice well but will need to be able to drive the middle to create offense at the pro level. He will pick up assists because of his up ice passing but can also join in and score if given the chance. He has a pretty weak shot which is understandable when you see him and will need to add a lot of muscle to compete at the next level. Defensively he uses his brain and skating to think one step ahead. He will cut you off and use great angles to ride you into the boards. He will need to get more comfortable taking hits as he is clearly shy right now at times. Suomi ran the top power play unit and was an excellent puck move from the top of the umbrella. He doesn’t block many shots and gets pushed around in front. Despite being undersized he has a good compete level and motor shift to shift. He clearly loves the game and brings it every time. He is a few years out due to his size but he does have the IQ and skating if he can clean up the risk.

7 D, ALEKSI MALINEN, 6’0, 185, L, DOB 5.26.2003

This smooth skating defender uses a long fluent stride and real strong edge work to really work his way around the ice. Stands out because of his poise with the puck. An element of Malinen’s game that really stood out was his composure under pressure. He was able to calmly and cleanly skate the puck from end to end on more than one occasion this tournament. He has a confident presence with the puck and is a calming factor along the line. Defensively, he was sound, maintaining a close gap at all times and not allowing any soft passes to get past him. His transitional ability is truly something to marvel at though, the way he effortlessly glides up the ice with full control of the puck. Even if there’s not high-end offensive upside to his game, he still looks to be a solid defenseman prospect for the professional level.

21 D, ALEKSI HEIMOSALMI, 5’11, 170, R, DOB 05.08.2003

Did his best Bobby Orr impression a couple times in Texas going on solo end-to-end rushes and sniping it. He’s the type of defender that makes other defenders better playing alongside him. His poise is close to an elite level. Attacks players straight on as he has the edgework and ability rapidly change directions to get around them. Effective in transition using his agile skating ability. His exit passes were a bit too forced, and he made more controlled zone exits skating the puck out then passing it. He can play both the PP and PK due to his hockey sense. Loved his awareness entering the zone on the PP, pulling up near the line and creating open ice for his teammates to get a clean set up going. Played the body efficiently and timing his hits appropriately in the corners defending the rush. His active stick kept the rush towards the outside and showed improvement in timing his gaps. Played a little soft in front of his own net as you may expect from a defender his size, despite his playing of the body elsewhere on the ice. Defensively could have been better but offensively used his above average puck handling abilities to pitch in on the attack. Was voted by media to the tournaments all-star team and received the directorate award for best defenseman of the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.

10 D, TOPIAS VILEN, 6’0, 194, L, DOB 04.01.2003

Vilen plays a very sound positional game but is just an okay skater hurting his effectiveness in certain areas. Makes sure to take care of defensive assignments first before thinking about offense. First thing I notice is Vilen playing incredibly smart with his body and ability to absorb contact below his goal line. Does not look like a big kid but is physically mature with a strong base to his build. Executes bear hug tie ups beautifully like a momma bear holding onto her cubs. Deploys an active pesky stick that defends the rush and cycle effectively. Excellent understanding of pressure and reversing pucks to his defense partner safely. Soft touch on his first pass. Offensively really did not offer up much as he keeps his plays simple. Low creativity. Skating isn’t explosive enough to push the pace by carrying pucks in transition. Possesses a solid foundation but needs to improve a few areas before he gets a serious look.

33 RW, BRAD LAMBERT, 6’0, 179, R, DOB 12.19.2003

Lambert is a speedy winger with a wicked release. The 2022 top draft eligible prospect was a top line player for the Finnish team and played his off wing. He played a strong game despite clearly battling through an injury. He was visibly frustrated and can’t provide that type of body language at the next level. What he does bring is a ton of offensive talent and it all comes off of his speed. He creates most of his offense in transition due to his skating. He has super quick footwork and can generate pull away speed with ease. He uses compact movements to generate a ton of power in each stride. He can also build speed with crossovers as he winds up. He does tend to get quiet in half ice situations as his speed is eliminated. Once he is coming in on the rush, he can either beat you wide or drag to the middle and rip a shot. He can shoot of both feet and although his shot isn’t elite he certainly can score from distance. He played on the top power play on his strong side where he was mainly skating into let shots go. Not a regular physical player but he laid a couple big hits in this tournament. He was engaged shift to shift and really tried his best to contribute offense. He can also kill penalties because of his speed and IQ. He will translate the offensive game to the NHL real easy but his defensive game will need some work. NHL ready coming out of his draft because of his speed, size and game style.

