Rankin is projected to be a potential 1st round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

When Bob Tory – General Manager of the Tri City Americans – traded up to select Connor Rankin during the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, not many people were surprised. After all, Connor Rankin was one of the most highly touted prospects on the draft board and Bob Tory is certainly no stranger to the trade market; often playfully called “Trader Bob” by many of his supporters and non-supporters alike. Dealing away the team’s first round pick – 19th overall – as well as their third round pick in the draft, allowed Tory to move up and select the talented Rankin, who scored 26 goals and 45 points in 47 games while playing with the AAA Bantam North Shore Winter Hawks.

Joining the Americans for the 2010-11 season, Rankin would play on one of the deepest forward crops in the entire Western Hockey League. Not only was Rankin able to crack the lineup, he quickly became one of the team’s more reliable offensive weapons, while playing primarily on the third line to start the season. At season’s end, Rankin finished ninth on the team in scoring, with 19 goals and 44 points – leading all 16-year-olds in both categories – and added 33 penalty minutes. Rankin also posted a +13 rating, a testament to his reliability at both ends of the rink. During the Americans’ playoff run, Rankin would add 1 goal and 4 points while playing in all 10 of the team’s playoff games.

As a 17-year-old, Rankin has seen an increase to his offensive role with the team after the departures of high scoring forwards Kruise Reddick and Carter Ashton. Thus far, Rankin has proven himself very capable of doing just that. Just 11 games into the season, Connor Rankin has already scored 6 goals and 13 points. Rankin has firmly entrenched himself among the team’s top six forwards and only seems to be maturing and getting better with each and every Tri City game. In their second game of the season, against the highly talented Portland Winterhawks, Rankin even posted a natural hat trick – scoring three goals in a span of just 1:53 – and also added an assist, as the Ams beat the Winerhawks by a 6-5 margin. So far Rankin has once again kept his penalty minute totals pretty low, with just two minutes spent in the box through his 11 games played.

At 6-foot, 185-pounds, Rankin is a mid-sized winger, who has very good hands – particularly around the net – and is an above average skater. Rankin makes creative, smart passes, and shoots the puck quickly and accurately, showcasing a smooth release that already looks NHL ready. The biggest concern with Rankin’s game may be a mis-perception entirely. With such low penalty minute totals, some may come to the conclusion that Rankin avoids the physical side of the game; however, this is not merited in the least. Though Rankin will never shock and awe with a massive open ice hit, he certainly isn’t afraid to go to the tough areas of the ice, and doesn’t shy away from physical play; particularly if he can create a scoring chance out of it. As a late birthday, Rankin is not eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft; however, as his game continues to improve and round out, Rankin will inevitably be one of the most talked about prospects heading into the draft’s 2013 edition.

Once again, “Trader Bob” looks like a master of Junior Hockey franchise building. Connor Rankin is certainly a player for the fans in Tri City to be excited about, and a player that hockey fans around the world are starting to notice. As a fan living in the biggest rival city of the Americans, it’s completely clear to me that Bob Tory found himself a gem in the young pivot.

Ryan Murray will contend for top honours in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

1. Ryan Murray, D, Everett Silvertips

     Ryan Murray comes into his draft season with two full years of major junior hockey already under his belt. After a 17 year old season that saw Murray finish third on his team in scoring – while also captaining the team – the sky appears to be the limit for the young defenseman. Murray is a dominant player in all three zones, and is mature beyond his years. There are very few weaknesses in his overall game, and if Murray continues his strong overall play, he should almost undoubtedly contend for the #1 spot in the upcoming NHL draft, and may very well be the most NHL ready player available in the 2012 draft.

2. Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton Oil Kings

     Griffin Reinhart could very well contend with Ryan Murray for the top spot on this list by season’s end. Reinhart has to be considered more of a project than Murray, as he is a raw talent – but the big defenseman certainly has all of the necessary tools at his disposal. With NHL size, Reinhart would benefit most in his expanded role with the Oil Kings this year by using that size to his advantage, and showing that he is capable of being a physical presence. Reinhart is a good skater for a player of his stature, he is also an above average puck mover from the backend, and has a strong shot from the blueline.

3. Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer Rebels

     The reigning 2011 WHL Rookie of the Year, Matt Dumba quickly established himself as one of the most promising young blueliners in the league. While playing a reckless style, Dumba notched an impressive 15 goals as a 16 year old defenseman, while also throwing numerous bone crunching checks, and oozing the confidence typically not displayed by such a young player. Dumba will need to work on improving his overall team play – which may require him not stepping out and throwing the big hit – and will also need to fill out a bit before being ready to take the next step. Dumba could potentially be a game breaking type player in the NHL.

4. Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw Warriors

     Morgan Rielly will look to continue a recent trend of high blueline selections from the Moose Jaw Warriors. Rielly will set himself apart from bruisers Joel Edmundson and Dylan McIlrath, however, with his high end puck moving skills and well above average skating. Rielly makes strong passes, and seems to jump into the rush out of nowhere to create offensive chances for his team. Rielly will inevitably need to get stronger and prove that he can handle a stronger defensive role on an improving Warriors team if he wants to keep pace with some of the other players on our list.

5. Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland Winterhawks

     After being selected first overall in his bantam draft, Derrick Pouliot quickly proved exactly why the rebuilding Portland Winterhawks thought so highly of him. Pouliot had a quietly strong season while playing a depth role with a Hawks team that was stacked on the blueline. Pouliot is an effortless skater with very good puck moving skills, and has above average offensive presence. Pouliot will need to work on his defensive game, as at times the youngster looked a little lost in his own end. Pouliot will surely step into a larger role with a Hawks team that should contend for the WHL Championship for the second year in a row.

6. Troy Bourke, LW, Prince George Cougars

     Troy Bourke is the highest rated forward on our preliminary list, after displaying not only strong offensive instincts as a 16 year old, but also an impressive two way game that saw him lead his team in plus/minus with a +15 rating. If Bourke puts up the offensive numbers he’s capable of this year, he could shoot up the draft list very quickly, as his above average hockey and two-way tangibles are certainly attributes that most NHL teams are quickly looking for. Bourke will need to improve his skating and get stronger, but his overall game ceratinly looks to be ready for bigger and better things.

7. Damon Severson, D, Kelowna Rockets

     While Damon Severson may not have the offensive upside that the “big 5″ in this draft class have already shown, he definitely makes up for this with his well above average defensive game. Severson has all the tools that should make him an effective shutdown defender with the Kelowna Rockets this season, and should almost certainly show improvement in his offensive numbers as well. The lanky defender will need to add some mass if he would like to play this style at the next level, but should be considered a “safe” player heading into the 2011 season.

8. Brendan Leipsic, C, Portland Winterhawks

     On a team stacked with top NHL prospects, diminutive forward Brendan Leipsic not only held his own, but also climbed up the team’s depth chart as the season wore on. Leipsic quietly finished just outside the top-10 in scoring for the Hawks, while displaying surprising confidence and a knack for scoring timely goals. Leipsic will have to continue to improve his offensive game – and should get every opportunity to do so – if he wants to have a real shot at the next level. Depending on who returns to the Hawks forward corps this season, Leipsic could have a legitimate shot at being the league’s highest scoring draft-eligible forward.

Thrower is a prototypical physical WHL defenseman with no shortage of grit.

9. Dalton Thrower, D, Saskatoon Blades

     Dalton Thrower is the type of player every coach loves to have. Simply put, Thrower is the type of player that can be placed in any situation, and will make the best of it. He’s not afraid to sacrifice his body to make or break up a play, and is a willing competitor on a nightly basis. Thrower has solid footwork, but has to be considered a raw prospect that is a few years at best from the NHL. Thrower could stand to improve his offensive skillset, as improvement in the opposing end would only bring his draft stock up higher. Thrower should see a heavier workload this season, as the Saskatoon Blades look replace some key leaders on the backend.

10. Colton Scissons, RW, Kelowna Rockets

     Colton Scissons is another player who could see vast improvement on his draft stock by having a big year offensively. After leading a solid Kelowna Rockets team in plus/minus as a 17 year old, there aren’t many questions about Colton’s two way game. Scissons has also shown a willingness to use his body effectively, and is a very good shooter, able to get his shots off quickly. One thing Scissons will have to work on is his skating; if he does that, there’s no reason to think Scissons can’t have a breakout year with the Rockets in 2011.

Honorable Mentions
(in alphabetical order)

Reid Gow, D, Spokane Chiefs

     Reid Gow will head into the 2011-12 season with a Spokane Chiefs team that is looking to build upon an impressive 2010-11 season. Gow should see a lot more minutes on a young Chiefs defense corps, and has the potential to step right into that role effortlessly. The somewhat undersized Gow is a smooth, strong skater, able to help his team transition smoothly onto the attack. Gow is an above average passer out of his own zone, and has the instincts to join the rush at just the right time. Gow could benefit most from improving his shot velocity, while maintaining his accuracy and ability to get the puck to the net. Gow will also need to add some bulk to better handle the larger forwards he will likely be tasked with defending on a nightly basis.

Josh Hanson, D, Portland Winterhawks

     Hanson was an often overlooked defenseman on a stacked Hawks team this year, but was impressive when he did get the opportunity to suit up. As the eighth defenseman on a team that may very well be stacked with eight future NHL blueliners, the Hanson will undoubtedly need to find a way to earn bigger minutes to improve his draft stock. Hanson is a solid skater, effective on the rush and makes a solid pass out of his own end. He will need to improve defensively, and will also need to get stronger if he wants to make an impact in the WHL this season. With Hanson’s skill level, there’s no doubting that he’s capable of a top-6 role in the league this season.

Brandon Magee, C, Victoria Royals

     Brandon Magee is a prospect that we simply couldn’t keep off of this list. Magee simply improved more and more as the season wore on, showing that he could be a surprisingly effective agitator while chipping in with some much needed offense on a fairly weak Chilliwack team. Magee is a “lunch pail” type of player that brings his effort on a nightly basis and doesn’t quit on any play. He plays the game with passion and heart, and has at times shown that he’s capable of putting the puck in the net. Magee will need to work on his filling out his 5’7″ frame to remain effective, as the competition gets tougher at the next level. If Magee can step smoothly into a much larger role with a young Victoria team, this will be a player to watch in 2011-12.

