The Scouting Report

2012 NHL Mid-Term Top 60 Rankings (1-30)

TSR Staff — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:39:22 +0000

Welcome!

Welcome to TSR’s Mid-Term Top 60 Rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. For the first time we have included goaltenders in our rankings this year which is the one major change to announce. For viewer ease, we have divided the rankings up into two separate sections. We love to hear feedback via email, our comments section, or connecting with us on Twitter @TSRhockey. Enjoy!

Be sure to check out the second half of our Top 60: (1-30) (31-60)

1. LC Mikhail Grigorenko – Quebec (QMJHL)

DOB: May 16/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs

Let’s be clear about it, there’s not a lot separating Grigorenko and Yakupov right now – so much so you could even call them 1A and 1B in either order. Grigorenko won out our top spot due to his size and the extra value we feel he brings as a center. Skill-wise, Grigorenko and Yakupov are different players, with Grigorenko being more of a playmaking pivot who is more methodical and uses his on-ice vision to create opportunities. Thus far, Grigorenko has played very well in the QMJHL and acquitted himself fairly well in the World Juniors as well. It looks to be a 2-horse race with Yakupov down the stretch as Alex Galchenyuk still battles back from injury, and in the end, it likely comes down to preference when picking between Grigorenko and Yakupov.

2. RW Nail Yakupov – Sarnia (OHL)

DOB: Oct. 6/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 190lbs

Yakupov has to be considered more of a 1B than a #2 at this point with a lot of hockey still left to be played. The 18-year-old Russian is the biggest game-breaker in this draft and plays a very similar style to Taylor Hall only with more physicality away from the puck. Yakupov is a phenomenal skater and his ability to use his speed while creating offense is unparalleled in this draft class. Projecting as a dynamic top-line forward, the only real concern with Yakupov lies in his stature and determining whether or not his body will be able to hold up with his style of play at the next level.

3. LC Alex Galchenyuk – Sarnia (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 12/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 200lbs

For a player who was primed to make a run at the top spot, Galchenyuk’s season has been derailed by a pre-season knee injury that will keep him out for at least another month. Galchenyuk is not overly dynamic, but his elusive style of play is very comparable to Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin. Galchenyuk has good size and does a great job of stickhandling and weaving in and out of traffic. He has a great shot and a deceptive release and a goal scorer’s instinct that simply cannot be taught. He’s certainly a wildcard right now, but his upside is just as high as anyone in this draft.

4. LD Ryan Murray – Everett (WHL)

DOB: Sep. 27/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 201lbs

After missing nearly two months of the WHL season due to a high ankle sprain and a generally forgettable WJC tournament, Murray will finish out the season with the last-place Everett Silvertips, who will look to their captain to lead their building team towards a brighter future. Murray is a great skater with excellent lateral movement, and sees the game well as plays develop around him. He is a very capable playmaker and can effectively jump into or lead the rush up the ice. With a heavy shot from the point, it certainly appears that Ryan Murray has all of the tangibles that NHL teams love to build around on their blueline. It will be important for Murray to forget some of his struggles this year, and continue to build towards what should be a very good professional career.

5. LD Morgan Rielly – Moose Jaw (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 9/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 195lbs

Continues to rehab from a torn ACL that ended his season back in November. Rielly is an offensive dynamo who does a tremendous job of generating offense with his speed and vision. Excellent surveyor of the ice that has a great feel for how to set the tempo for his team. Defensive play may be questionable due to his shorter stature, but makes up for it with quick footwork. Excellent vision and hands around the net. If his season wasn’t cut short, we believe you’d see Rielly make a serious charge at Murray in the rankings.

6. RC Filip Forsberg – Leksand (Allsvenskan)

DOB: Aug. 13/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 181lbs

Forsberg had a bit of a rough start to the season offensively, but has come on nicely over the past couple of months in Leksand – a period that also included some strong play in the World Juniors as a 17-year-old. Forsberg has a high skill level and displays good puck skills to go along with a quality shot. He is an above average skater and plays with a high energy level and is also willing to finish checks and compete in board battles. Overall, he’s still a work in progress, but his ceiling is quite high and his unique skill-set makes him a player that teams will covet in the draft.

7. RD Jacob Trouba – USNTDP (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 26/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 195lbs

Trouba is a big-time right-handed defenseman who projects to be a top pairing two-way defenseman. Despite being only 17-years-old, Trouba is extremely polished and has already proved himself against much older competition as one of the United States’ top defensemen at the World Juniors. The U18 captain has great size and lateral ability and is very mobile in all 3 zones. Trouba plays with a physical edge but shows good decision making, knowing when to take the body and when to use his pokecheck and positioning to make defensive plays. His offensive game is still evolving, but he shows good upside and a quality shot which indicate strong future potential. As it stands, Trouba is already a very safe NHL pick, and if he can continue to improve his offensive game, he could be an exceptional NHL defenseman for a long time.

8. RD Matt Dumba – Red Deer (WHL)

DOB: Jul. 25/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 185lbs

Dumba continues to be what he is, looking to make a big impact all over the ice, either through big hits, big shots, or making crisp breakout passes. His defensive play is a little erratic at times and his ability to handle the rigor of his style of play at the next level could be a concern, but he’s certainly a game-breaker with his style of play. Dumba isn’t the biggest player on the ice but plays like he is. He does a great job of buying time and capitalizing on opportunities while using his high-end skill level to his advantage.

9. LC Zemgus Girgensons – Dubuque (USHL)

DOB: Jan. 5/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 200lbs

There was a lot of pressure on Girgesons to have a good showing in the World Juniors on a Latvia squad that lacked talent from top to bottom. While some where indifferent about his play, Girgensons did show some positive signs that he could play a solid two-way game despite having minimal support in his lineup. Girgensons plays a reliable two-way style of play and is a strong center in all 3 zones. He uses his size to his advantage and as his skating continues to improve, his offense should benefit as well. Girgensons will be taking the college route at Vermont, but as a projected high-end 1st round pick, it will be interesting to see what route he takes in his development path.

10. LD Slater Koekkoek – Peterborough (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 18/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 185lbs

It may be a surprise to most to see Koekkoek this high on our list, but for those who have seen him play a lot, you may be on the same page as us. Koekkoek has a tremendous package of size, skill, and potential which could be a home-run in a few years. Currently out for the season with a torn labrum, Koekkoek was playing 30+ minutes a night with the Petes before the injury. Koekkoek is a great skater and does a good job of moving the puck and making good decisions. His skating ability allows him to lead rushes and his offensive zone play is very good. He’s still in the progress of filling out his frame and improving his defensive zone play, but the skill-set that Koekkoek brings to the table cannot be overlooked as his ceiling could be as high as any of the defensemen in this draft.

11. LC Brendan Gaunce – Belleville (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 25/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 215lbs

Gaunce is never going to be the type of player to wow you with dynamic offensive flair, but you can rest assured he brings more than enough to the table. As one of the top two-way forwards in the draft, Gaunce has developed into a player that a coach can feel confident in putting on the ice in any situation. He has good size and competes hard, winning lots of puck battles and being a difficult player to contain. His game is centered around his ability to do the little things and his intangibles, such as leadership, are qualities that separate him from others. Gaunce is still a very capable offensive player and has a good scoring touch, especially around the net. His skating still needs to improve, but his game has a lot of parallels to Ryan O’Reilly at the same age.

12. RW Sebastian Collberg – Frolunda (SuperElit)

DOB: Feb. 23/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 175lbs

Stats don’t tell the full story as Collberg has had trouble finding playing time this season, which started with a lengthy stint in the Elitserien. Collberg is one of the most intriguing offensive talents in the draft and his shot is arguably the most lethal in the draft. Collberg plays with a lot of flair in his game, and when he’s getting offensive opportunities his shot is a tremendous asset to his game. Being a little undersized, Collberg needs to continue to add strength to his game and prove thatt he can battle through tight defenses and avoid being neutralized by physical teams.

