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Dylan McLaughlin (F) AHL. Noel Nordh, LW (Brynas) NHL. Hes also a strong skater who is light on his edges, builds speed quickly into flight to put defenders on their heels and/or create separation, leads a lot of neutral-zone carries into entries, and makes plays into space for himself or his linemates at pace. He has been dominating the Swedish J20 league this year and is scoring at a higher pace right now than both Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Noah Ostlund did last year (who were drafted 15th and 16th respectively in the 2022 NHL Draft). And while he played exclusively as a winger in the SHL the last two seasons, Carlsson came up as a centre and I like the way his game might fit there long term because of his combination of size, detail, and awareness. Hes got a great release. Luca Cagnoni, LD, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), 38. About 2023 Draft Nhl Prospects . His skating is excellent, and his high energy level makes him a possession monster. Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 43. You can also find an additional 32 honourable mentions below. I watch him and I see an NHL player with the kind of well-rounded, high-effort skill set that could see him move around an NHL lineup (in a good way) someday. Hes an entry machine driving play through the neutral zone and across the line in control. The Clubs that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the 1st round only. Nobody can defend his inside-out cut into that low, hard wrister of his at the junior level. Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, Pelicans (Liiga), 36. January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80 Joel Henderson. The bantam draft allows for the orderly transfer of players to WHL Protected Player Lists (PPL) from the bantam ranks (13-14 year-olds). Carlssons one of the smartest players in the draft, a very heady player who understands spacing and timing on and off the puck at an advanced level for his age. Hes different than Bedard in tools and approach. There he excelled as the team's number one d-man . Theres just this elusiveness to his game where you never know where hes going with the puck. However, his real calling card is his shot which ranks near the top of the draft class in terms of deception and power. Hes the kind of player who can beat you with a pass, a dangerous wrister (in fact, while he has played facilitator so often in games this year, hes got an excellent wrister while moving), or a deke. Elite Prospects - CCHL Bantam Protected Draft 2023. The bantam draft allows for the orderly transfer of players to WHL Protected Player Lists (PPL) from the bantam ranks (13-14 year-olds). One of three draft eligibles on this list playing college hockey this season, Brindley hasnt just settled in at the University of Michigan, he has looked anywhere from comfortable to impactful in every game, including at centre and on the wing. If he were guaranteed to be coming to the NHL next fall, a centre, and an inch or two taller, hed have a nearly perfect profile for me. Arttu Karki, LHD (Tappara) He has been utterly dominant at the J20 level, played big minutes when things mattered most as an underager at the world juniors (including in three overtimes) and looked himself in spot usage in the SHL. 1 or No. 4 and has had a tremendous age-adjusted season between his play with Orebro in the SHL and at the world juniors (where he was one of Swedens top forwards despite playing sick), even considering his December 2004 birthday and a year after playing to virtually two points per game at the J20 level (he looked good in an important role as a top-nine centre for Sweden at U18 worlds before an injury kept him out of their medal round run to a gold medal, too). And while we dont often see smaller defenceman taken as high as I have him ranked here, he doesnt play small and I like his game at both ends of the ice because of his mobility and the confidence with which he reads the play. Finesse. This had many drawbacks including the need for extensive scouting systems along with the related expense, as well the added pressure on peewee-aged players (12-13 year-olds). Dower Nilsson doesnt have Lekkerimakis shot or Ostlunds passing ability, but his offensive IQ is terrific and he has shown the ability to produce at an incredible pace without any other high-end scorers around him to help him pick up a few points here and there. Gauthier, the No. as a small but highly-involved forward who plays the game with energy and pace, making little skill plays between coverage. Im not sure he has the star power of the names in front of him here, but hes got some unique attributes in this class and hes going to make a heck of an NHL player. I was eager to see how Matthew Wood would adjust to the college game after dominated the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) where he led the league in goals and points as a 16-year-old. with the Wolverines). More and more his game has shown dimension inside the offensive zone so that he can make things happen shift after shift out of all of his effort plays up and under sticks. Jake Leschyshyn (/ l s n / leh-SIH-shuhn; born March 10, 1999) is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jacob Fowler, G (Youngstown) After conversations with scouts or folks at the national program about Stramel last year, I always felt I wasnt quite where they were in terms of their belief in the player and his upside. The big question with Dvorsky for a while was whether or not hed be a centre or a winger long term. 2 pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and