Fantilli is currently authoring one of the most impressive draft eligible NCAA seasons in recent memory with the only competition being Jack Eichels dominant 2014-15 season where he put up 71 points in 40 games. January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80 Joel Henderson Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023 Joel Henderson 10 Puck Touches: Day Three and Four - 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament Joel Henderson 10 Puck Touches: Day Two, 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament Joel Henderson ), but he has shown that his timing and puck protection skills are strong enough for him to succeed in college. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. Hes got some of the best soft skill in the draft. Hes also not fast despite his strength, although he has made progress in his skating and does at times look powerful in straight lines. Tuomas Uronen, RW (HIFK), (Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Jamie Crawford, Minas Panagiotakis, Dennis Pajot / Getty Images). Wins it in OT for !!! Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. Western Hockey League. The Scouting News. Hes got a great release. I expect him to become a top point producer in college at the University of North Dakota, too. 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. Hes got high-end speed with his galloping crossover strides and strong acceleration from a standstill (with continued work to do to take his first two steps up a notch and find an even quicker gear), which help him carry the puck up the ice or join in transition as the trailer whenever he has to play catchup. Carey Terrance, C (Erie) 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. Oliver Bonk, RD, London Knights (OHL), 48. Stenberg was, coming into this season, viewed by many as the second-best Swedish prospect in this class to Carlsson after he played to nearly a point per game at the J20 level last year, looked like he belonged as an underager on the national team at U18 worlds, and impressed as Swedens leading scorer captain at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (he also scored two Michigan goals last season and has continued to wear the C for Sweden this season at events like the falls Five Nations in Plymouth, and the World Jr. A Challenge). 1 pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins posted). Team management chose the name "Rebels". 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). Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. Sweden's best prospect for the 2023 draft, Carlsson dominated the J20 level with his size and skill last season, playing at nearly two points per game (35 in 18) and adding nine points in 35. The Chiefs hold the first-overall selection, as determined by the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery on June 2, 2021. Heidt, taken No. 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. Logan Cooley, C, U.S. National U18. For all the talk about how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia, Dvorsky leads another excellent group into 2023. . 2022-2023 regular season player stats for CSDHL 13U, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more. However, first-year bantams had been playing at the peewee level the previous year, and in order to list first-year bantams, WHL Clubs needed to scout the peewee ranks. His strength complements a competitive, physical, forechecking, middle-lane style that makes good use of his length and hard wrister from midrange. 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 top 64 is made up of 46 forwards, 17 defencemen and one goaltender. 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. Hedid that after notching five points in five games at lastyears Hlinka Gretzky Cup as a young 16-year-old, too. Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023 Joel Henderson. The way he walks through coverage and hangs onto pucks is special. A number of years ago, WHL Clubs were allowed to list first-year bantam players as of a set date in September. Hes a smooth skater. His skating is excellent, and his high energy level makes him a possession monster. Hes a good skater and should pick up another step as he gets stronger. 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. Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! 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). Brindleys a plus-level skater who gets through his extensions quickly (including from a standstill), excels on his edges, rounds corners sharply, and darts around the ice, hunting pucks and pushing through holes. Caden Price, LD, Kelowna Rockets (WHL), 35. 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. 2023 is obviously way far out but 8 Sask . We believe in fully disclosing the methods to which we collect and use your personal information. There were also five more goalies who were among the final cuts for this list and I fully expect each will be on my final draft board. Last added: Carter Joo. 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. Scott Wheeler. Last season was certainly a strange one for WHL scouts as they anticipated the task of two drafts in one calendar year. The WHL Bantam Draft is only one step in this process. 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. He sustained an injury during the World Juniors that has kept him out of play for a while, but hopefully he can return to dominating the WHL soon. He is a mobile defenseman who fits the mold of the modern puck-moving defender and power play quarterback. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. Hes also got some of the quicker hands and better touch on this list. (other than Brad Lambert who's half Sask) but we'll see how the kids develop. Still, though he is a dominant junior player and could chase down a 50-goal season this year, its also fair to ask if his advanced growth gives him less runway for improvement (he really does look like a man already). "The Mintos program was great. Some scorers tunnel-vision the net and even though the goalie is his focus, theres a lot to his game between the offensive-zone blue line and the shot he takes thats inventive. A hand injury kept Moore out of action late last year and prevented him from likely playing at U18 worlds as an underager, but he impressed me on three trips down to Plymouth these last two years (last November when he was already playing up, this fall for U18 Five Nations, and this winter for the BioSteel All-American Game. There are times when he can wait too long to make his decisions and I wouldnt call him creative, but he makes good choices more often than hes careless with it and he has progressed really rapidly for a kid who doesnt turn 18 until a couple of weeks from now. Hes got impressive shooting mechanics given how long his stick is, and regularly pulls pucks into his feet to change his angle face-up against goalies. Jayden Perron is an excellent play-driving winger with tons of offensive talent. Within his movement patterns, he can handle the puck on a string. When you spend some time watching him and asking around about him, you quickly realize why. One of the most surprising junior players so far this year is Lukas Dragicevic who has put up points at well above a point per game rate in the WHL from the back end, making him the highest scoring defender in the league as of writing. 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. Its all there. However, his real calling card is his shot which ranks near the top of the draft class in terms of deception and power. He was theNo. Still, I would argue hes been a more consistent offensive player for Moose Jaw this season than Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus has been, while playing an off-puck game that is inarguably stronger than Firkus (he has also been a dangerous penalty killer and is decently-strong in the faceoff circle). The 18-year-old has accumulated 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 60 games so far this season. 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. Though hes not big, he plays hard and engages in battles in the defensive zone with some sneaky strength. When he tries things and he often does hes never trying them out of desperation but rather intention. Gauthier has cooled off following an incredibly hot start to the QMJHL season production-wise, but his smart and reliable habits have not changed. And while his game is bullish, hes also got surprising soft skill. He has every physical tool you could hope for, and uses each of them well, with the speed, strength, and reach to be a really great top-four defender in the NHL. No, you haven't accidentally clicked a lyrics page add and been directed to an eighties anthem, it's DubNetwork Scouting's LAST REVEAL for our December Top 22 - WHL Bantam Draft prospect breakdown. Hes an entry machine driving play through the neutral zone and across the line in control. 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. 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. Hes the kind of player who fills the stat sheet andelevates his linemates in subtle ways. He excels in puck battles, whether along the boards or in front of the net, even against grown men in Finland. He keeps his head up in the neutral and defensive zones and is a confident puck carrier on exits and entries. Tomas Suchanek, G, Tri-City Americans (WHL), 59. Hell make plays through seams. Hes got superb vision and ranks among the best in the class at dissecting coverage as a passer. 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. Youll commonly see him activate to lead plays into the offensive zone and create something. Oliver Moore is one of the best skaters in this draft class with blazing speed and solid agility. They are: 1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-22, 23-33, 34-64+. Hes a first-round talent. This draft class marks a decade of me doing this work, and I still believe this 2023 group is rivalled only by 2015 among the talent pools Ive scouted to date. Noah Dower Nilsson is purely an offensive player at this point, but hes a very skilled one. 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 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. 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. 2 that you take inside the top 10, but hes got everything needed to become a good second-pairing guy and maybe slightly more than that. His production has been disappointing so far this year, but his talent as a high-skill puck carrier is still clear.Otto Stenberg scores his first SHL goal and point! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. 1. 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. That will limit concerns about his height (he certainly hasnt played small in his freshman year so far). 3 pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Database: 1 002 208 players . He too often looks like the third guy on his line. Trending Players. 