Chandler Stephenson, LW, Regina Pats

     Stephenson showed plenty of promise in his first year with the Regina Pats, displaying quick feet and a hard, accurate shot with a quick, deceptive release. Stephenson struggled in his own end at times, and will definitely need to improve defensively, while also stepping up his consistency on a nightly basis. Stephenson has the potential to follow in the footsteps of recent Regina wingers Jordan Eberle and Jordan Weal, both of whom have gone on to become high NHL draft picks, though he is a bit more of a project at this point.

DOB: Sep. 07/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs    

Midterm Rank: 8 | League Rank: 3rd WHL | Country Rank: 10th Canada

     Duncan Siemens has had the benefit of playing for a high powered Saskatoon Blades team through his first two seasons in the Western Hockey League. After an impressive rookie season that saw Siemens play like an experienced veteran, expectations were high for him to not only duplicate his success, but to also improve upon it. Siemens would have to take on these burdens while stepping into a larger role with the Blades, who saw the graduation of some of their key veteran defensemen prior to the start of the WHL season.

     The most useful tool Siemens has at his disposal is his angry disposition. When Siemens is most effective, he’s using his size and strength to win battles against opposing skaters. Siemens is a willing combatant on most nights, and has proven on numerous occasions that he will drop the gloves, whether it is to stick up for a teammate, or to send a message to his foes. Siemens is an above average skater, especially when considering his size, and certainly has shown that he can also chip in offensively. Siemens is a good passer, able to move the puck quickly out of his zone and set up his team’s transition game on most occasions. He also has a strong shot from the point, something that may have been overshadowed at times by playing regularly with Stefan Elliott, who went on to lead the league in scoring by defensemen.

     Perhaps the biggest question marks on Siemens are the most common seen with young defensemen. At this point in his development, Siemens has to be considered a prospect by whichever NHL team picks him at the draft. There have been questions about his decision making, particularly in the defensive zone. Also, while Siemens posted impressive offensive numbers, one has to wonder if that was more a reflection of him playing on a Saskatoon Blades team that averaged 4.31 goals per game than anything else. Duncan’s 43 points were good enough for 10th overall on his team, 2nd amongst defensemen, still impressive totals for a 17 year old no matter how you look at it.

     Originally the third overall selection in the WHL’s Bantam Draft, the Sherwood Park, Alberta native has certainly kept up his high expectations since coming into the WHL. He is what most people would call a “prototypical” WHL defenseman, as he is effective in all three zones while also keeping opposing forwards honest with his hard physical play. Still a fairly raw talent, there is no doubting that Duncan Siemens has the raw tools that will allow him to be a top-4 defenseman at the NHL level. The question at this point will have to be whether or not he can pull it all together and do it on a consistent basis. If he does, there is no doubting that he will make whichever NHL team selects him very happy.

     Look for Siemens to return to Saskatoon next year with the hopes that he can take the next step in his development as a junior player. The Blades will be returning a younger team, and Duncan will be expected to play a bigger role and be one of the team’s leaders. He has the right attitude to allow him to be successful in a leadership role, and surely will be expected to help shoulder some of the offensive load left by Stefan Elliott, who is likely to turn pro. If he keeps up his stellar play with the younger Blades team, most of the question marks about his play will disappear. Either way, Siemens has a very high ceiling, with an attractive set of tools that will make him a high draft pick come June 24th.

Pros: Size, strength, skating, big shot
Cons: Decision making, can his offensive game translate?
Skill-set Comparison: Dan Hamhuis

DOB: Nov. 05/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 185lbs     

Midterm Rank: 12 | League Rank: 4th WHL | Country Rank: 1st Switzerland

     Coming into the 2010-2011 season, the Portland Winterhawks team was stacked so heavily with talented forwards, that rookie Swiss import Sven Bartschi may have been slightly overlooked. After dominating in the Swiss Jr. league with 23 points in only 9 games, and earning a late season call-up to the Swiss B-league, the Hawks were pleased to select the talented young winger with the 7th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft. Bartschi would join fellow Switzerland native Nino Niederreiter as the team’s two European imports, and, like Nino the year before, Bartschi would quickly make a name for himself as one of the top prospects to ever come out of Switzerland.

     Bartschi was impressive right from the start with the Hawks, posting 24 points in his first 15 games through September and October. He and Ty Rattie developed immediate chemistry, and once the team acquired veteran center Craig Cunningham at the trade deadline to center the young duo, the two only improved leading into the playoffs. Bartschi would finish third on the team in regular season scoring behind only Cunningham and highly touted center Ryan Johansen (CBJ). In the playoffs, Bartschi’s 27 points were second on the team, just one point behind Johansen’s team leading 28 points.

     Sven Bartchi is an all around dynamic offensive talent. He has excellent hands, deftly able to stickhandle through heavy traffic, and is a strong passer, finding his teammates with hardly any time or space to spare. Bartschi also a very good shot, with a quick release that he can get off from seemingly anywhere in the offensive zone. He isn’t afraid to go to the hard areas to make plays or score goals, and plays the game with an edge that sometimes catches opponents off guard – as evidenced by his penalty minute totals, something you don’t normally see from smaller European imports.