13. LD Olli Maatta – London (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 22/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 202lbs

Maatta is a cerebral defenseman whose strength lies in his ability to play a simple and effective game. He’s got NHL size and is a very smooth skater and does a good job of making good decisions on the breakout and moving the puck with efficiency. He doesn’t play with very much physicality but Maatta is extremely polished for a 17-year-old and does a good job positioning himself to make plays on the puck and utilizing his long reach to his advantage. His offensive upside is questionable right now but Maatta has shown that he is capable of playing the point effectively on the powerplay. Maatta doesn’t project to be much of a game-breaker, but he looks like a solid mid-pairing defenseman who could have a long NHL career.

14. LW Pontus Aberg – Djrugarden (Elitserien)

DOB: Sep. 23/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 195lbs

While Forsberg and Collberg may be considered to be having “underwhelming” seasons thus far, Aberg has proven to be a very pleasant surprise when it comes to Swedish prospects. Skating in the Elitserien as a rookie, Aberg has put himself into contention as a Rookie-of-the-Year candidate with some strong offensive results this season. Aberg has always been regarded as a great two-way player and someone who brings it every shift with a high effort-level, but his offensive emergence has been the major catalyst behind his rising in the draft rankings.

15. RD Griffin Reinhart – Edmonton (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 24/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 207lbs

Reinhart continues to be a prospect that you wish just could be physical more often, and while that aspect of his game can be frustrating, he still has a number of tools which make him a high-end prospect. Reinhart has a very heavy point shot and makes good first passes while being equally effective in the offensive and defensive ends. Has a good feel for when to jump into the rush. Reinhart at times seems disinterested in the game and could benefit from showing more competitiveness and emotion in his game. He’s got all the tools to be a high-end NHL defenseman, but he needs to use them more consistently.

16. LC Radek Faksa – Kitchener (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 09/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 202lbs

Radek Faksa has seen his name shoot up the draft rankings ever since coming over to the Ontario Hockey League from HC Trinec of the Czech U20 league. Kitchener drafted the Czech native 22nd overall in the 2011 CHL Import Draft namely based on his offensively skill, but that is not all he brings to the table. Faksa has great size and does a pretty good job of utilizing it to his advantage. He’s shown to be an effective two-way player and has displayed improved consistency this year. Faksa lacks a wow factor to his game, but he projects to be a very solid mid 1st round pick at this point.

17. LD Matt Finn – Guelph (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 24/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 195lbs

Finn has done a nice job of taking his game to the next level this season and really asserting himself as the go-to defenseman on the Guelph blueline. Finn can play in all situations and has shown considerable improvement at both ends of the ice this season. He’s a competitor who is not afraid to finish checks but does a good job of picking his spots and playing within his means. Offensively, Finn has steadily improved and is becoming a very effective offensive defenseman and the true QB on the Storm powerplay. While Finn doesn’t have natural physical tools, he has a strong hockey IQ and does a good job of playing a smart game while minimizing mistakes.

18. RD Cody Ceci – Ottawa (OHL)

DOB: Dec. 21/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 207lbs

As it stands, Ceci has to be considered one of the premier defensemen not only in the OHL, but the Canadian Hockey League as a whole. He plays a strong offensive game and has developed into an exceptional puck mover and one of the top powerplay players in the OHL. Ceci has a big shot and does a good job distributing the puck and activating in the offensive zone. His defensive game has improved considerably since his 16-year-old season, but he still needs to show an increased commitment to the defensive end. As an 18-year-old, Ceci is a little ahead in the development curve of some of the other defensemen in the draft, but his strong offensive upside makes him a quality pick in this range.

19. LC Stefan Matteau – USNTDP (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 23/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 210lbs

Matteau’s game translates well to the professional ranks which makes him valuable as a relatively safe bet in this range. He has pro size as well as an effective skill set that will suit the physical rigors of the NHL. Matteau shoots well, makes the simple play with the puck and brings a physical edge to his game. What Matteau lacks in pure foot speed, he makes up with an efficient skating stride that should allow him to gain quickness as he continues to get stronger. Matteau was originally slated to attend North Dakota but has since committed to play in the QMJHL next year with Blainville-Boisbriand.

20. LC Tomas Hertl – HC Slavia Praha (Czech)

DOB: Nov. 12/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 200lbs

Hertl had a very productive first half to the season and may be even underrated at #20 in our rankings. Playing in the Czech Extraliga on a weak team, Hertl has worked his way up the depth chart and been an effective offensive contributor for the team. Hertl has a good blend of size and skating ability and displays some grit and a willingness to finish checks. At the World Juniors, Hertl was one of the top Czech forwards and had a strong showing in the tournament. If Hertl can close out his season with continued strong play he will make a compelling case to be a Top 20 pick this summer.

21. LW Nicolas Kerdiles – USNTDP (USHL)

DOB: Jan. 11/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 201lbs

Kerdiles continues to develop steadily into a productive offensive player. He has the necessary skating, shooting and puck skills to compete at the highest level. Kerdiles also does the little things well such as protecting the puck in traffic and possessing a nose for the net. Kerdiles will contribute defensively as he has the awareness to keep on the defensive side of the puck and maintains discipline and positioning in the defensive zone and on the forecheck. A strong U18 Championship could make Kerdiles this year’s JT Miller.

22. RC Colton Sissons – Kelowna (WHL)

DOB: Nov. 5/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 189lbs

With good size and a lethal shot, Sissons undoubtedly projects on the high end as a top-6 winger in the NHL. His game is not without question marks, though – as he currently has a team-worst -15 rating. Sissons could also benefit from using his teammates better as evidenced by his low assist totals, however has certainly shown a knack for being a hard worker on the ice. Sissons was recently named captain of his team for the upcoming CHL top prospects game, which proves his ability to lead by example on the ice. Look for Sissons to continue to put up impressive goal scoring numbers, while also continuing to improve his all-around game leading up to the draft.

23. RD Ville Pokka – Karpat (Sm-Liiga)

DOB: Jun. 3/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 195lbs

Pokka is far from flashy, but he’s a defenseman who gets the job done. Despite being an average skater and having mobility concerns, Pokka does a great job of anticipating and reading the play and getting himself into position accordingly. Conditioning appeared to be a concern with his game a season ago, which is something that he has addressed this year by getting into better shape with the results now paying off. Pokka is a composed defenseman who does a good job moving the puck and making heady decisions under pressure. His shot is above average and he has shown that he is capable of playing on the powerplay as well. Pokka certainly doesn’t have elite upside, but he has shown steady improvement.

24. LD Derrick Pouliot – Portland (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 16/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs

After being selected #1 overall in the WHL bantam draft, Portland’s Derick Pouliot continues to develop into a top offensive defenseman in the WHL. A silky smooth skater, Pouliot has spent time on the talented team’s top powerplay unit for much of the season. He has a good – if not overly powerful – shot from the point, that he gets through traffic and on net with regularity. While he is an above average passer, Pouliot is sometimes the victim of trying to do too much, and is susceptible to the occasional glaring mistake. The mid-sized defenseman certainly has the skillset to be a future powerplay quarterback at the next level, but at this point should to be considered a bit of a project by whichever team selects him on draft day.

25. LW Charles Hudon – Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

DOB: Jun. 23/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 170lbs

Hudon is undersized and his skating isn’t going to blow you away, but he’s a skilled player who always seems to find ways to score goals and create offense. Offensively, Hudon’s skill level is very high and he has the offensive tools that few in this draft can match. One of the things that separates Hudon from others, however, is his willingness to battle through adversity and find ways to score goals when the defense is keying in on him. There’s no doubt that Hudon is a risky pick, but for a team picking at the end of the 1st round, he could be well worth that risk in several years.