25 RW, JOAKIM KEMELL, 5’11, 176, R, DOB 4.27.2004

A super skilled player but is also able to play a grinder role at the same time, forechecking hard and digging on the boards. He drew penalties through pure effort and helped create some solid chances on the powerplay. This kid’s creativity is through the roof. His edgework along the boards to brush off on coming forecheck and simply reset was skillful beyond his years. I do not know if these would work in higher competition either… but his saucer passes went to the moon on some instances, but they were connecting. His hands are dirty navigating through defender’s sticks to put himself in scoring position before polishing off the goal top cheddar. Many things to like in his offensive and grit game. Sky is the limit for Kemell, very exciting winger that should go high with Lambert in next year’s draft.

24 LW, VILLE KOIVUNEN, 5’11, 161, L, DOB 06.13.2003

Koivunen is a skilled winger that played on the top line wing where he is relied upon to create offense. He can drive play or play off the puck and is a dual threat shooting vs passing wise. His forecheck was on point creating havoc for defenders with his quick stick. For a smaller player he is quite strong on his stick and wins a lot of loose puck battles because of it. He was on the top power play unit in the slot where he did a great job crashing the net and creating screens. Some real nice scoring touch in tight due to his quickness. He makes such crisp passes and sees the ice so well he can be an equal dual threat from anywhere. Defensively he is great on the wall as his favorite move is to pull it back and wind up. He is a smooth skater with a deep compact stride. He skates fairly bent over and could improve his stance as he isn’t tall to begin with. But he generates speed at a smooth rate with quick feet. His foot work allows him to deke in one on one situations and evade hits. The way he attacks open ice is perfect for a goal scorer as he hides until the perfect time. He really picks up a lot of energy for the line and does some gritty work as well. Real worker be in the cycle and half wall game. Plays the penalty kill as well because of his IQ and gritty motor. Shift to shift you know what you’re going to get from him. We like him as a skilled future NHL winger that can provide offense without liability. He projects as a top six winger that can play with your top players or down the line up and create offense for others. He might not be far off either, maybe just two seasons, as he seems to play a pro style of game and just needs to add strength.

29 RW, NIKO HUUHTONEN, 6’1, 204, R, DOB 06.26.2003

Huuhtonen is a big bulky right-winger with some nice offensive touch. Niko was in a depth role in Texas and played it well. He is an ugly skater to put it bluntly. He was late on plays due to his skating and it really keeps us from ranking him to high. Offensively he brings a ton to the table which is what may make an NHL team think they could select him and fix his stride. Goes to the net and looks for rebounds. He showed quick hands and some quick mitts to finish in tight. The big right shot winger can play with physicality or skill up and down the line up. He was throwing his weight around and made some nice hits. He is strong on his feet despite the ugly stride. He battles hard in the corners and protects the puck well on the half wall. He excels in half ice situations where the play is slowed down. Off the rush he is dangerous as the high man but very rarely leads the rush in down low. He has a nice shot for a big guy and can pick corners. He does love to shoot it off both feet and has a delayed delivery that seems to fool goalies. He was active on the back check showing his work ethic and grit. He has a quick stick that can intercept passes or break up plays. He was on the second power play unit net front where he was trying to screen the goalie and tip pucks. Defensively he was sound and responsible which was also nice to see. He played a lot less risky than normal and seemed to bear down on his chances to clear the puck. He could be a few years away still as the skating will be a big hurdle for him to overcome. If he does though he could be a steal due to his release and IQ with the puck.

35 LW KALLE VAISANEN, 6’4, 181, R, DOB 01.28.2003

Vaisanen is a spiked cocktail of physicality, unorthodox yet effective stickhandling, and clunky yet somehow effective skating. His speed was not tragic, but he is not going to pull away from most defenders. He’s a man on a mission to get pucks to the net, often lurking in the slot and tossing pucks on goal from almost anywhere. He can pull off some magical dangles to get through some 1-v-1’s, or get by along the boards. His speed was not tragic, but he is not going to pull away from most defenders. We like his creativity and flashy style, and I think he could be a solid project pick taken a little later in the NHL draft.