     The biggest knock on Bartschi is his two-way play. Bartschi seemed to struggle at times in the defensive zone, spending a lot of time on the perimeter and looking generally lost on his assignments; however this did improve after Cunningham was brought in. His offensive game is close to NHL ready, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to see his strength improve, particularly if he’s going to continue to go to the tough areas to make his plays. Bartschi’s speed also won’t blow you away, but he is strong on his skates and is very tough to knock off the puck with his low center of gravity.

     Sven Bartschi certainly surprised some people by having such a strong season in the WHL. By no means was he an unknown, but I think many would have been hard pressed to say he would be such a hot prospect by the end of the season. Bartschi is a smart player, able to read plays and set them up effectively and seemingly effortlessly. He proved that he can play the North American game in a very hard league, and was able to keep pace with some of the most talented players in his age group. The biggest challenge for Bartschi going forward will be to continue to get better defensively, while also improving upon his impressive offensive weapons.

     While there is an outside chance of Bartschi playing in the NHL this fall, he will have to do so in a top-6 role, as he doesn’t seem to have the ready tangibles to allow him to be a depth player at this point. In all likelihood, he’ll be sent back to Portland for another year of seasoning, probably on a line with Ty Rattie; the two will almost definitely form one of the top offensive one-two punches in the entire WHL. As it stands, Bartschi definitely seems to have all the tools to be a scoring forward in the NHL.

Pros: Playmaking, stickhandling, deadly shot, strong skater
Cons: Lacks top end speed, defensive troubles
Skill-set Comparison: David Krejci

DOB: Feb. 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: 20 | League Rank: 5th WHL | Country Rank: 15th Canada

     Coming into the 2010-11 season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, Ty Rattie was expected to burden a big part of the offensive load for one of the more talented teams in the CHL, and he would succeed at doing just that. Prior to the start of the season, many felt that Rattie had a chance to be a top-10 selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and though his stock may have dropped slightly since the start of the year, Rattie is still a budding young star, who will likely make any NHL team very happy to select him come draft day.

     Originally the second overall pick in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Rattie was a very high scoring player in minor hockey, posting 75 goals and 131 points in only 33 games as a 14 year old leading into the draft. After being selected by the Hawks, Rattie spent one season in the AMHL, where he scored 29 goals and 54 points in 34 games. After an above average season for a 16 year old, Rattie really broke out this year after being paired with highly skilled linemate Sven Bartschi. The two developed excellent chemistry right from the start of training camp and never looked back, only getting better once the team acquired overager Craig Cunningham to center the young tandem. The line would be an integral part of the success of the Hawks, as the team would go all the way to the WHL finals before being dispatched by the Kootenay Ice in 5 games.

     While playing with such two highly skilled players undoubtedly helped Rattie become a higher scoring player, the 17 year old Airdrie, Alberta native was certainly a key part of the Portland attack. Rattie is an excellent passer, with good vision and patience with the puck. He effectively used these tools to set up his teammates with tape-to-tape passes that often generated scoring chances, many for easy tap in goals. Rattie is also an excellent shooter, able to get his shot away quickly and accurately, and though his goal totals aren’t overwhelming, this allows him to open up space for his teammates, and keeps defenders honest when they’re playing against him.

     The biggest concern in Rattie’s game right now is simply that he needs to get stronger. Rattie tends to play primarily along the perimeter, and though he has been effective for the most part, one has to wonder how good he could be if he were able to play in the rough areas of the ice. Rattie is a good skater, but he is by no means going to put you in awe with his speed – another aspect of his game that could use improvement. His defensive play improved a little over the season, but still needs work. There are stretches of time where you don’t even notice him on the ice, which may be a byproduct of him playing away from the danger zones.

     At this point, Rattie has to be considered a project player by whichever NHL team selects him. Without a doubt, he has some serious offensive skill, but he will need to add some mass and learn to play the game with the same attention and effort in all three zones before he’s ready to make the jump. Said NHL team will likely send Rattie back to the Hawks next season in the hopes that he can be one of the top scorers in the WHL, and possibly earn himself a spot on Canada’s WJC team. One thing that is for sure, is that he’ll be expected to take another step with one of the most talented teams in the CHL in recent memory.

Pros: Skilled playmaker, above average shot, creativity, offensive ability

Cons: Strength, disappears at times, defensive struggles

Skillset Comparison: Justin Williams

Johansen elevated his production from 25 goals and 44 assists in 09/10 to 40 goals and 52 assists in 10/11.

     When the Columbus Blue Jackets made Ryan Johansen of the Portland Winterhawks the fourth overall selection in last year’s NHL Entry Draft, a lot of people were skeptical about the selection. After playing only one season of hockey in the Western Hockey League, some were left wondering if the lanky center’s productive year was more of a bi-product of playing alongside highly touted prospects Nino Niederreiter (NYI) and Brad Ross (TOR). With his second season in the WHL, Ryan Johansen has proven just the opposite, leading the Hawks to their first trip to the league’s championship series since the 2000-01 season.

     After an impressive camp with the Blue Jackets, Johansen was sent back to Portland with the expectation that he would be a dominant player in the WHL all season long; and he certainly lived up to his billing. Johansen started out strong, and only seemed to get better as the season wore on, helping pace the Winterhawks the entire way while earning himself a roster spot with Canada’s World Junior Championship team. Johansen excelled with the Canadian team, finishing 6^th in tournament scoring, posting 3 goals, 9 points, and a +4 rating; numbers that earned him a spot on the tournament All-Star team.