26. LD Adam Pelech – Erie (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 18/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 210lbs

Pelech had a late start to the season after recovering from a wrist injury, but the 17-year-old has been one of the few bright spots on an absolutely dismal Erie team. Pelech projects as a reliable defensive defenseman who does a great job of playing against top lines and shutting down high-end forwards. Pelech plays a very smart game and has great defensive positioning and a strong understanding of defensive zone systems. He has an active stick and wins lots of board battles which makes him an asset on the penalty kill as well. His offensive upside is below-average, but Pelech projects to be a strong 2nd pair defenseman who can log heavy minutes and be an effective penalty killer.

27. G Andrei Vasilevski – UFA (MHL)

DOB: Jul. 25/94 | Catches: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 205lbs

There’s always several players who drastically improve their stock at the World Juniors and Vasilevski is testament to that theory this year. While the big goaltender has been one of the top goaltenders in the MHL this season, he really put his name on the map with a tremendous goaltending performance at the World Juniors where he split time with Andrey Makarov. Vasilevski has great size and has a strong net presence. He has good angles and squares up well to shooters and does a good job of challenging them by coming out of the net. The Russian factor is always a concern for NHL teams but on talent alone, Vasilevski is certainly deserving of a Top 30 pick.

28. LW Anton Slepyshev – Metallurg (KHL)

DOB: May 13/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 190lbs

There is obviously some risk to taking Slepyshev based on the fact that he’s already contributing in the KHL and might not be in any hurry to cross the pond, but the upside is well worth that risk ala Evgeni Kuznetsov. Slepyshev is a big winger who oozes offensive skill with an array of slick puckhandling skills and the ability to dangle in and out of traffic. He’s already showing he can compete with men in the second best league in the world and as he continues to learn how to use his size and strength, he’ll be a very dangerous forward. We’re working with some limited viewing so don’t be surprised to see him rise between now and our finals.

29. LD Brady Skjei – USNTDP (USHL)

DOB: Mar. 26/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs

Skjei is an imposing defenseman who continued to grow this season and has been climbing the charts as well. For a big player, Skjei is tremendously mobile and his high-end skating ability allows him to work in transition and handle incoming forechecks. He’s still got a raw skill-set and is learning how to use his size effectively, but the Minnesota commit has an enticing skill-set that projects well at the NHL level. At this point, Skjei has to be considered to be the 2012 edition of the NTDP’s Connor Murphy, and we’ll see how he plays over the coming months as he makes a final push up the charts.

30. G Malcolm Subban – Belleville (OHL)

DOB: Dec. 21/93 | Catches: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 188lbs

With his style of play in net, Subban seems a lot like a throwback QMJHL goalie from the 90′s with his lightning quick reflexes and athleticism in goal. After playing Midget hockey as a 16-year-old, Subban has finally started to fill out his lanky frame and the increased strength has made a big difference in his play. Subban has very good lateral ability and does a great job of making recovery saves on 2nd and 3rd chances. He has great hands and does a good job of making saves in traffic and using his quick reflexes to make saves that few goaltenders can make. While he still projects as a long-term prospect, any team looking to boost their organizational depth in goal can add a goaltender with big-time upside in Subban.

Be sure to check out the second half of our Top 60: (1-30) (31-60)

2012 NHL Mid-Term Top 60 Rankings (31-60)

TSR Staff — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:39:16 +0000

Be sure to check out the first half of our Top 60: (1-30) (31-60)

31. LW Phil Di Giuseppe – Michigan (CCHA)

DOB: Nov. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 175lbs

After spending the past two seasons as one of the top underaged players in the OJHL, Di Giuseppe has been one of the top freshmen in the NCAA this season. Di Giuseppe is a powerful skater and has a quick stride with good acceleration. He does a good job of creating offense with his speed and works hard to fight through checks against physical defensemen. Di Giuseppe has good offensive instincts and does a good job of finding chemistry with different sets of linemates. He needs to continue to add strength as his style of play is very aggressive and it will be important for him as he makes his transition to the next level.

32. RD Damon Severson – Kelowna (WHL)

DOB: Aug. 7/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 200lbs

Damon Severson has proven to be a bit of an enigma this season with the Kelowna Rockets. At times, Severson seems to have the potential to be a game breaker – and at others, he seems like more of a project than a top prospect. Severson does have good size and a booming shot from the point, but will definitely need to work on the other parts of his game in order to be successful at the next level. It’s hard to find many glaring problems in his game; there just isn’t much that stands out. After battling injury for more than six weeks, Severson will undoubtedly have to make up for lost time in a draft that’s chock full of talented young defensemen. As a bit of a raw talent, he will certainly benefit from an ever increasing role with the Kelowna Rockets, and is definitely a key component to his team’s future.

33. RW Martin Frk – Halifax (QMJHL)

DOB: Nov. 5/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 204lbs

It certainly hasn’t been a fairytale season for Frk this year as he initially missed considerable time with a concussion and then made a controversial decision to go home over Christmas rather than play for the Czech U20 team at the World Juniors. 2012 seems to be the fresh start that Frk needed, however, as he has found the back of the net with consistency and is showcasing the gritty style of play that created the hype for him before. Frk isn’t a flashy winger, but with his grit and physical play, he has a good combination of skills that NHL teams covet. With a strong second half you can expect him back in the Top 30.

34. LW Tim Bozon – Kamloops (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 24/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 185lbs

Import forward Tim Bozon has not only made a smooth transition to the WHL in his first season in North America, he has been a standout for a Kamloops Blazers team that has rocketed to the top of the WHL standings. Averaging just under a point per game thus far, the lanky forward has shown a solid offensive skillset, showcasing a quick release and slick passing skills to go along with quick footwork and a strong work ethic. Bozon will need to continue to work on his defensive zone play, and will need to exert a more consistent nightly effort, and will also need to bulk up his frame. As it stands, Bozon is a talented young winger on a very good Kamloops team, and will certainly remain a key offensive component on one of the highest scoring teams in the WHL.

35. LD Ludvik Bystrom – Modo (Elitserien)

DOB: Jul. 20/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 208lbs

Bystrom had a tremendous start to the year in the SuperElit as one of the top scoring defensemen in the league and since a call-up to the Modo senior team, has proven to be a steady defensemen. Like a number of Swedish defensive prospects in recent years, Bystrom has a very high hockey IQ and reads the play exceptionally well. He makes good decisions moving the puck and identifies opportunities to move the puck up the ice. Bystrom has seen limited action in the Elitserien, but he has been playing very steady in his role. He’s not afraid to lay the body out and has shown that he can handle playing against older players.

36. LD Michael Matheson – Dubuque (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 27/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 180lbs

After being considered to be the odds on favourite to go 1st overall in the 2010 QMJHL Draft, Matheson threw teams a curve ball by committing to Boston College and announcing his NCAA intentions. After coming the USHL this season, Matheson has been a steady contributor but has also had some growing pains along the way after moving up a level of competition from last year. Matheson is a steady puck mover who does a good job reading and anticipating the play. As it stands, Matheson will need to have a strong showing in the 2nd half as much of the crop has been catching up to him.

37. LW Teuvo Teravainen – Jokerit (SM-Liiga)

DOB: Sep. 11/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170lbs

Teravainen torched the Jr. A league early this season and quickly earned a call-up to Jokerit’s senior team where he has been an admirable contributor. Teravainen is a very smart player who skates well and distributes the puck well on the attack. He’s a good skater with an explosive first step and good agility. Teravainen’s skill-set makes him a very valuable player on the powerplay as he is good in tight spaces and can be very dangerous when he has time and space. He is not overly big and doesn’t have a physical aspect to his game but Teravainen looks like a nice pick around this range for a team who can wait for him to develop.

38. LW Andreas Athanasiou – London (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 6/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 175lbs

There were high expectations for Athanasiou after a surprising rookie season and strong showing at the Under 18’s, but thus far the results haven’t been up to par. Athanasiou is one of the top skaters in the draft and relies heavily on his speed to create scoring chances off the rush. He hasn’t got a ton of ice-time in a talent laden London lineup, but he has shown flashes of brilliance at times this year. Unfortunately, he’s also shown very little in other games and consistency is a big question mark for Athanasiou. At this point, he seems to be a player who is very similar to New York’s Michael Grabner and any team taking him should know that while his speed is a huge asset, there’s a lot of risk with regards to how he projects at the next level.

