A number of years ago, WHL Clubs were allowed to list first-year bantam players as of a set date in September. There he excelled as the team's number one d-man . If this werent a draft that also featured Bedard and Benson, he was in the midst of one of the most productive draft-eligible seasons in recent WHL history (pacing to outproduce, for example, the 106 in 69 that 2011 No. Now that the 2023 World Juniors are firmly in the rearview mirror, its time to take another deep-dive into the top prospects for the 2023 Draft. Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. Axel Sandin Pellikka is a right-handed offensive defenseman who has put up points at a remarkable rate in J20 Nationell, the top Swedish junior league. Hes a player who has earned the respect of those around the USHL amongst both rival players and staff. This year, he has been pretty clearly one of the most talented players in J20 whenever he has been there, has shown some really positive signs in spurts in HockeyAllsvenskan (he has actually been equally as productive on a rate basis as Dvrosky), and I liked him at the world juniors before a quiet quarterfinal against Team Canada. Scott has written for the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Sun, the National Post, SB Nation and several other outlets in the past. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. Hes not just the energy guy though either. Denver Barkey, C (London) Finally, Barlow has been one of the best goal scorers in junior hockey so far this year, scoring 36 goals in just 42 Ontario Hockey League (OHL), a 56-goal pace over the rest of the season. And while hes probably not going to be a star at the next level, I like Ziemmer as a potential second-line winger who can contribute offensively in a variety of ways. The way he patrolled the blue line for Sweden on the powerplay was very impressive and the trust that he earned from his coaches as a 17-year-old spoke volumes. Reinbacher is looking like a potential top-four mainstay in the NHL with exciting defensive potential. 2023 WHL Draft Ranking Update: . Last added: Carter Joo. For the 2010 bantam draft, players born in 1995 may be selected. There have been times this season, though, where he has looked like hes trying a little too hard to impress and make things happen instead of allowing the game to come to him. Auston Matthews had Patrik Laine, Jack Hughes had Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere had Quinton Byfiled, its hard for top prospects to separate themselves from the pack but Bedard has done just that.WELCOME TO THE BEDARD SHOW! 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. The following WHL stars were not selected in the WHL Bantam Draft but were added to a WHL Club PPL at a later date: Jarome Iginla, Darcy Tucker, Dan Hamhuis, Scottie Upshall, Joffrey Lupul, Jeff Woywitka, and Shane Doan, just to name a few. And this season theres no doubt: Hes the best forward on arguably the CHLs most talented team at forward. During every draft cycle there are a handful of prospects who are 5-foot-10 or shorter who get a ton of praise in public scouting circles before unceremoniously sliding on draft day. 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. The 18-year-old has accumulated 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 60 games so far this season. 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. 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 Hes a versatile, high-RPM player who makes things happen when hes on the ice and pulls teamates into the fight with his scrappy, competitive, never-stop style. The bantam draft allows for the orderly transfer of players to WHL Protected Player Lists (PPL) from the bantam ranks (13-14 year-olds). WHL Network. He credited the Mintos for helping prepare him to make the jump to Major Junior hockey. His skill and power combination make him a nightmare for defenders as he can beat you with his hands or by tossing his large frame into you to protect the puck. His near point-per-game production at the top of the Huskies stat sheet comes a year after he led the BCHL in goals (45 in 46 games) and points (85) for a 1.85 points-per-game clip that stands as the most productive 16-year-old season in the league in decades, besting Alex Newhook(1.47), Kyle Turris (1.26), Tyson Jost (0.98), and Kent Johnson (0.81) while being four months younger than Johnson was at the time. Hes also got an accurate shot from midrange, and regularly picks corners. Ethan Miedema, LW (Kingston) (other than Brad Lambert who's half Sask) but we'll see how the kids develop. His ability to make plays offensively both off the rush and inside the zone (where hes got slick skill in traffic, great instincts off of the puck, and a lunch-pale approach) also gives me a lot of confidence that hell continue to progress. One of the more impressive 2005s in the CHL last season, Barlow scored 35 goals in 66 combined regular-season and playoff games as a rookie in the OHL and was named captain of the Attack for his draft year (both rare goal scoring for a player his age, and a rare honour for a player his age). While Bedard scores by trying to shoot a wrister as hard as possible, trying to punch a hole through the goalie, Michkov will outsmart the defense and score by finding holes in coverage. Theres his variety of shooting stances above and beyond that pop off of his hip (right down to his curl-and-drag, his one-timer, and his feel off of his backhand). Id be quite surprised if he slid all the way to 16 (where I have him ranked), because a right-handed centre with his shot has a ton of value to NHL teams. 