DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: CHL

  • Game Report – London Knights 4 vs North Bay Battalion 1 – October 2nd, 2026

    Game Report – London Knights 4 vs North Bay Battalion 1 – October 2nd, 2026

    The London Knights extended their perfect start to the young OHL season on Friday night, securing a 4-1 victory over the North Bay Battalion.

    Marcus Nordmark opened the scoring for London, firing one home from the slot to notch his first-ever OHL goal. North Bay quickly responded when Evgeny Dubrovtsev tapped one home off a great set-up feed from Kam Hodgson.

    The Knights looked to be a different team in the third, seemingly finding their game after being pushed around for much of the opening 40 minutes. Thomas Zocco and Jaxon Cover both found the back of the net early in the frame before Cohen Bidgood eventually sealed it with an empty-net goal.

    The Knights improved to 4-0 on the young season and will take on the Flint Firebirds at home on Sunday afternoon.

    Standouts:

    Cooper McAslan (London Knights | 2027 NHL Draft Eligible)

    One of the most complete performances of the day, McAslan was a factor in all three zones and a constant disruption for the Battalion. He consistently clogged passing lanes, using his active stick and body positioning to kill plays before they could develop. Willing to push the pace, McAslan utilized his fluid skating to actively join the rush and seamlessly pivot along the offensive blue line to carve out space. Keeping his head up to survey options, his vision was rewarded when he picked up the secondary assist on the game’s opening goal.

    Camryn Warren (North Bay Battalion | 2027 NHL Draft Eligible)

    Arguably the best player on the ice tonight, Warren put on a dominant display. Having tracked him at the U17s and the Hlinka, his offensive upside was already clear, but what stood out most tonight was his poise under pressure. He never panicked, consistently taking that extra half-second to let a seam open up, using his hands and edges to navigate into high-danger areas, and anticipating plays before they materialized. While his frame still leaves a bit to be desired, Warren delivered a stellar performance that leaves plenty of reason to be excited for his development this season.

    Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights | VAN 2025 47th OVR )

    Stepping up in a major way, Medvedev was the backbone of London’s victory tonight, helping the Knights extend their win streak to four games. He turned aside 38 of 39 shots, weathering a barrage that featured numerous high-danger opportunities and a plethora of breakaways. The 2025 47th overall pick put his high-end lateral movement and lightning-fast reflexes on full display. For a London squad with Memorial Cup hopes, Medvedev will be a vital piece of the puzzle, and if this performance is any indication, the Knights are in good hands.

    Oskar Konobelj (North Bay Battalion | 2027 NHL Draft Eligible)

    While not the flashiest player on the ice, Konobelj did an exceptional job of disrupting London’s rhythm, most notably through his physical presence. Standing 6-foot-4, he uses his frame effectively, but what truly elevates his projection is his surprising mobility and edge work for a player of his size. This tracks with his reliable, albeit quiet, showing at the U18 Division IA tournament for a fifth-place Slovenia squad. While his offensive upside remains limited, his defensive utility and physical foundation could be enough to hear his name called in June.

  • Michael’s Monthly: September

    Michael’s Monthly: September

    Welcome to Michael’s Monthly—a monthly report that goes over all the prospects and games I’ll cover in a given month.

    Sudbury at Kingston (Pre-Season)

    First game of the year was a neutral site pre-season game in Newmarket, ON. Here are the players I felt had an impact.

    Genc Ula, D (Sudbury Wolves):

    Ula had a rough start to his game, taking two bad penalties in the 2nd period and instigating Pobezal for the duration of the game. Fortunately, his antics eventually resulted in a power play for Sudbury. The power play ended with a shorthanded goal before Ula scored a rocket from the point, finishing the game with 1 goal and 1 assist. He is a violent defender with a strong slap shot and a temper that often lands him in the penalty box. His play style reminds me of Radko Gudas.

    Kingston Harris, C (Sudbury Wolves):

    Before this game my knowledge of Harris was limited, but his skill tonight really put him on my radar. He is a fast skater and hits everything that moves. From the moment the puck dropped Harris was dialed in. He ended up scoring Sudbury’s first goal on the power play. He even had a bit of penalty-kill time, which was Sudbury’s bread and butter as they killed off all five of Kingston’s power plays. He currently reminds me of Seth Jarvis, but only time will tell if he has similar potential.