     Once he returned to the WHL, Johansen only continued to improve, highlighted by his 41 points and +18 rating through February and March, leading into the WHL playoffs where he was integral in helping Portland earn its first US Division title since the 2001-02 season. Ryan would score 40 goals and 92 points overall on the season, along with an impressive +44 rating (t-6^th, WHL), in 63 games. Johansen’s impressive season would indeed roll over into the playoffs, where he currently leads all scorers with 28 points (13g, 15a), as the Hawks are battling the Kootenay Ice in the WHL Championship series.

Johansen proved to be one of Canada's top offensive threats at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo.

     Johansen has been able to effectively use his size and playmaking ability to create offense, and has also emerged as one of the top penalty killers in the Western Hockey League. He has an impressive reach, and combines it with deceptive speed to make plays in both the offensive and defensive ends. Johansen has stepped up as a quiet leader for the Winterhawks, and has shown a keen ability to take his game to another level in the playoffs, as evidenced by his 19 goals and 46 points in 33 career playoff games. When matched up against highly touted prospect Jared Cowen (OTT) of the Spokane Chiefs, Johansen proved that he can take a physical pounding and still play his game, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists in the 6 game Western Conference final.

     Since scoring 17 points in 47 games in the BCHL as a 16 year old, Johansen has posted 65 goals and 161 points in 134 WHL games, and has rapidly ascended to become the top prospect for the Blue Jackets. A coy pick at the draft table by general manager Scott Howson has landed the team one of the most intriguing young centers in the game, and it certainly looks like Ryan Johansen will play in the NHL much sooner than most scouts thought prior to the draft. It would certainly help his cause if he added some mass over the summer to better prepare for the rigors of the NHL’s 82 game schedule; but there aren’t many holes in the young pivot’s game. As the Columbus franchise looks to create an identity for itself, look for Johansen to have every opportunity to make the team out of camp, as he will certainly battle competitively for an opening day roster spot in 2011/12.

Throughout his first two seasons in the Western Hockey League, Brenden Kichton was hardly leaned upon by the Spokane Chiefs to be a leader on the blueline. The right-handed defenseman often found himself buried on the depth chart behind older, similarly talented players like Jared Spurgeon and Stefan Ulmer. Coming into his 18-year old season, the Chiefs would look to rely heavily on some fairly unproven players in what many people would call a rebuilding year.

After earning an invite to the Detroit Red Wings prospect camp, Kichton was returned to the Chiefs with a broken hand and would be forced to miss the first part of the WHL season. Kichton made an immediate impact upon his return, potting two assists as the Chiefs won only their third game of the young season. The young defender hasn’t looked back since, and has spent the majority of his season leading the “rebuilding” Chiefs on a march towards Western Hockey League supremacy.

In his 43 games at the time of this article, the team has gone 29-8-4-2, and is currently in a battle for the top spot in the Western Conference. Kichton has been a major part of the team’s success in all three zones, posting an impressive 13 goals and 39 assists (52 points, 2^nd in WHL among defensemen) from the back end, while adding a stellar +43 (1^st in WHL) in 43 games played. Brendan’s point totals have him third on the Chiefs in scoring, and his +/- is a full +16 ahead of the next closest player on his team.

Kichton’s success can be attributed to his top-notch hockey sense, as he seems to never get caught out of position on any play, and when he decides to join the rush, the puck usually ends up in the back of the opponent’s net. Brendan is an excellent skater, and makes smart, crisp passes to his teammates that usually leads to smooth transitions out of their own end. He is also able to effectively set up offensive chances with his passing ability, and has proven himself an elite powerplay quarterback in the WHL. He doesn’t have a booming shot, but he is able to get his shot through traffic and on net more often than not. He is very effective at finding open areas in the offensive zone and gets the majority of his offensive chances from his skating ability and hockey sense, rather than the big shot from the point.

Brendan’s defensive zone play has never lacked; the 18 year old has always been on the positive side of the plus/minus scale throughout his career. He is able to read plays as they develop, and uses his skating ability and smarts to break them up. While he is considered undersized for a defenseman, the 5’11” 185 pound Kichton doesn’t shy away from physical play, and doesn’t seem to get overpowered by larger forwards on a regular basis.

After going through the entire 2010 NHL Entry Draft without being selected, Brendan Kichton appears to be a classic late bloomer. He has stepped up and filled some massive voids for the Spokane Chiefs this season, and has earned himself some well deserved notoriety. Brendan will look to continue his strong play throughout the remainder of the WHL season as the Chiefs continue to take the league by storm.

Game 1: Portland 3, Spokane 2.

Mac Carruth stole the show in this one, earning first star honors with a 46 save effort. Mac Engel started his first WHL game for Spokane, and you could sense trouble when the team only allowed 18 shots against through the first 59 minutes of the game. A long, seeing eye shot from Taylor Aronson found the back of the net with only 29 seconds left, and despite a final push by the high-octane Chiefs, the Winterhawks were able to hold on for the victory. Sven Bartschi potted the first two goals for Portland (both in the first period), while Ty Rattie’s two assists earned him third star honors for the game. For Spokane, Blake Gal scored his third of the season, an unassisted, shorthanded goal, while recently returned Jared Cowen scored his first of the season, also both in the first period. The Chiefs really deserved a better outcome in this one, as they absolutely dominated for most of the game.