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Results - First Round #1 - Medicine Hat Tigers Name: Gavin McKenna Position: Forward Hometown: Whitehorse, Yukon Team: Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 Prep Stats: 35 GP - 23G-42A-65 points #2 - Tri-City Americans Name: Jackson Smith Position: Defence Hometown: Calgary, Alta. Then he got back in late February and after a pointless return put up two goals on six shots in his second game back. There were a lot of nights last season, on an Ice team that boasted half a dozen of the better forwards and two of the top defencemen in the WHL, where this kid was the best player on the ice (which included himleadingthem in scoring in the playoffs with 23 points in 15 games) as a 16-year-old. When he tries things and he often does hes never trying them out of desperation but rather intention. Database: 1 002 208 players . He just has a unique ability to impose his will on the game. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - Elite Prospects 2023 WHL Draft Rankings Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. "The Mintos program was great. 1 pick in the 2021 QMJHL draft and son of former 10-year NHLer Denis Gauthier, followed up a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (where he scored six goals in five games) with a strong start to his draft year at the top of a stacked Sherbrooke lineup, before seeing his production taper off some as they added more talent ahead of the deadline. Check out his skating and awareness! Early results are extremely positive with Wood being one of the top rookie point scorers and one of the top scorers on his team despite being the youngest player in all of mens NCAA hockey. Hes got an impressive one-timer from the right flank and can really lean into and rip his catch-and-release or in-stride wrister. Hesa clever beyond belief, maneuverable facilitator and playmaker who plays the game with a light touch and a heady spatial awareness of not only where his teammates are, but where he is in the flow of play (and relative to defenders). Hes got smooth skating mechanics. He can pick apart opposing defenses with pin-point passes and sly fakes, and his effort level is admirable. Continue with Recommended Cookies. His skating is excellent, and his high energy level makes him a possession monster. He also hunts pucks and applies pressure with the best of them, and his motor doesnt stop, bouncing from one won battle to the next. Gabriel Perrault looks like someone who could be a power play specialist at the next level with great skill and smarts in the offensive zone. Mazden Leslie, RHD (Vancouver) Leschyshyn played junior hockey for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League, serving as . Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) 2. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Tuomas Uronen, RW (HIFK), (Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Jamie Crawford, Minas Panagiotakis, Dennis Pajot / Getty Images). 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. 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. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. 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. Luca Cagnoni, LD, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), 38. When he does go there, too, Ive seen him show that dexterity he has getting sticks on tips and redirects. Dmitri Simashev is a very intriguing prospect with the size/skating combo (6-foot-4) that is so coveted in the modern NHL. If he develops a bit more as a creator, Hameenaho could easily out-perform his draft slot. Brayden Yager has been talked about in the public scouting sphere for nearly as long as Connor Bedard, being drafted third overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and winning the CHL Rookie of the Year award last year on the back of a remarkable 34-goal, 59-point rookie season. After scoring 30 goals as a rookie in the OHL last season, Colby Barlow has been on my radar as a pro-sized winger with a legit NHL-caliber shot. All 22 WHL Clubs participated in the four-phase lottery . He has also proven to be a bit too good for the OHL, scoring over 30 goals in his draft-1 year and not being on pace to eclipse the 50-goal mark. This ranking follows my way-too-early top 26 and my preseason top 32 (released in August). There has been a lot of hockey since my. Slick. On talent, and upside, and pedigree, his game checks all three boxes. Im prepared to stick my neck out on Perreault at this point. 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 different than Bedard in tools and approach. His combination of speed and effort will make him a very flexible player who can fill in whatever role is needed of him, which has earned him the second-line center spot for a stacked University of Michigan team. Dvorsky is a highly-talented and intelligent playmaker who can threaten defenders and coverage in a variety of ways, whether thats carving them up in control and finishing cleanly from the home plate area, or sliding off of coverage to find pockets of space to get open into. He has also learned to use the attention his shot gets as a tool to open up passing and find linemates at the backdoor with blind passes through seams. With the 268th overall selection (Round 13) the Vancouver Giants have selected 2007-born defender Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver, BC) in the 2022 @TheWHL Prospects Draft. He can push into space. 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. Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL), 61. Honourable mentions (sorted alphabetically): Beau Akey, RHD (Barrie) 33. 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). 