18 LC, SAMU SALMINEN, 6’2, 186, L, DOB 04.09.2003

Salminen is a reliable two-way center that can provide some offense around the net. He centered the second line in Texas and stood out with his game in both ends. He showed some nice hand eye and net front presence. Smart. Plays the game with a lot of poise and patience. The way he reads the play before jumping into action shows his smart thinking without the puck. He has some solid hands and can stick handle at top speed with ease. A transition threat as he gains speed through the neutral zone but rarely ever attacks one on one. We love the team approach and awareness to wait for line mates but sometimes we would love to see him hold onto the puck and take it himself. Equal parts passing and shooting ability makes him dangerous. He played on the second power play unit net front. He does a good job of getting in front of the goalie and really battling for position to create a screen. Also plays on the penalty kill where he is excellent with his stick. His defensive game is strong, and he can perform under pressure. Plays a two way game NHL teams would love. Could only be a year away due to his commitment to his own end and playing on the right side of the puck.

22 RW, OLIVER KAPANEN, 5’11, 166, R, DOB 07.29.2003

Kapanen is an energetic forward that packs an offensive punch. Started centering the top line and made his impact felt right away. He generated much of the energy this team ran on as his teammates seemed to follow his lead. He has a quick release on his wrist shot and generated had some nice scoring chances. He made most of his impact without the puck on the forecheck as he is a puck hound. Has a quick and long stride that is real pretty to the eye. He can generate a ton of speed once he gets going and it doesn’t take him long, just a few steps. Played on the top power play unit in the slot and net front where he makes his impact battling and creating havoc net front. He has a decent IQ and looks like he is just a bit rambunctious at times. Also played on the penalty kill where he is a pest to deal with and creates offense even down a man. High motor shift to shift and a coaches want in their lineup. Unfortunately, he had a scary fall in an earlier game was taken off on a stretcher. A scary incident as he caught an edge at top speed close to the boards. He was not seriously injured but his tournament was cut short. A skilled offensive center that can play any role you need from him. His offense translates and he is in the NHL in just two or three years due to his compete and motor.

27 RW SAMU TUOMAALA, 5’10, 176, R, DOB 01.08.2003

Tuomaala is a skilled right winger that makes his money playing the off wing. He played on the top line and was excellent all tournament long. Such a lethal shooter with the ability to beat goalies from any distance. No doubt one of the best shots in the draft. Stands out right away for his goal scoring ability but has more to like than his goal scoring prowess. Obviously, the way he rips the one timer on the power play is a huge bonus, but he shows he can dish it as well. Has a decent amount of creativity for a winger. He is a bit undersized in battles and will need to get stronger on his stick. But he enters the battles with speed and brings an effort to the tough areas that help him play bigger than his size may indicate. He is an efficient skater with no wasted movements, and he can carry his speed with the puck. Has the ability to trigger offense off the rush and can transition the puck alone. He has decent food speed but will need to lengthen his stride a little bit. His edge work is much improved from even earlier this season as he is way harder to hit at this point due to his shiftiness. Love how he hides in the weeds until the puck is available but he needs to be more on top of his positioning away from the puck. He did a lot of good things defensively as well which was an area we thought he struggled with in previous views. He is a high IQ player and will need to play a more aggressive role on the forecheck and bring his intensity more consistently. He is a pure goal scorer that NHL teams might jump at drafting earlier than his ranking indicates. He could be a few years out as he will need to learn the defensive responsibility of the NHL as well as improve his strength. Was voted by media to the tournaments all-star team. Tuomaala finished with eleven points in seven games to lead the Finns in scoring.

Contributors to this report included Dan Stewart, Matt Morrison, Alex Taxman, Kai Farenholtz and Jared Brown.
Photo credit IIHF.com

If you would like to learn more about the 2021 NHL Draft and its prospects be sure to pick up one of the below draft resources and support the #DraftPro crew.

By DraftPro Staff

The U18 World Hockey Championships just wrapped up last week in Frisco, Texas, and was a scouting hotspot in a year that was anything but the norm for NHL staffs who are charged with evaluating the next wave of NHL talent.

It is a ‘must see’ event any season holding considerable weight as a last look event, but this year in particular, it might be the only hockey some of these guys would play under the watchful eyes of NHL teams. And it was an opportunity for the players to make an impression with plenty doing just that over the two-week event.

