The list a lot of people who have been following us have been waiting for. DraftGeek’s own Jeff McCarthy has compiled a list of the top 60 WHL players eligible for the NHL draft with reports. Hope you enjoy and make sure to follow @DraftGeekHockey on twitter for all NHL and WHL Draft updates.
1. Nolan Patrick
Fantastic all around player, powerful stride and quick feet, fantastic shot and competes hard. Not overly physical but is smart positionally and transitions flawlessly from defense to offense. Uses his frame to get to the dirty areas and can make his teammates better. Quick release on his shot and as a great IQ in all three zones. Nolan is an already established forward at his level and his the best player on the ice. Not the prettiest skater but he has great agility. Maybe a bit more grit in his game, but nothing not to like for Patrick, A perfect top six centerman who can fit anywhere into a lineup and produce, will be a quality NHL player for a very long time.
2. Cal Foote
Has slow feet, long strides and strong legs, Foote uses his natural strength to get a hard push from his strides and gives him some leverage on his feet…… Although Foote doesn’t shoot much he displays an accurate wrist shot and a slapshot with a lack of power, uses his shots wisely as he shoots when the lane is complete open… Puck possession player, slows the play down to his liking and makes smart plays out of his own zone… Uses long reach to trap forwards from entering the offensive end covers a lot of ground from the back end, making his transition game efficient. Can play physical if needed, but can get to forwards using his long reach, all-in-all hard to beat on the back end…. Excellent positioning to give forwards no room in the middle of the ice, forcing them to shoot from the outside.. Calm defenseman, plays the game always moving and thinking… keeps his head on a swivel… calm, composed and hardly phased.. Fantastic build and frame, his offensive game isn’t polished but will be a shutdown defender in the professional ranks. Worth a hard look.
3. Cody Glass
An all-around forward, Glass displays a mature and powerful game at the centre position, a big bodied forward, Glass plays the game with finesse and a high hockey IQ at both ends of the ice. Not the strongest skater, but has high end puck skill and uses his frame to protect the puck and get into prime scoring areas, uses his linemates well and can stand in front of the net and bang bodies down low if needed to. Can slow the game down and make crisp passes to his teammates, needs to shoot more and try to play the game at a more fast pace, potential is outstanding as he could be a great two-way centerman down the road, a Toews-lite. esque player
4. Michael Rasmussen
For his frame, Rasmussen is a fantastic skater who can really get going once on the attack, although not the prettiest skater, Rasmussen needs to work on his initial foot speed, but his strong legs and long strides help his acceleration to get from Point A to Point B… A very hard and accurate shot when used properly, in my viewings he did not use his shot enough in situations, as he was battling in front of the end, or behind the net passing it out to his teammates, a quick release with a lot of power, his shot isn’t used often, but when it is it can easily fool defenders and goalkeepers alike… his ability to move and handle the puck exceeded my expectations, he uses his size and long reach in order to consistently get the puck into the offensive zone with power, followed up with a quick reaction time in order to control bad passes to get onto his stick during a breakout or a battle amongst a defender… In terms of a forecheck and backcheck, Rasmussen picks his moments on when to really push himself on the defensive side, especially on turnovers or an opponent’s breakout. If the play comes towards him, Rasmussen is in full pursuit of getting the puck onto his stick and creating an offensive opportunity… Reads the ice very well, but usually does not make the play unless it’s a clear cut opportunity or numbers are on his side. Great vision and can pass the puck on the tape, but will usually not make many risky plays.. Plays in all situations on the ice, on the powerplay you can find him down low in the corners and on the penalty kill you can see him use his reach to cover the points and create any shots. Understands defensively, but does not shine as a shutdown player… Clearly plays with an edge, loves to throw the body and make a big hit, someone who lives in the corners who can use his frame effectively to win puck battles…Confident with the puck on his stick, Rasmussen tends to try a little to much in order to make things happen for his linemates, his compete level is there but it needs to be consistent if he wants to be a game changer….Offensively, Rasmussen understands how to create offense and read the play with the puck on his stick. Defensively, although physical can be a bit to hungry on throwing big hits then playing positional and sound defense.. Blessed with a great frame, strong on the puck. Needs to work on playing at a high pace consistently, but with that size you can’t do everything. . Rasmussen has high end potential, but needs to work on little aspects of the game in order to be a dominant forward in the National Hockey League.
5. Juuso Valimaki
Competitive two-way defender who plays big minutes, Valimaki plays the game with poise and confidence, an excellent side-to-side skater who can rush the puck with ease, quick first pass and creates offense with ease. Shoots the puck with accuracy and uses his movement to find lanes and shoot. Moves the puck well and has quick hands to make plays in all ends of the ice. Doesn’t use the body to much but can play the body if needed, an excellent stick which he uses to cut lanes and create gap control to gain the puck defensively. Plays a calm game and doesn’t let the pressure get onto him, can get out of tough situations with the puck with hard fore checkers. Build player who can log big minutes and make simple plays.