39. LW Tanner Pearson – Barrie (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 10/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 200lbs

While his pace has slowed slightly, Tanner Pearson continues to be an offensive threat every night. A classic late bloomer, Pearson found chemistry early in the season with the rest of his team and has not looked back since. Pearson thinks the game on an extremely high level; he consistently makes great decisions with the puck and is able to thread passes through traffic with ease. He also does a great job in putting himself in great position, he is a player who the puck just seems to find time and time again. While Pearson will be eligible for his 3rd time this season, he has emerged as a legitimate NHL prospect and with no glaring weaknesses in his game, he’s earned his spot in our rankings.

40. LW Jarrod Maidens – Owen Sound (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 4/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 180lbs

Maidens is a big winger who plays the game with purpose and drive. He skates well and plays a very north/south game and brings it every shift. Maidens uses his size to overpower defenses and does a good job of playing in traffic and neutralizing tight checking defenses. Maidens was a tremendous goal scorer in minor hockey and has started to show that offensive upside this year with Owen Sound. Maidens has missed time with a concussion but expect him to pick up where he left off when he returns to the lineup as his big body presence has been sorely missed in the Attack lineup.

41. LD Hampus Lindholm – Rogle (Allsvenskan)

DOB: Jan. 20/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 200lbs

Rogle has started to develop some quality defensemen in recent years (there are some promising players down the future pipeline as well) and Lindholm is the team’s latest NHL prospect. Playing a strong two-way game, Lindholm shows strong offensive instincts while maintaining a commitment to the defensive end of the ice. He’s already filled out nicely and has done a good job asserting himself physically despite being an 18-year-old. Lindholm doesn’t have as much high-end upside as Bystrom, but he is a very solid prospect in his own right and would be a great pickup in the 2nd round.

42. RW Scott Kosmachuk – Guelph (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 24/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 185lbs

Kosmachuk was a quality 16-year-old for Guelph last season, but his game has shown considerable progress in his 2nd OHL season this year. Despite not being the most natural offensive player, Kosmachuk has an innate ability to get in a position to score goals. He plays a high-energy game and his north-south playing style allows him to find success while playing a simple game. Kosmachuk excels in traffic areas and does a good job of burying pucks around the net and capitalizing on opportunities. While his two-way game needs to improve, he does work hard and with continued development and coaching, Kosmachuk could emerge as a quality 2nd/3rd line tweener at the NHL level who brings a lot of intangibles that coaches look for.

43. RD Jordan Schmaltz – Green Bay (USHL)

DOB: Oct. 8/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 190lbs

In his 3rd USHL season, Schmaltz has fallen victim to overexposure in the USHL this year. While other players are stepping up in their 2nd year’s in the league, Schmaltz has seen his touted offensive upside level out as he shows an increased commitment to the defensive end of the ice. To his credit, he has established himself as a much more reliable defenseman this year, but it has opened up some concern about his ability to contribute at a high level offensively while bringing strong play at the other end of the ice. Schmaltz is committed to the University of North Dakota (where his younger brother, 96YOB Nick Schmaltz has also committed) and next year will be a great barometer of what type of player he is and just how high his upside might be.

44. LW Daniil Zharkov – Belleville (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 6/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs

When he’s on his game Daniil Zharkov is a dominant forward with size who can score goals from any area in the offensive zone. He has a great shot which combined with his strong skating can be absolutely devastating on the rush. Zharkov will play with a bit of an edge and has great skills with the puck in one on one situation. Where Zharkov’s game suffers is in his consistency and his play without the puck. When Zharkov is not scoring goals he tends to completely disappear off the map and his effort also tends to drop. This is an even bigger issue due to Zharkov’s defensive game not being quite at the level that many would like to see it reach. He does tend to float into the defensive zone and does not compete very hard in battles for the puck in his own end. If Zharkov can put a weak January behind him he could see himself surge up the rankings as one of the top pure goal scorers in the draft.

45. RD Dalton Thrower – Saskatoon (WHL)

DOB: Dec. 20/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 190lbs

Thrower has done a nice job of adding an offensive dimension to his game this season by showing improved ability at both ends of the ice. His bread and butter, however, continues to be his gritty style of play and willingness to use his body on the ice. He has a huge impact on the game with his physicality and is never afraid to mix it up with opponents. Thrower needs to continue to show that he can make quick decisions and show improved decision making.

46. LD Trevor Carrick – Mississauga (OHL)

DOB: Jul. 4/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 175lbs

In his first OHL season, Trevor Carrick has done a great job of solidifying himself as a steadying force on the Mississauga blueline. Carrick has good size and plays a very safe defensive game with very few holes in it. He has a long reach and does a great job of maintaining gap control and anticipating the play. Carrick is positionally sound and has continued to improve since the start of the season, seeing more icetime after Stuart Percy went down with injury. Carrick has been used in some offensive situations and while he hasn’t looked out of place, it’s an area of his game that needs to improve. There’s a lot of potential with Carrick and the team that drafts him will be taking him based on what he can become as he continues to develop.

47. RC Gemel Smith – Owen Sound (OHL)

DOB: Apr. 16/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 160lbs

You’d never know Gemel Smith was only 5’10” 160lbs by the way he plays. He’s the type of player who loves to dart into traffic recklessly and more often than not ends up making a great play because of it. Smith is a great skater not only with his speed, but his ability to shift in and out of traffic. He plays much bigger than his size and is one of the hardest working prospects in the draft. The issue comes up when you try to imagine what type of player he’d be at the NHL level. Most of his goals are generated through pure effort more so than skill which begs the question when trying to determine if he is more of an energy line player in the NHL, or if he can still be an offensive contributor.

48. LC Cristoval Nieves – Kent (HS-CT)

DOB: Jan. 23/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 185lbs

Nieves is the class of the New England prep school circuit this year and the prospect with the most NHL upside. With tremendous size and a big frame, Nieves is a pretty good skater and can be difficult to neutralize once he gets up to full speed. He is offensively skilled and does a good job creating shooting lanes and getting pucks on net. Playing down against a lower tier of competition brings some concern when evaluating his body of work, but with his size and skill he does have some big upside if he can put it all together.

49. RW Tom Wilson – Plymouth (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 29/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 205lbs

Wilson is a very imposing winger who has thrived with the Plymouth Whalers this season as a forward who brings plenty of size, grit, and physicality to the team’s lineup. Wilson is versatile and has enough ability to play with skilled players while playing a physical role. His skating has steadily improved and his willingness to take the body with his size creates a lot of space for teammates. He’s good in the corners on the cycle and does a good job wearing down opposing teams as well. It is concerning that he only has 6 goals while playing with players like Stefan Noesen, Rickard Rakell, and JT Miller, but Wilson is a player who is likely going to take some time to grow into his frame and find out just how high his ceiling is.

50. RC Mike Winther – Prince Albert (WHL)

DOB: Jul. 9/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 175lbs

Mike Winther is the kind of competitor that every coach loves to have. With an excellent shot, second to-none work ethic, and excellent two-way play, Winther certainly has all of the tools to be a very strong player at the next level. The biggest issue in Winther’s game right now is simply strength – standing at 5’10” and listed at 170 pounds – Winther will certainly need to get stronger to compete at the next level. Even with his small stature, however, Winther plays a fearless kind of game as he goes into the hard areas and competes with players much larger than him. As the season has worn on, Winther has seemingly only gotten better and been a shining star on a generally poor team. He’ll need to continue to compete at a high level in order to continue to climb up the rankings.