Draft Prospects Hockey was not able to be in attendance for the event due to pandemic/logistic issues but had scheduled multiple evaluators to view each minute of play and give us a breakdown of what transpired via their video viewing.

In this ten-part series we will look at each team entry and provide some review of prospects, how they performed and how their performance might have affected their draft stock.

The host American’s had a pretty underwhelming tournament as a whole. From the comeback loss to Russia to the Quarter Final defeat at the hands of Sweden. The early departure was shocking and surprising to say the least.

They missed some of their big offensive guns due to injury and the forward group they had did not deliver much outside of the top line. Most the offense had to come from the defense and that left them out of position in their own end. They gave up a lot of odd man rushes due to turnovers.

Mrebeko looked solid in net but got hurt. On the back-end Behrens was a bright spot creating offense with his legs. He can really fly and has some touch for a defender. Also not shy to throw his body around with several big hits in this event. Duke was consistent and brings it every game, going to the net front, and that type of offense just translates to the next level. Pastujov was really the heart of this team offensively and unfortunately when he went cold so did the team.

Here are some player reports from our crew on the U.S. U18 players that stood out.

30 G, KAIDAN MBEREKO, 5’11, 183, L, DOB 07.28.2003

Above average athleticism allows him to get to every shot and use his lightning fast reflexes to stop pucks. His movements while still fast were more controlled and he was not over playing his crease or playing that erratic as we’ve seen in previous viewings. The quickness in his pads/legs are impressive. Solid downlow coverage giving shooters nothing to shoot through. Great job limiting second chances swallowing up shots. Excellent tracking on the PK, not often did you see him having to make a desperation maneuver. Had some issues a couple times in this tournament with a leg injury but came back both games he left. He was excellent in the shootout and was absolutely dialed in. Not overreacting to the puck and following the shooters body extremely well staying square and aggressive on them. For Mbereko to come out with an injury and then return and play strong shows strong mental focus, a very positive sight. That mental fortitude can be huge in carving out an NHL career at this position. His numbers haven’t been great this year but his technique, athleticism, and hockey IQ all are valuable attributes that teams can build on top of and potentially develop into an NHL goalie.

20 D, LANE HUTSON, 5’6, 165, L, DOB 04.14.2004

Hutson was lights out good with the puck and playing against older competition looked a step ahead which counteracts his small frame. Looked more and more confident as the games went on. Outstanding skater that dictates the pace starting from him rushing pucks out of his zone regularly. Intelligently reads open space in all three zones and skates through them. His footwork is already elite. Agility already elite. Patience and shiftiness in carving up the ice and shaking around defenders. He’s as slippery as a snail out of its shell. Ability to change directions on a dime using cuts, turns, hard stops, essentially anything using the edges of the skate. Pushed the US attack. Excellent vision and ability to open space up. His skating, vision, and playmaking abilities make him a solid PP quarterback. Quick, slick hands scoring a shootout winner against Czechia. Has the instincts and acceleration to join the attack and act as a fourth forward. Great puck control in motion. Battles hard through contact but it goes without saying that his size will be an issue and will need to combat it by finding ways to move the puck quickly and staying elusive. His impressive play has warranted a first round prediction for 2022 but the size factor could see him drop. Regardless, has top four offensive defenseman upside.

24 D, TY GALLAGHER, 6’0, 190, RD, DOB 03.06.2003

Gallagher is a smooth skating right shot defender that has an absolute cannon from the point. He was on the second pairing in this event and played well. He is not afraid to shoot and looks for traffic with a lane to the net before firing. He was used on the second power play unit as a one timer option, taking this role from Schmidt earlier in the tournament. He calls for it and wants it in the wheelhouse and when it is, he can really rip it. He also has a heavy wrist shot and walks the line well to get it off. We love how he follows his own play up driving in from the point looking for rebounds. Most of his goals come from the initial point shot but to show diversity like that offensively proves he has the drive to get net front. He is a strong skater on his edges with quick footwork. He does have a pretty choppy stride that could use some work but he has pace to his game and speed isn’t a problem. Defensively he is strong. He does a good job of moving his feet to create passing lanes and just needs to remember to keep it simple some times. If he can add some muscle and become more of a physical presence his defensive game would be a lot better as he brings almost no grit to the game right now. Gallagher has the tools to become a right shot defender with a cannon of a shot and high offensive IQ at the pro level. He projects as a goal scoring defender but could end up a power play specialist like a Tyson Barrie. He is a few years away as he needs to work on his defensive game.