    Aleks Kulemin, C (Kingston Frontenacs):

    Despite not getting on the score sheet much at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, Kulemin impressed me with his 200-foot game. After getting to watch him in person, he has some good offensive skills, scoring on a breakaway quickly into the game. He reminds me a lot of his father, Nikolai Kulemin, who I grew up watching.

    Matthew Henderson, D (Kingston Frontenacs):

    Henderson got to work right, away putting up 2 assists on Kingston’s first two goals of the game. His speed, good breakout passes, and ability to step up to stop the rush are all factors that contributed to why he was my player of the game. It is clear why Frontenacs fans are excited to see him play this year.

    Windsor at London (Home Opener)

    Attending London’s home opener was incredible. Especially knowing that it is one of the OHL’s most historic franchises. The home opener was a mad house. There was not a single empty seat and the fans were as loud as ever. This game was a slow boil, but by the end of the third, the tea pot was screaming. London had a failed challenge on Windsor’s controversial and late tying goal, resulting in Windsor receiving almost a full power play for overtime. In the end the Knights found a way to make everyone go home happy after a wonderful night of hockey. Let’s go over the standouts.

    Cooper McAslan, D (London Knights):

    McAslan had a bumpy start to the game and looked nervous in the 1st period. As the time passed you could see his confidence grow with every shift. A big block on the penalty kill, a good pivot out of danger, and a great stick lift to stop a high danger shot. In the 3rd his offense came to life. A good rush up the ice, and a shot on goal. He made some mistakes reaching for pucks off the rush, but he improved thus far. In overtime he made a huge block that could have gone in and scored the game winner off a tip from Barch. If he can learn to settle his nerves and be more patient he could be a 1st round talent in this year’s NHL Draft. So far he reminds me of Brian Campbell.

    Kane Barch, F (London Knights):

    Barch immediately caught my eye with his defensive reads and offensive skill set. He was already where he needed to be both offensively and defensively. Always succeeding at the little things; Slot passes, puck battle wins, holding the puck when no lane was available, hitting his teammate full speed with a crisp pass. He was on his game, and was rewarded with assisting on the OT winner. Number 10 in London has caught my eye, and I’m sure others will begin to watch him very closely.

    Ty Bergeron, C (Windsor Spitfires):

    Despite being held off the score sheet, Bergeron had a nice game. He made several good offensive plays including driving the net, good forecheck, and a nice reverse hit to keep the cycle going. I was impressed by him at Hlinka and I believe he will adapt to the OHL very quickly. However, for right now I have him sitting in the late 2nd round.

    Luca Santala, C (Kitchener Rangers):

    I’m glad I was able to see Luca live in London before he was traded. He had a solid game making good moves to enter the zone, and good passes to teammates. Everything except a point. I’m not too worried as he’s already on the score sheet with Kitchener. His play reminds me of James Neal.

    Sarnia at Peterborough (Novotný’s Return)

    Man did the Petes come to play in this one. Led by their returning superstar, Adam Novotný, who put up 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points. Although Sarnia scored first, the Petes quickly took over the game. Sarnia only scored again during the power play.

    Matthew Perreault, D (Peterborough Petes):

    Even though he did not end up on the score sheet, he impressed me with a +3 and 5 shots on goal. He quarterbacked the power play well and was a key part in getting the puck out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone. A late birthday for this year’s draft, Perreault still has lots of room to grow, but I’m excited to see him develop. Overall, I really enjoyed his performance.

    Easton Walos, F (Sarnia Sting):

    Easton was one of the four Sarnia players that I had my eye on, and he did not disappoint. He continued his hot start to the season by getting two power play goals. However, he will need to show off more than just his powerful shot if he wants to climb the draft ladder.

    Adrian Sgro, D (Sarnia Sting):

    Sgro isn’t eligible for this year’s draft but it is no surprise why he was taken #4 at the OHL draft this summer. He moves well, has an active stick and doesn’t shy away from being physical. He made two terrible mistakes, but he was still impressive. Adrian Sgro might be a name to remember when the U18s come later around later in the season.

    Brantford at Oshawa (Battle for the East)

    The top two teams in the East Division competed on Sunday. Unsurprisingly, it was an excellent game of hockey. Oshawa has had a hot start going 3-1, and Brantford one of few remaining undefeated teams (4-0). The game however, really opened up in the 2nd period and Brantford scored 4 straight goals. Oshawa tried to fight back but couldn’t make up for it, losing 5-3.