an OHL First All-Rookie Team member. Smith is flanked by the two best wingers in the program while Moore has found incredible success without that level of supporting talent. He can beat you flying out wide. Gauthier has cooled off following an incredibly hot start to the QMJHL season production-wise, but his smart and reliable habits have not changed. Smith has turned the top-four of this draft into a top-five. The draft's top player this season is a borderline generational talent. he wants the puck in the offensive zone and has the skill and shot to make things happen when teammates find him off the point or as the trailer off the rush. Reinbachers a solid forward and backwards skater (though he can look a little stilted at times) who gaps well and defends the rush effectively with a noticeably long stick. Calgary, Alta. Honourable mentions (sorted alphabetically): Beau Akey, RHD (Barrie) Oliver Moore is one of the best skaters in this draft class with blazing speed and solid agility. For some, it will be. In order to get away from scouting peewees, the WHL instituted a bantam draft. Last added: Carter Joo. Carson Bjarnasson, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), 47. Jesse Nurmi, LW, KooKoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 58. When they got to the 2007-born player class, many had admitted to me that they had understandably focused all their attention on the 2006-born class from September to December so after a few. (other than Brad Lambert who's half Sask) but we'll see how the kids develop. Connor Bedard has made the competition for first overall a one horse race, absolutely dominating at the World Juniors where he clearly looked several steps ahead of his competitors Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson. 3 pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who has been quite good in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, a very impressive feat. At the time of writing, he leads all defenseman in points per game and is on pace to have one of the most impressive offensive seasons in league history amongst defensemen of any age, not just draft eligible ones. Moores game is defined by his skating (both in straight lines, where he turns defenders with ease out wide, and in quick bursts from explosive stops and starts) and presence on the ice. I think the former outcome is the more likely, which is why Id probably steer clear of him in the teens (where some believe he belongs). And while he may not be a driver on a top-six line, its not hard to imagine him as a first- or second-line playmaker who makes finishing plays off of a drivers work and does damage on PP1. Fantilli is currently averaging about one and a half points per game on a University of Michigan team filled to the brim with talent. The BCHLs leading scorer while playing on a line with his older brother Josh (a playerI vouched for as a worthy late-round flier ahead of last years draft), Nadeau is a multi-dimensional forward whose hands, skating, and shooting all get very high grades. All 22 WHL Clubs participated in the four-phase lottery . Hes got superb vision and ranks among the best in the class at dissecting coverage as a passer. Heidt, taken No. . He profiles similarly to David Jiricek physically, but with a more defensive tilt to his game. Hes a versatile, hard-working player who excels in pretty much every facet of the game, gets to the middle of the ice, and makes plays around the net through skill and timing. Hell make the soft play to the middle of the ice from the perimeter, or go there to get to rebounds or position himself on screens/tips. WHL Draft Territory Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - Northwest Territories - Saskatchewan - Yukon Alaska - Arizona - California - Colorado - Hawaii - Idaho - Kansas - Minnesota - Montana - Nebraska - Nevada - New Mexico - North Dakota - Oklahoma - Oregon - South Dakota - Texas - Utah - Washington - Wyoming Melker Karlsson (F) SHL. A brilliant handler and manipulator of the puck, including at full speed, Smith is a tantalizing and slippery talent who blends deception, baits and fakes (with his eyes, shoulders and head) into his movements to not just make opposing players miss but often send them the wrong way. Chloe Primerano was the Giants final selection in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. Because of his genetics, he should add the necessary weight and strength eventually. Michael Hrabal, G (Omaha) The combination of Michkovs position and the uncertainty around Russias invasion of Ukraine and his contract in the KHL with SKA (which is signed through to the end of the 2025-26 season and has been loaned out to Sochi after he reportedly forced his way out in search of greater opportunity) could complicate where he goes on draft day, but he still belongs here. He has regularly blown me away in viewings these last couple of years (at Hockey Canadas showcase two summers ago, in games where he looked like a man among boys in the USHL, and now again at various points throughout his historic freshman year at Michigan, where he was the best player in college hockey from the jump andseems to have found another level of late). He was the No. In the 2021-22 season, Gulyayev set a new MHL (the top Russian junior league) record for points by a 16-year-old defenseman with 35 points in 54 games. His transition play and wicked shot make him the most important player on his team on many nights. Hes not the most cerebral player and he can be a little too net-focussed at times, but hes the kind of player who will score, add physicality to a line, and slide up and down a top nine in an NHL lineup while endearing