As we alluded too in our previous story, TSR is pleased to finally be able to unveil the main component of our revamped look, a new website. Moving from our previous format, the new setup will allow for more efficient content, enhanced visual appeal, ease of access and much more! As our readership continues to grow, along with our new contributors, we hope that the new site will become a staple for our readers.

With the prospect spotlight gradually beginning to shine once again, you can rely on TSR for coverage of prospects from all around the hockey community once again for the 2010/2011 season. With NHL Rookie camps in full swing and the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Slovakia and the Czech Republic set to kick off August 9th, the hockey world will soon be ready to shift focus away from the Taylor/Tyler debate as a new crop of marquee prospects emerges in 2011!

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#3. Erik Gudbranson | D | Kingston (OHL)

Date of Birth: January 7th, 1992
Height: 6.03
Weight: 199lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 41GP 2G 21A 23P 68PIM
Playoffs | 7GP 1G 2A 3P 6PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 4 | Position Rank: 1st Defensemen
League Rank: 3rd OHL | Country Rank: 3rd Canada

Erik Gudbranson is a player that flew under the radar a bit as a 16 year old rookie with the Kingston Frontenacs a season ago. While the focus shifted away from the imposing defender a season ago, the spotlight has shifted his way this year as he has steadily worked his way into the elite group of prospects in the 2010 crop.

He was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection, although there was a consensus among some that he could have very well contended for top honours. Needless to say, Gudbranson was put in a difficult situation with a rebuilding Frontenacs squad, but managed to make the most of the situation. While his 22 point season probably didn’t marvel a lot of casual fans, his strong play was impressive for a rookie, and his leadership skills and maturity even earned him a brief stint as the team’s captain despite being only 16 years old.

His season culminated in an impressive showing as the captain of the Under 17 team, as well as a spot on the Under 18 team as an underager. He went on to help be an integral part of Canada’s gold medal winning team at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Tournament as well. After starting to thrust himself into the upper echelon of the class, there were high expectations for Gudbranson this year, and for the most part he lived up to them.

While most would have liked to see his offensive game have some more refinement this season, he did make considerable progress in his game. Gudbranson is a very good skater for his size and has the ability to move the puck on his own. He’s got a good head for the game and is effective in transition as well. Defensively, he competes hard and uses his body effectively, although he could stand to be a bit more nasty.

The up front package oozes potential. His offensive numbers certainly won’t blow you away, but there is potential for growth. Gudbranson saw second pairing powerplay minutes for the most part last season, and hasn’t quite had the opportunity to really play that style of game. He has a tremendous shot and does a very good job of sneaking it through traffic, which indicates that given more minutes, his game should mature in that aspect.

The biggest component to consider with Gudbranson is gauging his potential. He has a good skill set right now, and he’s a tremendous person to have in your dressing room, but there’s a lot of risk that he won’t translate into an elite defender at the NHL level. That’s where the question of potential comes in. Gudbranson is a big guy, who’s very mobile and has a lot of raw skills and all of the attributes that might help him be a franchise defenseman one day. It’s a risk that a team is going to have to calculate as best they can, because on the plus they might be getting an elite two-way defenseman who can captain their team, while on the negative, they might be burning a Top 5 pick on a guy who fails to ever be a reliable Top 3 guy.

Pros:   Skating, Leadership/Maturity, Competitiveness

Cons:  Needed offensive development, Consistency

Skillset comparison: Shea Weber

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Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (1-30) (10)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preliminary Top 15 Rankings (16)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (31-60) (6)
• OHL Set to Dominate the NHL Draft Yet Again (0)

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#7. Vladimir Tarasenko | LW | Sibir (KHL)

Date of Birth: December 13th, 1991
Height: 6.00
Weight: 175lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 42GP 13G 11A 24P 18PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 7 | Position Rank: 4th Forwards
League Rank: 1st KHL | Country Rank: 1st Russia

One player who could very well be on par with Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin is Russian winger Vladimir Tarasenko who has quietly built his acumen with a stellar season in the KHL this past year. In a draft crop laced with some of the most promising Russian prospects in recent memory, Tarasenko headlines the crop of talented young players and could prove to be one of the top players in the draft.