51. LC Brady Vail – Windsor (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 11/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 200lbs

After managing only 10 points in what had to be considered an underwhelming rookie season, Vail has become a legitimate Top 6 forward with the Windsor Spitfires as a 17-year-old. Vail has shown tremendous progress as a two-way player and his work ethic and compete level are significantly better than they were a season ago. Vail often draws match ups against the other team’s top lines and while he has played strong defensively, Vail also is on pace for a very strong offensive season. His offensive upside isn’t as high as other players in the draft, but Vail’s style of play will give him a great shot of being a very effective two-way center.

52. LW Nikolai Prokhorkin – CSKA (MHL)

DOB: Sep. 17/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 185lbs

Like so many other 2012 eligibles, Prokhorkin has been plagued by injuries this season which has really limited his ability to even get in the lineup this season. Unfortunately for him, he will also have some negative connotations due to the Russian factor. On merit however, Prokhorkin is a skilled winger who has good size and a proven ability to score goals. As a ’93 YOB, Prokhorkin will not be available to play in the U18′s this spring which works against him as that would be a great platform for him to showcase his skills on a big stage for scouts.

53. RW Henrik Samuelsson – Edmonton (WHL)

DOB: Feb. 7/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 195lbs

Samuelsson was a mid season pickup for the Oil Kings from Modo in Sweden after spending last season playing with the US U17 Team. Samuelsson is a gritty forward who wins board battles and excels at maintaining offensive zone puck possession. He can play center or the wing equally effectively and is at his best below the hash marks where he uses his size to his advantage. It was a rough first half of the year for Samuelsson, but after a quick start with Edmonton, don’t be surprised if you see the big power forward as a big riser in the Final rankings.

54. LC Scott Laughton – Oshawa (OHL)

DOB: May 30/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 175lbs

Laughton has fallen victim to playing on a team that has an excess of offensively skilled players vying for a fixed amount of ice-time. After starting the season out very slowly, Laughton has really picked things up over the past month and is showing why he was considered to be such a talented minor hockey player a couple seasons ago. A strong two-way player, Laughton plays the center position very well and is well aware of his responsibilities in all three zones. He competes hard and checks well and can play against top lines without being a liability. He has a good shot and above-average puck skills, but there are times where he does fight the puck out there. His playing style compares to a player like Brendan Gaunce but his all-around game just isn’t at the same level.

55. LD Cody Corbett – Edmonton (WHL)

DOB: Dec. 14/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 210lbs

Corbett has been a big-time addition for the Oil Kings this season and has improved considerably already throughout the first half of the season. He has a tremendous shot and does a great job quarterbacking the power play. Corbett is strong positionally and for a two-way player, does a good job of battling in the corners and handling physical forwards. Corbett continues to be a player who has flown under the radar a bit in the shadows of his teammates Griffin Reinhart and Mark Pysyk, but his blend of intelligence and physicality makes for an enticing package moving forward.

56. LC Zach Stepan – Shattuck St. Mary’s (HS-MN)

DOB: Jan. 6/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 165lbs

Stepan is a lot more of a project than his older brother Derek, and any team taking him will be well aware of that. With a very slight frame, Stepan benefits from being “sheltered” in high school hockey and it will be interesting to see how he transitions to the next level, either in the USHL or at Ohio State. Despite the concerns, Stepan is a player who skates quite well and does have good puck skills. He excels with the puck on his stick and does a good job of generating offensive chances. As a senior, he’s leading a talented Shattuck squad and has shown good progression since his junior year.

57. LW Raphael Bussieres – Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

DOB: Nov. 5/93 | Catches: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 195lbs

Bussieres has come a long way since being a frail rookie who looked over-matched as a 16-year-old with Moncton. While his stats are far from gaudy as a 3rd year player, Bussieres has a lot of raw offensive upside that has started to come to fruition this season. He competes well and shows strong grit with a willingness to finish checks and play a physical game in traffic areas. Bussieres has been steadily adding strength and it has helped him add a step to his speed and give him lower body strength to drive through checks. He’s got a lot of room for improvement, but he’s well worth a pick at this stage of the 2nd round as he could develop into a nice 2nd or 3rd line forward.

58. LD Dillon Fournier – Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)

DOB: Jun. 15/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 165lbs

Fournier was a surprise to some as he was taken 1st overall in the 2010 QMJHL Draft, and after Lewiston folded, was subsequently taken 1st overall by Rouyn-Noranda in the Dispersal Draft. Fournier, however, has acquitted himself well in the QMJHL and since coming back from a shoulder injury he has demonstrated strong offensive upside. He’s a smooth skating defenseman who always has his head up and is strong in transition. Instead of rimming the puck off the glass, Fournier can find his man on the breakout and create offense through his ability to make smart decisions. He still needs to add strength and show that he can contain high-end forwards, but he’s a player who has really started to show some nice improvement.

59. LC Matej Beran – PEI (QMJHL)

DOB: Nov. 11/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 215lbs

Beran has a huge frame and has shown some good offensive ability this season, but skating is a pretty major concern at this point. Beran labours with his stride and is an average skater at the junior level which does not project well moving forward if he doesn’t show improvement. Aside from skating concerns, Beran does use his size fairly well in his offensive game as he protects the puck well and can be difficult to check. Beran would also benefit from being more physical as for a player of his size, he is not an overly physical player. There are some enticing tools to work with, but Beran is a project at this point.

60. LC Tanner Richard – Guelph (OHL)

DOB: Apr. 6/93 | Catches: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 185lbs

Richard was eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft but was not selected. After coming over to the Guelph Storm this year, his fortunes have changed as his strong play has been a catalyst in his emergence as a legitimate NHL prospect. Richard is a pure offensive forward who has a high skill level and very good creativity. Richard is very effective with the puck on his stick and is active in looking for teammates. He also does a good job of shooting the puck and is a go-to offensive player with Guelph. Richard does need to continue to add strength to his frame and continue to engage in the gritty areas of the ice, but there are a lot of things to like about his game.

Be sure to check out the first half of our Top 60: (1-30) (31-60)

Yakupov and Maatta WJC Review

Robert Benneian — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:11:14 +0000

Yakupov sustained a knee injury in overtime against Sweden which could reportedly keep him out of the Sarnia lineup for at least a month.

The World Juniors always provides a great stage for drafted and draft-eligible players alike to showcase their skill on an international stage against some of the best competition around and it was no different this year in Calgary and Edmonton.

For me, it was interesting to see the progress of a couple of 2012 Draft Eligibles who are currently playing in the OHL, Olli Maatta and Nail Yakupov. Here’s my review of how I felt they performed during the World Juniors.

D Olli Maatta – Team Finland

Maatta had a tournament to forget. And with the seismic collision he had with Boone Jenner on Boxing Day that probably won’t be too hard to do.

Maatta was victimized for both of Canada’s first two goals, earning himself an early minus two in the first period of preliminary play. Then, before the first period was out, he was absolutely leveled by Canadian wrecking ball Boone Jenner and his tournament was over before he ever really got going. He did not play another game and is currently out of the Knights lineup with a concussion.

Maatta likely remains a first round pick this year, but how long he is out for could hurt his draft stock. He definitely did not impress anyone in the one period of play he had at the WJC.

He told me when I caught up with him following a game against the Spitfires in October that representing his country at the World Juniors was even more important than where he was drafted in the spring. You have to feel bad for a kid who wanted so badly to help his country to gold, but was only able to play a period of hockey for Finland. With Finland down several defensemen and relying on 17-year-old blue liners, they could have used Maatta’s international experience.

RW Nail Yakupov – Team Russia

Yakupov has been sitting comfortably in first place in everyone’s 2012 draft projections all year long.
After getting a chance to see he and Grigorenko on the same ice surface, I may need to re-order the depth chart a little bit.

I’m not saying Yakupov was bad. In fact, far from it. At times, he looked like the best player on the ice in games filled with very talented players. He showed off a very nice playmaking touch throughout the tournament, finishing T-1st with Mikael Granlund in assists with nine.