himself to his coaches. Once he refines his game some more and adds more muscle as he ages, watch out. If he can add another gear (or two) to his max speed, Benson would be an absolute force in transition. On top of it all, hes physical, hes strong in the faceoff circle, hell get after it on forecheck and track pucks, he plays with energy, hell pounce on turnovers and be opportunistic. Hes also got an accurate shot from midrange, and regularly picks corners. The Chiefs hold the first-overall selection, as determined by the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery on June 2, 2021. WHL Bantam Draft: December Top 22 - #5 - #1 January 1, 2021 | In General, WHL Draft | By Ashley It's The Final Countdown!!!! The WHL Bantam Draft is only one step in this process. I like the way he supports the puck defensively as a centreman, too, though hell need to get stronger to be reliable defensively at the NHL level. Hes a rare kind of player where hes got A-grade tools across the board, and star talent in spades, but hes also got an efficiency to his game that is incrediblyrare for a skilled player (especially one his age). Gauthier brings a lot to the table. One of the USHLs most talented players, Perron got off to a hot start, was briefly halted by an eight-game December stretch that saw him register justone assist, and has really turned it back on to play his best hockey of late. Hes also a very selfless player for his age who is quick to change in the offensive zone and will sooner make the right play than trying to overdo it. (Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images), how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia. Theres a lot of belief out there that hes going to be a good, well-rounded NHLer. The best way to define Fantilli is the way one USHL source once described him to me: Hes a horse.. His play in transition leaves something to be desired, but once hes in the offensive zone his ability to maintain control of the puck and make smart passes at an efficient rate makes him a consistent threat. Michkov is, without question or hesitation, the best prospect Ive ever ranked at No. He buzzes around the ice and does such a good job releasing from one battle or chance to hunting or getting open for the next one. Luke Hughes3-50 (plus full evaluations, 55 honourable mentions, player tiers, and more at @TheAthletic): https://t.co/JpsFEKs7Ax, Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) February 13, 2023. Problem-solving. Hes a smooth skater who is noticeable in transition for both his ability to weave up ice and facilitate and also his ability to create breakaways for himself and beat goalies one-on-one. Hes also dangerous inside the offensive zone from the top of the circles in, with a quick-release wrister (one of the faster releases in the draft) that comes off of his blade hard and with a slight, goalie-fooling adjustment pre-shot, impressive puck skill in congested areas, an ability to attack in bursts and make something happen out of dead plays, and an equal ability to play off of coverage and make himself available for his linemates. Smith is one of the very best slot passers in the draft and uses his unique puckhandling ability to dodge close-outs, weave off of the wall, and make plays through holes in coverage in possession with ease, regularly hanging onto pucks to delay his way into his spots or carve in. Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL), 61. Hes a pro-sized, hardworking pivot who can skate and excels in driving through the middle of the ice, pushing tempo, and playing with energy. We seldom see them play big minutes in a good league, though even when theyre on the older side, like Reinbacher is with his October birthday. 2023 WHL Draft Ranking Update: . Manage Settings He has the potential to change the trajectory of an NHL franchise and will likely score a ton of goals along the way. I believe Austrian defender David Reinbacher is the best defenseman in the 2023 Draft class right now and an argument could be made that he could be ranked as high as the top-10. The six lowest-place teams involved in the lottery include the Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors,. 2023 Whl Draft Projected Rankings - Elite Prospects 2023 Whl Draft Projected Rankings Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. Hes got quick hands one-on-one, he drops pucks back into his shooting stance effortlessly, and hes got a beautiful curl-and-drag motion. He credited the Mintos for helping prepare him to make the jump to Major Junior hockey. The 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Pre-Show begins with co-hosts Chris Wahl and Taylor Rocca at 9:30 a.m. MT, with live draft coverage beginning at 10 a.m. MT. This year, though he has struggled defensively in his limited minutes in the KHL, he has looked dominant at both ends in his returns to the MHL and comfortable in the second-tier VHL. 4 pick in the 2019 Bantam draft (a year ahead of when most of the plethora of other top WHL names on this list were selected). Expectations were unfairly high for Connor Bedard coming into his draft year, with the generational talent label floating around in many draft conversations. While his game doesnt have the dynamism of the other kids in this loaded WHL class, most scouts project Danielson as an everyday top-nine NHL center. He is so difficult for defenders to pin down because of the way he manipulates defenders movements (like waiting for them to turn their skates in one direction before darting in the other), and him being a right-handed centerman doesnt hurt either. Then he got back in late February and after a pointless return put up two goals on six shots in his second game back. Ravndahl spent parts of three seasons with the Prince Albert Mintos program, recording 25 points in 50 games played. His skating is balanced. He has shown a knack for making big plays at big moments. They are: 1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-22, 23-33, 34-64+. There has been a lot of hockey since my last rankings and tons of prospects are on the move as a result. 