6. Kailer Yamamoto
Yamamoto is an dynamic offensive powerhouse, a gifted skater with deceptive speed, in tight situations he always has his feet moving anticipating a play. Although a smaller player, Yamamoto plays with high tenacity and is pressuring forwards in all situations, has a quick release on his shot that gives him a chance to shoot from tough situations to find the back of the net. Fantastic hands in tight, moves his stick and has defenders on their toes, sees the ice at a high level and can make plays and complete passes with ease. Positionally, he plays hard due to his speed and has the opponents on his tail at all times, in your face and aggressive, goes into the dirty areas and fishes for pucks to make plays, shifty along the boards, plays the game at a quick pace and makes his linemates better.
7. Cale Makar
A crafty offensive defenseman, Makar has an elite ability to move the puck up the ice. Extremely gifted skater, Makar has great feet and edgework to maneuver around the ice and enter the play. Not afraid to jump in the rush and play with the puck. Offensively does not shoot the puck a lot, a pass first defenseman but is willing to play down low and could be a fourth forward at times, has the same skillset. Pure playmaker with the puck, sees the ice extremely well in an open ice surface in Jr. A. Positionally sound, but needs a massive amount of strength to gain confidence in the defensive zone. Uses his stick well in pressure situations, but lacks strength along the boards and against bigger opponents. Understands the game at a high level, college route is the way to go, needs to develop his strength and defensive game. A surefire offensive talent.
8. Nikita Popugaev
Popugaev is an exciting offensive juggernaut, uses his hard and accurate shot on a consistent basis, gets off the stick quick and has a ton of power…A perimeter player who has a great mixture with size and skill.. Is mostly taken notice of when the puck is on his stick or if his linemates are rushing the puck up the ice, needs the puck on his stick as his arsenal is deceiving and can fool the opposing defenders if given any time and space… sees the ice well which he uses to find himself open space, letting his big opposing frame to try and intimidate his defenders by getting into dirty areas… his skating is poor as he has slow feet and needs some time to get up to full speed. Seems to be disengaged in the defensive end of things, as he usually puts little effort in the back check and anticipates the play to come to him.. a pure sniper who can find open space in the offensive end, a better work ethic and more reliability in the defensive end could make Popugaev a sure-fire prospect for this up and coming draft.
9. Kole Lind
Agile skater with quick feet who has good edgework, making transitions easy to get involved in… quick release on his shot, loves to sneak opponents with it, although Lind needs to utilize it more when given opportunities in tight areas… moves the puck well and has quick hands to squeeze out of trouble, excellent at breakouts and has a strong IQ to find his opponents with hard crisp passes… although not overly physical, willing to go into the corners and battle for pucks… may not win battles but competes hard in the offensive end.. strong forecheck… makes smart plays and makes little to know risky plays, which makes his game more reliable.. uses his speed to create defenders go towards him and uses his playmaking abilities… defensive game fairly sub-par, can be lazy at times and engages when needed to… plays well in pressure situations and takes pressure lightly… very composed and enjoyable to watch due to his natural smooth game.
10. Henri Jokiharju
Lanky puck moving defenseman.. a great skater and knows when to pinch at appropriate times, smooth skater who uses his great edgework and speed to fly past opponents and rush the puck into the offensive end. Great first pass out the zone.. Needs to gain strength and improve in the defensive end… lack of physicality could lose him puck battles and opportunities in tight areas on the ice. Positionally sound, but has no strengths defensively other than his skating ability and use of his stick, which is fundamental but not at a high end level. Will make those high risk passes and although can be successful can cause turnovers as well if rushed on the play.
11. Jarret Tyszka
Big puck moving defenseman, good feet and a lanky frame. Excellent first pass out of the zone and isn’t afraid to rush the puck in any situation. Fluent skater who can move his feet with excellent edgework, transitions flawlessly which matches his teammates ability. Skating is his biggest strength, a pass first defender as he sees the game in front of him and can make clean passes consistently, not a hard shot but will shoot if needed. Creates open space with his quick hands and movement, which creates for simple plays. Not overly physical and can shy away from opponents. Positionally sound but lacks the strength to muscle opponents off the puck consistently, long reach. Calm and composed on the backend, but can transition into an aggressive offensive defenseman quickly, which throws off opponents, understands the game in all aspects but needs the strength to improve defensively. Blue chip prospect whose stock will rise come draft day.
12. Artem Minulin
The complete package, a big right handed shot with puck moving ability and confidence. Minulin has excellent puck skills and a crisp first pass, his skating isn’t up to par but can be improved on. Does not shoot the puck often as he sees the ice in all three zones very well, head up and ready to make a quick transition and breakout. His defensive ability is something to rave about, as his ability to control the defenders to the outside can intimidate the opposition. Uses his body fairly often in the corners, and has a long reach to prevent opposition to slide by. Simple and effective, Minulin plays big minutes and can be put out there in all situations of a game. As time grows, his offensive game will continue to develop into a solid all-around defenseman in the near future.
13. Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Anderson-Dolan is an electrifying player, a modern day Kyle Turris so to speak, fantastic hands and shiftiness in the offensive end, uses his playmaking abilities along with his quick agility to maneuver the puck to his linemates. A screamer of a wrist shot, Anderson-Dolan has an extra gear when the puck is on his stick, similar to his teammate Yamamoto, Jarrett is gifted offensively but can lack in defensive effort on certain occasions, plays with the puck best on his stick and although undersized, his skillset offensively matches not a whole lot of others in this years draft class. Consistency in all three areas of the ice as well as some muscle built and Anderson-Dolan could be a bonified offensive powerhouse.
14. Stelio Mattheos
Mattheos is an all-around forward with offensive skills. A strong frame, Mattheos uses his speed and strength to gain entry into the zone. When used, a hard and accurate shot is used, displayed a good IQ with the puck, but didn’t have the aggressiveness and compete with the puck in tight spaces and corners that you would expect with his size, smooth skating and an intimidating presence, Mattheos competes hard on the backcheck and makes sure that the defensive zone is taken care of. A poor viewing in my opinion, as my expectations were much higher, although showing some high-end skill. Mattheos needs to play physical in compete in those areas where players and scorers want the puck the most.
15. Mason Shaw
Speedy playmaker who buzzes around the ice and is a constant threat, quick feet and a small frame. Very shifty and agile, makes his transitions very quick. Competitive in the offensive zone, hockey sense and ability to find teammates is at a high level. Much more of a playmaker than a shooter, can hold on for the puck a bit too long and cause turnovers, willing to take time and speed up the pace of the game to his ability. Not overly physical but will throw the body. Although not an elite goal scorer, Shaw’s ability to compete in all three ends makes him stand out, does not win those puck battles defensively at times, but is always willing to dig in the trenches, needs to get stronger on his stick. His shot is a weakness, needs to utilize it more in scoring situations, main concern is his transition into the professional ranks, will he have the same time and space as he does in the WHL to create those plays?
16. Morgan Geekie
First re-entry on our list, Geekie has turned up this year in an imposing fashion, lethal shot mixed with size and reliability in all three zones, Geekie is a sure-fire prospect that has little flaws in his game, not the prettiest of skaters he has slow feet which can get him in trouble offensively, but makes up for his lack of top end speed with great hands and a frame that he uses well to protect the puck and creating space. A wicked shot that is quick off the stick, Geekie has a natural scoring ability that teams thrive for, plays the game with a high offensive IQ. Can hold the puck in the offensive zone using his frame and quick hands, makes a quick play and transition game is strong. Could use his frame a bit more on the physical side and defensively could improve, but Geekie is a premium offensive force that if was a year younger, would be a easy first round pick. Potential is high and a pro game isn’t a stretch.
17. Jake Lechsyshyn
Leschyshyn plays an honest and hardworking game… quick feet always moving and tracking the play… does not shoot the puck much as his shot is lackluster in all aspects. Handles the puck well and uses all of his frame to shield the puck to get into open areas of ice. Can read the play well and is aware of his teammates on the ice, making a quick pass in transition with ease… reliable on the defensive end as he uses his stick and strength to battle for pucks to help gain possession, compete level is high and displays a high character.. hard-nosed rugged game that can fit him any forward position… unselfish and poised player who plays with ease when the puck is on his stick… hockey sense stands out as he can read the ice in all three zones… offensive tools could use improving but a safe all-around prospect.
18. Cale Fleury
Offensively aware, Cale Fleury played on a poor Kootenay team but showed a real promise as a bona fide prospect, loves the puck on his stick and can create offense by himself. A fluid skater with the puck, Fleury always has his feet moving, quick on his decisions Fleury is mostly a puck carrier, entering the offensive end with confidence and creativity, this does lead to turnovers and high risk offensive chances. Sees the ice well and can make those simple plays if needed to, but likes to create his own chances. Defensively can be very unpredictable, can play a heavy game with big hits and a feistiness or a very fundamentally sound defender who at times can get bullied in the corners, his ability to lock down opposition is needing to be improved but once his confidence grows is a complete package for any team interested in a defender who’s game can mold into any situation.
19. Aleksi Heponiemi
Creative offensive force, Heponiemi skating ability is superb, very quick feet and first two steps has him flying up and down the ice with ease. A pure playmaker, Heponiemi has great awareness offensively in order to find open players, uses his shiftiness and his ability to move around the ice to fool defenders and create open space. Heponiemi makes difficult passes with ease and when given the time and space and a quick release and a powerful wrist shot. What lacks in his game is in the defensive end, almost clueless at times on what is going on. Heponiemi has a lack of dedication on the backcheck and a willingness to try to use his stick. Very small and slender, he shies away from getting hit and won’t take a hit to make a play. Does most of his work in the slot and on the blue line. Needs to play with a bit more passion as his game can be inconsistent. Elite offensive talent but lacks the intangibles to make it pro, could prove me wrong.