Game 2: Portland 2, Spokane 1.

Ian Curtis made his regular season debut for Portland in this one, and was quick to match Carruth’s effort from the prior evening, stopping 34 of 35 Chiefs shots en route to a Hawk victory. Chiefs starter James Reid kept the team in the game, making 22 saves on 24 shots against, but the team just came up short for the second straight night. Sven Bartschi would again score two goals, while Ty Rattie would add two assists for the second straight night. Blake Gal replied for the Chiefs, who carried the play for most of the game, but once again were unable to break through the Portland goaltending.

Goaltenders

Portland:

Carruth will have some stern competition as he vies for the starting role with the Winterhawks.

Mac Carruth and Ian Curtis provided the Winterhawks with championship caliber goaltending on both nights. Carruth showed impressive quickness and strong positioning, effectively being able to shuffle himself back and forth across the crease as the Chiefs peppered him with 48 shots on net. There were a couple of things that concerned be about Carruth, the most notable being his rebound control. A big portion of the shots directed his way were rebound shots that Carruth and his defense weren’t quick enough to take care of . Carruth also threw alot of hard slashes and even some punches – something that could get his team in penalty trouble if he’s not careful. All that aside, the Chicago 7th rounder was nothing short of spectacular in his first start of the season. Ian Curtis was phenomenal in the second game as well, and it’s already blatantly obvious that there will be a goaltending controversy in the Portland crease this season.

Spokane:

Overager James Reid is a longshot to play professional hockey, but he has proven himself a quality WHL starter. Backup Mac Engel (eligible 2011) was solid in his first start, but I think he would have benefitted from more shots against. Engel stands 6-0″ and checks in at 185 pounds, and will need to work hard to earn himself some more exposure if he’s interested in being selected in the upcoming draft.

Defensemen

Portland:

The Hawks have one of the most talented teams in the CHL, and their backline is no exception. Brett Ponich is the leader of the group, and he’s hard to miss when he’s on the ice. Stepping in at 6-7″ and 225 pounds, the St. Louis second rounder is an impressive physical presence on the backend. He played very well on both nights, providing the Hawks with solid veteran leadership while going +2 with 4 PIMs in the short series. Even at 225 pounds, you get the impression that Ponich could stand to add some body mass. His skating could also use improvement, but he has the ability to use his size and positioning to effectively patrol his own end.

Ponich was often paired with Nashville third rounder Taylor Aronson, which allowed Aronson the ability to jump into the rush and create offensive chances. Aronson is a very gifted skater that also provides Portland with a good shot from the point; proven by the game winning goal on Friday night. Aronson also showed a willingness to mix it up, garnering 6 penalty minutes while going +3 for the weekend.

Troy Rutkowski also saw his share of powerplay time for the Hawks. Colorado hoped to nab a future powerplay quarterback in the 5th round of the 2010 draft, and they may have just that in the 6-2″ 219lb Edmonton native. Like Aronson, Rutkowski is a slick skating defenseman that can get the puck moving up the ice quickly for his team. He would go -1 with 1 assist and 4 PIMs on the weekend.

Top prospect Derrick Pouliot was solid for Portland as well, perhaps being tested a little bit more with the injury to Joe Morrow. Pouliot is listed at 5-11″ 170 pounds, and reminded me alot of  Thomas Hickey. He showed elite level skating and very good stickhandling skills. Without any doubt, he is going to be a very good player in the very near future for this team. He’s one to keep an eye on. Pouliot was even with 1 assist and 2 PIMs in the two games. Josh Hanson (-1, 2 PIMs) didn’t play a ton, nor did Tyler Wotherspoon (-1, 1 assist, 4 PIMs), as they both appeared to be depth guys for the Winterhawks.

Spokane:

Expectations will be high for the 19 year old Cowen with a youthful defense in Spokane this season.

The Chiefs are noticably younger this year on the backline, but are once again led by Ottawa first rounder Jared Cowen. Cowen (6-5″, 225 pounds) was quite possibly the best player on the ice in the first game (not counting Mac Carruth). His knee appears to be fully healed, as his skating really has taken on a high gear that we haven’t seen since before the injury. He scored on a nice snapshot from the high slot in the first game, and used his physical presence in each game to limit Portland’s top offensive line to just one goal in the two games. Cowen went +1 with 6 PIMs to go along with his goal for the two games.

Cowen and defense partner, 18 year old Tyler Vanscourt, were joined in the first game by Corbin Baldwin (91), Garrett Leedahl (91), Tanner Mort (93, eligible 2011), and Reid Gow (94, Eligible 2012). Mort has alot of potential, standing in at 5-11″ 175 pounds. He was used in all situations and displayed offensive abilities, as well as an underrated physical game, surprisingly able to match up against many of the bigger Portland forwards with no major issues – including a hard hip check on Oliver Gabriel that led to a fight between the two. Mort had an assist and was even with 11 PIMs in the two games.

Reid Gow played only on Friday and had 2 PIMs, but displayed a strong skillset and really looked to have a bright future with the team. He is listed at 5-11″ 175 pounds, but it’s probably more like 5-9″ 160 pounds. He will need to get a little bit stronger to be a fully effective player for the Chiefs next season. He was replaced in the second game by Cole Hamblin, who checks in at 6-3″ and an eye popping 245 pounds. Hamblin put up his first WHL point, assisting on the only goal for the Chiefs, and was highly impressive in using his bulky physical frame to seperate opposing player from puck. Hamblin is eligible for the 2011 draft.