Tarasenko has decent size, but is one of the most potent offensive players in the draft. He’s a good skater, with excellent acceleration and has the ability to reach top flight extremely quickly. His hands are excellent, making him very good in one on one situations, and his shot power and accuracy are comparable to the best players in the draft. Adding to the positives, he also competes hard, especially for a Russian, and is willing to battle for the puck to win battles.

This combination of skills allowed Tarasenko to be a very effective forward in the KHL this year despite only being 17 years old for the first portion of the season. He saw a lot of quality time playing for Sibir, and managed to improve considerably on his numbers from a year ago. Tarasenko increased his goal totals from 7 to 13, his assists from 3 to 11, and his points from 10 to 24. Having the opportunity to log significant minutes in the second best league in the world was a huge asset for his development as the opportunity to play against other professionals every game allowed him to gain experience of playing the game in a similar environment to the NHL.

While the KHL is definitely a platform to gain some strong experience for a young player, it also inevitably works against them as well as it increases concerns about a player’s signability. This will no doubt be the case with Tarasenko, who could have potentially contended for a Top 5 pick, but might be resigned to sliding into the late portion of the Top 10, or even into the teens. Tarasenko will play in the KHL next year, barring an unforeseen circumstance, but there is documentation that he does intend to cross the pond at some point in the future to bring his game to the NHL when the time comes. Even still, you can bet that teams will be concerned about the risk associated with him, and it will certainly deter most of the lottery teams from making a play for him.

His story will be one of the interesting ones to follow on draft day, as he could slide like the late Alexander Cherepanov, or be a Top 10 pick as his talent would indicate. While Tarasenko does still have some work to do on his complete game, he’s shown a lot of maturation and his offensive skills and impressive play on the international stage cannot be overlooked. As I mentioned before, it wouldn’t be a surprise to say the least to see him as one of the premier players from this crop when things are all said and done.

Pros: Shooting, Acceleration, Deking

Cons: Complete Game, The Russian Factor

Skillset comparison: Alexander Radulov

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Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (1-30) (10)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preliminary Top 15 Rankings (16)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (31-60) (6)
• #9. Mikael Granlund – 2010 Scouting Report (1)

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#9. Mikael Granlund | C | HIFK (SM-Liiga)

Date of Birth: February 26th, 1992
Height: 5.10
Weight: 176lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 25GP 39G 34A 73P 38PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 9 | Position Rank: 6th Forwards
League Rank: 1st SM-Liiga | Country Rank: 1st Finland

With an absence of high end prospects coming out of Finland in recent years, there has been quite a bit of pressure on Mikael Granlund to live up to the high praise he has received over the past couple of seasons. After really breaking onto the scene back in 2007/2008, Granlund has shouldered the hopes of Finnish prospects, especially given his countryman Teemu Pulkkinen’s rapid demise in the draft rankings this year.

Granlund is an intriguing prospect to be sure, as he is one of the most creative players in the crop, but his lack of size and strength have been a major detractor for many. Standing at only 5’10”, 179lbs, Granlund’s lack of size is a concern for any player trying to make the jump to the NHL. Further adding to the problem is his average skating ability. While he is by no means a poor skater, his quickness needs a lot of improvement especially considering the fact that he is an undersized player.

With that being said, it’s pretty easy to disseminate that Granlund is going to be a bit of a risky pick, a boom or bust type label, if you will. There will certainly be a big risk that he might not be able to make the jump to the NHL, despite already playing a prominent role in the SM-Liiga, and he could wind up being a flop. There also is, however, a chance that Granlund could be the next great Finnish player to make his mark on the NHL.

He has a lot of natural ability that simply cannot be taught, which is a huge asset to his game. Granlund thinks the game extremely well and is a very adept playmaker with the puck, and extremely crafty on the attack. His hockey sense is also top notch, as he competes hard and is fairly good at winning one on one battles in the SM-Liiga despite being one of the smaller players in the league.

His play in the SM-Liiga was exceptional this year, after joining HIFK after a bit of controversy was created with his departure from Karpat. Granlund scored at just under a point per game pace, with 40 points in 43 games as a 17 year old, but didn’t quite live up to expectations at the World Juniors. After a pretty good showing as a 16 year old with 3 points in 6 games, Granlund only managed 1 goal and 7 points this year despite playing a much bigger role with the club. Adding to the theme of uncertainty, however, he was once again a major force at the Under 18s, where he equalled his showing of 13 points from a year ago, in only 6 games played.