20. Ian Scott
Ian Scott is a massive body, uses his size well… a fundamentally sound goaltender, Scott uses his frame to cover the net and give opponents little room when positioned well, plays deeper in the net and moves up and down well.. needs to work on his athleticism, as he tends to get lit up once you get him moving.. rebound control is great, loves to cover the puck and uses his pads efficiently.. Quick glove and blocker, pushes shots into the corner… potential is there but needs to work on his athleticism and post-to-post movement. Goalie prospect to watch out for, as his stats don’t tell the story.
21. Nick Henry
A pure sniper who plays on an fantastic Regina Pats team, although Henry is play top six minutes, many attributes in his game need work if he wants to consider himself a high-end player… skating is choppy, lacks foot speed and his stride is very awkward which affects his speed. What you can’t deny is his shot, a professional level shot when given the space in the offensive zone, deadly accurate and is deceptive off the stick… a trigger guy in every sense, as the puck is never on his stick for to long… not very physical and plays in between the lines… naturally finds open ice to quickly snap a shot if needed… against a more physical team can play more scared and can find himself non-existent in other zones of the ice..
22. Ian Mitchell
Skating wise is fluid and deceptive, Mitchell is a simple defender who uses his smarts defensively to prevent chances, give him the opportunity and he can surprise with his offensive potential and poise on the backend. Plays a simple game on the backend, Mitchells IQ is his go to in a sense, knows when to make right plays, wish that he was a bit more aggressive in terms of making those plays as his fundamentals are there, great stick skills in both zones, ,defensively uses his stick and skating ability to shutdown defenders and keep them along the boards and not in high traffic areas. Excels in a less physical game in Jr. A, needing to gain strength and ability to use it to win puck battles. An interesting prospect where his skills are in plain viewing, but will he develop those skills at Denver University and how will they be utilized?
23. Stuart Skinner
Big and athletic, uses his size to his advantage. Mobile, could be to active, as he needs to calm down his game and try to use his size more to take up the net. Giving his mobility, Skinner makes those saves that can wow others, but will let in a goal or two if you keep him moving. Likes to play the puck, aggressive as nature. Has great potential if he slows down his game. Long limbs and quick reflexes help him make those desperation saves. Skinner throws himself at pucks and needs to polish his game. But is excellent at covering the posts and taking shots into the chest.
24. Kyle Olson
Speed and skill, Olson uses his quick speed and incredible acceleration to enter the puck in the zone, finds open areas well but needs to gain muscle and strength to win puck battles, chippy at times and plays with confidence, defensive game improving. Olson has great agility in his transition game, being able to keep up with for checkers and catch up on the rush, quick feet can help him enter the defensive zone and pressure the oncoming forwards, enters the offensive game playing into the corners and dirty areas fishing for pucks and maintaining position to create space for his linemates, great puck control with a small frame, smart passer as he feeds his linemates in prime scoring opportunities and loves to compete in front of the net, defensively strong as his tenacity helps in all three zones to win puck battles and keep his stick active, a strong defensive forward with offensive talent and potential.
25. Austin Pratt
A power forward, Pratt has a fantastic frame which he uses to throw around the body and frame the puck for himself. Great job at getting to loose pucks and forcing the opposition to make those tough plays. Plays with an edge and is willing to mix it up in the corners, great on a line with talented players, but is needing time to polish his individual game. Skating is a weakness and a competitive edge in both zones needs work, but when he is on his game. His mix of power and skill is hard to contain for defenders. Consistency will be a question, but is a blue collar prospect.
26. Jordan Bellerive
A spark plug, shows a real motor and can really pressure the opposing team. Great skillset, uses his stocky frame to throw the body around, complements a first line as he can play both the physical and skilled game whenever needed to. Sneaky wrist shot, as he can let it go with a hard release, is a shoot first player. Hockey sense shows glimpses, but there are times where he rushes the play. Could be a good role player in the future. Pressure on the forecheck and competing in both ends gives him a strong edge on his peers as someone not just with skill but with a high compete level. His size isn’t intimidating but he plays a lot bigger than his frame. Which is important for his status as a player.
27. Lane Zablocki
Zablocki plays a high paced game that keeps his linemates always happy. A very fluent skater, Zablocki has quick feet that gets his speed to a top level. Playing with an edge, Zablocki doesn’t shoot the puck a whole lot, but finds himself in chippy situations along the wall making tough plays, protecting the puck. An average puck handler, moves around well with the puck but usually passes it off to try and find space in the offensive end. Plays with a physical edge and is a gritty along the boards and in the defensive end. Uses his speed to pressure the defender and create turnovers due to his physical stature. Understands the game at a high level but needs to keep improving on his skillset in terms of his puck handling and stickwork, a good plugin forward who can put up points.
