Rhett Holland is considered to be the top 2012 NHL Draft prospect playing in the AJHL right now.

Playing on a blue-line that has a lot of depth in Okotoks, Holland has the luxury of not having to be depended on to carry the team. As a result, Holland is able to play his style of game and do the things that he’s effective at. Holland is a very physical defenseman and does a good job in defensive zone coverage with an active stick. When he’s on his game, Holland limits the time and space of opposing forwards and does a good job maintaining strong gap control. His strong defensive presence also forces a lot of turnovers as he does a good job of anticipating the play and getting into passing lanes. Holland still needs to work on his overall game and play within his means, but as an NCAA commit with 3-4 years to develop before needing to be signed, Holland is probably worth a late-round pick at this point.

’94 D Robert Hamilton – Okotoks Oilers
Committed to: University of Vermont

The green and gold of the University of Vermont will welcome Hamilton with open arms if he continues the strong play he’s shown with Okotoks. The Calgary, Alta. native is in his first full season with the Oilers and unlike his teammate Rhett Holland, I feel that Hamilton has a better overall game. The part of the game that sets him apart from others is the way he sees the ice and how defensively sound he is. Although he isn’t as offensively minded as other defensemen, he has a powerful slapshot and consistently makes good decisions with the puck. The area of his game that I would like to see him improve is his skating as it’s very average at this point and is an area that needs to be improved. Hamilton is a little undersized at 5-foot-10 170lbs, but the 18-year-old might attract some NHL interest in June.

’95L C Luke Philip – Canmore Eagles
Property of: Kootenay Ice (protected player)

Although he is not draft eligible until 2014, Luke Philip will start to turn heads in the next couple of years with his impressive array of offensive skills. The 16-year-old Canmore native led his team in points this season and was consistently the team’s best player night in and night out this season. For a young player, Philip has exceptional hockey sense and a strong understanding of the game. He understands how to utilize open ice and is very opportunistic off the rush.

Undersized at 5-foot-9 165lbs, Philip was a 3rd round draft pick of the Kootenay Ice and has played 8 games with the WHL squad thus far this season. Philip projects to be a very capable offensive forward in the WHL down the road as he is very smooth with the puck and has a great offensive skill-set. Philip is also very good in the faceoff circle and his defensive game should continue to improve as he gets stronger. As a capable skater, Philip is already able to handle playing against older and stronger competition, and as his strength continues to improve, he will only become more effective as a player.

Tags: 2012 nhl draft prospects, 2014 nhl draft prospects, Luke Philip, Rhett Holland, Robert Hamilton

About the Author: Andrew Choquette