2023 NHL Draft top 64 prospects: Scott Wheeler's March ranking. He has the tools to be a top-16 player in the draft easily, but I want to see some more offense from him in the OHL before I increase his ranking that much. 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. Matvei Michkov might just be the smartest player in this draft class, with an incredible ability to manipulate opposing defenses. He has added a ton of strength since arriving at the program so that he can overwhelm junior level players with his power and speed. The top pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Musty is one the focal points of the Wolves offence and would be their leader in shots on goal, assists and points were it not for a few weeks lost in January to a hand injury (following up on a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer). The Clubs that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the 1st round only. On February 5, 1992, the Rebels selected Mike McBain as their first player in the Bantam Draft. 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. Hes eager physically. Hes as fun to watch with the puck on his stick as almost anyone in this draft. Smith is an incredibly shifty playmaker who can create high danger plays at will by threading passes through traffic, stickhandling around pressure, or taking a shot of his own. League. Ryan Leonard is a high energy winger who never takes his foot off the gas in terms of both speed and effort. Barlows size, strength, and maturity as a teenager lead me to believe he could have a real shot at making the NHL out of training camp for whichever team selects him, hes that talented and reliable. David Edstrom, C (Frolunda) His skating is a bit of a weakness with less-than-ideal speed, but he more than makes up for it with his offensive creativity and hands. Priority Draft 10 months ago 44 players were selected by the 22 WHL member Clubs in Wednesday's U.S. Problem-solving. Hes got gallops, cutbacks, crossovers, all of it. To say he has met those expectations would be a profound understatement. WHL Bantam Draft 2023 - full list of selections with facts and stats. 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). Note: Though I consult scouts, coaches, general managers, team staff, and agents in building my draft boards, the following evaluations are strictly my own. He could use a bit more speed (who couldnt? Michkovs brilliance comes primarily from his ability to read and process the play at an extremely advanced level, make his decisions quickly, and execute on them with incredible proficiency, whether thats ripping a patterned shot (his one-timer, his standstill wrister, his curl-and-drag, etc. Yager is a prospect that I fully expect to still be drafted very early on draft day, I just havent been that impressed with his game this year. 2023 NFL Mock Draft . Hes a slick one-on-one player. Only time will tell if they can do the same for him as a pro. I think its only a matter of time until he starts to produce more consistently. There has been a lot of hockey since my. One of the most skilled and slippery players in this draft is Andrew Cristall, the only draft eligible player in the WHL who has been able to roughly keep pace with Bedard in terms of production this year. He problem-solves his way out of trouble as well as anyone in this age group. Leonard is a prospect thateveryonelikes. Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, Pelicans (Liiga), 36. He is a very intelligent offensive player and can make these great reads and plays at full speed. The Rebels' first game was on September 25, 1992, in Red Deer against the Prince Albert Raiders (the Rebels won 6 to 3 in front of 5,240 fans). Viewed as a mid-round pick by most, Ciernik is a player I diverge from the public and private scouting communities on. Eduard Sale is a great offensive winger who currently leads all U20 players in scoring as a 17-year-old in the top Czechian professional league. - The Western Hockey League announced today the results of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery will be broadcast in a free WHL Live event Thursday, April 21 at 2 p.m. MT. 2023 NHL Draft: Breaking down the WHL Defensemen in the CHL Top Prospects game Joel Henderson. Now that the 2023 World Juniors are firmly in the rearview mirror, it's time to take another deep-dive into the top prospects for the 2023 Draft. If he can become a second-pairing offensively-inclined defenceman at even strength, and a PP1 QB, that has value in the middle of the first round. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. Ziemmer is a December 2004 who was selected with the No. Calum Ritchie has great puck skills and sometimes it looks like he has glued the puck to his stick while carving through defenders or when hes on a breakaway. Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C (HV71) I like the way he has learned to hunt and come up with pucks, too. Yager plays a threatening, attacking, puck-dominant game with skill in straight lines and in cutting sequences in transition. Check out his skating and awareness! 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. 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. 