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). Though he doesnt play the game with some of the shine of the three players in front of him, Carlsson, the top Swede in the draft, has emerged as my clear No. Scott Wheeler. Hes eager physically. Increasingly, Ive been impressed by his agility in and out of breaks and cuts (his skating is a real asset for him and particularly impressive through his edges and crossovers, though he can get going the length of the ice too). NHL Entry Draft -3005 - full list of selections with facts and stats. After the season, the WHL holds a draft specifically to allow teams to add bantam players in an orderly manner to their protected lists. The best way to define Fantilli is the way one USHL source once described him to me: Hes a horse.. I think hes going to be a star regardless. He can unload from his hip into a heavy snapshot (which hes probably owed a few more goals off of this year) or drop and drive the net into a tuck play in tight. Then you add in instincts off the puck to get open even when hes a marked man, an improved physical engagement (hes really quite feisty and competitive), some underrated skill as a puck thief, and youve got a superstar prospect. There are many whove settled on Perreault as more of a mid-to-late-round first because of the combination of his skinny frame and the linemates he plays with. This year, wearing an A as a 17-year-old with the Generals, hes been arguably their most consistent forward while playing a key role on the penalty kill and late in games in the faceoff circle (where he is really strong). Jakub Vrna (F) NHL. Hes got time to put it all together given his summer birthday, too. 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. Hes great at changing speeds in transition to separate himself from defenders before either making a move around them or passing to an open teammate. The SHL demands a lot of players when it comes to physicality and defensive effort, both of which Carlsson has excelled at. He has scored some highlight-reel goals in the WHL but he also excels at finding pockets of space off of coverage and remaining involved on offence and defence. They are: 1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-22, 23-33, 34-64+. Without further ado, lets get into the January edition of my 2023 NHL Draft Rankings. Max Domi (F) Im a big fan of his and hes still my top ranked defenseman in this draft, it has just become harder to rank him above certain forward prospects who have really begun to establish themselves. He can beat you flying out wide. Hes quick side-to-side on little jumps and drags. 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. Hes got one of the best shooting actions in motion Ive ever seen. He takes smart routes with and without the puck, he has become a reliable three-zone player, and the skill is there (hes got superb puck control skill). Hes just a natural creator for himself and others who manufactures offence in a variety of ways. In order to get away from scouting peewees, the WHL instituted a bantam draft. Hes a smooth skater. Follow Scott on Twitter @scottcwheeler, Matvei Michkov. Selected first overall in the WHL bantam draft that year, he played 22 games with the Winnipeg Ice in 2019-20 when he became . Hes gotdecent hands when he pushes through the middle. He has a high floor and should safely become a strong third-line player but also has the upside to become more if things really click in his north-south game at the next level. Though hes currently still nursing a lower-body injury he suffered in early January, before that, it didnt take long watching this years Kelowna Rockets to realize just how much offence he creates for himself and his teammates. Im less and less convinced of that. I have questions about his talent level, though. Once he refines his game some more and adds more muscle as he ages, watch out. The show will also include the unveiling of WHL Divisional Award Winners and All-Star Teams for the 2021-22 WHL season. Hes got some poise and processing under pressure, even if his play with the puck on his stick isnt dynamic per se. Carlssons a big kid who has begun to come into his body (hes 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds), buthes also got slick handling and finesse for a forward his size, regularly finding his way through traffic or around it by out-waiting defenders one-on-one in shielded puck protection off of his hip. Danielson plays a well-rounded two-way game, is a proficient penalty killer, wants to make a difference in all areas when hes on the ice and blends good overall skill with his effort. Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who is playing lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerlands top professional mens league. Hes unafraid to try things and has the skill to execute difficult plays. The . Not Cole Caufield. Gavin McCarthy, RHD (Muskegon) Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C (HV71) Reinbacher had a solid tourney on a bad team despite dealing with an illness the entire time. Ravndahl was selected by Portland in the fourth round, 83 rd overall in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. Hes also got some of the quicker hands and better touch on this list. Hes a natural scorer and creator, but hes also got plus vision and deft touch (though I wouldnt say his creativity is necessarily a strength). 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. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. Hes got some of the quickest hands in the draft. Hes also going to be an able penalty killer, which should give him all-situations upside at the next level. 1. ), the CHLs leader in goals per game, assists per game, points per game, and shots per game. His average SHL TOI is around 4:30, so this should be a confidence boost for the 2023 top prospect.In the J20 Nationell, Stenberg has 20pts (8G, 12A) through 23 games.pic.twitter.com/H36RVcNC4H Alexa Potack (@alexa_potack) January 24, 2023, Otto Stenberg scores his first SHL goal and point! He was the No. His actual statistical profile is good without being great, though. Wood is a rangy, goal-scoring forward who has silky hands for his size (considering the long stick he uses, hes got great control on the toe of his blade out wide and the heel in tight to his feet), a marksmans shot inside the offensive zone (both through a natural shooting motion and his one-timer), and a sixth sense for arriving around the net/slot at the right time. It will be followed by an updated top 32 after U18 Worlds (new this year in May), and my final top 100 (released in June). He has been impressive thus far, scoring six points in 14 games with Sochi, with four of those points being goals. Emil Jarventie, LW, Ilves U20 (U20 SM-sarja, 64. Reinbachers got pro size, desired handedness, and a really strong foundation of tools that all but guarantee hell