Suffice to say, Granlund is probably one of the biggest wildcards in the draft. He’s a player that could rank among the Top 3 or 4 players when its all said and done, or he could very well be a flop at the NHL level. On that notion, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see teams having him as high as 5, while other teams might see him as barely being a Top 20 pick. It will be interesting to see if a team is willing to grab him in the Top 10 on draft day, but if he slides past that mark, he probably won’t make it past 15.

Pros: Creativity, Playmaking, Passing

Cons: Size/Strength, Skating

Skillset comparison: Saku Koivu

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Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (1-30) (10)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preliminary Top 15 Rankings (16)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (31-60) (6)
• #8. Nino Niederreiter – 2010 Scouting Report (1)

MacLean's 65 point season this year earned him a nod in the AHL All Star Game. Photo - nhl.com

We’ll try to take you down memory lane a bit here, the NHL Draft is coming up at the end of the month in Los Angeles, as you’re aware, do you have a chance to still follow the prospects at all and keep tabs on your former junior home, the OHL?

I still try and follow up on the prospects as much as I can. its getting tougher now being out of the league another year because a lot of the kids being drafted now i have never played against. This year it has been pretty cool to follow up on the Hall, Seguin race to be the 1st overall pick. They are both going to be amazing players and both Edmonton and Boston are going to get someone special to build their teams around.


Reflecting on your draft experience, you had a bit of tough luck, obviously. Many were considering you to be a first round talent after a 100 point season in Oshawa, but you ended up slipping into the second round where Phoenix scooped you up at #32. Was it a big disappointment not to go in the first round, and did that play a factor in your mindset moving forward with your career at all?

I think they only time is was a disappointment really was the night of the first round. Obviously hearing that you could be picked in the first round and it not happening isn’t a great feeling and it made for a long night waiting for the 2nd round to start but the next day was great. Being picked #32 meant not having to wait around long and I went to a team where I felt I would get an opportunity down the road. I think after you have been drafted it really doesn’t matter what round or number you go. Everyone has to put in the work and prove they can play in the nhl so I don’t think it really has changed my mindset at all.


On that note, what type of advice would you offer to players this year that might be projected to go in the first round, but end up falling a bit on draft day?

My advice to players who may fall a bit is that while it will be a disappointment not being a first round pick at the end of they day what is important is being drafted. After that draft all prospects are really in the same spot your trying to make the team and it doesn’t matter if your a 1st rounder or a 7th rounder you need to prove you belong.


You’ve always been a player that’s really flown under the radar, so what were your thoughts when you were selected by a team like Phoenix who isn’t exactly known as being a notoriously big hockey market, especially given the club’s recent financial difficulties?

Its not really something that is on my mind. My goal is to make the NHL and play for the Phoenix Coyotes. I guess in ways it is nice to be in Phoenix were you aren’t always under the microscope and you can just play your game and not worry about the media pressure.

MacLean was the 32nd pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Photo - coyotes.com

Disappointment struck again in 2007/2008 when you were cut from the World Junior Team, how did you avoid letting that deter your confidence, which inevitably led to a spectacular regular season where you topped the OHL with 61 goals?

Being cut from the World Junior team was a huge disappointment for me. I was having a great year and felt like I was on top of my game. When I came back to Oshawa I used that as motivation to show people that I could have played on that team and could be a dominating player in the OHL. My goals changed to trying to carry Oshawa to the memorial cup. Unfortunately we fell short but it was a great season for myself and the team.


Since making the transition to the AHL, you’ve obviously adapted really well, building off a solid 40 point rookie campaign with 30 goals and 65 points this season. What would you attribute your early professional success to and how do you think you’ve changed since coming out of the OHL?

My first 2 years professionally have been great. I have had great stats but more than that I feel my all around game has improved greatly. I came out of the OHL with some confidence and something to prove. I have had great coaches my first two years in the AHL and they have taught me a lot. I have found ways to score in this league and I have learned how to be better defensively. Right now I am very happy with how my progression has gone.


