DraftPro scouts discuss a few of the names that stood out to them at the recent U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

In part one Draft Prospects Hockey Head Scout Jared Brown looked at those who we at DraftPro had ranked inside our top 224 for the 2021 NHL Draft but for one reason or another were not selected. In this second part of the Aftermath series Scouting Director Dan Stewart looks at ten prospects who were selected considerably lower then where we had them ranked but we feel will eventually become excellent value picks, especially when you consider where they were picked up by their NHL teams.

Logan Stankoven, C, Kamloops (WHL), DOB 02.26.03, 5’8″, 170, R, CAN
Selected #47 overall by Dallas Stars, ranked #12 overall by DraftPro.

We get it, he is tiny. But we have seen this script play out before. Smaller skilled prospect drops in the draft, gets picked a round or two later then projected, and in a few years is pilling up points in the NHL. Explosive skater, plays with no fear, big heart, offensively relentless, drives the net, has a deadly quick shot, one-time is a weapon, strong lower body so is not easily knocked off pucks, likes to play through contact, quick and tricky on the forecheck, sees the ice well and makes strong passes. Really brings us Brayden Point/Theo Fluery type vibes.

Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL), DOB 02.16.03, 5’10”, 172, L, RUS
Selected #50 overall by Winnipeg Jets, ranked #23 by DraftPro.

We were surprised this skilled, offensive play driving winger fell out of the first-round, but we can kind of see why as he is smaller, has some individualistic play at times and is Russian. But still we liked him in the second half of the first round due to his dynamic offensive talent and creativity. After a couple season of KHL action we can see his stock skyrocketing and NHL GM’s wishing they pulled the trigger on this talented winger before he fell in the laps of the Jets later in round two.

Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Liiga), DOB 11.14.02, 6’2″, 185, L, FIN
Selected #52 overall by New York Islanders, ranked #15 by DraftPro.

Originally thought as one of the 2021 Drafts top talents in his DY-1 season, Raty had a terrible start to his draft year (DY) and soon found himself tumbling down draft lists. He lacked confidence and it showed on the ice. He was left off the Finnish World Juniors team after being a key piece in his DY-1 and demoted to the junior ranks from Karpat’s men’s Liiga team. As the season progressed however, he started to again show the game that had him in consideration for the top of the draft a year earlier. He is a hard working, two-way centerman, skates well getting up and down the ice and flashes some high-end offensive tools. Actually the week of the draft he was in Plymouth Michigan representing Finland at the 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase and destroying competition by putting up fourteen points in just six matches against some of the worlds best in his peer group. His later selection might end up the biggest oversight to come out of this draft class.

Sean Behrens, D, NTDP U18 (USHL), DOB 03.31.03, 5’10”, 176, L, USA
Selected #61 overall by Colorado Avalanche, ranked #26 by DraftPro.

Again, another prospect likely passes over by numerous NHL teams until the end of round two due to his lack of size but make no mistake Colorado got a gamer here. Fluid, fleet-footed skater, quick laterally, high-end mobility, can push the pace and drive the attack, dangerous in transition, controls the puck with skilled hands. He plays much bigger than the five-foot-ten size, contributes both offensively and plays a smart defensive game as well. He even brings the physical with well timed hip checks and using his low center of gravity to battle for pucks. You might think NHL teams would have got the memo on the quick, average sized puck moving blueliners, but these types of prospects always seem to be available later than they should be year after year. Colorado can let this potential top four develop slowly at the University of Denver.

Sasha Pastujov, LW, NTDP U18 (USHL), DOB 07.15.03, 6’0″, 183, L, USA
Selected #66 overall by Anaheim Ducks, ranked #22 by DraftPro.

For a potential top line NHL scorer to drop into the third round like Pastujov did, there had to be a red flag raised in numerous NHL team scouting meetings. We asked around but there did not seem to be any character flaws so what could it be? Does he have a good shot? Yes, he does. Silky hands, check. Smarts, check. Skating…well here is where some improvements need to be made as he struggles with foot speed. The thing is if he improves his skating just a bit he has so many other skills that he could end up as one of the top scorers from this draft class…and Anaheim picked him up in the third round. Put that up upside against say Chicago picking Nolan Allen, a projected bottom four defensive defenseman, with their first-round selection and it leaves you scratching your head a bit.

Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-sarja), DOB 04.09.03, 6’3″, 190, L, FIN
Selected #68 overall by New Jersey Devils, ranked #37 by DraftPro.

While not a offensively flashy, puck wizard type of prospect Salminen being nabbed by New Jersey in the third is extremely high value as he projects to be a solid second or third line two-way NHL center with good size and a high work ethic. Potential is there for a captain as well due to his on-ice leadership and trust from his coaches. Plays heavy but can also dance with the puck. Engages physically and wins most of his puck battles. Strong playmaker and can also fire the puck. A high value pick in the third round.

Red Savage, C, NTDP U18 (USHL), DOB 05.15.03, 5’11”, 174, L, USA
Selected #114 overall by Detroit Red Wings, ranked #48 by DraftPro.

Here is one prospect we figured would fall from where we had him ranked considering the risk associated with his size and willingness to play in the greasy areas and take abuse in front of the net. But we feel his meat and potatoes style plus solid offensive skills and hockey sense that will allow him to be a difference maker for a bottom six role down the road. The Wings hope his offensive game continues to develop over the next couple of years and makes that projection even rosier.