become an NHLer. I cant think of a first overall pick so far above the rest of the competition since Connor McDavid back in 2015, of course some tried to argue for Jack Eichel (as they do now for Adam Fantilli), but that argument doesnt hold up well. pic.twitter.com/OOjR1KDavy. Last year, he led Prince George in goals (30) and finished second in points (57, one back of Heidt). After a solid showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, Quentin Musty was considered by many to be the best U.S. born prospect in this draft class. Hes consistent shift-to-shift and game-to-game and while he might lack the dynamism of some of the players in front of him here, he can make plays in a variety of ways on and off the puck and the ice usually tilts in his teams favor when hes out there. Hes a hard worker who makes his team better whenever he steps on the ice. Everett, by virtue of finishing with the third-best overall record in the 2021-22 regular season, will select 20th overall in the first round. I believe Michkov could still easily be the second overall pick even though hes playing in Russia and has a contract that will keep him playing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for three full seasons following the draft. While he benefits from playing with talented linemates, Bensons a driver in every sense. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Oliver Bonk, RD, London Knights (OHL), 48. And after how good he looked as an underager at U18 worlds in Germany last April, nobody has been surprised by his near goal-per-game breakout this season (in fact, I wrote I wont be surprised if he challenges Smith and Moore on the stat sheet this year while providing all of the energy that he does in my preseason ranking). Trending Players. His consistency, effort, speed, and skill make him a coachs dream even though he doesnt have the dynamic offensive qualities of some of his peers. 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. He has the potential to change the trajectory of an NHL franchise and will likely score a ton of goals along the way. Tyler Bertuzzi (F) NHL. Each of those guys played quite well at the tournament for draft eligible players, but nobody at the tournament of any age could hand the offensive pressure of Bedard. His skating is balanced. Hes a commanding offensive defenceman who is at his best when hes looking to take charge with his feet. Ziemmer is a December 2004 who was selected with the No. 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). He is agile enough that I expect hell be very successful on zone entries in the NHL some day, giving his team a chance to control play in the offensive zone whenever he touches the puck. You can also find an additional 32 honourable mentions below. William Whitelaw, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), 56. Of course, there are also some prospects who dropped in this edition of my rankings, including Brayden Yager and David Reinbacher. 17, is one of the top prospects for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft , even though he was denied exceptional status by the WHL in 2019. 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. 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. Elite Prospects - CCHL Bantam Protected Draft 2023. He looks to take instead of give in the neutral zone, regularly stepping up to try to bump puck carriers off possession and force dumps (though there are times when that style can leave him chasing if his timings off or hes flatfooted). Will Smith has established himself as one of the very best prospects in this draft with his continued dominance as a member of the United States National Team Development Program where he is scoring just under two points per game. The draft's top player this season is a borderline generational talent. The six lowest-place teams involved in the lottery include the Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors,. 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 League. If he can add another gear (or two) to his max speed, Benson would be an absolute force in transition. Hes the go-to center for the Cougars in the faceoff circle. Jesse Nurmi, LW, KooKoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 58. WHL Behind The Scenes - 2023 Road to Nashville. Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! The U18 teams first line of Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault has been piling up points and attention (deservedly so) this year, but Ive been as impressed by Moore and the offence he has created as the focal point of its second line. Noel Nordh, LW (Brynas) Go Premium for Elite Prospects Support. 5 pick into the WHL, was a point-per-game player and one of Brandons top producers last season before being named captain for his draft year. And he always seems to be around it. Publishing date 2022-12-21 User Anonymous Views 12926 Favorited 2 Share Embed 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 That is, of course . Hes great along the wall on the cycle, but he can also occasionally make a play that pulls you out of your seat. And while his game is bullish, hes also got surprising soft skill. He gets shots off extremely fast and without bobbles in catch-and-release sequences. Theres a lot of belief out there that hes going to be a good, well-rounded NHLer. 2023 Whl Draft Projected Rankings - Elite Prospects 2023 Whl Draft Projected Rankings Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. If he were a little bigger, hed be a scouts dream. He uses his speed and skill to blow by defenders in the neutral zone and pressure in-zone defenders who struggle to anticipate his next move. 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. Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who has been quite good in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, a very impressive feat. He looks like he could be a hard-working top-six winger who complements your top guys really well while providing real offensive value on his own.
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