Despite an all-star nod this season, it seems like there still isn’t a lot of talk about you as you’ve continued to fly under the radar in San Antonio. What’s it like playing with guys like Kyle Turris and Mikkel Boedker, knowing that they’re players that you’re competing with to win hockey games now, but potentially competing for spots with Phoenix next year?

Playing with guys like Kyle and Mikkel has been great. They are both great players and were high draft picks so it is expected that a lot of the talk will be about them and they deserve it. I think we all push each other to be better and hopefully all of us will be playing together in Phoenix one day. I think that is the ultimate goal we all share.


I had the opportunity to catch up with you down in Phoenix this year during the playoffs against Detroit. One of the things a lot of hockey fans know very little about is the players that make up what is commonly referred to as the “Black Aces” component of the roster in the playoffs. What was that experience like for you, being with the club for that duration of time?

Its an exciting time of the year and luckily I was fortunate enough to experience it. Its exciting to get to go to the games and watch and be caught up in the hype of the playoffs but you also need to stay focused because one or two injuries and you could be playing in a playoff game yourself. I was happy to get the opportunity to be a “Black Ace” it was a great experience.


The financial stability of the Coyotes has been well-publicized, especially in Canada. What’s it like being a player in the organization where you’re not sure about the future location of the team, and is it something that you ever put thought into?

Its something I don’t really think about. My goal is to make the team and play in the NHL and right now that is all I’m focused on. I true not to worry about the off ice situations because as a player you have no control over them.


Your General Manager in Phoenix, Don Maloney recently praised you as being a player that “has the ability to score goals,” commenting that has been an “ingredient that Phoenix lacks.” You were one of the last cuts from the team last year, but it seems like this year a spot on the big club could be well within reach. What are you doing this summer to prepare yourself for camp, and do you feel like there’s additional pressure on you to finally clear that hurdle this year?

I think my years in the AHL have shown that I can produce at the professional level and it has given me some confidence going into camp next year. I am preparing like I have the past few summers working out, skating, working on getting quicker, stronger and more prepared for the upcoming season. I don’t feel any extra pressure. I need to go into camp work as hard as I can and show them what I can do and hope the pieces fall into place for me to make the step to the NHL next year.


Thanks again for joining us, Brett. It’s been a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak to you again, and I wish you the best of luck this summer and at training camp in the fall.

Thanks I appreciate it.

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#16. Evgeny Kuznetsov | RW | Traktor (KHL)

Date of Birth: May 19th, 1992
Height: 6.00
Weight: 174lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 35GP 2G 7A 9P 10PIM
Playoffs | 4GP 1G 0A 1P 0PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 17 | Position Rank: 11th Forwards
League Rank: 2nd KHL | Country Rank: 3rd Russia

One of the real wildcards in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft is Russian forward Evegeny Kuzetsov, who spent time playing in the KHL last year for Traktor, as well as a 9 game stint in the MHL. Despite flying under the radar most of the year, generally the result of playing out of the North American sphere of influence, Kuznetsov has gradually proved that he is one of the most pure offensive talents available in this draft crop.

Kuznetsov has spent his development years working his way up the organizational chart with Traktor-Chelyabinsk, but made his first foray into the international spotlight last season. After a very impressive showing with the Russian U17 team, where he notched 6 goals and 10 points in only 5 tournament games, he was outstanding at the U18’s as an underager, where he managed 6 goals and 13 points in only 7 games played.

The late season tournament sparked a lot of interest in the lanky Russian winger, as talk began to circulate about Kuznetsov being a sure-fire first rounder in 2010, who could go anywhere from the Top 10 to the back end of the round. Kuznetsov made the jump to the KHL this year, where despite seeing limited minutes, managed to chip in with 2 goals and 9 points. He also saw some time in the MHL, where he was assigned, but quickly outclassed the competition with 4 goals and 16 points in only 9 games played.

Kuznetsov was selected to the Russian U20 team in the World Juniors despite being only 17 years old, where he was able to score 2 goals in the tournament and made some good impressions. He then went on to cap the season wearing the captaincy for the Russian U18 team as he once again was among the premier players in the tournament with 5 goals and 12 points in 7 games played.