28. Mark Rubinchik
Composed and steady defenseman, very timid and vanilla for the new aged game. Has a mix of size and skill that it seemed to be wanting to break, but is lacking. All the tools but no toolbox is the phrase used. Calm on the back end, Rubinchik is in the right spot in order to use his stick and get opponents into tough areas on the ice. Isn’t overly physical but has a great stick and a solid first pass, not very confident with the puck on his stick for periods of time but shows finesse when he has a hold of it. Defensively sound, he needs to find his game and gain a bit more competitiveness and force into his game. Sitting back and watching the play won’t work in the professional realms, if he wants to be a prospect he needs to make more high risks plays and show his true potential.
29. Tyler Steenbergen
Steenburgen’s game throughout the year has improved drastically.. His lanky frame has the ability to move his feet in transition and proceed up the ice with the puck to match with his speed, shifty and elusive, Steenbergen uses this play style to move the puck and excellent hockey sense to find his linemates with crisp pass and make plays out of little offense. Hard on the forecheck and backcheck, Steenbergen plays with a high tenacity in three zones and is responsible for his mistakes. A hard shot, Steenbergen is sneaky with his shots and usually takes his time in finding a perfect area to shoot the puck for a quality shot on net. Steenbergen is a goal scoring machine who can come into a lineup and only improve.
30. Kristians Rubins
A mobile puck moving defenseman, Rubins has massive potential if you introduce his size into the picture. His skating is very impressive, smooth skater who has quick feet and a strong transitional movements. A pass first defenseman, Rubins can shoot the puck, but prefers to walk the line with his head up trying to make a quick pass and get the puck in deep. Plays with the puck well as he’s strong joining in the rush if necessary, but makes smart plays and quick passes. Not as physical as I’d like, but makes up for it with good cap control and stick work, using his frame to block opponents from entering their zone. Calm and composed, Rubins reads the play well and can play in all situations, simple minded and effective, his game can grow in all aspects and can transition easily to the next level.
31. Griffen Outhouse
When Outhouse is on his game, he can really stand out and make those jaw dropping saves. An athletic goaltender, Outhouse plays low to the ground and uses his mobility and athleticism to make saves. Quick reflexes and fundamentals. Can be thrown off game quickly, as he lacks consistency in his game. Plays a tad sporadic and can get surprised on un-anticipated shots. Plays the puck well and uses his stick, but needs to work on positioning and consistency in saves, can get pushed around a bit too easy in the crease.
32. Dylan Coghlan
Big, shutdown defenseman who has improved drastically offensively, plays a simple game. Coghlan is a smooth skater, not the quickest feet he makes up for his lack of speed with great hockey sense, head up making the smart breakout pass or maintaining the pace to his speed, Coghlan keeps his eyes moving in all three zones and finds lanes and opportunities to make smart plays. A punishing hitter when needed to be, Coghlan is unpredictable defensively, but can be very effective, a minute logger Coghlan plays in all situations of the game and can improve his puck skills and knack for putting up points, smarts and strong stick use have him for notice.. plays a professional style of game.
33. Josh Patterson
Skilled for a big man, Josh Patterson is entering the league looking to gain some confidence on a bottom six role. He has the hands and finesse to battle in the boards and throw his weight around. Pattersons skating is clearly not his strong suit by any means. Good on the draw, Patterson is a defensive forward with different intangibles to become a shutdown player for the future, needs to work on his skating and confidence with the puck in order to have a pro career. His confidence has grown, and the Blades are putting him in more situations and he is now finding the back of the net. Working hard and battling for pucks is his strong suit, while not a skill guy can provide a linemate with an ability to create space and wear down the opposition.
34. Sami Molainen
Surprised me with his grit, a tenacious in your face forward who is well built for a small frame. Quick feet and sharp on his skates, transitions well into a play and can get to full speed with ease. In terms of his point production ability lacks in terms of shooting and shooting well, Moilanen will go into the trenches and battle for pucks every shift. Displays an understanding of all three ends of the ice and can move around the ice smoothly with the puck, makes the simple plays and lacks any flash in terms of making those hero plays others above him would make. Strong on his skates and on his frame, Moilanen if improves on his offensive tools could be a great role player for years to come.
35. Zach Fischer
Dominant power forward, physical and chippy in every word, but can put the puck in the net, no real weaknesses in his game as he sees the ice well and can maneuver himself to try and put himself in a scoring chance. A perfect winger for a playmaker as he creates space and time. Loves to throw the body and is strong on his skates, his foot speed is average but has good acceleration for a bigger frame. Hard wrist shot off of the stick, defensively sound who positions himself well to try and put pressure on his opponents at all times. Will be an excellent role player moving forward, potential is sky high.