Dylan Duke, C, NTDP U18 (USHL), DOB 03.04.03, 5’10”, 181, L, USA
Selected #126 overall by Tampa Bay Lightning, ranked #42 by DraftPro.

Tampa found a good one here with this pick, later than many independent services would have imagined the Strongsville, Ohio native would have gone. The feisty winger brings grit and a strong work ethic plus middle six type offensive skills to the Lightning. Worse case scenario is he becomes a sparkplug fourth liner who becomes a PK staple for years on a cap friendly contract.

Justin Robidas, C, Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL), DOB 03.13.03, 5’7″, 172, R, CAN
Selected #147 overall by Carolina Hurricanes, ranked #80 by DraftPro.

Small but electric. His feet are unbelievably fast, and his quickness is elite. He matches speed with a quick mind and unbelievable work ethic. Now we get it, a five-foot-seven or five-foot-eight center will have to overcome some size/strength hurdles to make it to the NHL but with his wiliness to play in the dirty areas, compete and flash offensive creativity we are betting he makes it. And not only makes it but adds some much-needed secondary scoring to the Hurricanes organization three or four seasons down the road.

Ty Gallagher, D, NTDP U18 (USHL), DOB 03.06.03, 6’0″, 190, R, USA
Selected #217 overall by Boston Bruins, ranked #69 by DraftPro.

Anytime you can add a goal scorer in the draft it is wise to do so. With your last pick in the draft it should be automatic. This two-way defender holds the record for most goals scored by an US NTDP defenseman, a program that has seen some elite defenseman talent come through over the years. With a booming point shot he is never shy to get pucks on the net, and he could be a powerplay weapon that TV announcers will love to say was a seventh-round pick of the Bruins for years to come.

As we conclude the 2021 draft, Jared Brown – DraftPro Head Scout, went back and looked at who out of our top 224 ranked draft eligible prospects weren’t picked in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

This year was one of the hardest years to assess the draft eligible talent, especially when it came to evaluating the players who unfortunately were not able to play any games this year due to the pandemic. The list below is of the 71 players that we felt showed enough qualities to be selected in this years draft but will now be going into the 2021-2022 season ready to prove NHL teams wrong and why they should’ve selected them.

Interesting fact of this years draft class, despite COVID hitting the three CHL junior leagues in Canada hard, this year had the most Canadians drafted since 2013. You will see a handful of OHL names on this list that weren’t selected, but we have to say, we saw more OHLers get drafted than we thought would’ve and some surprising names that we at DraftPro didn’t even have in our top 300.

P.S. Some of the players we had ranked in the 224-300 final rankings list were drafted so those are still a win for us?

The Undrafted (listed with their DraftPro final ranking)

88 D, Luke Mittelstadt, Eden Prairie High (USHS-MN), 5’11”, 174, L, DOB 01/22/03

The younger brother of Sabres forward Casey surprisingly was passed up in the draft. I assume the lack of competition he had faced at the USHS level played a factor in NHL teams passing up on him as well as his 12-game stint in the USHL with Lincoln was rather underwhelming. Important to note he will be attending the University of Minnesota who recently are coming off a final eight appearance for the D1 NCAA Championship. Watch out for Luke’s name as an overager for the 2022 NHL draft and hopefully he can provide a more offensive touch inside the attacking zone.

94 D, Jimi Suomi, Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-Sarja), 5’10”, 154, L, DOB 03/01/03

Suomi comes with a ton of risk. He’s a high-risk, high-reward kind of prospect. Plays like a riverboat gambler in which I assume scared organizations away from picking the undersized Finnish defenseman. He’s an excellent skater but has a very slight, slim frame that can’t handle physical play or contact well. He needs to put on a lot more muscle and rope back his aggressive offensive instincts to focus a bit more on the defensive side of the puck.

95 C, Avery Hayes, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL), 5’10”, 165, R, DOB 10/10/02

This to me comes as the biggest surprise! For the life of me I can’t understand why Hayes wasn’t selected. He makes up for his lack of size in determined play and offensive skillset. Has a knack for creating offensive chances and producing. I assume NHL GMs wanted to draft players with a higher floor, ones that don’t come with a risk factor that Hayes potentially comes with. Hayes has the potential to be one of the top overagers for next years draft and have an impressive OHL season.

98, D, Owen Murray, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 5’10”, 181, R, DOB 12/1/02

Murray wasn’t thrusted in a major role for Green Bay and had the fourth highest TOI for defensemen on the Gamblers. That could’ve played into NHL teams evaluating him however and pointing out that he wasn’t elevating his game and stayed complacent in his roster spot. His offensive skillset is raw and his forward stride isn’t the cleanest. Defensively I think teams may not have liked his passive approach in the defensive zone and his lack of physicality. I still believe his east-west skating and puck moving ability were enough to warrant a selection.

100 C, Caden Brown, USNTDP U18, 5’11”, 170, L, DOB 6/22/03

Brown had a rough offensive year which ultimately played a key role in going undrafted in the 2021 draft. He showcases flashes of skill with his puck handling but not at the consistent level scouts would like to see. He struggled at centre this year and struggled winning faceoffs. I think theirs hope for untapped offensive skill and that it will come on display as he attends the University of Wisconsin, but he didn’t show that growth in his draft season which is why Caden will have to wait and hopefully hear his name get called in next years draft.