2023-2024 playoffs qc player stats for Poland, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more. To say he has met those expectations would be a profound understatement. 2022-2023 regular season player stats for CSDHL 13U, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more. Nicknamed Big Rig when he was at the program, Stramel is a heavy but not doughy kid whoseathletic, muscular build jumps out at you right away. 2023 NFL Mock Draft . by. Scouts are drawn to him because of his size-skill combo and while he can look a little uncoordinated out there at times, that draw is real and theres some definite tools there. NHL Entry Draft -3004 - full list of selections with facts and stats. February 2023 OHL Draft Ranking Update Jordan Malette 2023 Canada Winter Games Recap - Eastern Canada Brayden Olafson 2023 Canada Winter Games: Gold Medal Game Report - Team Saskatchewan Joel Henderson 2023 Canada Winter Games: Gold Medal Game Report - Team Ontario Jordan Malette Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL Sam McGilligan Wins it in OT for !!! His June birthday makes him one of the younger players on this list and he has already accomplished a lot, including leading a Slovak Hlinka Gretzky Cup team that featured Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar in scoring as an underager, producing well above a point per game in Swedens J20 level last year, and now producing in his draft year in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan (while clicking at two points per game in stints back down at J20). 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I think hell stick at centre, too (nice to see him at 53 percent in the circle so far this year). He has also shed some of the selfishness and force-it plays that could frustrate me and others at lower levels (hes making better decisions onshot selection, overhanding less, utilizing his linemates better, etc. Check out his skating and awareness! The pro build, mentality and scoring tools are very appealing though and there will be teams that fall in love with his game/makeup. Honzek was on one of the steeper ascents in the draft this season when he suffered a leg injury in Slovakias second game of the world juniors. The midseason ranking divides into six tiers. There arent many players in this draft class whove come along quite like Sandin Pellikka has in the last year or so. Hes the kind of player who fills the stat sheet andelevates his linemates in subtle ways. He is a special player and looks like he will become a franchise-defining player for whoever selects him, when he finally makes it to North America that is. He can beat you on the perimeter with his skill (highlighted by excellent one-on-one hands-on defenders). WHL Network. There have been Lane Hutson (2022 Draft), Olen Zellweger (2021 Draft), Logan Stankoven (2020 Draft), and Cole Caufield (2019 Draft), to name a few. Trending Players. Hes got some of the quickest hands in the draft. Perron, who didnt go the popular prep school route in Western Canada, was a terror in Manitobas minor hockey ranks who stepped right into the titanic Steel last season and immediately flashed his skill with the puck, producing 48 points in 63 games to earn USHL All-Rookie Second Team honours. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This past season, he played for the Chicago Cougars of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and scored 11 points (two goals, nine assists) 10 games. Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 who've had early success Joel Henderson The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview Puck Preps Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft Joel Henderson Four 2005-born OHLers trending up Sam McGilligan 3 pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. I have questions about his talent level, though. We also invite you to ask us about our policies or feel free to let us know how we can better serve your privacy concerns. Etienne Morin, LD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL), 50. I think the bigger question is whether hes going to be more of a middle-six or a top-six one? I see clear, projectable top-six tools as a play-creating winger and Im not the least bit worried about him doing it against NHL defences because of how hard he is to pin down. Wins it in OT for !!! One of my favourites in this class, Cristall isa creative, slippery playmaker who isnt afraid to try things and possesses a rare ability to hang onto pucks, pull eyes and bodies towards him, and then expose opposing structures to the weak side of coverage. It often takes two to take the puck off of him when hes twisting and turning, too. With a little more consistency and some maturity, theres a top-six playmaking winger there. Ritchie is the complete package. Felix Nilsson, C (Rogle) Hes an up-tempo playmaker and dynamic skater (in straight lines, through his three-step acceleration from a standstill, and around corners through his crossovers) who looks to involve himself more than you might expect at his size. Scouts are fascinated by his power forward package and size down the middle (following a move to centre from the wing as a 16-year-old). Not Cole Caufield. Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. But hes also sturdy for his size, which allows him to extend plays, hang onto pucks when a quick attack isnt there, or delay for his linemates. Watch out for Stenberg in the last months of the season, hes been playing better and better and I think hell go in the first round despite his lack of production in the SHL this year. Denver Barkey, C, London Knights (OHL), 63. . Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL, Breaking down four top 2005 forwards in the WHL, Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 whove had early success, The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview, Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft, The Checklist: 2008-born Manitoba players in the WAAA U15, January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80, January Top-80 2023 OHL Draft Ranking Update, Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023, 10 Puck Touches: Day Three and Four 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day Two, 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day One 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, The Checklist: Seven 2008-born Western Canadian Players to Watch, 14 2008-born Defensemen profiles from Sask First Top-160, 2022 WHL Draft Review: From Prince George to Winnipeg, 2023 NHL Draft: Breaking down the WHL Defensemen in the CHL Top Prospects game. While this draft is the first opportunity for teams to select bantam players, it is not the last chance for a player to be listed. Hes a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration, can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel-to-heel, thrives in traffic, is a dual shot-pass threat, plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves as well as anyone in this class (in an age group that is full of intelligent playmakers), works his tail off off the puck to keep his energy up (he plays heavier and scrappier than he looks, too), and sets the pace for his line (whether by picking it up or slowing it down to use his creativity). Martin Misiak, RW/LW (Youngstown) Hes a player who has earned the respect of those around the USHL amongst both rival players and staff. He uses his body to gain inside positioning on defenders and shields pucks effectively. However, his offensive production has left much to be desired, leaving many questions about if he will have much offense to provide in the NHL someday. He was an alternate captain and second-leading scorer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and isan alternate captain and leading scorer with Moose Jaw. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. The . A few of the players who have moved up substantially on this board are Zach Benson, Oliver Moore, and Colby Barlow. Regardless, it is always impressive to see a draft-year player earning serious minutes in the KHL, especially a defenseman, and Simashev might just have the highest defensive potential in the whole draft. Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. Fantilli is a big, strong, powerful kid who takes pucks from the wall to the interior with force, and ease, and speed. Hes going to be an NHLer. 1. ), a quick move into a pass, a sudden stop-up, or an attacking cut. Holding steady at about two points per game, Cristall has already shown improvements following his impressive 69-point WHL rookie season last year. David Edstrom, C (Frolunda) He loves attacking defenders and beating them in one-on-one skill battles. Ziemmer often seems to have the puck on a string and thats part of why he has been one of the leading scorers in the WHL this year as a 17-year-old. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 - Elite Prospects 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. Tuomas Uronen, RW (HIFK), (Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Jamie Crawford, Minas Panagiotakis, Dennis Pajot / Getty Images). Hes a classic example of a jack of all trades, master of none, with solid scores across the board when it comes to defensive play, playmaking, skating and shooting, with none of those individual skills popping off the page at you. Hes got some poise and processing under pressure, even if his play with the puck on his stick isnt dynamic per se. One of my favourites in the 2005 age group, Wood is the youngest player in college hockey this season (he was, for a moment, its only 17-year-old) and has stepped right in to become an impactful player on a good UConn team (albeit as a winger after playing mostly centre at the Jr. A level). I think hes going to play in the NHL next year and be successful on raw ability from the jump. I love the way he slows down the game, adjusts and maneuvers his frame and shades pucks. DraftPro's #1 prospect for the 2023 NHL entry draft, Connor Bedard finished the 2021/22 . 2022 NHL Draft Tracker: Matthew Seminoff Matthew Seminoff has made quite the name for himself on a talented Kamloops Blazers roster that boasts three potential draft picks at the 2022 NHL draft. After the season, the WHL holds a draft specifically to allow teams to add bantam players in an orderly manner to their protected lists. His skating is average in my eyes and so is his defending, but his offensive skill and smarts package could get him a look even higher on draft day as theres not a single NHL team who wouldnt love an offensive defender as dynamic as Dragicevic. Publishing date 2022-11-14 User Ryan Crawford Views 1955 Favorited 1 Share Embed 2023 Whl Draft Projected Rankings He can definitely drift a little at five-on-five but his eyes light up and his head swivels when the puck lands on his stick, and skill plays against the grain usually follow.