Forwards

Portland:

Portland’s offense will be led this season by Columbus first rounder Ryan Johansen. I don’t want to say Johansen was ineffective in the two games, but he was definitely kept in check while matched up against Jared Cowen. Be that as it may, Johansen made some solid passes (especially on the powerplay) and displayed good speed and offensive instincts. He went pointless, and had a 10-minute misconduct at the end of the second game. Skating on the top line with Johansen was recent Columbus free-agent signing Oliver Gabriel. Gabriel would put up one assist and add 9 PIMs in the two games, while using his size to play a hard-checking power forward style.

Joining the two Jacket prospects was Toronto second rounder Brad Ross. Ross showed an even rating, while scoring one assist and adding 4 PIMs in the two games, all while playing his typical hard-hitting, agitating style. Ross is the kind of player that opposing teams hate to play against, he plays the game hard, runs his mouth, and is very talented. It was, however, Portland’s second line that led the way offensively over the course of both games.

Ty Rattie was better than advertised. Rattie showed awe-inspiring playmaking capabilities, netting 4 assists in the two games, while adding a +2 rating. He was able to use his speed effectively to drive wide and draw in defenders, and then just when you thought he was out of time and space, he would strike with passes that led to easy tap-in goals. If Rattie can continue to play the way he did in Spokane, he is going to establish himself as one of the top prospects for the upcoming draft.

Linemate Sven Bartschi would score 4 of Portland’s 5 goals for the weekend, while also carrying a +2 rating. Bartschi (like Rattie) is available for the 2011 draft, and already has 6 goal on the year for the Hawks. The Swiss winger drove to the net effectively and often found himself in the right place at the right time. He and Rattie seem to have the same kind of chemistry that Nino Niederreiter had last season with Ryan Johansen. Teal Burns joined Rattie and Bartschi, and added one assist and 2 PIMs with his +2 rating.

Spencer Bennett (Calgary, 2009) played well at both ends of the rink for Portland, he would go -1 over the course of the two games with 2 PIMs. Bennett is a big, lanky winger that has power forward potential, but he could stand to add some bulk and his numbers would improve with more of a playmaker on his line. Riley Boychuk (Buffalo, 2010) was the worst nightmare of many of the smaller Chiefs players on the weekend, as he made sure to finish each and every check. He would go -1 with 6 PIMs in the two games, but his stats weren’t as important as his willingness to punish anyone who touche the puck. He will be a valuable player, come playoff time.

Collectively, the Hawks forwards (with the exception of Rattie and Bartschi) weren’t overly dominant at any point in the two games. They are a big, bruising bunch (only three forwards under 6′ on the entire roster), and they are very skilled, carrying three lines that can put the puck in the net at any given time.

Spokane:

Tyler Johnson will be relied on as an offensive catalyst for the Chiefs in 2010/11.

The Chiefs are led up front by diminutive forward Tyler Johnson. Coming off of a gold metal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships, the hometown boy has without a doubt proven himself at the WHL level. Johnson was held scoreless with a -2 rating in the two games, but he showcased his blazing speed and two-way ability and helped lead the young group of Chiefs forwards. Johnson attended camp with the Minnesota Wild this summer.

Flanking Johnson is long-time teammate and linemate Levko Koper (Atl – 2009). Koper would also go -2, adding 2 PIMs for the Chiefs while playing his typical brand of physical, defense-first hockey. The tandem of Koper and Johnson is being leaned on heavily to provide the Chiefs with offense and leadership, but they were simply out-matched by the Hawks on these nights. Joining them on the right side was 2011-eligible Brady Brassart, who would go -3 with 2 PIMs on the weekend. Brassart is a big body (6-2″, 185lbs) and he has shown flashes of a skilled power forward, but like Johnson and Koper, will have to be more consistent to be successful this season.

Blake Gal would lead the way offensively for the Chiefs. Fresh off a main-camp invite with the Philadelphia Flyers, Gal scored 2 of the Chiefs’ 3 goals on the weekend. The 6-1″ 190lb Lethbridge native was solid in all three zones for the Chiefs, adding a +3 and 2 PIMs. His goal in the second game was especially impressive – before he scored the goal, he had two excellent scoring chances that he just missed converting on. He could have scored three goals on that shift alone; without a doubt Gal was the best forward the Chiefs had all weekend.

Mitch Holmberg (eligible 2011) spent some time on the powerplay unit, and looked to have good offensive instincts. Holmberg isn’t overly big (5-10″ 165 lbs), but has a strong shooting ability and is able to slip away from the play and appear just in time to get a scoring chance. Holmberg went -1 with 2 PIMs for the Chiefs in the two losses, but will be a player to keep an eye on for the upcoming draft. As a whole, the Chiefs are full of smallish, young players, but it was a good sign for the young team that they were able to out-shoot a very good Portland team by such a wide margin on both nights. There is alot of potential in the lineup for this team, only 3 years removed from a Memorial Cup title.