102 D, Valtteri Koskela, JYP (Liiga), 5’10”, 157, L, DOB 10/20/02

Koskela played third pair minutes in the top Finnish league for JYP this year. The showcasing of his offensive toolkit, and confidence carrying the puck surely would be worth a selection right? Wrong. The small, smooth skating Fin wasn’t selected for what I believe to be similar reasons why fellow countryman Jimi Suomi went unpicked. The risk was too much for NHL teams to take and settled for players that had safer projections like JYP teammate Ville Ottavainen (though I don’t agree and was shocked Ottavainen went 99th overall). I feel he will need to take a big step offensively to be selected in next years draft.

103 D, Victor Sjoholm, HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell), 5’9”, 172, R, DOB 7/8/03

You wouldn’t think it by looking at his height, but he’s a mean defender that loves to throw the body. I think he has potential to become a defensive defenseman in a bottom pairing role, but I would assume NHL teams may be worried that his physical, hard hitting play style could be met with durability concerns. His lack of fear for the dirty areas is a pleasant sight but what happens when he’s consistently trying to throw the body at 6’2” 215lbs NHL forwards? To add, at the U18s for Sweden, Sjoholm didn’t show an array of abilities to attack or create opportunities offensively.

104 C, Peter Reynolds, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL), 5’10”, 168, L, DOB 1/20/03

Here was another surprising forward to go undrafted in my opinion. Has been a talked about prospect since his time with the Shattuck St. Mary’s club. He’s been an impact player for most of his junior playing career dating back to when he was 14. Reynolds had maybe one too many games where you’d leave saying “did he play?”. He can come off as a laid-back player as he coasts or swings in and out of position but can turn on the jets and drive the offense for his line. He can be classified as a one-dimensional player and that being he’s offense oriented and needs to round out the rest of his game and improve his consistent compete level away from the puck. But don’t be surprised if he goes on to produce at a high rate in the QMJHL in his DY+1.

105 RW, Oliver Moberg, AIK J20 (J20 Nationell), 6’3”, 203, L, DOB 2/23/03

I batted for Moberg to move up in our final rankings list after his U18 performance. Maybe this is one that I should retract. Nope! I stand by it and believe he should’ve been picked! I think he has a projectable floor of a bottom six power forward that can excel playing the cycle and produce from in and around the net. His skating and lack of pace are most likely the reasons NHL teams avoided selecting the big Swedish winger. He does not have the speed for quick transition attacks currently. A fast-pace league like the NHL will be an issue for Moberg unless a good skating coach can get to him and help his stride mechanics and flexibility.

106 D, Viljami Juusola, Karpat U20 (U20 SM-Sarja), 5’10”, 165, L, DOB 4/19/03

Juusola is very much so an offensive defenseman who’s smart and thinks the game at a high level. Why I think teams didn’t take a chance on Juusola is because his defensive game is a work in progress. He has time to put on more muscle but he does not fair well in physical battles and is an area he will want to improve in. We viewed him as a raw project with tons of skill so he could be an overager to look out for in the 2022 draft. I’m a tad surprised his play with the puck wasn’t enticing enough to be selected.

111 RW, Edgar Varagyan, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL), 6’2”, 203, R, DOB 10/17/03

Varagyan had a decent start to the season but ended on a sour note. He ended playing on the fourth line to end his season in Magnitogorsk’s first round exit in the MHL playoffs. His season was very much up and down and struggled with consistency all year. Had a brief stint up in the KHL in October and when he arrived back to the MHL his production picked up and looked like a potential draft choice. But losing his role hurt him big time especially when games became more important.

114 D, Atte Lehikoinen, KalPa U20 (U20 SM-Sarja), 6’2”, 176, L, DOB 7/5/03

Lehikoinen from what I assume went unpicked because of a real lack of offensive upside. His offensive instincts and vision are pretty average, and he isn’t a defenseman that pushes the needle too often to generate chances. He’s a sound, solid, poised defender, which is the stable of his game but it seems as that wasn’t enough for NHL teams.

115 RW, Connor Kurth, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL), 5’11”, 214, R, DOB 7/30/03

Kurth had a strong offensive year with Dubuque, and I felt his unique skillset and heavy shot were bright spots to his game that would warrant a pick. Biggest drawback in Connor’s game at the moment is his lack of quickness. When translating his skating to faster leagues there are worries he will struggle to keep up as he isn’t a quick burst type of skater. He’s going to a great school in the University of Minnesota so it will be interesting to see if his skating does hold him back at the NCAA level.

119 D, Yegor Savikov, Ladia Togliatti (MHL), 5’10”, 163, L, DOB 11/24/02

Savikov captained his Russian junior league team Ladia and was their #1 defenseman all year long. As a defenseman he actually led his team in scoring at the end of the season, which shows just how valuable he was to his team. Playing on a team that didn’t have a good season, Savikov may have gotten lost in the limelight when NHL teams scouted Ladia and the MHL. His defensive game though needs a lot of improvements. He needs to dedicate more time perfecting his game away from the puck.