36. Jonathan Smart
Puck moving defenseman who is slowly garnering the attention he deserves, with more playing time Smart is able to showcase his ability to play a simple game, making a clean first pass out of the zone and using his vision to find his opponents all throughout the ice. A smooth skater who is quick on his edges and can get out of trouble quickly… a pass first defenseman.. has a great ability to avoid for checkers and maintain puck possession.. can get caught pinching from time to time but his skating can have him run back on defense… not physical but has good gap control and can use his stick effectively when needed.. poise and smarts is his limelight, but his other intangibles need improvement, which will come in time.
37. Ryan Peckford
An intriguing prospect, Peckford has all the right tools to be a good prospect for the future, has a lanky frame and good puck moving abilities. Knows where to be on the ice to create chances.. has good hands and a strong IQ in order to create plays with the puck. Needs to play more physical and use his frame a bit more, decent skater and can finish his chances, but needs a bit more of an all around game to be considered a higher end prospect. Give him time and he could develop into a late bloomer.
38. Brayden Gorda
Gorda is an interesting prospect, although a big defenseman with decent puck moving abilities, Gorda has some flaws in his game in terms of his lapses. His skating is not an issue, as he moves up the ice fluently and transitionally his game provides a quick turnaround. A smart passer, Gorda can make simple plays for a breakout pass and occasionally rush the puck, needing confidence, Gorda has his lapses but can make those big plays that can surprise you, his defensive game is very passive but needs improvement, he could use his frame a bit more.. needs to gain some strength and play a more punishing game to really make a name for himself as a pro.
39. Josh Brook
A more old-school playstyle, Josh Brook embodies a defenseman who loves the physical game.. although Brook has reliable tangibles, his want to make an impact on all ends of the ice can cause him to make questionable plays and put himself and his team into a bad position. Not afraid to move the puck up the ice, Brook displays confidence and tends to rush plays.. a bit trigger happy. Good frame with a sub-par skating technique, Brook uses his strength and build to out muscle opponents. Consistency might be the biggest issue, as he plays in all situations and shift by shift could give a completely different playstyle then the next. Plays the body more then the puck.. if he wants to maintain a surefire draft pick, Brook must pick his moments to ensure when to make the big play, or to play a simpler game. If he rounds out his game, could be a prospect to watch in the future, but now needs to stay consistent on a below average Moose Jaw defense crop.
40. Ryan Bowen
Big body who moves extremely well, quick hands in tight corners and quick feet to shift around the ice offensively, goes into the dirty areas but needs to use size more to his advantage, skilled big man. Although doesn’t shoot the puck much, he has a quick shot that gets off quick, much more of a digger in that sense, puck handling in dirty areas and having a quick stick surprised me for someone of his stature. Plays the body but doesn’t try to make a big impact in that category, positionally sound in all three zones, goes to the front of the net and can gain position with his long legs and strong lower body. Understands where to be but plays with the puck on his stick to much, can make silly plays and turnovers. Could be a great asset to a franchise.
41. Mark Kastelic
Reliable defensive center, Kastelic is a big frame and uses it to his full potential, not the best skater as his feet are slow and lacks natural speed. Although slow, when the puck is on his stick has a great shot, really hard and accurate. Gifted in size and knows when to use it when battling for pucks and winning those key draws, excellent on the faceoff dot. Positionally sound and never lacks in the competitiveness department. Would like to see him throw the body more in terms of bigger hits, can be a massive physical presence when needed to with big hits in the corner. Knows where to be at the right times and just needs to develop his offensive tools to become a two-way centerman at the next level.
42. Brett Davis
Game is reliant on hockey smarts and consistent play in all ends, provides a spark offensively as he can generate chances and find open spots on the ice, smooth skater whose transition game is strong, plays with passion and isn’t afraid of getting gritty. Not the quickest of skater, scans the ice and uses his frame to push himself in right positions.. loves to shoot the puck, will take low chance opportunities and battle towards the net for loose change, handles the puck well but make simple plays which isn’t his game. Plays the centre position with ease as he backchecks hard and covers opponents with ease, understands his role on a team and excels at stopping top players.
43. James Hamblin
Honest forward, Hamblin plays a 200 ft game and plays in every situation, good on his stick and excels in the defensive end, has flashes of offense and hockey sense, needs to work on puck skills and ability to find open areas.. small and shifty, Hamblin skates hard and can keep up to any opposing forward, plays a defensive role for the Tigers, taking big faceoffs and using his good stick to win puck battles down low, a playmaker offensively, a small forward has good puck distribution and makes his forwards battle in the trenches, hard to stop as his edgework is excellent and can shift around you and surprise you with a quick shot, reliable undersized two-way forward who can compete.