However, Yakupov didn’t register a single goal in the entire tournament, and for a guy who has scored 70 goals in 91 OHL games, I think that came as a surprise to everyone.

Head-to-head, Grigorenko looked like the better player for much of the tournament. His tournament was derailed with a nasty looking leg injury against Latvia, but when they were both healthy, Grigorenko was much more noticeable.

In fact, it wasn’t until Grigorenko was injured that Yakupov really started lighting it up offensively.
I think Yakupov could easily still go first overall, but for now I think we have a new number one.

Tolchinski and Louis shine in U17 Gold Medal Game

Robert Benneian — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:58:52 +0000

With the win, Russia won its first gold medal at the U17 level since 2000.

On January 4, TSR’s Justin Schreiber brought you a story on Taylor Cammarata, an undersized scoring product of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s system who now plays for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL.

Ironically, it was a couple of undersized players who really turned heads in the gold medal game of the recently completed World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

It was a rematch of the December 30 game that saw the US lose 3-2 despite outshooting Russia 53-22, with goaltender Nikita Serebryakov playing the role of spoiler.

In the gold medal game, won 7-4 by Russia, 5’7” 150 lb Sergei Tolchinski netted a hat trick in the most bizarre of fashions.

His first goal came on a shorthanded odd man rush, where he took a feed from Ruzal Galeyev and made a nice move around goaltender Hunter Miska.

In the third period, Tolchinski blazed into the American zone, again shorthanded. This time, he was fouled and denied a scoring opportunity on his breakaway, resulting in a penalty shot. Tolchinski showed off his quick hands and lifted a shot over Miska when he went for the poke-check.

Tolchinski capped his memorable night with an awarded goal. With Russia and the US each down a man, the United States pulled their goalie in the final minute of play. Tolchinski again found himself on a breakway, and again was fouled from behind. However, with Miska located on the bench rather than in the crease, the rules state to award a goal instead of a penalty shot.

It was an even smaller player that nearly got the US back into the game earlier in the third period. 5’6” 130 lb Anthony Louis, of Winfield, Illinois scored on an absolute laser of a wrist shot to cut the Russian lead to 5-4.

Louis nearly tied the score on his next shift, dancing through the Russian defense before being turned aside by Nikita Serebryakov.

Louis was a one-man wrecking ball for the US, almost willing them back into the game on his own. It seemed like every time he was on the ice, something positive was happening for the United States.
“Anthony Louis, you might want to dismiss him because he’s not the biggest of guys, but he’s a terrific player,” said Craig Button, who was at the game providing color commentary for TSN.

Despite giving up nearly a foot to some of his teammates and opponents, Louis didn’t back down from anybody. He played physically, he played in traffic and more often than not it was him coming up with the puck from a scrum. He was incredibly impressive, period, not just for a player of his stature. He finished second on the team in goals and points.

Louis, who is a London Knights draft pick, drew comparisons to another Knights product. While I was watching Louis stickhandle through the Russian defense, his jersey flying behind him, it came to me -
Patrick Kane.

Kane is a Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks who was drafted first overall in 2007 despite his below-average size. However, it wasn’t just their height that made me think of Louis and Kane.
It might have been the way they both hold their hands close together on the stick and are able to create a lot of whip on their wrist shot.

It might have been the nifty dekes through traffic to get to the scoring areas.

It may have been the way that despite his size, he was nearly impossible to knock off the puck, or the swagger they both seem to play with.

Whatever it was, I feel like it’s a comparison that fits, and while it is huge stretch to think Louis would be drafted anywhere near first overall in 2013, it is not outside the realm of possibility that he could creep his way into the first round or higher.

One thing is certain, don’t count out Anthony Louis. If you do, he’ll be more than happy to prove you wrong.

Cammarata turning heads as a USHL rookie

Justin Schreiber — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:29:22 +0000

The 1st overall pick in the 2011 USHL Futures Draft, Cammarata already has 28 points in only 25 games, putting him in a tie for 9th in league scoring.

If you look at Taylor Cammarata only on paper, most people would immediately write him off as an undersized forward who has no future in hockey. Not so fast. Cammarata may not be that impressive on paper, but he plays a big role in every game. The 5-foot-6, 145 lbs. forward has been doing nothing but impressing not only scouts and coaches, but dazzling fans with his skilled, explosive game. To see a 16-year-old doing this well in the USHL – the best junior league in the United States – is absolutely astonishing.

Cammarata is great skater and is very quick and nimble on his feet. He has the ability to find the soft spots in the offensive zone and exploit the defensive breakdowns he causes by getting “lost in the crowd” with his small frame. Cammarata can get from anywhere in the offensive zone to any other point in the zone lightning quick and defensemen often lose track of him. His shot is a big strength. It’s unusual to see a guy with such a small frame with a booming wrist shot, but Cammarata’s got it. Vision in the offensive zone has also been a big strength with him making the right passes at the right times. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Cammarata play five times this season starting at the Fall Classic in September and he’s continuously gotten better in every viewing. His biggest strength has been his ability to adjust to the speed and physicality of the USHL with his size and age.

It’s unusual to see a guy with such a small frame with a booming wrist shot, but Cammarata’s got it.

As for weaknesses in Cammarata’s game, his biggest weakness is obviously his size. 5-foot-6 is definitely not what coaches and scouts look for in a player, but there’s a guy who comes around every now and again where his skill outweighs his size. I firmly believe Cammarata is that guy. Just like Rocco Grimaldi a year ago, people have been doubting Cammarata all his playing career, but he just keeps impressing at every level he plays at. Cammarata still hasn’t really developed a solid defensive game yet either. He is very much focused on his play in the offensive zone, and it’s been paying off, but Cammarata doesn’t seem to back check all that much. He will need to develop and edge to his game if he wants to keep developing and dominating at the next level.

Cammarata hasn’t signed an NCAA D1 letter of intent yet, and at only 16-years-old, he has plenty of time to make that decision. Players like Cammarata usually make great collegiate players but don’t pan out at the professional level. I expect Cammarata to break that mold. I am sure he will be an outstanding collegiate player, but I expect him to be fairly successful at the professional level as well. Looking forward to the 2013 NHL Draft, I don’t expect teams to take a shot at him in the first two or three rounds, but whoever decides to take Taylor Cammarata is drafting a small forward that knows how to find open ice and bury the puck in the net when it’s on his stick.

2012 U17′s: USA/Russia Prospect Recap

Robert Benneian — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:59:27 +0000

Hudson Fasching is one of the many '95 born American forwards with NHL upside. Photo: Dax Melmer, The Windsor Star.

It’s the best time of year to be a hockey fan. The NHL is in full swing, the World Junior Championships are heating up and this year, the World U17 Hockey Challenge is being played in my very own backyard, Windsor, Ont.

Well, not quite – but almost. The annual tournament pitting the world’s best young international hockey players is going on at three rinks within a 10 minute drive from my house. Needless to say, I will be living at a hockey rink for the next little while.

I had a chance to take in a round robin game between the United States and Russia at Windsor’s WFCU Centre, a game that featured no shortage of high-end talent. Here’s my report on some of the top 95’s who were involved.

Team USA

D #74 Will Butcher 01/06/1995 5’11” 175 US-NTDP

Butcher was drafted by the Windsor Spitfires in the 10th round of the 2011 OHL priority selection but has committed to the NCAA route. Butcher is a highly skilled offensive defenseman, the likes of which Windsor has been sorely missing this season with Ryan Ellis turning professional and could certainly benefit from.

Butcher is an excellent power play quarterback because of his superb vision and puck distribution skills. He has good offensive instincts and can pass a player open. What I mean by that is, though a player might look like he is covered, or that a pass cannot find him due to traffic, Butcher can thread the needle and find the player for a scoring chance.

His shot isn’t pro-quality in terms of velocity – not surprising given the fact that he doesn’t turn 17 until January – but he is usually able to get it on net, which is often more important than how hard it gets there.