122 D, Henry Nelson, Maple Grove High (USHS-MN), 6’1”, 174, L, DOB 3/25/03

The Maple Grove Minnesota native saw his teammate Kyle Kukkonen selected by Anaheim in the sixth round as Nelson patiently awaited to hopefully hear his name called. Nelson’s mobility and puck rushing skills are better than some defenseman that got drafted but it can be hard to evaluate draft eligible prospects when they play at the High School level. Which ultimately could be the main reason why Nelson wasn’t selected.

123 RW, Dmitri Katelevsky, Bars Kazan (VHL), 6’0”, 174, L, DOB 1/17/03

Katelevsky played his draft season in the second-tier Russian league (VHL) which is not all that common for a Russian prospect. He can be a hard-nosed player at times and willing to battle it out along the boards and in front of the net. The reason I believe NHL teams did not select the Russian winger is due to his awkward skating style. Katelevsky is not a pretty skater, he skates hunched over and shows limited hip flexibility turning with speed. If the mechanics of his skating can smoothen out, then I could see an NHL team taking a chance on Katelevsky.

124 LW, Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), 6’1”, 198, L, DOB 1/27/03

Alarie put up a point per game with Moose Jaw in his shorten abbreviated season and I thought he showed quality playmaking skills and the ability to move the puck quickly. Here’s another forward though that most likely wasn’t drafted due to average-poor skating ability. Alarie is a one-directional skater and that is north-south. Laterally he needs work and improving in just overall quickness. But keep his name close to your cards as a potential overager that didn’t get to fully show his potential due to the pandemic.

125 D, Graham Sward, Spokane Chiefs (WHL), 6’2”, 176, L, DOB 9/12/03

Sward suffered an unfortunate injury that costed him missing the entire month of April. It looked like Sward was going to be thrusted into playing top pairing minutes when the WHL got their season going but then his injury hit and when he returned, he was suddenly Spokane’s #3 or #4 defenseman. His game lacks offensive flare or touch which also didn’t help his case for being selected. Though keep this in mind, Sward was just eligible for this years draft by four days. One of the youngest players eligible this year and could be a late blooming prospect.

127 C, Jack O’Brien, Lincoln Stars (USHL), 6’0”, 154, L, DOB 5/14/03

After an impressive WHL rookie campaign, O’Brien failed to follow up to the hype of his name and going over to play for Lincoln in the USHL didn’t do him any favours. I think a really bad draft season hurt O’Brien a lot and from my viewings he seems like a player that needs to get involved more, show more engagement off the puck. Will be interesting to see if he comes out with a revenge tour for his DY+1 season.

128 D, Nikita Dimitrov, SKA-Varyagi im. Morozova (MHL), 5’11”, 181, L, DOB 1/12/03

Dimitrov most likely was unselected due to a lack of production and offensive skills for a smaller defenseman. I gather NHL scouts would have wanted to see more output from Dimitrov but maybe the offensive instincts aren’t there. His game is boring which can be good and bad, in his case, his boring style of game probably put NHL teams to sleep.

130 C/LW, Dovar Tinling, Univ. of Vermont (NCAA), 5’11”, 181, L, DOB 3/3/03

Tinling attended the University of Vermont impressively as a 17-year-old (turning 18). Though what it did for his draft stock probably didn’t help as it resulted in a lack of playing time and spending the entire year adjusting to a far more competitive league/competition and crossing the border to live away from family (other than his brother who also goes to Vermont) and suffering through the obstacles of a pandemic. Not an easy task for a 17-year-old. I think it is very hard to evaluate Tinlings progression due to these reasons. I’m more curious to see how he looks this upcoming year.

134 C, Hunter Strand, Tri-City Storm (USHL), 5’11”, 183, L, DOB 11/13/02

This is another player that I am absolutely shocked did not get selected and for the life of me can’t understand why. I thought Strand was Tri-City’s best player last year. Yes, better than Knies, Mazur, and Richard, all who were drafted. Looking back on it, I wish I was more aggressive in ranking Strand higher. His skating is missing an extra gear and his first steps are a tad slow. Offensively has skilled hands but can lack creativity. But I see Strand having a very projectable floor as a bottom six NHLer.

136 LW, James Hardie, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL), 5’11”, 172, L, DOB 1/18/02

NHL teams made the mistake again of leaving Hardie available as the last pick was announced. I think if the OHL was able to find a way to get going and play, Hardie definitely would’ve shown why teams made a mistake not picking him in last years draft. The inability to see how he has progressed is a fair reason why teams didn’t take him again. As I’m writing this though, Hardie has been invited to attend the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp and it seems as if the Leafs organization have definitely had their eye on Hardie.

137 C/LW, Lorenzo Canonica, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL), 5’11”, 179, L, DOB 9/3/03

Lorenzo had a pretty good draft season campaign spending time both in Switzerland and the QMJHL. I’m surprised not one organization took a chance on the versatile playmaking forward. Maybe you could say he’s a bit too average in certain areas of his game, skating, offensive skills, but he’s built a solid foundation that projects and NHL career of some sorts.