Amidst rumours of Kuznetsov potentially bolting for the CHL next year, he recently re-signed with Traktor for two more years which will not only cripple those rumours, but also potentially hurt his NHL draft stock as teams may be leery of his impending commitment to the KHL. While the contract will definitely be a barrier for a lot of NHL teams, there is still no doubting that he’s a first round talent on the ice.

Many have been quick to compare him to Alex Semin, as he’s a quick skater with a plethora of offensive tools that could allow him to be a big-time scorer in the NHL one day. He’s an elusive player with very good hands and a good shot, but also has tremendous hockey sense. He’s a threat anytime he has the puck, and is definitely a player that has the creative ability to manufacture offense.

His strength will be a concern for now, as he does need to bulk up. There have also been rumblings that his attitude could use some improvement, but it should be noted that he is a loyal player in that he has elected to re-sign with his hometown KHL club, despite some other potentially more lucrative offers available. His positioning and overall play will need work, but playing in the KHL should afford him that opportunity to become more of a complete player.

Pros:   Elite Skating Ability, Vision, Stickhandling/Deking

Cons:  Strength, Positioning

Skillset comparison: Alexander Semin

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Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (1-30) (10)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preliminary Top 15 Rankings (16)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (31-60) (6)
• #9. Mikael Granlund – 2010 Scouting Report (1)

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#22. Tyler Pitlick | C | Minnesota State-Mankato (NCAA)

Date of Birth: November 1st, 1991
Height: 6.02
Weight: 194lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 38GP 11G 8A 19P 27PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: NR | Position Rank: 15th Forwards
League Rank: 1st NCAA | Country Rank: 8th USA

Not very many people knew a whole lot about Tyler Pitlick before the 2009/2010 season, and there certainly were not many who could have projected that Pitlick would wind up being a consensus first round pick for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. A successful freshman season at the Minnesota State-Mankato later, and Pitlick’s season has culminated in just that.

After a couple of strong seasons at Centennial High, the Centerville, MN native committed to the Mavericks program, one which hasn’t been a prospect hotbed of late. Despite playing under the radar from the outset, Pitlick quickly made a name for himself last year as one of the biggest surprises in the WCHA. A nephew of former NHLer Lance Pitlick, Tyler was a force last season, notching 11 goals and 19 points in his first season of college hockey, good enough for a tie for third on the team in goals.

What Pitlick has excelled in, however, is playing a complete game and competing hard. He’s got good size for a forward, and plays with a lot of grit in his game that projects well to the next level. In a draft where most of the highly touted forwards lack that type of edge to their game, Pitlick is a pretty physical player that is right at home on the walls and in the corners. He also takes the puck to the net and isn’t afraid to take his lumps from opposing defensemen in the tough areas on the ice.

On that note, it’s rather fitting that Pitlick will be taking his game to the WHL next year as he joins the Medicine Hat Tigers, who held his WHL rights. Pitlick’s style of play translates very well to Major Junior Hockey, especially the traditionally physical style of the WHL. Pitlicks arrival to Medicine Hat marks the second straight season that the Tigers have managed to lure in a high profile American, after signing Emerson Etem a year ago, who has also assured himself a spot in the first round of this summer’s draft.

Pitlick will likely be more accustomed to playing on the wing in the WHL, as that is where his skill-set likely projects better at the professional level. One area he will definitely need to improve on is capitalizing on offensive opportunities. Pitlick creates a lot of chances but has to do a better job of executing on them. At the next level he won’t have the type of time and space he does in the NCAA and WHL, which makes it pertinent for him to bury those chances if he wants to be a reliable point producer in the NHL.

Overall, Pitlick’s decision to move to the WHL next year will probably put a smile on the face of a lot of NHL General Managers. Many have always felt that his game is tailor-made for Major Junior hockey, and now he will have a great opportunity to showcase his skills in that environment. While his high end offensive ability isn’t at the level of some of the other players available in the range he will go in, his ability to play a pro style game makes him a pretty safe pick, and if he can continue to work on his scoring touch, he should develop into a good second or third line winger who can bring a lot of physicality and versatility to a NHL team, which are very valuable elements to any hockey team.