44. Ethan McIndoe
Role player, McIndoe has great size and defensive awareness, displays potential offensively and can make simple plays, knows where to be on the ice. For his built, McIndoe is a very smooth and agile skater, transitions well in pressure situations and can play hard in all three zones, using his size and stick work to create plays and take away scoring chances, with his build he plays a power forward esque game, standing in front of the net, tipping in pucks, battling in corners and creating space for his linemates. Greatly underused on this Spokane team his role can only seem to be growing and so is his potential to be a skilled power forward in the WHL. A darkhorse for many and a player scouts need to watch.
45. Dylan Plouffe
On a poor Vancouver team, Plouffe stood out to me as a player who dawns great potential, a game similar to Brett Kulak’s in his days with the Giants. Plouffe is fundamentally sound with a lanky frame and puck moving abilities. His skating and edgework stand out dramatically as he uses his speed to fly up and down the ice in order to create plays. Puck skills are there and can only improve, as he reads the ice well from the backend and can make smart plays in order to keep the play moving. Throughout the game gained more and more confidence as he was willing to rush the puck and even was given some powerplay time. A pass first defender, Plouffe does an excellent job making quick decisions and having a reliable IQ. Although a solid defender, no jaw dropping attributes to his game, as he is solid at everything. Gaining muscle and strength will help, as physicality is there but needs to win more puck battles.
46. Simon Stransky
Stransky models the european game.. an offensive threat with slick hands and great edge work… crafty in his decisions and can make defenders look silly as he is unpredictable with his arsenal of moves.. first two steps are quick and can catch top speed with ease.. quick transiton game…a hard shot can fool the goaltenders as he releases it quickly from anywhere on the ice…fantastic puck handler, uses his whole body to move along with his stick as he’s quick to transition in tough situations and maintain the puck.. not physical by any means… will play along the boards in the offensive end but defensively lacks a purpose… on a poor hockey team his talent sticks out.. as his raw potential to be a shifty in your face producer is still in question…a boom or bust prospect.
47. Trey Fix-Wolansky
Trey is a small but heavy forward for his size, a solid frame Fix-Wolansky moves around the ice well and has quick feet so get going into offense, a player who plays with the puck on his stick but is questionable in the other zones, a smaller player who can’t put pressure on his forwards gives him limited potential in the NHL. Crafty puck handler who is willing to pay the price and go into the dirty areas, more of a finisher and a puck carrier then a playmaker, knows where to be offensively and tries to create plays off of nothing. A questionable prospect where his work ethic in all three zones can improve, but his skillset should have him ranked higher.
48. Patrick Bajkov
Bajkov shines under the limelight in Everett, although not the flashiest of forwards, Bajkov’s ability to shoot the puck as well as find open space to create offensive opportunities. An average skater, Bajkov lacks an agility and first two steps but competes in all situations both ends of the ice. Bajkov has a nasty release on his shot, very quick and fools goaltenders with ease. Puck Handling wise, Bajkov reads the ice extremely well and puts himself in positions where he can make plays and have open space to find other linemates or get a puck on net, not overly physical but deceptive enough to play a more skilled role, a prospect who has only improved year after year and can make headlines at the draft
49. Jayden Halbegawachs
Halbegewachs failed to truly impress me against a tougher opponent in Victoria, although displayed some flash and dash. Jayden has quick feet and can quickly shift into full gear once the play is heading into the offensive zone. Not one to play physical, he can get bullied around by the opposition, as his head is down and unexpecting of a big hit to take him out. Tenacious in a sense, as he is shifty enough to elude the defenders and find himself in an open area. Jayden did not finish his chances and got frustrated as time went on throughout the game. Someone who is very skilled and will be a good junior player, his professional career is in question, as is he able to keep up to the much more demanding and physical game.
50. Carson Sass
Smooth skating puck moving defenseman, great edgework and plays the puck with confidence, heads up and has excellent edgework, used on the powerplay as he has an accurate pass out of the zone. Very quick and elusive on his skates, transitions well from offense to defense. A pass first defenseman, shoots the puck well, needs to work on his strength of his shot. Good puck handler and can move around the ice efficiently with the puck on his stick, shields the puck well. Positionally sound, uses his stick well but needs to get more physical, can battle in front of the net but plays a more safe reliable game. Calm and composed on the back-end, plays with a calm composed edge. Knows where to be on the ice and sees the game well in front of him.
51. Max Gerlach
Small shifty forward, good skater with high end edgework and elusive play, loves to shoot the puck and has a hard, accurate shot. Gerlach is simply a sniper, whenever the puck is on his stick he plays with a reckless abandon, Gerlach has quick feet and agility, shoots the puck with pristine accuracy and quickness. Although not a flashy puck handler, Gerlach has quick hands and can use them to cut inside and move into the front of the net, defensively can slack and displays signs of lack of effort in the three zones, but Gerlach’s game revolves around offense and is always in position to shoot a puck at a goaltender. Pro potential is there as his game evolves.