138 C, Jeremy Wilmer, USNTDP U18, 5’7”, 141, L, DOB 8/16/03

Wilmer is easy to root for as he’s such a competitive player and works hard to overcome his size. Unfortunately, it is not surprising to see teams pass up on the skilled undersized forward as he lacks the breakaway straight-line speed he needs and currently needs to put on a lot more muscle to avoid being knocked around so easily. Wilmer has a late birthday so let’s hope for a growth spurt and let him put on that muscle as he attends Boston University.

140 G, Thomas Milic, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), 6’0”, 170, L, DOB 4/14/03

Ahh… It’s the story that gets rewritten every draft, NHL teams avoiding goalies that are under 6’1” and targeting goalies with size over others. It’s unfair to goalies like Milic who show great athleticism and solid IQ in reading the play. Milic looked great in his two games for Canada at the U18s but it wasn’t enough to leapfrog him over other goalies I guess. Issue with being a smaller goalie is you rely a lot on your athleticism and that can lead to some goalies being too aggressive in their crease and not playing with sound positional awareness.

144 D, Keagan Slaney, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), 5’9”, 176, L, DOB 4/10/03

Slaney is an undersized defenseman that plays a very solid defensive game and has a little bite to him. Another seemingly common theme for NHL teams is that if you’re on the smaller side for defensemen, you’re going to need to bring an offensive element and high skillset to your game to be drafted. Slaney is the opposite, as he takes care of his own end first before taking chances offensively. I assume teams didn’t think there was enough upside in Slaney’s game to select him.

145 LW, Stuart Rolofs, London Knights (OHL), 6’2”, 187, L, DOB 3/28/03

Draft eligible players playing on the London Knights almost always get drafted so to see one not is pretty surprising! Rolofs shows a lot of promise in playing a power game, but I think partly why he was unselected could be that he doesn’t bring a physical presence and should use his body more often in battles. Again though, Rolofs is an OHLer that suffered from no OHL season which for sure hurt his chances of being drafted.

147 RW, Ethan Burroughs (OHL), 5’10”, 165, R, DOB 6/19/03

Burroughs played in the PBHH Invitational which were the only games he was able to get into this season. I wouldn’t say he impressed at that showcase which didn’t help his draft stock. One thing I noticed with Burroughs in that showcase was the lack of speed in his skating. Also, for a player that was ranked highly and was talked about having a breakout year in the OHL he should’ve been dominating shifts at the showcase and he simply wasn’t doing that consistently which was worth noting.

150 D, Jake Martin, USNTDP U18, 6’0”, 190, R, DOB 3/18/03

I felt Martin played a reliable enough game to standout and show strong shutdown like tendencies you’d want in a bottom pairing defenseman. The fact that he is hesitant to take chances offensively at times may be a reason why he was passed on, but I firmly believe that Martin is one we should watch out for as he attends the University of Wisconsin and potentially has a breakout freshman year. He was an underrated defenseman with the USNTDP U18 squad that didn’t get the love he deserved.

156 RW, Tim Lindfors, Malmo Redhawks J20 (J20 Nationell), 6’0”, 179, R, DOB 11/3/02

Lindfors is very much so a high-risk high reward type of prospect and as I alluded to earlier, potentially teams wanted to steer away from the higher risk players in this years draft. His game does need rounding out, he’s all about the offense and scoring goals but he’s going to want to make himself effective in other ways if he wants to impress an NHL team.

157 G, Maxim Motorygin, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL), 6’0”, 165, L, DOB 12/24/02

Once again, we have another 6’0” goalie that goes undrafted for what I assume to be because “he doesn’t have NHL size”. Motorygin had an excellent season putting up terrific numbers as Moskva’s #1 goalie in the regular season and aiding them to a first-place finish. He did have a stacked team in front of him and maybe some could question if he could replicate his performance with a lesser team.

158 C, Jacob Frasca, Barrie Colts (OHL), 6’3”, 181, R, DOB 3/19/03

Frasca I felt had a respectable floor level as a bottom six power forward that plays a heavy game. So I’m a little shocked to see him not get selected but the zero games played this year like most obviously played a big reason in teams decisioning on whether or not to take him. One big thing for Frasca going into his draft year was he needed to clean up his stride and improve his pace of play, but unfortunately we were unable to see if that area of his game improved.

161 C, Ilya Ivantsov, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL), 5’10”, 154, L, DOB 1/27/03

Ivantsov’s performance at the U18 tournament may have hurt his case for getting drafted more than anything. He started playing in a top six role but in the last three games of the tournament for Russia he was their fourth line centre. The smallish skilled playmaking Russian looked like the second coming of Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Maple Leafs 2018 3rd round pick), but as good as he is of a playmaker, he really doesn’t offer up much of a scoring threat which drives his NHL potential down.

163 C, Pavel Tyutnev, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL), 5’10”, 185, L, DOB 7/25/02

Tyutnev is an interesting one as I wouldn’t describe him to be a high-risk draftee, though he does have sneaky offensive upside and is strong in transition. He should’ve been drafted last year and after bouncing around between all three Russian leagues (MHL, VHL, KHL), he was still left off the draft board once again. I’m wondering if Tyutnev currently doesn’t have a desire to come over to North America and would rather stay in Russia, hence why he’s been passed up on twice. Now I’m not saying he’s an A-B level prospect, maybe a B-, but he shows the characteristics of a bottom six NHL pro.