Pros: Two-Way Play, Size/Strength, Gritty/Physical Play

Cons: Inefficient on Offensive Opportunities, On Ice Vision

Skillset comparison: Chris Kunitz

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Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (31-60) (6)
• #9. Mikael Granlund – 2010 Scouting Report (1)
• #8. Nino Niederreiter – 2010 Scouting Report (1)
• #7. Vladimir Tarasenko – 2010 Scouting Report (0)

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Sudbury Wolves defenseman Frankie Corrado to reflect on a solid rookie season, and his plans heading into his NHL draft year. Corrado, a 17 year old Woodbridge native, was the 25th Overall Pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, taken by the Wolves with their first of two picks in the round.

Standing at 6’0″ and 174 lbs, Corrado is a smooth skating defenseman who notched a goal and 9 points in 63 games last season. While the numbers won’t blow anyone away, many are expecting big things from Corrado this season, as he is set to take on a much bigger role with the Wolves. Corrado showed considerable poise as he became more familiar with the OHL as the season wore on, and with a good season in 2010/11, he should definitely make his way onto the NHL radar. Without further ado, here is my interview with Frankie.

Thanks for joining us, Frankie, we really appreciate you taking the time.

Not a problem, thanks for having me.


You were a pretty highly touted player in your OHL draft year, how did you handle not being selected in the first round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection?

Obviously it’s something that you strive for all year long, and it’s great recognition. But you have to be able to expect things to happen, especially in a draft where nothing is certain. I took it with a grain of salt and realized that the opportunity to play an integral role, may not have been as good on a stronger team picking late in the first round, and going to the Wolves in the second round obviously is a great situation for me, and I’m hoping to build off of last year and help the Wolves in a bigger role this year.


Obviously the Wolves were pleasantly surprised when your name was still on the board at their pick in round two, what were your thoughts on Sudbury when you were selected by the Wolves at 25th Overall?

I had been up to Sudbury on a couple occasions for the Big Nickel tournament, and enjoyed the city both times I was up. I never made it out to a Wolves game, but I did manage to catch two, by fluke in my MM season because they were playing in Mississauga and Brampton. I was somewhat surprised that they would opt to go with two defecnemen with their first two picks, but I was also happy that they were serious about moving in a new direction, and having young players play a key role on their team.


What were you expecting when making the jump from Minor Midget AAA to the OHL, and how did you train during the summer to prepare yourself for the season, especially considering your broken collarbone?

I was expecting everything I was told. Players would be bigger, faster, stronger, more skilled, and smarter. Obviously I was preparing for the season by being in the gym and working on my strength and speed, but I suffered a broken collar-bone at the Team Ontario Under-17 Evaluation Camp in late June. This injury put me on the shelf for about 2 months with regards to lifting and working out full body, but in the month of August I was able to salvage some of my workout routine by doing two a day cardio workouts to keep my speed and cardio at its top level, which really helped me because my speed is a big part of my game.


You progressively saw more ice-time with the Wolves as the season went on, was the OHL what you expected, or did you encounter any surprises?

Coming straight into the regular season without playing any exhibition games was obviously a big change of pace coming from MM, but as time went on, and practicing everyday, I was able to get my bearings on the speed and strength of players. I really took the Christmas Break to realize what I needed to do to become not only better for myself, but better for the Wolves, and play a key role on their team. And obviously with a couple key injuries I was able to move up in the line-up and stay there for the better part of the second half of the season, and that truly helped me with my learning curve, and helps me realize what I need to do to be a force on the back end this year.


Did you keep in contact with any of your former Vaughan Kings teammates such as Owen Sound Goaltender Jordan Binnington throughout the year?

Yea, he was in Owen Sound, and we would talk at least once a month. We were a very tight knit team in MM and Jordan and I were two players who played a leadership role and obviously we want it to translate over to the next level. We talked about school, hockey, billets, everything that changed for us, and we continued our relationship over into the next level.

How big of a disappointment was it not being selected for the Under 17 team, and did it affect your outlook for the rest of the season?

Obviously I wanted to be there, there’s no denying that. But in the long run, it did not affect my season. I got over it pretty quick because with Justin gone I was able to play a lot more and find a bit of a groove that I may not have hit if I were to play in the Under-17 tournament. Obviously there’s nothing better than representing where you live, and being in the Hockey Canada system, but in the long run it benefited me staying in Sudbury and finding my groove, and continuing to keep it for the most part of the second half.