27 D, ROMAN SCHMIDT, 6’5, 206, R, DOB 02.27.2003

Schmidt is a big right shot defender with an edge. He plays in the top four where he anchors a unit while a more offensive inclined partner like Behrens runs loose offensively. He provides the new age style of shut down defense that involves being able to move the puck. He is a strong skater but still a bit sluggish on the first step. Once he gets going he carries his weight well and can get going mainly on edge work and power. He will need to work on his foot speed especially off the pivot for the next level. He is physical and will try to catch you with your head down if you aren’t careful. He had some strong physical moments and finished a couple big open ice hits. Completely punishing type of body checks from a hulking dman. He reads and times his hits perfect. Schmidt toes the line after whistles sometimes but always is the first one to stand up for a teammate. We love the motor he shows as he is competitive shift to shift and takes very few off. His IQ is decent, and he understands what his job is. He doesn’t force things too often and relies on making the smart play albeit the easy one. You won’t see him lead the rush too often but when he gets going he will try to take it all the way along the outside. More often than not he is making a short first pass and trailing the play as support. Most of his offense will come from his heavy shot from the point. Even his wrist shot is heavy. He needs to work on getting to the middle to take shots as he is quite stationary at the point and does not cycle well. NHL teams will likely step up earlier to nab a big right shot defender that plays a physical brand of hockey. Even though he has the size we do think he is a few years away from the NHL still as he will need to refine his play with the puck in transition and not getting too overzealous chasing defensively.

17 D, AIDAN HRESCHUK, 5’11, 182, LD, DOB 02.19.2003

Hreschuk is a smooth skating left shot defender that can play up and down the depth chart. We love his versatility and ability to play any role needed. He can play top line minutes as an offensive defender like he did to start the season or play down the line up like he did in Texas. Still in a top four role he was relied upon heavily to transfer pucks up ice and hold the blue line. Strong ability to read the pinch and hold the blue line at the right times. He does not pinch just for the sake of it if he goes into a battle, he expects to win it. He is a bit soft in battles. His feel for the game is excellent. Defensively he played well against top lines but had a quiet tournament overall. He reads his positioning well and just needs to build the strength and battle level/motor. He has a great first pass and is tape to tape with his head up right away. Where he runs into trouble is under pressure and giving the puck away. He is such a good skater edge work wise that he can evade traffic and needs to do so more he will buy himself a ton of time. He is a few years away as he will need some time to mature and learn to play without the puck defensively but has some useful tools at his disposal.

2 D, SEAN BEHRENS, 5’10, 176, L, DOB 03.31.2003

Behrens was team USA’s best defenseman and one of the best in this tournament. An impactful presence defending the transition and the cycle. Terrific game away from the puck. His feet never stopped moving showing an impressive motor and willingness to work and battle each shift. The high compete level was accompanied by his strong physical play, stepping up into big hits and doing a great job of separating the man from the puck. Made terrific defensive reads cutting off passes deep in his zone and engaging along the boards to force turnovers. He may be a smaller defenseman but he has some thickness to him that allows him to play like a little bulldozer. Really impressed with the way he was able to handle the bigger, stronger players at this event. Fluid puck moving blueliner using his feet to carry pucks out his zone and attacking straight on before crossing over his feet to get by the line of defense in the neutral zone. Very reminiscent to how Tory Krug plays. Feisty and will out battle everyone on the ice. We like his chances of going in the first round and becoming a top four two-way defenseman.

4 C, JACK HUGHES, 6’0, 165, L, DOB 11.02.2003

Hughes had an up and down tournament. He was clearly playing hurt at points and it drastically impacted his play. Unfortunately, for anyone hoping to see him showcase his offensive talent and generate chances would be disappointed by what they witnessed. His passes were missing his mark. Tried doing too much, whether it was force feeding a soft pass through players or taking ill-advised shots. Disguised a few of his shots shooting through defenders or dragging the puck closer to his body before releasing. Skilled creative passer but the choices were just poor in many instances. Smooth stick handles coming through the neutral zone using quick dekes to make his way into the zone. Excellent use of keeping the puck in his hip pocket. He should focus on bulking up in the summer. Easily getting knocked off the puck or pushed up along the boards that ends his route. Fluid heel-to-heel pivots and edgework. Smooth and agile. His leg strength is not all that great. Overall, despite the possibility he was playing hurt, we would’ve liked to see him make smarter choices with the puck. The talent level is there to become a top six forward and a first rounder in 2022, but first we want to see if he can be a play driver.