165 LW, Scout Truman, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), 5’10”, 181, L, DOB 10/15/02

Truman had a promising start to the season but then had a stretch near the middle of the season where he went dry in production and saw his ice-time get cut. A big drawback to Truman’s game is his skating. He has a very awkward stride with poor technique that really hurts his acceleration power. He’s not the biggest guy so a key attribute he will need to have to overcome his size is speed.

166 G, Yegor Guskov, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL), 5’11”, 201, L, DOB 1/10/02

Just look at Guskov’s height and that’s all you need to know for why he wasn’t drafted. Guskov put up some insane numbers for the second best team in the MHL. His agility, quickness, and feline like reflexes are above average and it’s crazy to be that teams haven’t taken a swing at Guskov yet!

168 C, Braeden Kressler, Flint Firebirds (OHL), 5’8”, 154, R, DOB 1/5/03

Kressler didn’t have the opportunity to showcase his hidden talent to scouts this year due to COVID but watch out for his name next year as a top two-line player for Flint next year. Unless he has gone through a growth spurt, his size is a big hurdle for him and he’s going to have to prove to have above average skating, skill, and quickness in his decision making to overcome it. Another player who has received an invite to the Maple Leafs Development camp.

172 C, Nicolas Daigle, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL), 5’9”, 163, L, DOB 9/27/02

Daigle had a terrific year and an excellent playoff on route to a QMJHL Championship. He’s a strong skater with quick footwork and really good vision but the lack of having “NHL” size can run him into issues in physical battles. He’s another forward that has higher upside due to his skill set but has a low floor that may not pan out for the NHL. We have seen a lot of 5’9” forwards go undrafted but get signed by NHL teams and go on to make said team look like geniuses (Tyler Johnson, Yanni Gourde).

176 LW, Gabe Klassen, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), 5’10”, 161, L, DOB 6/30/03

Klassen plays like a pest and being a disturbance in battles which is a nice sight for a forward his size. Problem is his offensive toolkit isn’t a standout to his game and he won’t flash you with dazzling plays. He’s more of a solid versatile option when projecting him but may struggle to produce in the NHL.

178 C, Daniil Lazutin, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL), 6’2”, 174, L, DOB 7/25/03

Once a projected first rounder and highly ranked forward sadly plummeted this year and had a brutal season. The biggest worry in Lazutin’s game is his consistency. Far too many times this season in league games he looked invisible and showing an inability to drive play. He looked like a completely different player this year and this is one guy that I am not entirely surprised to see go undrafted.

179 C, Verner Miettinen, Kiekko-Espoo U20 (U20 SM-Sarja), 5’11”, 165, L, DOB 4/7/03

Miettinen plays a very reliable two-way defensive game and was one of the better defensive minded forwards available in the draft. Issue is, he lacks true high-end offensive skills to produce at a consistent rate. He’s an important piece to have for a winning team and handle shutdown minutes but you still need to produce and chip in and that is very much so a question mark with Miettinen.

180 C, Martins Lavins, HK Mogo (Latvia), 6’0”, 176, R, DOB 4/10/03

Lavins is the kind of player that you love to cheer for as he never cheats for effort and shows excellent character in his on-ice play. Offensively he needs to make plays at a quicker pace as well as continuing to improve the power in his skating stride to be more of a threat in transition. Lavins may have just not offered up enough offensive value for teams to select him.

181 G, Kaidan Mbereko, USNTDP U18, 5’11”, 183, L, DOB 7/28/03

Mbereko is an absolute battler in his crease and shows that lighting quick athleticism that a netminder who is 5’11” will need. I sound like a broken record but let’s not kid ourselves here, he most likely wasn’t picked because of his size. He has some insane flexibility but that can lead into durability concerns which is a common worry in goalies that play the style Mbereko plays with.

182 C, Alex Geci, Sarnia Sting (OHL), 6’2”, 181, L, DOB 8/23/03

Geci was expected to be one of the top CHL import players this year but COVID robbed him of the opportunity to solidify that. Geci is a solid two-way forward that provides size down the middle and compete. He lacks creativity and isn’t a pure goal scorer which may have been an issue NHL scouts saw in his game.

184 D, Charles-Alexis Legault, Lincoln Stars (USHL), 6’4”, 201, R, DOB 9/5/03

Legault’s game can be confusing at times. I mean in the sense that he can be overly aggressive with his offensive instincts and actively pinch constantly to keep the offense rolling. While other games he’s playing a solid defensive style and using his big body as leverage to push around his opposition. This lack of clarity of what he excels better in led me to question marks on what kind of defender he would become.

186 C, Nick DeGrazia, Rayside-Balfour Canadians (NOJHL), 6’1”, 181, L, DOB 12/3/02

DeGrazia was a dominant player in the NOJHL last year and looked the same dominant player this year in the 10 games he played. Problem for DeGrazia is the NOJHL doesn’t garner a lot of scouts attention as one the more competitive Jr. A leagues in Canada. My sense is NHL scouts would’ve liked to see if he could’ve carried that offensive confidence to the OHL with Sudbury. An area of his game also needs cleaning up is his defensive game and commitment without the puck.