You’re going into your NHL draft year, are you preparing any differently for the upcoming season knowing that there will be bigger expectations for you?

I don’t want to put any added pressure on myself to do things differently. I’m keeping it simple but effective. I’m taking my training seriously, I’m keeping myself on the ice throughout the summer, and I’m mentally preparing for what I hope is a long season. I think that I have the right mindset going into the season that with team success comes individual success, and I don’t need to do anything different than making smart plays, moving the puck, being responsible defensively, and surely the points will come.


Have you spoken with a player like John McFarland at all to help understand the transition from being a rookie to a sophomore and the pressures of the NHL Draft?

Yeah, John and I keep in touch throughout the summer. He basically told me to keep my fitness level up, always keep a level head and to make sure I show what I’m capable of night in and night out. Having John around helped me last season coming into the OHL and I believe he can give me the right pointers and advice seeing as he was one of the top athletes at this years Combine.


You’re obviously going to be making a big jump in your role on the Wolves next season, what types of things are you expecting from yourself in your game next year?

Obviously I want to play my game within a team system, and with the opportunity I want to be a key contributor on a Wolves team that I hope will be a contender and go far into the playoffs. In regards to myself, I want to keep my game simple but effective because that’s the way I’ve always been and that is what has gotten me this far in my career. I want to move the puck, skate the puck out of trouble, run a consistent power-play, and make sure I’m making responsible decisions in my own defensive zone as well as the neutral zone and offensive zone. At the conclusion of this season I want to be able to look in the mirror and say that I left everything on the ice, and have nothing left more to give.


Thanks again for the time, Frankie, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you.

Not a problem, thanks for the opportunity!

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It will be an interesting year for Corrado, as he will be expected to take a major step forward as a player that the Wolves can depend on. He showed considerable poise on the powerlay as the season progressed, and he will have an opportunity to really elevate his point totals next year as he should be ready to step in as the team’s powerplay quarterback. Without a doubt, one of the nicer kids you’ll meet in the OHL, Corrado’s progress next year will be worthwhile following as he looks to help the Wolves take a step forward in the standings.

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#26. Ryan Spooner | C | Peterborough (OHL)

Date of Birth: January 30th, 1992
Height: 5.10
Weight: 175lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 47GP 19G 35A 54P 12PIM
Playoffs | 3GP 0G 1A 1P 2PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 16 | Position Rank: 18th Forwards
League Rank: 8th OHL | Country Rank: 13th Canada

Spooner came into the season with high expectations, after a spectacular rookie season that saw him finish second in 16 year old scoring with 58 points in 62 games, and tops in goals with 30 on the season. With a solid showing in the Under 17’s with 10 points in only 6 games, the Kanata native was quickly putting himself on the radar as a high NHL pick in 2010.

Coming into the season with the promise of a big season, Spooner got off to a quick start, scoring 37 points in his first 29 games played. He went on to notch 54 points through 47 games before a broken collarbone sidelined him for the rest of the regular season in late January. Many felt that he rushed his return for the playoffs, where he was largely ineffective, putting up only 1 point in 3 games, before another disappointing showing with the underachieving Canadian Under 18 team, where he finished the tournament with only 2 goals in the team’s 6 games.

While his finish to the season has left a bad taste in the mouths of many, it cannot be ignored that Spooner is still one of the most creative offensive players in the draft, with the ability to make things happen on any given shift. One of the biggest knocks on Spooner last year was that he could have distributed the puck better. Other concerns centered on his poor defensive play and inability to play the center position effectively in all three zones.

This season, however, it was evident to see the change in Spooner’s game. From the get go, he was a much better puck distributor, and played a large part in the emergence of rookie Matt Puempel as the two shared strong chemistry when they played together. His awareness of defensive responsibilities became more noticeable, as Spooner competed harder and showed better positional skills, which helped knock his plus/minus down to a -5 this year, after being a -23 a season ago.