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#11. Ryan Johansen | C | Portland (WHL)

Date of Birth: July 31st, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 180lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 71GP 25G 44A 69P 53PIM
Playoffs | 13GP 6G 12A 18P 18PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 41 | Position Rank: 7th Forwards
League Rank: 3rd WHL | Country Rank: 6th Canada

Ryan Johansen almost never came to the Western Hockey League. After being selected by the Portland Winterhawks in the 7th round of the 2007 Bantam Draft, it’s easy to see why the Port Moody, BC native was excited to get a scholarship offer from Northeastern University. After scoring 17 points in 47 games for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, Johansen came to a crossroads in his career: Either pursue a college scholarship, or come to the WHL and play for one of the top developmental hockey leagues in the world. As of now, it looks like Johansen made the right move.

Storming onto the scene with a Portland team that has finished at or near the bottom of the WHL standings for three consecutive years, Johansen quickly made a name for himself as one of the top young players on a rejuvenated Winterhawks team. The 6’3″ 190 pound center notched 25 goals and 69 points in 71 games played, while adding a solid +17 and 53 penalty minutes, quickly becoming one of the top prospects for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Johansen centered the team’s top line, along with fellow Draft eligible’s Nino Niederreiter and Brad Ross; together forming one of the more talented lines in the entire WHL. They were also very impressive in the playoffs, where Johansen scored 6 goals and 18 points in only 13 games played, along with 18 penalty minutes and a +3.

Johansen’s biggest asset is his ability to make plays. He uses his size to win battles in all three zones, and is very shifty, capable of beating defensemen one-on-one by using his deceptive speed and quick stickhandling. He moves extremely well for a player of his stature, often catching players off guard, when they think they have him reeled in; he simply shifts gears and goes right on by. He is a very good passer, able to find his linemates open and more often than not get the puck to them in a scoring area. Johansen also works hard on the forecheck and plays in both powerplay and penalty kill situations.

The main thing Johansen could stand to improve upon is his physical play, his 53 penalty minutes may be a little bit inflated due to playing on a line with super pest Ross. As a player with such an imposing height, it might benefit Johansen to add some body mass in the offseason and use his physical frame better to his advantage. As it stands, Johansen is still a pretty raw talent but has alot of the tools at his disposal to make him a very dangerous player every time he’s on the ice.

With another year of seasoning most likely ahead of him in the Western League, Johansen should be able to round out his game with a Winterhawks team that has some great building pieces around him. They have all the makings of a powerhouse in Portland, and Johansen is one of the biggest reasons for such a turn around. He may be considered a bit more of a project than some of the players picked around him, mainly due to the fact that he has arrived onto the scene so quickly; but he has a very high skill level and a seemingly endless ceiling. He has all the tools to be a top-6 forward in the NHL.

Pros: Size, playmaking ability, strong work ethic
Cons: Lacks physicality, could shoot more often
Skillset Comparison: Jason Spezza

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#15. Emerson Etem | C | Medicine Hat (WHL)

Date of Birth: June 16th, 1992
Height: 6.00
Weight: 174lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 72GP 37G 28A 65P 26PIM
Playoffs | 12GP 7G 3A 10P 0PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 21 | Position Rank: 10th Forwards
League Rank: 5th WHL | Country Rank: 4th USA

Joining the Medicine Hat Tigers as a 17 year old rookie, Emerson Etem took the Western Hockey League by storm in the 2009-10 season. After posting 19 goals and 33 points in 40 games with the US National Development team last year, Etem decided to go the Canadian Junior route, a decision that seems to have paid off. While playing in all 72 of the Tigers’ regular season games, Etem scored 37 goals – more than any other first year WHLer; also adding 28 assists for 65 points, fourth amongst WHL rookies. He would go on to add 7 goals and 10 points in only 12 playoff games, leading the Tigers in scoring in the postseason.

Etem displays an impressive skillset, but what might be most impressive is his ability to fade away from the play and seem almost invisible – only to appear and strike when you least expect him to. He has an NHL caliber wrist shot that almost always hits it’s mark, as characterized by his high goal total. Etem is also a great skater, with quick acceleration and blazing high end speed, and works tirelessly on both sides of the puck. These traits earned him an invite to the CHL Top Prospect’s game, where he put his skills on display, scoring a slick shorthanded goal. Etem showcased his two-way capabilities all season long in the WHL, as only four players scored more than Etem’s 5 shorthanded markers this season.

There are some concerns with Etem’s skating stride, perhaps mainly due to the fact that Etem skates hunched over, with his head down; which might open him up to devestating open ice hits. While it may not be the most orthodox syle, he is one of the quicker skaters in the entire draft. Etem isn’t much of a physical factor on the ice, as evidenced by his 26 penalty minutes (and 0 in the playoffs), but he is able to use his speed effectively on the forecheck, and in the defensive end to gain possession of the puck.

A native of Long Beach, California, Emerson Etem has followed a recent trend of top NHL prospects from the so-called “Sun Belt”. With solid credentials at every level, including time spent at the famous Shattock-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota, it’s hard to question Etem’s talent and commitment to being a professional hockey player. He is a very focused and determined player, and will make every effort to get to the next level in his career.

Pros: Great skater, excellent shot, hard worker
Cons: Awkward stride, lack of physicality
Skillset Comparison: Michael Cammalleri

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