    Kaden McGregor, C (Brantford Bulldogs) :

    The former OHL 1st overall pick has shined so far with Brantford this season. Back to back goals in this game, one on the power play and one 5-on-5. Playing 2nd line with Němec gives him a speedy option on his wing, helping him get off to a hot start with 6 points in 5 games. I would like him to support the defense a bit more but there is no denying his skill and IQ. A late 1st or early 2nd rounder for me personally at the moment. You can read more about him in Stuart’s weekly three stars article here.

    Adam Němec, LW (Brantford Bulldogs):

    Němec really caught my eye at Hlinka. His speed and shot are a deadly combo. He has struggled to score in the OHL but with 4 assists in 5 games he is still putting up points. Once he gets one I am sure the goals will start flooding in, but for now he is still doing his part both 5-on-5 and on the power play. He will need to do more to cement himself as a projected 1st rounder.

    David Buchman, D (Brantford Bulldogs):

    Buchman had a very solid game, I can see why he is playing first pair minutes for Brantford. He has good speed, good hockey IQ and strong playmaking abilities. While he only had 1 assists on the power play, he leads all Draft Eligible defenseman in the OHL with 6 points in 5 games. He also did a good job taking the puck away and tying up players in front. Just like McGregor, a late 1st or early 2nd rounder for me right now.

    Tyler Hinde, LW (Oshawa Generals):

    Due to Hinde receiving a fighting major and an instigating misconduct, he was out for majority of the game. I may not have seen much of him but sticking up for your teammate is a great first impression. Excited to see more of him this year.

    Sam Roberts, D (Oshawa Generals):

    The youngest Roberts brother did not disappoint. He shot out of a cannon right out the gate with a nice shot and a good hit. He did take a delay of game penalty which resulted in the games first goal, however, he got an assist after some hard work in the offensive zone later on in the 2nd period. If Sam can find the scoresheet more he might be hearing his name come draft day in June.

    Outside the OHL

    Players outside the OHL that have caught my eye this month.

    Max Calce, C (Alder Mannheim, DEL):

    Calce is by far the largest jump in my rankings. He’s had an incredibly hot start. With good skating, IQ and tenacity, Calce doesn’t quit when he steps on the ice. He steals pucks on the forecheck and creates scoring chances out of thin air. His early highlight pack speaks for itself as does his production. He has entered my top 10 but will need to be consistent to get in the top 5 by June.

    Sergei Skvortsov, LW (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL):

    Skvortsov has been the talk of the town thanks to his elite skating. Many others have him in the top 3 of their rankings. It’s hard to disagree after watching him in the KHL. There is some concern with his defensive play but with limited viewings, it’s hard to say exactly where he is this early in the season. That being said, he reminds me of a young Leon Draisaitl.

    Paul Sintschnig, F (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL):

    Sintschnig has had my eye for a while now, going all the way back to last year. I’m glad to report he has adjusted to the QMJHL very well. He continues to develop his game of getting the puck and passing it to teammates in the slot or just driving the net with it himself.

    Michal Hartl, LW (HC Kometa Brno, Czechia):

    I really like Hartl at Hlinka and I’m pleased to say he has been doing well to start the year. He forechecks well and wins puck battles with his use of an active stick. He is a good skater and competes well. I would like for him to hit more on the forecheck but a good start none the less.

    Andrei Pustovoy, RW (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL):

    Pustovoy has been making quite the noise in the KHL thanks to his high IQ and compete level, he’s making quite the noise in the KHL. Despite being pointless in 9 games, he is doing all the little things very well. If he can find a way to start scoring, he might be an underrated candidate for the top 10. He reminds of Andrew Ladd.

  • Game Report – Soo Greyhounds 5 vs North Bay Battalion 4 – September 26th, 2026

    Game Report – Soo Greyhounds 5 vs North Bay Battalion 4 –
    September 26th, 2026

    Plenty of action in this game, North Bay started this one off with a goal midway through the 1st, with Ryan Kaczynski tying the game minutes later. Max Crete slapped a loose puck in to retake the lead for North Bay, the Greyhounds answered with two goals of their own, Cam Anderson’s first Career OHL goal, and Quinn McKenzie with a one timer from Laus to take the lead. The Battalion would tie it at 3, but the Soo would once again score back-to-back to make it a 5-3 game, with Brady Smith’s shorthanded goal being the dagger.

    Ryan Kaczynski – He has continued his incredible start to this season with yet another standout performance, scoring his 6th goal in 4 games, which currently leads the entire OHL. Aside from his scoring ability, his speed and agility have been extremely noticeable throughout the first four games, he has been able to blow wide on defenders, evade pressure in tight, and has not just found open lanes but created them.