52. Zach Sawchenko
Sawchenko plays the game using as much of his frame as possible, a calmer goaltender, Sawchenko plays deeper into his net and uses his positioning to try and get the easy stops. Although not extremely quick, Sawchenko is an intimidating factor in the crease has he uses his body on the line to get involved in rebounds and scrambles in front of the net. Excellent at squaring up to the shooter and giving the shooter nothing to aim for off of the rush. Like to use his stick and play the puck as much as possible, important to note is that he plays a couple inches bigger and seems to be building on his all-around game, hoping that his reflexes improve and overall speed of his movements. A stable goaltender with a bright career.
53. Scott Walford
Two-way defenseman with a little bit of upside. A decent skater who can make the safe play, can play physical if needed but can let emotions get best of him. Starts on the powerplay and has confidence in making plays, but doesn’t have quite the skillset to run the powerplay as of yet. Reliable and a tad vanilla at times, Walford won’t stand out at you in terms of his play, but at times can be very effective and reliable on the back end. Needs time to find his game and play to it, more ice time can give him more confidence with the puck, but is best suited for a top four defenseman at the junior level. Late flyer.
54. Jordan Hollett
Raw goaltender who plays with a lot of confidence, lanky and mobile, Hollett could use his size more when stopping the puck, as his positioning is questionable and his reflexes are too quick, can be a bit sporadic. Can get up and down very quickly and has quick reaction time.. injury plagued as he is a very fragile goalie in terms of his build.. could be a diamond in the rough.
55. Will Warm
Warm is an old school defender with new aged skills, Warm is a defensive defenseman with a strong frame and legs.. smooth on the ice in his skating, makes the easy plays and doesn’t need to play by himself. Positionally sound, great gap control and long reach to skate along with forwards and use that stick to prevent the opposition play the puck. Surprises many with his physicality and ability to make big hits. A calm and reliable defender who doesn’t have the best offensive potential, but can improve his game after his rookie season in the league, a player you need to win with.
56. Brendan De Jong
Simple and effective game, De Jong is a lanky blueliner who has a massive reach, although not a skilled defender, a very simple game from the back end. Very smooth skater but does not have a top speed, edgework is great and can keep up with tough players. A pass first defenseman, makes simple plays and creates a good option from the backend. Excellent stick and positioning defensively, prevents shooters from entering the slot and makes opponents have little room. Improving in all aspects, De Jong can log big minutes and play against tough competition, if he fills out and is more physical, he could be a project that could pan out to be a minute logging pro.
57. Brett Leason
Two-way power forward who can read the play and fill in gaps, not the best skater, Leason is strong on his feet and can surprise with skill. Leason has a thick frame and a strong upper body, this doesn’t match his lower body which has him in quicksand at times, tenacity and willingness to play the body makes up for it and can really shock opponents with his compete level in all three ends of the ice, as a rookie has gained confidence in his offensive game and shoots the puck and battles in front more often than not. Defensively imposing but is reliant on his positioning and stickwork more than his aggressiveness, clogs up lanes and is defensively aware.
58. Nolan Kneen
Kneen is a complete in-your-face defenseman, loves to play physical and throw his weight around whenever he needs to, although not very built, Kneen can lower a hit and is strong on his skate. Fairly average skater as he moves well side to side and can jump into the rush if needed. Loves to shoot the puck if given an opportunity, although his shot isn’t much of a threat. Doesn’t have the puck on his stick for a long time, as he’s a pass first defender just trying to move up the play, usually dumps it or makes a quick pass. Positioning is where I found Kneen to be inconsistent, his natural tenacity causes him to focus on the body more than the puck causing him to lose positioning and gap control. Rushes the puck on occasion and leads to turnovers, where Kneen is skating up with the forwards, tough kid who can compete against anyone. Needs to gain strength and work on his fundamentals, raw raw potential.
59. Jake Christansen
Timid and reliable are two words that I use to describe Christansen, although at the start of the year I had much higher praise, his game lacks consistency in other areas of the ice, very smart defensively, his stickwork gets him to fiend off defenders and force them to the outside, although a smooth skater he is starting to become a quick passer meaning he wants the puck off his stick and not given responsibility to move it up ice. Understands the game at a higher pace, but needs to be able to gain confidence to make plays in both ends and not be so structured.
60. Ryan Hughes
For Hughes small size, Hughes has all the offensive abilities when given the space and time in tight areas, Hughes has quick feet and can move quick with his first two speeds, managed to match his stick speed with his feet throughout the year, plays very timid but is hard to stop on the rush, when entering the zone and making plays Hughes has a knack for finding pucks, but lacks tenacity and grit, when having the puck he shies away from physical contact and try to make the quick play, could be a high point getter in juniors, but needs tenacity in all three ends to make himself a prospect.