Butcher’s biggest issue is skating. I was very surprised to see that Butcher lacks a top skating gear. In fact, he is probably below average in terms of foot speed. He gets around the ice well enough, but he doesn’t win many races to the puck. In fact, he was beaten on several occasions where he had a head-start on his man.

Butcher makes up for not being a burner by having very, very good hands. He can stickhandle through neutral zone traffic very well, which means he doesn’t need to blaze up the ice to be effective.
Butcher did leave something to be desired in terms of his defensive zone positioning and his attention to detail in his own zone, but again being that he is just 17 he still has plenty of time to work on that side of his game.

F #93 Michael McCarron 03/07/1995 6’5” 220 US-NTDP

Mike McCarron is huge. There is no other way of saying it. He towers over everyone else on the ice, and he seems to recognize his strengths and limitations in that respect.

McCarron plays what I like to call a no-frills game. He plays simple, straight line hockey. He goes to the net and sets up shop. When he has the puck, he’s not looking to get fancy with it. He either shoots it or gets it to one of his teammates. He isn’t going to beat anyone in a stickhandling contest or a race, so he doesn’t bother trying. You like to see that a guy like that understands what his role and capabilities are, and McCarron clearly does.

D #52 Steven Santini 03/07/1995 6’2” 205 US-NTDP

Santini isn’t as polished offensively as Butcher is, but he does distribute the puck well enough. He shoots the puck harder than Butcher, but his offensive instincts aren’t quite as good. Santini was a very highly regarded prospect for the 2011 OHL Priority Selection but has committed to Boston College for 2013.

Santini’s biggest positive is that he plays with a bit of a mean streak. He laid the body quite a bit on a smaller Russian team. He did get nailed with a boarding penalty at one point when he took the physical play a little too far.

Santini was beaten by the Russian’s on a two-on-one that he misplayed, resulting in Russia’s third goal of the night. Santini tried to take away the puck-carrier, Vladislav Lysenko, instead of leaving the shooter to the goalie like every defenseman is taught to play an odd-man rush. Instead, Lysenko was able to slip the puck through to Grigori Dikushin, who beat goaltender Hunter Miska on a nice backhand.

F #55 Hudson Fasching 07/28/1995 6’3” 190 US-NTDP

Facshing was named the US player of the game against Russia. He scored the second US goal in their eventual 3-2 loss by doing exactly what his coach asked of him: go to the net.

Coach Don Granato said after the game that to be effective, his team needs to get pucks low and then get bodies to the net. Fasching scored his goal by finding the puck in a scrum in the crease and poking it home. Fasching was used a lot as a net-front presence, and that was when he was at his most effective.

F #77 JT Compher 04/08/1995 6’0” 160 US-NTDP

Just about any time there was a scrum after the play or words being exchanged on the ice, Compher was the catalyst. He played with a chip on his shoulder and was under the Russians skin almost immediately.

F #43 Tyler Motte 03/10/1995 5’10” 165 US-NTDP

Motte is serving as captain for the American team in this tournament and was likely chosen for that role because he does everything full-out. He played at a high tempo, and provided energy for his team. Motte is one of the top scorers in the team, and while undersized, he plays a very responsible two-way game that earns him heavy minutes.

F #40 Evan Allen 02/03/1995 5’11” 185 US-NTDP

Like Butcher, Allen is also a Windsor draft pick (15th round – 2011). Unlike Butcher, he came in with far less fanfare. He is listed on the depth chart as USA’s fourth line left winger, and a guy they count on to play hard and provide a spark physically. Instead, he’s become their leading scorer and has the second most goals in the tournament.

After scoring twice in a win over the Czechs, Allen got the USA on the board in the third period against Russia. Their first goal came on their 36th shot on net (Russia had two on 14 shots at that point). Allen came in on a partial breakaway and snapped a shot between the legs of Nikita Serebryakov.

Allen also drew a penalty later in the third period when he was hooked on a breakway. Despite being fouled, Allen was nearly able to sneak a backhand up and over Serebryakov, just ringing it off the crossbar.

Allen was also out during the final minute of play for the USA with the net empty when they were pushing for the tying goal.

Russia

F #10 Sergei Tolchinski 02/03/1995 5’7” 150 CSKA Moscow

What Tolchinski lacks in size, he makes up for in competitiveness. Despite giving up nearly a foot in height to the biggest American skaters, Tolchinski didn’t back down from confrontation, and at times through his body around to make a big hit.

That’s not really the focal point of Tolchinski’s game, though. Tolchinski is a dazzling stickhandler. All you have to do for evidence of his puck control is type his name into YouTube. He scored a beauty of a goal by toe-dragging around US defender Keaton Thompson and then holding off Will Butcher while snapping the puck past Miska. Tolchinski was also used by the Russian coaches on their penalty kill unit, a testament to his compete level.

F #7 Grigori Dikushin 01/20/1995 5’9” 150 Green Bay (USHL)

Dikushin is one of two Russian skaters currently playing in North America. Dikushin showed off good puck skills, as evidenced in his third period goal where he fit a backhander into a tiny window afforded to him by Miska. He distributed the puck well and was involved in a lot of Russia’s chances offensively.

The problem with Dikushin was that he was caught cherry-picking on many occasions at the USA blue line, while the puck was still deep in the Russian end. Russian defenders would recover the puck and try to spring him loose, but often it didn’t make it out of the zone and Russia would be forced to defend with less than a full complement of skaters, due to Dikushin having flown the zone.

G #30 Nikita Serebryakov 11/01/1995 5’10” 178 Dynamo Moscow

Not even eligible until the 2014 draft, Serebryakov was the story of the game. He absolutely stole the show, making highlight reel saves from start to finish. In all, he turned aside 51 of 53 American shots on net, single-handedly stealing the game for his team. Russia was outshot 53-22 but won the game 3-2 thanks to his heroics.

Paskaruk preparing for Clarkson

Andrew Choquette — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:14:30 +0000

Paskaruk (left) has found the back of the net 7 times so far this season.

Anthony Paskaruk got a big hurdle off his back when he committed to Clarkson University in October, now the 2nd year forward will focus on a strong finish to his AJHL season with the Brooks Bandits.

The 17-year-old from Airdrie, Alta. is in his second season with the AJHL franchis and is currently the only AJHL player committed to Clarkson, which is located in Potsdam, N.Y.

After a solid rookie season in 2010-11, which saw him register 29 points in 59 games he looks to far exceed those numbers this season. With 22 points through 41 games this season, the offensive production has to be considered a bit of a disappointment for Paskaruk, but his true value to the Bandits is his ability to play a sound two-way game.

There are many small things in Paskaruk’s game that first got him recognized by the Spokane Chiefs, taking him in the 7^th round in the 2009 WHL draft. The 5’10″ forward isn’t the biggest player on the ice, but the way he competes brings positive attention to him every shift. The amount of board battles that he wins and comes out with puck control is amazing. The body control that he displays along the board is impressive, especially in the offensive zone. The centreman was also above 60% on the draw in both games that I attended and seemed to pay more attention in his defensive zone.

At the next level, his speed will set him apart from other skaters. He is very speedy and skates very low to the ice. He’s also got a high motor, not dropping off from the 1^st to 3^rd period. After speaking with Head Coach and General Manager, Ryan Papaioannou he echoed that his skating and puck pursuit were big strong points of Paskaruk’s game and that makes him one of the best penalty killers on the team.

Ladue working his way back home

Justin Schreiber — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:36:56 +0000

Ladue has been a steady contributor in his first USHL season.

Lincoln Stars rookie defenseman Paul Ladue is heading into the Christmas break with a very successful first half of the season in the books. Ladue, a Grand Forks, ND native is making huge strides this year in his first USHL season. On the blueline for the Stars, he has already racked up 12 points which has him tied for tenth in USHL scoring for defenseman.