28 C, CHARLIE STRAMEL, 6’3, 209, R, DOB 10.15.2004

Stramel was a positive as a 2023 draft eligible. Not in the same way Bedard and Michkov were but he had his moments. Great stick to poke the puck free up high springing himself on a breakaway during a PK. The big young man is trusted to play on both the PP and PK. Parks himself in front of the net on the PP with his stick normally up showing ready for a tip, Smooth puck handler. Using his reach to carry pucks and protect it from stick checks well. Puck distribution skills are a strength. Soft passing ability on both his forehand and backhand. Great hockey IQ. Slowing the game down making smart passes like passing it back to his defensemen to restart the breakout. Likes to stay in motion and keep his feet moving at both ends of the rink which is a big win for such a big guy. Generates good speed through his lower body. For a big man, he was getting bounced off the puck a little too easily and really could have been stronger on the puck. Improving his balance and adding an extra gear will do him wonders in his ability to attack off the rush and in his puck protection. There is a ton of growth to be had in his game and has plenty of time to make those improvements.

25 LW, DYLAN DUKE, 5’10, 181, L, DOB 03.04.2003

Duke is a feisty winger that makes his living around the net. Top line left winger where he really brought the pace and energy his team needed. He has a nice combination of skill and grit that he puts together in a package that NHL teams will love. Offensively he is all around the net causing havoc for defenders. He isn’t the biggest but he battles his butt off in front of the net and gains position in front. He scores most of his goals from around the net as he finishes rebounds or tips in point shots. He has sick hand eye and can bat pucks in, inches from the goalies face. I love his battle level shift to shift and he gets in on the forecheck and plays a physical brand of hockey. Defensively he is great on the backcheck and always ties up a man on the way back. He can be trusted to chip it out under pressure and make passes with a defender pinching. Duke is used on the penalty kill where he uses his foot speed to jump lanes and redirect passes. He is an excellent skater mostly with quick footwork and strong edges down low. He has a really strong lower body and as his upper body catches up he will be a force on the puck. He protects it well at top speed and although he doesn’t carry it much in transition, he is capable if he gets a chance. He plays net front on the top power play unit where he is looking to provide a screen and a tip. His struggle will be creating offense for himself as it seems like he is more of a secondary or complimentary offensive point producer. Be that one that guys love to play with as he is willing to get in on the forecheck and dig pucks out. He projects as a top six winger that can also play down the line up if need be. We like him as a boarder first rounder to mid second rounder.

12 LW, SASHA PASTUJOV, 6’0, 175, R, DOB 07.15.2003

Pastujov is a skilled winger that plays the game with a unique combo of size, speed and skill. He uses his body extremely well to dominate the puck below the goal line. He wins most battles he goes into and has a bit of a Zach Hyman to his boards and half wall game. Where he really stands out is his passing ability and vision. The way he sees the game is elite and he is the type of player goal scorers want to play with. Yet, he is able to finish plays himself whether from in tight or at a distance. He sets up on the one timer side on the top power play unit where he is looking to connect with his slap shot. He was on the top line in Texas and really seemed like the offensive leader for this team with key injuries. The teams energy swung in sequence with his play, as he picked up his pace so did his team play. Sound defensively for a winger as he has a strong stick and lifts a lot of sticks through the zone. He makes the safe play and shows strong IQ to escape pressure, possessing the hands to carry the puck through pressure. His skating is his biggest knock as he doesn’t have the prettiest stride or fastest feet. Yet he creates so much power on his edges he seems to get around just fine. We like him in the second half of the first round due to his playmaking and offensive abilities.

Pastujov finished with eight points, including five goals, in five game to lead the American offensive attack.

Contributors to this report included Dan Stewart, Matt Morrison, Alex Taxman, Kai Farenholtz and Jared Brown.
Photo credit IIHF.com

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