188 LW, Nikita Dishkovsky, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL), 5’11”, 165, L, DOB 12/10/02

Dishkovsky was a player we valued to have high potential and be a sneaky good pick in the draft. He’s a strong north-south skater with a heck of a shot. But he does have holes in his game. Defensively can look unengaged, his vision is poor and lacks playmaking upside, and lastly, isn’t the best lateral skater. He would’ve been a risky pick so NHL teams steered clear of Dishkovsky.

189 RW, Tim Delay, St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-Prep), 6’1”, 183, L, DOB 6/16/03

Delay I believe only played a couple of games this year due to the pandemic but he was a talked about prospect out of the eastern US High School division. Strengths to his game are that he is a quick strike transition player with a touch of skill. Biggest issue in his game is his consistency and that will need to come full circle if he is to have success with Boston College.

190 LW, Alexei Prokopenko, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL), 5’11”, 185, L, DOB 1/29/03

Prokopenko was the 8th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft and like Alex Geci, Prokopenko was expected to raise his draft stock by coming over to the QMJHL. Unfortunately, he only appeared in 12 games (came over late in the season most likely due deciding on whether to come overseas or not due to the pandemic) and showed his goal scoring ability but not so much his ability to create chances and set up his teammates.

191 C, Trevor Wong, Kelowna Rockets (WHL), 5’8”, 154. R, DOB 4/5/03

Wong was a play driver for the Kelowna Rockets and showcased his speed to dart through transition and negate some size concerns. It’s hard to project or predict if a player his size can overcome his size in the NHL, though I truly feel Wong has the work ethic and competitiveness to play as a bottom six forward. Give the kid time to fill out his body, get stronger, and then if he’s winning even more puck battles using his strength, then I think he’s worth a shot and taking a swing on.

192 RW, Bennet Rossmy, Bili Tygri Liberec U20 (Czech U20), 6’3”, 194, L, DOB 8/1/03

Rossmy had a good tournament for Germany at the U18s, but it just wasn’t enough to satisfy NHL scouts. I think the biggest concern in Rossmy’s game would be his pace of play and quickness. He’s an okay skater in straight-lines but doesn’t have great foot speed and isn’t that agile. His offensive skills are average as well. We felt the size, physicality, and capabilities to play a power forward game would entice NHL teams.

193 C, Ty Mueller, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL), 5’11”, 185, L, DOB 2/26/03

Mueller showed upside in his offensive abilities; quick offensive instincts, excellent vision, and a great stickhandler with proper hand placement. Definitely worthy of a 7th round selection but the rest of his game needs ironing out. His effort from a shift-by-shift basis can falter and that can become an issue moving forward. If he stays with the Park Crusaders next year, I’d like to see him dominant the AJHL.

194 C, Florian Elias, Adler Mannheim (DEL), 5’8”, 170, L, DOB 8/7/02

Elias had a real strong showing at the World Juniors getting to play alongside Ottawa Senators young all-star Tim Stuetzle. Despite his size, he’s pretty solidly built already and competes hard in the tough areas. I think he has the potential to be a European free agent signing down the road but for now I’m guessing NHL teams felt he would be too risky of a pick.

196 D, Michael Quinn, Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep (USHS), 5’11”, 172, R, DOB 3/25/03

Quinn was one of my favourite underdog prospects to be drafted. He’s an underrated, intelligent, heads up defender that shows the potential to be a safe bottom pairing two-way defenseman. He was definitely hidden behind the talent of fellow defenseman Scott Morrow, but he showed me enough strengths to be selected. I’m assuming teams are worried that he isn’t skilled enough to impact the game offensively at the next level.

200 C, Nikita Buruyanov, MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL), 5’10”, 172, L, DOB 10/2/02

Buruyanov was a top line player for his Russian junior team and there is no denying his ability to score goals. One good and bad thing about his game is that he constantly brings a “shoot first” mentality when there may be better options available than throwing the puck on net. There are some question marks on his hockey sense. He also isn’t the most talented player.

201 D, Joseph Pierce, Hermantown High (USHS-MN), 6’0”, 187, R, DOB 10/2/02

Pierce is one mean physical defenseman that punishes players with his physicality. Biggest issue in Pierce’s game is his skating. He’s got heavy boots, isn’t very mobile, and can get caught flat footed against faster players. He looks very stiff in his skating ability and that will not hold up at the next level, even the NCAA.

203 D, David Gucciardi, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL), 5’11”, 161, L, DOB 10/9/02

Gucciardi was traded from Youngstown to Waterloo in the USHL and unfortunately had sheltered playing time with Waterloo. He’s an offensive minded defenseman that maybe focuses too much on offense and not enough on his defensive zone play. He’s attending Michigan State University next year which gives him the opportunity to get stronger and put on muscle, hopefully improving his defensive game.

204 D, Brendan Fitzgerald, The Governor’s Academy (USHS), 5’11”, 161, L, DOB 3/6/03

Fitzgerald is in a long list of NHL bloodlines. He is the son of Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald and potentially thought we’d see some nepotism in the decision making of selecting him. Brendan is a smooth puck moving defenseman but doesn’t carry a lot of flash in his game. The lack of being high-end or above average in one single trait are probably reasons teams passed up on him.