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. This season, after noticeably adding some needed muscle and rounding out his game nicely, I think he has shown folks that hell be able to stick down the middle. He was more impressive than his already-impressive 61-points-in-68-games season last year (where he led the Cougars in scoring), and the same is true in his strong production on a middle-of-the-pack Cougars team this year. During the bantam draft (typically held in early May), players from the four Western Provinces and the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are eligible to be selected. And he likes to try to take D one-on-one, which can result in some high-end plays but also some turnovers. Carson Rekhopf, C/LW, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 60. Once the true cream of the crop in this class are gone, hes the kind of talent Id swing on in the second round. Check out his skating and awareness! Scouts are having a tough time slotting him due primarily to so-so production this season (though staff with Frolunda insist he has been better than his numbers at the J20 level and that has been reflected in several stints with the SHL. Manipulation. 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). The beauty of Brindleys game is that while he may prove talented enough to play in a skill role at the NHL level, hes got the approach/tools to play an effective bottom-six game too. 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. Honourable mentions (sorted alphabetically): Beau Akey, RHD (Barrie) When hes around it, he can be a handful. He was theCHL Rookie of the Year (on 34 goals). 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. NHL Entry Draft -3004 - full list of selections with facts and stats. Scott Ratzlaff, G (Seattle) Hameenaho has the strength and stick skills to not just battle well, but win puck battles and keep possession alive for his team. The way that Fantilli plays wouldnt really fly in the SHL where you need to be dependable at all times, and Carlssons maturity, reliability, and his clear understanding of what makes him great are the reasons he has succeeded in a top pro league as a teenager. Expectations were unfairly high for Connor Bedard coming into his draft year, with the generational talent label floating around in many draft conversations. Reinbacher is looking like a potential top-four mainstay in the NHL with exciting defensive potential. He was an alternate captain and second-leading scorer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and isan alternate captain and leading scorer with Moose Jaw. Ravndahl was selected by Portland in the fourth round, 83 rd overall in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. 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 head is always up and on a swivel and he does a good job pre-surveying the ice when hes going back to get pucks through frequent shoulder checks. 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. His long stick can limit him catching and handling pucks in his feet at times, and he doesnt have a great shot, but those things should come and hes got great dexterity and reflexes. Aiden Fink, RW, Brooks Bandits (AJHL), HM: Ian Scherzer, C, Rgle BK J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), HM: Isac Born, C, Frlunda J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: David Edstrom, C, Frlunda J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Noel Nordh, LW/RW, Bryns IF J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Zeb Forsfjll, C, Skellefte AIK J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Jakub Dvorak, LD, Bl Tygri Liberec (Czechia). Sign up for premium. Hes got poise and patience on the puck. 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. The 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Pre-Show begins with co-hosts Chris Wahl and Taylor Rocca at 8:30 a.m. PDT, with live draft coverage beginning at 9 a.m. PDT. NHL Entry Draft -3005 - full list of selections with facts and stats. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. After playing on Russias Hlinka Gretzky team twosummers ago, But played to a point-per-game level in the MHL as one of its top 2005s last season and began his draft year on a tear in the MHL, scoring 11 goals in his first 15 games of the season before earning a mid-October promotion to the KHL for the first time (he has since scored his first two pro goals and has bounced between the KHL and MHL). After the season, the WHL holds a draft specifically to allow teams to add bantam players in an orderly manner to their protected lists. Koehn Ziemmer is another pro-built winger who loves to shoot the puck hard whenever given the chance. 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. 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. So far, his offense has only improved, even considering the increased competition. Elite Prospects - CCHL Bantam Protected Draft 2023. He doesnt have any one skill that really pops out at you, but I find that hes good at pretty much everything. He walks the line and bends coverage as an impressive and tactical power-play quarterback. The U17 teams leader in assists and points last year, Perreault has played to nearly two points per game with the U18 team this year. His transition play and wicked shot make him the most important player on his team on many nights. NHL. And this season theres no doubt: Hes the best forward on arguably the CHLs most talented team at forward. It has been a few rough age groups for Russian defencemen but Gulyayevs got a chance to flip the script. 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.