While it will be unlikely to see Spooner hear his name called in the first round come June, he’s still a player that people need to watch out for. He’s one of the more dynamic players in the OHL, at only 17 years old, and has the skill set that projects him to be one of the top scorers in the league the next couple of seasons. His size and strength are still big concerns, but a team that is willing to overlook that for now, in lieu of his offensive talents, could pay huge dividends in the future. Spooner also is one of the hardest workers on the ice, which is a definite positive to see in any player, yet alone an undersized one.

Next season, Spooner will likely form a trio with Austin Watson and Matt Puempel on what could arguably be the top offensive line in the entire league. His ability to respond to questions about his game coming off an injury will be paramount, but there is little doubt that Spooner has the tools to be a dominant force in the OHL next year, and his elite talent level will give him an opportunity to be an offensive player at the next level as well.

Pros:   Vision, Offensive Awareness, Shooting

Cons:  Lack of Size/Strength, Defensive Zone Play

Skillset comparison:  Martin St. Louis

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#28. Kirill Kabanov | LW | Moncton (QMJHL)

Date of Birth: July 16th, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 173lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 22GP 10G 13A 23P 34PIM
Playoffs | 1GP 0G 0A 0P 2PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 8 | Position Rank: 20th Forwards
League Rank: 2nd QMJHL | Country Rank: 4th Russia

Kirill Kabanov’s 2009/2010 season was one to forget. After being dubbed as the next great Russian prospect back in 2007, Kabanov appeared in 10 games with Spartak Moscow in the KHL a season ago, despite only being 16 years old. Things were promising as Kabanov had already shredded the Under 17’s as an underager, and then notched 11 points in only 7 games at the Under 18’s as an underager. The talk of a Kabanov/Hall rivalry seemed to be inevitable. That was until, everything rapidly fell apart in one of the most dramatic off-ice seasons for a hockey player in recent memory.

His KHL rights were sold from Spartak to Salavat Ufa, where he was required to sign a new contract which did not include an NHL escape clause. Flustered, Kabanov fled from Russia, expressing his desire to play major junior hockey in Canada, after recently being selected with the 7^th Overall Pick in the 2009 CHL Import Draft by the Moncton Wildcats. While it was initially unclear if the transfer would be approved, with Ufa blocking the move, Kabanov successfully petitioned the IIHF to approve the transfer, thus making him eligible to play for the Wildcats.

The young Russia finally made his long awaited North American debut on October 10^th, where he notched his first QMJHL goal and followed it up with a 4 point outing in his second game. For a moment, it seemed as though there would be a three pronged race between Hall, Kabanov and Seguin for top honours, and that his past issues had been rectified. Then, the wheels slowly started to fall off. Kabanov suffered a wrist injury which forced him to miss considerable time, including the World Junior Championships in Saskatchewan. After making a return to the Moncton line-up, he found his role to be reduced on the contending club, which eventually led to a catastrophe that proved to be the final undoing of his draft stock in many people’s eyes.

In his only QMJHL playoff game against Cape Breton, Kabanov took a poor penalty in the first period, and was benched at the mid-way point of the second period. It would prove to be his last game in the QMJHL this season. In the frenzy that ensued, Kabanov left the Wildcats, poised to join Russia for the Under 18’s, where he was promptly kicked off the team after the coaching staff determined they would be better off without the highly touted forward.

Suffice to say, his draft stock has fallen from being a consensus top three pick, to maybe not even going in the first round. NHL teams will have to consider his character in the ever important interview opportunities they have, because there is no doubt that he still has blue-chip talent. He’s lanky, but his size is very enticing. Offensively, when he’s on his game, he can simply dominate. He sees the ice well and has a very impressive shot, but can also utilize his teammates very effectively. Consistency and intensity are some question marks, and Kabanov has been labelled as a prima donna numerous times, but the sheer skill he possesses can’t be questioned.

Where he ends up going in the draft will be among the biggest storylines come draft day, if not more interesting then the debate for first overall. While his mistakes on and off the ice this past year have certainly hurt him, he’s still very young and will have plenty of time to prove that he has what it takes to be a consummate professional who can be an impact player at the next level.

Pros:   Smooth Skating, Playmaking ability, Heavy shot, Elite offensive skills

Cons:  Off-Ice character issues, Consistency issues, Lack of strength

Skillset comparison:  Less Talented Evgeni Malkin

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