205 LW, Ryan St. Louis, USNTDP U18, 5’10”, 168, L, DOB 6/16/03

Now it would be very fitting that another St. Louis goes undrafted but has an NHL career. The below average sized American winger has a lot of similarities to his hall of fame father Martin but just isn’t elite in those categories. The opportunity to showcase his offensive skill were there this year as the USNTDP had a ton of injuries/illnesses this year and St. Louis was thwarted up the lineup. Unfortunately, he didn’t run with his opportunity and it left with more question marks on his offensive upside.

206 C, Yan Kopylov, Taifun Primorsky Krai (MHL), 5’10”, 163, L, DOB 11/26/02

Kopylov is a bit of an enigma kind of player. He shows flashes of brilliance in his puck skills and can “Wow” you. The main issue is he doesn’t do this nearly enough to satisfy you and can leave you constantly wanting more from him. He does need to get stronger, but he also needs to be more of a play driver.

207 C, Deni Goure, Owen Sound Attack (OHL), 5’10”, 159, R, DOB 7/15/03

Goure had a strong rookie season for the Attack as a 16-year-old. His game doesn’t revolve around skill and is better suited as a two-way centre that can handle defensive assignments. For him to get drafted next year as an overager, he will need to show scouts that his offensive abilities have progressed and he can create more plays in transition.

208 D, Jacob Guevin, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), 5’11”, 181, R, DOB 1/17/03

It may be surprising to see a defenseman who almost put up a point per game in 53 outings go undrafted, but Guevin’s skating is going to severely hold him back. At times it looks like he’s skating in quicksand. My biggest worry though is his transitions and pivots. A fast skater can easily blow by him down the wing while Guevin is having to full rotate his body all at once to pivot. I’m sure NHL teams saw this and gave it a red flag.

209 D, Marko Stacha, Vancouver Giants (WHL), 6’1”, 190, L, DOB 3/21/02

Stacha we had ranked in last years draft to be selected and still felt he was worthy of a pick. The smooth skating Slovak uses his feet to aid him in defending and in transition. There are times where he looks to lose focus and panic, showing a high-panic threshold. Struggles to read the player after the first layer is broken down, has problems regrouping to make another stop.

210 D, Ethan Straky, USNTDP U18, 5’11”, 174, R, DOB 4/18/03

Straky moves the puck well from his own zone and shows promise. That is when he has time and space to calmly see the ice. When pressure comes in on him, he’s seems to grip the stick a little tight and make poor decision and bad passes up to his forwards. I’d like to see a little more poise in his game and handle the forecheck better.

212 C, Linus Sjodin, Rogle BK (SHL), 6’0”, 168, L, DOB 10/2/02

Sjodin is a skilled playmaking centre with good hands. He’s intelligent enough to play a reliable two-way game and a reason why he appeared in 22 SHL games this year. His skill did not translate so easily and really struggled to carry over his confidence from the J20 division to the SHL. It’s a hard task to be asked, but I’m wondering if NHL teams saw the lack of production in 22 games and it worried them.

214 LW, Zack Stringer, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), 6’1”, 165, L, DOB 4/10/03

Stringer is very much so like an energizer bunny in the way he plays. He gets himself involved in battles and wants to be the one that retrieves pucks back for his line. He’s a lanky fellow, but you have to figure once he fills into his frame he’s going to be a force along the perimeter and on the cycle. His skating has never been a bright spot to his game and is a “giddy-up” style of skater. Working on his stride technique to improve his transition game should be his main focus this summer.

217 D, Zach Biggar, Acadie-Bathurst Titans (QMJHL), 6’0”, 179, L, DOB 3/1/03

I’m a fan of Biggar’s game and as a former defenseman I can appreciate his calm demeanor and ability to read the oncoming pressure so well. He’s going to be a solid, reliable junior defenseman, but maybe that’s it? His game isn’t risky by any means, he doesn’t show to have great offensive instincts. There can be players that are classified as too simple and those players may not have enough talent to make the NHL, Biggar could be in that category.

218 D, Noah Meier, GC Kusnacht Lions (SL), 5’11”, 170, L, DOB 9/24/02

Meier is almost polar opposite from the above defenseman, Zach Biggar. Meier loves to join the attack and try to create offense from the blueline. He’s smooth in transition and handles the puck with ease. Meier is not the greatest defender and he can cheat in his positioning stemming from poor decision making process. He’s got a bit of talent, but he’ll need to defend better before getting a shot.

221 LW, Owen Pederson, Winnipeg Ice (WHL), 6’3”, 187, L, DOB 3/27/02

I actually thought Pederson was one of the overagers that would’ve got selected and potentially would’ve gone higher than our ranking suggested. He’s a big, strong two-way winger that complemented his two skillful linemates (McClennon and Krebs) well. I think there probably were/are question marks on his ability to drive the offense himself and maybe he fed off of playing with a couple of star junior players.

223 C, Kaleb Lawrence, Owen Sound Attack (OHL), 6’6”, 225, L, DOB 1/10/03

Who doesn’t love a 6’6” giant that has incredibly soft hands and can feather a pass through many tight seams? I guess NHL teams don’t like that. No, but seriously, the issue with Lawrence is his skating and lack of separation speed/edgework for his size. The other surprising part of Lawrence’s game is I rarely see him use his body to apply a heavy forechecking presence. I hope he isn’t a big man that is a teddy bear.

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.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2021-nhl-draft-yearbook/

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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

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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.

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

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

Created by Kai Farenholtz

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