    Noah Laus – Laus continues his hot streak, proving his electric start was no fluke. He, along with his line-mates, was dominant and very successful in all areas tonight. He has developed an outstanding shot this season, his ability to fire it from anywhere and pick his spots has been eye-opening. Tonight’s goal was from just above the slot, where he used a defender as a partial screen, and ripped It low glove. He was also relentless on the forecheck and caused a ton of problems for the Battalion. Laus, along with Kaczynski, are two names that could be flying up the Draft rankings very soon.

    Cam Warren – more of a quiet but effective night for Warren, did his job all game, was a dog on a bone on the forecheck and forced a few misplays, as well as being the instigator for a few scrums, his game picked up immensely in the 3rd, and all of his tools were on display. He is relentless on the puck, extremely twitchy and combines his skating and hands very well to throw off defenders; I saw multiple examples of that on the power play tonight.

    Alexander Karmanov – As expected, Karmanov had a very unique game, although I do think his skating is slowly improving. It is still a glaring weak part of his game, and it caused him some problems tonight.

    Lukas Moore – thought I should give Moore some praise in this one. I have noticed him in every game, but he really stood out to me tonight. He is a very intelligent hockey player. I am yet to see him out of position throughout the first 4 games, he doesn’t force anything, doesn’t overthink the game, just makes the play that’s needed. Moore disrupted multiple plays, closed gaps very quickly, and read plays before they even developed.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Prabh Bhathal (C)

    Prabh Bhathal

    #14 Brandon Wheat Kings. Left shot centre. 6.02 / 214

    DOB: May 14, 2009

    Prabh Bhathal is an offensive forward with a pro-sized frame who is most effective around the net and in high-traffic areas. He contributes in all situations, seeing regular time on both the power play and penalty kill. Bhathal uses his size well, establishing strong net-front positioning and taking away sightlines for goaltenders. He consistently creates offense by battling in tight and capitalizing on loose pucks around the crease, showing a willingness to play in difficult areas of the ice.

    His faceoff ability is another strength, as he has proven to be a dependable option in the circle and can help his team start with possession in key situations. Combined with his special-teams usage and physical presence, he brings versatility and value to a lineup.

    At this stage of the season, I view Bhathal as an early second-round prospect. His size, net-front effectiveness, and ability to contribute in all situations project well to the next level. Long term, he projects as a 3/4 NHL centre, and provide value on both special-teams units.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Jaxon Jacobson (C)

    Jaxon Jacobson

    #9 Brandon Wheat Kings. Left shot centre. 5.11 / 190

    DOB: December 11, 2008 

    Jaxon Jacobson is an offensive forward who contributes in all situations, seeing time on both the power play and penalty kill. He displays good puck-handling ability and uses strong body positioning to protect possession and prevent opponents from separating him from the puck. His growth in the faceoff circle has been noticeable, as he has developed into a more reliable option on draws.

    On this viewing, Jacobson appeared somewhat flat compared to expectations. His backchecking effort was inconsistent, and he will need to keep his feet moving more consistently to improve his pace and overall effectiveness. Increased quickness and urgency away from the puck would help elevate his impact at both ends of the ice.

    Despite an underwhelming performance on this particular night, Jacobson remains a prospect with offensive upside and versatility. Based on this viewing and his body of work to date, I currently rank him 16th among eligible prospects. His long-term NHL projection is as a dependable 3/4 centre role while contributing on special teams.

  • Game Report – Soo Greyhounds 6 vs Brampton Steelheads 3 – September 25th, 2026

    The 1-1 Hounds faced the 0-3 Brampton Steelheads, hoping for their first win of the 2026-2027 season. The Greyhounds opened the scoring when Brampton’s Peter Green missed the puck behind the net, and McKenzie picked it up and centered it to Travis Hayes. They fired off goals 2, 3, and 4 in quick succession. Goal number 2 was a beauty with Ryan Kazcynski batting it in on a backdoor sauce pass. Then a shot from the slot by Jeremy Martin off a Hounds cycle. Then another very nice shot on the fourth goal with Laus sniping one far side off the rush. After the first intermission, the Steelheads made a goalie change, and the Hounds would completely shut down offensively. Evident by the Soo outshooting Brampton 12-5 in the first but getting outshot the next two. The teams would trade goals in the second, Amidovski and Daley respectively. Troy Patton would score early in the third to bring the game to 5-2. Travis Hayes would then restore the four-goal lead, and that would remain until the final 20 seconds when Brampton would pot one in while everyone else, but Peter Green, had lost sight of it. The Greyhounds would improve to above .500 with a final score of 6-3.