His performance this year has already gotten him a scholarship offer from the University of North Dakota and some are saying that if he keeps playing at the pace he is, a few NHL teams will take a long look at the smooth skating defenseman this June.

Ladue is a very solid two-way defenseman. His game fits very well in Lincoln’s power play, which generates the majority of it’s scoring chances from the point. Ladue is the corner stone of the Stars power play, and that has resulted in 6 points on the power play, and the Stars having the second best power play percentage in the USHL. The 6’2”, 185 lb. defenseman has great hands and sees the ice incredibly well.

From the point, Ladue always finds a way to get the puck down low and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. In the defensive zone, Ladue has a big presence for the Stars, playing an incredibly controlled and solid game. One of the most important stats on Ladue’s stat sheet is the fact that in 22 games, Ladue has not taken one penalty. That’s the kind of controlled play that coaches and scouts love to see, and it’s resulted in Ladue having one of the best +/-’s on the team.

Going forward, Ladue will certainly attract a lot of attention from NHL scouts. He is a third-year eligible player this year and only time will tell if he gets his name called in June. Paul Ladue is certainly a name that everyone will want to keep an eye on heading into the second half of the USHL season leading up to June’s NHL Draft.

Tanner Pearson: 1st Round Pick?

Scott Campbell — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:19:29 +0000

Pearson has quickly become one of the most dominant offensive players in the OHL.

Every year there are several examples of players who goes from relative anonymity to hearing their name called early in the NHL Draft. There are no shortage of feel-good stories this year, but Tanner Pearson is certainly an exception to the norm.

14th Round OHL Pick. 2 years in Jr. B. Undrafted in 2010 and 2011. The resume may not scream NHL 1st rounder, but Pearson’s play is making a compelling case to change that in 2012.

The 19-year-old Kitchener, Ont. native was an effective player for the Barrie Colts a season ago, but 2011 has been nothing short of dominance. As of publication time, Pearson has racked up some pretty ridiculous numbers so far this season. 22 goals and 60 points is a good season for most, but Pearson has managed to tally these numbers in only 28 games this season. The Colts winger also has a 12-point lead in the OHL scoring race, and has notched at least 1 point in 26 of 28 games played.Keep in mind, Pearson has been passed over in two straight NHL Drafts.

In all fairness, I don’t think anybody saw this type of season coming, but it’s nothing short of a guarantee that Pearson will hear his name called in Pittsburgh next summer. The only question is – How high?

At this point in time, I have to ponder if the answer to that question isn’t the 1st round. While it is rare for players in their 3rd year of draft eligibility to go high, it’s not unheard of. Most recently, Viktor Tikhonov was selected 28th overall in 2008 during his 3rd year of draft eligibility. Finnish netminder Mikko Koskinen was also selected 31st overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, his 4th year of draft eligibility.

Despite both of those players being European, Pearson is certainly making a case to join their company. Pearson’s incredible start to the OHL season this year has generated a lot of buzz around hockey circles. So much so that Pearson has been invited to the Canadian World Junior Camp and I personally would be quite surprised if he doesn’t end up cracking the Under 20 roster. There is certainly a consensus that he’s a lock to be drafted next summer, but there seems to be no consensus about just where he may slot in.

Allow me to pose a question: Why not the 1st round? I’ve seen quite a bit of OHL action this season, and taking everything into account, I am starting to believe that the 1st round could become a reality for him. He has the size to play at the next level, competes hard, skates well, and has really become a dynamic offensive player off the rush and in the offensive zone. The numbers don’t lie, he’s been extremely consistent this season, and frankly, he’s become a player you notice in every game.

We’ll learn a lot about what type of player Tanner Pearson is at the World Junior camp, and potentially during the World Juniors, but for now, Pearson’s play is making a statement that an NHL 1st round pick is certainly within the realm of possibilities.

WHL Quarter Poll Rankings: #11-20

Daniel Lizee — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:38:52 +0000

Troy Bourke has had a difficult time building upon a solid rookie season a year ago.

11. D Cody Corbett – Edmonton

This is my darkhorse that scouts are still trying to get to know. To this point he only has 2 points in 7 games but has a style of game that looks very translatable to the pro level. Thick bodied Dman that can play in a variety of roles. Looks very comfortable with the puck and plays the point on the power play very well. The Oil Kings are very deep on the backend, so I’m not sure how much opportunity will be there for him, but I think he will find a way to break through once he finds some comfort on his team and in his role. Last Rank: NR

12. C Brendan Leipsic – Portland

Leipsic has had a season much like his teammate Derrick Pouliot. He has been hot some games, ineffective in others. Unlike Pouliot, Leipsic’s predecessor, Ryan Johnasen, has not come back to Portland, forcing Leipsic into some bigger roles, ones that I don’t think he is quite ready for. Leipsic is a small, dynamic player. Great hands, great speed, just not big enough to get to the hard areas of the ice. Leipsic will be a gamble pick by anyone who takes him. Last Rank: #8

13. LW Troy Bourke – Prince George

Bourke is likely the player on the list that is having the most disappointing start to his year. I had him ranked as the best forward out of the Dub this year and the numbers are just not coming very frequently for him. Prince George, as a team, have the least amount of goals for in the WHL. I believe everyone is missing the contributions of Brett Connelly, a player that stuck with the Lightning. A 17 and 16 year old in Bourke and Forsberg are expected to lead this team offensively, isn’t an ideal situation for either of them. Last Rank: #7

14. LW Dominik Volek – Edmonton

Volek is a player that found a niche in Regina and is thriving in a secondary scoring role. He has some nice versatility in his game. I think he’s a player that’s still adapting to the North American game, but he some nice skills that he has shown off. Quick skater, quick release, and utilizes his speed very well to generate scoring chances. It will be interesting to see how he evolves in Regina with a lot of other players also trying to make names for themselves. All being said, a strong start for Volek thus far. Last Rank: NR

15. RW Brendan Troock – Seattle

A very slow start for Troock to start the year, but I am still mesmerized by this player because there seems to be a big, solid hockey player in there somewhere. The thing that is hurting him the most is his skating, despite his size, his isn’t very strong on his skates. He only has 6 points in 17 games and is -10. If someone takes a gamble on him, he is a true project. He has the hockey body, but someone will need to redefine his game and his skating. Last Rank: #17

16. C Brandon Magee – Victoria

I love the way Magee plays the game. He’s tenacious, play with a high motor and never gives up on a play. The thing lacking in his game is size. The size kind of hurts in battles but it will really hurt him when it comes to durability. He is averaging a point a game to this point for a Victoria team that has been very inconsistent. Last Rank: #12

17. C Steven Hodges – Victoria

Hodges plays a decent two-way game, seems to have found an offensive gear this year, already achieving a points high of 19. Hodges seems to be finding a way to contribute secondary scoring on a team that desperately needs it. Hodges is a player that I will be keeping my eye on more as the season progresses. Last Rank: NR

18. C Mike Winther – Prince Albert

Winther is having a decent year despite his Prince Albert team struggling to find wins. Winther plays a solid two-way game. Kind of a utility knife type player that can play in a variety of roles. Great skater, reminds me of a Todd Marchant type. Someone looking for this type of player would be wise to look the way on Winther. Last Rank: NR

19. G Chris Dreidger – Calgary

Goaltenders in the WHL are a tough breed to gauge in their draft years, unless they are total studs like Carey Price. Tyler Bunz, I thought was a stiff of a pick for the Oilers, has turned into one of the best junior goalies in all of Canada. I get an inkling Driedger is on the same curve. Some games he looks great, others he looks blah. The good news for him is he will get a lot of looks in Calgary, a team that is trying to get out of the basement of the WHL, looking for respect. Last Rank: #19

20. LW Chandler Stephenson – Regina

Stephenson’s year has been one of wild inconstancy. Looks like a first rounder some nights and other nights looks like he doesn’t belong in the WHL. It will be interesting to see how Stephenson, Volek, and Klimchuk all push each other thoughout the year. Last Rank: #9