    Travis Hayes – Earlier on Friday morning, the Greyhounds had named the Pittsburgh Penguins 2025 Draftee and 4th-year Hound Captain. Just looking at the box score, he had an excellent first game as captain, but watching the game told a slightly different story. The Soo top line of himself, Quinn McKenzie, and Noah Laus did combine for 6 points, but both of those goals were errors the young and inexperienced Steelheads made rather than what those 3 Hounds did themselves. Good on them for capitalizing, but the line of Daley, Charron, and Kazcynski was much more disruptive.

    Callum Croskery – In his return to the Greyhounds from the Columbus Blue Jackets Training Camp after going undrafted in the 2026 draft. As a more mobile, offensive minded Croskery has already taken over the power-play quarterback role for the Soo. The Greyhounds first unit was held off the board. While he did showcase some mobility. For 2 thirds of this one, the Hounds played sound defensive hockey, not allowing Croskery to stand out.

    Landon Miller – The 5th-year Hound made his second start of the season following a 5- 4 overtime win where he had made 25 saves. The first period was rather quiet for Miller, only seeing 5 shots. The latter 40 was much busier for the Greyhounds netminder. The Soo skaters slowed down and limited their offensive pressure, which meant that, with much of the play being in his own end, Miller had to come up big, and he delivered. He made several desperation saves as well as breakaway and in tight stops. Other than two fluky goals, one was a high flip that landed over Miller and in the net. The other was a puck Miller thought he had but ended up on a Brampton stick. He had a solid night. If the Greyhounds can continue to get this type of goaltending, they should have a shot at winning most games.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Kayden Stroeder (C)

    Kayden Stroeder

    #10 Edmonton Oil Kings, Left shot centre. 6.00 / 165

    DOB: March 1, 2009

    Kayden Stroeder is a reliable two-way centre who impacts the game in all three zones. He plays with a high compete level and consistently works hard every shift. Stroeder is strong on his skates, allowing him to maintain possession through contact and win battles along the boards. He skates well with quick feet and above-average speed, enabling him to pressure opponents, close on pucks, and support the attack. He is trusted in all situations, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill, where he does an effective job of plugging passing and shooting lanes. His awareness and work ethic make him a dependable presence in defensive situations while still providing offensive upside. 

    To take the next step, improving his faceoff effectiveness will be important, particularly if he projects as a full-time NHL centre. Overall, Stroeder projects as a late first-round selection, currently around the 25th overall range. Depending on his development and organizational fit, he has the potential to become a first- or second-line NHL centre who can be utilized in all situations.

  • Game Report – Soo Greyhounds 3 vs Sarnia Sting 4 – September 19th, 2026

    The Greyhounds hosted the Sting for the second game of their 4-game homestand. As Sarnia opened up their season, 7 of their players played in their first OHL games.

    The Greyhounds started off the scoring again in this one. Ryan Kaczynski would get his 2nd and 3rd goals of the season just a minute apart, midway through the first. Sarnia would answer back with one from Simon  Katolicky to register his first OHL goal. The Hounds capitalized on another Sting penalty. Scoring their second power-play goal with Kaczynski getting his 3rd goal to complete the hat trick.  Following the Hounds’ goal to make it 3-1, the game would be turned on its head. The  Greyhounds would get themselves in penalty trouble, and the Sting would take full advantage.  Though after 6 straight Soo penalties and 3 Sarnia power-play goals, the boos and chants would rain down against the officials. In the final few minutes, the Greyhounds were pushing, but their comeback efforts would fail. Inscribing a 4-3 Sarnia Sting win. 

    Ryan Kaczynski – The Hat Trick is obviously the talking point about Kaczynski’s game, but what really impressed me was the variety of all 3. His first was a deflection off the goalie’s stick, then a breakaway after capitalizing on a mistake and tapping it in where he was in the perfect spot for a Trevor Daley Pass. He already has an NHL frame, and if he can continue developing, he will be in consideration for the top few rounds of this year’s NHL Draft. 

    Jaden Licastro – It was not easy getting a read on many Soo players with all the penalties, but another player that did stand out specifically in the first part of the game was Hounds first-rounder Jaden Licastro. He is able to evade pressure with ease and use his skating to get him out of tough situations. His powerful and quick strides were very evident. Having such a good stride at his young age is special. 

    Adrian Sgro – The most recent 2026 OHL fourth overall pick made his debut vs the Hounds Saturday. Like many rookies, Sgro struggled in the first period of this one. He caused a couple of turnovers and was still getting used to the speed, however, when he got through his first couple shifts, the game seemed to slow way down. He was able to make the simple low-risk plays with little issue; he didn’t force any Hail Mary plays. He is a very high IQ player; he just needs more time to showcase his skating, which is another one of his strengths.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Spotlight of the Week: Dima Zhilkin 

    Saginaw Spirit forward and 2027 NHL Draft-eligible Dima Zhilkin had high expectations coming into the 2026-27 season after recording 36 goals and 75 points in 59 games during his D-1 season in the OHL. That stat line tied him for second in points by a D-1 player over the past decade with former Saginaw Spirit Michael Misa.

    Zhilkin did nothing to temper those expectations during the opening weekend of the OHL season, recording three goals, two assists and five points in two games.

    Friday, Sept. 18 at Soo Greyhounds

    Zhilkin’s first goal of the night came on the power play off a pass from fellow highly touted 2027 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Levi Harper. After receiving the puck near the faceoff dot, Zhilkin walked in and fired a wrist shot far side, beating the goaltender.

    His second came after new teammate Braidy Wassilyn, who came over from the London Knights, drove hard to the net and sent a pass Zhilkin’s way. Despite having a defender hanging off his back, Zhilkin was able to redirect the puck into the net to tie the game late in the third period.

    Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Flint Firebirds

    Early in the first period, Zhilkin drew a penalty, giving Saginaw a two-man advantage. On the ensuing power play, Zhilkin unleashed a powerful one-timer from the high slot that gave the opposing goaltender all kinds of trouble, allowing Maple Leafs prospect Brody Pepoy to score on the rebound and tie the game 1-1.

    Later in the first period, Zhilkin took advantage of an errant Flint pass that gave him a one-on-one opportunity from the top of the circle. He quickly settled the puck and ripped a shot five-hole before the defender could close the gap, giving Saginaw the lead.

    Zhilkin’s second assist and third point of the night came on the power play. This time, instead of firing another one-timer after receiving a pass in the slot, he recognized that the Flint defenders were anticipating the shot and sent a perfect one-touch pass to Braidy Wassilyn for the goal.

    While Zhilkin’s five-point opening weekend was impressive, it was not perfect. Saginaw lost both games, with Zhilkin on the ice for a number of goals against, including the overtime winner in the opening game against Soo. That is something to watch as the season progresses, particularly as he takes on a larger role with the Spirit.

    Zhilkin also recorded 19 shot attempts through two games, which looks impressive on the surface, but the quality of those attempts was inconsistent. At even strength in particular, he often settled for shots from low-danger areas rather than working his way into more threatening positions. On the power play, however, Zhilkin was able to set up on the left wall or rotate up high with the defenceman to find open space, putting himself in position to unleash his dangerous one-timer and generate higher-quality scoring chances.

    Overall, this was a great way for Zhilkin to start the season. He should put up some impressive offensive numbers this year and, if he continues producing at this level, hear his name called very early in the 2027 NHL Draft.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Brock Cripps

    Brock Cripps

    #12 Prince Albert Raiders. Right-shot defenseman. 5.11 / 166

    DOB: July 23, 2009

    Player Type: Offensive Defenseman

    Report: Cripps is an offensively driven defenseman whose game is built around puck movement, creativity, and offensive instincts. He displays excellent poise under pressure, consistently keeping his head up and identifying passing lanes. His puck movement is quick, deceptive, and efficient, allowing him to create opportunities in transition and the offensive zone. He possesses a strong shot, soft hands, and the confidence to carry the puck through traffic and attack the net. Cripps is effective on both special teams units, serving as a power-play quarterback while also contributing on the penalty kill. His agility, edgework, anticipation, active stick, and ability to hold the offensive blue line help maintain possession and generate scoring chances.

    I would like to see him use his shot more. Defensively, there is room for growth with respect to plugging lanes and shot blocking. I would like to see him use the physical side of his game more consistently and simplify decisions when necessary. 

    Projection: This early in the season, I have him at 12th overall in the 2027 NHL Draft. Long term, I see him as a second- or third-pairing defenseman with offensive upside.